496th Tactical Fighter Squadron
"Big Dogs / Electric Chickens"
The 496th TFS was activated on 1 June 1949 at Mitchel AFB, NY, part of the reserve forces, assigned to the 86th Fighter Group. Transferred without personnel or equipment to McGuire AFB, NJ, on 10 October 1949 and began remanning. Ordered to active service on 1 June 1951, to bring its personnel into the regular Air Force, and inactivated on the following day.
Activated on 20 March 1953 as a fighter -interceptor squadron at Hamilton AFB, CA, part of the west coast air defense forces. Partially equipped at first with six F-51s, soon transitioned to F-86D aircraft and prepared to move to Europe. The squadron moved by military water transport in two segments, arriving at Landstuhl AB, Germany on 4 July 1954. Upon arrival, reassigned to air defense organizations within the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE). Squadron won the Hughes Trophy as the best fighter-interceptor squadron in the USAF in 1955. Stood alert and deployed regularly to Wheelus AFB, Libya, for rocketry practice. Later added other European bases as weapons training deployments. Reassigned to the 86th Fighter Interceptor Group in January 1956 and moved to Hahn AB, Germany in November of that year. On 8 March 1958 the 86th Fighter Interceptor Group inactivated, leaving the 496th assigned directly to the 86th Fighter Interceptor Wing. The 496th lost its last F-86D in August 1959 and began receiving new F-102A aircraft in December 1959.
On 1 November 1968, reassigned to the 50th TFW, with air defense remaining the squadron�s primary mission. Redesignated a tactical fighter squadron on 1 January 1970, but retained an air defense mission. Transitioned from F-102s to the F-4E aircraft in February 1970. On 1 October 1977 the squadron�s primary mission changed to a strike / attack role with air defense as a secondary mission. Transitioned to F-16 A/B aircraft by mid 1982 and to the F-16 C/D aircraft in Feb- May 1986. The 496th inactivated on 30 September 1991 at Hahn AB, Germany.
Decorations
Air Force Oustanding Unit Awards: 1 Jul 1964- 30 Jun 1965; 1 Nov 1970- 15 Sept 1971; 1 Jan 1972- 30 Jun 1973; 1 Jul 1973-30 Jun 1974; 1 Jul 1975- 30 Jun 1976; 1 Jul 1982-30 Jun 1984; 1 Jul 1985- 30 Jun 1987;
Source: The history statement is from: Maurer Maurer (ed.): Combat Suadrons of the Air Force, World War II ( 1969; reprint edition, Washington: USGPO, 1982), p. 598
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