111th Fighter Squadron
Encyclopedia
The 111th Reconnaissance Squadron is an MQ-1 flying squadron attached to the 147th Operations Group, 147th Reconnaissance Wing
based at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base
in Houston, Texas
, and part of the Texas Air National Guard
& 1st Air Force. In continuous operation since 1923, the Squadron has seen combat in World War II (1942–1945), the Korean War
(1951–1952), and the Iraq War (2005, 2007).
.
in San Antonio, TX. The unit, composed of teamsters and laborers, was on special duty at Kelly Field and was known as the "Post Headquarters Squadron." The squadron deactivated 19 August 1919 but was called to service again, receiving Federal Recognition on 29 June 1923 in the old Houston Light Guard Armory, as the 111th Observation Squadron, 36th Division, Texas Air National Guard
.'
The squadron had no airplanes, so the hot summer of 1923 was devoted to close-order drill and classroom sessions. That was remedied, however, in September of that year when the 111th became airborne in the Curtiss JN-6H Jenny.
In September 1927 the Curtiss JN-6Hs were retired and the squadron gained Consolidated PT-1
s and several other trainers until June 1928 when new Douglas O-2
H observation aircraft arrived. These planes were replaced with new Douglas O-38
observation planes in January 1931. By 1938 the squadron was flying both Douglas Douglas O-43
As and North American O-47
s.
until Pearl Harbor was bombed, it was sent to the Mexican border, Fort Clark
Springs Texas. The border patrol was short, and on 14 February 1942, the squadron left Texas for Daniel Field in Augusta, Georgia
, and became part of the 68th Observation Group. Pilots trained on Douglas O-43
A, Vultee/Stinson O-49/L-1 Vigilant
and Douglas A-20B Havoc
aircraft in preparation for deployment to the European Theater of Operations (ETO).
In 1942 the ground echelon and some pilots made their way to Scotland then England in preparation for landing on the Algerian beaches as part of Operation Torch
, their shiny new P-39 Airacobras had to be assembled and tested before flying from England to Algeria. Some of the pilots of the 68th Group flew their A-20s directly across the Atlantic on the "Southern Route" and immediately began flying over the Mediterranean in anti-submarine patrols, sinking at least one submarine. As the invasion force moved inland, the three squadrons of the group divided up the A-20s and P-39s by squadron and the 111th took on the Fighter Reconnaissance role in the P-39.
In March 1943, the 111th left the 68th Group to defend against a possible invasion of French Morocco
from Spanish Morocco
while the rest of the group was selected to support the Tunisian Campaign of the Army’s II Corps. In June 1943 the newly redesignated 111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, flying Allison engined P-51’s, became the eyes of the 7th Army in Sicily, Operation Husky. They were temporarily assigned to the 5th Army in Italy, but returned in July 1944 in time to support the 7th Army’s invasion of Southern France, Operation Dragoon
. The 111th remained with the 7th Army through the end of the war. From VE Day until December 1945, the Squadron served in the occupation force, and conducted postwar photo-mapping of the devastation in France.
During 23 months of continuous combat flying, from June 1943 through May 1945, the 111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron flew 3,840 reconnaissance missions. While keeping Army Headquarters informed of enemy movements, the 111th destroyed 44 enemy aircraft, damaged 29 others and claimed 12 probable kills. The squadron received eight Battle Stars
, a Distinguished Unit Citation, and the French Croix de Guerre
for its World War II accomplishments.
, Japan. Later that summer the 111th joined the rest of the 136th Fighter Bomber Group at Taegu, Korea.
22 of 27 Air National Guard Wings and 67 of 84 flying squadrons were called to active Federal service between October 1950 and April 1951. Only two Air Guard wings, the 116th Fighter Bomber Wing
(Georgia) and the 136th Fighter Bomber Wing (Texas) fought in Korea, entering combat in May 1951. Both wings had to transition from outdated aircraft to the F-84 Thunderjet
before shipping off to war. Most of the missions assigned to the 111th Fighter-Bomber Squadron were close air support, and aerial interdiction of enemy troops and supplies.
The squadron flew over 6,000 escort, interdiction, and close air support sorties for the United Nations Troops and 111th Fighter-Bomber Squadron pilots destroyed at least two Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15
fighter jets.
The 111th Fighter-Bomber Squadron returned to the Houston Municipal Airport without aircraft or personnel in July 1952 and began to rebuild. In July 1956 the F-80 Shooting Stars of the 111th Fighter Squadron went on "Dawn to Dusk" alert at the Houston Municipal Airport.
interceptors in August 1957, plans were made to reorganize the 600 man Augmented Squadron to an Air Defense Command group structure. On 16 May 1958 the 147th Fighter Interceptor Group was formed with five new squadrons to support the 111th Fighter Interceptor Squadron.
In June 1959 the squadron traded their F-86D Sabre
for the upgraded F-86L Sabre
with uprated afterburning engines and new electronics.
In August 1960 the unit became one of the first to transition to the F-102A Delta Dagger
all-weather fighter interceptor and began a 24-hour alert to guard the Texas Gulf coast. By January 1970 the group was starting a new mission: training all F-102 pilots in the United States for the Air National Guard.
On 6 May 1971 the unit received F-101F Voodoo
fighter interceptors and became the training center for all Air National Guard interceptors. In August 1974, after 14 years of service, the unit's F-102s were retired, but the unit maintained a full fleet of F-101s.
The squadron converted to F-4C Phantom
s in 1982 and converted to F-4D Phantom
s starting in November 1986.
In September 1989 the 111th converted to the F-16 Fighting Falcon
, and by June 1992 the jets were being converted to F-16 air defense fighters, later converting to F-16 Fighting Falcon
beginning in September 1996; a transition completed by February 1997.111th History Access date: 13 May 2007.
In October 2000, elements of the 111th Fighter Squadron and the 147th Fighter Wing deployed to Prince Sultan Air Base
in Saudi Arabia
for Operation Southern Watch
.
Following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks, four 111th Fighter Squadron aircraft were launched to escort President George W. Bush
, onboard Air Force 1
from Florida to Louisiana, Nebraska and finally back to Washington DC that same day. December 2001 saw the 111th deploy to Atlantic City, New Jersey, to fly Air Defense Combat Air Patrol
missions over New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC in support of Operation Noble Eagle
.
In August 2005 components of the 111th Fighter Squadron and 147th Fighter Wing deployed to Balad Airbase, Iraq to conduct combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism
. The men and women of the 111th FS/147th FW once again distinguished themselves by flying 462 sorties and almost 1,900 hours in a two-month span; with a perfect record of 100% maintenance delivery (zero missed sorties), 100% mission effectiveness, and 100% weapons employment/hits under the most challenging combat conditions.
The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission
recommended the retirement of the Block 25 F-16 aircraft from the Air National Guard. This prompted the Texas Governor Rick Perry
to assign the newly acquired MQ-1 Predator reconnaissance mission to the 147th Wing.
In April 2007, components of the 111th Fighter Squadron and 147th Fighter Wing again deployed to Balad Airbase, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism
, where the men and women of the 111th FS/147th FW continued their distinguished combat tradition. On this deployment the 111th Fighter Squadron flew 348 tasked sorties, plus six no-notice Close Air Support
(CAS) alert scrambles and four short-notice (less than 30 minute & not on the ATO) pre-planned alert launches. With an average combat sortie lasting almost 4.42 hours, the unit accumulated a total of 1537.1 combat hours. Maintenance delivery effectiveness for this deployment was an astonishing 102% due to the inclusion of the unscheduled CAS scrambles. Mission effectiveness and weapons employment were both once again a perfect 100%.
147th Reconnaissance Wing
The United States Air Force's 147th Reconnaissance Wing is a Texas Air National Guard reconnaissance unit located at Ellington Field, Houston, Texas.-History:The 147th Fighter Interceptor Group was activated in May 1958 by the Texas Air National Guard...
based at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base
Ellington Field
Ellington International Airport is a joint civil-military airport located in the U.S. state of Texas within the city of Houston— southeast of Downtown. Established by the Army Air Service on 21 May 1917, Ellington Field was one of the initial World War I Army Air Service installations when...
in Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
, and part of the Texas Air National Guard
Texas Air National Guard
The Texas Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of Texas and a component of the Texas Military Forces...
& 1st Air Force. In continuous operation since 1923, the Squadron has seen combat in World War II (1942–1945), the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
(1951–1952), and the Iraq War (2005, 2007).
Missions
The mission of the 111th Reconnaissance Squadron is Tactical ReconnaissanceReconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
.
Early years
The 111th Reconnaissance Squadron began as the 111th Aero Squadron on 14 August 1917 at Kelly FieldKelly Air Force Base
Kelly Field Annex and is a former United States Air Force facility located in San Antonio, Texas. In 2001, the runway and land west of the runway became "Kelly Field Annex" and control of it was transferred to the adjacent Lackland Air Force Base, part of Joint Base San Antonio...
in San Antonio, TX. The unit, composed of teamsters and laborers, was on special duty at Kelly Field and was known as the "Post Headquarters Squadron." The squadron deactivated 19 August 1919 but was called to service again, receiving Federal Recognition on 29 June 1923 in the old Houston Light Guard Armory, as the 111th Observation Squadron, 36th Division, Texas Air National Guard
Texas Air National Guard
The Texas Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of Texas and a component of the Texas Military Forces...
.'
The squadron had no airplanes, so the hot summer of 1923 was devoted to close-order drill and classroom sessions. That was remedied, however, in September of that year when the 111th became airborne in the Curtiss JN-6H Jenny.
In September 1927 the Curtiss JN-6Hs were retired and the squadron gained Consolidated PT-1
Consolidated PT-1
The Consolidated PT-1 Trusty was a biplane primary trainer used by the United States Army Air Service.-Design and development:...
s and several other trainers until June 1928 when new Douglas O-2
Douglas O-2
The Douglas O-2 is a 1920s American observation aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company.-Development:The important family of Douglas observation aircraft sprang from two XO-2 prototypes, the first of which was powered by the 420 hp Liberty V-1650-1 V-engine and test-flown in the autumn...
H observation aircraft arrived. These planes were replaced with new Douglas O-38
Douglas O-38
-References:*The complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft Editors: Paul Eden & Soph Moeng, , 1152 pp.-External links:...
observation planes in January 1931. By 1938 the squadron was flying both Douglas Douglas O-43
Douglas O-43
-External links:***...
As and North American O-47
North American O-47
|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Eden, Paul and Soph Moeng. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. London: Amber Books Ltd., 2002. ISBN 0-7607-3432-1.* Fahey, James C. U.S. Army Aircraft 1908-1946. New York: Ships and Aircraft, 1946....
s.
World War II
With the onset of World War II, the unit was called into federal service 25 November 1940 and trained with the 36th Division at Brownwood Airfield TexasBrownwood Regional Airport
Brownwood Regional Airport is a public airport located in west central Texas, near the cities of Brownwood and Early. The airport has 2 runways 35/17 & 31/13....
until Pearl Harbor was bombed, it was sent to the Mexican border, Fort Clark
Fort Clark
Fort Clark can refer to:*Fort Clark Trading Post State Historic Site - one of the largest Mandan Villages where George Catlin and Karl Bodmer visited*Fort Clark, Illinois near Peoria, Illinois...
Springs Texas. The border patrol was short, and on 14 February 1942, the squadron left Texas for Daniel Field in Augusta, Georgia
Augusta, Georgia
Augusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
, and became part of the 68th Observation Group. Pilots trained on Douglas O-43
Douglas O-43
-External links:***...
A, Vultee/Stinson O-49/L-1 Vigilant
Stinson Vigilant
|-See also:-Bibliography:* Donald, David . American Warplanes of World War II. London: Aerospace Publishing, 1995. ISBN 1-874023-72-7.* Eden, Paul and Soph Moeng . The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Amber Books Ltd., 2002. ISBN 0-7607-3432-1* Merriam, Ray . World War II Journal #15: U.S....
and Douglas A-20B Havoc
Douglas DB-7
The Douglas A-20/DB-7 Havoc was a family of American attack, light bomber and night fighter aircraft of World War II, that served with several Allied air forces, principally those of the Soviet Union, United Kingdom, and United States. The DB-7 was also used by the air forces of Australia, South...
aircraft in preparation for deployment to the European Theater of Operations (ETO).
In 1942 the ground echelon and some pilots made their way to Scotland then England in preparation for landing on the Algerian beaches as part of Operation Torch
Operation Torch
Operation Torch was the British-American invasion of French North Africa in World War II during the North African Campaign, started on 8 November 1942....
, their shiny new P-39 Airacobras had to be assembled and tested before flying from England to Algeria. Some of the pilots of the 68th Group flew their A-20s directly across the Atlantic on the "Southern Route" and immediately began flying over the Mediterranean in anti-submarine patrols, sinking at least one submarine. As the invasion force moved inland, the three squadrons of the group divided up the A-20s and P-39s by squadron and the 111th took on the Fighter Reconnaissance role in the P-39.
French Morocco
French Protectorate of Morocco was a French protectorate in Morocco, established by the Treaty of Fez. French Morocco did not include the north of the country, which was a Spanish protectorate...
from Spanish Morocco
Spanish Morocco
The Spanish protectorate of Morocco was the area of Morocco under colonial rule by the Spanish Empire, established by the Treaty of Fez in 1912 and ending in 1956, when both France and Spain recognized Moroccan independence.-Territorial borders:...
while the rest of the group was selected to support the Tunisian Campaign of the Army’s II Corps. In June 1943 the newly redesignated 111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, flying Allison engined P-51’s, became the eyes of the 7th Army in Sicily, Operation Husky. They were temporarily assigned to the 5th Army in Italy, but returned in July 1944 in time to support the 7th Army’s invasion of Southern France, Operation Dragoon
Operation Dragoon
Operation Dragoon was the Allied invasion of southern France on August 15, 1944, during World War II. The invasion was initiated via a parachute drop by the 1st Airborne Task Force, followed by an amphibious assault by elements of the U.S. Seventh Army, followed a day later by a force made up...
. The 111th remained with the 7th Army through the end of the war. From VE Day until December 1945, the Squadron served in the occupation force, and conducted postwar photo-mapping of the devastation in France.
During 23 months of continuous combat flying, from June 1943 through May 1945, the 111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron flew 3,840 reconnaissance missions. While keeping Army Headquarters informed of enemy movements, the 111th destroyed 44 enemy aircraft, damaged 29 others and claimed 12 probable kills. The squadron received eight Battle Stars
Service star
A service star, also referred to as a battle star, campaign star, or engagement star, is an attachment to a United States military decoration which denotes participation in military campaigns or multiple bestowals of the same award. Service stars are typically issued for campaign medals, service...
, a Distinguished Unit Citation, and the French Croix de Guerre
Croix de guerre
The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
for its World War II accomplishments.
Korean War
The 111th Fighter Squadron was reformed at Ellington AFB in 1947 as part of an expanded Air National Guard. On 27 June 1950 the 136th Fighter Bomber Wing was formed to fight in Korea, and was made up of the 111th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, the 182nd Fighter-Bomber Squadron, and the 154th Fighter-Bomber Squadron. The 111th initially operated from Itazuke AirbaseFukuoka Airport
, formerly known as Itazuke Air Base, is an international and domestic airport located east of Hakata Station in Fukuoka, Japan. It is officially designated a second class airport. It is operating at full capacity, and cannot be further expanded. Flights stop at 10 p.m...
, Japan. Later that summer the 111th joined the rest of the 136th Fighter Bomber Group at Taegu, Korea.
22 of 27 Air National Guard Wings and 67 of 84 flying squadrons were called to active Federal service between October 1950 and April 1951. Only two Air Guard wings, the 116th Fighter Bomber Wing
116th Air Control Wing
The United States Air Force's 116th Air Control Wing is a joint active duty/Air National Guard air control wing located at Robins AFB, Georgia.-Mission:...
(Georgia) and the 136th Fighter Bomber Wing (Texas) fought in Korea, entering combat in May 1951. Both wings had to transition from outdated aircraft to the F-84 Thunderjet
F-84 Thunderjet
The Republic F-84 Thunderjet was an American turbojet fighter-bomber aircraft. Originating as a 1944 United States Army Air Forces proposal for a "day fighter", the F-84 flew in 1946...
before shipping off to war. Most of the missions assigned to the 111th Fighter-Bomber Squadron were close air support, and aerial interdiction of enemy troops and supplies.
The squadron flew over 6,000 escort, interdiction, and close air support sorties for the United Nations Troops and 111th Fighter-Bomber Squadron pilots destroyed at least two Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 was a jet fighter developed for the USSR by Artem Mikoyan and Mikhail Gurevich. The MiG-15 was one of the first successful swept-wing jet fighters, and it achieved fame in the skies over Korea, where early in the war, it outclassed all straight-winged enemy fighters in...
fighter jets.
The 111th Fighter-Bomber Squadron returned to the Houston Municipal Airport without aircraft or personnel in July 1952 and began to rebuild. In July 1956 the F-80 Shooting Stars of the 111th Fighter Squadron went on "Dawn to Dusk" alert at the Houston Municipal Airport.
Cold War
With the squadron's conversion to all weather F-86D SabreF-86 Sabre
The North American F-86 Sabre was a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as America's first swept wing fighter which could counter the similarly-winged Soviet MiG-15 in high speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War...
interceptors in August 1957, plans were made to reorganize the 600 man Augmented Squadron to an Air Defense Command group structure. On 16 May 1958 the 147th Fighter Interceptor Group was formed with five new squadrons to support the 111th Fighter Interceptor Squadron.
F-86 Sabre
The North American F-86 Sabre was a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as America's first swept wing fighter which could counter the similarly-winged Soviet MiG-15 in high speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War...
for the upgraded F-86L Sabre
F-86 Sabre
The North American F-86 Sabre was a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as America's first swept wing fighter which could counter the similarly-winged Soviet MiG-15 in high speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War...
with uprated afterburning engines and new electronics.
In August 1960 the unit became one of the first to transition to the F-102A Delta Dagger
F-102 Delta Dagger
The Convair F-102 Delta Dagger was a US interceptor aircraft built as part of the backbone of the United States Air Force's air defenses in the late 1950s. Entering service in 1956, its main purpose was to intercept invading Soviet bomber fleets...
all-weather fighter interceptor and began a 24-hour alert to guard the Texas Gulf coast. By January 1970 the group was starting a new mission: training all F-102 pilots in the United States for the Air National Guard.
On 6 May 1971 the unit received F-101F Voodoo
F-101 Voodoo
The McDonnell F-101 Voodoo was a supersonic military jet fighter which served the United States Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force...
fighter interceptors and became the training center for all Air National Guard interceptors. In August 1974, after 14 years of service, the unit's F-102s were retired, but the unit maintained a full fleet of F-101s.
The squadron converted to F-4C Phantom
F-4 Phantom II
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable,...
s in 1982 and converted to F-4D Phantom
F-4 Phantom II
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable,...
s starting in November 1986.
In September 1989 the 111th converted to the F-16 Fighting Falcon
F-16 Fighting Falcon
The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multirole jet fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force . Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,400 aircraft have been built since...
, and by June 1992 the jets were being converted to F-16 air defense fighters, later converting to F-16 Fighting Falcon
F-16 Fighting Falcon
The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multirole jet fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force . Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,400 aircraft have been built since...
beginning in September 1996; a transition completed by February 1997.111th History Access date: 13 May 2007.
In October 2000, elements of the 111th Fighter Squadron and the 147th Fighter Wing deployed to Prince Sultan Air Base
Prince Sultan Air Base
Prince Sultan Air Base is an air base located at Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia.There was formerly a large United States presence there during Operations Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The U.S. presence was predominantly that of multiple U.S. Air Force flying units, augmented by a...
in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
for Operation Southern Watch
Operation Southern Watch
Operation Southern Watch was an operation conducted by Joint Task Force Southwest Asia with the mission of monitoring and controlling airspace south of the 32nd Parallel in Iraq, following the 1991 Gulf War until the 2003 invasion of Iraq.-Summary:Operation Southern Watch began on 27 August 1992...
.
Global War on Terror
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
, onboard Air Force 1
Air Force One
Air Force One is the official air traffic control call sign of any United States Air Force aircraft carrying the President of the United States. In common parlance the term refers to those Air Force aircraft whose primary mission is to transport the president; however, any U.S. Air Force aircraft...
from Florida to Louisiana, Nebraska and finally back to Washington DC that same day. December 2001 saw the 111th deploy to Atlantic City, New Jersey, to fly Air Defense Combat Air Patrol
Combat air patrol
Combat air patrol is a type of flying mission for fighter aircraft.A combat air patrol is an aircraft patrol provided over an objective area, over the force protected, over the critical area of a combat zone, or over an air defense area, for the purpose of intercepting and destroying hostile...
missions over New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC in support of Operation Noble Eagle
Operation Noble Eagle
Operation Noble Eagle is the name given to military operations related to homelandsecurity and support to federal, state, and local agencies...
.
In August 2005 components of the 111th Fighter Squadron and 147th Fighter Wing deployed to Balad Airbase, Iraq to conduct combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism
War on Terrorism
The War on Terror is a term commonly applied to an international military campaign led by the United States and the United Kingdom with the support of other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation as well as non-NATO countries...
. The men and women of the 111th FS/147th FW once again distinguished themselves by flying 462 sorties and almost 1,900 hours in a two-month span; with a perfect record of 100% maintenance delivery (zero missed sorties), 100% mission effectiveness, and 100% weapons employment/hits under the most challenging combat conditions.
The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission
Base Realignment and Closure, 2005
The preliminary 2005 Base Realignment and Closure list was released by the United States Department of Defense on May 13, 2005. It is the fifth Base Realignment and Closure proposal generated since the process was created in 1988. It recommends closing 33 major United States military bases and...
recommended the retirement of the Block 25 F-16 aircraft from the Air National Guard. This prompted the Texas Governor Rick Perry
Rick Perry
James Richard "Rick" Perry is the 47th and current Governor of Texas. A Republican, Perry was elected Lieutenant Governor of Texas in 1998 and assumed the governorship in December 2000 when then-governor George W. Bush resigned to become President of the United States. Perry was elected to full...
to assign the newly acquired MQ-1 Predator reconnaissance mission to the 147th Wing.
In April 2007, components of the 111th Fighter Squadron and 147th Fighter Wing again deployed to Balad Airbase, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism
War on Terrorism
The War on Terror is a term commonly applied to an international military campaign led by the United States and the United Kingdom with the support of other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation as well as non-NATO countries...
, where the men and women of the 111th FS/147th FW continued their distinguished combat tradition. On this deployment the 111th Fighter Squadron flew 348 tasked sorties, plus six no-notice Close Air Support
Close air support
In military tactics, close air support is defined as air action by fixed or rotary winged aircraft against hostile targets that are close to friendly forces, and which requires detailed integration of each air mission with fire and movement of these forces.The determining factor for CAS is...
(CAS) alert scrambles and four short-notice (less than 30 minute & not on the ATO) pre-planned alert launches. With an average combat sortie lasting almost 4.42 hours, the unit accumulated a total of 1537.1 combat hours. Maintenance delivery effectiveness for this deployment was an astonishing 102% due to the inclusion of the unscheduled CAS scrambles. Mission effectiveness and weapons employment were both once again a perfect 100%.
Major Command/Gaining Command
- Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Air Combat CommandAir Combat CommandAir Combat Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. ACC is one of ten major commands , reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force ....
(1992–present) - Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Tactical Air CommandTactical Air CommandTactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...
(1980–1992) - Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Aerospace Defense CommandAerospace Defense CommandAerospace Defense Command is an inactive United States Air Force Major Command. Established in 1946 under the United States Army Air Forces, its mission was to organize and administer the integrated air defense system of the Continental United States , exercise direct control of all active...
(1958–1980)
Previous designations
- 14 August 1917 111th Aero Squadron Kelly Field, Texas
- Before August 1919 redesignated 632nd Aero Squadron
- 19 August 1919 deactivated
- 29 June 1923 111th Observation Squadron attached to the 36th Infantry Division
- September 1923 Ellington FieldEllington FieldEllington International Airport is a joint civil-military airport located in the U.S. state of Texas within the city of Houston— southeast of Downtown. Established by the Army Air Service on 21 May 1917, Ellington Field was one of the initial World War I Army Air Service installations when...
, Texas - 1927 Houston Municipal AirportHouston Municipal AirportHouston Municipal Airport is a city-owned public-use airport located two miles southwest of the central business district of Houston, a city in Chickasaw County, Mississippi, United States.- Facilities and aircraft :...
- September 1923 Ellington Field
- 25 November 1940 called into Federal service
- January 1941 Brownwood, Texas
- March 1941 Houston, Texas
- May 1941 Abilene, Texas
- June 1941 Brownwood, Texas
- August 1941 Mansfield, LouisianaMansfield, LouisianaMansfield is a city in and the parish seat of DeSoto Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 5,001 at the 2010 census. Mansfield is part of the Shreveport–Bossier City Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
- November 1941 Greenville, South CarolinaGreenville, South Carolina-Law and government:The city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976.-History:The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families...
- 6 December 1941 Brownwood, Texas
- Early 1942 111th Observation Squadron attached to the 68th Observation Group, Macon, GeorgiaMacon, GeorgiaMacon is a city located in central Georgia, US. Founded at the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, it is part of the Macon metropolitan area, and the county seat of Bibb County. A small portion of the city extends into Jones County. Macon is the biggest city in central Georgia...
- 1942 Morris Field, North Carolina
- 21 September 1942 Fort Dix, New Jersey
- 3 October 1942 GourockGourockGourock is a town falling within the Inverclyde council area and formerly forming a burgh of the historic county of Renfrewshire in the west central Lowlands of Scotland. It has in the past functioned as a seaside resort on the Firth of Clyde...
, Scotland - 4 October 1942 Wattisham StationRAF WattishamRAF Wattisham was a Royal Air Force station located in East Anglia just outside the village of Wattisham, south of Stowmarket in Suffolk, England. During the Cold War it was a major front-line air force base...
, England - 23 October 1942 GreenockGreenockGreenock is a town and administrative centre in the Inverclyde council area in United Kingdom, and a former burgh within the historic county of Renfrewshire, located in the west central Lowlands of Scotland...
, Scotland - 8 November 1942 ArzewArzewArzew or Arzeu is a port city in Algeria, from Oran. It is the capital of Arzew District, Oran Province.-Antiquity:Like the rest of North Africa, the site of modern-day Arzew was originally inhabited by the Berbers...
, Algeria – Operation TorchOperation TorchOperation Torch was the British-American invasion of French North Africa in World War II during the North African Campaign, started on 8 November 1942.... - 10 November 1942 St. Leu, Algeria
- 16 November 1942 Tafaroui, Algeria
- 19 December 1942 OujdaOujdaOujda is a city in eastern Morocco with an estimated population of 1 million. The city is located about 15 kilometers west of Algeria and about 60 kilometers south of the Mediterranean Sea. It is the capital of the Oriental Region of Morocco and the birthplace of the current Algerian president,...
, French Morocco - 4 April 1943 GuercifGuercifGuercif is a town in Guercif Province, Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate, Morocco. According to the 2004 census it has a population of 57,307.-References:...
, French Morocco - 27 May 1943 Nuvion, Algeria
- June 1943 111th Reconnaissance Squadron – independent operations – Nuvion, Algeria
- 20 June 1943 111th Reconnaissance Squadron – 68th Reconnaissance Group Bou Fischa, Tunisia
- 2 July 1943 KorbaKorbaKorba is a fictional character in the Dune universe created by Frank Herbert. He is one of Paul "Muad'Dib" Atreides' Fedaykin death commandos in the original novel Dune , and later one of the chief priests of the religion of Muad'Dib in Dune Messiah .Korba was portrayed by Karel Dobrý in the 2003...
, Tunisia - 14 July 1943 Ponte Olivio, Sicily- Operation Husky
- 11 August 1943 Termini ImereseTermini ImereseTermini Imerese is a town and comune in the province of Palermo on the northern coast of Sicily, southern Italy.-Ancient:The site where the town now sits has been populated since prehistoric times, as many archeologial excavations have shown through the years...
, Sicily - 2 September 1943 Sant' Antonio, Sicily
- 16 September 1943 Sele AirfieldSele AirfieldSele Airfield is an abandoned World War II military airfield in southeast Italy, which is located approximately15 km northwest of Capaccio in the province of Salerno in the Campania region of south-western Italy...
, Italy - 5 October 1943 Pomigliano d'Arco, Italy
- 2 July 1943 Korba
- 9 May 1944 111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron – 68th Tactical Reconnaissance Group – 12th Tactical Air Command Santa Maria, Italy
- 6 June 1944 AnzioAnzioAnzio is a city and comune on the coast of the Lazio region of Italy, about south of Rome.Well known for its seaside harbour setting, it is a fishing port and a departure point for ferries and hydroplanes to the Pontine Islands of Ponza, Palmarola and Ventotene...
-NettunoNettunoNettuno is a town and comune of the province of Rome in the Lazio region of central Italy, 60 kilometers south of Rome. It is named in honour of the Roman god Neptune...
, Italy - 11 June 1944 Ponte GaleriaPonte GaleriaPonte Galeria is a zona in the comune of Rome, Italy. On 31 May 2005, it had a population of 7,501....
, Italy - 18 June 1944 Voltone, Italy
- 2 July 1944 Follonica, Italy
- 21 July 1944 Borgo, Corsica
- 27 August 1944 St. RaphaelSaint-Raphaël, VarSaint-Raphaël is a commune in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.Immediately to the west of Saint-Raphaël lies another, older, town called Fréjus, and together they form an urban agglomeration known as Fréjus Saint-Raphaël...
, France- Operation DragoonOperation DragoonOperation Dragoon was the Allied invasion of southern France on August 15, 1944, during World War II. The invasion was initiated via a parachute drop by the 1st Airborne Task Force, followed by an amphibious assault by elements of the U.S. Seventh Army, followed a day later by a force made up... - 5 September 1944 ValenceValence, DrômeValence is a commune in southeastern France, the capital of the Drôme department, situated on the left bank of the Rhône, south of Lyon on the railway to Marseilles.Its inhabitants are called Valentinois...
, France - 9 September 1944 Satolas-et-Bonce, FranceSaint-Exupéry International AirportLyon-Saint Exupéry Airport , formerly known as Lyon Satolas Airport, is one of the two airports located in the agglomeration of Lyon, France. The airport was named in 2000 in honour of the French writer and pilot Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, a native of Lyon, on the centenary of his birth.The...
- 23 September 1944 Dijon, France
- 6 June 1944 Anzio
- 30 October 1944 111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron – Provisional Reconnaissance Group Azelot, France
- 2 April 1945 111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron – 69th Tactical Reconnaissance Group – First Tactical Air Force (Provisional) HaguenauHaguenau-Economy:The town has a well balanced economy. Centuries of troubled history in the buffer lands between France and Germany have bequeathed to Haguenau a rich historical and cultural heritage which supports a lively tourist trade. There is also a thriving light manufacturing sector centred on the...
, France- 1 July 1945 FürthFürthThe city of Fürth is located in northern Bavaria, Germany in the administrative region of Middle Franconia. It is now contiguous with the larger city of Nuremberg, the centres of the two cities being only 7 km apart....
, Germany
- 1 July 1945 Fürth
- December 1945 111th Fighter Squadron Ellington Field, Texas
- October 1950 111th Fighter-Bomber Squadron attached to the 136th Fighter-Bomber GroupAir Force Historical Research Agency
- 1 August 1951 Itazuke AirbaseFukuoka Airport, formerly known as Itazuke Air Base, is an international and domestic airport located east of Hakata Station in Fukuoka, Japan. It is officially designated a second class airport. It is operating at full capacity, and cannot be further expanded. Flights stop at 10 p.m...
, Japan - September 1951 Taegu, Korea
- 1 August 1951 Itazuke Airbase
- July 1952 111th Fighter-Bomber Squadron Hobby Airport, Houston, Texas
- September 1953 111th Fighter Interceptor Squadron Hobby Airport, Houston, Texas
- November 1956 attached to the Aerospace Defense CommandAerospace Defense CommandAerospace Defense Command is an inactive United States Air Force Major Command. Established in 1946 under the United States Army Air Forces, its mission was to organize and administer the integrated air defense system of the Continental United States , exercise direct control of all active...
, Ellington Field, Texas - October 1957 Air National Guard Jet Instrument School, Ellington Field, Texas
- May 1958 attached to the 147th Fighter Interceptor Group, Ellington Field, Texas
- November 1956 attached to the Aerospace Defense Command
- October 1995 111th Fighter Squadron still attached to a redesignated 147th Fighter Wing, Ellington Field, Texas
- June 2008 111th Reconnaissance Squadron still attached to a redesignated 147th Reconnaissance Wing147th Reconnaissance WingThe United States Air Force's 147th Reconnaissance Wing is a Texas Air National Guard reconnaissance unit located at Ellington Field, Houston, Texas.-History:The 147th Fighter Interceptor Group was activated in May 1958 by the Texas Air National Guard...
, Ellington Field, Texas
Mission Support
- MQ-1 Predator (2008–present)
- F-16C Fighting Falcon (1995–2007)
- F-16A/B Fighting Falcon (1989–1995)
- F-4D Phantom II (1987–1989)
- F-4C Phantom II (1982–1987)
- RF-4C Phantom II (1974) (about two months, orders changed)
- F-101B/F Voodoo (1971–1982)
- F-102A Delta Dagger (1960–1974)
- F-86L Sabre (1959–1960)
- F-86D Sabre (1957–1959)
- F-80C Shooting Star (1953–1957)
- F-51H Mustang (1952–1953)
- F-84E Thunderjet (1951–1952)
- F-51D Mustang (1947–1951)
- T-6 TexanT-6 TexanThe North American Aviation T-6 Texan was a single-engine advanced trainer aircraft used to train pilots of the United States Army Air Forces, United States Navy, Royal Air Force and other air forces of the British Commonwealth during World War II and into the 1950s...
(1947–1953) - UC-64A Norseman (1945) (Mapped Post-War France)
- F-6D Mustang (1945)
- F-6C Mustang (1944–1945)
- F-6A Mustang (1943–1944)
- P-39L/N Airacobra (1942–1943)
- A-20B Havoc (1942–1943)
- L-4 Grasshopper (1941–1942)
- O-52 Owl (1941–1942)
- O-49 Vigilant (1941–1942)
- North American O-47A/B (1938–1942)
- Douglas O-43A (1934–1938)
- Douglas O-38E (1931–1934)
- Douglas O-2H (1928–1931)
- Douglas O-2C (1926–1927) – first new airplane and first operationally equipped airplane, the Guard Bureau bought one for each squadron
- TW-3 Trusty (1924–1926)
- JN-6H Jenny (1923–1927)
Trainer & Utility
- C-26B Metroliner (1991–2007)
- C-26A Metroliner (1989–1995)
- C-131B Samaritan (1978–1989) (Miss Piggy)
- VT-29D Samaritan (1974–1978)
- Cessna U-3A (1970–1974)
- C-54 SkymasterC-54 SkymasterThe Douglas C-54 Skymaster was a four-engined transport aircraft used by the United States Army Air Forces and British forces in World War II and the Korean War. Besides transport of cargo, it also carried presidents, British heads of government, and military staff...
(1967–1974) - TF-102A Delta Dagger (1960–1974) (Initially two, 6–8 aircraft starting for Jet Instruction School)
- T-33A Shooting Star (1951–1987), (1957–1962) (18 aircraft for the Jet Instruction School)
- C-47 SkytrainC-47 SkytrainThe Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in operation to this day.-Design and...
(1947–1967) - B-26 Invader (1947–1950) (Target tug)
- L-5 SentinelL-5 SentinelThe Stinson L-5 Sentinel was a World War II era liaison aircraft used by all branches of the U.S. military and by the British Royal Air Force. Along with the Stinson L-1 Vigilant, the L-5 was the only other American liaison aircraft of WWII that was purpose-built for military use and had no...
(1947–1951) - P-43 LancerP-43 LancerThe Republic P-43 Lancer was a single-engine, all-metal, low-wing monoplane fighter aircraft built by Republic, first delivered to the United States Army Air Corps in 1940. A proposed development was the P-44 Rocket. While no world-beater as a fighter, the P-43A had a very good high-altitude...
(1942) (State-side training) - P-40 Warhawk (1942) (State-side training)
- BC-1A Texan (1940–1941)
- O-17 CourierO-17 Courier-References:...
(1928–1933) – supplemented O-2Hs, later modified-the PT-3 standard and kept as trainers - PT-1 Trusty (1927)
- Huff-Daland TW-5Huff-Daland TW-5The Huff-Daland Type XV Training Water-Cooled TW-5 was a biplane trainer designed by the Huff-Daland Aero Corporation in the early 1920s for the United States Army Air Service.-Design and development:...
(1924–1926) - PT-1 Trusty (1924–1926)
- Vought VE-7 Bluebird (1924–1926)
- Airco DH-4B (1924–1926) – single aircraft assigned-the Unit Instructor
See also
- Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
- Air Combat CommandAir Combat CommandAir Combat Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. ACC is one of ten major commands , reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force ....
- United States Army Air CorpsUnited States Army Air CorpsThe United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
- United States Army Air ForcesUnited States Army Air ForcesThe United States Army Air Forces was the military aviation arm of the United States of America during and immediately after World War II, and the direct predecessor of the United States Air Force....
- United States Air ForceUnited States Air ForceThe United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
- List of United States Air Force installations
- List of American Aero Squadrons
- List of United States Air Force squadrons
- List of Wings of the United States Air Force
- List of Numbered Air Forces of the United States Air Force