"79th Aero Squadron" redirects here. 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. Also in 1999, the squadron was honored with Air Combat Command's Maintenance Effectiveness Award. Although they were not activated, they were organized with reserve personnel during the 1920s and early 1930s. Tasked with mission of suppression and destruction of enemy air defenses; rotated aircraft and personnel in support of operations in Southwest Asia, 1994-. 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. Robertson. It maintains jet engines; accessory; and avionics components and systems; and a test, measurement and diagnostic equipment laboratory in, The 20th Medical Group provides ambulatory medical and dental services to the 20th Fighter Wing, Headquarters 9th Air Force (U.S. Air Force Central) and associate units. 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. Waco, TX, 22 Feb 1918; Taliaferro Field, TX, 28 Feb-15 Nov 1918. The 79th remained at English bases throughout the war, supporting both the Normandy invasion and the allied drive into Germany. Avionics technicians are responsible for testing and troubleshooting avionic components of aircraft systems at all levels of maintenance. Kings Cliffe began as a satellite air base for the Group based at nearby Wittering. 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. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Hiram Martinez), Two U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft sits parked on flight line at MacDill Air Force Base, Sept. 8, 2021. In July 1944, the squadron was flying the much faster P-51 Mustang while furnishing air support for the 3rd Army in the Battle of the Bulge and other strategic areas. Campaign Streamers. The 325th Fighter Wing's primary mission is to train and project unrivaled combat power. Plan. Activated on 29 Jul 1946. The exercise will test participants'' ability to operate in air, cyberspace and space. The 79th FGS deployed to project combat air power and help stabilize the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The ACC command team began their immersion at the 15th Air Force Headquarters, U.S. Air Forces Central headquarters and U.S. Army Central headquarters. The squadron was reactivated in November, The squadron was organized Feb. 20 1918, as the 77th Aero Squadron at Waco Field, Texas. It is an outpatient clinic with 24-hour ambulance transport service. 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. - Captain Jack M. Ilfrey, one of the COs of the 79th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Group, at Kings Cliffe air base. The P-40 was the third most produced American fighter, with 13,738 being built, and was used by most Allied nations and remained in front-line service until the end of the war. - Captain Jack M. Ilfrey, one of the COs of the 79th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Group, at Kings Cliffe air base. Connections See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below. Whereas most P-40s had the Allison V-1710 V-12 engine, the P-40Fs and P-40Ls flown by the 79th Fighter Group had Packard-build Merlin engines that provided additional horsepower and a slightly higher service ceiling. Taken in 2002. Copyright 1961-2023 NATO Tiger Association. The squadron returned to the states and was inactivated Oct. 19, 1945. 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. P-51, 1946-1948; F-84, 1948-1957; F-100, 1957-1970; F-111, 1970-1993. "It is built like a tank," said Senior Airman Zion Hill, one of the airmen . The 79th remained at English bases throughout the war, supporting both the Normandy invasion and the allied drive into Germany. David Wade, command chief of ACC, visited Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, Nov. 4-5, 2020. Marie Carillo, the 79th Fighter Squadrons deputy director of operations, Executing tactically in the fog and friction of off-station operations helps prepare us for whenever and wherever we are called to serve next., https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104505/f-16-fighting-falcon/, https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/f16featurepage, An official website of the United States government, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. In addition to supporting more than 5,400 military and civilian employees and 11,000 family members, the 20th MSG is also responsible for thousands of acres of land, The 20th Operations Group employs approximately79 F-16C fighter aircraft in conventional and anti-radiation suppression of enemy air defenses, strategic attack, counter air, air interdiction, joint maritime operations and combat search-and-rescue missions. We are the most flexible platform in the Air Wing and have the most diverse set of missions. 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. MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Hiram Martinez). The 79th FS started receiving the first F-16s in 1994 after departing RAF Upper Heyford in October of 1993. The squadron returned to the States and was inactivated on 19 October 1945.[4]. Aircraft is General Dynamics F-16C Block 50 Fighting Falcon serial 94-49. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Cobin), U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. The 79th Fighter Squadron (79 FS) is part of the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. David Wade, ACC command chief, elbow-bump Airmen at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, Nov. 5, 2020. He stands with other crew members See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below. Aircraft is General Dynamics F-16C Block 50P serial 92-3923, taken on 11 August 2001. Reviewed byDaniel Haulman, An official website of the United States government, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. 79 Fighter Squadron (ACC) By. . 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. The squadron also deployed regularly to Italy, Turkey and Libya, fulfilling its commitments in Europe. The 79th was inactivated in April 1993, and reactivated at its present home, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., on Jan. 3, 1994. June 30, 1993, the squadron inactivated. From 1990 to 1991, the 79th deployed to Southwest Asia to support Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The 79th FS traveled to MacDill from Shaw to conduct agile combat employment training. We are the first to launch and the last to land. Commanders. Inactivated on 30 Jun 1993. Crew chiefs are responsible for a variety of tasks, essential to mission readiness. 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. MOS 79S Career Counselor. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Jul 1956-30 Sep 1957; 1 May 1963-31 Dec 1964; 1 Jan 1965-31 Mar 1966; 1 Jul 1968-31 Mar 1970; 1 Sep 1970-30 Jun 1972; 31 Mar 1973-30 Jun 1974; 1 Jul 1977-30 Jun 1979; 1 Jul 1981-30 Jun 1983; 1 Jul 1987-30 Jun 1989; 1 Jul 1990-30 Jun 1992; 1 Oct 1992-23 Apr 1993; 1 Jan-31 Dec 1994; 24 Mar-10 Jun 1999; 1 Jun 1997-31 May 1999; 1 Jun 1999-31 May 2001. 20 Operations Group, 1 Jan 1994-. Type or paste contributions or comments below and click Send. Phone Number: (478) 926-8553. The reorganization to an FGS, provides better strategic oversight to higher headquarters by allowing leaders to better oversee manning and equipment capabilities while decision-making for the fight downrange. Insignia ot the 79th Fighter Squadron, 20th Sign up now to receive news and communications from American Air Museum in Britain charity. U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Carlos Yanez, an aircraft armament systems specialist with the 79th Fighter Squadron (FS), Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, inspects the missiles on an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 8, 2021. Airfield View all 148 images Object Number - FRE 1439 - Captain Jack M. Ilfrey, one of the COs of the 79th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Group, at Kings Cliffe air base. A qualified and current joint terminal air controller is recognized across the Department of Defense as capable and authorized to perform terminal attack control. 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. Activated on 1 Apr 1933. Pride. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. In May 1929, the squadron received P-12 biplanes and a new home at Barksdale Field, La. For further information on how your data is collected and used, please read our Privacy Policy. Capt Roy W. Camblin, c. 1 Apr 1933; Capt Charles G. Pearcy, 15 Mar 1936; Maj Frank O'D Hunter, 17 Nov 1936; Maj Armin F. Herold, Sep 1937; Maj Thayer S. Olds, Jul 1938; Capt Jesse Auton, Feb 1941; 1 Lt James Ferguson, May 1941-unkn; Maj Nathaniel H. Blanton, by Aug 1943; Maj Richard L. Ott, 14 Nov 1943; Capt Jesse O. Yaryan, 30 Jan 1944; Capt Carl E. Jackson, 31 Jan 1944; Capt Robert J. Meyer, 20 Feb 1944; Maj R. C. Franklin Jr., 22 Feb 1944; Maj Delynn E. Anderson, 10 May 1944; Capt Jack M. Ilfrey, 27 Sep 1944; Maj Robert J. Meyer, 9 Dec 1944; Maj Walter R. Yarbrough, 4 Apr 1945-unkn. Warren Air Force Base in southeastern Wyoming. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Meghan Hutton). The 49th Operations Support Squadron is made up of seven flights including Weather, Aircrew Flight Equipment, Airfield Operations, White Sands Radar, Intelligence, Current Operations and Weapons and Tactics. The 79th received the Commander in Chief's Trophy in 1981, as the best tactical fighter squadron in U.S. Air Forces in Europe. Unkn, 1918. Aircraft armament systems specialists ensure that explosive devices can be accurately delivered from the aircraft. Antisubmarine patrols, c. 8 Dec 1941-c. 8 Feb 1942. 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. 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. Chris Rasnick, an avionics technician assigned to the 79th Fighter Squadron preforms a preflight check on an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 8, 2021. Assignments. The squadron returned to the states and was inactivated Oct. 19, 1945. A U.S. Air Force pilot from the 79th Fighter Squadron gets situated in the cockpit of his F-16 Fighting Falcon prior to takeoff for exercise Red Flag at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., on Feb 130225-F-CJ989-901.jpg 2,100 1,397; 991 KB Curtiss P-36A (AC 38-17) (6127836062).jpg 1,780 1,026; 798 KB Kelly also took time to recognize 20 Team Shaw Airmen for outstanding performance. Assignment information in Robertson, except as noted. The Group flew 312 missions before their last mission on 25 April 1945. The 79th Rescue Squadron operates the HC-130J Combat King II and provides rapidly deployable combat search and rescue forces to theater commanders worldwide. Commanders, Aircraft, and Operations through31 Dec 2000. The 79th Fighter Squadron traces its history back to February 1918, when it was first organized as the 79th Aero Squadron. The 79th remained at English bases throughout the war, supporting both the Normandy invasion and the allied drive into Germany. U.S. Air Force Capt. The squadron maintains and operates Block 50 Mini-D variant F-16 Fighting Falcons in support of complex training and operational tasking, while maintaining proficiency in the employment of a full array of munitions and tactics. Jacob Impellizzeri, 79th Fighter Squadron, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, has been selected as Thunderbird 8, the team's Advance Pilot and Narrator. CMF 79 Recruiter, Counselor Duty Descriptions. SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --. The . Organized as 79 Aero Squadron on 22 Feb 1918. 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. Emblem. Not only do our Airmen provide lethal combat airpower in support of our national defense strategy, but they also provide services to major command functions like AFCENT, ARCENT and 15th AF so they can go on to successfully support their operations. Its very dynamic and very diverse--it spans the entire globe across every capability in ACC. Organized as 79 Aero Squadron on 22 Feb 1918. Jessica Distefano, 20th Medical Group, noncommissioned officer in charge of laboratory, briefs U.S. Air Force Gen. Mark Kelly, commander of Air Combat Command, about COVID-19 efforts and future plans at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, Nov. 5, 2020. Decorations. Shaw AFB, SC, 1 Jan 1994-. The squadron was later assigned duties patrolling near Washington, D.C. Station information in Robertson, except as noted. Central Command Air Forces and Headquarters Air Combat Command. The squadron was demobilized in November 1918, but was reactivated and consolidated with the 77th Observation Squadron in October 1927. Redesignated Squadron B, Taliaferro Field, TX, on 23 Jul 1918. Airdrome meant airfield. Sgt. From 1940 to 1942, the, An official website of the United States government, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. MOTTO: "Shield the Enterprise". The P-47 had better performance than the P-40 in most areas, with the exception of maneuverability and range. The 79th was again brought to active service on 29 July 1946, at Biggs Field, Texas. During Kellys first visit to Shaw since assuming command, he received a firsthand look at how Team Shaw, comprised of multiple major commands, stays mission ready 24/7 while striving for innovation at every turn with over 600 aircraft and over 53,000 Airmen and civilians located across the globe. Click on the map above to zoom into where the 79th FG was stationed. Mission statement. The 79th Fighter Squadron is part of the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. The squadron moved again to Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, in November 1951. The next change came in 1970, when the squadron transitioned to the General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark and moved to RAF Upper Heyford, England. 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.