The Green Hornets (
Die grünen Hornissen) were established in May, 1949, to serve as the Luftwaffe’s premier aerial display team (
kunstflugstaffel). Its mission is to showcase the pride and professionalism of the German Luftwaffe by inspiring a culture of excellence and service to country through flight demonstrations and community outreach.
The unit was formed under the leadership of Major Johannes Steinhoff, and drew its initial pilots from the staff of Jagdfliegerschule 6, based at Fliegerhorst Fürstenfeldbruck, outside the city of München. The establishment of the squadron is twelve pilots and one hundred twenty support personnel, with eight modified Focke Wulf Fw340 fighter aircraft and three Arado 232 transport aircraft assigned.