119th Fighter Squadron
Encyclopedia
The 119th Fighter Squadron flies the F-16C Fighting Falcon. It is a unit of the New Jersey Air National Guard
. Its parent unit is the 177th Fighter Wing
. The commander of the squadron is Lt. Col. Brad "Francis" Everman.
5th Aviation School Squadron at Langley Field, Virginia. In September 1917 it was redesignated as the 119th Aero Squadron. Not deployed overseas, the unit was inactivated in May 1919.
The squadron was reactivated in 1930 when it was reorganized as the 119th Observation Squadron, New Jersey National Guard
, at Metropolitan Airport, Newark, New Jersey as an air arm of the 44th Division Aviation and received federal recognition in January 1930. In 1934, aircraft of the 119th Observation Squadron were dispatched to the scene of the "Morro Castle", a ship burning off the coast of Asbury Park, New Jersey. Many hours were spent flying over the ship and adjacent water assisting in the direction of rescue efforts and locating survivors.
The 119th Observation Squadron fell victim to the "draft" on September 16, 1940, when it was inducted into active service. The unit continued as the 119th until April 12, 1948, at which time it became the 490th Fighter Squadron. The 490th was disbanded in May 1944 while still at Thomasville, Georgia.
on 24 May 1946. Assigned P-47 "'Thunderbolts" at Newark Airport
, New Jersey. The 119th moved to the former Atlantic City Naval Air Station, now known as the William J. Hughes Technical Center, on August 5, 1958. This change of station also brought about a change in aircraft to the F-84F. The 119th was called to active duty again in October 1961, for the Berlin Crisis
. The unit remained at home station; however, the pilots were periodically rotated to Chaumont Air Base, France. In 1962, the unit was reorganized into the 177th Tactical Fighter Group, and transitioned into F-86H aircraft. Two years later, the unit transitioned into F-100 "Super Sabres".
In January 1968, a new crisis, the seizure of the American ship USS Pueblo
by North Korean forces, and again the 119th was called to active duty. In May 1968, the squadron was activated to federal service, and its personnel were assigned to the 113th Tactical Fighter Wing, Myrtle Beach AFB, South Carolina. Personnel were spread throughout the United States, Taiwan, Korea, and Vietnam with the main unit stationed at the 113 TFW. The 119 TFS returned to Atlantic City, New Jersey, in June 1969, and transitioned into the F-105 'Thunderchief" in 1970.
In 1972, Headquarters Air Force announced that the 119th TFS would be assigned to the Aerospace Defense Command
and be responsible for protecting the United States from airborne attacks, and so was reorganized as the 177th Fighter Interceptor Group and 119th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. In 1973, the unit transitioned into the F-106 "Delta Dart" and assumed alert status the following year. The Aerospace Defense Command then came under TAC as the Air Defense Tactical Air Command (ADTAC), and then again changed to a numbered Air Force, 1st Air Force. During 1988, the unit transitioned into the F-16A/B, "Fighting Falcon", and received an "excellent" rating during its first Operational Readiness Inspection with the F-16 in October 1989.
From May 1 through June 13, 1998, the squadron deployed five F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft and 46 personnel to Howard AFB, Panama, in support of OPERATION CORONET NIGHTHAWK. 130 personnel rotated on a two-week basis during the six-week deployment. Operating as part of a joint interagency task force, the wing’s role was to detect and identify suspected drug smuggling aircraft. Once identified, the suspected aircraft are turned over to law enforcement agencies for apprehension.
As the events of September 11 unfolded, the 119th Fighter Squadron, through years of preparation, training and commitment launched to our nation's emergency and desperate call for help. These Air Guard warriors brought with them the character and core values of generations of heroic citizen soldiers and airmen. Since October 2001, the unit has had an active involvement in Operation Noble Eagle
, Operation Southern Watch
, Operation Northern Watch
, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
New Jersey Air National Guard
The New Jersey Air National Guard consists of almost 2300 Guardsmen from New Jersey.The New Jersey Air National Guard is governed through the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs....
. Its parent unit is the 177th Fighter Wing
177th Fighter Wing
The United States Air Force's 177th Fighter Wing is an Air National Guard fighter unit located at Atlantic City IAP, New Jersey.-Mission:Federal Mission: provide combat-ready citizen airmen, aircraft and equipment for worldwide deployment in support of United States Air Force objectives.State...
. The commander of the squadron is Lt. Col. Brad "Francis" Everman.
Origins
The 119th Fighter Squadron is one of the oldest units in the United States Air Force, its origins beginning in June 1917 as the World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
5th Aviation School Squadron at Langley Field, Virginia. In September 1917 it was redesignated as the 119th Aero Squadron. Not deployed overseas, the unit was inactivated in May 1919.
The squadron was reactivated in 1930 when it was reorganized as the 119th Observation Squadron, New Jersey National Guard
New Jersey National Guard
The New Jersey Army National Guard consists of over 9000 Guardsmen. The Guard is currently engaged in several worldwide and homeland missions. Units have deployed to Iraq, Guantanamo Bay, Afghanistan, Germany and Egypt...
, at Metropolitan Airport, Newark, New Jersey as an air arm of the 44th Division Aviation and received federal recognition in January 1930. In 1934, aircraft of the 119th Observation Squadron were dispatched to the scene of the "Morro Castle", a ship burning off the coast of Asbury Park, New Jersey. Many hours were spent flying over the ship and adjacent water assisting in the direction of rescue efforts and locating survivors.
The 119th Observation Squadron fell victim to the "draft" on September 16, 1940, when it was inducted into active service. The unit continued as the 119th until April 12, 1948, at which time it became the 490th Fighter Squadron. The 490th was disbanded in May 1944 while still at Thomasville, Georgia.
New Jersey Air National Guard
The squadron was later reconstituted and redesignated 119th Fighter Squadron, and allotted to New Jersey Air National GuardNew Jersey Air National Guard
The New Jersey Air National Guard consists of almost 2300 Guardsmen from New Jersey.The New Jersey Air National Guard is governed through the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs....
on 24 May 1946. Assigned P-47 "'Thunderbolts" at Newark Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport , first named Newark Metropolitan Airport and later Newark International Airport, is an international airport within the city limits of both Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States...
, New Jersey. The 119th moved to the former Atlantic City Naval Air Station, now known as the William J. Hughes Technical Center, on August 5, 1958. This change of station also brought about a change in aircraft to the F-84F. The 119th was called to active duty again in October 1961, for the Berlin Crisis
Berlin Crisis of 1961
The Berlin Crisis of 1961 was the last major politico-military European incident of the Cold War about the occupational status of the German capital city, Berlin, and of post–World War II Germany. The U.S.S.R...
. The unit remained at home station; however, the pilots were periodically rotated to Chaumont Air Base, France. In 1962, the unit was reorganized into the 177th Tactical Fighter Group, and transitioned into F-86H aircraft. Two years later, the unit transitioned into F-100 "Super Sabres".
In January 1968, a new crisis, the seizure of the American ship USS Pueblo
USS Pueblo (AGER-2)
USS Pueblo is an American ELINT and SIGINT Banner-class technical research ship which was boarded and captured by North Korean forces on January 23, 1968, in what is known as the Pueblo incident or alternatively as the Pueblo crisis or the Pueblo affair. Occurring less than a week after President...
by North Korean forces, and again the 119th was called to active duty. In May 1968, the squadron was activated to federal service, and its personnel were assigned to the 113th Tactical Fighter Wing, Myrtle Beach AFB, South Carolina. Personnel were spread throughout the United States, Taiwan, Korea, and Vietnam with the main unit stationed at the 113 TFW. The 119 TFS returned to Atlantic City, New Jersey, in June 1969, and transitioned into the F-105 'Thunderchief" in 1970.
In 1972, Headquarters Air Force announced that the 119th TFS would be assigned to the Aerospace Defense Command
Aerospace Defense Command
Aerospace 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...
and be responsible for protecting the United States from airborne attacks, and so was reorganized as the 177th Fighter Interceptor Group and 119th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. In 1973, the unit transitioned into the F-106 "Delta Dart" and assumed alert status the following year. The Aerospace Defense Command then came under TAC as the Air Defense Tactical Air Command (ADTAC), and then again changed to a numbered Air Force, 1st Air Force. During 1988, the unit transitioned into the F-16A/B, "Fighting Falcon", and received an "excellent" rating during its first Operational Readiness Inspection with the F-16 in October 1989.
From May 1 through June 13, 1998, the squadron deployed five F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft and 46 personnel to Howard AFB, Panama, in support of OPERATION CORONET NIGHTHAWK. 130 personnel rotated on a two-week basis during the six-week deployment. Operating as part of a joint interagency task force, the wing’s role was to detect and identify suspected drug smuggling aircraft. Once identified, the suspected aircraft are turned over to law enforcement agencies for apprehension.
As the events of September 11 unfolded, the 119th Fighter Squadron, through years of preparation, training and commitment launched to our nation's emergency and desperate call for help. These Air Guard warriors brought with them the character and core values of generations of heroic citizen soldiers and airmen. Since October 2001, the unit has had an active involvement in 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...
, 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...
, Operation Northern Watch
Operation Northern Watch
Operation Northern Watch, the successor to Operation Provide Comfort, was a US European Command Combined Task Force charged with enforcing its own no-fly zone above the 36th parallel in Iraq...
, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Lineage
- Organized as 5th Aviation School Squadron on 5 Jun 1917
- Redesignated: 119th Aero Squadron on 2 Sep 1917
- Redesignated: Detachment No, 11, Air Service, Aircraft Production on 31 JuI 1918
- Demobilized on 29 May 1919
- Reconstituted and consolidated (1936) with 119th Observation Squadron which, having been allotted to the New Jersey National GuardNew Jersey National GuardThe New Jersey Army National Guard consists of over 9000 Guardsmen. The Guard is currently engaged in several worldwide and homeland missions. Units have deployed to Iraq, Guantanamo Bay, Afghanistan, Germany and Egypt...
was activated on 30 Jan 1930
- Reconstituted and consolidated (1936) with 119th Observation Squadron which, having been allotted to the New Jersey National Guard
- Ordered to active service on 16 Sep 1940
- Redesignated: 119th Observation Squadron (Medium) on 13 Jan 1942
- Redesignated: 119th Observation Squadron on 4 Jul 1942
- Inactivated on 18 Oct 1942
- Activated on 1 Mar 1943.
- Redesignated: 119th Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter) on 2 Apr 1943
- Redesignated: 490th Fighter Squadron on 11 Aug 1943
- Disbanded on 1 May 1944
- Reconstituted on 21 Jun 1945.
- Redesignated 119th Fighter Squadron, and allotted to New Jersey Air National GuardNew Jersey Air National GuardThe New Jersey Air National Guard consists of almost 2300 Guardsmen from New Jersey.The New Jersey Air National Guard is governed through the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs....
on 24 May 1946 - Federally recognized, 119th Fighter Squadron, 9 Feb 1947
- Redesignated: 119th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 1 October 1961
- Elevated to Federal Service, 1 October 1961
- Returned to State Control, 1 August 1962
- Elevated to Federal Service, 1 April 1968
- Returned to State Control, 27 May 1969
- Redesignated: 119th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 31 October 1972
- Redesignated: 119th Fighter Squadron, 8 August 1988
Assignments
- Unknown, 1917-1919. New Jersey National GuardNew Jersey National GuardThe New Jersey Army National Guard consists of over 9000 Guardsmen. The Guard is currently engaged in several worldwide and homeland missions. Units have deployed to Iraq, Guantanamo Bay, Afghanistan, Germany and Egypt...
- Divisional aviation, 44th Division, 30 Jan 1930
- Second Corps Area, 16 Sep 1940
- United States First Army, 3 Oct 1940
- II Army Corps, c. Mar 1941
- United States First Army, c. Jun 1941
- I Air Support Command
- Attached to 59th Observation Group, 1 Sep 1941
- 59th Observation Group, 29 Mar-18 Oct 1942
- 59th Observation (later Reconnaissance) Group, 1 Mar 1943-1 May 1944
- 177th Fighter Group, 9 Feb 1947
- 7108th Tactical Wing, 1 October 1961
- 177th Tactical Fighter Group, 1 Aug 1962
- 113th Tactical Fighter Wing, 1 Apr 1968
- 177th Fighter Group, 27 May 1969
- Redesignated 177th Fighter-Interceptor Group, 31 Oct 1972
- Redesignated 177th Fighter Wing177th Fighter WingThe United States Air Force's 177th Fighter Wing is an Air National Guard fighter unit located at Atlantic City IAP, New Jersey.-Mission:Federal Mission: provide combat-ready citizen airmen, aircraft and equipment for worldwide deployment in support of United States Air Force objectives.State...
, 8 Aug 1988
Stations
- Hampton, VirginiaHampton, VirginiaHampton is an independent city that is not part of any county in Southeast Virginia. Its population is 137,436. As one of the seven major cities that compose the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, it is on the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula. Located on the Hampton Roads Beltway, it hosts...
, 5 Jun 1917- 29 May 1919 - Newark airportNewark AirportNewark Airport may refer to:Airports:* Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, United States * Newark-Heath Airport in Newark, Ohio, United States Other:...
, New Jersey, 30 Jun 1930 - Fort Dix Army Air Base, New Jersey, 27 Mar 1942
- Barnstable Municipal AirportBarnstable Municipal AirportBarnstable Municipal Airport , also known as Boardman/Polando Field, is a public airport located on Cape Cod, one mile north of the central business district of Hyannis, in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. This airport is publicly owned by Town of Barnstable...
, Massachusetts, 26 Aug 1942 - Grenier Field, New HampshireNew HampshireNew Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
, 10 Oct 1942
- Birmingham Army Airfield, Alabama, 18 Oct 1942
- Page FieldPage FieldPage Field General Aviation Airport is a public airport located three miles south of the central business district of Fort Myers, a city in Lee County, Florida, United States...
, Florida, 1 Mar 1943 - Thomasville Army Airfield, Georgia, 12 Apr 1943-1 May 1944
- Newark AirportNewark Liberty International AirportNewark Liberty International Airport , first named Newark Metropolitan Airport and later Newark International Airport, is an international airport within the city limits of both Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States...
, New Jersey, 9 Feb 1947 - Atlantic City International AirportAtlantic City International AirportAtlantic City International Airport is a joint civil-military public airport located nine nautical miles northwest of the central business district of Atlantic City, in Atlantic County, New Jersey...
, New Jersey, 5 August 1958 – Present
Aircraft Operated
- F-16C/D Fighting Falcon (1994–Present)
- F-16A ADF Fighting Falcon (1988–1994)
- F-106A/B Delta Dart (1973–1988)
- F-105B Thunderchief (1970–1973)
- F-100C Super Sabre (1963–1970)
- F-86H Sabre (1962–1963)
- F-84F ThunderstreakF-84F ThunderstreakThe Republic F-84F Thunderstreak was an American-built swept-wing turbojet fighter-bomber. While an evolutionary development of the straight-wing F-84 Thunderjet, the F-84F was a new design. The RF-84F Thunderflash was a photo reconnaissance version....
(1958–1962)
- F-86E Sabre (1955–1958)
- P-51D Mustang (???-???)
- P-51H Mustang (???-???)
- P-47D Thunderbolt (1947-???)
- P-39 Aircobra, 1943–1944
- Numerous Observation aircraft, 1930–1942