F-16 National Guard Units in the USA -

I recently wrote a post about Air National Guard units who have F-15’as their vehicles.

In today’s post, I will tell you what National Guard units in the USA have F-16’s. If you have the passion to fly an F-16, you may want to consider joining the Air National Guard in one of these States.

About The F-16

The F-16 is a single engine, supersonic fighter jet designed by General Dynamics who also produced the fighter jet until 1993 when production was sold to Lockheed Martin.

The F-16 was designed to give the pilot a greater ability to see with the bubble canopy, easier maneuverability with a side-mounted joystick and less stress from G-Forces with a reclined seat.

The first F-16 flight was in 1974 and it was introduced into full service in 1978.

There are many variants of the F-16 and they are capable of carrying an array of missiles.

Well over 20 countries have F-16’s in service.

The F-16 is also the jet used by the Air Force Thunderbirds.

The United States Air Force (USAF), four of its NATO partners, and Pakistan, a major non-NATO US ally, are the primary operators of General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon. With the evolution of sales under Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contracts, many other air forces have also acquired F-16s. Most nations that have boucoght F-16s continue to use them as of 2010. The F-16 is still in demand today, and many air forces are looking to replace aging inventories with F-16s. Because the USAF has steadily upgraded its F-16 inventory, it will sometimes sell older aircraft it considers obsolete as surplus Excess Defense Articles (EDAs) or as “knockdown” aircraft to supplement spares inventories. ~ Wikipedia

List Of National Guard Units With F-16s

100^th Fighter Squadron

With a cool history, the 100^th Squadron was a squadron of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II.

The 100^th was formed in 1942 at Tuskegee Army Airfield and is now headquartered at Dannely Field, Alabama.

At this point in time, the 100^th Fighter Squadron flies F-16’s, but they are slated to transition to the new Lockheed-Martin F-35’s by 2023.

112^th Fighter Squadron

This squadron also has an amazing history. They descended from the 112^th Aero Squadron from World War I.

The 112^th Fighter Squadron has their headquarters at Toledo Air National Guard Base in Ohio.

This Squadron is an active part of the defense of the Great Lakes area.

119^th Fighter Squadron

Also a descendant of a World War I Squadron (5^th Aviation School Squadron formed in 1917), the 119^th is headquartered at the Atlantic City Air National Guard Base in New Jersey.

This Squadron was launched as a result of the 9/11 airplane disasters. They have also been involved in:

Operation Noble Eagle,
Operation Southern Watch,
plus, Operation Northern Watch,
Operation Enduring Freedom
and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The 119th Fighter Squadron flies the F-16C Fighting Falcon, a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft. It is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations. ~ 177th Fighter Wing

120^th Fighter Squadron

This Squadron has the distinction of being the first federally recognized Air National Guard Unit. Formed in 1917 as the 120^th Aero Squadron, the 102th is headquartered at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora, Colorado.

The 120^th Fighter Squadron is tasked with the protection of the Midwest United States. They also did deploy in 2003 to support Operation Iraqi Freedom.

121^st Fighter Squadron

This squadron belongs to the District of Columbia Air National Guard and is headquartered at Joint Base Andrews in Camp Springs, Maryland.

They descended from the 121^st Observation Squadron established in 1940.

This Squadron has honors from

World War II
Operation Southern Watch
Operation Northern Watch
plus, Operation Iraqi Freedom
and Operation Enduring Freedom

On September 11^th, 2001, a terrible day, these fighters took to the skies and were authorized to shoot down any threats over the United States capital.

In 2005, pilots from this Squadron came extremely close to shooting down a small Cessna aircraft that was on course for the White House. Just shortly before a missile would be launched into the plane, it changed course.

125^th Fighter Squadron

A descendant of the 125^th Aero Squadron established in 1940, the 125^th is headquartered at Tulsa Air National Guard Base in Oklahoma.

Deployed several times to the Middle East, this Squadron is ready, willing and able.

179^th Fighter Squadron

First formed in 1943 as the 393^rd Fighter Squadron in California as a result of World War II. They flew many missions in Europe during the war.

After inactivation, the 393^rd was redesignated the 179^th and given to the Minnesota National Guard. They are headquartered at Duluth Air National Guard Base in the Northern State.

As part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the 179th was one of the first F-16 unit to be based in Balad AB. Iraq. The 179th deployed more than 200 personnel between April – June 2005. The squadron was mainly tasked with air-to-air and air-to-ground combat operations. ~ Fandom

148^th Fighter Squadron

A unit of the Arizona Air National Guard and headquartered at Tuscon Air National Guard Base, the 148^th has the task of training foreign pilots from countries who have purchased F-16’s.

This squadron was formed in 1985.

152^nd Fighter Squadron

This is another unit who is tasked with training as a result of F-16 sales. Also headquartered at Tuscon Air National Guard Base in Arizona.

This Squadron is a descendant of the 152d Fighter Interceptor Squadron but does not carry the lineage.

157^th Fighter Squadron

Part of the South Carolina Air National Guard, this squadron is headquartered at McEntire Joint National Guard Base in Columbia, South Carolina.

This squadron was activated in 1942 and deployed to Europe in 1943, they flew escort for bombers as they decimated German installations.

The 157^th was also deployed for:

Operation Desert Storm,
Operation Enduring Freedom,
and Operation Iraqi Freedom

The 157^th is one of the few Air National Guard units using the HARM Targeting System in their F-16s.

175^th Fighter Squadron

First formed as the 387^th Fighter Squadron in 1943, members flew many missions in the European Theater.

Now a member of the South Dakota Air National Guard and tasked with protection of the upper Midwest, the 175^th Fighter Squadron is headquartered at Joe Foss Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

176^th Fighter Squadron

This unit is headquartered at Truax Field Air National Guard Base in Madison, Wisconsin.

In 1942, they were formed as the 306^th Fighter Squadron and tasked with advanced pilot training.

This Squadron has a mission to guard the skies over the Great Lakes, Wisconsin and Chicago.

The 176^th is scheduled to relinquish their F-16s for the new F-35s by 2023.

182^nd Fighter Squadron

Established in 1943 and deployed to the European Theater with their P-47 Thunderbolts, the 182^nd proved their abilities fighting German fighters.

The 182^nd also served in support operations in the Korean War.

Now a member of the Texas Air National Guard, the 182^nd is headquartered at Kelly Field at Joint Base San Antonio.

195^th Fighter Squadron

Based at Tuscon Air National Guard Base in Arizona, the 195^th was formed as the 410^th Fighter Squadron in Massachusetts and deployed to Europe.

The 410^th flew support over Normandy and many other missions in Europe during World War II.

After the war, they were redesignated the 195^th and allotted to the California Air National Guard. In 1983, they were transferred to the Arizona National Guard and were tasked with training NATO pilots.

Strike Fighter Squadron ONE NINE FIVE was originally commissioned as the “Tigers” of Torpedo Squadron NINETEEN (VT-19) at Los Alamitos, California, in August 1943. ~ F-16.net

Final Thoughts

Well, there you have F-16 National Guard Units. If you have dreams of flying one of these bad ass fighter jets, you may consider joining in any of these States.

Any thoughts or questions? Just post any and all below. Thank you.

About The F-16

List Of National Guard Units With F-16s

100th Fighter Squadron

112th Fighter Squadron

119th Fighter Squadron

120th Fighter Squadron

121st Fighter Squadron

125th Fighter Squadron

179th Fighter Squadron

148th Fighter Squadron

152nd Fighter Squadron

157th Fighter Squadron

175th Fighter Squadron

176th Fighter Squadron

182nd Fighter Squadron

195th Fighter Squadron