113th Fighter Squadron (USAF ANG)

"Racers" 
113 FS "Racers" (USAF ANG)
Status:
Disbanded
Version: F-16C/D block 30
Role:Air Defence, Attack
Tailband: Black & White
Motto: N/A
Badge: N/A
Disbanded in September of 2007.

Sideways profile for the 113th FS in 2006.

F-16 History

The squadron started receiving their first F-16s in 1991. These were of the block 25 type, replacing the venerable F-4 in the air defense and attack roles. Most of these airframes came from the 50th TFW based at Hahn AFB, Germany, which was trading in their block 25s for more advanced block 30 airframes. The squadron, although an ANG unit – which are mostly tasked with air defense of US mainland – was tasked with air defense as with a conventional attack mission. F-16s of the 113th FS were seen very often practicing with AGM-65 ‘Maverick’ missiles in the anti-tank role. Since the squadron wasn’t equipped with any kind of targeting pod (these were privileged at that time for the block 40/42 units) the target illumination had to be done by other aircraft.

In 1995 the squadron received block 30 airframes to replace the older block 25. These came from other guard units being re-equipped with more modern material, in this case mainly the 174th FS. The tasking of the squadron remained exactly the same. This time the squadron was gradually receiving more advanced electronics (LANTIRN pods) and weaponry (AIM-120, GBU-30,…). This eventually resulted in the squadron performing in a more multirole environment. The squadron was also sent abroad on a rotational basis, flying both Operation Northern and Southern Watch missions.


USAF F-16C block 30 #86-0259 from the 113th FS is banking to the right over desert terrain during the Snowbird exercise held from Tucson IAP in February of 2006. [Photo by Wally Van Winkle]

BRAC 2005 wasn’t as positive for the squadron as the unit was to lose its F-16s and more-over its flying role all together. The last F-16 sortie was flown on September 8th, 2007 with a number of airframes going to other units flying block 30 airframes. A number of them were also sent to AMARG for storage. The unit was deactivated on the same day, only to be reactivated in 2008 as a ground based air support operations squadron operating the so-called ‘Distributed Common Ground System’ as an intelligence gathering squadron. With that ended a rich heritage that stretched from 1917 till 2007 – exactly 90 years.


USAF F-16C block 30 #85-1557 from the 113th FS is raising its nose high after take-off from its homebase. [Photo by Jake Melampy]

Aircraft Markings History
1991 - 1992

The tail consist of a white tailband with checkered final piece and 'Indiana' titles inside it. The 'HF' tailcode is in the center of the tail with the serial number underneath and 'Racers' titles on the tail base. This scheme however was only pained on two aircraft before the new scheme - which the squadron was to receive with the introduction of the F-16 - came into place.
1991 - 1995

The former tail scheme was retained, only the tailcode was changed to 'TH' - standing for Terre Haute.
1995 - 2007

With the introduction of the block 30 the scheme was altered a little. All markings were toned-down with the tailband having a checkered start. The 'Indiana' titles, tailcode, serial number and 'Racers' titles all remained, albeit in slightly different design.

Unit History

  • 1917: Activation of the squadron in Kelly, Texas
  • 1917: No aircraft assigned (Middletown Field, Pennsylvania)
  • 1918: No aircraft assigned (redesignated as 634 ASS)
  • 1919: Disbanded
  • 1921: Activation of the squadron in Kokomo, Indiana (as 137 FS)
  • 1921: BT-1 (part of 38 D)
  • 1923: O-2 (redesignated 113 FS)
  • 1925: O-11
  • 1926: O-11 (Indianapolis, Indiana)
  • 1928: O-17
  • 1932: O-38
  • 1938: O-47
  • 1941: O-49 (Key Field, Mississippi)
  • 1941: O-49 (part of 67 OG))
  • 1941: O-52 (part of 66 OG, McDill Field, Florida)
  • 1942: O-52 (Key Field, Mississippi)
  • 1942: O-52 (New Orleans AAB, Louisiana)
  • 1942: O-52 (part of 77 OG)
  • 1942: O-52 (Hattiesburg, Mississippi)
  • 1942: O-52 (Stinson Field, Texas)
  • 1942: O-52 (DeRidder AAB, Louisiana)
  • 1942: O-52 (Alamo Field, Texas)
  • 1943: P-39 'Airacobra' (part of 77 RG)
  • 1943: P-39 'Airacobra' (Abilene Field, Texas)
  • 1943: P-39 'Airacobra' (part of 77 TRG)
  • 1943: P-39 'Airacobra' (Esler, Louisiana)
  • 1943: P-39 'Airacobra' (Birmingham, Louisiana)
  • 1943: Disbanded
  • 1945: Activation of the squadron in Baer, Indiana
  • 1945: P-51D 'Mustang' (part of 122 TFG)
  • 1951: P-51H 'Mustang' (part of 122 FIG)
  • 1951: P-51H 'Mustang' (Scott AFB, Illinois)
  • 1952: P-51H 'Mustang' (part of 4706 DW)
  • 1952: P-51H 'Mustang' (part of 33 AD)
  • 1952: P-51H 'Mustang' (part of 122 FIG, Baer Field, Indiana)
  • 1954: F-80C 'Shooting Star'
  • 1956: F-86A 'Sabre'
  • 1958: F-84F 'Thunderstreak'
  • 1962: RF-84F 'Thunderflash' (part of 181 TFG, Terre Haute AFB, Indiana)
  • 1964: F-84F 'Thunderstreak'
  • 1971: F-100D/F 'Super Sabre'
  • 1979: F-4C 'Phantom II'
  • 1986: F-4E 'Phantom II'
  • 1991: F-16C/D 'Fighting Falcon'
  • 1992: F-16C/D 'Fighting Falcon' (part of 181 FG)
  • 1995: F-16C/D 'Fighting Falcon' (part of 181 FW)
  • 2007: Disbanded

Deployments

 'Operation Southern Watch'
Prince Sultan AB, Saudi Arabia (April of 1997 to June of 1997)
Part of a 'Rainbow' package. The other squadrons involved were the 107th FS and the 170th FS. Operation Southern Watch was an operation which was responsible for enforcing the United Nations mandated no-fly zone below the 32nd parallel in Iraq. This mission was initiated mainly to cover for attacks of Iraqi forces on the Iraqi Shi’ite Muslims.
'Operation Northern Watch'
Incirlik AB, Turkey (December of 1999 to January of 2000)
Operation Northern Watch was a US European Command Combined Task Force (CTF) who was responsible for enforcing the United Nations mandated no-fly zone above the 36th parallel in Iraq. This mission was a successor to Operation Provide Comfort which also entailed support for the Iraqi Kurds.
'Operation Northern Watch'
Incirlik AB, Turkey (December of 2000 to January of 2001)
This marked the second consequtive deployment of the squadron to Turkey. This was a rainbow deployment, although the other squadrons are unknown.
'Operation Northern Watch'
Incirlik AB, Turkey (December of 2002 to January of 2003)
The 113th FS was one of the last units to participate in this operation. A couple of months later the invasion of Iraq commenced and Northern Watch was ended.
'Operation Iraqi Freedom'
Ahmed Al Jaber AB, Kuwait (June of 2003 to August of 2003)
The squadron was in theatre just after the hostilities in tis conflict were terminated. The squadron flew Combat Air Patrols throughout the region in support of coalition forces.

F-16 Airframe Inventory

Photos
Errors and Omissions



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