428th Fighter Squadron

428th Fighter Squadron
F-15SG Strike Eagle
Active	1943–1945; 1952–1989; 1990–1995; 1998–2005; 2009–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Fighter
Part of	Air Combat Command
Garrison/HQ	Mountain Home Air Force Base
Engagements	European Theater of Operations Korean War Vietnam War^[1]
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Belgian Fourragère Korean Presidential Unit Citation Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm^[1]
Insignia
428th Fighter Squadron emblem (approved 3 June 1954)^[1]
428th Fighter Squadron emblem (World War II)

The 428th Fighter Squadron is part of the 366th Fighter Wing at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. Currently, it operates F-15SG Strike Eagle aircraft conducting formal training missions to qualify Republic of Singapore Air Force crew in the F-15SG in a program titled Peace Carvin V.

The squadron was first activated during World War II and served in the European Theater of Operations, where it earned a Distinguished Unit Citation. After V-E Day, the 428th served briefly with the occupation forces in Germany before returning to the United States for inactivation. The squadron was again activated as the 428th Fighter-Bomber Squadron in 1952 to replace an Air National Guard unit serving in the Korean War and earned a second Distinguished Unit Citation in that conflict. Following the truce ending the Korean War, the squadron returned to the United States, frequently deploying to Europe. In 1964 it deployed to Viet Nam and in 1973, to Thailand, again engaging in combat operations. The squadron was inactivated in 1989.

In 1990, the squadron became the 428th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron and has trained crews from 1990 to 1995, 1998 to 2005, and again since 2009.

Mission

The squadron's mission is to provide advanced weapons and tactics continuation training for Republic of Singapore Air Force F-15 pilots, weapon systems officers and maintenance personnel. RSAF aircrew and maintenance personnel are assigned to the 428th for two years, during which they receive advanced tactics training, shoot live missiles at Combat Archer, and deploy to locations throughout the United States to participate in composite operations and dissimilar air combat exercises.

History

World War II

Activated in August 1943 as a Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter squadron under IV Fighter Command in Southern California. Trained with the fighter over the Mojave Desert, moving to the European Theater of Operations, being assigned to Ninth Air Force in England during March 1944.

Engaged in combat operations beginning in April, making low level sweeps over Occupied France, attacking enemy transportation targets and military convoys, bridges, armor formations and airfields. During D-Day, the squadron flew patrols over the invasion fleet. Remained in England after D-Day until August, moving to France and primarily provided ground-air support to the United States First Army in Northern France. Moved to Occupied Germany at the end of the war, becoming part of the United States Air Forces in Europe army of occupation during the summer of 1945.

Personnel demobilized in Europe during 1945, returned to the United States in November as an administrative unit and was inactivated without personnel or equipment.

Cold War

General Dynamics F-111A (S/N 67-067) on display at the "National Museum of the USAF" at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio (USA). The F-111A is painted with the markings of the 428th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 474th Tactical Fighter Wing.

Reactivated in Japan under Far East Air Forces, July 1952 as a result of the Korean War. Replaced federalized Georgia Air National Guard personnel, receiving their Republic F-84G Thunderjets. Moved to South Korea in August, engaging in combat operations from Kunsan Air Base (K-8). From Kunsan the squadron bombed and strafed bridges, bunkers, troop concentrations, artillery positions, and a host of other enemy targets

Moved to Taegu Air Base (K-2) in April 1953 being attached to the 58th Fighter-Bomber Wing. Flew interdiction and close air support missions in as well as attacking special strategic targets such as military schools, dams, and port facilities in North Korea until the June 1953 Armistice, Remained in South Korea for over a year afterward to insure Communist compliance with the cease-fire.

Returned to Clovis Air Force Base, New Mexico in November 1954. Squadron was re-equipped with North American F-86H Sabre fighter-bomber aircraft, being assigned to Twelfth Air Force, Tactical Air Command. Maintained proficiency in tactical fighter operations, deploying components, aircraft, and crews on a global basis in support of NATO, PACAF, AAC, and other organizations. Deployed to southeastern United States during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.

428th TFS Combat Lancer F-111A over Southeast Asia 1968

428th TFS Combat Lancer F-111A being loaded with bombs March 1968

The squadron moved to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada in 1966, becoming one of the first General Dynamics F-111A squadrons. Deployed aircraft to South Vietnam in early 1968, while still in training status at Nellis. Aircraft returned and development of the F-111 continued, finally reaching operational status in 1971.

Returned to Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand in early 1972 as a result of the North Vietnamese Easter Offensive. Fully engaged in combat over North and South Vietnam for the balance of 1972, flying operations in good and bad weather when other squadrons were grounded. Flew approximately 4000 combat missions with excellent success rates in hitting targets even when visibility was near zero. Returned to the United States in March 1973, leaving its assigned aircraft at Takhli.

Almost immediately upon the squadron's return to Nellis, was reassigned to the 347th Fighter Wing and deployed back to Takhli, this time being placed on permanent party status in Thailand, taking over the aircraft it had left upon its return to the United States. For a brief two-week period the 347th flew combat operations into Cambodia until 15 August, when the last wartime mission of the Vietnam Era was flown into Cambodia for final mission of Constant Guard. After the cease-fire, the wing was maintained in a combat-ready status for possible contingency

After the end of combat missions in Indochina, the squadron moved to Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand in 1974 after the closure of Taklhi and remained in Southeast Asia through May 1975 to undertake strike missions in the event of further contingency operations. Participated in numerous exercises and firepower demonstrations, and, during Jan–May 1975, flew sea surveillance missions. Participated in the recovery of the American merchantman SS Mayaguez from Cambodian Communist forces in May 1975.

A 428th F-16A Block 10 (s/n 79-0335) in Panama, 1986.

Upon return to the United States, reassigned back to the 474th Wing, sending F-111s to 366th Tactical Fighter Wing at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho and changing equipment to the McDonnell F-4D Phantom II during "Operation Ready Switch". Received new Block 1/5 General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon aircraft in November 1980 after protracted development period in the 1970s. Conducted routine Tactical Air Command training and deployments from Nellis with the F-16s, upgrading to Block 10/15 models in the early 1980s. Inactivated September 1989 when aircraft were considered no longer front-line combat capable.

Post Cold War era

428th FS F-16C Block 52 94-270

Reactivated at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico on 2 April 1990 as an F-111G Formal Training Unit squadron for the 27th Tactical Fighter Wing. Reassigned to the 27th Operations Group in 1991 when the wing implemented the USAF Objective Wing organization. Received F-111Fs in June 1992 as a result of the retirement of the F-111s from United States Air Forces Europe, the aircraft being transferred to Cannon from RAF Lakenheath, England, upgrading the 27th Fighter Wing. Inactivated in October 1995 as part of the phaseout of the F-111 from the inventory.

Reactivated in September 1998 as an F-16C/D training squadron for the Peace CarvinN III initiative. When reactivated the 428th was a hybrid US Air Force/Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-16 Fighter Squadron manned by highly experienced USAF instructor pilots, maintenance and support personnel. The squadron operated 12 RSAF-owned Block 52, F-16C/Ds. With approximately 25 USAF personnel and 140 RSAF personnel, the unit was responsible for continuation training of Singapore personnel in rapid deployment and tactical employment of the F-16 throughout a wide spectrum of missions including air-to-air, joint maritime and precision air-to-ground weapons delivery. Inactivated on 5 July 2005 with the phaseout of the F-16 at Cannon, and the base being transferred to Air Force Special Operations Command.

Reactivated in May 2009 at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho as a F-15SG Strike Eagle fighter training squadron, part of the Peace Carvin V program for the RSAF.

Lineage

Constituted as the 428th Fighter Squadron on 26 May 1943

Activated on 1 August 1943

Inactivated on 7 December 1945

Redesignated 428th Fighter-Bomber Squadron on 25 June 1952

Activated on 10 July 1952

Redesignated 428th Tactical Fighter Squadron on 1 July 1958

Inactivated on 15 November 1966

Activated on 15 September 1968

Inactivated on 30 June 1989

Redesignated 428th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron on 20 March 1990

Activated on 2 April 1990

Redesignated 428th Fighter Squadron on 1 November 1991

Inactivated on 12 October 1995

Activated on 15 September 1998

Inactivated on 5 July 2005

Activated on 18 May 2009^[1]

Assignments

474th Fighter Group, 1 August 1943 – 7 December 1945
474th Fighter-Bomber Group, 10 July 1952 (attached to 58th Fighter-Bomber Wing (1 April 1953 – 22 November 1954)
474th Fighter-Bomber Wing (later Tactical Fighter Wing), 8 October 1957)
347th Tactical Fighter Wing, 30 July 1973
474th Tactical Fighter Wing, 21 June 1975 – 30 June 1989
27th Tactical Fighter Wing (later 27th Fighter Wing), 2 April 1990
27th Operations Group, 1 November 1991 – 12 October 1995
27th Operations Group, 15 September 1998 – 5 July 2005
366th Operations Group, 18 May 2009 – present^[1]

Operational Components

Detachment 1: 20 January 1968 – 1 January 1969 (detached and deployed at Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, 17 March-c. 21 November 1968)^[1]

Stations

Grand Central Airport, California, 1 August 1943
Van Nuys Airport, California, 11 October 1943
Oxnard Flight Strip, California, 5 January – 6 February 1944
RAF Warmwell (AAF-454),^[2] England, 12 March 1944
Saint-Lambert Airfield (A-11),^[3] France, 6 August 1944
Saint Marceau Airfield (A-43),^[3] France, 29 August 1944
Peronne Airfield (A-72),^[3] France, 6 September 1944
Florennes/Juzaine Airfield (A-78),^[3] Belgium, 1 October 1944
Strassfeld Airfield (Y-59),^[3] Germany, 22 March 1945
Langansalza Airfield (R-2),^[3] Germany, 22 April 1945
AAF Station Schweinfurt, Germany, 16 June 1945
AAF Station Stuttgart/Echterdingen, Germany, 25 October – 21 November 1945
Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, 6–8 December 1945
Misawa Air Base, Japan, 10 July 1952
Kunsan Air Base (K-8), South Korea, 10 July 1952
Taegu Air Base (K-2), South Korea, 1 April 1953 – 22 November 1954

Clovis Air Force Base (later Cannon Air Force Base), New Mexico, 13 December 1954 – 15 November 1966

Deployed to Toul-Rosières Air Base, France (1 April – 28 September 1957)

Deployed to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey (16 February – 19 June 1959)

Deployed to Kadena Air Base, Okinawa (31 May – 23 June 1960)

Deployed to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey (2 October 1961 – 15 February 1962)

Deployed to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey (9 January – 14 April 1963)

Deployed to Aviano Air Base, Italy (12 February – 8 May 1964)

Deployed to Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam (24 November 1964 – 13 March 1965)

Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, 15 September 1968 – 30 July 1973

Deployed to Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, (8 January – 29 July 1973)

Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, 30 July 1973 – 12 July 1974
Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, 12 July 1974 – 21 June 1975
Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, 21 June 1975 – 30 September 1989

Deployed at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, 27 August – 26 September 1987

Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, 11 September 1992 – 22 June 1993
Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, 2 April 1990 – 12 October 1995, 5 September 1998 – 5 July 2005
Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, 18 May 2009 – present^[1]

Aircraft

Lockheed P-38 Lightning, 1943-1945
Republic F-84 Thunderjet, 1952-1954
North American F-86 Sabre, 1955-1957
North American F-100 Super Sabre, 1957-1965
General Dynamics F-111, 1969-1977, 1990-1995
McDonnell F-4 Phantom, 1977-1982
General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, 1982-1989, 1998-2005
McDonnell Douglas F-15SG Strike Eagle, 2009 – present^[1]

References

Notes

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Robertson, Patsy (March 16, 2015). "Factsheet 428 Fighter Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on September 27, 2015. Retrieved July 2, 2017.
↑ Station number in Anderson.
1 2 3 4 5 6 Station number in Johnson.

Bibliography

This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.

Anderson, Capt. Barry (1985). Army Air Forces Stations: A Guide to the Stations Where U.S. Army Air Forces Personnel Served in the United Kingdom During World War II (PDF). Maxwell AFB, AL yes: Research Division, USAF Historical Research Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 23, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
Johnson, 1st Lt. David C. (1988). U.S. Army Air Forces Continental Airfields (ETO) D-Day to V-E Day (PDF). Maxwell AFB, AL: Research Division, USAF Historical Research Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 29, 2015. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-02-1. LCCN 61060979. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947-1977 (PDF). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-12-9. Retrieved December 17, 2016.

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