138th Attack Squadron

Organization and training

The first predecessor of the squadron was formed in August 1942 as the 484th Bombardment Squadron at Hunter Field, Georgia, as one of the original four squadrons of the 339th Bombardment Group.^[1][3][4] It was equipped with Douglas A-24 Banshee dive bombers. In July 1943, it moved to Walterboro Army Air Field, South Carolina, where it re-equipped with Bell P-39 Airacobras. The following month, along with all other single engine bomber units of the Army Air Forces (AAF), it was redesignated as a fighter-bomber unit, becoming the 505th Fighter-Bomber Squadron. It moved to Rice Army Air Field, California in September 1943, where in addition to training with its P-39s, it participated in maneuvers. It departed Rice for the European Theater of Operations on 9 March 1944, sailing from the New York Port of Embarkation on the MV Stirling Castle on 22 March.^[1][3][5]

Combat in the European Theater

The squadron landed in England on 4 April^[5] and arrived at its combat station, RAF Fowlmere, the next day. Its first airplane arrived on 12 April,^[5] a North American P-51B Mustang. It quickly converted to the new fighter, and flew its first combat mission, a fighter sweep, on 30 April. In May, it dropped the "Bomber" from its name, becoming the 505th Fighter Squadron.^[1] It flew escort for Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and Consolidated B-24 Liberator heavy bombers during its first five weeks of operations, and afterwards flew escort missions to cover operations of medium and heavy bombers that struck strategic objectives, interdicted enemy lines of communication, and provided air support for ground forces.^[3] In June 1954, it began to receive updated P-51D models of the Mustang. The 339th Group was also the first AAF unit to be equipped with g-suits, which enabled its fighters to make tighter turns in dogfights.^[6]

On D-Day It provided fighter cover over the English Channel and the coast of Normandy for the landing forces. It strafed and dive bombed vehicles, locomotives, marshaling yards, flak batteries, and troops while Allied forces fought to break out of the beachhead in France. It attacked transportation targets during Operation Cobra, the July breakout at Saint Lo, and the subsequent Allied drive across France. It flew area patrols during Operation Market-Garden, the airborne landings attempting to secure a bridgehead across the Rhine in the Netherlands in September.^[3]

The squadron frequently strafed airfields and other targets of opportunity while on escort missions.^[a] It was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation for its actions on escort missions on 10 and 11 September 1944. On the first day, after escorting bombers attacking a target in Germany, it attacked Erding Airfield, destroying or damaging enemy aircraft despite intense fire from antiaircraft guns and small arms. The following day it escorted a formation of bombers attacking Munich that was attacked by enemy interceptor aircraft, in the strongest defense put up by Luftflotte Reich since May.^[7] The 339th Group shot down fifteen enemy fighters and drove off the remaining attacking aircraft, while other elements attacked an airfield near Karlsruhe, encountering heavy fire, but damaging or destroying numerous aircraft parked on the field.^[b][3][8]

The squadron escorted bombers to, and flew patrols over the battle area during the Battle of the Bulge, the German counterattack in the Ardennes in December 1944 through early January 1945. In March 1945 it supported Operation Varsity, the assault across the Rhine in Germany, patrolling the area to prevent German air attacks.^[3] It flew its last combat mission on 21 April 1945.^[5] The squadron was credited with 55 air to air victories during its year in combat.^[9]

In August and September 1945, the squadron transferred its planes to depots and many of its personnel were reassigned.^[5] The remaining squadron members sailed on the RMS Queen Mary in October.^[3][5] It was inactivated at the Port of Embarkation on 17 October 1945.^[1]

Air defense mission

In January 1950 the 138th became the first New York National Guard unit to receive jet aircraft, obtaining Republic F-84B Thunderjets, mostly from the regular 20th Fighter Group at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina.^{[citation needed]}

With the surprise invasion of South Korea on 25 June 1950, most of the nation's Air National Guard was federalized and placed on active duty. The 138th was retained by the State of New York to maintain the air defense mission.^{[citation needed]}

In December 1950/January 1951 the 138th transferred several F-84Bs to the Arizona Air National Guard's 197th Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, and at the end of 1951 the remainder were transferred to the federalized 127th Pilot Training Group, also at Luke. The Thunderjets were used for jet pilot transition training for pilots being deployed to Korea. In return, the 138th received F-51H Mustangs with were capable of extended air defense flights over all of New York state. In 1952, the 138th became one of the first Air National Guard squadrons to commence standing daylight runway alert. At least two aircraft from the squadron with pilots in their cockpits stood alert at the end of runway from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset every day of the year.^{[citation needed]}

The air defense mission remained after the Korean War armistice and the unit resumed normal peacetime training and drills. In 1954, the Mustang was ending its service life and Air Defense Command (ADC) was re-equipping its fighter-interceptor squadrons with jet aircraft. The 138th received Lockheed F-94B Starfires, however the F-94 required a two-man aircrew, a pilot and an air observer to operate its radar equipment. Trainees for the radar assignment had to attend regular Air Force training schools, and required virtually the same qualifications as the pilot trainees. The additional recruitment of guardsmen led to the units having a manning and capabilities problem that lasted for some time until the unit was returned to full readiness.^{[citation needed]}

In 1956, the 107th Fighter-Interceptor Wing was reorganized and redesignated the 107th Air Defense Wing. The 107th Fighter-Interceptor Group was redesignated as the 107th Fighter Group (Air Defense) and moved from Niagara Falls Municipal Airport to Hancock Field on 1 May, with the 138th FIS being assigned. The North American F-86H Sabre replaced the F-94B Starfires in 1957.

Tactical Air Command

A major change to the 107th Air Defense Wing in 1958 was the transition from an ADC mission to Tactical Air Command (TAC) and a tactical fighter mission, 138th being redesignated the 138th Tactical Fighter Squadron. The new assignment involved a change in the squadron's training mission to include high-altitude interception, air-to-ground rocketry, ground strafing and tactical bombing. The 138th retained its F-86H Sabres.^{[citation needed]}

1961 Berlin Federalization

During the summer of 1961, as the 1961 Berlin Crisis unfolded, the 138th was notified of its pending federalization and recall to active duty. On 1 October the it was federalized and assigned to the Massachusetts Air National Guard's 102d Tactical Fighter Wing, which was federalized and placed on active duty at Otis Air Force Base.

The mission of the 102d Wing was to reinforce the United States Air Forces in Europe and deploy to Phalsbourg Air Base, France. In France, the unit was to provide close air support to NATO ground forces and air interdiction. This involved keeping its aircraft on 24/7 alert. Between 28 and 30 October, the 102d departed Otis for Phalsbourg. The wing deployed 82 F-86H Sabres.^{[citation needed]}

Starting on 5 December, the 102d began deploying to Wheelus Air Base Libya for gunnery training. During its time in Europe, the 102d participated in several USAF and NATO exercises, including a deployment to Leck Air Base, West Germany near the Danish border. At Leck, ground and support crews from both countries exchanged duties, learning how to perform aircraft maintenance and operational support tasks.^{[citation needed]}

On 7 May 1962, USAFE's Seventeenth Air Force directed that the 102d deploy back to the United States during the summer, and the unit returned to the United States in July 1962. Regular USAF personnel, along with a group of ANG personnel who volunteered to remain on active duty formed the 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the newly activated 366th Tactical Fighter Wing. The last of the ANG aircraft departing on 20 July.^{[citation needed]}

Vietnam era

Upon its return to state control, the 107th Group moved back to Niagara Falls, and the 138th was authorized to expand to a group level. The 174th Tactical Fighter Group was federally recognized on 1 September 1962. The 138th became the group's flying squadron. Other units assigned into the group were the 174th Material Squadron , 174th Combat Support Squadron, and the 174th USAF Dispensary.^{[citation needed]}

The squadron remained equipped with the F-86H and continued normal peacetime training and exercises. In the summer of 1965, the squadron took part in Exercise Oneida Bear II at Fort Drum, which involved some 6,500 soldiers of the regular Army, the Army Reserve and the National Guard. Squadron aircraft provided close air support to both aggressor and friendly forces during the exercise, and were engaged in realistic tactical air strikes. In the exercise, conducted by the First United States Army, the Second Brigade of the Army's Fifth Infantry Regiment was opposed by an aggressor force of selected Army National Guard and reserve Units. The 174th Group's pilots flew 77 sorties for a total of 114 hours without a single abort.^{[citation needed]}

The squadron trained at Ramey Air Force Base, Puerto Rico, in early 1967 in an all service amphibious and airborne exercise. A detachment of unit pilots and support personnel participated. Twelve F-86H aircraft participated with three Lockheed C-130 Hercules for equipment and personnel support. All types of tactical air missions were flown. A special firepower demonstration was accomplished. Later in 1967 Operation Sentry Post I was held in August. This was a joint Air National Guard – TAC Exercise. Twelve F-86Hs were flown and squadron pilots worked with radar flying air-to-air and air-to-ground gunnery with and without forward air control (FAC) type missions. A total of 204 sorties and 245, hours were flown in this^{[citation needed]} operation.

In 1968, the squadron was federalized and placed on active duty. It was alerted for active duty on 11 April 1968, partially mobilized on 13 May and deployed to Cannon Air Force Base, Clovis, New Mexico. The mission of the 174th was to train forward air controllers for service in Vietnam. The FACs flew a light observation aircraft at low altitudes, visually observing enemy installations and movements and providing on-the-spot directions for fighters and bombers. The FAC dictated the type of ordnance to be delivered, observed the strike, and evaluated its effectiveness. The squadron gave FAC's in training actual experience in fighter aircraft so that they would be fully apprised of the requirements of the men they would be directing in combat in South Vietnam.

On arrival at Cannon along with Maryland Air National Guard units, they comprised the 140th Tactical Fighter Wing. Originally based in Denver, Colorado, headquarters of the 140th moved to Cannon ith the deployment of the 140th Tactical Fighter Group to active duty in Vietnam. Only the group Headquarters, the 138th Squadron, and the 174th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron were mobilized. The unit was inactivated on 20 December 1968, and all members reverted to Air National Guard drill status.^{[citation needed]}

Close Air Support

During 1970, the 174th began retiring its F-86H Sabres after over a decade of service, the squadron flying the last USAF/ANG Sabre sortie on 30 September. Replacing the Sabre was the Cessna A-37B Dragonfly and a newly conceived close air support tactical fighter mission in a ground insurgency environment which were gained by combat experience in Vietnam.^{[citation needed]}

After a decade of routine peacetime exercises and training with the A-37, in 1979 the 174th began a transition to the Fairchild Republic A-10A Thunderbolt II close air support fighter. With the arrival of the A-10, the 174th became a Wing on 1 July 1979. The wing was one of three Air National Guard units equipped with the A-10 as part of the "Total Force" concept which equipped ANG units with front-line USAF aircraft. In 1980, after the transition to the A-10 was completed, the 138th deployed to Savannah Air National Guard Base, Georgia. On arrival, the unit was given sealed orders directing them to a remote, forward operational location and operate combat sorties, fully loaded with live ordnance. Not only was the 174th's combat readiness put to the optimum peacetime test, but the unit's mobility was tested to the fullest. In response, an additional six A-10s were assigned to it, making the squadron the Air National Guard's only "super" squadron, with 24 aircraft.^{[citation needed]}

With the transition complete, the unit deployed eight A-10 aircraft from Syracuse, non-stop to a forward operation location in West Germany. In exercise Cornet Sail, the 138th demonstrated for the first time the ability of an Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve unit to deploy this advanced aircraft in this manner. Combat readiness in West Germany was achieved 12 hours after departing Hancock Field.^{[citation needed]}

In 1984, the unit deployed to Exercise Air Warrior at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California; a three-week deployment to Lechfeld Air Base, West Germany and with the NY ANG 107th Fighter-Interceptor Group at Goose Air Base, Labrador.^{[citation needed]}

The 174th also was among the first A-10 close support aircraft organizations to provide temporary tactical air defense support from Howard Air Force Base, Panama when the unit deployed to Howard in March 1985 when runway construction precluded the use of the LTV A-7D Corsair IIs that normally fulfilled the tactical air defense duties of the Panama Canal. Shortly afterward, it deployed to Alaska for the first time. The 138th completed the 2,700-mile flight to Eielson Air Force Base without external navigation aids.^{[citation needed]}

As in past years, continuing NATO deployments to West Germany in the late 1980s saw squadron personnel training and living side-by-side with their West German Air Force counterparts as they would in a combat situation. The squadron began 1988 on a high note when the Air Force announced the wing would convert from the A-10 to the specialized Block 10 F-16A/B Fighting Falcon, also referred to as the F/A-16 due to its close air support configuration. With the Block 10 F-16, the 174th became the first Air Force organization to fly the Fighting Falcon with a close air support mission.^{[citation needed]}

The first F-16 aircraft started arriving in late 1988. These aircraft were passed down from regular USAF units who were upgrading to the F-16C/D model. During 1989 the 138th TFS was chosen as a test unit for a close air support version of the F-16. The aircraft were the only F-16s ever to be equipped with this weapon, intended for use against a variety of battlefield targets, including armor with the 30 mm gun pod.^{[citation needed]}

Air Combat Command

In March 1992, with the end of the Cold War, the squadron was redesignated the 138th Fighter Squadron. Shortly thereafter, the 174th Wing was reorganized under the Objective Wing organization and the 138th was assigned to the new 174th Operations Group. In June, Tactical Air Command was inactivated as part of the Air Force reorganization after the end of the Cold War. It was replaced by Air Combat Command (ACC).^{[citation needed]}

In 1993 the squadron started trading in its old Block 10 F-16 A/B models for newer Block 30 F-16C/D aircraft configured for Tactical Air Support. In that process the squadron had the 'honor' of sending the first F-16 to AMARC storage. This happened on 20 July 1993, when an F-16A (#79-0340) was flown to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona for flyable storage. Although these aircraft were only 13 years old, they were put into storage due to more modern models becoming available and Block 10 wasn't needed any longer by the USAF. The general mission for the squadron remained unchanged with this transition.^{[citation needed]}

Also in 1993, the 138th became the first US unit to have a female F-16 fighter pilot, Jackie Parker, in 1993 immediately after combat roles were opened to females.^[10]

In June 1995, the unit deployed for 30 days rotation to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey as part of Operation Provide Comfort, assisting in the enforcement the No Fly Zone over Northern Iraq.^{[citation needed]}

In mid-1996, the Air Force, in response to budget cuts, and changing world situations, began experimenting with Air Expeditionary organizations. The Air Expeditionary Force (AEF) concept was developed that would mix Active-Duty, Reserve and Air National Guard elements into a combined force. Instead of entire permanent units deploying as "Provisional" as in the 1991 Gulf War, Expeditionary units are composed of "aviation packages" from several wings, including active-duty Air Force, the Air Force Reserve Command and the Air National Guard, would be married together to carry out the assigned deployment rotation.^{[citation needed]}

The 138th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron was first formed and deployed in August 1996 for Operation Northern Watch, a US European Command Combined Task Force that was responsible for enforcing the United Nations mandated no-fly zone above the 36th parallel in Iraq. This mission was a successor to Operation Provide Comfort which also entailed support for the Iraqi Kurds.^{[citation needed]}

During 1996–97, the squadron deployed to Andøya Air Station, Norway as part of the "Adventure Express 97" NATO exercise. In 1998, the 174th FW deployed to Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, for Exercise Combat Archer and to the Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, to participate in Exercise Global Patriot 98.^{[citation needed]}

Only six years later, in 1999, the 138th changed block types once more, sending its Block 30s to the Illinois Air National Guard's 170th Fighter Squadron and receiving older block 25 F-16s from the Texas Air National Guard's 182d Fighter Squadron. This meant changing again from the General Electric engine to the Pratt & Whitney.^{[citation needed]}

An AEF deployment to Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia resulted in the formation of the 138th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron in early 2000. Operation Southern Watch was an operation which was responsible for enforcing the United Nations mandated no-fly zone below the 32d parallel in Iraq. This mission was initiated mainly to cover for attacks of Iraqi forces on the Iraqi Shi’ite Muslims. The squadron returned to the Block 30 Aircraft in 2004, receiving aircraft from the 50th Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany shifting from engine type once more.^{[citation needed]}

As part of the Global War on Terrorism, the 138th EFS deployed twice to Balad Air Base, Iraq in 2006 and 2008.^{[citation needed]}

MQ-9 Reaper and Attack Mission

In 2008 it became apparent that the 138th FS was going jump into the future of combat aviation and that Hancock ANGB would begin a new chapter. The squadron was set to fly the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper. The unit's transition from flying legacy aircraft to Reapers was more than a tactical shift. It assured the future of the base at Hancock Field. In October 2009, the 174th Fighter Wing cut the ribbon on its new MQ-9 Reaper maintenance school, where it trains technicians from across the country, from all military branches.^{[citation needed]}

On 6 March 2010, the last two F-16s (#85-1561 and #85-1570) departed Hancock Field marking the end of F-16 operations at the base.^{[citation needed]}

In 2020, the 138th Attack Squadron reached 60,000 hours of MQ-9 flight time.^[11] That is the equivalent of 20,000 or 30,000 sorties conducted by conventional manned fighters. The 138th Attack Squadron commander called the achievement “a really significant milestone. It’s literally 2,500 days of keeping an aircraft in the air, watching our enemies, protecting our allies, and keeping America safe.”

In 2022, the 138th Attack Squadron won the Reaper Smoke exercise.^[12]

New York Air National Guard Deployments