The 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron / 79th Fighter Squadron



The 79th rejoined the 20th Tactical Air Command in 1970, which had moved to Royal Air Force Station Upper Heyford and upgraded to the F-111 aircraft. The 79th became the first to be operationally ready in this new aircraft in all of Europe, and first in the world in the "E" model. As part of Joint Task Force Proven Force at Incirlik AirBase, Turkey, in January 1991, the 79th became the first squadron to employ the F-111E in combat, supporting operation Desert Storm. Without sustaining a loss, the "Loco Squadron" flew 293 combat sorties. On October 1st, 1991, the squadron was redesignated the 79th Fighter Squadron due to restructuring within the USAF. In April 1993, the 79th was inactivated and reactivated on January 3rd, 1994 at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, USA.

The 1970's

"Home of the 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 1977."
Submitted by Duane Park, 20th SPS, 1976 - 1978.

Submitted by Stuart Poehner, 20th SPS, Dec 1979 - Dec 1982.

1977 NATO Tiger Meet poster.
Submitted by Duane Park, 20th SPS, Nov 1976 - Nov 1978.

The 1980's

An air-to-air left rear view of two 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111E aircraft.
DoD photo taken on 27 Mar 1987 by SSgt Fernando Serna. (Released to Public)

An air-to-air left side view of F-111E aircraft of the 79th, 77th and 55th Tactical Fighter Squadrons in formation with a 42nd Electronic Countermeasures Squadron EF-111A Raven aircraft over snow-covered mountains in northern Scotland.
DoD photo taken on 27 Mar 1987 by SSgt Fernando Serna. (Released to Public)

An air-to-air left side view of F-111E aircraft of the 79th, 77th and 55th Tactical Fighter Squadrons in formation with a 42nd Electronic Countermeasures Squadron EF-111A Raven aircraft over snow-covered mountains in northern Scotland.
DoD photo taken on 27 Mar 1987 by SSgt Fernando Serna. (Released to Public)

An air-to-air left side view of F-111E aircraft of the 79th, 77th and 55th Tactical Fighter Squadrons in formation with a 42nd Electronic Countermeasures Squadron EF-111A Raven aircraft over a lake in northern Scotland.
DoD photo taken on 27 Mar 1987 by SSgt Fernando Serna. (Released to Public)

An air-to-air left side view of a Utah Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft refueling a 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111E aircraft. A 77th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111E and a 42nd Electronic Countermeasures Squadron EF-111A Raven aircraft await their turn while in flight over the northern part of the English Channel.
DoD photo taken on 27 Mar 1987 by SSgt Fernando Serna. (Released to Public)

An air-to-air left side view of a 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111E Aardvarck aircraft, a 42nd Electronic Countermeasures Squadron EF-111A Raven aircraft, a 77th Tactical Fighter Squadron Aardvarck aircraft and a Utah Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft flying in formation over the northern part of the English Channel.
DoD photo taken on 27 Mar 1987 by SSgt Fernando Serna. (Released to Public)

An air-to-air left side view of a Utah Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft refueling a 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111E aircraft. A 77th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111E and a 42nd Electronic Countermeasures Squadron EF-111A Raven aircraft stay in close formation while in flight over the northern part of the English Channel.
DoD photo taken on 27 Mar 1987 by SSgt Fernando Serna. (Released to Public)

An air-to-air left side view of a Utah Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft refueling a 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111E aircraft. A 77th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111E and a 42nd Electronic Countermeasures Squadron EF-111A Raven aircraft await their turn while in flight over the northern part of the English Channel.
DoD photo taken on 27 Mar 1987 by SSgt Fernando Serna. (Released to Public)

An air-to-air left side view of F-111E aircraft of the 79th, 77th and 55th Tactical Fighter Squadrons in formation with a 42nd Electronic Countermeasures Squadron EF-111A Raven aircraft over a valley in northern Scotland.
DoD photo taken on 27 Mar 1987 by SSgt Fernando Serna. (Released to Public)

An air-to-air left side view of a 42nd Electronic Countermeasures Squadron EF-111A Raven aircraft leading F-111E aircraft of the 79th, 77th and 55th Tactical Fighter Squadrons over Loch Ness, Scotland.
DoD photo taken on 27 Mar 1987 by SSgt Fernando Serna. (Released to Public)

A 20th Tactical Fighter Wing F-111E aircraft is serviced in a hangar.
DoD photo taken on 27 Mar 1987 by Sgt David S. Nolan. (Released to Public)

An air-to-air left side view of an F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft of the 50th Tactical Fighter Wing leading an EF-111A Raven aircraft of the 42nd Electronic Countermeasures Squadron and an F-111E Aardvark aircraft of the 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron. These aircraft are part of a larger, 15-aircraft formation taking part in an aerial review for departing General (GEN) Charles L. Donnelly Jr., commander in chief, US Air Force, Europe and commander, Allied Air Forces Central Europe.
DoD photo taken on 6 Apr 1987 by Sgt David Nolan. (Released to Public)

An air-to-air left side view of an F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft of the 50th Tactical Fighter Wing leading an EF-111A Raven aircraft of the 42nd Electronic Countermeasures Squadron and an F-111E Aardvark aircraft of the 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron. These aircraft are part of a larger, 15-aircraft formation taking part in an aerial review for departing General (GEN) Charles L. Donnelly Jr., commander in chief, US Air Force, Europe and commander, Allied Air Forces Central Europe.
DoD photo taken on 6 Apr 1987 by Sgt David Nolan. (Released to Public)

A left side air-to-air view of an F-111 aircraft dropping four bombs on a target range. The F-111 is flown by the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing, 3rd Air Force, RAF Upper Heyford.
DoD photo taken on 1 Jan 1983 by TSgt Jose Lopez. (Released to Public)
National Archive# NN33300514 2005-06-30

From page 6 of the "Welcome To Britain '82 - '83" information packet.
Submitted by John Double, 20th CRS/Automatic Test Stations, Jul 1983 - Sep 1990.

The 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 1988.
Submitted by Lt. Col. Larry Carter, Commander, 79th Fighter Squadron, 1988-1990.

Here are some pictures from the 79th squadron circa 1987-1989.

1. 1988 squadron photo - 79TFS
2. Capts Billman (left) and Basher (right) with F-111E, 68-040, "The Other Woman"
3. Same guys, same plane
4. Billman, same plane
5. Ditto
6. Capts Billman, Hancock, and Basher in Q room, Karup Denmark for "Brazen Deed" NATO exercise.
Submitted by Gregg Billman, 79th TFS, Wing Flight Safety, Wing Weapons and Tactics and 77th TFS, Mar 1987 - Jun 1991.

'79TFS & AMU - 1989'
A combined picture of the 79th TFS and the 79th AMU during a weapons training deployment (WTD) to Incirlick Air Base, Turkey during 1989. Many of these same people were again deployed to Incirlick nearly a year later (August 1990) when Iraq invaded Kuwait. At that time, they were the only offensive United States land based capability in the Southern Region therefore receiving coverage by CNN and Time Magazine. That initial WTD deployment evolved over the following six months into a thoughly effective combat unit with aircraft and crews from all the 20th TFW's squadrons."
Submitted by Lt. Col. Larry Carter, Commander, 79th Fighter Squadron, 1988-1990.

Lt. Col. Larry Carter

Commander, 79th Fighter Squadron, 1988-1990
Chief, Weapons and Tactics, 1987
Instructor Pilot, Flight Commander, 77TFS and Weapons and Tactics; 1977 - 1981

The 1990's

Submitted by Bryan "Stew" Stewart, Crew Chief, 680053 "Christine", 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Nov 1987 - Nov 1993.

79th, 1993
"Last squadron photo of 79th FS (Operations and Maintenance) at RAF Upper Heyford. I think it was taken in March or April 1993, as squadron closed down."
Submitted by CMSgt. Morgan R. Deveault, 1990-1993 20 TFW (Quality Assurance), 79 TFS (Maint Superintendent). Also served as SSgt. 1970-1973 with the 20th OMS.

This is also one of the last pictures that the 79th took. Don't remember the date, but it was before alot of us got shipped over to the 55th.
Submitted by Daryle Rowan.

"The date of the 'Tiger Meet' was 06th Feb 1993 and the aircraft in the photo was 68-079."
Submitted by Mike Neill.

79th `Tigers' Turn 75
From The Guardian, Vol. 9, No. 7, Friday Feb. 19, 1993.
Submitted by CMSgt. Morgan Deveault, 20 TFW (Quality Assurance), 79 TFS (Maint Superintendent), 1990 - 1993.

79th Tactical Fighter Squadron Commanders at RAF Upper Heyford

Note: Rank shown on this page represents that which was held at that time.
Click name or photo (if highlighted) for biography.

Rank Name Dates

Lieutenant Colonel Robert H. Darlington 29 Jul 68 - 24 Jan 70

Lieutenant Colonel Fred W. Gray 24 Jan 70 - 10 Dec 71

Lieutenant Colonel David B. Hubbard 10 Dec 71 - c. Mar 73

Lieutenant Colonel John S. Rumph c. Mar 73 - 1 Jun 74

Lieutenant Colonel Harry Pawlik 1 Jun 74 - 16 Jun 75

Lieutenant Colonel George F. Houck, Jr. 16 Jun 75 - 22 Jun -76

Lieutenant Colonel John D. Phillips 22 Jun 76 - 26 Sep 77

Lieutenant Colonel Howard W. Nixon 26 Sep 77 - 28 Aug 79

Lieutenant Colonel Grady H. Reed III 28 Aug 79 - 28 Jan 80

Lieutenant Colonel Frank B. Pyne 28 Jan 80 - 9 May 80

Lieutenant Colonel John G. Lorber 9 May 80 - 17 Jun 82

Lieutenant Colonel Joseph N. Narsavage, Jr. 17 Jun 82 - I Jun 84

Lieutenant Colonel Peter A. Granger 1 Jun 84 - 29 May 87

Lieutenant Colonel Steven R. Emory 29 May 87 - 27 Feb 88

Lieutenant Colonel Larry G. Carter 27 Feb 88 - 12 Jan 90

Lieutenant Colonel Stephen A. Mires 12 Jan 90 - 14 Sep 91

Lieutenant Colonel Mark A. Hyatt 14 Sep 91 - 23 Apr 93

Source: Pages 46 and 47 of "History of the 20th Fighter Wing and RAF Upper Heyford" 1 January 1994, submitted by Tom Wetherby, MSgt, (retired) 20th EMS AMMO. Also worked in the Transportation Sq. as a HGV driver during the Gulf War. 1987 - Sept 1989.

From page 1 of The Vanguard - August 8, 1975
Submitted by Earl Clark, 2168th Comm Squadron, Oct 1974 - Nov 1983.

History of the 79th Fighter Squadron
http://www.au.af.mil/au/afhra/wwwroot/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0079fs.html

F-111 YouTube Video Links...

General Dynamics F-111 in Irak
The General Dynamics F-111 is a medium-range strategic bomber, reconnaissance, and tactical strike aircraft designed in the 1960s. The United States Air Force (USAF) variants were officially named Aardvark, their longtime nickname, at their ceremony of retirement from service in 1996. The only remaining operator of the F-111 is the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and in Australian service the F-111 is known as the Pig.

F-111 WINGS Part 1/5
One of the most effective weapons in the US inventory.
Length: 10 minutes, 0 seconds.

F-111 WINGS Part 2/5
One of the most effective weapons in the US inventory.
Length: 10 minutes, 2 seconds.

F-111 WINGS Part 3/5
One of the most effective weapons in the US inventory.
Length: 10 minutes, 10 seconds.

F-111 WINGS Part 4/5
One of the most effective weapons in the US inventory.
Length: 10 minutes, 5 seconds.

F-111 WINGS Part 5/5
One of the most effective weapons in the US inventory.
Length: 5 minutes, 29 seconds.

F-111 In Profile
A look at the missions and role of the General Dynamics F-111 bomber.
Length: 4 minutes, 39 seconds.

F111 baby!!!!!!!!
No description.
Length: 3 minutes, 4 seconds.

F-111 capsule ejection
F-111 capsule ejection demonstration.
Length: 28 seconds.

F-111 Cockpit
F-111F Crew Escape Module- On Display at the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas, Texas. Crew Module restored and able to power up.
Length: 35 seconds.

F-111 F Model Cockpit
A more detailed tour of the F-111F Crew Module on display at the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas, Texas. After 8,000 hours of restoration this cockpit powers up with multiple systems working.
Length: 3 minutes, 13 seconds.

F111's display at Upper Heyford 92
4 x F111E and 2 x EF111A display at Sky Pagent 92.
Length: 3 minutes, 46 seconds.

79th TFS Notes & Quotes
"The 79th first moved to Upper Heyford from RAF Woodbridge while the construction of new hangars and facilities was still underway with a handful of F-100's and converted to the F-111 shortly thereafter and fortunate to Command the79th from the Squadron's initial arrival. During my two years as Commander we hosted the Tiger Meet at Heyford in 1969 and we traveled to Klein Brogel Air Base, Belgium in 1970.
Best regards,
Fred W. Gray."
Commander, 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron.

Memorabilia

F-111E of 20 TFW at RAF Valley airshow.
Photo by Steve Brock.

"To make a long story short, my wife's cousin, Nick Woolcott, saved the 79th TFS bar from destruction. It is now in his house, which is in the old officer's housing area [tobacco housing]. Nick is an F-111 maniac, and amateur base historian, having been born and spent his life in the village Upper Heyford." Submitted by Russ Kendall, CMSgt, (Ret).
Related story on Mr. Nick Woolcott can be found on the "Memorials" page.

This plaque was found at auction on www.ebay.com, summer of 2004.

An image of a T-shirt made for the 79th TFS in reference to Operation Desert Storm.
Submitted by
Ben Uffen
Swinger fan
The Netherlands

This is not a complete representation of the 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron or the 79th Fighter Squadron.
More photos and info will be added as they are received from participating squadron personnel.

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WebMaster: Duane Park
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This page was last updated on 22 August 2008.