163rd Fighter Squadron: Difference between revisions
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The unit was re-formed at [[Baer Field]], Fort Wayne, and continued to fly the [[F-51H Mustang]]s, returning to its pre-federalization air defense mission of Indiana. With the end of the line for the Mustang in USAF service, the United States Air Force, in an effort to upgrade to an all jet fighter force, required Air National Guard Air Defense Command units to upgrade to jet-powered aircraft. In July 1954 the Mustangs were retired and the squadron was re-equipped with [[F-80C Shooting Star]] jets that had seen combat in the [[Korean War]]. In March 1956, conversion to refurbished and reconditioned [[F-86A Sabre]]s commenced, and in April 1958 new [[F-84F Thunderstreak]]s were received. |
The unit was re-formed at [[Baer Field]], Fort Wayne, and continued to fly the [[F-51H Mustang]]s, returning to its pre-federalization air defense mission of Indiana. With the end of the line for the Mustang in USAF service, the United States Air Force, in an effort to upgrade to an all jet fighter force, required Air National Guard Air Defense Command units to upgrade to jet-powered aircraft. In July 1954 the Mustangs were retired and the squadron was re-equipped with [[F-80C Shooting Star]] jets that had seen combat in the [[Korean War]]. In March 1956, conversion to refurbished and reconditioned [[F-86A Sabre]]s commenced, and in April 1958 new [[F-84F Thunderstreak]]s were received. |
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====Tactical Fighters==== |
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In July 1959, the 163d was designated as a Tactical Fighter Squadron (Special Delivery), with a mission of the delivery of [[Tactical nuclear weapon]]s. It should be noted that although the 163d trained for the delivery of tactical nuclear weapons, it never had any actual nuclear weapons on hand, nor did the base at Fort Wayne ever had nuclear weapon storage facilities. In 1959 and 1960 the squadron participated in exercises Dark Cloud and Pine Cone III, the latter taking place at [[Congaree AFB]], South Carolina. In the exercises, the squadron practiced delivery of tactical nuclear weapons in the fictitious country of "North Saladia". |
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====1961 Berlin Crisis==== |
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On 1 October 1961 the 163d and the 122d Tactical Fighter Wing was federalized and ordered to active service as part of Operation Tack Hammer, the United States response to the [[1961 Berlin Crisis]]. Due to DOD budget restrictions, the 122d TFW was instructed to deploy only a portion of its total strength and only the 163d Tactical Fighter Squadron was deployed to [[Chambley-Bussières Air Base]], France, with the other two squadrons being on active duty at their home stations, ready to reinforce the 163d if necessary. |
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On 6 November the 26 [[F-84F Thunderstreak]]s arrived at Chambley, with the wings support aircraft (C-47 and T-33A's) arriving by mid-November. Due to its reduced force structure, the wing was designated the ''7122d Tactical Wing'' while in France. By 1 December the ground support units arrived and the 7122d prepared for an estimated overseas deployment of 10 months. |
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Rotations of Air National Guard pilots from the stateside squadrons in Indiana was performed to train them in local flying conditions in Europe. This allowed the 163d to maintain 100 percent manning and also to relieve the boredom of the national guard pilots on active duty in CONUS and kept them connected to the overseas part of the Wing. |
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The mission of the 7122d was to support [[Seventeenth Air Force]] and various [[NATO]] exercises in Europe, flying up to 30 sorties a day exercising with Seventh Army units in West Germany. NATO exchanges with the West German 32d Fighter-Bomber Wing occurred in April 1962 to increase understanding of NATO air integration and terminology. |
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By April, the Berlin Crisis appeared to be settled and the Kennedy Administration was interested in saving money on this emergency call-up of national guard units. On 7 June the 163d was directed to return to CONUS with all personnel, however the aircraft and equipment were to remain at Chambley. |
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The support C-47 and T-33s were flown back to Indiana, and in July the Air National Guardsmen of the 122 TFW/163 TFS returned to CONUS. On 16 July the 7122nd Tactical Wing was deactivated with its F-84F aircraft being turned over to the new [[366th Tactical Fighter Wing]]. The Guardsmen were released from active duty and returned to Indiana state control, 31 August 1962. |
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===Lineage=== |
===Lineage=== |
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Revision as of 13:04, 8 November 2012
| 163d Fighter Squadron | |
|---|---|
 163d Fighter Squadron - Fairchild Republic A-10A Thunderbolt II 82-0661 | |
| Active | 1942-Present |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  Air National Guard |
| Type | Squadron |
| Size | Close air support |
| Part of | Indiana Air National Guard |
| Garrison/HQ | Fort Wayne Air National Guard Station, Indiana |
| Nickname(s) | Blacksnakes |
| Tail Code | IN |
| Engagements | World War II |
| Insignia | |
| 163rd Fighter Squadron emblem |  |
The 163d Fighter Squadron (163d FS) is a unit of the Indiana Air National Guard 122d Fighter Wing located at Fort Wayne Air National Guard Station, Indiana. The 163d is equipped with the A-10 Thunderbolt II.
History
World War II
Trained in the Mid-Atlantic United States with P-40 Warhawks, 1943. While in training also used for air defense of Philadelphia area. Moved to England during September-October 1943 Equipped with P-47 Thunderbolts. Began operations on 20 December 1943 and served in combat with Eighth and, later, Ninth Air Forces until V-E Day.
Attached to Eighth Air Force, engaged in escort work until April 1944 to cover the operations of bombers that the AAF sent against targets on the Continent. Dive-bombed marshalling yards and airfields during Apr to help prepare for the invasion of Normandy.
Moved to the Continent in Jul and took part in operations that resulted in the Allied breakthrough at St Lo. Continued to fly escort, interdictory, and close-support missions during the Allied drive across France and into Germany, earning four citations before the end of the war. Reassigned to Ninth Air Force in August.
Reassigned to Second Air Force in July 1945 and programmed for deployment to Okinawa to take part in planned invasion of Japan. Equipped with long-range P-47N Thunderbolt and began training until Atomic Bomb attacks ended the Pacific War.
Inactivated on 7 November 1945.
Indiana Air National Guard
The wartime 365th Fighter Squadron was re-designated as the 163d Fighter Squadron, and was allotted to the Indiana Air National Guard, on 24 May 1946. It was organized at Stout Field, Indianapolis, Indiana and was extended federal recognition on 9 December 1946 by the National Guard Bureau. The 163d Fighter Squadron was bestowed the lineage, history, honors, and colors of the 365th Fighter Squadron. The squadron was assigned to the 122d Fighter Group, Indiana Air National Guard and equipped with F-51D Mustang fighters.
The 163d and the 113th Fighter Squadron at Baer Field, Fort Wayne, were the operational squadrons of the 122d Fighter Group. Its mission was the air defense of Indiana. The 113th flew training missions primarily over the northern part of Indiana, while the 163d operated from Indianapolis south to the Ohio River border with Kentucky.
During the postwar years, the Air National Guard was almost like a flying country club and a pilot could often show up at the field, check out an aircraft and go flying. However, these units also had regular military exercises that kept up proficiency and in gunnery and bombing contests they would often score better than full-time USAF units.
Korean War Federalization
With the surprise invasion of South Korea on 25 June 1960, and the regular military's complete lack of readiness, most of the Air National Guard was federalized placed on active duty. The 163d Fighter Squadron and its parent 122d Fighter Group were federalized on 10 February 1951.
The 163d initially remained at Baer Field, Fort Wayne and the 122d Fighter Group established headquarters at Stout Field, Indianapolis along with the 113th Fighter Squadron under Air Defense Command. ADC established the 122d Fighter-Interceptor Wing with the 122d Fighter-Interceptor Group as its operational unit with a mission for the air defense of Indiana and the upper midwest as part of the Eastern Air Defense Force. Both squadrons were re-equipped with very long range (VLR) F-51H Mustangs that were developed during World War II for long distance B-29 Superfortress bomber escort missions in the Pacific Theater.
On 1 May the 113th FIS was dispersed to Scott AFB, Illinois and the 163d FIS to Sioux City MAP, Iowa; the 122d FIW being transferred to the ADC Central Air Defense Force. Now assigned for the air defense of the Central United States, the squadrons flew interception missions for ADC. The 122d FIW/FIG were inactivated on 6 February 1952, the squadron being re-assigned to the 31st Air Division. Its period of federalization ended, the squadron was returned to Indiana State Control on 1 November 1952.
Air Defense mission
The unit was re-formed at Baer Field, Fort Wayne, and continued to fly the F-51H Mustangs, returning to its pre-federalization air defense mission of Indiana. With the end of the line for the Mustang in USAF service, the United States Air Force, in an effort to upgrade to an all jet fighter force, required Air National Guard Air Defense Command units to upgrade to jet-powered aircraft. In July 1954 the Mustangs were retired and the squadron was re-equipped with F-80C Shooting Star jets that had seen combat in the Korean War. In March 1956, conversion to refurbished and reconditioned F-86A Sabres commenced, and in April 1958 new F-84F Thunderstreaks were received.
Tactical Fighters
In July 1959, the 163d was designated as a Tactical Fighter Squadron (Special Delivery), with a mission of the delivery of Tactical nuclear weapons. It should be noted that although the 163d trained for the delivery of tactical nuclear weapons, it never had any actual nuclear weapons on hand, nor did the base at Fort Wayne ever had nuclear weapon storage facilities. In 1959 and 1960 the squadron participated in exercises Dark Cloud and Pine Cone III, the latter taking place at Congaree AFB, South Carolina. In the exercises, the squadron practiced delivery of tactical nuclear weapons in the fictitious country of "North Saladia".
1961 Berlin Crisis
On 1 October 1961 the 163d and the 122d Tactical Fighter Wing was federalized and ordered to active service as part of Operation Tack Hammer, the United States response to the 1961 Berlin Crisis. Due to DOD budget restrictions, the 122d TFW was instructed to deploy only a portion of its total strength and only the 163d Tactical Fighter Squadron was deployed to Chambley-Bussières Air Base, France, with the other two squadrons being on active duty at their home stations, ready to reinforce the 163d if necessary.
On 6 November the 26 F-84F Thunderstreaks arrived at Chambley, with the wings support aircraft (C-47 and T-33A's) arriving by mid-November. Due to its reduced force structure, the wing was designated the 7122d Tactical Wing while in France. By 1 December the ground support units arrived and the 7122d prepared for an estimated overseas deployment of 10 months.
Rotations of Air National Guard pilots from the stateside squadrons in Indiana was performed to train them in local flying conditions in Europe. This allowed the 163d to maintain 100 percent manning and also to relieve the boredom of the national guard pilots on active duty in CONUS and kept them connected to the overseas part of the Wing.
The mission of the 7122d was to support Seventeenth Air Force and various NATO exercises in Europe, flying up to 30 sorties a day exercising with Seventh Army units in West Germany. NATO exchanges with the West German 32d Fighter-Bomber Wing occurred in April 1962 to increase understanding of NATO air integration and terminology.
By April, the Berlin Crisis appeared to be settled and the Kennedy Administration was interested in saving money on this emergency call-up of national guard units. On 7 June the 163d was directed to return to CONUS with all personnel, however the aircraft and equipment were to remain at Chambley.
The support C-47 and T-33s were flown back to Indiana, and in July the Air National Guardsmen of the 122 TFW/163 TFS returned to CONUS. On 16 July the 7122nd Tactical Wing was deactivated with its F-84F aircraft being turned over to the new 366th Tactical Fighter Wing. The Guardsmen were released from active duty and returned to Indiana state control, 31 August 1962.
Lineage
- Constituted 365th Fighter Squadron on 20 Dec 1942
- Activated on 1 Jan 1943
- Inactivated on 7 Nov 1945.
- Re-designated: 163d Fighter Squadron, and allotted to Indiana ANG, on 24 May 1946
- Extended federal recognition on 10 November 1947
- Federalized and ordered to active service on: 10 February 1951
- Re-designated: 163d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 10 February 1951
- Released from active duty and returned to Indiana state control, 1 November 1952
- Re-designated: 163d Tactical Fighter Squadron (Special Delivery), 1 July 1959
- Federalized and ordered to active service on: 1 October 1961
- Released from active duty and returned to Indiana state control, 31 August 1962
- Re-designated: 163d Tactical Fighter Squadron, 1 September 1962
- Re-designated: 163d Fighter Squadron, 16 March 1992
Assignments
- 358th Fighter Group, 1 January 1943 – 7 November 1945
- 122d Fighter Group, 10 November 1947
- 122d Fighter-Interceptor Group, 10 February 1951
- 31st Air Division, Air Defense Command, 6 February 1952
- 122d Fighter-Interceptor Group, 1 November 1952
- 122d Tactical Fighter Group, 1 July 1954
- 122d Tactical Fighter Group (Special Delivery), 1 July 1959
- Attached to: 7122d Tactical Wing (Special Delivery), 1 October 1961-31 August 1962
- 122d Tactical Fighter Wing, 1 July 1974
- 122d Operations Group, 16 March 1992-Present
Stations
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Aircraft
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References
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
- A Handbook of Aerospace Defense Organization 1946 - 1980, by Lloyd H. Cornett and Mildred W. Johnson, Office of History, Aerospace Defense Center, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado
- Maurer, Maurer. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force: World War II. Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama: Office of Air Force History, 1982.
External links
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