USAF F-16A
block 5 # 78-0044 from the 311th TFTS is parked on the tarmac at Luke
AFB in the early eighties.
The 311th TFTS - along with the 310th TFTS - were the first units established with the F-16 at Luke AFB, Arizona in early 1983. Although established in 1983 the squadron started phasing out the F-4 for the F-16 in 1982. Deactivation with the F-4C was on November 4th, 1982 and first F-16s arrived in December but the training role continued even with the F-16A/B. The 311th was largely tasked with training foreign crew on basic introduction to the Viper. Between 1988 and 1991 this entailed the Singapore F-16 pilots flying the Vipers delivered under the Peace Carvin I program.
Around the early 1990's most of the 58th FW F-16 squadrons were upgrading to the F-16C/D. The 311th TFTS converted to the block 42 version of the Viper. By February 1991 the last F-16A/B departed the 311th TFTS. Starting on November 1st, 1991 the 311th was re-designated simply as a Fighter Squadron. During a major restructuring at Luke AFB in 1994 the 311th FS disbanded on April 1st, 1994 and the 308th Fighter Squadron took over the 311th's assets and personnel.
An interesting - yet not well known - piece of the 311th FS history is that the squadron reactivated again. This time under the 56th FW at Luke AFB on January 1st, 1995. Aircraft were assigned but not for long as the unit disbanded again only nine months later in September of 1995.
