138th Fighter Squadron
Encyclopedia
The 138th Fighter Squadron is a squadron of the United States Air Force
. Before it flew the MQ-9 Reaper
, it flew the F-16C Fighting Falcon. It is a unit of the New York Air National Guard
. Its parent unit is the 174th Fighter Wing
.
flying unit in New York State. The unit flew P-47D Thunderbolts and was based at the former Army Air Force facilities at Hancock Field
.
In 1950, the unit became the first jet - equipped flying unit in New York State with the assignment of F-84B Thunderjets. The base became the main training hub in the State for jet fighter aircraft. In 1957, F-86H Sabres arrived and the 138th FS was assigned to Tactical Air Command
, starting its long history of performing the close air support mission.
The 138th FS was mobilized in 1961 through 1962 by command of President John F. Kennedy
. It was under the control of the 102nd Tactical Fighter Wing. The unit was called to active duty with the USAF during the Berlin Crisis
. The unit served in Phalsbourg-Bourscheid Air Base
for a period of approximately two years. Upon return to the United States, the unit was renamed the 138th Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS).
In 1968, the 138th TFS was again federally activated and deployed to Cannon AFB, New Mexico
, for the "Pueblo Crisis."
It was an F-86H Sabre that new the fatal USAF/ANG Sabre sortie, when the 138th TFS the F-86 Sabre out of service on 30 September 1970.
In October 1979, the 138th TFS was converted to the Fairchild A-10A Thunderbolt II, nicknamed the Wart Hog.
The first F-16A Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft arrived in 1988 and the 138th TFS became the USAF test unit for the close air support role of the F/A-16 with the 30 mm gun pod. The unit received the USAF's Outstanding Maintenance Squadron Award that year.
In 1991, the 138th TFS deployed to the Persian Gulf
with 516 members in support of Operation Desert Storm. The 138th was one of only two Air National Guard units to fly combat missions during Operation Desert Storm. The unit received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, with the "V" device for valor, during Operation Desert Storm; the Air Force Association Outstanding Unit Award; and the National Guard Association's Best Family Support Center Award.
In 1992, the unit changed its name from the 138th TFS to its current designation, the 138th Fighter Squadron. In 1995, and for the next two years, the 138th FS deployed twice to Incirlik Air Base
, Turkey in support of Operation Provide Comfort II and Operation Northern Watch
. It also upgraded its aircraft to the F-16C Fighting Falcon.
In 1997, the 138th Fighter Squadron commemorated its 50th Anniversary in conjunction with the United States Air Force
by hosting the Thunderbirds aerobatics team at the Syracuse Air Show.
On 11 August 2008, it was reported that the 138th Fighter Squadron would replace all F-16 Fighting Falcon
fighter aircraft with MQ-9 Reaper
unmanned combat aircraft. On 6 March 2010, the last 2 F-16Cs departed Hancock Field marking the end of F-16 aircraft operations at the base. Aircraft 85-1570 and 85-1561 made three low passes for the assembled crowd gathered to commemorate the end of manned aviation at the Syracuse ANG base. The unit then transitioned to the remotely piloted MQ-9 Reaper.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
. Before it flew the MQ-9 Reaper
MQ-9 Reaper
The General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper is an unmanned aerial vehicle , capable of remote controlled or autonomous flight operations, developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems for use by the United States Air Force, the United States Navy, the CIA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Royal...
, it flew the F-16C Fighting Falcon. It is a unit of the New York Air National Guard
New York Air National Guard
The New York Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of New York. It is, along with the New York Army National Guard, an element of the New York National Guard. It is considered a part of the United States Air Force, as well as its state mission...
. Its parent unit is the 174th Fighter Wing
174th Fighter Wing
The Air National Guard's 174th Fighter Wing is a Close Air Support fighter unit located at Hancock Field in Syracuse, New York.-History:The 174th Fighter Wing was formed on 28 October 1947 as the 138th Fighter Squadron . The 138th FS was the first post-WWII Air National Guard flying unit in New...
.
History
The 138th Fighter Squadron was formed on 28 October 1947 as the first post-WWII Air National GuardAir National Guard
The Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
flying unit in New York State. The unit flew P-47D Thunderbolts and was based at the former Army Air Force facilities at Hancock Field
Syracuse Hancock International Airport
Syracuse Hancock International Airport is a joint civil-military public airport located northeast of Syracuse, in Onondaga County, New York, off of Interstate 81 near Mattydale, New York. The main terminal complex is located at the eastern end of Colonel Eileen Collins Boulevard.-History:In 1927...
.
In 1950, the unit became the first jet - equipped flying unit in New York State with the assignment of F-84B Thunderjets. The base became the main training hub in the State for jet fighter aircraft. In 1957, F-86H Sabres arrived and the 138th FS was assigned to Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...
, starting its long history of performing the close air support mission.
The 138th FS was mobilized in 1961 through 1962 by command of President John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
. It was under the control of the 102nd Tactical Fighter Wing. The unit was called to active duty with the USAF during the Berlin Crisis
Berlin Crisis of 1961
The Berlin Crisis of 1961 was the last major politico-military European incident of the Cold War about the occupational status of the German capital city, Berlin, and of post–World War II Germany. The U.S.S.R...
. The unit served in Phalsbourg-Bourscheid Air Base
Phalsbourg-Bourscheid Air Base
Phalsbourg-Bourscheid Air Base is a former United States Air Force base in France. It is located in the Moselle département, about 2 miles west of the town of Phalsbourg, on the north side of the Route nationale 4 Highway adjacent to the village Saint-Jean-Kourtzerode; 29 miles northwest of...
for a period of approximately two years. Upon return to the United States, the unit was renamed the 138th Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS).
In 1968, the 138th TFS was again federally activated and deployed to Cannon AFB, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, for the "Pueblo Crisis."
It was an F-86H Sabre that new the fatal USAF/ANG Sabre sortie, when the 138th TFS the F-86 Sabre out of service on 30 September 1970.
In October 1979, the 138th TFS was converted to the Fairchild A-10A Thunderbolt II, nicknamed the Wart Hog.
The first F-16A Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft arrived in 1988 and the 138th TFS became the USAF test unit for the close air support role of the F/A-16 with the 30 mm gun pod. The unit received the USAF's Outstanding Maintenance Squadron Award that year.
In 1991, the 138th TFS deployed to the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
with 516 members in support of Operation Desert Storm. The 138th was one of only two Air National Guard units to fly combat missions during Operation Desert Storm. The unit received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, with the "V" device for valor, during Operation Desert Storm; the Air Force Association Outstanding Unit Award; and the National Guard Association's Best Family Support Center Award.
In 1992, the unit changed its name from the 138th TFS to its current designation, the 138th Fighter Squadron. In 1995, and for the next two years, the 138th FS deployed twice to Incirlik Air Base
Incirlik Air Base
The Incirlik Air Base is located in İncirlik, five miles east of Adana, Turkey's fifth largest city, and from the Mediterranean Sea.The U.S...
, Turkey in support of Operation Provide Comfort II and Operation Northern Watch
Operation Northern Watch
Operation Northern Watch, the successor to Operation Provide Comfort, was a US European Command Combined Task Force charged with enforcing its own no-fly zone above the 36th parallel in Iraq...
. It also upgraded its aircraft to the F-16C Fighting Falcon.
In 1997, the 138th Fighter Squadron commemorated its 50th Anniversary in conjunction with the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
by hosting the Thunderbirds aerobatics team at the Syracuse Air Show.
On 11 August 2008, it was reported that the 138th Fighter Squadron would replace all F-16 Fighting Falcon
F-16 Fighting Falcon
The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multirole jet fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force . Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,400 aircraft have been built since...
fighter aircraft with MQ-9 Reaper
MQ-9 Reaper
The General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper is an unmanned aerial vehicle , capable of remote controlled or autonomous flight operations, developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems for use by the United States Air Force, the United States Navy, the CIA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Royal...
unmanned combat aircraft. On 6 March 2010, the last 2 F-16Cs departed Hancock Field marking the end of F-16 aircraft operations at the base. Aircraft 85-1570 and 85-1561 made three low passes for the assembled crowd gathered to commemorate the end of manned aviation at the Syracuse ANG base. The unit then transitioned to the remotely piloted MQ-9 Reaper.
Previous designations
- 138th Fighter Squadron (1992–Present)
- 138th Tactical Fighter Squadron (1962–1992)
- 138th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (???-1962)
- 138th Fighter Squadron (1947-???)
Bases stationed
- Hancock FieldSyracuse Hancock International AirportSyracuse Hancock International Airport is a joint civil-military public airport located northeast of Syracuse, in Onondaga County, New York, off of Interstate 81 near Mattydale, New York. The main terminal complex is located at the eastern end of Colonel Eileen Collins Boulevard.-History:In 1927...
, New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
(1947–Present)
Aircraft Operated
- MQ-9 ReaperMQ-9 ReaperThe General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper is an unmanned aerial vehicle , capable of remote controlled or autonomous flight operations, developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems for use by the United States Air Force, the United States Navy, the CIA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Royal...
(2009–Present) - F-16C Block 25 Fighting Falcon (1998–2010)
- F-16C Block 30 Fighting Falcon (1993–1998)
- F-16A Fighting Falcon (1988–1993)
- A-10 Thunderbolt IIA-10 Thunderbolt IIThe Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is an American single-seat, twin-engine, straight-wing jet aircraft developed by Fairchild-Republic in the early 1970s. The A-10 was designed for a United States Air Force requirement to provide close air support for ground forces by attacking tanks,...
(1979–1988) - A-37 DragonflyA-37 DragonflyThe Cessna A-37 Dragonfly, or Super Tweet, is a United States light attack aircraft developed from the T-37 Tweet basic trainer in the 1960s and 1970s...
(1970–1979) - F-86H Sabre (1957–1971)
- F-94 StarfireF-94 StarfireThe Lockheed F-94 Starfire was the United States Air Force's first operational jet-powered all-weather interceptor aircraft. It was a development by Lockheed of the twin-seat T-33 Shooting Star trainer aircraft.-Design and development:...
(19??–1962) - F-84 ThunderjetF-84 ThunderjetThe Republic F-84 Thunderjet was an American turbojet fighter-bomber aircraft. Originating as a 1944 United States Army Air Forces proposal for a "day fighter", the F-84 flew in 1946...
(1950–19??) - F-47D Thunderbolt (1947–1950)