478th Tactical Fighter Squadron
Encyclopedia
The 478th Tactical Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force
unit. It was last assigned to the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing and stationed at Homestead AFB, Florida.
Trained for proficiency and operational readiness in the Super Sabre, deploying on Tactical Air Command
directed deployments. In 1962, deployed to 6010th Tactical Group at Takhli RTAFB, Thailand, one of the early expeditionary fighter squadrons of the Vietnam War
. Squadron began, phasing down for replacement with the General Dynamics F-111
A and a move to Nellis AFB in late 1965.
Instead, the squadron was reassigned to Homestead AFB, Florida as a filler organization for the 4531st Tactical Fighter Wing, as the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing had deployed to South Vietnam
. Received F-4C Phantom IIs upon assignment, upgrading to F-4Ds in August 1967. Mission at Homestead primarily was to provide air defense of South Florida in wake of Cuban Missile Crisis
, operating the Phantom and gaining proficiency in the aircraft. Was upgraded to the F-4E in November 1968.
Provisional wing began rotational TDY deployments to Kunsan AB, South Korea in June 1969, being attached to the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing, carrying tail code "ZE", with white outlined blue fin cap, containing white arrows. 478th assigned to Kunsan 21 May 1970, reassigned to 54th TFW at Kunsan when 354th moved to Myrtle Beach AFB, South Carolina in June 1970. Remained in South Korea until September 1970, returning to Homestead.
31st TFW returned from duty at Tuy Hoa AB, South Vietnam, October 1970. Squadron replaced by 309th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 31 October 1970 and inactivated.
United States Air Force
The 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...
unit. It was last assigned to the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing and stationed at Homestead AFB, Florida.
History
Activated in December 1954 at Cannon AFB, New Mexico. Initially equipped with F-86H Sabres. Upgraded in late 1957 to the F-100D Super Sabre. Aircraft initially had green diagonal stripes on tail, later changing to black and white. The squadron received some of the last production batch of the F-100 from North American, the production line closing in December 1957.Trained for proficiency and operational readiness in the Super Sabre, deploying on Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command
Tactical 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...
directed deployments. In 1962, deployed to 6010th Tactical Group at Takhli RTAFB, Thailand, one of the early expeditionary fighter squadrons of the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. Squadron began, phasing down for replacement with the General Dynamics F-111
General Dynamics F-111
The General Dynamics F-111 "Aardvark" was a medium-range interdictor and tactical strike aircraft that also filled the roles of strategic bomber, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare in its various versions. Developed in the 1960s by General Dynamics, it first entered service in 1967 with the...
A and a move to Nellis AFB in late 1965.
Instead, the squadron was reassigned to Homestead AFB, Florida as a filler organization for the 4531st Tactical Fighter Wing, as the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing had deployed to South Vietnam
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
. Received F-4C Phantom IIs upon assignment, upgrading to F-4Ds in August 1967. Mission at Homestead primarily was to provide air defense of South Florida in wake of Cuban Missile Crisis
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a confrontation among the Soviet Union, Cuba and the United States in October 1962, during the Cold War...
, operating the Phantom and gaining proficiency in the aircraft. Was upgraded to the F-4E in November 1968.
Provisional wing began rotational TDY deployments to Kunsan AB, South Korea in June 1969, being attached to the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing, carrying tail code "ZE", with white outlined blue fin cap, containing white arrows. 478th assigned to Kunsan 21 May 1970, reassigned to 54th TFW at Kunsan when 354th moved to Myrtle Beach AFB, South Carolina in June 1970. Remained in South Korea until September 1970, returning to Homestead.
31st TFW returned from duty at Tuy Hoa AB, South Vietnam, October 1970. Squadron replaced by 309th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 31 October 1970 and inactivated.
Lineage
- Activated as 478th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 13 December 1954
- Re-designated: 478th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 1 July 1958
- Inactivated on 31 October 1970
Assignments
- 474th Fighter-Bomber Group, 13 December 1954
- 474th Fighter-Bomber (later Tactical Fighter) Wing474th Tactical Fighter WingThe 474th Air Expeditionary Group is a provisional United States Air Force unit assigned to Air Combat Command. It may be activated or inactivated at any time....
, 8 October 1957-1 November 1966
- Attached to 405th Fighter-Bomber Wing, 23 May-8 June 1962
- Not operational, 15 Sep 1965-1 Nov 1966
- 4531st Tactical Fighter Wing, 1 November 1966
- Attached to: 354th Tactical Fighter Wing, 21 May-14 June 1970
- Attached to: 54th Tactical Fighter Wing54th Tactical Fighter WingThe 54th Tactical Fighter Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the Pacific Air Forces Fifth Air Force, being stationed at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea...
, 15 June-2 September 1970- 31st Tactical Fighter Wing, 15–31 October 1970
Stations
- Cannon AFB, New Mexico, 13 December 1954
- Homestead AFB, Florida, 1 November 1966-31 October 1970
Aircraft
- F-86H Sabre, 1954-1957
- F-100 Super SabreF-100 Super SabreThe North American F-100 Super Sabre was a supersonic jet fighter aircraft that served with the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1971 and with the Air National Guard until 1979. The first of the Century Series collection of USAF jet fighters, it was the first USAF fighter capable of...
, 1957-1966 - F-4E Phantom II, 1966-1970