History thumb|left|A USAF F-22 Raptor air superiority fighter intercepting a Russian Tu-95 near Alaska The first interceptor squadrons were formed during World War I to defend London against attacks by Zeppelins and later against fixed-wing long-range bombers. Early units generally used aircraft withdrawn from front-line service, notably the Sopwith Pup. They were told about their target's location before take-off from a command centre in the Horse Guards building. The Pup proved to have too low performance to easily intercept Gotha G.IV bombers, and the superior Sopwith Camels supplanted them.
history thumb|left|a usaf f-22 raptor air superiority fighter intercepting a russian tu-95 near alaska the first interceptor squadrons were formed during world war i to defend london against attacks by zeppelins and later against fixed-wing long-range bombers early units generally used aircraft withdrawn from front-line service notably the sopwith pup they were told about their target's location before take-off from a command centre in the horse guards building the pup proved to have too low performance to easily intercept gotha giv bombers and the superior sopwith camels supplanted them