List of F-104 Starfighter operators
Encyclopedia
The List of F-104 Starfighter operators lists the countries and their air force units that have operated the F-104 Starfighter.
Belgium operated F-104G and TF-104Gs. They served with four squadrons: 23 and 31 (fighter-bombers), 349 and 350 (interceptors), and finally an OCU unit. In total 101 SABCA-built F-104Gs and 12 TF-104G built by Lockheed were purchased (one F-104G crashed before delivery). The Belgian Air Force operated the type from 14 February 1963 to 19 September 1983; some survivors were sent to Taiwan (23 aircraft) and Turkey (18 aircraft). Thirty-eight F-104G and three TF-104Gs were lost in accidents.
Belgian Air Force
The RCAF, and later the unified Canadian Forces
, operated 200 Canadian-built CF-104s and 38 dual-control trainer CF-104Ds (built by Lockheed) between 1962 and 1986. CF-104s were equipped with additional electronic equipment, with an Radar warning receiver
function, in the tail and under the nose. Losses were high, with around 110 crashes in Europe. Its heavy usage, mainly at low-level for bombing and reconnaissance missions was a major factor, while bad weather conditions contributed to almost 50% of the accidental losses. The airframes had an average of 6,000 flying hours when phased-out; triple that of Germany's F-104s. Surplus CF-104s and CF-104Ds were later transferred to Denmark
, Norway
, and Turkey
.
Royal Canadian Air Force
ROC operated a total of 282 aircraft funded by the Military Assistance Program (MAP); a mixture of new-build and surplus F-104A, -B, -D, -G, -J, -DJ, RF-104G, and TF-104G were used. The Starfighter was phased out of Taiwanese service by 1997.
Republic of China Air Force
Denmark initially received 25 license-built Canadair F-104G and four Lockheed TF-104Gs under the Military Assistance Program. Surplus Canadian aircraft were transferred between 1972–74 (15 CF-104 and 7 CF-104D). A total of 51 Starfighters were operated by Denmark before their retirement in 1986. Fifteen surplus F-104Gs and three TF-104Gs were transferred to Taiwan in 1987.
Danish Air Force
Germany received 916 F-104s, comprising 749 F/RF-104Gs, 137 TF-104Gs and 30 F-104Fs, forming the major combat equipment of both the Luftwaffe
and Marineflieger
. At its peak in the mid-1970s, the Luftwaffe operated five F-104 -equipped fighter bomber wings, two interceptor wings and two tactical reconnaissance wings. The Marineflieger operated a further two wings of F-104s in the maritime strike and reconnaissance roles.
The Starfighter entered service with the Luftwaffe in July 1960, with deliveries continuing until March 1973, remaining in operational service until 16 October 1987, and continuing in use for test purposes until 22 May 1991.
The two squadrons operating the RF-104G were re-equipped with RF-4E Phantoms in the early 1970s.
The Marineflieger initially used AS.30 command guidance missiles as anti-ship weapons, but these were replaced with the more sophisticated and longer-ranged radar-guided AS.34 Kormoran
missile, allowing stand-off attacks to be carried out against enemy ships. German Starfighters proved to have an alarming accident rate. In German service, 292 of 916 Starfighters crashed, claiming the lives of 115 pilots.
Luftwaffe
Marineflieger
Greece received 45 new-built F-104G and six TF-104s under the Military Assistance Program. These were supplemented by second-hand Starfighters passed on from other NATO air forces, including 79 from Germany, seven from the Netherlands and nine from Spain. The Starfighter entered Greek service in April 1964, equipping two wings, leaving service in March 1993.
Greek Air Force
In the Italian Air Force, the F-104 was a mainstay from the early 1960s until the end of the 20th century. The first flight for an Italian F-104G was a Lockheed-built aircraft, MM6501, on 9 June 1962; however, the first Fiat/Aeritalia-built example flew two years later on 5 October 1962. Italy initially received a total of 105 F-104G, 24 TF-104G and 20 RF-104Gs, becoming operational in March 1963. This fleet was later increased by the addition of 205 homebuilt F-104S aircraft and six ex-Luftwaffe TF-104Gs bringing the total number of aircraft operated to 360. In 1986 the AMI was the largest operator with eleven units flying the Starfighter operationally. Up to 1997, Italy lost 137 (38%) of its F-104s in 928,000 flying hours (14.7 aircraft every 100,000 hrs). The F-104 was officially retired from AMI service during a large ceremony at Pratica di Mare
in 2004.
Aeronautica Militare Italiana
The JASDF operated 210 F-104J air-superiority fighters and 20 dual-control trainer F-104DJs. Called Eiko ("Glory"), they served from October 1962 to 1986, losing only 36 airplanes in this time. Seven air-superiority squadrons used them: 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207. Japanese F-104s faced intrusive Soviet airplanes during this long service. Many of the Japanese F-104s were eventually converted to drones for aerial target practise.
Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Jordan received 29 F-104A and four F-104B aircraft delivered under the Military Assistance Program in 1967. Controlled by the United States these aircraft were moved temporarily to Turkey during the Arab–Israeli Six-Day War
. Replaced by the Northrop F-5 and Dassault Mirage F1
by 1983, the survivors serve as airfield decoys.
Royal Jordanian Air Force
The Netherlands operated European-built F-104s. A total of 138 Starfighters were delivered to the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (Royal Netherlands Air Force, or KLu). Many Dutch aircraft were transferred to Turkey.
Royal Netherlands Air Force
Norway received 18 surplus CF-104s and four CF-104Ds from Canada
in 1974, the country had initially received 19 Canadair built F-104G and four TF-104G in 1963 under the Military Assistance Program. The F-104 was phased out of Norwegian service in winter 1982.
Norwegian Air Force
Pakistan was the first non-NATO country to be equipped with the F-104, a total of 12 F-104A and 2 F-104B were delivered; nine F-104A (tail numbers 56-803, 56-804, 56-805, 56-807, 56-868, 56-874, 56-875, 56-877, 56-879) and two F-104B (tail numbers 57-1309, 57-1312) on 5 August 1961, although some sources say sources say the first two were landed at Sargodha Airbase (now Mushaf Airbase) by Sqn Ldr Sadruddin and Flt Lt Middlecoat in 1962. One more F-104A was delivered on 8 June 1964 (tail number 56-773) and another on 1 March 1965 (tail number 56-798). These were ex-USAF aircraft retro-fitted with the more powerful J-79-11A engine and, at the PAF's request, the 20 mm Vulcan gatling gun was re-installed after removal by the USAF. These F-104s had unusually high thrust to weight ratios due to the older but lighter airframe and more modern engines. The F-104 was in service for 12 years with 11,690 flight hours, 246 hours 45 minutes of these in the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War and 103 hours 45 minutes in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War, after which five F-104 remained and were grounded by lack of spares due to a U.S. embargo
on military equipment. The type was phased out in late 1972.
Pakistan Air Force
The Spanish Air Force received their F-104s under the Military Assistance Program: 18 Canadair-built F-104Gs and three Lockheed-built TF-104Gs were delivered under MAP to Spain's Ejército del Aire in 1965. These aircraft were transferred to Greece and Turkey when they were replaced by F-4 Phantoms in 1972. It is notable that no aircraft were lost through accidents during 17,000 hours of operational use in Spain although it should also be noted that the aircraft was used only in its intended role of an interceptor and mainly in very good flying weather.
Ejército del Aire
Turkey received 48 new-build F-104Gs and six TF-104Gs from Lockheed and Canadair production, funded under the Military Assistance Program, which were delivered from 1963, and directly purchased 40 new F-104S interceptors from Fiat in 1974–75. In addition, like Greece, Turkey received large numbers of surplus Starfighters from several NATO nations in the 1970s and 1980s, including 170 ex-German aircraft, 53 aircraft from the Netherlands and 52 from Canada. In total, Turkey received over 400 Starfighters from various sources, although many of these aircraft were broken up for spares without having been flown. The F-104 was finally retired from Turkish service in 1995.
Turkish Air Force
United States Air Force
Tactical Air Command
Air Defense Command
Air National Guard
NASA
Eleven F-104s (different versions) were operated by NASA between 1956 and 1994. Aircraft were used in support of the X-15
and XB-70
flight testing and were also used for astronaut
training during various spaceflight programs. NASA F-104 aircraft were used to gather flight research data including aircraft handling characteristics, such as roll inertia coupling, and reaction control systems as used in the NF-104A
and X-15. Space Shuttle
thermal protection tiles were tested in flights aboard a Starfighter on a rig which simulated flight through rain. NASA's Starfighters flew many safety chase sorties in support of advanced research aircraft over the years, including the wingless lifting body
aircraft. Neil Armstrong
was one notable pilot who flew a NASA F-104.
The Starfighters F-104 Demo Team
The team based in Clearwater, Florida
currently operate three Canadair CF-104 Starfighters, performing at air shows across the United States and Canada. Their CF-104s consist of a two-seat CF-104D Serial#:104632 (registered as N104RB), and two single-seat CF-104s Serial#s: 104850 (registered as N104RD) and 104759 (registered as N104RN). The aircraft were originally operated with the Royal Canadian Air Force and all later served with the Royal Norwegian Air Force before being imported into the U.S. in the early 1990s.
F-104RB "Red Baron"
Another civilian Starfighter, called the F-104RB
(for "Red Baron"), was used to set the low-level speed record in October 1977 by world-famous air racer Daryl Greenamyer
. Greenamyer built his F-104 over a period of 12 years from parts scrounged from various places, including a "borrowed" J79-17/1 turbojet from a McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom
, which developed over 2,000 pounds more thrust than the standard J79-19 engine. Greenamyer attacked the record at Mud Lake, near Tonapah, Nevada, and beat the previous low-level speed record by recording a top speed of 988.26 mph (1,590.41 km/h) after five passes over the dry lake. He remained supersonic for most of the 20-minute flight, and rarely rose much higher than 100 feet above the lake bed. Several months later, while practicing for an attempt on the world absolute altitude record, he was forced to eject when his landing gear failed to extend; a belly landing
in the F-104 was considered too dangerous to attempt.
Military operators
Belgian Air Force
Belgian Air Force
The Air Component, formerly the Belgian Air Force, is the air arm of the Belgian Armed Forces. Originally founded in 1909, it is one of the world's first air forces, and was a pioneer in aerial combat during the First World War...
- 1 Wing, BAF based at BeauvechainBeauvechainBeauvechain is a Walloon municipality located in the Belgian province of Walloon Brabant. On 1 January 2006 the municipality had 6,529 inhabitants. The total area is 38.58 km², giving a population density of 169 inhabitants per km²....
- 349th Squadron349th Squadron (Belgium)No 349 Squadron is one of the traditional fighter squadron in the Air Component of the Belgian Armed Forces. Originally founded by Belgian refugees in England in 1942 as the No 349 Squadron of the Royal Air Force, it was transferred to the Belgian air force in 1946. Considered a 'honorary'...
- 350th Squadron350th Squadron (Belgium)The 350th Squadron is a fighter squadron in the Air Component of the Belgian Armed Forces. It is part of the 2nd Tactical Wing and operates F-16 Fighting Falcons....
- 349th Squadron
- 10 Wing, BAF based at Kleine Brogel
- 23rd Squadron
- 31st Squadron31st Squadron (Belgium)The 31st 'Tiger' Squadron is a fighter squadron in the Air Component of the Belgian Armed Forces. It is part of the 10th Tactical Wing and operates F-16 Fighting Falcons.They use a tiger as emblem....
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
, operated 200 Canadian-built CF-104s and 38 dual-control trainer CF-104Ds (built by Lockheed) between 1962 and 1986. CF-104s were equipped with additional electronic equipment, with an Radar warning receiver
Radar warning receiver
Radar warning receiver systems detect the radio emissions of radar systems. Their primary purpose is to issue a warning when a radar signal that might be a threat is detected. The warning can then be used, manually or automatically, to evade the detected threat...
function, in the tail and under the nose. Losses were high, with around 110 crashes in Europe. Its heavy usage, mainly at low-level for bombing and reconnaissance missions was a major factor, while bad weather conditions contributed to almost 50% of the accidental losses. The airframes had an average of 6,000 flying hours when phased-out; triple that of Germany's F-104s. Surplus CF-104s and CF-104Ds were later transferred to Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, and Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
.
Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
- 1 Wing RCAFRCAF Station MarvilleRCAF Station Marville was a Royal Canadian Air Force station located near Marville in the Meuse department, Lorraine, northeastern France. It was one of four RCAF wings consisting of three fighter squadrons each, established in Europe in the early 1950s to support the goals of NATO in Europe...
based at MarvilleMarvilleMarville may refer to:* Marville, a Marvel Comics series from the early 2000s* Marville, a commune of the Meuse département, in France...
/ Lahr, W.Germany- No. 439 (Sabre-Toothed Tiger) Squadron
- No. 441 (Silver Fox) Squadron
- 2 Wing RCAFRCAF Station GrostenquinRCAF Station Grostenquin, also known as 2 Wing or 2 Wing, was a Royal Canadian Air Force station located five km north of the town of Grostenquin in the Moselle department, Lorraine, northeastern France. It was one of four RCAF wings, consisting of three fighter squadrons each, established in...
based at GrostenquinRCAF Station GrostenquinRCAF Station Grostenquin, also known as 2 Wing or 2 Wing, was a Royal Canadian Air Force station located five km north of the town of Grostenquin in the Moselle department, Lorraine, northeastern France. It was one of four RCAF wings, consisting of three fighter squadrons each, established in...
/ Baden-Söllingen / LahrLahrLahr is a city in western Baden-Württemberg, Germany, approximately 38 km north of Freiburg in Breisgau and 100 km south of Karlsruhe...
- No. 421 (Red Indian) Squadron
- No. 430 (Silver Falcon) Squadron
- 3 Wing RCAF based at GrostenquinRCAF Station GrostenquinRCAF Station Grostenquin, also known as 2 Wing or 2 Wing, was a Royal Canadian Air Force station located five km north of the town of Grostenquin in the Moselle department, Lorraine, northeastern France. It was one of four RCAF wings, consisting of three fighter squadrons each, established in...
/ Baden-Söllingen / ZweibrückenZweibrückenZweibrücken is a city in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, on the Schwarzbach river.- Name :Zweibrücken appears in Latin texts as Geminus Pons and Bipontum, in French texts as Deux-Ponts. The name derives from Middle High German Zweinbrücken...
- No. 427 (Lion) Squadron
- No. 434 (Bluenose) SquadronNo. 434 Squadron RCAFNo. 434 Squadron was a Royal Canadian Air Force bomber squadron that flew bombing operations over Europe during World War II and was later a post-war fighter and combat support unit. It was last disbanded in 2000.-Second World War:...
- 4 Wing RCAF based at Baden-Söllingen
- No. 422 (Tomahawk) Squadron
- No. 444 (Cobra) Squadron
- Central Experimental and Proving Establishment/Aerospace Engineering and Test Establishment
- 6 Strike-Recce OTU
- No. 417 Operational Training Squadron RCAF
ROC operated a total of 282 aircraft funded by the Military Assistance Program (MAP); a mixture of new-build and surplus F-104A, -B, -D, -G, -J, -DJ, RF-104G, and TF-104G were used. The Starfighter was phased out of Taiwanese service by 1997.
Republic of China Air Force
Republic of China Air Force
The Republic of China Air Force is the aviation branch of the Republic of China Armed Forces. The ROCAF's primary mission is the defense of the airspace over and around Taiwan...
- 427th Tactical Fighter Wing, ROCAF based Ching Chuang Kang AB
- 7th Tactical Fighter Squadron, ROCAF
- 8th Tactical Fighter Squadron, ROCAF
- 28th Tactical Fighter Squadron, ROCAF
- 35th Tactical Fighter Squadron, ROCAF
- 499th Tactical Fighter Wing, ROCAF based at Hsinchu AB
- 41st Tactical Fighter Squadron, ROCAF
- 42nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, ROCAF
- 48th Tactical Fighter Squadron, ROCAF
- 401st Tactical Combined Wing, ROCAF based at Taoyuan AB
- 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron
Danish Air Force
- 723 Squadron RDAF based at AalborgAalborg-Transport:On the north side of the Limfjord is Nørresundby, which is connected to Aalborg by a road bridge Limfjordsbroen, an iron railway bridge Jernbanebroen over Limfjorden, as well as a motorway tunnel running under the Limfjord Limfjordstunnelen....
- 726 Squadron RDAF based at AalborgAalborg-Transport:On the north side of the Limfjord is Nørresundby, which is connected to Aalborg by a road bridge Limfjordsbroen, an iron railway bridge Jernbanebroen over Limfjorden, as well as a motorway tunnel running under the Limfjord Limfjordstunnelen....
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
and Marineflieger
German Navy
The German Navy is the navy of Germany and is part of the unified Bundeswehr .The German Navy traces its roots back to the Imperial Fleet of the revolutionary era of 1848 – 52 and more directly to the Prussian Navy, which later evolved into the Northern German Federal Navy...
. At its peak in the mid-1970s, the Luftwaffe operated five F-104 -equipped fighter bomber wings, two interceptor wings and two tactical reconnaissance wings. The Marineflieger operated a further two wings of F-104s in the maritime strike and reconnaissance roles.
The Starfighter entered service with the Luftwaffe in July 1960, with deliveries continuing until March 1973, remaining in operational service until 16 October 1987, and continuing in use for test purposes until 22 May 1991.
The two squadrons operating the RF-104G were re-equipped with RF-4E Phantoms in the early 1970s.
The Marineflieger initially used AS.30 command guidance missiles as anti-ship weapons, but these were replaced with the more sophisticated and longer-ranged radar-guided AS.34 Kormoran
AS.34 Kormoran
The AS.34 Kormoran is a German-produced Anti-ship missile. The Kormoran uses an inertial guidance system for the midcourse phase, switching to active radar homing during the terminal attack phase. It carries a 165 kg delay-fused warhead, designed for 90mm of penetration prior to detonation...
missile, allowing stand-off attacks to be carried out against enemy ships. German Starfighters proved to have an alarming accident rate. In German service, 292 of 916 Starfighters crashed, claiming the lives of 115 pilots.
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
- Aufklärungsgeschwader 51 "Immelmann" based at IngolstadtIngolstadtIngolstadt is a city in the Free State of Bavaria, in the Federal Republic of Germany. It is located along the banks of the Danube River, in the center of Bavaria. As at 31 March 2011, Ingolstadt had 125.407 residents...
/ ManchingManchingManching is a municipality in the district of Pfaffenhofen, in Bavaria, Germany. It is situated on the river Paar, 7 km southeast of Ingolstadt... - Aufklärungsgeschwader 52 based at LeckLeckLeck |Mooring North Frisian]]: Leek) is a municipality in the district of Nordfriesland, in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. It is situated approx. 30 km north of Husum, and 30 km west of Flensburg.It is also home to the former Leck Air Base....
- Jagdbombergeschwader 31 "Boelcke" based at NörvenichNörvenichNörvenich is a municipality in the district of Düren in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located about east of Düren....
- Jagdbombergeschwader 32 based at Lechfeld
- Jagdbombergeschwader 33 based at BüchelBüchelBüchel is an Ortsgemeinde – a municipality belonging to a Verbandsgemeinde, a kind of collective municipality – in the Cochem-Zell district in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany...
- Jagdbombergeschwader 34 based at MemmingenMemmingenMemmingen is a town in the Bavarian administrative region of Swabia in Germany. It is the central economic, educational and administrative centre in the Danube-Iller region. To the west the town is flanked by the Iller, the river that marks the Baden-Württemberg border...
- Jagdbombergeschwader 36 based at Rheine-Hopsten
- Jagdgeschwader 71 "Richtofen"Jagdgeschwader 71Jagdgeschwader 71 Richthofen is a Fighter Wing of the German Luftwaffe. JG 71 was West Germany's first operational jet fighter unit and is currently the last operational German fighter unit using the F-4 Phantom II aircraft.-History:...
based at Wittmundhaven - Jagdgeschwader 74Jagdgeschwader 74Jagdgeschwader 74 is an aviation unit of the German Luftwaffe, based on Neuburg air base in Bavaria since 1961.JG 74 provides air defence duties for southern Germany. The wing operates two squadrons, the Falken squadron and the Viva Zapata squadron.-History:JG 74 was activated as the last West...
based at NeubergNeubergNeuberg may refer to:* Neuberg , a castle from 13th century in Podhradí, Czech Republic*Neuberg, Hesse, a municipality in the district Main-Kinzig-Kreis, Hesse, Germany*Neuberg an der Mürz, a municipality in Styria, Austria... - Jagdbombergeschwader 35 (JaboG 35)
- Jagdbombergeschwader 36 (JaboG 36)
Marineflieger
German Navy
The German Navy is the navy of Germany and is part of the unified Bundeswehr .The German Navy traces its roots back to the Imperial Fleet of the revolutionary era of 1848 – 52 and more directly to the Prussian Navy, which later evolved into the Northern German Federal Navy...
- Marinefliegergeschwader 1 based at Schleswig-Jagel
- Marinefliegergeschwader 2 based at Eggebeck
Greek Air Force
- 335 Moira "Tigris"335th Bomber Squadron (HAF)The 335th Squadron , callsign "Tigers", is the oldest squadron currently in service with the Hellenic Air Force. It is currently based at Araxos Air Base in the Peloponnese, forming part of the 116th Combat Wing...
based at TanagraTanagraTanagra is a town and a municipality north of Athens in Boeotia, Greece. The seat of the municipality is the town Schimatari. It is not far from Thebes, and it was noted in antiquity for the figurines named after it...
/ AraxosAraxosAraxos , Latin form: Araxus is a village located in the municipal unit of Larissos in the northwestern part of Achaea, Greece. It is located on a road connecting south to Lappa and east to Lakkopetra and Kato Achaia and also a road to Kalogria and Metochi... - 336 Moira "Olympos"336th Bomber Squadron (HAF)The 336th Bomber Squadron , callsign "Olympus", is the second oldest squadron in service with the Hellenic Air Force, forming part of the 116th Combat Wing...
based at TanagraTanagraTanagra is a town and a municipality north of Athens in Boeotia, Greece. The seat of the municipality is the town Schimatari. It is not far from Thebes, and it was noted in antiquity for the figurines named after it...
/ AraxosAraxosAraxos , Latin form: Araxus is a village located in the municipal unit of Larissos in the northwestern part of Achaea, Greece. It is located on a road connecting south to Lappa and east to Lakkopetra and Kato Achaia and also a road to Kalogria and Metochi...
Pratica di Mare Air Force Base
Pratica di Mare Air Force Base is an Italian Air Force installation southwest of Rome, Italy. It was built in 1937, and in 1957 it was named after Colonnello Mario de Bernardi. It is the biggest Italian Air force base...
in 2004.
Aeronautica Militare Italiana
- 3° Stormo based at VillafrancaVillafrancaVillafranca is a town and municipality located in the province and the autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain.-External links:*...
- 28° Gruppo
- 132° Gruppo
- 4° Stormo based at Grosetto
- 9° Gruppo
- 20° Gruppo
- 5° Stormo based at RiminiRiminiRimini is a medium-sized city of 142,579 inhabitants in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, and capital city of the Province of Rimini. It is located on the Adriatic Sea, on the coast between the rivers Marecchia and Ausa...
- 23° Gruppo
- 102° Gruppo
- 6° Stormo based at GhediGhediGhedi is a town and comune in the province of Brescia, in Lombardy, Italy. It received the honorary title of city with a presidential decree on November 24, 2001....
- 154° Gruppo
- 36° Stormo based at Gioia del ColleGioia del ColleGioia del Colle is a town and comune in the province of Bari, Apulia, Italy. The town is located on the Murge plateau at 360 metres above sea level.- History :...
- 12° Gruppo
- 156° Gruppo
- 37° Stormo based at GrazzaniseGrazzaniseGrazzanise is a comune in the Province of Caserta in the Italian region Campania, located about 30 km northwest of Naples and about 20 km west of Caserta.-History:...
- 10° Gruppo
- 51° Stormo based at TrevisoTrevisoTreviso is a city and comune in Veneto, northern Italy. It is the capital of the province of Treviso and the municipality has 82,854 inhabitants : some 3,000 live within the Venetian walls or in the historical and monumental center, some 80,000 live in the urban center proper, while the city...
/ IstranaIstranaIstrana is a comune in the Province of Treviso in the Italian region Veneto, located about 35 km northwest of Venice and about 12 km west of Treviso...
- 22° Gruppo
- 155° Gruppo
- 53° Stormo based at CameriCameriCameri is a comune in the Province of Novara in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 90 km northeast of Turin and about 6 km northeast of Novara...
/ NovaraNovaraNovara is the capital city of the province of Novara in the Piedmont region in northwest Italy, to the west of Milan. With c. 105,000 inhabitants, it is the second most populous city in Piedmont after Turin. It is an important crossroads for commercial traffic along the routes from Milan to Turin...
- 21° Gruppo
Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Japan Air Self-Defense Force
The , or JASDF, is the aviation branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces responsible for the defense of Japanese airspace and other aerospace operations. The JASDF carries out combat air patrols around Japan, while also maintaining an extensive network of ground and air early warning radar systems...
- 2nd Kokudan based at Chitose Air BaseChitose Air Base, is a Japan Air Self-Defense Force base located in Chitose, Hokkaidō, adjacent to New Chitose Airport. It is the JASDF's primary base in northern Japan and tasked with monitoring Japan's maritime borders with Russia. It was also Hokkaidō's primary civilian airport until the opening of New Chitose...
(201st) and Komatsu Air Base (203rd)- 201st Hikotai
- 203rd Hikotai
- 5th Kokudan based at Nyutabaru Air BaseNyutabaru Air Baseis a military aerodrome of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. It is located north of Miyazaki in the Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan....
(202nd) and Tsuiki Air Base (204th)- 202nd Hikotai
- 204th Hikotai
- 6th Kokudan based at Komatsu Air Base
- 205th Hikotai
- 7th Kokudan based at Hyakuri Air Base, part at Naha Air BaseNaha Air BaseNaha Air Base is an airbase of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. It was formerly under control of the United States Air Force. It is located at Naha Airport, Okinawa, Japan....
- 206th Hikotai
- 207th Hikotai
Jordan received 29 F-104A and four F-104B aircraft delivered under the Military Assistance Program in 1967. Controlled by the United States these aircraft were moved temporarily to Turkey during the Arab–Israeli Six-Day War
Six-Day War
The Six-Day War , also known as the June War, 1967 Arab-Israeli War, or Third Arab-Israeli War, was fought between June 5 and 10, 1967, by Israel and the neighboring states of Egypt , Jordan, and Syria...
. Replaced by the Northrop F-5 and Dassault Mirage F1
Dassault Mirage F1
The Dassault Mirage F1 is a French air-superiority fighter and attack aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation as a successor of the Mirage III family. The Mirage F1 entered service in the French Air Force in the early seventies...
by 1983, the survivors serve as airfield decoys.
Royal Jordanian Air Force
Royal Jordanian Air Force
The Royal Jordanian Air Force is the air force branch of the Jordanian Armed Forces.-Early days:...
- No. 9 Squadron RJAF based at Prince Hassan Air Base
- No. 25 Squadron RJAF based at Mwaffaq Salti
Royal Netherlands Air Force
Royal Netherlands Air Force
The Royal Netherlands Air Force , Dutch Koninklijke Luchtmacht , is the military aviation branch of the Netherlands Armed Forces. Its ancestor, the Luchtvaartafdeling of the Dutch Army was founded on 1 July 1913, with four pilots...
- 306 Squadron RNAF
- 311 Squadron RNAF
- 312 Squadron RNAF
- 322 Squadron RNAF
- 323 Squadron RNAF
- Training and Conversion Unit A, RNAF
- Conversie Afdeling Volkel
Norway received 18 surplus CF-104s and four CF-104Ds from Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
in 1974, the country had initially received 19 Canadair built F-104G and four TF-104G in 1963 under the Military Assistance Program. The F-104 was phased out of Norwegian service in winter 1982.
Norwegian Air Force
- 331 SquadronNo. 331 Squadron RAFIn honour of the achievements of the World War II squadrons, the RNoAF has maintained RAF squadron names, including a 331st Fighter Squadron, now flying F-16s and based at Bodø Main Air Station.-Aircraft operated during RAF service:*1941 Hawker Hurricane I & IIB...
based at BodøBodøis a city and a municipality in Nordland county, Norway. It is part of the Salten region.The city of Bodø was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 . Bodin was merged with Bodø on 1 January 1968. Skjerstad was merged with Bodø on 1 January 2005... - 334 SquadronNo. 334 Squadron RAFNo. 334 Squadron was a Royal Air Force aircraft squadron that operated during the Second World War. After the war it became 334 Squadron of the Royal Norwegian Air Force.-History:...
based at BodøBodøis a city and a municipality in Nordland county, Norway. It is part of the Salten region.The city of Bodø was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 . Bodin was merged with Bodø on 1 January 1968. Skjerstad was merged with Bodø on 1 January 2005...
Pakistan was the first non-NATO country to be equipped with the F-104, a total of 12 F-104A and 2 F-104B were delivered; nine F-104A (tail numbers 56-803, 56-804, 56-805, 56-807, 56-868, 56-874, 56-875, 56-877, 56-879) and two F-104B (tail numbers 57-1309, 57-1312) on 5 August 1961, although some sources say sources say the first two were landed at Sargodha Airbase (now Mushaf Airbase) by Sqn Ldr Sadruddin and Flt Lt Middlecoat in 1962. One more F-104A was delivered on 8 June 1964 (tail number 56-773) and another on 1 March 1965 (tail number 56-798). These were ex-USAF aircraft retro-fitted with the more powerful J-79-11A engine and, at the PAF's request, the 20 mm Vulcan gatling gun was re-installed after removal by the USAF. These F-104s had unusually high thrust to weight ratios due to the older but lighter airframe and more modern engines. The F-104 was in service for 12 years with 11,690 flight hours, 246 hours 45 minutes of these in the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War and 103 hours 45 minutes in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War, after which five F-104 remained and were grounded by lack of spares due to a U.S. embargo
Embargo
An embargo is the partial or complete prohibition of commerce and trade with a particular country, in order to isolate it. Embargoes are considered strong diplomatic measures imposed in an effort, by the imposing country, to elicit a given national-interest result from the country on which it is...
on military equipment. The type was phased out in late 1972.
Pakistan Air Force
Pakistan Air Force
The Pakistan Air Force is the leading air arm of the Pakistan Armed Forces and is primarily tasked with the aerial defence of Pakistan with a secondary role of providing air support to the Pakistan Army and the Pakistan Navy. The PAF also has a tertiary role of providing strategic air transport...
- No. 9 Air Superiority Squadron based at Sargodha
SpainSpainSpain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
The Spanish Air Force received their F-104s under the Military Assistance Program: 18 Canadair-built F-104Gs and three Lockheed-built TF-104Gs were delivered under MAP to Spain's Ejército del Aire in 1965. These aircraft were transferred to Greece and Turkey when they were replaced by F-4 Phantoms in 1972. It is notable that no aircraft were lost through accidents during 17,000 hours of operational use in Spain although it should also be noted that the aircraft was used only in its intended role of an interceptor and mainly in very good flying weather.Ejército del Aire
Spanish Air Force
-The early stages:Hot air balloons had been used with military purposes in Spain as far back as 1896. In 1905, with the help of Alfredo Kindelán, Leonardo Torres y Quevedo directed the construction of the first Spanish dirigible in the Army Military Aerostatics Service, created in 1896 and located...
- Ala 6 based at Torrejon (later redesignated Ala 16
- 61 Escuadron (later redesignated 161 Escuadron and 104 Escuadron
Turkish Air Force
Turkish Air Force
The Turkish Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the Turkish Armed Forces. It ranks 3rd in NATO in terms of fleet size behind the USAF and Royal Air Force with a current inventory of 798 aircraft .-Initial stages:...
- 4 Ana Jet Us based at AkıncıAkinciAkıncı were irregular light cavalry,scout divisions and advance troops of the Ottoman Empire's military. When the pre-existing Turkish ghazis were incorporated into the Ottoman Empire's military they became known as "akıncı." They were one of the first divisions to face the opposing military and...
- 141 Filo
- 142 Filo
- Öncel Filo
- 6 Ana Jet Us based at BandirmaBandirmaBandırma is a city in northwestern Turkey with 113,385 inhabitants on the Sea of Marmara. Also, Bandırma is a district of Balıkesir....
- 161 Filo
- 162 Filo
- 8 Ana Jet Us based at DiyarbakirDiyarbakirDiyarbakır is one of the largest cities in southeastern Turkey...
- 181 Filo
- 182 Filo
- 9 Ana Jet Us based at BalikesirBalikesirBalıkesir is the capital city of Balıkesir Province. Balıkesir is in the Marmara region of Turkey and has a population of 265,747 inhabitants. Old name is Karesi or Karasi.- History :...
- 191 Filo
- 192 Filo
- 193 Filo
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...
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...
- 479th Tactical Fighter Wing based at George AFB, California
- 434th Tactical Fighter Squadron434th Fighter Training SquadronThe 434th Fighter Training Squadron is part of the 47th Flying Training Wing based at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. It operates T-38 Talon aircraft conducting flight training.-World War II:...
- 435th Tactical Fighter Squadron435th Fighter Training SquadronThe 435th Fighter Training Squadron is part of the 12th Flying Training Wing based at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. It operates AT-38 Talon aircraft conducting flight training.-Mission:...
- 436th Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 476th Tactical Fighter Squadron476th Tactical Fighter SquadronThe 476th Tactical Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing, stationed at Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina. It was inactivated on 18 March 1969.-History:...
- 434th Tactical Fighter Squadron
Air Defense Command
- 56th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron56th Fighter-Interceptor SquadronThe 56th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the Detroit Air Defense Sector, stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio...
based at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio - 83d Fighter Interceptor Squadron83d Fighter Weapons SquadronThe 83d Fighter Weapons Squadron is an United States Air Force unit, assigned to the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group, being stationed at Tyndall AFB, Florida.-Overview:...
based at Hamilton AFB, California - 337th Fighter Interceptor Squadron337th Flight Test SquadronThe 337th Flight Test Squadron was most recently part of the 46th Test Wing and based at McClellan Air Force Base, California. It performed depot acceptance testing until being inactivated with the closure of McClellan AFB on 13 July 2001....
based at Westover AFB, Massachusetts - 538th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron538th Fighter-Interceptor SquadronThe 538th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron is provisional unt of United States Air Force. It is assigned to the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing, and is currently located at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan.-Overview:...
based at Larson AFB, Washington - 32d Air Division based at Homestead AFB, Florida
- 319th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron319th Fighter-Interceptor SquadronThe 319th Fighter Interceptor Training Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Aerospace Defense Command's Interceptor Weapons School at Tyndall AFB, Florida...
- 331st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron331st Fighter-Interceptor SquadronThe 331st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Air Defense Command stationed at Webb Air Force Base, Texas. It was inactivated on March 1, 1967-History:...
- 482d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron482d Fighter-Interceptor SquadronThe 482d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Montgomery Air Defense Sector, stationed at Homestead Air Force Base, Florida. It was inactivated on 30 June 1969.-History:...
- 319th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
Air National Guard
Air 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...
- 161st Fighter Interceptor Group161st Air Refueling WingThe United States Air Force's 161st Air Refueling Wing is an Air National Guard aerial refueling unit located at Sky Harbor International Airport, Arizona.-History:...
, Arizona Air National GuardArizona Air National GuardThe Arizona Air National Guard is the branch of the United States Air National Guard operating within the state of Arizona. It was founded by Barry Goldwater, and was integrated two years before President Truman's military integration order.-Units:...
based at Tucson ANGB/Tucson International AirportTucson International AirportTucson International Airport is a joint civil-military public airport located six miles south of the central business district of Tucson, in Pima County, Arizona, United States, and is the second largest and busiest airport in Arizona, after Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix.- Overview...
, Arizona- 197th Fighter Interceptor Squadron197th Air Refueling SquadronThe 197th Air Refueling Squadron flies the KC-135R Stratotanker. It is a unit of the Arizona Air National Guard. Its parent unit is the 161st Air Refueling Wing.-Major Command/Gaining Command:*Air National Guard/Air Mobility Command...
- 197th Fighter Interceptor Squadron
- 156th Fighter Group156th Airlift WingThe United States Air Force's 156th Airlift Wing is an airlift unit located at Muniz ANGB, Puerto Rico.-Mission:The mission of the 156th Airlift Wing is to provide global airlift and agile force to execute and accomplish tasked mission...
, Puerto Rico Air National GuardPuerto Rico Air National GuardThe Puerto Rico Air National Guard is the air force militia of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. It is, along with the Puerto Rico Army National Guard, an element of the Puerto Rico National Guard.History=...
based at Muniz ANGB/San Juan International Airport, Puerto Rico- 198th Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 169th Fighter Interceptor Group169th Fighter WingThe United States Air Force's 169th Fighter Wing is an Air National Guard fighter unit located at McEntire Joint National Guard Station, South Carolina...
, South Carolina Air National GuardSouth Carolina Air National GuardThe South Carolina Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of South Carolina. It is, along with the South Carolina Army National Guard, an element of the South Carolina National Guard...
based at McEntire ANGS- 157th Fighter Interceptor Squadron157th Fighter SquadronThe 157th Fighter Squadron , also known as the "Swamp Foxes," is the primary flying unit of the 169th Fighter Wing of the South Carolina Air National Guard . The 157th FS is one of the few Air National Guard F-16 units in the U.S...
- 157th Fighter Interceptor Squadron
- 134th Fighter Interceptor Group134th Air Refueling WingThe 134th Air Refueling Wing is a unit located at McGhee Tyson ANGB, Tennessee. It is part of the Tennessee Air National Guard.-History:The 134th Fighter Interceptor Group received recognition in 7 December 1957, as an Air Defense Command unit equipped with F-86 aircraft, and performed an ADC...
, Tennessee Air National GuardTennessee Air National GuardThe Tennessee Air National Guard is the independent air arm of the Tennessee National Guard. Along with the Tennessee Army National Guard, it comprises the National Guard of the U.S...
based at McGhee Tyson ANGB- 151st Fighter Interceptor Squadron151st Air Refueling SquadronThe 151st Air Refueling Squadron flies the KC-135R Stratotanker. It is a unit of the Tennessee Air National Guard. Its parent unit is the 134th Air Refueling Wing.-Major Command:*Air National Guard/Air Mobility Command...
- 151st Fighter Interceptor Squadron
NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
Eleven F-104s (different versions) were operated by NASA between 1956 and 1994. Aircraft were used in support of the X-15
North American X-15
The North American X-15 rocket-powered aircraft/spaceplane was part of the X-series of experimental aircraft, initiated with the Bell X-1, that were made for the USAAF/USAF, NACA/NASA, and the USN. The X-15 set speed and altitude records in the early 1960s, reaching the edge of outer space and...
and XB-70
XB-70 Valkyrie
The North American Aviation XB-70 Valkyrie was the prototype version of the proposed B-70 nuclear-armed deep-penetration strategic bomber for the United States Air Force's Strategic Air Command...
flight testing and were also used for astronaut
Astronaut
An astronaut or cosmonaut is a person trained by a human spaceflight program to command, pilot, or serve as a crew member of a spacecraft....
training during various spaceflight programs. NASA F-104 aircraft were used to gather flight research data including aircraft handling characteristics, such as roll inertia coupling, and reaction control systems as used in the NF-104A
Lockheed NF-104A
The Lockheed NF-104A was an American mixed power, high-performance, supersonic aerospace trainer that served as a low cost astronaut training vehicle for the X-15 and projected X-20 Dyna-Soar programs....
and X-15. Space Shuttle
Space Shuttle
The Space Shuttle was a manned orbital rocket and spacecraft system operated by NASA on 135 missions from 1981 to 2011. The system combined rocket launch, orbital spacecraft, and re-entry spaceplane with modular add-ons...
thermal protection tiles were tested in flights aboard a Starfighter on a rig which simulated flight through rain. NASA's Starfighters flew many safety chase sorties in support of advanced research aircraft over the years, including the wingless lifting body
Lifting body
A lifting body is a fixed-wing aircraft configuration in which the body itself produces lift. In contrast to a flying wing, which is a wing with minimal or no conventional fuselage, a lifting body can be thought of as a fuselage with little or no conventional wing...
aircraft. Neil Armstrong
Neil Armstrong
Neil Alden Armstrong is an American former astronaut, test pilot, aerospace engineer, university professor, United States Naval Aviator, and the first person to set foot upon the Moon....
was one notable pilot who flew a NASA F-104.
The team based in Clearwater, Florida
Clearwater, Florida
Clearwater is a city located in Pinellas County, Florida, US, nearly due west of Tampa and northwest of St. Petersburg. In the west of Clearwater lies the Gulf of Mexico and in the east lies Tampa Bay. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 108,787. It is the county seat of...
currently operate three Canadair CF-104 Starfighters, performing at air shows across the United States and Canada. Their CF-104s consist of a two-seat CF-104D Serial#:104632 (registered as N104RB), and two single-seat CF-104s Serial#s: 104850 (registered as N104RD) and 104759 (registered as N104RN). The aircraft were originally operated with the Royal Canadian Air Force and all later served with the Royal Norwegian Air Force before being imported into the U.S. in the early 1990s.
F-104RB "Red Baron"
Another civilian Starfighter, called the F-104RB
N104RB Red Baron
The Red Baron was a highly modified Lockheed F-104 Starfighter which set a FAI Class C-1 Group III 3 km speed record of 988.26 mph, in 1977 which still stands. It was assembled by Darryl Greenamyer and sponsored by Ed Browning and the Red Baron Flying Service of Idaho Falls, Idaho...
(for "Red Baron"), was used to set the low-level speed record in October 1977 by world-famous air racer Daryl Greenamyer
Daryl Greenamyer
Darryl Greenamyer is an American aviator. He started his flying career in the US Air Force Reserve. After leaving the Air Force, he then began to work at Lockheed where he eventually became an SR-71 test pilot at Skunk works. While working at Lockheed he met many of the engineers who would later...
. Greenamyer built his F-104 over a period of 12 years from parts scrounged from various places, including a "borrowed" J79-17/1 turbojet from a McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom
F-4 Phantom II
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable,...
, which developed over 2,000 pounds more thrust than the standard J79-19 engine. Greenamyer attacked the record at Mud Lake, near Tonapah, Nevada, and beat the previous low-level speed record by recording a top speed of 988.26 mph (1,590.41 km/h) after five passes over the dry lake. He remained supersonic for most of the 20-minute flight, and rarely rose much higher than 100 feet above the lake bed. Several months later, while practicing for an attempt on the world absolute altitude record, he was forced to eject when his landing gear failed to extend; a belly landing
Belly landing
A belly landing or gear-up landing occurs when an aircraft lands without its landing gear fully extended and uses its underside, or belly, as its primary landing device...
in the F-104 was considered too dangerous to attempt.
Summary of production by country
- Source: F-104 Starfighter in action
Operated Lockheed Canada Germany Netherlands Belgium Italy Japan USAF 297 297 USAF/MAP 250 110 140 Canada 238 38 200 Japan 230 23 207 Germany 917 240 283 255 89 50 Netherlands 138 14 99 25 Belgium 112 3 109 Italy 354 12 342 subtotals Grand: 2536 737 340 283 354 198 417 207
See also
- Canadair CF-104Canadair CF-104The Canadair CF-104 Starfighter was a modified version of the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter supersonic fighter aircraft built in Canada by Canadair under licence...
- CL-1200 Lancer and X-27
- Lockheed NF-104ALockheed NF-104AThe Lockheed NF-104A was an American mixed power, high-performance, supersonic aerospace trainer that served as a low cost astronaut training vehicle for the X-15 and projected X-20 Dyna-Soar programs....
- Mutual Defense Assistance ActMutual Defense Assistance ActThe Mutual Defense Assistance Act was a United States Act of Congress signed by President Harry S. Truman on 6 October 1949. For US Foreign policy, it was the first U.S. military foreign aid legislation of the Cold War era, and initially to Europe...
(Military Assistance Program)