614th Tactical Fighter Squadron ( USAFE)

All squadrons of the 401st TFW were equipped with the F-16 at merely the same time. Production of the block 15 version was at its peak and the USAF wanted all European tactical units to be converted – mostly from the F-4 – as soon as possible. In early 1983 the new jets started to arrive with both pilots and ground-crew getting acquainted very soon. The bright weather in Spain resulted in a very tight conversion scheme. In 1988 the decision was taken to re-equip the squadron with block 30 airframes. Yet again the learning curve was quite steep with the squadron reaching IOC already later that year.

The squadron’s role was conventional air-to-ground by day and night. Although F-16s of the squadron were seen carrying dummy B-61 bombs from time-to-time, indicating a possible strike role as well. However, the unit was never officially designated for that, nore Torrejon AB ever hosted any tactical nuclear weapons. The squadron was tasked with a nuclear TDY and alert duty flying from bases in both Italy and Turkey when on deployment.

In 1988 the United States and Spain agreed on a new contract regarding the use of Torrejon AB. In that agreement it was stipulated that all fighter operations on Spanish soil would end by early 1991 and all fighter squadrons were either disbanded or moved elsewhere. This process was halted when the Iraqi crisis emerged during 1990. The squadron was tasked to deploy to Doha AB in Qatar to support coalition forces. The unit flew numerous missions during Desert Storm before returning home. After returning to Torrejon AB, the closing process of the base was activated and the squadron finally disbanded on January 1st, 1992. The last F-16 already departed during December of 1991.

USAF F-16C block 30 #87-0245 from the 614th TFS is coming in for landing at Torrejon AB equiped with a dummy nuke under the wing in 1988. [Photo by Ugo Gabbana]

• 1943: Activation of the squadron in Ephrata, Washington
• 1943: B-17 'Flying Fortress' (part of 401 BG)
• 1943: B-17 'Flying Fortress' (Geiger Field, Washington)
• 1943: B-17 'Flying Fortress' (Great Falls AAB, Montana)
• 1943: B-17 'Flying Fortress' (Deenethorpe [Eng.])
• 1945: B-17 'Flying Fortress' (Sioux Falls AAF, South Dakota)
• 1945: Disbanded
• 1947: Activation of the squadron in Brooks, Texas
• 1947: No aircraft assigned (part of 401 BG)
• 1949: Disbanded
• 1954: Activation of the squadron in Alexandria, Louisiana
• 1954: F-86 'Sabre' (part of 401 FBG)
• 1955: F-84 'Thunderjet'
• 1957: F-100D/F 'Super Sabre' (part of 401 FBW)
• 1958: F-100D/F 'Super Sabre' (part of 401 TFW)
• 1966: F-100D/F 'Super Sabre' (part of 834 AD, Phan Rang AB [S. Vietn.])
• 1966: F-100D/F 'Super Sabre' (part of 366 TFW)
• 1966: F-100D/F 'Super Sabre' (part of 35 TFW)
• 1971: F-4E 'Phantom II' (part of 401 TFW, Torrejon AB [Sp.])
• 1973: F-4C 'Phantom II'
• 1978: F-4D 'Phantom II'
• 1983: F-16A/B 'Fighting Falcon'
• 1988: F-16C/D 'Fighting Falcon'
• 1991: F-16C/D 'Fighting Falcon' (part of 401 FW)
• 1992: Disbanded

Deployments

	' Desert Storm'
	Doha AB, Qatar (December of 1990 to May of 1991)
	Deployed for Operation Desert Shield which became Desert Storm. The entire squadron was deployed with the assistance of the 613th TFS. A total of over 1,000 missions were flown.

• All 614 TFS F-16s in our F-16 Aircraft Database (past and current aircraft)
• Current 614 TFS F-16s in our F-16 Aircraft Database

Special Thanks

Davis83

Sources

http://www.lucky-devils.net/