138th Attack Squadron

src: upload.wikimedia.org

The The 138th Squadron (138 ATS) is a unit of the New York Air National Guard's 174th Attack Wing located at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, Syracuse, New York. The 138 is equipped with unmanned MQ-9 Reaper (UAV).

Video 138th Attack Squadron

History

World War II

Formed at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, as the Third Air Force Operational Training Unit (OTU), which is equipped with the A-24 Banshee dive bomber. Moved to California in September 1943 as part of the Desert Training Center in the Mojave Desert.

After the A-24 was released from the combat service, trained with P-39 Airacobras and combat ready, reassigned to VIII Fighter Command in England, April 1944. Re-equipped with P-51 Mustang, with a mission to escort B-17 Flying Fortress and B -24 Liberator heavy bomber during the first five weeks of operation, and afterwards flew many escort missions to cover the heavy and heavy bomber operations that hit strategic targets, blocked enemy communications, or supported field operations.

The group often shoots airfields and targets other opportunities while on an escort mission. Provided a cover of fighter planes over the English Channel and the Normandy coast during the French invasion in June 1944. The fortified and fortified vehicles, locomotives, marshalling yards, anti-aircraft batteries and troops while the Allied forces fought to get out of the face of the ship in France. Attacked transport targets as Allied forces cruised across France after a breakthrough in Saint-LÃÆ'Â' in July. Aircraft patrol during air strikes to the Netherlands in September. The escorts escorted to, and flew patrols over the battle area during the German counterattack in the Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge), December 1944 - January 1945. Provided area patrol during the attack on the Rhine in March 1945.

Returned to the US in October and deactivated on 17 October 1945 as an administrative unit.

New York Air National Guard

The 505 Fighter Squadron when the war was re-designated as the 128 Combatron Squadron, , and was awarded to the New York Air National Guard, on May 24, 1946. It was held at Hancock Field, Syracuse, New York, and extended federal recognition on October 28, 1947 by the National Guard Bureau. The 138th Combatron Combatron awarded the pedigree, history, honor, and color of the 505d Combatron Squadron and all its predecessor units. It was the squadron of the New York Guard Air Guard National Guard that extended federal recognition.

The squadron was equipped with the F-47D Thunderbolts and was initially assigned to the New York ANG 52d Fighter Wing, then in December 1948 to the 107th Fighter Group, which was operated by Continental Air Command.

The mission of the Combat Squadron 138 is air defense from Central and Northern New York. Aircraft spares are not a problem and many maintenance personnel are World War II veterans so their readiness is quite high and planes are often better maintained than their USAF counterparts. In some cases, the postwar National Air Force is almost like a flying country club and a pilot can often appear on the ground, checking planes and flying. However, this unit also has regular military training that continues to improve capability and in cannon and contest bombing, they often score at least or better than the active USAF unit in charge, given the fact that most ANG pilots are World War II war veterans.

Air Defense Mission

In January, 1950 138 became the first New York Air National Guard unit to receive jet aircraft, acquiring F-84B Thunderjets, mostly from the USAF Combat Group 20 at Shaw AFB, South Carolina.

With the sudden invasion of South Korea on June 25, 1950, and the lack of regular military readiness, most of the Air Force National Guard was federated and placed on active duty. The 138 was defended by the State of New York to defend the air defense mission.

In December 1950/January 1951, 138 transferred several F-84Bs to the 197 ANG 197 Combat Squadron at Luke AFB, and by the end of 1951 the remainder were transferred to the respected Michigan ANG 127 Pilot Training Federation, also at Luke AFB. Thunderjets are used for pilot jet transition training for pilots deployed to Korea. In return, the 138 received the Very Long Range F-51H Mustangs by being able to expand air defense flights throughout New York state. In 1952, the 138 became one of the first Air National Guard squadrons to start the runway stand stand. At least two planes from squadrons with pilots in their cockpit stood alert at the end of the runway from an hour before sunrise to an hour after sunset every day of the year.

The air defense mission remains after the Korean War truce and the unit returns to peaceful training and rehearsals in peacetime. In 1954, Mustang ended his service life and the Air Defense Command again completed his jet fighter squadron. The 138 received F-94B Starfires, but the F-94 required a two-person aircrew, pilot and air observer to operate its radar equipment. Trainees for radar duty must attend regular Air Force training schools, and require almost the same qualifications as a trial trainee. Additional guard recruitment causes the unit to have manning problems and abilities that last for some time until the unit is returned to full readiness.

In 1956, the 107th Fighter-Interceptor wing was reorganized and redefined as the 107th air defense wing. The 107th Fighter-Interceptor group was re-designated as the 107th Fighter Group (Air Defense) and transferred from Niagara Falls Airport to Hancock Field on May 1, with FIS 138 being commissioned. Saber F-86H replaced the F-94B Starfires in 1957.

Tactical Air Command

Major changes to the 1078th Air Defense Wing of 1958 were the transition from the Air Defense Command (ADC) mission to the Tactical Air Command (TAC) and the 107th tactical combat mission, redefined as Tactical Combat Group; and 138 are also being reorganized. The new assignment involves changes in the Group's training mission to include high-altitude interception, air-to-ground rockets, ground bombardment and tactical bombardment. TFS 138 retained their F-86H Saber.

1961 Berlin Federalization

During the summer of 1961, when the Berlin Crisis of 1961 began, the 138th TFS was notified on August 16 of pending federalization and recalled to active duty. On October 1, the 138th date was negotiated and assigned to the Massachusetts ANG 102d Tactical Fighter Wing, which was ferrarized and placed on active duty at the Otis Air Force Base.

The mission of TFW 102d is to strengthen the United States Air Force in Europe (USAFE) and spread it to the Phalsbourg-Bourscheid Air Base, France. In France, the unit was to provide close air support to NATO ground forces and air bans. This involves keeping the plane in standby 24/7. Between 28 and 30 October, TFW 102d departed from Otis AFB for Phalsbourg. Wing spreading 82 F-86H Saber. In addition 2 C-47 and 6 T-33 aircraft were assigned to the wing for support and training purposes.

Beginning December 5, 102d began spreading to Libya's Wheelus Air Base for cannon training. During his time in Europe, 102d participated in several USAF and NATO drills, including placement to Leck Air Base, West Germany near the Danish border. At Leck, the ground crew and supporters from both countries exchanged duties, learning how to do aircraft maintenance and operational support tasks.

On May 7, 1962, the Seventeenth USAFE Air Force ordered that TFW 102d be re-deployed to the United States during the summer, and the unit returned to the United States in July 1962. The regular USAF personnel, together with a group of volunteered ANG personnel. to remain active duty to form the 480th Tactical Combat Squadron of the newly activated 366th Tactical Fighter Wing. The last ANG aircraft departs on July 20th.

Vietnamese era

Upon returning to New York State Control, the 107th Tactical Combat Group was transferred back to Niagara Falls, and the 138th TFS was authorized to expand to the group level. The 174th Tactical Combat Group was allocated and recognized federally by the National Guard Bureau on September 1, 1962. The 138th TFS became the group's flying squadron. Other squadrons assigned to the group are the 174th Headquarters, the 174th Squadron (Maintenance) Squadron, the 174th Combat Support Squadron, and the 174th USAF Dispenser.

Squadrons remain equipped with F-86H and continue normal training and peace exercises. In the summer of 1965, the squadron took part in the Oneida Bear II Exercise at Fort Drum, which involved about 6,500 regular Army troops, Army Reserves and National Guard. The 138th TFS aircraft from Syracuse provides close air support for Aggressor and Friendly Forces during the Exercise, and engages in realistic tactical air strikes. In the exercise, conducted by the First Army, the Second Brigade of the Fifth Infantry Army was opposed by the aggressor forces of the Army National Guard and the Army Reserve Unit selected. Pilot Group 174 flies 77 sorties for a total of 114 hours without a single abortion.

The squadron trained at Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico, in early 1967 in all amphibious and aerial exercises. A pilot detachment unit and support personnel participated (22 officers and 69 aviators). Twelve F-86H aircraft participated with three C-130 Hercules for equipment and personnel support. All kinds of tactical air missions are flown. Total sorties are 213 with total flying hours, 308. Special firepower demonstrations are achieved with 20 sorti giving 40 (750 Â £) and 2000 round 20mm fired. Then in 1967 my Sentry Post Operation was held in August. This is the National Air Guard together - TAC Exercise. Twelve F-86Hs were flown and squadron pilots worked with air-to-air and air-to-ground shoot radar with and without FAC type missions. Total 204 sorties and 245, hours flown in this operation.

In 1968, the 174th TFG was federated and placed on active duty. The group was on standby for active duty on April 11, 1968, partially mobilized on May 13 and deployed to Cannon Air Force Base, Clovis, New Mexico. The 174th mission is to train Forward Air Controllers (FAC) for services in Vietnam. FAC flies a low-light observer, visually observing the installation and movement of the enemy and providing direct clues to places for fighters and bombers. FAC dictates the types of weapons to be delivered, observes strikes, and evaluates their effectiveness. The 174th mission is to provide FACs in training real-life experiences in fighter planes so that they will fully understand the requirements of the people they will address in combat in South Vietnam.

Arriving at Cannon AFB along with 197 ANG Tactical Fighter Squadron Maryland, they consist of 140th Tactical Fighter Wing. Originally based in Denver, Colorado, the headquarters of 140 moved to Cannon AFB with the deployment of the Combat Tactical Group 140 for active duty in Vietnam. However, not all members of the 174th Tactical Combat Group were mobilized. After the warning notification, the changes are directed towards mobilization only the Group Headquarters, 138th Tactical Combatron Squadron, and 174th Conservancy Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. The remaining members of the 174 remained in Syracuse on drill status for eight months of service mobilized. This unit was deactivated on December 20, 1968, and all members returned to Drill Air National Guard status.

Close Air Support

During the 1970s, the 174 began to rest Saber F-86H after more than a decade of service, the 138th Tactical Combat Squadron blew the last USAF/ANG Saber sorting on September 30th. Replacing Saber is the Cessna A-37B dragonfly and a new near-term air force tactical combat mission set up in a land rebellion environment gained from combat experience in Vietnam.

After a decade of peacetime exercises and training with A-37, in 1979, 174 began the transition to A-10A Thunderbolt II Near Air Support. With the arrival of the A-10, the 174s changed its status from Group to Wing on July 1, 1979. The wing is one of three National Guard units equipped with A-10 as part of the "Total Strength" concept which features ANG units with aircraft USAF front-line. In 1980, after the transition to the A-10 was completed, the 138th TFS was deployed to Savannah National Air Force National Base, Georgia. Upon arrival, the unit was given a sealed order that directed them to a remote and advanced operation site and operated combat troops, full of live weaponry. Not only the 174th combat readiness was put into the optimal time-test, but unit mobility was tested to the fullest. In response, an additional six A-10s were assigned to it, making TFS 138 the only "super" Air National Guard squadron, with 24 aircraft.

With the transition over, the unit deploys eight A-10 aircraft from Syracuse, endlessly to the front operations site in West Germany. In the Cornet Sail exercise, the 138th was demonstrated for the first time the ability of the National Guard or Air Force Reserve units to deploy this advanced aircraft in this way. The combat readiness in West Germany was reached 12 hours after leaving Hancock Field.

With the move from the USAF's 21st Air Division to Griffiss AFB in 1984, the 174th TFW became the host unit at Hancock Field. Later that year, the unit was deployed to the Air Soldier Training at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California; three weeks of deployment to Lechfeld Air Base, West Germany and with NY ANG 107th Fighter-Interceptor Group at Goose Air Base, Labrador.

The 174 was also one of the nearest A-10 support organizations to provide temporary air tactical defense support from Howard Air Force Base, Panama when the unit was deployed to Howard in March 1985 when the runway construction blocked the usual use of A-7D Corsair IIs fulfilling the tactical air defense task of the Panama Canal. Shortly after, he was deployed to Alaska for the first time. The 138th TFS completed a 2,700 mile flight to Eielson AFB without the aid of external navigation.

As in previous years, the continued deployment of NATO to West Germany in the late 1980s saw the training of 174th TFW personnel and coexisted with their West German Air Force counterparts as in combat situations. The 174s began in 1988 with a high tone when the Air Force announced the wings would convert from A-10 to F-16A/B Block Fighting Falcone specifically, also referred to as F/A-16 due to nearby air configuration configurations. With Block 10 F-16, the 174 became the first Air Force organization to fly the Fighting Falcon with Near Air Support missions.

The first F-16 aircraft began arriving in late 1988. The aircraft was relegated from the regular unit of the USAF which was upgraded to the F-16C/D model. During 1989 TFS 138 was selected as a test unit for an air support version near the F-16. The aircraft is the only F-16 ever equipped with this weapon, intended to be used against a variety of battlefield targets, including an armor with a 30 mm pod gun. The unit received an Outstanding Position Squadron Maintenance Award that year.

Desert Storm Operation

In 1991, the 138th TFS was deployed to the Persian Gulf with 516 members to support Operation Desert Storm. The 138 is one of only two units of the National Air Guard to fly a combat mission during Operation Desert Storm. Near Air Support Project but proved to be a total failure. Precision determination is not possible for several reasons: the pylon mount is not as high as the rigid A-10 installation; The F-16 flew much faster than the A-10, giving the pilot too little time to approach the target; firing rifles shook the plane roughly and making it impossible to control the targeting; Important CCIP software (points that are counted constantly) is not available. The pilot eventually used the weapon as an area effect weapon, spraying some targets with ammunition, producing an effect more like a cluster bomb. It only takes a few days before they give up, unleashes firearms, and again drops the actual cluster bomb - which does the job more effectively.

The unit received the Air Force's Extraordinary Unit Award, with a "V" device for bravery, during Operation Desert Storm; The Air Force Association's Extraordinary Award; and Best National Family Watch Support Center Award.

Air Combat Command

In March 1992, with the end of the Cold War, the 174 adopted the Air Force Organization's objective plan, and the unit was again designated as Wing Fighter 174. With organizational changes, the Combat Squadron 138 was assigned to the new 174th Operation Group. In June, Tactical Air Command was disabled as part of the Air Force reorganization after the end of the Cold War. It was replaced by Air Combat Command (ACC).

In 1993, FW 174 started trading on their old F-16 A/B block for the newer Block 30 F-16C/D aircraft configured for Tactical Air Support. In the process the squadron has the 'honor' to send the first F-16 to AMARC storage. This happened on July 20, 1993, when the F-16A (# 79-0340) was flown to Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona for flyable storage. Although the plane is only 13 years old, they are put into storage because more modern models become available and Block 10 is no longer needed by USAF. The general mission for the squadron remains unchanged with this transition.

Also in 1993, the 138th TFS became the first US unit to have a F-16 female fighter pilot, Jackie Parker, in 1993 as soon as the combat role was opened for women.

In June 1995, the unit was deployed for a 30-day rotation to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey as part of Operation Provide Comfort, assisting in enforcing Zone No Fly over Northern Iraq.

In mid-1996, the Air Force, in response to budget cuts, and changing the world situation, began experimenting with the Air Expedition organization. The Air Expeditionary Force (AEF) concept was developed that will incorporate Active-Duty, Reserve and Air National Guard elements into combined strength. Instead of deploying the entire permanent unit as "Temporary" as in the 1991 Gulf War, Expedition units consisted of "flight packets" of several wings, including an active duty Air Force, Air Force Command and Air National Guard, would become joint marriages to carry out placement rotation assigned.

The 138th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron (138th EFS) was first established and deployed in August 1996 for Operation Northern Watch (ONW). ONW is the US Combined Forces Command (CTF) Command, which is responsible for upholding the UN-wide flight ban zones over 36 parallels in Iraq. This mission is the successor of the Operation Provide Comfort which also requires support for the Iraqi Kurds.

In 1997, the 138th Combatron Squadron commemorated the 50th Anniversary in conjunction with the United States Air Force by hosting the United States Air Force aerobatic team Thunderbirds at the Syracuse Air Show.

During 1996-1997, the 174th fighter was delivered to AndÃÆ'¸ya Air Station, Norway as part of the NATO "97 Express Adventure" exercise. In 1998, the 174th FW was deployed to Tyndall AFB, Florida, for the "Combat Archer" exercise and also to Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, to participate in the "Global Patriot 98" exercise.

Only six years later, in 1999, FS 138 changed the block type once again, sending its 30 Block to the Illinois ANG Illinois Defense Squadron 170 and receiving an older 25 F-16 block from the Texas ANG 182d Combat Squadron. This means changing again from General Electric to Pratt & amp; Whitney.

The spread of AEF to Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia resulted in the establishment of the 138th EFS in early 2000. Operation Southern Watch is the operation responsible for enforcing the UN mandated no-fly zone under parallel 32d in Iraq. The mission began primarily to cover the attacks of Iraqi forces on Iraqi Shia Muslims. The squadron returned to Block 30 Aircraft in 2004, receiving a plane from the 50th TFW at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany shifted from the machine type once again.

As part of Global War on Terrorism, the 138th EFS was deployed twice to Balad Air Base, Iraq in 2006 and 2008

MQ-9 Reaper and Attack Mission

In 2008 it became clear that FS 138 would lose the F-16 and that the ANGB Hancock would lose its manned flight role after more than 60 years of operation. The squadron was destined to fly the unmanned MQ-9 Reaper (UAV) air vehicle. The unit transition of the F-16 fighter jets flew in the theater to operate the unmanned drones from the suburbs more than a tactical shift. This convinces the future of the base at Hancock Field. In October 2009, the 174th Fighter Wing cut the ribbon at the new MQ-9 Reaper maintenance school, where he trained technicians from across the country, from all branches of the military.

On March 6, 2010, the last two F-16s (# 85-1561 and # 85-1570) left Hancock Field marking the end of the F-16 operation at the base. They make three low-key crowds gathered to commemorate the end of a manned flight at the ANG Syracuse headquarters in northern New York.

As a result of mission changes, nearly two thirds of the 31 units of F-16 combat pilot units were transferred to another unit, retired or left the Air National Guard. Eleven took the Reaper position on the wing, swapping the pilot seat for the computer chair. Full-time personnel have increased, from 158 to 186. The number of part-time has dropped, from 500 to 437.

Lineage

• Named 484 (Diving) Bomber Squadron on 3 August 1942

Enabled on August 10, 1942

Reassigned: 505 Combat-Combatron on August 10, 1943

Reassigned: 505 Combatron Squadron on May 30, 1944

Off On October 17, 1945

• Reassigned: 128 Combatron Squadron , and assigned to New York ANG, May 24, 1946.

Received federal recognition and activated on October 28, 1947

Reassigned: The Combat Squadron-Crime 138 , December 1, 1952

Reassigned: Tactical Combatron 138 138 , November 10, 1958

Tried and placed on active duty, October 1, 1961

Released from active duty and returned to New York State controls, August 31, 1962

Tried and placed on active duty, April 11, 1968

Released from active duty and returned to New York state control, December 20, 1968

Tried and placed on active duty, November 20, 1990

Released from active duty and returned to New York State controls, March 31, 1991

Reassigned: Fighter Squadron 138 , March 16, 1992

Component set as: Expeditionary Combatron 138 when used as part of Air and Space Expedition units after June 1996.

Reassigned: The 138th Squadron Attack , 9 September 2012

Task

• Bomb 339 (Fighter-Bomber Group; Fighter), August 10 1942-17 Oct 1945.
• 52d Fighter Wing, October 28, 1947
• The 107th Fighter Group, December 8, 1948
• The Fighter-Interceptor Group to 107, December 1, 1952
• 107th Combat Group (Air Defense), May 1, 1956
• 107th Tactical Hunter Group, November 10, 1958
• 102d Tactical Fighter Wing, October 1, 1961
• The 174th Tactical Combat Group, September 1, 1962
• 140 Fighter Fighter Wing, April 11, 1968
• The 174th Tactical Combat Group, December 20, 1968
• Tactical Combat Wing to 174, July 1, 1979

Elements attached to: 4th Tactical Fighter Wing (Provisional), November 20, 1990-31 March 1991

• 174th Operation Group, March 16, 1992 - Now

Station

New York Air National Guard Deployments

Planes

Maps 138th Attack Squadron

References

This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force History Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.

src: c8.alamy.com

External links

Source of the article : Wikipedia