425th Fighter Squadron

Last updated

425th Fighter Squadron
425th Fighter Squadron - Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Block 52 Fighting Falcon 97-120.jpg
425th Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon [note 1]
Active1943–1947; 1969–1989; 1992–present
CountryFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States
BranchFlag of the United States Air Force.svg  United States Air Force
TypeSquadron
RoleAdvanced weapons and tactics continuation training for Republic of Singapore Air Force F-16 pilots
Part of Air Education and Training Command
Garrison/HQ Luke Air Force Base, Arizona
Nickname(s)Black Widows [1]
Motto(s)Freedom Fighters
Engagements
Decorations
  • US Air Force Outstanding Unit Award - Stremer.jpg
    Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (14x)
  • Citation in the Order of the Day, Belgian Army: 6 Jun-30 Sep 1944 [2]
Insignia
Emblem of the 425th Fighter Squadron (approved 1 December 1992) [2] [note 2] 425th Fighter Squadron.jpg
Patch with 425th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron emblem (approved 11 June 1970) [3] 425th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron - 1970s patch.png
425th Night Fighter Squadron emblem (approved 4 May 1945) [4] 425 Night Fighter Sq emblem.png

The 425th Fighter Squadron is part of the 56th Operations Group at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. It operates the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft conducting advanced fighter training for Republic of Singapore Air Force F-16 pilots.

Contents

The unit was originally formed as the 425th Night Fighter Squadron in 1943. After training in the United States, it was deployed to Ninth Air Force in England in the spring of 1944, prior to the D-Day landings in France. During the run-up to D-Day, the squadron trained with Royal Air Force night fighter units against Luftwaffe raiders who intruded the night skies over England. After the landings in France, the mission of the squadron became the air defense of Allied liberated territory. During the Battle of the Bulge, it also flew day and night interdiction missions against enemy troop movements, bridges and other targets of opportunity. It was inactivated in 1947.

The squadron was re-activated in 1969 as a Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter training squadron for Republic of Vietnam Air Force pilots for transition training. After the end of United States involvement in the Vietnam War, it continued performed training of pilots from friendly nations who purchased the Northrop F-5E Tiger II as part of the United States Foreign Military Sales program. It was inactivated in 1989 when sales of the F-5 were ended.

Mission

The 425th Fighter Squadron's mission is to provide advanced weapons and tactics continuation training for the Republic of Singapore Air Force General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots, weapon systems officers and maintenance personnel. RSAF aircrew and maintenance personnel are assigned to the 425th for two years, during which they receive advanced tactics training, participate in Exercise Red Flag, shoot live missiles at Combat Archer, and deploy to locations throughout the United States to participate in composite operations and dissimilar air combat exercises. [2] [5]

The tailband consists of black with red trim and red lion heads in a row. The lion head is in the same form that is in the RSAF insignia. The tail code is the standard 'LF' seen at Luke AFB but the country insignia is either RSAF or USAF depending on who owns the aircraft. [6]

History

World War II

425th Squadron P-61 425th Night Fighter Squadron P-61 Black Widow 42-5569 with D-Day invasion stripes.jpg
425th Squadron P-61

The squadron was established on 23 November 1943, as the 425th Night Fighter Squadron at Orlando AAB, Florida and activated on 1 December. It initially trained with the Douglas P-70 Havoc night fighter at Orlando, although it also trained with the Northrop YP-61 Black Widow. In January, training was interrupted when the night fighter school was moved from Florida to Hammer Army Airfield, California. After the relocation, the squadron completed its training in March 1944 [7] The 425th was deployed to Ninth Air Force in England, being assigned to RAF Charmy Down.. Charmy Down become the home of three night fighter squadrons (422d, 423d, and 424th), however the squadron arrived un-equipped as the production Northrop P-61 Black Widows were late in arriving. Subsequently, the squadron had its aircrews posted to various RAF night fighter and signal schools for theatre indoctrination. Meanwhile, as there was no sign of the P-61s. the pilots kept up their flight time on Cessna UC-78s and de Havilland Mosquitoes. [7]

The squadron was moved to RAF Scorton on 6 May. The original plan had been for all three night fighter squadrons to be on combat status with P-61s by D-Day, however the first P-61 didn't arrive until the end of May, about two weeks before the planned D-Day invasion of France. With the arrival of the German V-1 Flying Bombs over England after the invasion, the squadron trained with their Black Widows by intercepting the flying bombs. One of the greatest dangers involved in killing V-1s was the possibility of getting too close to the flying bomb when one fired at it, running the risk of damage to their own plane if the bomb exploded when hit. [7]

Finally, on 18 August 1944, the squadron was considered to be operationally ready for night interception and moved up to Maupertu Airfield (A-15) in France. In France the squadron entered combat and began to perform night interception of intruding Luftwaffe bombers and night fighters. As the number of enemy night intruders was small, the squadron also performed offensive interdictionary attacks on Axis forces in France and the Low Countries, 1944, moving eastward through a series of Advanced Landing Grounds until operating from captured Luftwaffe bases in Germany during the spring of 1945. The squadron remained in Occupied Germany until September 1945 when it was demobilized, its personnel returning to the United States. [7]

The unit was at several locations in California between 8 September 1945 and 1 September 1946, before arriving at McChord Field, Washington. The 425th was inactivated on 25 August 1947. [5]

Cold War

Squadron Northrop F-5B 425th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron Northrop F-5B-50-NO Freedom Fighter 72-0439.jpg
Squadron Northrop F-5B

The unit was reactivated at Williams Air Force Base, Arizona, on 15 October 1969 as the 425th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron and was assigned to the 58th Tactical Fighter Training Wing at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, replacing the 4441st Combat Crew Training Squadron. Initially equipped with the Northrop F-5C Freedom Fighters of the 4441st, the squadron's initial mission was Undergraduate Pilot Training for Republic of Vietnam Air Force pilots in the aircraft. [6] [8]

In 1973 with the end of the Vietnam War, the squadron was assigned the task of training the aircrews of nations that had acquired the Northrop F-5E Tiger II under the Mutual Assistance Pact. The first F-5E Tiger II was delivered to the 425th on 6 April 1973. [9] Although the USAF did not operate any F-5s at the time, the F-5E/Fs assigned to the 425th carried USAF serial numbers and were procured through normal aircraft procurement procedures and channels. Carried tail code "LZ". [6]

Training proceeded at Williams throughout the 1970s. The 425th TFTS was reassigned to the 405th Tactical Training Wing as of 29 August 1979 when the 405th was activated at Luke, although the squadron remained at Williams. Pilots from over 20 nations who purchased the Tiger II were trained by the 425th. [9]

In the late 1980s, the fleet of the F-5s was getting rather worn out as a result of sustained exposure to the rigors of air combat maneuvering and training. The problem began with the loss of F-5F 73-0890 based at Williams AFB. It was lost in a training accident in which it broke in half during maneuvering, killing both the student and instructor pilot. An investigation later showed that the most likely cause of the accident was a failure in the upper fuselage longeron, probably a result of fatigue or corrosion. An inspection later showed that about a third of the fleet had cracked or fatigued upper longerons. Although no stateside aircraft were grounded they were restrictions placed on operations in which pilots were warned not to exceed a certain G-load. Some repair kits had to be devised to overcome these problems, and the estimated cost of repair of the entire fleet was beginning to exceed a billion dollars. [8]

In addition, the appearance of a new generation of Soviet fighters made it apparent that F-5Es could no longer perform adequately against Warsaw Pact threats. In June 1989, the squadron's F-5 training program terminated after having produced 1,499 graduates, and the 425th was inactivated 1 September 1989. [5]

International training

425th FS F-16 Fighting Falcon launches from Cold Lake, Canada during Exercise Maple Flag 42 in 2009 425th Fighter Squadron - Lockheed F-16D Block 52 Fighting Falcon 94-0282.jpg
425th FS F-16 Fighting Falcon launches from Cold Lake, Canada during Exercise Maple Flag 42 in 2009

On 30 December 1992, the 425th was reactivated at Luke AFB under the designation 425th Fighter Squadron "Black Widows". The new mission of the 425th was providing advanced weapons and tactics continuation for Republic of Singapore Air Force's F-16 pilots and maintenance personnel. Aircraft had already arrived for the squadron in October and shortly after in the new year pilot training began in January 1993. [10] [ failed verification ] Although the squadron has an American heritage, it was mix of both USAF and RSAF personnel and equipment. At first the squadron borrowed F-16A/B block 15s from the USAF in late 1992. This consisted of seven F-16As and two F-16Bs which were all borrowed. Most likely by coincidence, the Republic of Singapore Air Force ended up buying one of these F-16As years later that had been borrowed by them from the USAF. On 3 June 1998 the RSAF obtained F-16A #81-0677 as a GF-16A for ground maintenance/handling and weapons loading training. To complete the squadron, seven F-16A/Bs were sent from Singapore to join the squadron. [11]

In 1995 the squadron leased twelve USAF F-16C/D block 42s as their nine USAF block 15s were withdrawn from service. The seven F-16A/Bs owned by the RSAF flew back to Singapore during this time period as well. In the end, the USAF could not honor the lease as they needed the block 42s back. A deal was struck with Lockheed Martin to lease a dozen new-built F-16C/D block 52's (4 F-16Cs and 8 F-16Ds) with options to buy them later. The aircraft were leased for a 2.5-year period, for an estimated cost of USD $12.3 million. This program had no name assigned like the Peace Carvin FMS arrangement. [11]

RSAF pilots and maintenance personnel are assigned to the 425th FS for two years. During their tour of duty they receive advanced tactics training, participate in Red Flag and Maple Flag exercises, shoot live missiles at Combat Archer and deploy to locations throughout the U.S. to participate in composite operations and dissimilar air combat exercises. [10]

Lineage

Activated on 1 December 1943
Inactivated on 25 August 1947
Activated on 15 October 1969
Inactivated on 1 September 1989
Activated on 30 December 1992 [2]

Assignments

Stations

Aircraft

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luke Air Force Base</span> US Air Force base in Arizona

Luke Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. It is located 7 miles west of the central business district of Glendale, and 15 miles west of Phoenix.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">64th Aggressor Squadron</span> US Air Force squadron

The 64th Aggressor Squadron is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 57th Adversary Tactics Group at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">21st Fighter Squadron</span> US Air Force unit

The 21st Fighter Squadron is part of the 56th Operations Group at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, however it is separately based at Morris Air National Guard Base. It is a United States Air Force squadron that operates Taiwan-owned General Dynamics F-16V Fighting Falcon aircraft conducting fighter and maintenance training for the pilots and maintainers of the Republic of China Air Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">63rd Fighter Squadron</span> US Air Force unit

The 63d Fighter Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit, assigned to the 56th Operations Group, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. It operates the F-35A aircraft, and conducts advanced fighter training since its reactivation in 2016. When this Squadron was reactivated in 1975, their mission was to train pilots and weapons systems officers for the McDonnell F-4E Phantom II, and they switched to the F-4D in 1978.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">308th Fighter Squadron</span> US Air Force unit

The 308th Fighter Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit. It is part of the 56th Operations Group at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, where it trains pilots on the Lockheed Martin F-35A.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">309th Fighter Squadron</span> US Air Force unit

The 309th Fighter Squadron is part of the 56th Operations Group at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. It operates the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft conducting advanced fighter training.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">310th Fighter Squadron</span> US Air Force unit

The 310th Fighter Squadron is part of the 56th Operations Group at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. It operates the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II, conducting advanced fighter training.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">421st Fighter Squadron</span> Military unit

The 421st Fighter Squadron is part of the 388th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. It operates the Lockheed Martin F-35A aircraft conducting air superiority missions. The squadron is one of the most decorated fighter squadrons in the United States Air Force, being awarded three Presidential Unit Citations and seven Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards for Valor in Combat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">428th Fighter Squadron</span> Active US Air Force unit

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">426th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron</span> Military unit

The 426th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force fighter squadron. Its last assignment was with the 405th Tactical Training Wing, being inactivated at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, on 19 November 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">549th Combat Training Squadron</span> Military unit

The 549th Combat Training Squadron is a non-flying United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 57th Operations Group, and is stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. It conducts air support and air interdiction sorties in "Green Flag (West)" exercises to train USAF fighter pilots and the aerospace power component to the US Army's brigade combat training.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">418th Test and Evaluation Squadron</span> United States Air Force unit

The 418th Test and Evaluation Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit assigned to the 53rd Test and Evaluation Group, and stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, where it was activated on 1 October 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">550th Fighter Squadron</span> Military unit

The 550th Fighter Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit. Its current assignment is with 56th Operations Group, at Kingsley Field, Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">416th Fighter Squadron</span> Military unit

The 416th Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 49th Fighter Wing at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. The squadron was inactivated on 1 July 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">417th Test and Evaluation Squadron</span> Military unit

The 417th Test and Evaluation Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit, assigned to the 753rd Test and Evaluation Group and stationed at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Its previous assignment was with the USAF Weapons School at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, where it was inactivated on 14 September 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">97th Flying Training Squadron</span> Military unit

The 97th Flying Training Squadron is part of the 340th Flying Training Group and is the Reserve associate to the 80th Flying Training Wing based at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">497th Combat Training Flight</span> Military unit

The 497th Combat Training Flight is a United States Air Force unit. Its present station is Singapore's Paya Lebar Air Base, where its mission is to provide operational and logistical support to U.S. Air Force fighter aircraft deployed to Singapore for training exercises with the Republic of Singapore Air Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">560th Flying Training Squadron</span> Military unit

The 560th Flying Training Squadron is part of the 12th Flying Training Wing of the United States Air Force based at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. It operates the Northrop T-38 Talon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">16th Weapons Squadron</span> Military unit

The 16th Weapons Squadron is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the USAF Weapons School, based at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">72nd Fighter Squadron</span> Military unit

The 72nd Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 56th Operations Group, based at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. It was inactivated on 19 June 1992.

References

Notes
  1. Aircraft is Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Block 52 Fighting Falcon serial 97-120
  2. Endicott gives the approval date as 7 January 1993.
  3. Aircraft is Northrop P-61A-10-NO serial 42-5569 "Tabitha" at RAF Scorton, England
  4. Aircraft is Northrop F-5B-50-NO Freedom Fighter serial 72-439. This airplane crashed near Tucson, AZ on 27 July 1982 following a collision with F-5 serial 73-899. All three occupants from both aircraft ejected but one was killed.
  5. Source says 471st Fighter Wing, which appears to be a typographical error, since no wing numbered higher than 325 was organized during World War II. See generally Maurer, Combat Units (listing wings).
Citations
  1. Valinski, Steven (13 September 2015). "Red Flag 15-4: Live & Virtual over the NTTR". Aviation Photography Digest. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Robertson, Patsy (9 May 2009). "Factsheet 425 Fighter Squadron (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  3. Endicott, p. 803
  4. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 522
  5. 1 2 3 "Library: Factsheet 56th Operations Group". 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs. 21 November 2013. Archived from the original on 25 March 2014. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  6. 1 2 3 Martin, [ page needed ]
  7. 1 2 3 4 Pape, Campbell & Campbell, [ page needed ]
  8. 1 2 Baugher, Joe (19 March 2001). "Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II with USAF". joebaugher.com. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  9. 1 2 Shaw, [ page needed ]
  10. 1 2 AFHRA 50th Operations Group
  11. 1 2 Baugher, Joe (26 September 2015). "General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon for Singapore". joebaugher.com. Retrieved 7 January 2017.

Bibliography

PD-icon.svg This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency