#1279 F-16C Fighting Falcon
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Description
Squadron Prints Lithograph No. 1279 - F-16C Fighting Falcon, 91-0391, 179th Fighter Squadron \"Bulldogs\", 148th Fighter Wing, Duluth IAP, Minnesota.
The 179th Fighter Squadron can trace its lineage back to WWII and the Army Air Corps’ 393 FS. Organized in 1943, the 393 FS saw extensive combat action in Europe flying the P-38 Lightning and P-47 Thunderbolt. The 393rd was briefly deactivated following WWII but was re-activated in Duluth on September 17, 1946 as the 179th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, flying F-51D Mustangs for the Minnesota Air National Guard. The unit assumed a 24/7 alert mission in 1959 as part of Air Defense Command. In 1960 the squadron was designated a part of the 148th Fighter Group and was later awarded the Rick’s Trophy in 1964. During the Cold War the 179th continued the Air Defense mission in the F-94 Starfire, F-89 Scorpion, F-102 Delta Dagger and the F-101 Voodoo. In 1970 the 179th placed first in the prestigious William Tell aerial-gunnery competition. In 1976 the unit converted to RF-4C Phantoms and was re-designated as the 179th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron. It was one of two Air Guard units assigned as a “Rapid Reactor” squadron with a requirement to mobilize and deploy within 48 hours. In 1983 the 179th returned to the Air Defense mission with the F-4D. Conversion to the F-16A Block 15 Air Defense Fighter (ADF) began in 1990 and in 1991 the squadron shouldered a 24/7 alert mission at Tyndall AFB, Florida, which ran continuously until 2003. During the 1990’s the “Bulldogs” also provided air defense at 16 locations around the world to include Panama, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Curacao. Following September 11th 2001, the 179th participated in Operation NOBLE EAGLE, providing Presidential protection and air defense coverage for strategic events across the United States. The squadron converted again in 2003, this time to the Block 25 F-16C. As a part of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, the 179th deployed to Balad Air Base, Iraq in 2005, 2007 and 2008 to conduct combat operations against insurgent terrorist forces. In 2008 the 179 FS was designated the best air-superiority squadron in the United States Air Force and awarded the prestigious Raytheon Trophy. The unit stands as one of only two F-16 squadrons ever to have received this trophy since its inception in 1953. In 2010 the 179th converted to the Block 50 F-16C and mastered the “Wild Weasel” mission of Suppression and/or Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD/DEAD). In 2012 the 179th deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan and flew combat sorties in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Today, the 179th Fighter Squadron stands as a combat-proven unit with a proud history of providing security for the United States, whether home or abroad.
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