The 100th FS is one of the youngest F-16 units within the USAF. But this was the continuation of F-16 operations at Montgomery AP, Alabama when the squadron was renumbered from the 160th FS in 2007. It was decided by the Air National Guard Staff that the history and heritage of the Tuskegee airmen’s 100th FS was more important than that of the 160th, so they decided to disband the latter in favor of the 100th FS. From the onset squadron started training on the block 30 version of the F-16 that carried over from the 160th FS. History of the 100th FS, and the Tuskegee Airman, is known as the red tail fliers. As such two aircraft, F-16C #87-0217 and F-16D #87-0379 were painted in special markings with red tails.
The 100th FS flies the F-16 in a traditional air defense and conventional attack role. Therefore it uses the LANTIRN pod and advanced air-to-ground weapons for the latter. For the air defense role the squadron mostly uses the AIM-120 AMRAAM missile and the AIM-9 Sidewinder. Of this missile the latest AIM-9X was introduced into the squadron in 2009. Together with the aircraft receiving the Common Configuration Implementation Program – or short CCIP – this forms a lethal combination. With the CCIP upgrade the pilots gained the addition of the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Sight (JHMCS). This way the pilots can lock on every target without actually having to point their aircraft to the target, but merely looking at them is enough to get a lock. The AIM-9X supports this feature completely.
In 2009 the squadron already deployed to the Middle East for an Operation Iraqi Freedom mission. This marked the first deployment since their transition to the 100th FS.
On July 28th, 2011 while landing at Wittman Regional Airport for the Oshkosh gathering, F-16C #87-0296 ran off the runway. The nose gear sunk into the soft soil forcing mud down the intake. The pilot did not eject but opened the canopy and hoped out. Within hours after this mishap, an FJ Fury vintage jet suffered the same fate ending up in the grass next to the F-16.
USAF F-16C block 30
#87-0217 from the 160th FS is seen wearing special tail markings for the Alabama ANG commemorating the reactivating of the 100th FS Tuskegee airmen, formats with a P-51 Mustang in Tuskegee markings on September 12th, 2007. [Photo by Lans Stout/Code One Magazine]
