Microsoft Word - 18 AGGRESSOR SQ.docx

AGGRESSOR SQUADRON

MISSION

LINEAGE

Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) constituted, 22 Dec 1939

Activated, 1 Feb 1940

Redesignated 18

Fighter Squadron, 15 May 1942

Redesignated 18

Fighter Squadron, Single Engine, 20 Aug 1943

Redesignated 18

Fighter Squadron, Two Engine, 6 Mar 1945

Inactivated, 15 Aug 1946

Redesignated 18

Fighter Interceptor Squadron, 10 Oct 1952

Activated, 1 Dec 1952

Inactivated, 15 Apr 1971

Redesignated 18

Tactical Fighter Squadron on 19 Sep 1977

Activated, 1 Oct 1977

Redesignated 18

Fighter Squadron, 1 Jul 1991

Redesignated 18

Aggressor Squadron, 24 Aug 2007

STATIONS

Moffett Field, CA, 1 Feb 1940

Hamilton Field, CA, 10 Sep 1940–8 Feb 1941

Elmendorf Field, AK, 21 Feb 1941

Ft Greely, AK, 18 Apr–23 Nov 1942

Adak, AK, 6 Dec 1942

Amchitka, AK, 15 Feb 1943

Attu, AK, 28 Mar 1944

Elmendorf Field, AK, 6 Nov 1945

Ladd Field, AK, 20 Jun–15 Aug 1946

Minneapolis–St Paul Intl Aprt, MN, 1 Dec 1952

Ladd AFB, AK, 28 Aug 1954

Wurtsmith AFB, MI, 20 Aug 1957

Grand Forks AFB, ND, 1 May 1960–15 Apr 1971

Elmendorf AFB, AK, 1 Oct 1977

Eielson AFB, AK, 1 Jan 1982

ASSIGNMENTS

Pursuit Group, 1 Feb 1940

Composite Group, c. 24 Feb 1941

XI Fighter Command, 7 Jun 1942

343

Fighter Group, 11 Sep 1942–15 Aug 1946

Air Division, 1 Dec 1952

514

Air Defense Group, 16 Feb 1953

Air Division, 1 Sep 1954

5001

Air Defense Group, 20 Sep 1954

Air Division, 1 Oct 1955

412

Fighter Group, 20 Aug 1957

Air Division, 1 Apr 1960

478

Fighter Group, 1 May 1960

478

Fighter Wing, 1 Feb 1961

Grand Forks Air Defense Sector, 1 Jul 1963

Duluth Air Defense Sector, 4 Sep 1963

Air Division, 1 Apr 1966

Air Division, 15 Sep 1969

Air Division, 19 Nov 1969–15 Apr 1971

Composite Wing, 1 Oct 1977

343

Tactical Fighter Group, 15 Nov 1977

Tactical Fighter Wing, 1 Jan 1980

343

Tactical Fighter Wing, 1 Jan 1982

343

Operations Group, 1 Jul 1991

354

Operations Group, 20 Aug 1993

WEAPON SYSTEMS

P–36A, 1940–1941

P-40K

P–40E, 1941–1945

P–39N, 1943

P–38E, 1943

P-38G

P-38J

P-38L

P–51, 1946

F–51, 1952–1953

F–86, 1953–1954

F–89D, 1954–1957

F–102A, 1957–1960

F–101B, 1960–1971

T–33, 1960–1971

F–4E, 1977–1981

A–10A, 1982–1991

F–16, 1991

F-16C

F-16D

COMMANDERS

Cpt (later LTC) Norman D. Sillin, 1 Feb 1940

1Lt William A. Bowie, 5 Aug 1941

1Lt Charles A. Gayle, 13 Feb 1942

1Lt Eldon R. Fisher, 18 Feb 1942

1Lt John C. Bowen, 27 Feb 1942

1Lt Joseph S. Littlepage, 26 Mar 1942

1Lt Charles A. Gayle, 12 Apr 1942

1Lt John C. Bowen, 24 Apr 1942

1Lt Charles A. Gayle, 28 May 1942

Cpt Clayton J. Larson, 3 Aug 1942

Maj Charles A. Gayle, 12 Sep 1942

Cpt Louis T. Houck, 18 Sep 1942

Cpt Joseph S. Littlepage, 2 Oct 1942

1Lt Albert S. Aiken, 29 Oct 1942

Cpt Clayton J. Larson, 10 Nov 1942

Cpt William H. Booth, 5 Apr 1943

Cpt George L. Hicks, 31 Jan 1944

Maj Dean Davenport, 13 Sep 1944

Maj Glenn K. Oberst, 25 Jul 1945

1Lt Harry K. Holtzinger, 31 Oct 1945

None, 1 Feb-17 Jun 1946

Cpt Ralph L. Kipper, 18 Jun-15 Aug 1946

Maj John H. Rogers, Dec 1952

LTC James T. Weldon Jul 1956

Maj Merrill E. Roberts, Feb 1957

LTC John M. Patton, Jun 1958

Maj Dwaine L. Weatherwax, 16 Jul 1959

LTC Raymond S. Brown, 14 Aug 1959

LTC James M. Fogle, 1 Jul 1960

LTC Frederick L. Webster, 9 Jan 1963

LTC J. Robert Lilley, 10 Jun 1966

LTC David B. Ballou, Oct 1968

LTC Kenneth A. Shealy, 6 Jun 1969-15 Apr 1971

LTC Roger K. Schmitt, 1 Oct 1977

LTC Louis C. Tronzo, 26 Jul 1978

LTC James M. Hinkle, 1 Jan 1980

LTC Robert H. Price, 26 Jun 1981

LTC Charles W. Parker, 1 Jan 1982

LTC Roland C. Potter, 23 May 1983

LTC Charles C. Higgins, 23 Jun 1983

LTC Bernard H. Fowle, IV, 26 Mar 1985

LTC Gerald R. Yarger, 4 May 1987

LTC Robert R. Woods, 27 May 1988

LTC James P. Hogan, 25 May 1990

LTC Randall L. Sage, 10 May 1991

LTC Jeffrey G. Fee, 18 Dec 1992

LTC Thomas A. Oram, 28 May 1993

LTC Chase J. Johnson, 9 Jul 1993

LTC Kenneth C. Schow, 10 Jul 1995

LTC Curtis L. Cook, 7 Apr 1997

LTC Jeffery A. Paulk, 7 May 1999

LTC Burt A. Bartley, 23 Jun 2000

LTC Robert L. Cushing Jr, 2 Jul 2002

LTC Dean A. Anderson, 24 Jun 2004

LTC Dieter E. Bareihs, 24 Jun 2006

HONORS

Service Streamers

None

Campaign Streamers

World War II

Aleutian Islands

Air Combat, Asiatic–Pacific Theater

Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers

None

Decorations

Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards

1 Jun 1962–31 May 1964

7 Jun 1966–8 Jun 1968

1 Jan–31 Dec 1978

1 Jan 1983–30 Jun 1984

1 Jul 1985–30 Jun 1987

1 Jan 1988–31 Dec 1989

1 Jul 1990–30 Jun 1992

EMBLEM

Or, a cloud arcing fesswise in base throughout Argent outlined Sable supporting a fox caricature

erect Azure, outlined Celeste, eyed and langued Gules, eyes garnished of the first, grasping in its

forepaws a machine gun bendwise Black garnished Light Blue and White firing lightning bolts to

base Red and surmounting a lightning flash issuing from dexter chief bendwise of the second

outlined Black, all within a diminished bordure of the last. (Approved on 10 Nov 1944 and

reinstated in Nov 1995; replaced emblem approved on 15 Mar 1978)

Slightly modified to present form in 1978: An updated Gatling gun is now braced against the left

side of the fox's chest, and is shooting to dexter-base rather than sinister-base. The fox himself is

now facing dexter instead of sinister.

The fox is used symbolically for his qualities of intelligence and cunning in seeking out and

attacking his enemies and for his perseverance in preservation and protection of his species. Like

qualities are essential in carrying out the fighter mission. Original significance of blue fox:

indigenous to Southern Alaska.

MOTTO

NICKNAME

Blue Foxes

OPERATIONS

The first Air Force unit to be assigned to Alaska, the 18th Pursuit Squadron 145 enlisted men and

68 officers, arrived in February 1941.

March 1, 1943 – The 18th Fighter Squadron flew the first single-engine fighter attack against

Kiska since October 1942 when the single-engine fighter attacks from Adak against Kiska had

been called off as being too risky. The fighter strip at Amchitka placed the P-40 pilots within 90

miles of Kiska. The four pilots arrived over Kiska to find their target obscured by clouds. They

jettisoned their bombs and returned to Amchitka to find the landing strip covered by clouds.

After a failed attempt to talk them down by radio, another squadron pilot, Lt. Donald J. Crisp,

volunteered to take off and lead them down through a hole in the cloud layer. All five landed

safely.

March 3, 1943 – The 18th Fighter Squadron flew the first successful fighter mission against Kiska

from Amchitka when Maj James Dowling, Capt Joseph S. Littlepage, and Lt’s Sidney M. Richman

and George T. Terault dropped fragmentation bombs on the Main Camp area. It signaled a

stepped-up offensive against Kiska. An average of 46 sorties a day were flown during March and

April.

The 18th FIS had been activated at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, Minnesota, in

December 1952 to replace the 109th FIS of the Minnesota ANG that was being relieved from

Federal Service after their Korean Conflict activation. Initially they took over the 109th FIS's F-

51Ds, but then re-equipped with F-86As in the spring of 1953. This was followed by a short-term

switch to F-86Fs the following fall.

On January 7, 1954, the 18th FIS became ADC's first F-89D squadron with the receipt of their first

example. As the 18th FIS had already been scheduled for overseas deployment, forecasted for

1955-56, and their transition into Scorpions had been faster than anticipated, their deployment

date was revised to September 1954. The last of their assigned twenty-five F-89Ds arrived in July,

and on July 26 the relocation of the squadron to Ladd AFB, Fairbanks, Alaska, commenced. On

September 1, 1954, the 18th FIS was officially transferred from ADC to the AAC.

The 18th FIS "Blue Foxes," led by Major John "Buck" Rogers, arrived at Ladd from Minneapolis-St.

Paul two weeks behind the 433rd FIS, on July 26, 1954, and they brought the first F-89Ds to

Alaska. Although the 18th FIS lost two Scorpions while at Ladd, they did establish a new record

for F-89 operations. By late June 1957 one of their Scorpions, 52-1858, had been flown over 1000

hours without requiring any major depot maintenance. In the three-year period this Scorpion had

been serviced by no less than seven crew chiefs.

On 5 June 1956, A USAF Northrop F-89D 51-11314, of the 18th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron

armed with 104 live rockets, strikes an automobile during an aborted take-off at Wold-

Chamberlain Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, killing three of the five occupants of

the vehicle; both F-89 crew members survive.

On August 20, 1957, the 18th FIS was transferred back to the ADC from the AAC and was assigned

to Wurtsmith AFB, to be re-equipped with F-102s shortly thereafter.

In October, 1977, the 18 TFS, also flying the F-4E, was activated at Elmendorf. The 18 TFS

acquired the close air support mission while the 43 TFS retained its role of air defense/air

superiority.

Air Defense of US, 1952–1971 and 1977–1982.

October 1, 1982 – The 18th Tactical Fighter Squadron, newly equipped with the A-10A, achieved

operational capability. The squadron was authorized 32 pilots and 20 A-10A including two

maintenance backup aircraft. There were also seven A-10 pilots authorized in the headquarters of

the 343rd Composite Wing and two in Headquarters, Alaskan Air Command. The A-10 pilots were

drawn from other A-10 units, former Alaskan Air Command F-4E pilots, O-2A and T-33

conversions and recent graduates of undergraduate pilot training who underwent conversion

training at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ.

The strategic importance of Elmendorf AFB was exercised during the spring of 1980 when the

18th Tactical Fighter Squadron deployed eight of its F-4Es to Korea to participate in exercise Team

Spirit. It was a historical first and underlined an increasing emphasis AAC placed on its tactical

mobility. The strategic location of Elmendorf AFB on the Great Circle Arctic navigation routes

made it an excellent deployment center, a fact that validated the contention of Billy Mitchell

who, in 1935, stated that "Alaska is the most strategic place in the world." Deployments from

Elmendorf AFB and Eielson AFB to the Far East are now conducted on a routine basis.

May 4-31, 1984 – The 343rd Tactical Fighter Wing conducted its first A-10 overseas deployment

when it sent 12 A-10s from the 18

Tactical Fighter Squadron to Suwon AB, Korea.

Tragedy struck on February 19th, 1993 when Captain Glen S. Porter and flight surgeon Major Dr.

Robert Verdone were killed in their F-16D twenty miles east of Eielson.

May 18, 1993 – Captain Luis F. Jordan, 18th Fighter Squadron, died when his F-16C crashed 60-

miles southeast of Eielson AFB.

Taking advantage of an opportunity for dissimilar combat training the 18th Fighter Squadron

deployed in 1997 to Singapore for Commando Sling and then to Malaysia for Cope Taufan. The

Cope Taufan was a particularly unique as it allowed the Vipers of the 18th FS to fly against the

MiG-29.

Six F-16s from the 18

FS headed south this summer for a six-week tour in Southeast Asia. The

unit sent ten pilots and sixty-six maintenance and support personnel to Singapore and Malaysia

to participate in two exercises. In Commando Sling the first exercise, the 18

FS pilots flew with

and against F-16s, A-4s and F-5Es of the Singapore Air Force. In Cope Taufan they flew against

MiG-29s of the Royal Malaysian Air Force. The 18

FIS flew forty sorties against the MiG-29s

during the deployment.

Deployments

Operation Southern Watch: Ahmed Al Jaber AB, Kuwait (October of 1998 to December of 1998)

Operation Northern Watch: Incirlik AB, Turkey (September of 2000 to December of 2000)

Operation Enduring Freedom: Ahmed Al Jaber AB, Kuwait (December of 2001 to March 22nd,

2002)

2003 was a busy year as it saw the unit go to Anderson AFB in Guam in support of Operation

Noble Eagle during March and the squadron also participated in Commando Sling during October.

During the 2005 BRAC proceedings, it was announced that the 18th FS would be disbanded. one

of the early changes to a BRAC decision came as the realization of how successful Red Flag -

Alaska was. Previously the exercise held in Alaska was Cope Thunder, but will be rebranded as

'Red Flag - Alaska'. Instead of in the past, deploying a detachment of 64th FS (and before this the

414th CTS), the 18th FS would instead convert to an Aggressor Squadron. The block 40s would be

sent to Kunsan AB for the 80th FS making the 8th FW an all block 40 wing. The 80th FS block 30s

would be sent to the 18th AS. Officially the squadron stood down on June 23rd, 2007 to become

the 18th Aggressor Squadron on August 24th, 2007. Aircraft were painted in Kunsan but didn't

arrive at Eielson AFB till very early 2008. Out of the 18th Aggressor Squadron came a unique artic

aggressor scheme which uses black, white and grey. About three or four aircraft wear this

scheme while the rest wear the standard aggressor schemes.

The Air Force will activate the 18th Aggressor Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The

mission of the 18th Aggressor Squadron is to provide realistic, combat adversary training in air,

space and information operations. Aggressor squadrons use enemy tactics, techniques, and

procedures to give a realistic simulation of air combat. The unit will activate with 18 F-16 Block

30s and will later expand to 24 fighter aircraft. The squadron will be ready to provide aggressor

training for Red Flag - Alaska exercises in Spring 2007. The squadron will also support training and

exercises throughout the Pacific region and additional requirements of the 57th Aggressor Tactics

Group at Nellis AFB, Nev. The designation of the 18th for this Aggressor Squadron continues its

long history in the Pacific

A contingent of F-16s from the unit, which calls Eielson AFB, Alaska, home, has been operating

from Osan Air Base, acting as the primary "threat aircraft" during the USAF-South Korean air force

drills. "Interoperability with US and allied forces versus a highly trained threat flying dissimilar

aircraft enables our aircrew members to be battle-ready for a myriad of potential threats," said

Capt. Ryan Noonan, 18th AGRS chief of standards and evaluations. The unit's F-16s are painted to

resemble MiG and Sukhoi fighters and its pilots employ the tactics and maneuvers associated

with those aircraft. Friday October 22, 2010

German Eurofighters earlier this month flew in Red Flag-Alaska 12-2 from Eielson AFB, Alaska.

Not only was this the first overseas deployment of Germany's newest fighters, it was also their

first participation in a US exercise, according to an Eielson release. During RF-A, the Germans

pilots and machines were pitted against the F-16s of Eielson's 18th Aggressor Squadron. "We

have some really experienced pilots, but this is a huge challenge for most of them-it's the first

time they've done something like this," said German air force Col. Andreas Pfeiffer in Eielson's

June 21 release. "There is no other training partner like the Aggressors," he added. The eight

Eurofighters, based at Neuburg AB, Germany, arrived in Alaska in May to participate in Exercise

Distant Frontier as preparation for Red Flag. "If you put all the factors together, this is probably

the highest quality training you could possibly get in modern air combat," said Pfeiffer. RF-A 12-2

lasted from June 7 to June 22. 2012

The Air Force has changed course and decided to keep the 18th Aggressor Squadron at Eielson

AFB, Alaska, near Fairbanks, and not alter the size of the remaining base operating support

functions, announced service officials on Wednesday. "Given what we've learned about the

strategic rebalance to the Pacific in the last year, the reaffirmation of the importance of Air Force

presence in Alaska, and the decrease in expected savings, the Air Force has elected to retain the

18th AGRS at Eielson while we finalize our long-range plans for this region," said Acting Air Force

Secretary Eric Fanning in the Oct. 2 release. Those long-range plans may include F-35s for Eielson,

as the base is a candidate location to host them. Air Force officials had originally estimated that

the move of Eielson's F-16 aggressor aircraft-which serve as adversary forces in training exercises

like Red Flag-to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, near Anchorage, coupled with curbing other

activity at Eielson, would save some $240 million. Alaska's congressional delegation fought the

proposal. 2013

___________________________________________________________________________

Air Force Order of Battle

Created: 16 Nov 2010

Updated: 25 May 2012

Sources

Air Force Historical Research Agency. U.S. Air Force. Maxwell AFB, AL.

The Institute of Heraldry. U.S. Army. Fort Belvoir, VA.

Air Force News. Air Force Public Affairs Agency.

Unit Yearbook. 319 BMW and 18th FIS, Grand Forks AFB, ND. @1964.