The "Sabre Knights" aerobatic team team were organized in April 1954 by pilots of the United States Air Defense Command's 325th Fighter Interceptor Squadron based at Hamilton AFB. They began with F-86F Sabres but, later that year, the team transitioned to F-86D models.
The pilots of the team were: Lt. Col. Vince Gordon as leader and organizer, Capt. Bruce Jones as right wing, Capt. Dick Hellwege as left wing and Lt. Jim Low as the slot. Gordon was a former "Skyblazers" pilot, where he flew as both the leader and slot. Lt. Low was a Korean War hero, who shot down nine Mig-15s, five of them shot down during his first six weeks in Korea. Jim Low would also later return to war in Vietnam where he was shot down and captured in December 1967. He was later released in August 1968 and he retired in 1973 as a Major.
"Sabre Knights" pilots had to practice in their spare time, because they were never officially recognized as a demonstration team. A typical demonstration of the team lasted about 20 minutes.
In Aug 1955, the 325 FIS was deactivated and the "Sabre Knights" demonstration team came to an end.
