157th Fighter Squadron

The 157th Fighter Squadron (157 FS), also known as the "Swamp Foxes," is the primary flying unit of the 169th Fighter Wing of the South Carolina Air National Guard (SCANG). The 157th FS is one of the few Air National Guard F-16 units in the U.S. Air Force to operate the HARM Targeting System (HTS)-equipped F-16C Block 52 Fighting Falcon, also known as the F-16CJ.

Mission

The federal mission of the 157 FS in accordance with Title 10 USC is to maintain wartime readiness and the ability to mobilize and deploy expeditiously to carry out tactical air missions or combat support activities in the event of a war or military emergency. More specifically, the squadron specializes in the Suppression and Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD).

The squadron flies the F-16 Fighting Falcon, a multipurpose fighter with the ability to fly at up to twice the speed of sound. It is capable of performing air-to-air and air-to-ground tactical missions. The 157 FS flew the F-16A from 1983 to 1994 and, in 1994, transitioned to the single seat F-16C Block 52 (and a small number of twin seat F-16D Block 52), also known as the F-16CJ, the newest, most advanced F-16 in the U.S. Air Force.

The state mission of the 157 FS under Title 32 USC is to respond to the call of the Governor of South Carolina in the event of natural disasters or domestic disturbances within the state of South Carolina.

Assignments

Major Command

• Air National Guard/Air Combat Command (1992–Present)
• Air National Guard/Tactical Air Command (1946-1992)

Previous Designations^[1]

• 157th Fighter Squadron (1995–Present)
• 157th Fighter Squadron (1992–1995)
• 157th Tactical Fighter Squadron (???-1992)
• 157th Airlift Squadron (???-???)

Bases Stationed

• McEntire Joint National Guard Base, South Carolina (1946-Present)

Aircraft Operated^[2]

• F-16C & F-16D Block 52 Fighting Falcon (1994–Present)
• F-16A & F-16B Fighting Falcon (1983-1994)
• A-7D Corsair II (1975-1983)
• F-102 Delta Dagger (1963-1975)
• F-104 Starfighter (1960-1963)
• F-86 Sabre (1958-1960)
• F-80 Shooting Star (1950-1958)
• P-51 Mustang {redesignated F-51 after 1947} (1946-1950)

References

External links

• Official site of the 169th Fighter Wing