The Red Hat Squadron is the name given to the fliers of capture/stolen Soviet aircraft. The Red Hat Squadron operates out of Area 51. It is speculated they use Hanger 5 at the Area 51, Groom Lake airbase.
Resulting from the foreign material exploitation program named "Red Hat", the Red Hat Squadron started in the 1960's and has been attributed to the improved fighter kill ratios in the Viet Nam, the Persian Gulf and Serbia conflicts.
Soviet aircraft in the Red Hat Squadron include the Mig 17, Mig-19, Mig-21, Mig-23, Mig-27 and Su-27.