13th Fighter Squadron

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13th Fighter Squadron
13th Fighter Squadron - Lockheed F-16C Block 50P Fighting Falcon - 92-3913.jpg
Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon departs for the Fort Irwin ranges [a]
Active1942–1943; 1966–1975; 1976–1982; 1985–present
CountryFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States
BranchFlag of the United States Air Force.svg  United States Air Force
Role Fighter
Part of Pacific Air Forces
Garrison/HQ Misawa Air Base, Japan
Nickname(s)Panther Pack [1]
Motto(s)Cave Putorium (Latin for 'Beware the Weasel [sic]') [b] . [2]
Mascot(s)Eldridge (1971-1973) [3]
Engagements Antisubmarine campaign
Vietnam War
Operation Southern Watch
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Operation Inherent Resolve
Decorations Presidential Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
Insignia
13th Fighter Squadron emblem [c] [4] 13 Fighter Squadron emblem.png
13th Tactical Fighter Squadron emblem [d] [5] 13 Tactical Fighter Squadron emblem.png
313th Bombardment Squadron emblem 313 Bombardment Sq emblem.png

WW(1996-present) [e] [6]
MJ (1985-1996) [f] [6]
MC (1976-1982) [g] [7]
OC (1967-1975) [8] 		Tail Codes

The 13th Fighter Squadron is an active squadron of the United States Air Force. The squadron flies the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon and is part of the 35th Fighter Wing at Misawa Air Base, Japan.

Contents

The squadron's first predecessor is the 313th Bombardment Squadron, which was activated in 1942. The squadron served in the continental United States as a training unit until its 1943 disbanding, also participating in antisubmarine warfare in 1942.

The 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron was activated in 1966, fighting in the Vietnam War. The squadron flew Wild Weasel anti-surface-to-air missile missions with the Republic F-105 Thunderchief and McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, operating out of Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base. It moved to Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base in October 1967, flying F-4s in combat air patrols against North Vietnamese MiGs and ground strike missions. The squadron was inactivated with the end of the war in 1975. The squadron was reactivated in 1976 as the 13th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, a training squadron, at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, and inactivated again in 1982. The squadron was reactivated as the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron in 1985 at Misawa, flying the F-16. Shortly thereafter, it was consolidated with the 313th Squadron. It was redesignated the 13th Fighter Squadron in 1991.

Mission

The 13th Fighter Squadron, "Panther Pack" operates the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon CM/DM Block 50 aircraft conducting air superiority missions. The Panthers provide offensive and defensive counter-air capabilities, and specialize in the role of Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses. [6]

History

World War II

21st Bombardment Group B-26 Marauders at MacDill Field 21 Bomb Group B-26 Marauders.jpg
21st Bombardment Group B-26 Marauders at MacDill Field

The squadron's first predecessor was constituted as the 313th Bombardment Squadron and activated on 1 February 1942 at Bowman Field, Kentucky, one of the original three squadrons of the 21st Bombardment Group. It moved a week later to Jackson Army Air Base, Mississippi, where it began to organize with North American B-25 Mitchells. [9] [10] The squadron moved to Columbia Army Air Base, South Carolina on 24 April. At Columbia, the unit became a medium bomber Operational Training Unit (OTU). [9] The OTU program involved the use of an oversized parent unit to provide cadres to "satellite groups" [11] The program was patterned after the unit training system of the Royal Air Force. It assumed responsibility for training the satellite groups and oversaw their expansion with graduates of Army Air Forces Training Command schools to become effective combat units. [12] [13] Phase I training concentrated on individual training in crewmember specialties. Phase II training emphasized the coordination for the crew to act as a team. The final phase concentrated on operation as a unit. [14]

On 26 May the 313th Squadron moved to Key Field, Mississippi. The squadron interrupted its training mission on 8 June to fly an antisubmarine warfare mission from Hattiesburg Army Air Field, Mississippi, returning to Key Field a few days later. It moved to MacDill Field, Florida on 26 June 1942. At MacDill, the squadron converted to Martin B-26 Marauders. It again flew antisubmarine missions between 31 July and 8 August 1942. The 313th began replacement training operations from May to July 1943, but resumed its OTU mission at MacDill until it was disbanded on 10 October 1943, [9] as MacDill prepared to transition to Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress training. [15]

Vietnam War

F-105 Wild Weasel fighter of the 388th Wing 17th Wild Weasel Squadron - Republic F-105G-1-RE Thunderchief - 63-8316.jpg
F-105 Wild Weasel fighter of the 388th Wing

On 2 May 1966, the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron was activated at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base. Although nominally assigned to the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, the squadron was operationally controlled by the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing at Korat. The squadron was initially equipped with Republic F-105 Thunderchiefs modified to the Wild Weasel III configuration for the Suppresion of Enemy Air Defenses mission.[ citation needed ] On 3 June 1967 Major Ralph L. Kuster, Jr. of the squadron shot down a MiG-17 with his F-105D's 20-millimeter cannon. This was the first aerial victory of the squadron. [16]

A squadron F-4D over Vietnam in 1971, carrying a Pave Sword laser pod. F-4D 13th TFS with Pave Sword laser over Vietnam 1971.jpg
A squadron F-4D over Vietnam in 1971, carrying a Pave Sword laser pod.
Eldridge, mascot of 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron Eldridge13tfs.jpg
Eldridge, mascot of 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron

In October 1967, the squadron moved to Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, where it become part of the 432d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing and began flying the McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II. The 13th remained at Udorn for the remainder of the war. In 1971, the squadron adopted a panther named "Eldridge" as a mascot [h] [3] In 1972, Capt Jeffrey Feinstein, a squadron weapon systems officer, flying cannon-armed F-4Es became the last USAF ace of the war, recording five victories over enemy MiG-21 fighters. [17] The victory that made him an ace came on 13 October 1972 and was the squadron's last aerial victory of the war. [18] In May 1975, the squadron flew its last combat missions in Southeast Asia during the Mayaguez incident. [19]

During the war, the squadron compiled 21 aerial victories, inlcuding 11 MiG kills, and flew more than 30,000 combat sorties. The squadron was inactivated in June 1975 as the United States withdrew its operational forces from Thailand. [6]

Replacement training unit

The squadron was activated on 15 January 1976 at MacDill Air Force Base as the 13th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron and assigned to the 56th Tactical Fighter Wing. The squadron conducted F-4E aircraft pilot and weapon systems officer replacement training at MacDill. The squadron was inactivated on 1 July 1982. [4]

Misawa Air Base

The squadron was again designated the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron and activated at Misawa Air Base, Japan in June 1985, where it was once more assigned to the 432d Fighter Wing flying the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon. The 13th became the first permanent fighter squadron stationed on the home islands of Japan since 1972. On 19 September, the 313th Bombardment Squadron was consolidated with the squadron. On 31 May 1991, the 13th was redesignated the 13th Fighter Squadron and assigned to the 432nd Operations Group as part of the Air Force's Objective Wing reorganization. The squadron deployed aircraft and personnel to southwest and central Asia, where the participated in operations over Iraq and Afghanistan. [4] It was transferred to the 35th Operations Group on 1 October 1994, part of an organizational realignment to ensure wings with rich heritages remained active. [6]

The squadron achieved initial operational capability in F-16CJs in 1996. On 8 July of that year, the squadron became the first Pacific Air Forces F-16 unit to deploy in support of Operation Southern Watch, [6] enforcing the no-fly zone over southern Iraq, as a result of a policy change allowing all units the opportunity to deploy.[ citation needed ] In August 1996, Iraqi forces struck Kurds in Irbil. The United States responded with Operation Desert Strike. Deployed squadron elements destroyed an Iraqi SA-8 site and Roland missile system with AGM-88 HARM missiles. [19] Again, in July 1998, squadron members were protecting coalition aircraft when British pilots operating near Basra found that Iraqi radar had locked onto them and were preparing to fire. Squadron aircraft launched an AGM-88 at the Iraqi radar, forcing the Iraqi missile battery to turn off its radar. [16]

From 1996 to 2020, the 13th deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq and Jordan, including in 2014 to Jordan where the Panthers opened the US air campaign against the Islamic State in what would become known as Operation Inherent Resolve.[ citation needed ] It has participated in Commando Sling exercises with the Royal Malaysian Air Force and Commando West exercises with the Singapore Air Force. [20]

In 2025, the 35th Wing began to retire its F-16s, while the Air Force would begin temporarily deploying Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning IIs to Misawa. Rotations will continue until Misawa upgrades its fighter fleet to the F-35 in 2026. [21]

Lineage

313th Bombardment Squadron
Activated on 1 February 1942
Disbanded on 10 October 1943
13th Fighter Squadron
Organized on 15 May 1966
Inactivated on 30 June 1975
Activated on 15 January 1976
Inactivated on 1 July 1982
Activated on 1 June 1985
Redesignated as 13th Fighter Squadron on 31 May 1991 [4]

Assignments

Stations

  • Bowman Field, Kentucky, 1 February 1942
  • Jackson Army Air Base, Mississippi, 8 February 1942
  • Columbia Army Air Base, South Carolina, 21 April 1942
  • Key Field, Mississippi, 24 May 1942
  • Hattiesburg Army Air Field, Mississippi, 7 June 1942
  • Key Field, Mississippi, 12 June 1942
  • MacDill Field, Florida, 26 June 1942 – 10 October 1943
  • Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, 15 May 1966
  • Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, 20 October 1967 – 30 June 1975
  • MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, 15 January 1976 – 1 July 1982 (operated From: Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, 26 November–22 December 1979)
  • Misawa Air Base, Japan, 1 June 1985 – present [4]

Aircraft

  • Douglas B-18 Bolo (1942)
  • Douglas A-20 Havoc (1942)
  • North American B-25 Mitchell (1942)
  • Martin B-26 Marauder (1942–1943)
  • Republic F-105 Thunderchief (1966–1967)
  • McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II (1967–1982)
  • General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon (1985–2025) [4] [21]

Awards and campaigns

Award streamerAwardDatesNotes
Streamer PUC Army.PNG Presidential Unit Citation 10 March 1967–1 May 1967Southeast Asia 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron [4]
Streamer PUC Army.PNG Presidential Unit Citation19 September 1967–1 November 1968Southeast Asia 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron [4]
Streamer PUC Army.PNG Presidential Unit Citation1 November 1968–31 October 1969Southeast Asia 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron [4]
AFOUA with Valor.jpg Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device 29–30 June 196613th Tactical Fighter Squadron [4]
AFOUA with Valor.jpg Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device1 July 1966–30 June 196713th Tactical Fighter Squadron [4]
AFOUA with Valor.jpg Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device1 July 1967–30 June 196813th Tactical Fighter Squadron [4]
AFOUA with Valor.jpg Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device21 November 1969–20 November 197013th Tactical Fighter Squadron [4]
AFOUA with Valor.jpg Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device21 November 1970–6 April 197113th Tactical Fighter Squadron [4]
AFOUA with Valor.jpg Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device18 December 1972–27 January 197313th Tactical Fighter Squadron [4]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 January 1977–1 January 197913th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron [4]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 July 1980–30 June 198213th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron [4]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 January 1991-31 December 199113th Tactical Fighter Squadron (later 13th Fighter Squadron) [4]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 October 1992-30 September 199413th Fighter Squadron [4]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 October 1995-30 September 199613th Fighter Squadron [4]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 October 1997-30 September 199913th Fighter Squadron [4]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 October 1999-30 September 200113th Fighter Squadron [4]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 October 2001-30 September 200313th Fighter Squadron [4]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 July 2004-31 May 200613th Fighter Squadron [4]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 October 2008-30 September 201013th Fighter Squadron [4]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 March 2011-28 February 201313th Fighter Squadron [4]
VGCP Streamer.jpg Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm 15 May 1966–28 Jan 197313th Tactical Fighter Squadron [4] [i]


Campaign StreamerCampaignDatesNotes
American Campaign Streamer.png American Campaign Antisubmarine1 February 1942–10 October 1943 [j] 313th Bombardment Squadron [4]
Streamer VS.PNG Vietnam Air15 May 1966–28 June 196613th Tactical Fighter Squadron [4]
Streamer VS.PNG Vietnam Air Offensive29 June 1966–8 March 196713th Tactical Fighter Squadron [4]
Streamer VS.PNG Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase II9 March 1967–31 March 196813th Tactical Fighter Squadron [4]
Streamer VS.PNG Vietnam Air/Ground22 January 1968–7 July 196813th Tactical Fighter Squadron [4]
Streamer VS.PNG Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase III1 April 1968–31 October 196813th Tactical Fighter Squadron [4]
Streamer VS.PNG Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase IV1 November 1968–22 February 196913th Tactical Fighter Squadron [4]
Streamer VS.PNG Tet 1969/Counteroffensive23 February 1969–8 June 196913th Tactical Fighter Squadron [4]
Streamer VS.PNG Vietnam Summer-Fall 19699 June 1969–31 October 196913th Tactical Fighter Squadron [4]
Streamer VS.PNG Vietnam Winter-Spring 19703 November 1969–30 April 197013th Tactical Fighter Squadron [4]
Streamer VS.PNG Sanctuary Counteroffensive1 May 1970–30 June 197013th Tactical Fighter Squadron [4]
Streamer VS.PNG Southwest Monsoon1 July 1970–30 November 197013th Tactical Fighter Squadron [4]
Streamer VS.PNG Commando Hunt V1 December 1970–14 May 197113th Tactical Fighter Squadron [4]
Streamer VS.PNG Commando Hunt VI15 May 1971–31 July 197113th Tactical Fighter Squadron [4]
Streamer VS.PNG Commando Hunt VII1 November 1971–29 March 197213th Tactical Fighter Squadron [4]
Streamer VS.PNG Vietnam Ceasefire Campaign29 March 1972–28 January 197313th Tactical Fighter Squadron [4]
Streamer gwotE.PNG Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal13th Fighter Squadron [4]
Streamer IQCS.PNG Liberation of Iraq19 March 2003–1 May 200313th Fighter Squadron [4]
Streamer IQCS.PNG Iraqi Surge10 January 2007–31 December 200813th Fighter Squadron [4]

See also

References

Notes

Explanatory notes
  1. ↑ Aircraft is General Dynamics F-16C Block 50, serial 92-3913. Taken on 20 August 2008, during exercise Green Flag 080-9 at Nellis AFB.
  2. ↑ A reference to the squadron's "Wild Weasel" mission. However, putor in Latin means polecat (skunk), the Latin word for weasel is mustela, so "Cave Mustelam" would be a more correct Latin motto.
  3. ↑ Approved 16 August 2007.
  4. ↑ Approved 15 August 1985. Description: On a yellow disc, a Black panther's head detailed White facing to the right with Red eye and tongue interlaced by the stylized Red Arabic numerals 1 and 3, all within a narrow blue border.
  5. ↑ Representing the Wild Weasel mission.
  6. ↑ Representing Misawa Japan.
  7. ↑ Representing MacDill.
  8. ↑ The mascot was named for Black Panther leader Eldridge Cleaver.
  9. ↑ In addition to the unit awards earned by the squadron, it is also entitled to display the unit awards earned by the 13th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, including an Air Force Meritorious Unit Award for 1 June 20100 to 31 May 2011 and an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for 14 April to 4 October 2014. DAF Instruction 84-105 Orbanizational Lineage, Honors and Heraldry, 27 June 2021, para. 2.2.1.3; "Air Force Personnel Services: Unit Awards". Air Force Personnel Center. Retrieved 30 August 2025. (search)
  10. ↑ Period is for American Campaign service. Antisubmarine Campaign credit is only for 8 June 1942 – 8 August 1942.
Notes
  1. ↑ Staff writer, no byline (19 December 2023). "Defying Superstition: The 13th Fighter Squadron's Legacy of Excellence". 35th Fighter [Wing] Public Affairs. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  2. ↑ Heitzman, Deana (5 May 2016). "Projecting power, fulfilling childhood dream". 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
  3. 1 2 Norville, John (28 April 2014). "Eldridge". An American Family. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 Dollman, TSG David (11 October 2016). "Factsheet 13 Fighter Squadron (PACAF)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 8 February 2017.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  5. ↑ Endicott, p. 433
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Staff writer, no byline (24 February 2014). "Misawa Factsheets: 13th Fighter Squadron". 35th Fighter Wing. Archived from the original on 27 January 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
  7. ↑ Anonymous. "MacDill is Part of Tampa, A Military Town" (PDF). 6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs. p. 10. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  8. ↑ Rossel, Eugene D. "USAF Vietnam Aircraft Tail Code". Air Commando Association. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  9. 1 2 3 Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 380
  10. ↑ Maurer, Combat Units, p. 70
  11. ↑ Craven & Cate, Introduction, p. xxxvi
  12. ↑ Goss, p. 74
  13. ↑ Greer, p. 601
  14. ↑ Greer, p. 606
  15. ↑ Anonymous. "MacDill is Part of Tampa, A Military Town" (PDF). 6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs. p. 7. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  16. 1 2 Wing historian (21 May 2014). "This Month in 35th Fighter Wing and Misawa Air Base History: June". 35th Fighter Wing History Office. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  17. ↑ Whitcomb, Darrel (March 2006). "MiG Killers: USAFA grads prove lethal to enemy pilots" (PDF). Checkpoints. 34 (4). US Air Force Academy Association and Foundation: 58. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  18. ↑ Wing historian (1 September 2014). "This Month in 35th Fighter Wing and Misawa Air Base History: October" (PDF). 35th Fighter Wing History Office. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  19. 1 2 Wing historian. "This Month in 35th Fighter Wing and Misawa Air Base History: July". 35th Fighter Wing History Office. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  20. ↑ No byline. "13th Fighter Squadron" (PDF). USAF History.com. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  21. 1 2 Harpley, Unshin Lee (12 May 2025). "USAF to Start Rotating Fighters to Misawa". Air and Space Forces Magazine. Air Force Association. Retrieved 29 August 2025.

Bibliography

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