The Old Wars

    The Juvats’ distinguished history began only one month after the attack on Pearl Harbor, as the squadron shipped out to fight in the Pacific Theater of the Second World War. Originally designated as a pursuit squadron, they were later redesignated during the war as the 80th Fighter Squadron attached to the 8th Fighter Group, and later the 8th Fighter Wing. One of the early squadron commanders, Major Edward “Porky” Cragg nicknamed the squadron “The Headhunters” after the local New Guinean headhunter tribes who hated the Japanese and helped to rescue downed allied pilots.

    During a reorganization period in the American military in the late 20th century, the 80th staff was plussed up with personnel from the defunct 391st Tactical Fighter Squadron. The 391st’s insignia had included the motto “Audentes Fortuna Juvat”, which subsequently became the “Headhunters” motto. On the sleeve patch, the scroll displaying the motto was such that when the patch was ripped off, the word “Juvat” was left in place. The 80th commander at the time, Lt Col Soloman Harp III, adopted the practice and named himself the first “Juvat”. The motto and name (Juvats) remained unofficial until approved in 1986.

    On Earth, the squadron saw action including deployments in Australia, New Guinea, the Schouten Islands, Morotai, Leyte, Mindoro, Japan and Korea. The outfit provided air defense, air interdiction, strategic attack, defense suppression and close air support across the Pacific Rim Campaigns. Before moving off-world in 2291, the Juvats had amassed 17,384 combat missions for a total of 107,104 total hours of active operations. For their role in the various conflict, 80th pilots received 2 Medals of Honor, 17 Silver Stars, 164 Distinguished Flying Crosses, and 2426 Air Medals. The 80th earned 11 battle honors, including the Gallantry Cross (with Palm), and 14 UNE Outstanding Unit Citations.

    In its history, the 80th has recorded 2251 total aerial victories and made 351 aces, making it the highest scoring fighter squadron in human history. The unit was decommissioned by the United Nations of Earth military in 2384; however, a cadre of the most die-hard Juvats refused to let the squadron go, and raised funds to operate the squadron as a private military company. The organization ditched the numerical designation and the headhunter logo, in favor of the Wolf’s Head of its parent 8th Fighter Wing, the Wolfpack. The Juvats enjoyed moderate success as mercenaries, but in the more recent years have taken on much less obvious roles and tasks, some attributing their change in Modus Operandi to a new partnership with the reclusive Aurora Project.