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===California Air National Guard===
===California Air National Guard===
The wartime 403d Fighter Squadron was re-activated and re-designated as the '''194th Fighter Squadron''', and was allotted to the [[California Air National Guard]], on 24 May 1946. It was organized at [[Naval Air Station Alameda]], California, and was extended federal recognition on 25 June 1948 by the [[National Guard Bureau]]. The 194th Fighter Squadron was bestowed to the history, honors, and colors of the 403d Fighter Squadron. The squadron was equipped with [[F-51D Mustang]]s and was assigned to the CA ANG [[144th Fighter Group]].
The wartime 403d Fighter Squadron was re-activated and re-designated as the '''194th Fighter Squadron''', and was allotted to the [[California Air National Guard]], on 24 May 1946. It was organized at [[Naval Air Station Alameda]], California, and was extended federal recognition on 25 June 1948 by the [[National Guard Bureau]]. The 194th Fighter Squadron was bestowed to the history, honors, and colors of the 403d Fighter Squadron. The squadron was equipped with [[F-51D Mustang]]s and was assigned to the CA ANG [[144th Fighter Group]]. During its early years with the F-51D, the unit earned prominence as one of the Air Force's most respected aerial gunnery competitors.

===Air Defense===
In 1952 the 144th was transferred from Tactical Air Command to Air Defense Command, and the 194th was re-equipped with the long-distance F-51H Mustang being used as an interceptor. In June 1953, while flying the F-51H, the unit qualified for the first all-jet, worldwide gunnery meet. Using borrowed F-86A Sabre jets, the 194th, which represented the Air National Guard, placed fifth in competition. On 1 November 1954, the 194th accomplished the transition from the piston-engine, propeller driven F-51H to its first jet aircraft, the F-86A. At the same time, the 194th relocated to Fresno, followed by the wing in 1957. On 7 July 1955, the 194th was re-designated as the 194th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, a designation kept by the squadron for the next 37 years.

The 144th continued to fly the F-86A until 31 March 1958. On April 1, 1958, the transition was made to the F-86L, which was flown until 30 June 1964. On July 1, 1964, the 144th began flying the F-102 and continued flying this aircraft until 24 July 1974. On 25 July 1974, the 144th brought the F-106 into service, and continued to fly this aircraft until 31 December 1983. On 1 October 1978 Aerospace Defense Command was inactivated, its units being re-assigned to Air Defense, Tactical Air Command (ADTAC). which was established compatible to a Numbered Air Force under TAC. TAC replaced the aging F-106s on 1 January 1984 with F-4D Phantom IIs, being used in the air defense interceptor mission.

The squadron started receiving their first F-16As on 1 October 1989. These were of the block 15 type, replacing the F-4D in the air defense and attack roles. The block 15 airframes weren’t exactly suited to the dedicated air defense mission the squadron was tasked to. This was fixed with the Air Defense Fighter (ADF) upgrade these airframes received during 1990.

n 1992, the 144th FW was reassigned to Air Combat Command. Effective March 16, 1992, the 144th Fighter Interceptor Wing was redesignated as the 144th Fighter Wing (144th FW), with all related Fighter Interceptor Groups and Squadrons becoming Fighter Groups and Fighter Squadrons.

During this time the 194th FS also had an alert detachment at George AFB. This base was closed in 1992 due to the overall downsizing after the Cold War and the alert detachment moved to March Air Force Base. In 1995 the squadron transitioned to the more F-16C block 25 aircraft.

After having flown for 11 years with the block 25 airframes, a number of those came to the end of their operational lifespan. It was therefore decided that the airframes of the 194th FS were to be replaced with F-16C Block 32 aircraft. The conversion to these block 32 models started in December of 2006 and was gradually completed by the end of 2007.


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

Revision as of 19:26, 25 September 2012

194th Fighter Squadron
194th Fighter Squadron Patch
Active1943 – present
CountryUnited States
BranchAir National Guard
TypeSquadron
RoleFighter
Part ofCalifornia Air National Guard
Garrison/HQFresno Air National Guard Base, California
Nickname(s)Griffins

The 194th Fighter Squadron (194 FS) is a unit of the California Air National Guard 144th Fighter Wing at Fresno Air National Guard Base, California. The 194th is equipped with the F-16C Fighting Falcon.

History

World War II

Activated in October 1943 as the 403d Fighter Squadron at Hamilton Field, California. During World War II, the squadron was an Operational Training Unit (OTU), equipped with second-line P-39 Aircobras and P-40 Warhawks. Its mission was to train newly-graduated pilots from Training Command in combat tactics and maneuvers before being assigned to their permanent combat unit. Initially assigned to IV Fighter Command, then transferred to III Fighter Command in 1944, being re-equipped with P-51D Mustangs. It took part in air-ground maneuvers and demonstrations, participating in the Louisiana Maneuvers in the summer of 1944 and in similar activities in the US until after V-J Day.

Inactivated in November 1945.

California Air National Guard

The wartime 403d Fighter Squadron was re-activated and re-designated as the 194th Fighter Squadron, and was allotted to the California Air National Guard, on 24 May 1946. It was organized at Naval Air Station Alameda, California, and was extended federal recognition on 25 June 1948 by the National Guard Bureau. The 194th Fighter Squadron was bestowed to the history, honors, and colors of the 403d Fighter Squadron. The squadron was equipped with F-51D Mustangs and was assigned to the CA ANG 144th Fighter Group. During its early years with the F-51D, the unit earned prominence as one of the Air Force's most respected aerial gunnery competitors.

Air Defense

In 1952 the 144th was transferred from Tactical Air Command to Air Defense Command, and the 194th was re-equipped with the long-distance F-51H Mustang being used as an interceptor. In June 1953, while flying the F-51H, the unit qualified for the first all-jet, worldwide gunnery meet. Using borrowed F-86A Sabre jets, the 194th, which represented the Air National Guard, placed fifth in competition. On 1 November 1954, the 194th accomplished the transition from the piston-engine, propeller driven F-51H to its first jet aircraft, the F-86A. At the same time, the 194th relocated to Fresno, followed by the wing in 1957. On 7 July 1955, the 194th was re-designated as the 194th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, a designation kept by the squadron for the next 37 years.

The 144th continued to fly the F-86A until 31 March 1958. On April 1, 1958, the transition was made to the F-86L, which was flown until 30 June 1964. On July 1, 1964, the 144th began flying the F-102 and continued flying this aircraft until 24 July 1974. On 25 July 1974, the 144th brought the F-106 into service, and continued to fly this aircraft until 31 December 1983. On 1 October 1978 Aerospace Defense Command was inactivated, its units being re-assigned to Air Defense, Tactical Air Command (ADTAC). which was established compatible to a Numbered Air Force under TAC. TAC replaced the aging F-106s on 1 January 1984 with F-4D Phantom IIs, being used in the air defense interceptor mission.

The squadron started receiving their first F-16As on 1 October 1989. These were of the block 15 type, replacing the F-4D in the air defense and attack roles. The block 15 airframes weren’t exactly suited to the dedicated air defense mission the squadron was tasked to. This was fixed with the Air Defense Fighter (ADF) upgrade these airframes received during 1990.

n 1992, the 144th FW was reassigned to Air Combat Command. Effective March 16, 1992, the 144th Fighter Interceptor Wing was redesignated as the 144th Fighter Wing (144th FW), with all related Fighter Interceptor Groups and Squadrons becoming Fighter Groups and Fighter Squadrons.

During this time the 194th FS also had an alert detachment at George AFB. This base was closed in 1992 due to the overall downsizing after the Cold War and the alert detachment moved to March Air Force Base. In 1995 the squadron transitioned to the more F-16C block 25 aircraft.

After having flown for 11 years with the block 25 airframes, a number of those came to the end of their operational lifespan. It was therefore decided that the airframes of the 194th FS were to be replaced with F-16C Block 32 aircraft. The conversion to these block 32 models started in December of 2006 and was gradually completed by the end of 2007.

Lineage

  • Constituted 409th Fighter Squadron on 12 Oct 1943
Activated on 15 Oct 1943
Re-designated: 409th Fighter-Bomber Squadron on 5 Apr 1944
Re-designated: 409th Fighter Squadron on 5 Jun 1944.
Inactivated on 7 Nov 1945
  • Re-designated: 194th Fighter Squadron, and allocated to California ANG on 24 May 1946
Extended federal recognition on 25 June 1948
Re-designated: 194th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 1 October 1952
Re-designated: 194th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 1 December 1952
Re-designated: 194th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 7 July 1955
Re-designated: 194th Fighter Squadron, 16 March 1992

Assignments

Stations

Aircraft

References

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

  • Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, AL: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-89201-092-4.
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