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{{short description|United States Air National Guard fighter wing}}
{{more footnotes|date=February 2013}}
{{more footnotes needed|date=February 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|October 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox military unit
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = 100th Fighter Squadron
| unit_name = 100th Fighter Squadron
| image = File:Red Tails F-35 unveiled.jpg
| image = 160th Fighter Squadron - General Dynamics F-16C Block 30K Fighting Falcon 88-0399.jpg | image_size = 300px
| caption = 100th Fighter Squadron – General Dynamics F-16C Block 30K Fighting Falcon 88-0399
| caption = 100th Fighter Squadron – F-35A Lightning II during its unveiling ceremony
| image_size = 300
| dates = 19 February 1942 – 19 October 1945<br />1 July 1947 – 1 July 1949<br />20 January 1953 – 25 November 1953<br />8 September 1954 – 25 June 1966<br />1 September 1989 – 1 April 1993<br />1 April 1999 – 12 September 2007<br />13 September 2007 – present
| dates = 19 February 1942 – 19 October 1945<br />1 July 1947 – 1 July 1949<br />20 January 1953 – 25 November 1953<br />8 September 1954 – 25 June 1966<br />1 September 1989 – 1 April 1993<br />1 April 1999 – 12 September 2007<br />13 September 2007 – present
| country = {{flag|United States|23px}}
| country = {{flag|United States|23px}}
| allegiance = {{Flag|Alabama}}
| allegiance = {{Flag|Alabama}}
| branch = [[File:US-AirNationalGuard-2007Emblem.svg|25px]]&nbsp; [[Air National Guard]]
| branch = [[File:US-AirNationalGuard-2007Emblem.svg|25px]]&nbsp; [[Air National Guard]]
| type = Squadron
| type = Squadron
| role = Fighter
| role = Fighter
| size =
| size =
| command_structure = [[Alabama Air National Guard]]
| command_structure = [[Alabama Air National Guard]]
| garrison = [[Dannelly Field]], Alabama
| garrison = [[Dannelly Field]], Alabama
| garrison_label =
| garrison_label =
| nickname = [[Red Tails]]
| nickname = [[Red Tails]]
| patron =
| patron =
| motto =
| motto = Red Tails... We Deliver
| colors =
| colors =
| colors_label =
| colors_label =
| march =
| march =
| mascot =
| mascot =
| equipment = "AL"
| equipment = AL
| equipment_label = Tail Code
| equipment_label = Tail Code
| battles =
| battles =
| anniversaries =
| anniversaries =
| decorations =
| decorations =
| battle_honours =
| battle_honours =
| battle_honours_label =
| battle_honours_label =
| disbanded =
| disbanded =
| flying_hours =
| flying_hours =
| website =
| website =
<!-- Commanders -->
<!-- Commanders -->
| commander1 =
| commander1 = Capt. Jonathan “Blue” Gill
| commander1_label =
| commander1_label = 100 FS/Snacko Commander
| notable_commanders =
| notable_commanders =
<!-- Insignia -->
<!-- Insignia -->
| identification_symbol = [[File:100th Fighter Squadron patch.jpg|125px]]
| identification_symbol = [[File:100th Fighter Squadron patch.jpg|160px]]
| identification_symbol_label = 100th Fighter Squadron emblem
| identification_symbol_label = 100th Fighter Squadron emblem
<!-- Aircraft -->
<!-- Aircraft -->
| aircraft_attack =
| aircraft_attack =
| aircraft_bomber =
| aircraft_bomber =
| aircraft_electronic =
| aircraft_electronic =
| aircraft_fighter =
| aircraft_fighter =
| aircraft_helicopter =
| aircraft_helicopter =
| aircraft_helicopter_attack =
| aircraft_helicopter_attack =
| aircraft_helicopter_cargo =
| aircraft_helicopter_cargo =
| aircraft_helicopter_multirole =
| aircraft_helicopter_multirole =
| aircraft_helicopter_observation =
| aircraft_helicopter_observation =
| aircraft_helicopter_transport =
| aircraft_helicopter_transport =
| aircraft_helicopter_trainer =
| aircraft_helicopter_trainer =
| aircraft_helicopter_utility =
| aircraft_helicopter_utility =
| aircraft_interceptor =
| aircraft_interceptor =
| aircraft_patrol =
| aircraft_patrol =
| aircraft_recon =
| aircraft_recon =
| aircraft_trainer =
| aircraft_trainer =
| aircraft_transport =
| aircraft_transport =
| aircraft_tanker =
| aircraft_tanker =
}}
}}


The '''100th Fighter Squadron (100 FS)''' is a unit of the [[Alabama Air National Guard]] [[187th Fighter Wing]] located at [[Montgomery Air National Guard Base|Dannelly Field]], Alabama. The 100th is equipped with the [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon variants#Main production variants|General Dynamics F-16C+ Fighting Falcon]].
The '''100th Fighter Squadron (100 FS)''' is a unit of the [[Alabama Air National Guard]] [[187th Fighter Wing]] located at [[Montgomery Air National Guard Base|Dannelly Field]], Alabama. The 100th is equipped with the [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II]].


The 100th FS was one of the [[Tuskegee Airmen]] squadrons during [[World War II]], one of the famous all-black squadrons of the [[332d Fighter Group]], activated on 19 February 1942 at [[Tuskegee Army Air Field]], Alabama. It was returned to duty in 2007 as a replacement of the Alabama ANG [[160th Fighter Squadron]] so the state could honor the legacy of the [[Tuskegee Airmen]].
The 100th FS was one of the [[Tuskegee Airmen]] squadrons during [[World War II]], one of the famous all-black squadrons of the [[332d Fighter Group]], activated on 19 February 1942 at [[Tuskegee Army Air Field]], Alabama. It was returned to duty in 2007 as a replacement of the Alabama ANG [[160th Fighter Squadron]] so the state could honor the legacy of the [[Tuskegee Airmen]].
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===World War II===
===World War II===
Established in February 1942 at [[Tuskegee Army Airfield]], Alabama to train African-American flight cadets graduated from the [[Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site|Tuskegee Institute Army contract flying school]]. At Tuskegee, the squadron performed advanced combat flying training. As the number of graduated from the Tuskegee school grew, two additional squadrons the [[301st Fighter Squadron|301st]] and [[302d Fighter Squadron]]s were activated at [[Tuskegee Army Airfield]], forming the [[332d Fighter Group]].
Established in February 1942 at [[Tuskegee Army Airfield]], Alabama to train African-American flight cadets graduated from the [[Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site|Tuskegee Institute Army contract flying school]]. At Tuskegee, the squadron performed advanced combat flying training. As the number of graduated from the Tuskegee school grew, two additional squadrons the [[301st Fighter Squadron|301st]] and [[302nd Fighter Squadron (United States)|302d Fighter Squadron]]s were activated at [[Tuskegee Army Airfield]], forming the [[332d Fighter Group]].


Due to the segregated status of the Army Air Forces in 1942 and the reluctance by the service to deploy African Americans into combat, the 332d remained in an extended training status. The Group was transferred to [[Selfridge Army Air Base]], near Detroit, Michigan in March 1943 after the decision was reached to deploy the unit. Racial tensions in the Detroit area, however, forces a move to [[Oscoda Army Airfield]], in isolated northeast Michigan the next month where the final training of the unit was performed by First Air Force. However, the unit was delayed again going into combat, and also was sent back to Selfridge upon completion of training at Oscoda AAF to perform Air Defense flights over the Detroit area beginning in July 1943.
Due to the segregated status of the Army Air Forces in 1942 and the reluctance by the service to deploy African Americans into combat, the 332d remained in an extended training status. The Group was transferred to [[Selfridge Army Air Base]], near Detroit, Michigan in March 1943 after the decision was reached to deploy the unit. Racial tensions in the Detroit area, however, forced a move to [[Oscoda Army Airfield]], in isolated northeast Michigan the next month where the final training of the unit was performed by First Air Force. However, the unit was delayed again going into combat, and also was sent back to Selfridge upon completion of training at Oscoda AAF to perform Air Defense flights over the Detroit area beginning in July 1943.


For six months, the unit remained at Selfridge until pressure on the Army led to the decision to deploy the 100th to the [[Fifteenth Air Force]] in [[Italy]] at the end of 1943, under the command of [[Robert B. Tresville]], to support the strategic aerial bombardment campaign being carried out by [[Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress]] and [[Consolidated B-24 Liberator]] Heavy bombers from newly established air bases in the [[Foggia Airfield Complex|Foggia, Italy]] area.
For six months, the unit remained at Selfridge until pressure on the Army led to the decision to deploy the 100th to the [[Fifteenth Air Force]] in [[Italy]] at the end of 1943, under the command of [[Robert B. Tresville]], to support the strategic aerial bombardment campaign being carried out by [[Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress]] and [[Consolidated B-24 Liberator]] Heavy bombers from newly established air bases in the [[Foggia Airfield Complex|Foggia, Italy]] area.


As the [[Italian Campaign (World War II)|Italian Campaign]] pushed further north into Italy during 1944, the squadron moved to operate from forward captured air bases, flying bomber escort missions initially with [[Republic P-47 Thunderbolt|Republic P-47D Thunderbolt]]s, then being upgraded to the long-range [[North American P-51 Mustang|North American P-51D Mustang]] fighter. In combat, the unit engaged enemy forces in the Rome-Arno area, then during the D-Day landings in France, took part in the Normandy and Northern France campaigns. It returned to the MTO in August 1944, flying combat missions supporting the [[Operation Dragoon|Invasion of southern France]] and attacking enemy targets in Northern Italy, Po Valley, the German Rhineland and the [[Western Allied invasion of Germany]] during March and April 1945.
As the [[Italian campaign (World War II)|Italian Campaign]] pushed further north into Italy during 1944, the squadron moved to operate from forward captured air bases, flying bomber escort missions initially with [[Republic P-47 Thunderbolt|Republic P-47D Thunderbolt]]s, then being upgraded to the long-range [[North American P-51 Mustang|North American P-51D Mustang]] fighter. In combat, the unit engaged enemy forces in the Rome-Arno area, then during the D-Day landings in France, took part in the Normandy and Northern France campaigns. It returned to the MTO in August 1944, flying combat missions supporting the [[Operation Dragoon|Invasion of southern France]] and attacking enemy targets in Northern Italy, Po Valley, the German Rhineland and the [[Western Allied invasion of Germany]] during March and April 1945.


With the end of the War in Europe in May 1945, the squadron was returned to Southern Italy, being stationed at [[Lucera Airfield]], near Foggia where the unit slowly was demobilized and personnel returned to the United States. The 100th Fighter Squadron was inactivated as an administrative unit at [[Camp Kilmer]], [[New Jersey]] in mid-October 1945.
With the end of the War in Europe in May 1945, the squadron was returned to Southern Italy, being stationed at [[Lucera Airfield]], near Foggia where the unit slowly was demobilized and personnel returned to the United States. The 100th Fighter Squadron was inactivated as an administrative unit at [[Camp Kilmer]], [[New Jersey]] in mid-October 1945.


===Cold War===
===Cold War===
The 332d was re-activated as part of [[Tactical Air Command]] [[Ninth Air Force]] at [[Lockbourne Army Airbase]] (Later Lockbourne AFB), near Columbus, Ohio in July 1947, again as a segregated African-American unit of the Army Air Forces (later [[United States Air Force]]). At Lockbourne, the Wing was equipped with new F-47N Thunderbolts that were designed for very-long range flights in the Pacific Theater to attack ground targets in the [[Japanese Home Islands]]. However, the aircraft were never deployed due to the sudden end of the War in August 1945.At Lockbourne, the squadron participated in firepower demonstrations, gunnery training, and operational missions to maintain combat proficiency. The African-American segregated unit was inactivated in July 1949 as a result of President [[Harry S. Truman]]'s [[Executive Order 9981]]. EO 9981 abolished racial discrimination in the United States Armed Forces. The 100th's personnel and equipment were reassigned to other units.
The 332d was re-activated as part of [[Tactical Air Command]] [[Ninth Air Force]] at [[Lockbourne Army Airbase]] (Later Lockbourne AFB), near Columbus, Ohio in July 1947, again as a segregated African-American unit of the Army Air Forces (later [[United States Air Force]]). At Lockbourne, the Wing was equipped with new F-47N Thunderbolts that were designed for very-long range flights in the Pacific Theater to attack ground targets in the [[Japanese Home Islands]]. However, the aircraft were never deployed due to the sudden end of the War in August 1945. At Lockbourne, the squadron participated in firepower demonstrations, gunnery training, and operational missions to maintain combat proficiency. The African-American segregated unit was inactivated in July 1949 as a result of President [[Harry S. Truman]]'s [[Executive Order 9981]]. EO 9981 abolished racial discrimination in the United States Armed Forces. The 100th's personnel and equipment were reassigned to other units.


The 100th was reactivated by [[Strategic Air Command]] in 1953 as an integrated squadron,{{dubious|date=October 2013}} being equipped with [[Boeing KB-29 Superfortress|Boeing KB-29P Superfortress]] tankers and given an air refueling mission, based at [[Robins AFB]], near Macon, Georgia. The squadron primarily performed areal refueling of SAC's [[Boeing B-50 Superfortress]] medium bombers (the [[Convair B-36|Convair B-36 Peacemaker]] did not have IFR capability) using a primitive "looped hose" refueling system. In 1954, the squadron moved to [[Pease AFB]], New Hampshire; received [[Boeing KC-97 Stratotanker]]s and performed aerial refueling with SAC's [[Boeing B-47 Stratojet]] units, deploying frequently to [[England]] and [[Morocco]] in North Africa to operate from what were called "REFLEX" bases to refuel SAC bombers prior to their planned flights into Communist-controlled Eastern Europe and the [[Soviet Union]]. The 100th Air Refueling Squadron continued to operate from Pease until the end of the B-47 and REFLEX era in 1966, at which point the unit was inactivated.
The 100th was reactivated by [[Strategic Air Command]] in 1953 as an integrated squadron,{{dubious|date=October 2013}} being equipped with [[Boeing KB-29 Superfortress|Boeing KB-29P Superfortress]] tankers and given an air refueling mission, based at [[Robins AFB]], near Macon, Georgia. The squadron primarily performed areal refueling of SAC's [[Boeing B-50 Superfortress]] medium bombers (the [[Convair B-36|Convair B-36 Peacemaker]] did not have IFR capability) using a primitive "looped hose" refueling system. In 1954, the squadron moved to [[Pease AFB]], New Hampshire; received [[Boeing KC-97 Stratofreighter]]s and performed aerial refueling with SAC's [[Boeing B-47 Stratojet]] units, deploying frequently to [[England]] and [[Morocco]] in North Africa to operate from what were called "REFLEX" bases to refuel SAC bombers prior to their planned flights into Communist-controlled Eastern Europe and the [[Soviet Union]]. The 100th Air Refueling Squadron continued to operate from Pease until the end of the B-47 and REFLEX era in 1966, at which point the unit was inactivated.


Air Training Command re-activated the 100th as a Flying Training Squadron at [[Williams AFB]], Phoenix, Arizona in September 1989 to demonstrate the feasibility of Air Training Command's plan for five flying training squadrons at each pilot training base. It's instructor pilots provided incoming pilots qualification in T-37 and T-38 aircraft, and as instructor pilots. The squadron was inactivated as part of the post-Cold War draw-down of the Air Force in 1993.
Air Training Command re-activated the 100th as a Flying Training Squadron at [[Williams AFB]], Phoenix, Arizona in September 1989 to demonstrate the feasibility of Air Training Command's plan for five flying training squadrons at each pilot training base. Its instructor pilots provided incoming pilots qualification in T-37 and T-38 aircraft, and as instructor pilots. The squadron was inactivated as part of the post-Cold War draw-down of the Air Force in 1993.


===Post-Cold War era===
===Post-Cold War era===
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In August 2009, the 100th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron deployed 240 airmen and aircraft to [[Balad AB]], Iraq as part of the 332d Expeditionary Fighter Squadron supporting [[Operation Iraq Freedom]]. This was the first deployment of the 100th FS to the middle east and over 2,000 hours were flown and Precision Guided Munitions were employed. The unit returned to Montgomery in November 2009.
In August 2009, the 100th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron deployed 240 airmen and aircraft to [[Balad AB]], Iraq as part of the 332d Expeditionary Fighter Squadron supporting [[Operation Iraq Freedom]]. This was the first deployment of the 100th FS to the middle east and over 2,000 hours were flown and Precision Guided Munitions were employed. The unit returned to Montgomery in November 2009.


The squadron deployed to [[Romania]] in August 2012 to participate in Dacian Viper 2012, a three-week joint exercise with the [[Romanian Air Force]]. The Alabama ANG contingent, which included nearly twenty fighter pilots and eight F-16s, exercised with approximately 200 Romanian soldiers, technical staff, and pilots flying six [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21]] "Fishbed" fighters at 71st Air Base, located near the town of [[Câmpia Turzii]] in the northwestern part of Romania.
The squadron deployed to [[Romania]] in August 2012 to participate in Dacian Viper 2012, a three-week joint exercise with the [[Romanian Air Force]]. The Alabama ANG contingent, which included nearly twenty fighter pilots and eight F-16s, exercised with approximately 200 Romanian soldiers, technical staff, and pilots flying six [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21]] Lancer fighters at [[RoAF 71st Air Base|71st Air Base]], located near the town of [[Câmpia Turzii]] in the northwestern part of Romania.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.codeonemagazine.com/p3_article.html?item_id=109|title=Dacian Viper: Guard F-16s In Romania|website=codeonemagazine.com|author=Clare Reed|date=11 October 2012}}</ref> The squadron returned to Romania in 2015, taking part in combined air operations during the Dacian Viper 2015 exercise.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.187fw.ang.af.mil/News/Display/Article/870003/187-fighter-wing-airmen-f-16s-return-from-romania/|title=187 Fighter Wing Airmen, F-16s return from Romania|website=187fw.ang.af.mil|author=Christopher Baldwin|date=12 November 2015}}</ref>


In December 2017, the Air Force announced that the 100th was one of two Air National Guard squadrons selected for equipping with the [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II]]. The conversion to the [[fifth-generation jet fighter]] is scheduled for 2023.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1402425/af-selects-locations-for-next-two-air-national-guard-f-35-bases/source/GovD/ |author=Staff writer, no byline|title=AF selects locations for next two Air National Guard F-35 bases|date=21 December 2017|publisher=Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs|url-status=live |accessdate=21 December 2017}}</ref>
In December 2017, the Air Force announced that the 100th was one of two Air National Guard squadrons selected for equipping with the [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II]]. The conversion to the [[fifth-generation jet fighter]] is scheduled for 2023.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1402425/af-selects-locations-for-next-two-air-national-guard-f-35-bases/source/GovD/ |author=Staff writer, no byline|title=AF selects locations for next two Air National Guard F-35 bases|date=21 December 2017|publisher=Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs|access-date=21 December 2017}}</ref> On 21 April, the squadron retired its F-16 fighters and will continue its conversion process to the F-35 which arrived in December. Full operational readiness is to be achieved until February 2026.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/f-16-f-35-coming-soon-alabama-ang-wing/|title=With F-16s Gone and New F-35s on Their Way, Alabama Guard Wing Starts Conversion|author=Greg Hadley|website=airandspaceforces.com|date=May 3, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/459316/f-35s-arrive-dannelly-field|title=F-35s arrive to Dannelly Field|author=Michael Luangkhot|work=[[DVIDS]]|date=6 December 2023}}</ref> The first three F-35As (''18-5414'', ''18-5420'' and ''20-5628'') were delivered to the 100th FS on 6 December 2023.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/alabama-s-red-tails-receive-first-lightnings |title=Alabama's Red Tails receive first Lightnings |website=scramble.nl |date=8 December 2023 |access-date=20 December 2023}}</ref>


==Lineage==
==Lineage==
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===Assignments===
===Assignments===
*Southeast Air Corps (later Army Air Forces) Training Center, 19 February 1942
* Southeast Air Corps (later Army Air Forces) Training Center, 19 February 1942
*[[Third Air Force]], 4 July 1942
* [[Third Air Force]], 4 July 1942
*[[332d Fighter Group]], 13 October 1942 – 19 October 1945; 1 July 1947 – 1 July 1949
* [[332d Fighter Group]], 13 October 1942 – 19 October 1945; 1 July 1947 – 1 July 1949
*[[Second Air Force]], 23 May – 24 November 1953
* [[Second Air Force]], 23 May – 24 November 1953
*[[Fourteenth Air Force]], 8 September 1954
* [[Fourteenth Air Force]], 8 September 1954
: Attached to: [[19th Bombardment Wing]], 2 February – 16 August 1956
: Attached to: [[19th Bombardment Wing]], 2 February – 16 August 1956
*[[100th Bombardment Wing]], 16 August 1956 – 25 June 1966
* [[100th Bombardment Wing]], 16 August 1956 – 25 June 1966
*[[82d Operations Group]], 1 September 1989 – 1 April 1993
* [[82d Operations Group]], 1 September 1989 – 1 April 1993
* [[100th Expeditionary Operations Group]], 9 April – 20 June 1999
* [[100th Expeditionary Operations Group]], 9 April – 20 June 1999
* [[340th Flying Training Group]], 1 July 1999 – 12 September 2007
* [[340th Flying Training Group]], 1 July 1999 – 12 September 2007
* 187th Operations Group, 13 September 2007 – present
* 187th Operations Group, 13 September 2007 – present


===Stations===
===Stations===
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
*[[Tuskegee Army Airfield]], [[Alabama]], 19 February 1942
* [[Tuskegee Army Airfield]], [[Alabama]], 19 February 1942
*[[Selfridge Army Air Base]], [[Michigan]], 29 March 1943
* [[Selfridge Army Air Base]], [[Michigan]], 29 March 1943
*[[Oscoda Army Airfield]], [[Michigan]], 12 April 1943
* [[Oscoda Army Airfield]], [[Michigan]], 12 April 1943
*[[Selfridge Army Air Base]], [[Michigan]], 9 July – 22 December 1943
* [[Selfridge Army Air Base]], [[Michigan]], 9 July – 22 December 1943
*[[Salerno Costa d'Amalfi Airport|Montecorvino Airfield]], Italy, 3 February 1944
* [[Salerno Costa d'Amalfi Airport|Montecorvino Airfield]], Italy, 3 February 1944
*[[Naples International Airport|Capodichino Airfield]], Italy, 15 April 1944
* [[Naples International Airport|Capodichino Airfield]], Italy, 15 April 1944
*[[Ramitelli Airfield]], Italy, 28 May 1944
* [[Ramitelli Airfield]], Italy, 28 May 1944
*[[Cattolica Airfield]], Italy, c. 4 May 1945
* [[Cattolica Airfield]], Italy, c. 4 May 1945
*[[Lucera Airfield]], Italy, c. 18 July – September 1945
* [[Lucera Airfield]], Italy, c. 18 July – September 1945
*[[Camp Kilmer]], [[New Jersey]], 17–19 October 1945
* [[Camp Kilmer]], [[New Jersey]], 17–19 October 1945
*[[Lockbourne AFB|Lockbourne Army Air Base (later AFB)]], [[Ohio]], 1 July 1947 – 1 July 1949; 23 May 1953 – 24 November 1953
* [[Lockbourne AFB|Lockbourne Army Air Base (later AFB)]], [[Ohio]], 1 July 1947 – 1 July 1949; 23 May 1953 – 24 November 1953
*[[Robins AFB]], Georgia, 8 September 1954
* [[Robins AFB]], Georgia, 8 September 1954
*[[Pease AFB]], New Hampshire, August 1956 – 25 June 1966
* [[Pease AFB]], New Hampshire, August 1956 – 25 June 1966
*[[Williams Air Force Base]], Arizona, 1 September 1989 – 1 April 1993
* [[Williams Air Force Base]], Arizona, 1 September 1989 – 1 April 1993
*[[RAF Mildenhall]], England, 9 April 1999 – 20 June 1999
* [[RAF Mildenhall]], England, 9 April 1999 – 20 June 1999
*[[Randolph AFB]], Texas, 1 July 1999 – 12 September 2007
* [[Randolph AFB]], Texas, 1 July 1999 – 12 September 2007
*[[Dannelly Field]], Montgomery, Alabama, 13 September 2007 – present
* [[Dannelly Field]], Montgomery, Alabama, 13 September 2007 – present
: Elements operated from: [[Balad Air Base]], Iraq, August–November 2009 [[Bagram Air Base]], Afghanistan, April–November 2014}}
: Elements operated from: [[Balad Air Base]], Iraq, August–November 2009 [[Bagram Air Base]], Afghanistan, April–November 2014}}


===Aircraft===
===Aircraft===
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
*[[Bell P-39 Airacobra]], 1943, 1944
* [[Bell P-39 Airacobra]], 1943, 1944
*[[Curtiss P-40 Warhawk]], 1943
* [[Curtiss P-40 Warhawk]], 1943
*[[Republic P-47 Thunderbolt|Republic P-47D Thunderbolt]], 1944
* [[Republic P-47 Thunderbolt|Republic P-47D Thunderbolt]], 1944
*[[North American P-51 Mustang|North American P-51D Mustang]], 1944–1945.
* [[North American P-51 Mustang|North American P-51D Mustang]], 1944–1945.
*[[Republic P-47 Thunderbolt|F-47N Thunderbolt]], 1947–1949
* [[Republic P-47 Thunderbolt|F-47N Thunderbolt]], 1947–1949
*[[KB-29P Superfortress]] Tanker, 1953
* [[KB-29P Superfortress]] Tanker, 1953
*[[KC-97G Stratotanker]], 1954–1966
* [[KC-97G Stratotanker]], 1954–1966
*[[Cessna T-37 Tweet]], 1989–1993
* [[Cessna T-37 Tweet]], 1989–1993
*[[Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker]], 1999
* [[Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker]], 1999
*[[Northrop T-38 Talon|Northrop T-38A Talon]], 1989–1993, 1999–2007
* [[Northrop T-38 Talon|Northrop T-38A Talon]], 1989–1993, 1999–2007
*[[Raytheon T-1 Jayhawk]], 1999–2007
* [[Raytheon T-1 Jayhawk]], 1999–2007
*[[Beechcraft T-6 Texan II]], 2000–2007
* [[Beechcraft T-6 Texan II]], 2000–2007
*[[F-16C Fighting Falcon]], 2007–Present
* [[F-16C Fighting Falcon]], 2007–2023
* [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II]], 2023–present
}}
}}


==References==
==References==
{{Portal|World War II|United States}}
{{Portal|United States}}
{{Air Force Historical Research Agency}}
{{Air Force Historical Research Agency}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{refbegin}}
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book|editor=Maurer, Maurer|title=Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II|origyear=1969|url= http://media.defense.gov/2010/Dec/02/2001329899/-1/-1/0/AFD-101202-002.pdf|edition=reprint|year=1982|publisher=Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-405-12194-6|oclc=72556|lccn=70605402}}
* {{cite book|editor=Maurer, Maurer|title=Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II|orig-year=1969|url= http://media.defense.gov/2010/Dec/02/2001329899/-1/-1/0/AFD-101202-002.pdf|edition=reprint|year=1982|publisher=Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-405-12194-6|oclc=72556|lccn=70605402}}
{{refend}}
{{refend}}


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{{US Air Force navbox}}
{{US Air Force navbox}}
{{USAF air refueling units}}
{{USAF air refueling units}}
{{Alabama}}


[[Category:Squadrons of the United States Air National Guard]]
[[Category:Squadrons of the United States Air National Guard]]

Latest revision as of 13:37, 24 July 2024

100th Fighter Squadron
100th Fighter Squadron – F-35A Lightning II during its unveiling ceremony
Active19 February 1942 – 19 October 1945
1 July 1947 – 1 July 1949
20 January 1953 – 25 November 1953
8 September 1954 – 25 June 1966
1 September 1989 – 1 April 1993
1 April 1999 – 12 September 2007
13 September 2007 – present
Country United States
Allegiance Alabama
Branch  Air National Guard
TypeSquadron
RoleFighter
Part ofAlabama Air National Guard
Garrison/HQDannelly Field, Alabama
Nickname(s)Red Tails
Motto(s)Red Tails... We Deliver
Tail CodeAL
Commanders
100 FS/Snacko CommanderCapt. Jonathan “Blue” Gill
Insignia
100th Fighter Squadron emblem

The 100th Fighter Squadron (100 FS) is a unit of the Alabama Air National Guard 187th Fighter Wing located at Dannelly Field, Alabama. The 100th is equipped with the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II.

The 100th FS was one of the Tuskegee Airmen squadrons during World War II, one of the famous all-black squadrons of the 332d Fighter Group, activated on 19 February 1942 at Tuskegee Army Air Field, Alabama. It was returned to duty in 2007 as a replacement of the Alabama ANG 160th Fighter Squadron so the state could honor the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen.

History

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World War II

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Established in February 1942 at Tuskegee Army Airfield, Alabama to train African-American flight cadets graduated from the Tuskegee Institute Army contract flying school. At Tuskegee, the squadron performed advanced combat flying training. As the number of graduated from the Tuskegee school grew, two additional squadrons the 301st and 302d Fighter Squadrons were activated at Tuskegee Army Airfield, forming the 332d Fighter Group.

Due to the segregated status of the Army Air Forces in 1942 and the reluctance by the service to deploy African Americans into combat, the 332d remained in an extended training status. The Group was transferred to Selfridge Army Air Base, near Detroit, Michigan in March 1943 after the decision was reached to deploy the unit. Racial tensions in the Detroit area, however, forced a move to Oscoda Army Airfield, in isolated northeast Michigan the next month where the final training of the unit was performed by First Air Force. However, the unit was delayed again going into combat, and also was sent back to Selfridge upon completion of training at Oscoda AAF to perform Air Defense flights over the Detroit area beginning in July 1943.

For six months, the unit remained at Selfridge until pressure on the Army led to the decision to deploy the 100th to the Fifteenth Air Force in Italy at the end of 1943, under the command of Robert B. Tresville, to support the strategic aerial bombardment campaign being carried out by Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and Consolidated B-24 Liberator Heavy bombers from newly established air bases in the Foggia, Italy area.

As the Italian Campaign pushed further north into Italy during 1944, the squadron moved to operate from forward captured air bases, flying bomber escort missions initially with Republic P-47D Thunderbolts, then being upgraded to the long-range North American P-51D Mustang fighter. In combat, the unit engaged enemy forces in the Rome-Arno area, then during the D-Day landings in France, took part in the Normandy and Northern France campaigns. It returned to the MTO in August 1944, flying combat missions supporting the Invasion of southern France and attacking enemy targets in Northern Italy, Po Valley, the German Rhineland and the Western Allied invasion of Germany during March and April 1945.

With the end of the War in Europe in May 1945, the squadron was returned to Southern Italy, being stationed at Lucera Airfield, near Foggia where the unit slowly was demobilized and personnel returned to the United States. The 100th Fighter Squadron was inactivated as an administrative unit at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey in mid-October 1945.

Cold War

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The 332d was re-activated as part of Tactical Air Command Ninth Air Force at Lockbourne Army Airbase (Later Lockbourne AFB), near Columbus, Ohio in July 1947, again as a segregated African-American unit of the Army Air Forces (later United States Air Force). At Lockbourne, the Wing was equipped with new F-47N Thunderbolts that were designed for very-long range flights in the Pacific Theater to attack ground targets in the Japanese Home Islands. However, the aircraft were never deployed due to the sudden end of the War in August 1945. At Lockbourne, the squadron participated in firepower demonstrations, gunnery training, and operational missions to maintain combat proficiency. The African-American segregated unit was inactivated in July 1949 as a result of President Harry S. Truman's Executive Order 9981. EO 9981 abolished racial discrimination in the United States Armed Forces. The 100th's personnel and equipment were reassigned to other units.

The 100th was reactivated by Strategic Air Command in 1953 as an integrated squadron,[dubious – discuss] being equipped with Boeing KB-29P Superfortress tankers and given an air refueling mission, based at Robins AFB, near Macon, Georgia. The squadron primarily performed areal refueling of SAC's Boeing B-50 Superfortress medium bombers (the Convair B-36 Peacemaker did not have IFR capability) using a primitive "looped hose" refueling system. In 1954, the squadron moved to Pease AFB, New Hampshire; received Boeing KC-97 Stratofreighters and performed aerial refueling with SAC's Boeing B-47 Stratojet units, deploying frequently to England and Morocco in North Africa to operate from what were called "REFLEX" bases to refuel SAC bombers prior to their planned flights into Communist-controlled Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. The 100th Air Refueling Squadron continued to operate from Pease until the end of the B-47 and REFLEX era in 1966, at which point the unit was inactivated.

Air Training Command re-activated the 100th as a Flying Training Squadron at Williams AFB, Phoenix, Arizona in September 1989 to demonstrate the feasibility of Air Training Command's plan for five flying training squadrons at each pilot training base. Its instructor pilots provided incoming pilots qualification in T-37 and T-38 aircraft, and as instructor pilots. The squadron was inactivated as part of the post-Cold War draw-down of the Air Force in 1993.

Post-Cold War era

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In 1999, the 100th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron was activated as a provisional United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) Expeditionary aerial refueling squadron. Its mission was the refuel NATO combat aircraft during the 1999 Kosovo Campaign, Operation Allied Force. Consisting of Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers from the 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, England, the squadron was active between April–June 1999 when the Kosovo Campaign ended.

After the Kosovo Campaign, the 100th was again re-activated as a flying training squadron at Randolph AFB, Texas, equipped with Beechcraft T-6 Texan II, Raytheon T-1 Jayhawk and Northrop T-38C Talon trainers. It provided flight training to new air force pilot trainees throughout the early 21st century.

Alabama Air National Guard

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More than 150 US Air National Guardsmen from the 187th Fighter Wing, the Alabama Air National Guard unit at Dannelly Field ANGB in Montgomery, deployed to Romania in August to participate in Dacian Viper 2012, a three-week joint exercise with the Romanian Air Force.

In 2007, the Alabama legislature requested the National Guard Bureau to allow the Alabama Air National Guard 160th Fighter Squadron to be re-designated as the 100th Fighter Squadron so the state could honor the legacy of the World War II Tuskegee Airmen. This was obtained from the Air Force and on 12 September 2009, the 100th Flying Training Squadron was inactivated. The designation was transferred to the National Guard Bureau by the Air Force and it was allotted to the Alabama ANG. As a result, the 160th Fighter Squadron was inactivated, and the new 100th Fighter Squadron assumed its personnel, equipment and aircraft. The 160th Fighter Squadron stood down in a ceremony at Montgomery Air National Guard Base, on 13 September 2007, with the 100th Fighter Squadron standing up and being bequeathed the history, lineage, and honors of the World War II 100th Fighter Squadron and its successor units.

From the onset the squadron started training on the block 30 version of the General Dynamics F-16C/D Fighting Falcon that carried over from the 160th FS. The squadron flies the F-16 in a traditional air defense and conventional attack role.

In August 2009, the 100th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron deployed 240 airmen and aircraft to Balad AB, Iraq as part of the 332d Expeditionary Fighter Squadron supporting Operation Iraq Freedom. This was the first deployment of the 100th FS to the middle east and over 2,000 hours were flown and Precision Guided Munitions were employed. The unit returned to Montgomery in November 2009.

The squadron deployed to Romania in August 2012 to participate in Dacian Viper 2012, a three-week joint exercise with the Romanian Air Force. The Alabama ANG contingent, which included nearly twenty fighter pilots and eight F-16s, exercised with approximately 200 Romanian soldiers, technical staff, and pilots flying six Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 Lancer fighters at 71st Air Base, located near the town of Câmpia Turzii in the northwestern part of Romania.[1] The squadron returned to Romania in 2015, taking part in combined air operations during the Dacian Viper 2015 exercise.[2]

In December 2017, the Air Force announced that the 100th was one of two Air National Guard squadrons selected for equipping with the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. The conversion to the fifth-generation jet fighter is scheduled for 2023.[3] On 21 April, the squadron retired its F-16 fighters and will continue its conversion process to the F-35 which arrived in December. Full operational readiness is to be achieved until February 2026.[4][5] The first three F-35As (18-5414, 18-5420 and 20-5628) were delivered to the 100th FS on 6 December 2023.[6]

Lineage

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Legacy 100th Air Refueling Squadron patch
100th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron – South Korean deployment emblem, 2011
  • Constituted 100th Pursuit Squadron on 27 December 1941
Activated on 19 February 1942
Re-designated: 100th Fighter Squadron on 15 May 1942
Inactivated on 19 October 1945
  • Activated on 1 July 1947
Inactivated on 1 July 1949
  • Re-designated: 100th Air Refueling Squadron on 1 January 1953[dubious – discuss]
Activated on 23 May 1953
Inactivated on 24 November 1953
  • Reactivated on 8 September 1954
Inactivated on 25 June 1966
  • Re-designated: 100th Flying Training Squadron on 1 September 1989
Activated in the reserve on 1 September 1989
Inactivated on 1 April 1993
  • Re-designated: 100th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron 1 April 1999
Converted to provisional status and allotted to United States Air Forces in Europe to activate or inactivate any time after 1 April 1999
Activated on 9 April 1999
Inactivated on 20 June 1999
  • Reactivated as 100th Flying Training Squadron and converted to regular status on 1 July 1999
Inactivated on 12 September 2007
  • Re-designated: 100th Fighter Squadron, and allocated to the Alabama ANG on 13 September 2007
Extended federal recognition on 13 September 2007, assuming personnel and equipment of 160th Fighter Squadron
Designated: 100th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron when deployed and attached to United States Air Forces Central

Assignments

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Attached to: 19th Bombardment Wing, 2 February – 16 August 1956

Stations

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Elements operated from: Balad Air Base, Iraq, August–November 2009 Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, April–November 2014

Aircraft

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References

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

  1. ^ Clare Reed (11 October 2012). "Dacian Viper: Guard F-16s In Romania". codeonemagazine.com.
  2. ^ Christopher Baldwin (12 November 2015). "187 Fighter Wing Airmen, F-16s return from Romania". 187fw.ang.af.mil.
  3. ^ Staff writer, no byline (21 December 2017). "AF selects locations for next two Air National Guard F-35 bases". Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  4. ^ Greg Hadley (3 May 2023). "With F-16s Gone and New F-35s on Their Way, Alabama Guard Wing Starts Conversion". airandspaceforces.com.
  5. ^ Michael Luangkhot (6 December 2023). "F-35s arrive to Dannelly Field". DVIDS.
  6. ^ "Alabama's Red Tails receive first Lightnings". scramble.nl. 8 December 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
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