The 79th Fighter Squadron "Tigers" are a combat ready F-16C/D squadron tasked with air-to-air, air-to-surface and Suppression of Enemy Air Defences missions as directed by the wing or component commander in support of friendly forces. The squadron was demobilized after World War I, but was reactivated in October 1927, as the 79th Reconnaissance Observation Squadron. The 79th Rescue Squadron is a United States Air Force combat search and rescue unit of the 563rd Rescue Group, 355th Wing, at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona.. The 20th Fighter Wing, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., provide combat ready airpower and Airmen, to meet any challenge, anytime, anywhere. Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. David Wade, command chief of ACC, along with base leadership, recognizes U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Lucas Haas, a 77th Fighter Generation Squadron crew chief, at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, Nov. 5, 2020. [5] This affected the 79th Fighter Squadron, with a reduction of its flying hours, placing it into a basic mission capable status from 5 April 30 July, then returning it to combat mission ready through September 2013.[5]. The squadron then earned its nickname, "Loco Squadron," after a series of very successful raids against transportation targets set an Army Air Forces record of 193 trains destroyed. Kelly recognized 20 Team Shaw Airmen for a variety of outstanding performances. Reconstituted, and consolidated (25 May 1933) with 79 Observation Squadron, which was constituted on 18 Oct 1927. Its their ideas and their team and they get to work towards a better day, a better solution. In June 1999, the 79th deployed F-16CJs in support of Operation Allied Force to a bare base in Southwest Asia. It operates the Lockheed HC-130J "Combat King II" variant of the C-130 "Hercules" and provides rapidly deployable combat search and rescue forces to theater commanders worldwide. The squadron is one of the oldest in the United States Air Force, its origins dating to 22 February 1918, being organized at Rich Field, Waco, Texas, as a pilot training Squadron during World War I. It was based on the earlier Curtiss P-36 Hawk, having the P-36s air-cooled radial engine replaced with a liquid-cooled inline engine. ),USAF Flying, Space, and Missile Squadrons as of 1 October 1995(Washington: USPGO, 1999). (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Meghan Hutton). (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Meghan Hutton). This work, 79th Fighter Generation Squadron maintains mission readiness [Image 3 of 3], by A1C Meghan Hutton, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright. One of the changes Shaw spearheaded is reorganizing the 20th Maintenance Groups aircraft maintenance units into fighter generation squadrons that correspond with their respective fighter squadron brethren. In response to COVID-19, the 20th MDG has been selected to be part of Project Brown Herrin, an electronic surveillance program that is sent out to 400 members every two weeks. Lineage. Chris Rasnick, an avionics technician with the 79th Fighter Squadron, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, performs a preflight check on an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 8, 2021. The Gallant Unit Citation is awarded to units for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy of the United States while engaged in . Supersedespublished information in Judy G. Endicott (ed. Stations. Based on risk assessment, Airmen are either seen immediately and tested, or placed on a random selection list. Upon their arrival, the 79th joined the United States Air Forces in Europe, becoming an integral part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's air arm as one of its Tiger organizations. MOS 79R Recruiter. The 79th Fighter Squadron traces its history back to February 1918, when it was first organized as the 79th Aero Squadron. Avionics technicians are responsible for ensuring that all the electronics onboard an aircraft are in working order. Afterward, they headed to the 25th Attack Groups remotely piloted aircraft operations site, the 20th Medical Groups COVID-19 response cell, as well as the 79th Fighter Squadron and partnered 79th Fighter Generation Squadron. In 1938, the squadron moved to Hamilton Field, Calif., after several stops in North Carolina, Florida and Washington, and was later re-designated the 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron. From 1940 to 1942, the squadron trained combat pilots and flew the P-40 Warhawk from bases on the east coast. The 20th MDG has stepped up to the challenge to innovate by creating an effective and cohesive COVID-19 Response Cell, a working group whose primary job is to ensure the wing maintains readiness while remaining safe and healthy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Hiram Martinez). Antisubmarine patrols, c. 8 Dec 1941-c. 8 Feb 1942. David Wade, command chief of ACC, began their immersion at the 15th Air Force Headquarters, U.S. Air Forces Central headquarters and U.S. Army Central headquarters. In 1948, the 79th transitioned to the F-84 Thunderstreak. David Wade, ACC command chief, elbow-bump Airmen at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, Nov. 5, 2020. Copyright 1961-2023 NATO Tiger Association. - Captain Jack M. Ilfrey, one of the COs of the 79th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Group, at Kings Cliffe air base. The . From 1940 to 1942, the 1 2 Go To Page of 2 (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Cobin), U.S. Air Force Senior Airman John Chisenhall, a crew chief assigned to the 79th Fighter Squadron diligently preforms preflight check on an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 8, 2021. From 1940 to 1942, the squadron trained combat pilots and flew the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk from bases on the East Coast. The wing trains and prepares F-22 Raptor pilots, intelligence officers, and maintainers for assignment to . 20 Pursuit (later, 20 Fighter) Group, 1 Apr 1933-18 Oct 1945. The CRC in conjunction with the 20th MDG is currently leading the wing in Project Brown Heron, an electronic surveillance program that is sent out to 400 members every two weeks. The squadron saw combat during World War II, and became part of the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) during the Cold War. The squadron then moved to Langley Air Force Base, VA, transitioning to the jet age with the Republic F-84 Thunderjet. February 15th, DVIDS Hub works best with JavaScript enabled, Version: 378719a7422dbf16a653a31d0524fb9a2058ed47_2023-04-20T10:09:12, 79th Fighter Generation Squadron maintains mission readiness [Image 3 of 3], Strategic until 0400 est. On D-Day, the 79th mass-launched 180 sorties for five consecutive days, protecting Allied ships involved with the invasion at Normandy, France. The squadron was formed during World War II as the first flying unit for African Americans. Sixty-nine members of the 79th FS were awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in this terrorist attack and 12 members of the squadron were decorated for valour. Provided personnel for and helped train units, 1940-1942. Underwood, based on the 8th Air Force Strength Report of 6th August 1944, as published in 'The 8th Air Force Yearbook' by Lt. Col. John H Woolnough (1980). David Wade, command chief of Air Combat Command, fist bumps 79th Fighter Squadron and 79th Fighter Generation Squadron leadership at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, Nov. 5, 2020. Campaign Streamers. It conducts helicopter air refueling, airdrop, and . Prepared byPatsy Robertson. Then youve got Maj. Gen. Chad Franks at 15th AF with 47,000 Airmen remotely piloted aircraft, F-22 Raptors and everything in between, including the 20th Fighter Wing. The squadron was demobilized on March 16, 1919, following the war. Squadron decorations and campaign streamers include the Distinguished Unit Citation and Air Force Outstanding Unit Award; and Anti-Submarine, American Theatre, and Air Offensive Europe, Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe, Air Combat EAME Theatre campaign streamers. The squadron was reactivated in November, The squadron was organized Feb. 20 1918, as the 77th Aero Squadron at Waco Field, Texas. Copyright 2023 79th Fighter Group | All Rights Reserved | Designed by, 85th Fighter Squadron Ground Personnel Roster, 86th Fighter Squadron Ground Personnel Roster, 87th Fighter Squadron Ground Personnel Roster, 85th Fighter Squadron Armorer (FOGG) Gallery, 85th Fighter Squadron Armorer (Tomlin) Gallery, 85th Fighter Squadron Pilot (Samual Say) Gallery, 86th Fighter Squadron Pilot William R. Tiger Taylor, 86th FS Henry W. Kent flight logs August 1943 via the Kent Family, 86th Fighter Squadron Horace Cumberland, 87th Fighter Squadron Gallery Album (McDonnell), 87th FS pilot John L. Balega flight logs and notes, Served in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. This joint training enhanced the exercise . Our . The 79th can trace its lineage all the way back to 22 February 1918, when they were organized as the 79th Aero Squadron at Rich Field in Waco Texas as a pilot training Squadron during World War I- making it one of the oldest squadrons in the United States Air Force. Colonel Harold J. Rau and his ground crew of the Insignia ot the 79th Fighter Squadron, 20th National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force. The unit moved to Shaw Field, South Carolina, in October 1946. until 0400 est. This joint training enhanced the exercise participants capabilities and qualifications, which included three pilot and two joint terminal air controller training Airmen upgrades, and 10 JTAC Airmen evaluations. June 30, 1993, the squadron inactivated. This site is meant to honor and remember each of its members, not just for his service and sacrifice during the war but also his accomplishments throughout his life. The 79th was again brought to active service on July 29, 1946, at Biggs Field, Texas. The following principles will guide and shape our actions: a. Can you list the top facts and stats about 79th Fighter Squadron? World War II:Antisubmarine, American Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe; Air Combat, EAME Theater. The 79th FS started receiving the first F-16s in 1994 after departing RAF Upper Heyford in October of 1993. The F-16 is a single-engine, compact, multi-role fighter and is the worlds most prolific fighter, with the U.S. Air Force having over 2,000 in service. In January 1991, as part of Joint Task Force Proven Force at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, the 79th became the first squadron to employ the F-111E in combat while supporting operation Desert Storm.