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136th Attack Squadron
The 136th Attack Squadron has operated MQ-9 Reapers since 2015
Active1942–1945; 1948–1952; 1952–1969; 1969–present
Country United States
Allegiance New York
Branch  Air National Guard
TypeSquadron
RoleUnmanned vehicle attack
Part ofNew York Air National Guard
Garrison/HQNiagara Falls Joint Air Reserve Station, New York
DecorationsDistinguished Unit Citation[1]
Insignia
136th Airlift Squadron emblem
136th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron emblem[a][1]
503d Fighter Squadron emblem[2]
World War II fuselage code[2]D7
Tail stripe"Niagara" on a blue stripe
Aircraft flown
AttackMQ-9 Reaper

The 136th Attack Squadron is a unit of the New York Air National Guard 107th Attack Wing located at Niagara Falls Joint Air Reserve Station, New York. The 136th is equipped with the MQ-9 Reaper. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command.

The 136th is now part of the Texas Air National Guard.

Mission

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History

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World War II

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Organization and training

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A-24, first plane flown by the squadron

The first predecessor of the squadron was formed in August 1942 as the 482nd Bombardment Squadron at Hunter Field, Georgia, one of the original four squadrons of the 339th Bombardment Group.[1][3][4] It was equipped with Douglas A-24 Banshee dive bombers. In July 1943, it moved to Walterboro Army Air Field, South Carolina, where it re-equipped with Bell P-39 Airacobras. The following month, along with all other single engine bomber units of the Army Air Forces (AAF), it was redesignated as a fighter-bomber unit, becoming the 503rd Fighter-Bomber Squadron. It moved to Rice Army Air Field, California in September 1943, where in addition to training with its P-39s, it participated in maneuvers. It departed Rice for the European Theater of Operations on 9 March 1944, sailing from the New York Port of Embarkation on the MV Stirling Castle on 22 March.[1][3][5]


Combat in the European Theater

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Squadron P-51 Mustang in the snow[b]

The squadron landed in England on 4 April[5] and arrived at its combat station, RAF Fowlmere, the next day. Its first airplane arrived on 12 April,[5] a North American P-51B Mustang. It quickly converted to the new fighter, and flew its first combat mission, a fighter sweep, on 30 April. In May, it dropped the "Bomber" from its name, becoming the 503rd Fighter Squadron. It flew escort for Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and Consolidated B-24 Liberator heavy bombers during its first five weeks of operations, and afterwards flew escort missions to cover operations of medium and heavy bombers that struck strategic objectives, interdicted enemy lines of communication, and provided air support for ground forces.[3] In June 1954, it began to receive updated P-51D models of the Mustang. The 339th Group was also the first VII Fighter Command unit to be equipped with g-suits, which enabled its fighters to make tighter turns in dogfights.[6]

On D-Day It provided fighter cover over the English Channel and the coast of Normandy for the landing forces. It strafed and dive bombed vehicles, locomotives, marshaling yards, flak batteries, and troops while Allied forces fought to break out of the beachhead in France. It attacked transportation targets during Operation Cobra, the July breakout at Saint Lo, and the subsequent Allied drive across France. It flew area patrols during Operation Market-Garden, the airborne landings attempting to secure a bridgehead across the Rhine in the Netherlands in September.[3]

The squadron frequently strafed airfields and other targets of opportunity while on escort missions.[c] It was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation for its actions on escort missions on 10 and 11 September 1944. On the first day, after escorting bombers attacking a target in Germany, it attacked Erding Airfield, destroying or damaging enemy aircraft despite intense fire from antiaircraft guns and small arms. The following day it escorted a formation of bombers attacking Munich that was attacked by enemy interceptor aircraft, in the strongest defense put up by Luftflotte Reich since May.[7] The 339th Group shot down fifteen enemy fighters and drove off the remaining attacking aircraft, while other elements attacked an airfield near Karlsruhe, encountering heavy fire, but damaging or destroying numerous aircraft parked on the field.[d][3][8]

The squadron escorted bombers to, and flew patrols over the battle area during the Battle of the Bulge, the German counterattack in the Ardennes in December 1944 through early January 1945. In March 1945 it supported Operation Varsity, the assault across the Rhine in Germany, patrolling the area to prevent German air attacks.[3] It flew its last combat mission on 21 April 1945.[5] The squadron was credited with 90 air to air victories during its year in combat.[9]

In August and September 1945, the squadron transferred its planes to depots and many of its personnel were reassigned.[5] The remaining squadron members left the theater in September,[1] preceding the remainder of the 339th Group, which sailed on the RMS Queen Mary in October.[3][5] It was briefly stationed at Drew Field once again before inactivating on 7 November 1945.[1]

New York Air National Guard

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Squadron F-47D Thunderbolt[e]

The 503d Squadron was redesignated the 136th Fighter Squadron and allotted to the National Guard on 24 May 1946.[1] It was organized at Niagara Falls Municipal Airport, New York, and extended federal recognition on 8 December 1948. The squadron was equipped with Republic F-47D Thunderbolts and assigned to the 107th Fighter Group. The mission of the 136th Fighter Squadron was to train and equip to be capable of immediate mobilization to perform its Federal mission and to function efficiently when called on by the State of New York to preserve peace, order and public safety.[10]

Korean War mobilization

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The 136th was called to active duty on 2 March 1951 as a result of the Korean War, and assigned to the 101st Fighter-Interceptor Group, stationed at Dow Air Force Base, Maine. On mobilization, the squadron was redesignated the 136th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron. Although now performing an active air defense mission, it remained at Niagara Falls. In February 1952, the squadron was reassigned to the 4708th Air Defense Wing, stationed at Selfridge Air Force Base, Michigan.[11] On 1 November 1952 the squadron was released from active duty and its air defense mission, personnel and F-47s were transferred to the 47th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, which was simultaneously activated at Niagara Falls.[12][13]

Air Defense

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136th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron - Lockheed F-94B 50-0856, 1955

The unit was reformed at Niagara Falls by 1 January 1953 and was re-equipped with the F-51H Mustang very long range fighter. The air defense mission for western New York remained and the unit resumed normal peacetime training and drills. In 1954, the Mustang was ending its service life and Air Defense Command was re-equipping its fighter-interceptor squadrons with jet aircraft. The 136th received F-94B Starfires, however the F-94 required a two-man aircrew a pilot and an air observer to operate its radar equipment. Trainees for the radar assignment had to attend regular Air Force training schools, and required virtually the same qualifications as the pilot trainees. The additional recruitment of guardsmen led to the units having a manning and capabilities problem that lasted for some time until the unit was returned to full readiness.

In 1956, the 107th Fighter-Interceptor Wing was reorganized and redesignated as the 107th Air Defense Wing. The reorganization resulted in the activation of two new fighter groups, the 107th Fighter-Interceptor Group was redesignated the 107th Fighter Group (AD) and moved from Niagara Falls to Hancock Field in Syracuse, although the 136th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron remained at Niagara Falls and was assigned directly to the wing. The F-86H Sabre replaced the F-94B Starfires in 1957.

Tactical Air Command

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136th TFS F-100C 54-1914 about 1960

A major change to the 136th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron in 1958 was the transition from an Air Defense Command mission to Tactical Air Command (TAC) and a tactical fighter mission, with the 136th being redesignated as the 137th Tactical Fighter Squadron. The new assignment involved a change in the squadron's training mission to include high-altitude interception, air-to-ground rocketry, ground strafing and tactical bombing. The squadron retained F-86H Sabres until 1960, when TAC replaced the F-86H with the F-100C Super Sabre.

In 1962, the 107th Tactical Fighter Group moved back to Niagara Falls, with the activation of the 174th Tactical Fighter Group at Syracuse and the 136th was again assigned to it. Six F-100 fighters of the 136th deployed to Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii in 1965 for Operation Tropic Lighting I. The squadron provided close air support for jungle warfare training of the U. S. Army's 25th Division in Hawaii prior to their combat deployment to South Vietnam The Niagara jets were flown across the Pacific and refueled twice in flight, marking the first time an Air National Guard unit has performed such a mission.

136th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-100s after their return from Tuy Hoa Air Base, now in camouflage paint, 1969

In January 1968, the 136th Tactical Fighter Squadron was federalized in the wake of the USS Pueblo crisis. It first deployed to Homestead Air Force Base, Florida for gunnery and close air ground support training in April. In June, the squadron moved to Tuy Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam to reinforce the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing. It was joined at Tuy Hoa by the New Mexico ANG 188th Tactical Fighter Squadron. In South Vietnam, the squadron carried the tail code "SG" on its F-100s. From Tuy Hoa, the squadron conducted combat operations, carried out interdiction strikes, conducted visual and photo reconnaissance, rescue combat air patrols, and suppressed enemy antiaircraft artillery. The squadron also conducted air operations against enemy forces during the 1968 Tet Offensive and the Siege of Khe Sanh from February–April 1968. It flew close air support missions during the Battle of Kham Duc on 12 May 1968.

In South Vietnam, three squadron members were awarded the Purple Heart; one the Distinguished Flying Cross; and 43 received Air Medals. The New York State Medal of Valor was awarded posthumously to Captain Joseph L'Hullier of the 136th for heroism in Vietnam. Captain L'Hullier became the first New York Air National Guardsman to be killed in action while on active duty with a mobilized Air Guard organization since World War II. He died while on a combat fighter support mission. The squadron was returned to its home base of Niagara Falls in late May and returned to state control on 11 June 1969. In a final tribute to their four fallen comrades – three pilots of the 136th killed in training, and one in action – F-100s from the 169th Tactical Fighter Group, South Carolina Air National Guard, flew over the demobilization ceremonies in the "missing man" formation.

NORAD Air Defense

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136th FIS F-101F 58-0262 about 1975

The 136th Tactical Fighter Squadron returned to an air defense mission in June 1971 when it received F-101B Voodoo interceptors and rejoined Aerospace Defense Command (ADCOM). In 1972, after the completion of the transition to the Voodoo from the F-100s, the 136th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron began operating on a 24-hour-a-day, 365 days a year alert as part of North American Air Defense Command (NORAD). In 1979, ADCOM was inactivated and the air defense mission was assumed by Tactical Air Command. The 107th FIG became gained by Air Defense, Tactical Air Command, which functioned at the Numbered Air Force echelon of TAC. In 1981 the 136th was re-equipped with F-4C Phantom IIs and in 1982 returned to NORAD alert status.

The 136th received more advanced F-4D Phantom IIs in 1986. Beginning in July, a detachment was formed to provide air defense alert at Charleston AFB, South Carolina. With the detachment at Charleston, the 136th was on a 24/365 alert over a 1,480-mile round-trip area. Interceptors from Charleston monitored Soviet Air Force Tupolev Tu-95 "Bear" Bombers flying down the Atlantic seacoast to and from airfields in Cuba. The 136th also deployed to Ramstein Air Base, West Germany to perform an Air Defense Alert Mission in Operation Creek Klaxon. Squadrons from he Air National Guard rotated deployments and stood alert duties for just over a year at Ramstein while the resident 86th Tactical Fighter Wing converted to F-16C/D Fighting Falcons. The 86 TFW resumed alert duties on 1 April 1987.

136th FIS McDonnell F-4C-19-MC Phantom 63-7541, about 1983

The 136th replaced its Vietnam Era F-4D Phantom II fighter aircraft with 20 Block 15 F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters configured as air defense fighters in 1990. Personnel and aircraft deployed to Jacksonville Air National Guard Base, Florida, taking advantage of the better weather conditions to accelerate the F-16 conversion.

Due to its air defense commitment, the 136th was not mobilized during the 1991 Gulf Crisis. However, the 107th Fighter-Interceptor Group deployed firefighter and medical personnel as backfilled personnel to stateside bases vacated by active-duty personnel deployed to the Middle East.

In 1992, the 136th was redesignated as the 136th Fighter Squadron. On 1 October 1995, the Air National Guard adopted the Air Force Objective Organization plan, and the squadron was assigned to the new 107th Operations Group.

136th Air Refueling Squadron – Boeing KC-135R-BN Stratotanker 64-14839

With the arrival of the KC-135R Stratotanker in March 1994, the 136th Fighter Squadron converted from an air defense mission to aerial refueling and was redesignated as the 136th Air Refueling Squadron. The 136th provided support for worldwide air refueling missions. When called upon, the 136th also used the KC-135R as a cargo and passenger transport.

In mid-1996, the Air Force, in response to budget cuts, and changing world situations, began experimenting with Air Expeditionary organizations. The Air Expeditionary Force (AEF) concept was developed that would mix Active-Duty, Reserve and Air National Guard elements into a combined force. Instead of entire permanent units deploying as "Provisional" as in the 1991 Gulf War, expeditionary units are composed of "aviation packages" from several wings, including active-duty Air Force, the Air Force Reserve Command and the Air National Guard, would be married together to carry out the assigned deployment rotation.

Since 1996, the 136th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, with the 136th being the major force provider, was formed and deployed in support of world contingencies including Operations to include, but not limited to, Strong Resolve 2002, Operation Uphold Democracy, Operation Deny Flight, Operation Decisive Endeavor, Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Northeast Tanker Task Force.

A C-130 Hercules from the 136th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron seen flying over Afghanistan

Twenty-first century

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In November 2007, the 107th was notified that it would become an airlift unit. This was directed by the Base Realignment and Closure of 2005. It became an associate unit to the Air Force Reserve Command 914th Airlift Wing, already based at Niagara Falls. The 914th has had responsibility for the C-130H2 Hercules aircraft used by the 136th, and airmen from both units jointly operate them. With this change, the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station received additional C-130 aircraft from the Tennessee Air National Guard's 118th Airlift Wing in Nashville. Tennessee. The 136th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron has deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

During Hurricane Sandy in late October 2012, members of the unit deployed to New York City and Long Island to assist in recovery operations. The unit was deployed first to Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh and then traveled to Peekskill, which is in Westchester County. As part of the recovery effort, unit members performed road clearing, traffic control, helping displaced personnel with feeding and getting them back in their housing and getting them out of flood-stricken areas.

It was announced in early 2012 that federal budget reductions would affect the mission of the 107th Airlift Wing. The future of the unit is presently being discussed by New York representatives and the Air Force.

Lineage

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  • Constituted as the 482d Bombardment Squadron (Dive) on 3 August 1942
Activated on 10 August 1942
Redesignated 503d Fighter-Bomber Squadron on 10 August 1943
Redesignated 503d Fighter Squadron, Single Engine on 30 May 1944
Inactivated on 7 November 1945
  • Redesignated: 136th Fighter Squadron, Single Engine[11] and allotted to the National Guard on 24 May 1946[14]
Activated and received federal recognition on 8 December 1948
Federalized and ordered to active service on 2 March 1951[11]
Redesignated 136th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron c. 2 March 1951[11]
Inactivated and released from active duty and returned to New York state control on 1 December 1952[11]
Activated on 1 December 1952
Redesignated 136th Tactical Fighter Squadron (Special Delivery) on 10 November 1958
Redesignated 136th Tactical Fighter Squadron c. 15 October 1962
Federalized and ordered to active service on 26 January 1968
Inactivated, released from active duty and returned to New York state control on 11 June 1969
Redesignated 136th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron on 1 June 1971
Redesignated 136th Fighter Squadron on 16 March 1992
Redesignated 136th Air Refueling Squadron on 1 July 1994
Redesignated 136th Airlift Squadron on 1 July 2008
Redesignated 136th Attack Squadron

Assignments

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  • 339th Bombardment Group (later 339th Fighter-Bomber Group, 339th Fighter Group), 10 August 1942 – 18 October 1945
  • Unknown 18 October – 7 November 1945[14]
  • 107th Fighter Group, 8 December 1948
  • 101st Fighter-Interceptor Group, 2 March 1951
  • 4708th Defense Wing, 6 February 1952
  • 107th Fighter-Interceptor Group, 1 December 1952
  • 107th Air Defense Wing, 1 May 1956
  • 107th Tactical Fighter Group, 10 November 1958
  • 140th Tactical Fighter Wing, 26 January 1968
  • 31st Tactical Fighter Wing, 14 June 1968
  • 107th Tactical Fighter Group (later 107th Fighter-Interceptor Group, 107th Fighter Group, 107th Air Refueling Group), 11 June 1969
  • 107th Operations Group, 1 October 1995 – Present

Stations

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Aircraft

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References

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Notes

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Explanatory notes
  1. ^ Approved 7 August 1951. Description: On an irregular shaped cloud, outlined blue over a lightning flash yellow, outlined red, a Thunderbird red, outlined black, flying.
  2. ^ Aircraft is North American P-51C-10-NT Mustang, serial 43-25020 D7-H with a Malcom Hood. This plane crashed on an escort mission near Magdeburg, Germany on 28 March 1945 with the loss of the pilot. Dirkx, Marco (21 June 2024). "1943 USAF Serial Numbers". Joe Baugher. Retrieved 12 November 2024. Missing Aircrew Report 12872.
  3. ^ These were named "Jackpot" missions, with fighters assigned a specific area to strafe. Freeman, p. 159.
  4. ^ The 339th Group was the only group in VIII Fighter Command to destroy more than 100 aircraft on the ground on two occasions. Both were in April 1945. Freeman, p. 249.
  5. ^ Aircraft is Republic P-47D-30-RA Thunderbolt, serial 44-33849
Citations
  1. ^ a b c d e f g Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 606
  2. ^ a b Watkins, pp. 52-53
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 216-218
  4. ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 607-09
  5. ^ a b c d e f Freeman, p. 249
  6. ^ Freeman, p. 167
  7. ^ Freeman, p. 188
  8. ^ Freeman, p. 189
  9. ^ Newton, pp. 666-67
  10. ^ Hausauer, Maj Gen Karl F. (31 December 1949). "New York Department of Military Affairs Adjutant General Report, 1949" (PDF). New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center. pp. 117–118. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  11. ^ a b c d e Cornett & Johnson, p. 123
  12. ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 206-07
  13. ^ Cornett & Johnson, pp. 115, 123
  14. ^ a b c Lineage, assignment and aircraft through 1946 in Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 606
  15. ^ Station number in Anderson, p. 50.
  16. ^ Lineage, assignment and aircraft through 1946 in Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 606, except as noted.

Bibliography

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Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

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