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18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron

(Redirected from 18th Pursuit Squadron)

The 18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (18th FIS) is a subordinate unit of the 354th Fighter Wing based at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, and flies the Block 30 General Dynamics F-16C/D aircraft.

18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron
18th Aggressor Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon[note 1]
Active1940–1946; 1952–1971; 1977–present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleInterceptor
Part ofPacific Air Forces
Garrison/HQEielson Air Force Base, Alaska
Nickname(s)Blue Foxes
Engagements
World War II – Asiatic–Pacific Theater
Decorations
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Insignia
18th Aggressor Squadron emblem[1]
18th Fighter Squadron emblem[2][note 2]

Mission

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The 18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron provides aerospace control for homeland defense missions in the Alaska Theater of Operations.[3]

History

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Activated in 1940 as a Southwest Air District pursuit squadron, equipped with a variety of 1930s-era pursuit aircraft. Re-equipped with P-38 Lightning fighters and deployed to Alaska, engaged in combat during the Aleutian Campaign, 1942–1943.[4] Remained in Alaska as part of the air defense forces until inactivated in August 1946.

Air Defense Command

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Two 18th FIS F-101s in the 1960s.

Reactivated in 1952 as part of Air Defense Command as an air defense squadron, initially equipped with F-86A Sabre day fighters, initially being assigned to Minneapolis Airport, Minnesota with a mission for the air defense of the Upper Great Lakes region. Re-equipped in 1954 with F-89D Scorpions and moved to Ladd AFB, Alaska for interceptor duty in the Fairbanks area as part of Alaskan Air Command. Returned to the CONUS in 1957 and upgraded to F-102 Delta Dagger interceptors at the new Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan.

Reassigned to Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota in 1960 and received the new McDonnell F-101B Voodoo supersonic interceptor, and the F-101F operational and conversion trainer. The two-seat trainer version was equipped with dual controls, but carried the same armament as the F-101B and were fully combat-capable. Inactivated in April 1971 as part of the drawdown of ADC interceptor bases, the aircraft being passed along to the Air National Guard.

Modern era

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18th TFS A-10As in 1982

On 1 October 1977 the squadron was reactivated under the 343rd Tactical Fighter Group, assigned to the 21st Composite Wing of Alaskan Air Command flying the McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. The squadron specialized in air-to-ground operations within the 21st Composite Wing. The squadron moved to Eielson AFB, Alaska at the end of 1981 and began converting to the Fairchild Republic A-10A Thunderbolt II.

From 1981 to 1991 the squadron conducted air-to-ground operations with the A-10, assigned to the 343rd Tactical Fighter Wing before converting to the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon.

In 1991, the squadron converted to the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon. In 1997, elements of the 18th FS deployed to Singapore and Malaysia to take part in dissimilar air combat tactic training as part of Exercises Commando Sling and Cope Taufan, respectively. The Cope Taufan deployment marked the first time Pacific Air Forces' F-16s had flown against MiG-29s. The unit deployed to Ahmad al-Jaber Air Base, Kuwait, October–December 1998 to support Operation Southern Watch. Later, the squadron deployed to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, September–December 2000, in support of Operation Northern Watch. For this deployment, the squadron employed 5 F-16 aircraft and 110 personnel, conducting the first ever Combat Search and Rescue support tasking for an F-16 squadron. After the 11 September 2001 attacks, the 18th FS was called to provide eight aircraft for Alaska NORAD air defense during Operation NOBLE EAGLE, though the aircraft were not launched.

 
18th Fighter Squadron F-16 flying over the Alaska Range[note 3]

The squadron's next deployment was to Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base from December 2001 to March 2002 to support simultaneous combat operations for Operations Southern Watch and Operation Enduring Freedom. They flew more than 3,200 hours in only 3 months, an amazing feat for the 142 Blue Foxes who deployed with only 10 aircraft. During that time, the 18th FS flew missions in support of Operation Anaconda, including one in the Shah-i-Kot Valley on 2 March when U.S. forces, engaged in a firefight with Taliban and Al Qaeda forces, called for aerial assistance. A number of Blue Foxes responded, dropping bombs with pinpoint accuracy on the opposing forces. Lt. Col. Burt Bartley, the 18 FS commander at the time, received the Silver Star for strafing and dropping 500 lbs Laser-guided bombs on what would later be known as "The Battle for Roberts Ridge".

The squadron deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam in support of Operation Noble Eagle during March 2003. The unit also participated in Exercise Commando Sling in October 2003.

Red Flag – Alaska

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18th Aggressor Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcons taxi at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska

As part of the change from COPE THUNDER to Red Flag-Alaska, the 18th FS was re-designated the 18th Aggressor Squadron. The squadron trains in the same manner as the aggressors at Nellis Air Force Base, learning the flying styles and abilities of foreign air forces in order to train USAF pilots against realistic opposition. Aircraft changes entail sending all 18 of its Block 40 F-16 Fighting Falcons to Kunsan Air Base, Korea, and receiving 18 Block 30 F-16s from Kunsan.

In 2013, the Air Force, responding to the Department of Defense strategy guidance of December 2012, proposed consolidating all fighter units in Alaska at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. This would involve the move of the 18th from Eielson Air Force Base to Elmendorf.[5] While the move was pending, in response to the sequestration of defense funds, the squadron's aircraft were grounded in the middle of April for a period of three months.[6] The squadron move was strongly opposed by civic leaders from both Fairbanks and Anchorage, Alaska. The civic leaders were joined by the Alaska congressional delegation, who wrote language barring the use of funds in the Defense Appropriations Bill to move the squadron, and delayed the promotion of a lieutenant general until the Air Force addressed their questions concerning the move. The widespread opposition in Alaska to the squadron's move caused the Department of Defense to withdraw its recommendation and leave the squadron at Eielson.[7]

Lineage

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  • Constituted 18th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) on 22 December 1939
Activated on 1 February 1940
Redesignated 18th Fighter Squadron on 15 May 1942
Redesignated 18th Fighter Squadron, Single Engine on 20 August 1943
Redesignated 18th Fighter Squadron, Two Engine on 6 March 1945
Inactivated on 15 August 1946
  • Redesignated 18th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron on 10 October 1952
Activated on 1 December 1952
Inactivated on 15 April 1971
  • Redesignated 18th Tactical Fighter Squadron on 19 September 1977
Activated on 1 October 1977
Redesignated 18th Fighter Squadron on 1 July 1991[2]
Redesignated 18th Aggressor Squadron on 1 October 2007[8]
Redesignated 18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron on 2 February 2024 [3][9]

Assignments

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Stations

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Aircraft

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Operations

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  • Combat in Northern Pacific, and defense of Alaska, during World War II
  • Air Defense of US, 1952–1971 and 1977–1982
  • Close air support for Alaskan/PACAF areas of responsibility, since 1982

Decorations

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  • Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 June 1962 – 31 May 1964; 7 June 1966 – 8 June 1968; 1 January – 31 December 1978; 1 January 1983 – 30 June 1984; 1 July 1985 – 30 June 1987; 1 January 1988 – 31 December 1989; 1 July 1990 – 30 June 1992.

References

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Notes

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Explanatory notes
  1. ^ Aircraft is General Dynamics F-16C Serial 86-0351
  2. ^ This emblem was approved 10 November 1944. It was replaced on 15 March 1978, but reinstated in November 1995. AFHRA Factsheet 18 Fighter Squadron
  3. ^ Aircraft is F-16C Block 40H Serial 90-718.
Citations
  1. ^ "Factsheet 18th Aggressor Squadron". Eielson Air Force Base Public Affairs. 9 October 2007. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Factsheet 18 Fighter Squadron (PACAF)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. 4 January 2008. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  3. ^ a b Hanson, Spencer. "18th AGRS redesignates to 18th FIS". DVIDS. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  4. ^ "Pacific Wrecks - P-40K Warhawk pilot Levy". Pacific Wrecks.
  5. ^ Richmond, Allen (May 2013). "Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Proposal to Relocate the 18th Aggressor Squadron (18 AGRS) from Eielson Air Force Base (EAFB), Alaska to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), Alaska and to Right-Size the Remaining Wing Overhead/Base Operating Support at EAFB, Alaska" (PDF). Air Force Civil Engineer Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  6. ^ Buxton, Matt (16 July 2013). "Eielson's F-16 Aggressor squadron returns to the skies". newsminer.com The Voice of Interior Alaska. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  7. ^ Friedman, Sam (2 October 2013). "Alaska delegation: F-16s to remain at Eielson Air Force Base". newsminer.com The Voice of Interior Alaska. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  8. ^ Air Force Organizational Status Change Report, October 2007 Research Division, Air Force Historical Research Agency, Maxwell AFB, AL
  9. ^ Rogoway, Tyler (3 April 2024). "F-16 Aggressor Squadron In Alaska Becomes Unique Air Defense Unit". The War Zone. Retrieved 4 April 2024.

Bibliography

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

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  Media related to 18th Aggressor Squadron (United States Air Force) at Wikimedia Commons

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