421st
Fighter
Squadron

The 421st Fighter Squadron is one of three fighter
squadrons assigned to the 388th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force
Base, Utah. The unit operates and maintains Low Altitude
Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night, or LANTIRN,
F-16s.

Mission

As part of the world's largest LANTIRN F-16 wing, the 421st
FS conducts flying operations and equipment maintenance to maintain
combat readiness of a 18-aircraft F-16C LANTIRN squadron.

It prepares to deploy worldwide to conduct air-to-air and
air-to-ground operations for daylight and nighttime missions.

People and Resources

Approximately 300 people are assigned to the squadron.
Equipment includes 18 LANTIRN capable F-16s, worth about $21
million each.

Organization

The 421st FS is a subordinate unit of the 388th Operations
Group.

History

The squadron was activated May 1, 1943, as the 421st
Night-Fighter Squadron, in Orlando, Fla. Following six months of
flight training, the squadron arrived at Milne Bay, New Guinea, and
assumed duty with the 5th Fighter Command, 5th Air Force, in the
southwest Pacific.
For the next 14 months, the squadron and its detachments moved
several times throughout New Guinea providing cover for U.S. Army
assault landings and shipping reconnaissance; flying patrols; and
engaging in bombing and strafing while protecting the various new air
bases.
By the end of November 1944, squadron pilots had victories
flying the P-38 Lightning, P-70 Havoc and P-61 Black Widow. The
421st received P-61s, the first fighter designed for night fighting, in
June 1944.
In October 1944, squadron members moved to the Philippines
and after bitter fighting, established a camp at San Marcelino in
February 1945. Throughout this six-month period, the squadron's
activity was intense as aerial combat, bombing and strafing missions
became an everyday occurrence.
Following the Japanese surrender, the squadron became part of
the occupation forces at Itazuke Air Base, Japan. On Feb. 20, 1947,
the squadron inactivated with 16 victories to its credit.
Fifteen years later, July 8, 1962, the 421st Tactical Fighter
Squadron was activated under the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing,
George Air Force Base, Calif. For two years the squadron flew the
F-105 Thunderchief.
The squadron later deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan, in
Southeast Asia.
From April 1966 to April 24, 1967, the 421st TFS was
stationed at Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, with the 388th
TFW. For the next two years, the squadron was stationed with
three different stateside wings -- in name only.
On April 23, 1969, the 421st TFS transferred to Kunsan Air
Base, Republic of Korea, furnishing F-4 Phantom IIs for defense
alert. On June 27, 1969, the squadron transferred to Da Nang Air
Base, Republic of Vietnam and remained there through October
1972 when it moved to Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, with
the 432nd Reconnaissance Wing. Combat missions continued in
Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia until 1973 when the squadron
changed to a training environment and participated in countless
tactical air exercises.
During April 1975, squadron pilots participated in the
evacuation of Phnom Phen, Cambodia and Saigon, Republic of
Vietnam. In May 1975, the squadron flew in tactical missions
associated with the recovery of the U.S.S. Mayaguez and its crew.
In December 1975, the 388th TFW transferred to Hill Air
Force Base, Utah, and by June 30, 1977, the 421st TFS was
combat ready flying the F-105D Thunderchief.
In June 1980, the unit received their first F-16A Fighting
Falcon. The 421st was the second fighter squadron to achieve
combat ready status in the F-16.
After attaining combat readiness in the F-16, the 421st was
tasked to provide formal training to pilots transitioning to the
F-16A. In November 1981, the squadron deployed to Egypt
where it trained Egyptian pilots in exercise Bright Star. From July
1, 1982, until Jan. 1, 1983, the 421st TFS trained pilots from
Britain, Egypt and Pakistan, as well as U.S. pilots.
The squadron completed conversion to the newer F-16C
Block 40 aircraft in February 1990, the second squadron to do so.
When Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990, the 421st TFS
found themselves facing armed opponents for the first time since
Vietnam as it deployed to Southwest Asia in Support of Operation
Desert Shield. The squadron once again returned to its proud
combat heritage as a nighttime fighter squadron.
Once open hostilities began in Operation Desert Storm, it
became the first F-16 unit to fly the LANTIRN system in combat.
Pilots dropped more than 2,000 tons of conventional munitions on
strategic and tactical sites in Iraq and Kuwait during more than
1,300 combat sorties -- 1,200 of them at night, without combat
losses or battle damage to aircraft.
The squadron was welcomed back to Hill Air Force Base in
March 1991 after more than six months in Southwest Asia.
In October 1991, the squadron was redesignated the 421st
Fighter Squadron as part of a command-level realignment.
Since Operation Desert Storm ended, the 421st FS has
deployed to Southwest Asia for at least 90 days a year in support
of Operation Southern Watch.
 

421st Fighter Squadron Highlights

June 1944
Received the P-61, the first fighter designed for night fighting
June 29, 1966
Recorded the first aerial F-105 kill in Vietnam
August 1990
Recorded the longest non-stop F-16 flight in history for 16 hours with 10 aerial refuelings (five at night) while deploying to
Operation Desert Shield
July 1995
First unit to use the GBU-24 Paveway III from an F-16 during Combat Hammer at the Utah Test and Training Range
1996
The unit made history when it was part of four operational squadrons the 388th Fighter Wing deployed to Southwest Asia in
one year
 

KENNETH V. DILLEY, A1C, USAF
421st BLACK WIDOWS
"FEARED THROUGHOUT THE LAND!!!"