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194th Fighter Squadron

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194th Fighter Squadron
194th FS F-15C Eagle 84-0014 in flight over the skies of Fresno, California.
Active1943–1945; 1946–present
Country United States
Allegiance California
Branch  Air National Guard
TypeSquadron
RoleFighter/Air Defense
Part ofCalifornia Air National Guard
Garrison/HQFresno Air National Guard Base, Fresno, California
Nickname(s)"Griffins"[1]
Tail code"California" with "Fresno" stripe
Commanders
Current
commander		Lt. Col. Jon Vanbragt
Insignia
194th Fighter Squadron

The 194th Fighter Squadron (194 FS), nicknamed the Griffins, is a unit of the California Air National Guard's 144th Fighter Wing (144 FW) at Fresno Air National Guard Base, California. The 194th is equipped with the McDonnell Douglas F-15C/D Eagle and like its parent wing, the 144th, is operationally-gained within the active U.S. Air Force by the Air Combat Command (ACC). It is scheduled to convert to the Boeing F-15EX Eagle II in the future.

History

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World War II

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Activated in October 1943 as the 409th Fighter Squadron at Hamilton Field, California. During World War II, the squadron was an Operational Training Unit (OTU), equipped with second-line Bell P-39 Airacobras and Curtiss P-40 Warhawks. Its mission was to train newly graduated pilots from Training Command in combat tactics and maneuvers before being assigned to their permanent combat unit. Initially assigned to IV Fighter Command, then transferred to III Fighter Command in 1944, being re-equipped with P-51D Mustangs. It took part in air-ground maneuvers and demonstrations, participating in the Louisiana Maneuvers in the summer of 1944 and in similar activities in the US until after V-J Day.

Inactivated in November 1945.

California Air National Guard

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Early Years (1946–1950)

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194th Fighter Squadron – North American F-51Hs at Hayward Air National Guard Base, California, 1949.

The wartime 409th Fighter Squadron was re-activated and re-designated as the 194th Fighter Squadron, and was allotted to the California Air National Guard, on 24 May 1946. It was organized at Naval Air Station Alameda, California, and was extended federal recognition on 25 June 1948 by the National Guard Bureau. The 194th Fighter Squadron was bestowed to the history, honors, and colors of the 409th Fighter Squadron. The squadron was equipped with North American P-51D/H Mustangs (later redesignated as F-51) and was assigned to the CA ANG 144th Fighter Group.

Air Defense (1950–1989)

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F-51D/H Mustang (1950–1954)

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With the surprise invasion of South Korea on 25 June 1950, and the regular military's complete lack of readiness, most of the Air National Guard was federalized placed on active duty. However, the 194th FS was not mobilized, with other California ANG squadrons – 115th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 195th Fighter Squadron and 196th Fighter-Bomber Squadron – being mobilized instead.[2] On 1 October 1952, the 194th Fighter Squadron was redesignated as the 194th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron.[3]

In March 1953, the 194th Fighter-Bomber Squadron participated, along with the 138th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (New York ANG), in a secret experiment to see if the Air National Guard was capable of performing air intercept missions.[4] The experiment, brainchild of Major General George G. Finch, was to place two F-51D Mustang and five pilots on a five minute alert from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.[5] The experiment was deemed a great success, with the five minute alert becoming permanent in August 1954.[6]

During its years flying the F-51D/H, the unit earned prominence as one of the Air Force's most respected aerial gunnery competitors.[7] In June 1953, while still flying the Mustang, the unit qualified for the first all-jet, worldwide gunnery meet, having to borrow North American F-86A Sabres to participate – the 194th finished in fifth place.[7] The last Mustangs left Fresno by 31 October 1954.[7]

F-86 Sabre (1954–1964)

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194th FIS F-86L Sabre Interceptor 53–0739, 1960

With the increased availability of jet aircraft after the Korean War, the squadron's aircraft were upgraded from the piston-engine, propeller driven Mustangs to its first jet aircraft, the North American F-86A Sabre on 1 November 1954.[8] At the same time, the 194th relocated to Fresno Yosemite International Airport (known at the time as Fresno Air Terminal), followed by the wing in 1957. On 7 July 1955, the 194th was re-designated as the 194th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, a designation kept by the squadron for the next 37 years.[7]

In May 1957, the 194th FIS, alongside other ANG squadrons, participated in atomic bomb tests in Nevada known as Operation Plumbbob. It saw the ANG squadrons fly through mushroom clouds to collect radioactive samples, with the purpose of the training deemed as preparing the ANG to track radioactive clouds and report danger areas in the event of nuclear war.[9]

On 1 April 1958, the Griffins transitioned to the F-86L Sabre,[7] which was designed from the onset as an interceptor, had all-weather capability and was able to be used in all weather. In addition, the F-86L could be controlled and directed by the SAGE computer-controlled Ground Control Interceptor (Radar) sites which would vector the aircraft to the unidentified target for interception.

The 194th FIS disposed of its F-86Ls from late 1964 through to December 1964, with the Sabres being flown to Davis–Monthan Air Force Base for storage.[10] One of the last jets scheduled to leave, 53-0642, suffered a technical issue and could not depart, instead becoming a gate guard at Fresno.[10]

F-102 Delta Dagger (1964–1974)

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On 1 July 1964, the 194th FIS conversion to the Convair F-102A Delta Dagger was approved, with the first F-102 arriving on 6 July.[7] The 194th FIS continued flying to F-102 up until July 1974.[10]

F-106 Delta Dart (1974–1983)

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194th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron – Convair F-106A-100-CO Delta Dart 58–0774, 1975

On 25 July 1974, the 194th FIS converted to the Convair F-106A/B Delta Dart.[7] On 1 October 1978, Aerospace Defense Command was inactivated, its units being reassigned to Air Defense, Tactical Air Command (ADTAC). which was established compatible to a Numbered Air Force under Tactical Air Command (TAC).

The Griffins participated in the 1980 William Tell Weapons Meet where they finished as the overall winner of the competition, receiving the Gen. Daniel “Chappie” James Jr. Fighter Interceptor Team award being the top team.[11] In January 1981, the 194th FIS started a Det. 1 alert detatchment at George Air Force Base, taking on Quick Reaction Alert responsibilities.[12] The 194th FIS also took part in the 1982 William Tell Weapons Meet, with Lt. Col. Robert Boehringer of the 194th FIS finishing as the 'Top Gun' out of all the F-106 teams.[13]

Between September and December 1983, the 194th FIS maintained a Det. 1 alert detatchment at Castle Air Force Base, California, taking over from the 318th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron while they converted from the F-106 to the McDonnell Douglas F-15A/B Eagle.[14][15] With the end of the detachment, the 194th FIS ended operations on the F-106 on 31 December 1983.[7]

F-4D Phantom II (1983–1989)

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194th FIS F-4D Phantom II 65-0763 in flight, 1987

In 1983, the 194th FIS began to convert to the McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II, with their first F-4D arriving at Fresno on 2 October 1983.[16][17]

Between March 1986 and April 1987, the 194th FIS deployed three F-4Ds (65-0583, 65-0740 and 65-0747) to Ramstein Air Base, West Germany, alongside the 178th FIS and 179th FIS as part of Exercise Creek Klaxon.[18] The three ANG squadrons were deployed to provide air defense alert while the resident 86th Tactical Fighter Wing converted from the F-4E Phantom II to the General Dynamics F-16C/D Fighting Falcon.[19]

The Griffins flew their last F-4D Phantom II sortie on 30 June 1989, launching a four-ship of F-4Ds which undertook a training mission with F-15s and Boeing B-52 Stratofortresses before conducting a flypast over Fresno and recovering for the last time.[16] Due to the conversion to the single seat F-16, the back-seat WSOs either retrained to fly the Fighting Falcon, relocated to the 192nd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (Nevada ANG) or transferred to non-flying positions.[16] Meanwhile, the withdrawn Phantom IIs were either sent to other Air National Guard squadrons or were stored at AMARC.[16] Between July and October 1989, the 179th FIS (Minnesota ANG) maintained an alert detatchment during the 194th's conversion to the F-16.[16]

F-16 Fighting Falcon (1989–2013)

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194th Fighter Squadron F-16s over San Francisco, 2004

The 194th FIS received their first General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon (Block 15) on 10 April 1989, with the jet arriving from Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.[20][21] The 194th FIS conducted their first F-16 sorties in July 1989.[16] The squadron's transition was fully completed by October 1989,[7] with the original plan having been to convert to the F-16 between 1990 and 1991.[22][23] Replacing the F-4D in the air defense and attack roles, the Block 15 F-16A/B airframes weren't initially suited to the dedicated air defense mission the squadron was tasked to. This was fixed with the Air Defense Fighter (ADF) upgrade these aircraft received during 1990, which included the addition of a Clear Weather Intercept module on the AN/APG-66 radar and an Advanced Identification Friend or Foe system.[1]

On 16 March 1992, the 144th Fighter-Interceptor Wing was redesignated as the 144th Fighter Wing (144th FW), with the 194th becoming the 194th Fighter Squadron.[7] On 1 June 1992, the 144th FW was reassigned to Air Combat Command. On 15 June 1992, the 194th's Det. 1 alert detachment at George AFB relocated to March Air Force Base due to the impending closure of George AFB.[10] In 1995, the squadron transitioned to the F-16C/D Fighting Falcon block 25 aircraft.[1]

As part of Operation Southern Watch, the 194th FS deployed to Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, between December 2002 and May 2003.[1]

After having flown for 11 years with the Block 25 airframes, a number of those came to the end of their operational lifespan. It was therefore decided that the airframes of the 194th FS were to be replaced with F-16C Block 32 aircraft. The conversion to these block 32 models started in December 2006 and was gradually completed by the end of 2007.[1]

F-15 Eagle (2013–present)

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Ukrainian pilots in front of 194th FS heritage jet F-15C 84-0004, 2019

F-15C/D

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The 194th Fighter Squadron started the conversion process to the McDonnell Douglas F-15C/D Eagle with the arrival of F-15C 84-0014,[24] the first of 21 F-15s, on 18 June 2013.[25] The 194th FS received their Eagles from the 186th Fighter Squadron (Montana ANG) and the 65th Aggressor Squadron,[26][27] with the last three F-15Cs arriving at Fresno from Great Falls ANGB on 24 October 2013.[28] The last F-16 departed the 194th Fighter Squadron on 7 November 2013, destined for 162nd Fighter Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard.[29]

In October 2018, the 194th FS deployed six F-15Cs to Starokostiantyniv Air Base, Ukraine, as part of Clear Sky 2018, becoming the first American unit to land Eagles in Ukraine.[30] The Griffins borrowed an F-15D from the 493rd Fighter Squadron at RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom, for the duration of the exercise due to not deploying their own two-seat D model.[31] On 16 October 2018, Lt. Col. Seth ‘Jethro’ Nehring of the 194th FS died in a crash in Sukhoi Su-27UB1M (Blue 70) while on a familiarization flight with Col. Ivan Petrenko of the Ukrainian Air Force.[32] In September 2019, six Ukrainian pilots and a translator deployed to Fresno ANGB to conduct familiarization flights with the Eagle.[33]

Due to the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base, Japan, divesting its fleet of F-15C/Ds, the 194th FS deployed to Kadena AB in October 2023 to help maintain a continuous fighter presence at the base.[34][35]

F-15EX

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It was announced in 2023 that the 194th Fighter Squadron would replace the F-15C/D Eagle with the updated Boeing F-15EX Eagle II.[36] However, with the announcement in April 2025 that the 107th Fighter Squadron, Michigan ANG, would now be receiving the F-15EX the timeline for deliveries to the 194th FS has been delayed.[37][38]

Lineage

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Legacy emblem of the 194th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (ADC)
  • Constituted 409th Fighter Squadron on 12 October 1943
Activated on 15 October 1943
Re-designated: 409th Fighter-Bomber Squadron on 5 April 1944
Re-designated: 409th Fighter Squadron on 5 June 1944.
Inactivated on 7 November 1945
  • Re-designated: 194th Fighter Squadron, and allocated to California ANG on 24 May 1946
Extended federal recognition on 25 June 1948
Re-designated: 194th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 1 October 1952
Re-designated: 194th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 1 December 1952
Re-designated: 194th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 7 July 1955
Re-designated: 194th Fighter Squadron, 16 March 1992

Assignments

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Stations

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Aircraft

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References

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Citations

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  1. ^ a b c d e "194th Fighter Squadron (USAF ANG)". f-16.net. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  2. ^ Gault, Gary A. (June 2000). "Air National Guard Flying Unit Korean War Mobilizations, 1950 - 1953*" (PDF). Air National Guard. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  3. ^ Gross, p. 36
  4. ^ Rosenfeld, Susan; Gross, Charles J. (2007). Air National Guard at 60: A History (PDF). Arlington, VA: Air National Guard. p. 9.
  5. ^ Gross, p. 38
  6. ^ "Runway Alert: Foundation of the Total Force". National Guard. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "History of the 144th". 144th Fighter Wing. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  8. ^ Henry, Mike. "Behind the scenes at California's ANG F-15 squadron". key.aero. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  9. ^ Gross, p. 43
  10. ^ a b c d e f 194th Fighter Squadron (PDF). USAF Unit History. p. 9. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  11. ^ "The History of William Tell". www.56thvfw.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  12. ^ a b 144th Fighter Wing (PDF). USAF Unit History. p. 5. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  13. ^ "William Tell 1980 - 1986". F-106 Delta Dart Association. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  14. ^ a b "318th Fighter Interceptor Squadron". F-106 Delta Dart Association. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  15. ^ "The F-15 Era (1983 - 1989)". 318th FIS - The Dragon's Den. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  16. ^ a b c d e f McCarthy, Charles (1 July 1989). "Phantom jets buzz adieu to Fresno". The Fresno Bee: 13. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  17. ^ McCarthy, Charles. "Air Guard Girds for Russians" (PDF). Aileron's Air National Guard Website. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  18. ^ "Deployments - 1986". Sharpshooter - Military Aviation Journal. Archived from the original on 18 August 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  19. ^ Gross, p. 86
  20. ^ McCarthy, Charles (11 April 1989). "F-16 whispers into Fresno". The Fresno Bee: 13. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  21. ^ McCarthy, Charles. "F-16 whispers into Fresno" (PDF). Aileron's Air National Guard Website. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  22. ^ McCarthy, Charles; Speizer, Irwin (27 May 1989). "Air Guard Girds for Russian". The Fresno Bee: 1. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  23. ^ McCarthy, Charles; Speizer, Irwin. "Air Guard Girds for Russians" (PDF). Aileron's Air National Guard Website. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  24. ^ "First F-15 arrives at the 144th Fighter Wing". 144th Fighter Wing. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  25. ^ http://www.fresnobee.com/2013/06/18/3348931/that-new-sound-over-fresno-is.html[dead link]
    1st Lt. Jason Sweeney, California Military Department Public Affairs (18 June 2013). "144th upgrades to F-15 fighters". California Military Department. State of California. Archived from the original on 9 March 2015. Retrieved 14 March 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
    Willon, Phil (2 September 2012). "California Air National Guard's 144th Fighter Wing protects skies". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 14 March 2015. Those times will be even faster when the wing converts to F-15s over the next year.
    Dogan, Robert (25 June 2012). "Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), F-15 Aircraft Conversion 144th Fighter Wing California Air National Guard, Fresno-Yosemite International Airport, Fresno, California (CEQ # 20120144)" (PDF). Region IX. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
    Mumma, Linda (18 June 2013). "F-15 Fighter Jet Touches Down in Fresno". KFSN-TV. Fresno. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  26. ^ "Montana Government Fights F-15 Move from Great Falls". Air & Space Forces Magazine. 25 June 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  27. ^ Middleton, Ken (10 February 2015). "144th Fighter Wing F-15 Eagles". Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  28. ^ Peterson, Eric (8 December 2013). "Into The Wild Blue Yonder". 120th Airlift Wing. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  29. ^ Master Sergeant David J. Loeffler, 144th Fighter Wing Public Affairs (January 2014). "Bigger, faster, more firepower" (PDF). Grizzly. State of California. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 13 March 2015.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  30. ^ Piggott, Jennifer (19 October 2018). "A Closer Look at Clear Sky 2018 - A Committed Relationship Between the U.S. and Ukraine". United States Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  31. ^ Cooper, Rich; Crébas, Frank (6 December 2018). "Call of Duty". Key Military. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  32. ^ "Ukrainian Aircraft Incident". 144th Fighter Wing. 17 October 2018. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  33. ^ Piggott, Jennifer (October 2019). "The CA ANG and Ukraine Conquer Another First!" (PDF). Afterburner. 10 (10): 4, 7. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  34. ^ "Air National Guard Eagles become World Traveller". scramble.nl. 5 October 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  35. ^ Vaughn, Charles (29 November 2023). "144th Fighter Wing Provides Theater Security in Indo-Pacific". Air National Guard. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  36. ^ Hadley, Greg (18 April 2023). "Air Force Picks New Guard Locations for F-35, F-15EX Fighters". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  37. ^ Gligich, Daniel (8 May 2025). "Air Force: New F-15 jets for Fresno's 144th Fighter Wing will be delayed". The San Joaquin Valley Sun. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  38. ^ Egan, Paul (29 April 2025). "Selfridge to receive 21 new F-15EX fighter jets, Trump announces in Michigan". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 3 June 2025.

Bibliography

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Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

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