F-94 Starfire units of the United States Air Force

Summary

The Lockheed F-94 Starfire was the first United States Air Force jet-powered day/night all-weather interceptor. It was also the first operational USAF fighter equipped with an afterburner. Introduced in February 1950, its primary user was the Air Defense Command. It also saw service in the Korean War, replacing the F-82G Twin Mustang used by Far East Air Force in 1952. The aircraft had a relatively short operational life, being retired by the active-duty Air Force in November 1957 and the Air National Guard by June 1959.

F-94B Starfires of the 66th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, 1952

Squadrons edit

United States Air Force edit

Squadron Unit Model Service Notes/Subsequent History
2nd Fighter-All Weather Squadron
2nd Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
52d Fighter-Interceptor Group
4709th Air Defense Wing
568th Air Defense Group
F-94A June 1950-July 1953 ADC; Converted from F-82F Twin Mustang; Converted to F-86D Sabre[1][2]
4th Fighter-All Weather Squadron
4th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
6302d Air Base Group
6351st Air Base Wing
F-94B Apr 1951-Feb 1954 FEAF; Replaced F-82G Twin Mustangs; Combat in Korea Jan-June 1953; Converted to F-86D Sabre[3]
5th Fighter-All Weather Squadron
5th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
52d Fighter-Interceptor Group
4709th Air Defense Wing
568th Air Defense Group
F-94A June 1950-July 1953 ADC; Converted from F-82F Twin Mustang; Converted to F-86D Sabre[2]
27th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 4711th Air Defense Wing
14th Fighter Group
4727th Air Defense Group
F-94C Apr 1954-Nov 1957 ADC; Converted from F-86A Sabre; Converted to F-102A Delta Dagger[4]
29th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 29th Air Division F-94C Nov 1953-May 1957 ADC; New unit; Converted to F-89H Scorpion[5]
46th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 4710th Air Defense Wing
4709th Air Defense Wing
4621st Air Defense Wing
New York Air Defense Sector
4728th Air Defense Group
F-94B
F-94C
Nov 1952-Jul 1958 ADC; Replaced PA ANG 148th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron after Korean War federalization; Converted to F-94C Apr 1953; Inactivated July 1958[5]
48th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 4710th Air Defense Wing
85th Air Division
F-94C Jul 1953-Apr 1957 ADC; Converted from F-84G Thunderjet; Converted to F-106 Delta Dart[6]
58th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 4707th Defense Wing
564th Air Defense Group
F-94B
F-94C
Feb 1952-Jun 1955 ADC; Converted from F-86A Sabre; Converted to F-94C Jun 1953; Converted to F-89D/H Scorpion[6]
59th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 33d Fighter-Interceptor Wing
4707th Defense Wing
64th Air Division (NEAC)
F-94A
F-94B
Dec 1950 1951-Jun 1955 ADC; New unit; Received F-94As in December 1950; upgraded to F-94Bs in March 1951; Converted to F-89D Scorpion[7][8]
60th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 33d Fighter Group
4735th Air Defense Group
F-94C Aug 1955-Aug 1957 ADC; Converted from F-86D Sabre; Converted to F-101B Voodoo[7]
61st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 56th Fighter-Interceptor Group
4708th Defense Wing
575th Air Defense Group
64th Air Division (NEAC)
F-94A
F-94B
July 1950-Jun 1954 ADC; New Unit; Initially received F-94As, upgraded to F-94Bs in March 1951; Converted to F-89D Scorpion [7][8]
64th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 57th Fighter-Interceptor Group
10th Air Division
F-94B Jan 1951-Jun 1953 AAC; Replaced F-80C Shooting Star; Converted to F-89 Scorpion[9]
66th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 57th Fighter-Interceptor Group
10th Air Division
F-94B Jan 1951-Jun 1954 AAC; Replaced F-80C Shooting Star; Converted to F-89 Scorpion[9]
68th Fighter-All Weather Squadron
68th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
6160th Air Base Wing
8th Fighter-Bomber Wing
F-94B Mar 1951-Sep 1954 FEAF; Replaced F-82G Twin Mustangs; Combat in Korea Jan-June 1953; Converted to F-86D Sabre[3]
74th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 4711th Air Defense Wing
528th Air Defense Group
64th Air Division (NEAC)
F-94B
F-94C
Dec 1952-Aug 1954 ADC; Converted from F-89C; Converted to F-89C[8][10]
82nd Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 4703d Air Defense Wing
4704th Air Defense Wing
4702d Air Defense Wing
Iceland Air Defense Force (MATS)
F-94B Feb 1952-Apr 1954 ADC; Converted from F-84D Thunderjet; Converted to F-89D Scorpion[11]
84th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 566th Air Defense Group
78th Fighter Group
F-94B
F-94C
Apr 1953-May 1956 ADC; Converted from F-89B Scorpion; Converted to F-94C Dec 1953; Converted to F-89D/H Scorpion[12]
95th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 4710th Air Defense Wing F-94B Nov 1952-May 1953 ADC; Replaced DC ANG 121st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron after Korean War federalization; Converted to F-86D Sabre[13]
96th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 4710th Air Defense Wing
525th Air Defense Group
F-94B
F-94C
Nov 1952-Nov 1957 ADC; Replaced DE ANG 142d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron after Korean War federalization; Converted to F-94C Jul 1953
Inactivated November 1957 [13]
97th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 82d Fighter Group F-94C Dec 1955-Nov 1957 ADC; Converted from F-86D Sabre; Inactivated November 1957 [13]
121st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 113th Fighter-Interceptor Wing
4710th Air Defense Wing
F-94B Oct 1951-Nov 1952 ADC; Federalized DC ANG Squadron during Korean War, initially equipped with F-84C Thunderjet; Converted to F-94B Oct 1951; Returned to District control 1 November 1952;[14] equipment transferred to 95th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron.[15]
142nd Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 113th Fighter-Interceptor Wing
4710th Air Defense Wing
F-94B Oct 1951-Nov 1952 ADC; Federalized DE ANG Squadron during Korean War, initially equipped with F-84C Thunderjet; Converted to F-94B Oct 1951; Returned to State control 1 November 1952;[16] equipment transferred to 96th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron.[15]
148th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 113th Fighter-Interceptor Wing
4710th Air Defense Wing
F-94B Oct 1951-Nov 1952 ADC; Federalized PA ANG Squadron during Korean War, initially equipped with F-84C Thunderjet; Converted to F-94B Oct 1951; Returned to State control 1 November 1952;[16] equipment transferred to 46th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron.[15]
317th Fighter-All Weather Squadron
317th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
325th Fighter-Interceptor Wing
4704th Air Defense Wing
567th Air Defense Group
F-94A May 1950-Dec 1953 ADC; Converted from F-82F Twin Mustang; Converted to F-86D Sabre[17]
318th Fighter-All Weather Squadron
318th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
325th Fighter-Interceptor Wing
4704th Air Defense Wing
567th Air Defense Group
528th Air Defense Group
F-94A May 1950-Aug 1954 ADC; Converted from F-82F Twin Mustang; Converted to F-89D Scorpion[17]
319th Fighter-All Weather Squadron
319th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
325th Fighter-Interceptor Wing
101st Fighter-Interceptor Wing
Fifth Air Force (FEAF)
4706th Air Defense Wing
58th Air Division
F-94A
F-94B
F-94C
Jun 1951-Nov 1957 ADC; Converted from F-82F Twin Mustang; Converted to F-94B March 1952; Converted to F-94C November 1955; Converted to F-89J Scorpion[18]
332nd Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 525th Air Defense Group F-94C Mar 1953-Aug 1955 ADC; New unit; Converted to F-86D Sabre[19]
339th Fighter-All Weather Squadron
339th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
6162d Air Base Wing
35th Fighter-Interceptor Wing
49th Fighter-Bomber Wing
F-94B Apr 1951-Jun 1955 FEAF; Replaced F-82G Twin Mustangs; Combat in Korea Jan-June 1953; Converted to F-86D Sabre[3]
354th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 533d Air Defense Group< F-94C Jul 1953-Aug 1955 ADC; Converted from F-51 Mustang; Converted to F-86D Sabre[19]
437th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 4707th Air Defense Wing
564th Air Defense Group
F-94C Nov 1952-Jun 1955
Aug 1955-Apr 1956
ADC; New unit; Converted to F-89D Scorpion June 1955; Converted to F-94C August 1955; Converted to F-89J Scorpion[20]
438th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 534th Air Defense Group
507th Fighter Group
F-94B Apr 1953-May 1957 ADC; New unit; Converted to F-106 Delta Dart[20]
449th Fighter-All Weather Squadron
449th Fighter Interceptor Squadron
5001st Composite Wing
11th Air Division
F-94A Jun 1950-Jun 1954 AAC; Replaced F-82H Twin Mustangs; Converted to F-89 Scorpion[9]
497th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 503d Air Defense Group F-94B
F-94A
Feb 1953-Jul 1954 ADC; New unit; Converted to F-94A December 1953; Converted to F-89D Scorpion[21]
3552nd Training Squadron 3550th Training Group F-94A
F-94B
F-94C
Dec 1951-Jun 1958 ATC: Training squadron at Moody AFB Georgia[15]

Air National Guard edit

Squadron Unit Model Service Notes/Subsequent History
101st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 102d Fighter Group F-94B
F-94C
1952-1958 MA Air National Guard; Carried green markings, known as the "Irish Squadron"; Received F-94C December 1957;[15] Converted to F-84B Thunderstreak[22]
102nd Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 106th Fighter-Interceptor Group F-94B 1954-1958 NY Air National Guard; Converted to MC-119J Aeromedical Flying Boxcar[15]
103rd Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 111th Fighter-Interceptor Group F-94B
F-94C
1956-1959 PA Air National Guard; Received F-94Bs from ID 190th FIS; received F-94Cs October 1947 from MA ANG[15] Converted to F-89H Scorpion June 1959[23]
109th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 133d Fighter-Interceptor Group F-94A/B 1954-1958 MN Air National Guard; Received F-94As which were upgraded to F-94B standards along with F-94Bs. Squadron operated from Volk Field, Wisconsin due to jet restrictions at Wold Chamberlain Airport, Minneapolis. Inactivated January 1958[15]
114th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 106th Fighter-Interceptor Group F-94B 1957-1958 NY Air National Guard; Inactivated and transferred to OR ANG.[15][24]
116th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 142d Fighter-Interceptor Wing F-94A/B 1954-1957 WA Air National Guard; Received F-94As which were upgraded to F-94B standards along with F-94Bs.[15] Converted to F-89D Scorpion[25]
118th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 103d Fighter-Interceptor Group F-94B 1956-1958 CT Air National Guard; Last ANG squadron to be equipped with Starfires in Spring, 1956; Converted to F-86H Sabre Spring 1958.[15][26]
123rd Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 142d Fighter-Interceptor Group F-94A/B 1955-1957 OR Air National Guard; Received F-94As which were upgraded to F-94B standards along with F-94Bs.[15] Converted to F-89D Scorpion[25]
131st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 102d Fighter-Interceptor Group F-94B
F-94C
1954-1958 MA Air National Guard; Carried Red/White markings, known as the "Polish Squadron". Received F-94C December 1957 (319th FIS).[15] Converted to F-89J Scorpion[27]
132nd Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 101st Fighter-Interceptor Group F-94A/B 1953-1957 ME Air National Guard; Received F-94As which were upgraded to F-94B standards.[15] Converted to F-89D Scorpion[25]
133rd Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 101st Fighter-Interceptor Group F-94A/B 1954-1958 NH Air National Guard; Received F-94As which were upgraded to F-94B standards.[15] Converted to F-86L Sabre[28]
134th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 101st Fighter-Interceptor Group F-94A/B 1952-1958 VT Air National Guard; Received F-94As which were upgraded to F-94B standards.[15] Converted to F-89D Scorpion[29]
136th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 107th Fighter-Interceptor Group F-94A/B 1954-1957 NY Air National Guard; Received F-94As which were upgraded to F-94B standards.[15] Converted to F-86H Sabre[30]
137th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 107th Fighter-Interceptor Group F-94A/B[N1 1] 1953-1957 NY Air National Guard; First ANG unit equipped with F-94[15] Converted to F-86H Sabre[30]
138th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 107th Fighter-Interceptor Group F-94A/B 1953-1957 NY Air National Guard; Received F-94As which were upgraded to F-94B standards.[15] Converted to F-86H Sabre[30]
139th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 107th Fighter-Interceptor Group F-94A/B 1954-1957 NY Air National Guard; Received F-94As which were upgraded to F-94B standards.[15] Converted to F-86H Sabre[30]
175th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 133d Fighter-Interceptor Group F-94A/B
F-94C
1954-1958 SD Air National Guard; Received F-94As which were upgraded to F-94B standards along with F-94Bs; upgraded to F-94C May 1956.[15] Converted to F-89J Scorpion[31]
178th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 133d Fighter-Interceptor Group F-94A/B
F-94C
1954-1959 ND Air National Guard; Received F-94As which were upgraded to F-94B standards along with F-94Bs; upgraded to F-94C 1957.[15] Converted to F-89J Scorpion June 1959[32]
179th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 133d Fighter-Interceptor Group F-94A/B
F-94C
1954-1959 MN Air National Guard; Received F-94As which were upgraded to F-94B standards along with F-94Bs; upgraded to F-94C June 1957.[15] Converted to F-89J Scorpion[25][N2 1]
186th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 140th Fighter-Bomber Group F-94C 1955-1956 MT Air National Guard; Converted to F-89C Scorpion[33]
190th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 140th Fighter-Bomber Group F-94A/B 1954-1956 ID Air National Guard; Received F-94As which were upgraded to F-94B standards along with F-94Bs.[15] Converted to F-89B Scorpion[33]
  1. ^ The first ANG F-94s were F-94As. The F-94As were sent to Lockheed for modification to F-94B standards and then returned to the ANG as B models
  1. ^ The last F-94C Starfighters were phased out of ANG service by the 179th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at the Duluth Municipal Airport, Minnesota during the summer of 1959, the last being sent to AMARC in December 1959.

References edit

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

  1. ^ Cornett, Lloyd H; Johnson, Mildred W (1980). A Handbook of Aerospace Defense Organization, 1946–1980 (PDF). Peterson AFB, CO: Office of History, Aerospace Defense Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 February 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  2. ^ a b Cornett & Johnson, p 113
  3. ^ a b c Carey (2014) Twin Mustang: The North American F-82 at War, Pen and Sword ISBN 1783462213
  4. ^ Cornett & Johnson, p 114
  5. ^ a b Cornett & Johnson, p 115
  6. ^ a b Cornett & Johnson, p 116
  7. ^ a b c Cornett & Johnson, p 117
  8. ^ a b c Buss, Lydus H. (1957), Historical Reference Paper Number One US AIR DEFENSE IN THE NORTHEAST 1940 - 1957 DIRECTORATE OF COMMAND HISTORY OFFICE OF INFORMATION SERVICES HEADQUARTERS CONTINENTAL AIR DEFENSE COMMAND Ent Air Force Base Colorado Springs, Colorado Archived 7 June 2014 at archive.today
  9. ^ a b c Chloe, John Hale, (1984), Top Cover for America. the Air Force in Alaska. 1920–1983, Pictorial Histories Publishing Company, ISBN 0-933126-47-6
  10. ^ Cornett & Johnson, p 118
  11. ^ Cornett & Johnson, p 119
  12. ^ Cornett & Johnson, p 120
  13. ^ a b c Cornett & Johnson, p 121
  14. ^ Cornett & Johnson, p 122
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x McLaren and Isham (1993) Lockheed F-94 Starfire: A Photo Chronicle, Schiffer Publishing, Ltd, ISBN 0887404510
  16. ^ a b Cornett & Johnson, p 123
  17. ^ a b First USAF squadron to receive F-94A on 26 May 1950Cornett & Johnson, p 124
  18. ^ Cornett & Johnson, p 125
  19. ^ a b Cornett & Johnson, p 127
  20. ^ a b Cornett & Johnson, p 128
  21. ^ Cornett & Johnson, p 130
  22. ^ "The 102nd Fighter Wing". Philippe Colin. 22 January 2008. Archived from the original on 3 April 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
  23. ^ 103d Fighter Wing lineage and history Archived 14 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  24. ^ 114th Fighter Squadron lineage and history Archived 14 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  25. ^ a b c d Baugher, Lockheed F-94B
  26. ^ 118th Airlift Squadron history Archived 14 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  27. ^ 131st Fighter Squadron lineage and history Archived 14 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  28. ^ "Granite Wings: A History of the New Hampshire Air National Guard, 1947-1998" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  29. ^ 134th Fighter Squadron lineage and history Archived 14 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  30. ^ a b c d New York Department of Military Affairs Adjutant General Reports, 1947-1990
  31. ^ 175th Fighter Squadron Lineage and History
  32. ^ "History of the Happy Hooligans". Archived from the original on 14 August 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  33. ^ a b "History of the Idaho Air National Guard" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2014.

External links edit