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428th Fighter Squadron

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428th Fighter Squadron
F-15SG Strike Eagle
Active1943–1945; 1952–1989; 1990–1995; 1998–2005; 2009–present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleFighter
Part ofAir Combat Command
Garrison/HQMountain Home Air Force Base
EngagementsEuropean Theater of Operations
Korean War
Vietnam War[1]
DecorationsDistinguished 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.

Upon return to the United States, assigned 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

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

Aircraft

See also

References

Notes
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Robertson, Patsy (16 March 2015). "Factsheet 428 Fighter Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 27 September 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ Station number in Anderson.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Station number in Johnson.

Bibliography

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

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