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In December 1998, the 79th took an active part in [[Operation Desert Fox]] in conjunction with Operation Southern Watch demands. The squadron flew more than 1,000 successful combat sorties with these dual operational requirements. In January 1999, the 79th Fighter Squadron was awarded the South Carolina [[Air Force Association]]’s Outstanding Air Force Unit of the Year award. Also in 1999, the squadron was honored with Air Combat Command’s Maintenance Effectiveness Award. In June 1999, the 79th deployed F-16CJs in support of [[Operation Allied Force]] to a bare base in Southwest Asia.<ref name="79 FS Fact Sheet"/>
In December 1998, the 79th took an active part in [[Operation Desert Fox]] in conjunction with Operation Southern Watch demands. The squadron flew more than 1,000 successful combat sorties with these dual operational requirements. In January 1999, the 79th Fighter Squadron was awarded the South Carolina [[Air Force Association]]’s Outstanding Air Force Unit of the Year award. Also in 1999, the squadron was honored with Air Combat Command’s Maintenance Effectiveness Award. In June 1999, the 79th deployed F-16CJs in support of [[Operation Allied Force]] to a bare base in Southwest Asia.<ref name="79 FS Fact Sheet"/>

===2013 Sequestration===
Air Combat Command officials announced a stand down and reallocation of flying hours for the rest of the fiscal year 2013 due to mandatory budget cuts. The across-the board spending cuts, called sequestration, took effect 1 March when Congress failed to agree on a deficit-reduction plan. <ref name="AFT">[http://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20130408/NEWS/304080035/Reduced-flying-hours-forces-grounding-17-USAF-combat-air-squadrons Reduced flying hours forces grounding of 17 USAF combat air squadrons]</ref>

Squadrons either stood down on a rotating basis or kept combat ready or at a reduced readiness level called “basic mission capable” for part or all of the remaining months in fiscal 2013.<ref name="AFT"/> 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.<ref name="AFT"/>


===Lineage===
===Lineage===

Revision as of 07:55, 10 April 2013

79th Fighter Squadron
79th Fighter Squadron Patch
Active22 February 1918 – 15 November 1918
1 April 1933 – 18 October 1945
29 July 1946 – 30 June 1993
1 January 1994 – present
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Air Force
TypeFighter
Part ofAir Combat Command
9th Air Force
20th Fighter Wing
20th Operations Group
Garrison/HQShaw Air Force Base
EngagementsBattle of Normandy
Decorations DUC
AFOUA
Commanders
Notable
commanders		James Ferguson
James E. Hill
John G. Lorber
79th FS F-16C Block 50 94-0049 flies a mission over the Utah Test and Training Range, 2002
79th FS F-16C Block 50P 92-3923 flying over Colorado, 11 August 2001
File:20th Fighter Wing F-100Ds, RAF Wethersfield.jpg
North American F-100D Super Sabres, Serial numbers 55-2805 and 56-3204 of the 79th Tactical Fighrer Squadron, flying out of RAF Woodbridge.
Lockheed P-38J Lightning of the 79th Fighter Squadron.
World War II squadron emblem

The 79th Fighter Squadron (79 FS) is part of the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. It operates the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft conducting air superiority missions.

History

The 79th Fighter Squadron traces its history back to February 1918, when it was first organized as the 79th Aero Squadron. The unit inactivated from November 1918 until April 1933, when it became the 79th Pursuit Squadron, flying the Boeing P-12 at Barksdale Field, Louisiana From 1940 to 1942, the squadron trained combat pilots and flew the P-40 Warhawk from bases on the east coast.[1]

In 1943, the 79th converted to the P-38 Lightning, flying out of Northamptonshire, England, performing duty as bomber escorts and conducting fighter sweeps over Germany. The 79th remained at English bases throughout the war, supporting both the Normandy invasion and the allied drive into Germany. The squadron returned to the states and was inactivated on 19 October 1945.[1]

The 79th was again brought to active service on 29 July 1946, at Biggs Field, Texas. The unit moved to Shaw Field, South Carolina, in October 1946. The squadron moved again to Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, in November 1951, and in June 1952, trained to support NATO ground forces in conventional and nuclear roles. The next change came in 1970, when the squadron transitioned to the F-111 Aardvark and moved to RAF Upper Heyford, England. The 79th received the Commander in Chief’s Trophy in 1981, as the best tactical fighter squadron in U.S. Air Forces in Europe.[1]

From 1990 to 1991, the 79th deployed to Southwest Asia to support Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. On 30 June 1993 the squadron inactivated. On 1 January 1994, it was reactivated at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, transitioning to the F-16 Fighting Falcon and assuming the mission of suppression of enemy air defenses. Since that time, the 79th has continuously supported Operations Northern and Southern Watch in Southwest Asia.[1]

In December 1998, the 79th took an active part in Operation Desert Fox in conjunction with Operation Southern Watch demands. The squadron flew more than 1,000 successful combat sorties with these dual operational requirements. In January 1999, the 79th Fighter Squadron was awarded the South Carolina Air Force Association’s Outstanding Air Force Unit of the Year award. Also in 1999, the squadron was honored with Air Combat Command’s Maintenance Effectiveness Award. In June 1999, the 79th deployed F-16CJs in support of Operation Allied Force to a bare base in Southwest Asia.[1]

2013 Sequestration

Air Combat Command officials announced a stand down and reallocation of flying hours for the rest of the fiscal year 2013 due to mandatory budget cuts. The across-the board spending cuts, called sequestration, took effect 1 March when Congress failed to agree on a deficit-reduction plan. [2]

Squadrons either stood down on a rotating basis or kept combat ready or at a reduced readiness level called “basic mission capable” for part or all of the remaining months in fiscal 2013.[2] 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.[2]

Lineage

  • Organized as 79th Aero Squadron on 22 Feb 1918
Re-designated Squadron B, Taliaferro Field, TX, on 23 Jul 1918
Demobilized on 15 Nov 1918
  • Reconstituted, and consolidated (25 May 1933) with 79th Observation Squadron, which was constituted on 18 Oct 1927
Re-designated 79th Pursuit Squadron on 8 May 1929
Activated on 1 Apr 1933
Re-designated: 79th Pursuit Squadron (Fighter) on 6 Dec 1939
Re-designated: 79th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) on 12 Mar 1941
Re-designated: 79th Fighter Squadron on 15 May 1942
Re-designated: 79th Fighter Squadron (Twin Engine) on 30 Dec 1942
Re-designated: 79th Fighter Squadron, Twin Engine, on 20 Aug 1943
Re-designated: 79th Fighter Squadron, Single Engine, on 5 Sep 1944
Inactivated on 18 Oct 1945
  • Activated on 29 Jul 1946
Re-designated: 79th Fighter Squadron, Jet, on 15 Jun 1948
Re-designated: 79th Fighter-Bomber Squadron on 20 Jan 1950
Re-designated: 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron on 8 Jul 1958
Re-designated: 79th Fighter Squadron on 1 Oct 1991
Inactivated on 30 Jun 1993
  • Activated on 1 Jan 1994.

[3]

Assignments

Attached to 20th Fighter-Bomber Wing, 15 Nov 1952 – 7 Feb 1955
Attached to 39th Tactical Group, 23 Oct 1990 – 28 Feb 1991

[3]

Stations

[3]

Aircraft

[3]

Operations

[3]

See also

References

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

  1. ^ a b c d e 79 FS Fact Sheet
  2. ^ a b c Reduced flying hours forces grounding of 17 USAF combat air squadrons
  3. ^ a b c d e AFHRA 79 FS Page
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