Jastas
Jastas were fighter squadrons of the German Air Service during World War I, officially designated Jagdstaffel – a German term meaning “fighter squadron.” Each Jasta operated as a dedicated group of aircraft and pilots tasked with air superiority missions, including intercepting enemy reconnaissance aircraft, bombers, and protecting ground forces. Typical Jastas were equipped with single-seat fighter aircraft such as the Albatros D.III, Fokker Dr.I, and later the Fokker D.VII. Personnel were generally organized into sections led by a staff officer, with pilots, mechanics, and support staff assigned to specific aircraft.
The concept of the Jasta was developed in 1915 as a response to the need for a
Multiple aces served within Jastas, including Manfred von Richthofen, the Red Baron, and Ernst Udet. Pilots