198th Fighter Squadron ( USAF ANG)

The 198th FS converted from the A-7D/K to the F-16 in the Air Defense Fighter (ADF) variant in 1992. At that time most ANG units were equipped with this version of the somewhat older A/B models of the viper. Even though the 198th was flying the ADF variant of the F-16, they were trained in the bombing role as well. The ADF version featured the addition of a CWI module on the APG-66 radar, a search light on the port side of the nose, more adapted communication equipment, an Advanced Identification Friend or Foe (AIFF) system and the possibility to fire AIM-7 or the later AIM-120 missiles. This meant a serious leap in performance and capability of this squadron in their defensive role. In the attack role the airframes kept their basic block 15 features.

The era of the F-16 with the 198th FS didn’t last that long. In 1998 the Staff decided that the squadron would be better suited as an airlift squadron and the unit converted to the C-130E. The 198th sent most of their F-16 airframes to AMARC, where most of them still reside today (2012). All together the F-16 days of the squadron only reached 6 years before transition took place.

USAF F-16A ADF #82-0953 of the 198th FS is parked on the concrete of its home base. [Photo by Alec Fushi]

• 1944: Activation of the squadron in Peterson, Colorado (as 463 FS)
• 1944: P-47 'Thunderbolt' (part of 507 FG)
• 1944: P-47 'Thunderbolt' (Bruning Field, Nebraska)
• 1944: P-47 'Thunderbolt' (Dalhart Field, Texas)
• 1945: P-47 'Thunderbolt' (Shima Field [Jap.])
• 1946: P-47 'Thunderbolt' (Yontan Field [Jap.])
• 1946: Deactivated
• 1946: Activation of the squadron in Isla Grande, Puerto Rico (as 198 FS)
• 1946: P-47N 'Thunderbolt' (part of 156 FG)
• 1952: F-86E 'Sabre'
• 1955: F-86E 'Sabre' (San Juan AP, Puerto Rico)
• 1956: F-86D 'Sabre'
• 1960: F-86H 'Sabre'
• 1967: F-104C/D 'Starfighter' (part of 156 TFG)
• 1975: A-7D 'Corsair II'
• 1992: F-16A/B 'Fighting Falcon' (part of 156 FG)
• 1998: Converted

• All 198 FS F-16s in our F-16 Aircraft Database (past and current aircraft)
• Current 198 FS F-16s in our F-16 Aircraft Database