Profile #03 - Air Force Reserve & Air National Guard

Lockheed Martin's (formerly General Dynamics) F-16 Fighting Falcon entered service with the Air National Guard (ANG) in July 1983 and in January 1984 the first F-16's came into service with the Air Force Reserve (AFRC formerly AFRes).

The ANG have at present twenty eight Wings operating various variant's of the 'Viper' (23 with C/D's, 4 with the ADF variant's and 1 still operating the A/B model). Whilst four Fighter Wings of AFRC operate F-16C/D's. The United States Reserve forces operate various Block types from the Block 5's, in the training role with the 162nd FW at Tucson, up to the latest F-16 variant, the Block 52's of the 169th FW at McEntire ANGB (which was also the first ANG unit to operate the F-16 in 1984).

With the F-22 Raptor not due to reach the regular Air Force until 2005 and the JSF a long way away, the reserve forces will have to make do with the 'Viper' for quite a few years...Which I think will suit them just fine.....

482 FW FM	F-16A Block 15J 82-0900 from the 93 FS 432 FW. Since this photo was taken the 93 FS have converted to Block 25 & 32 F-16C's. F-16D's are borrowed from other units when required. © Daniel Soulaine	944 FW LR	F-16C Block 32D 86-0292/LR from the 302 FS, 944 FW The unit was the first to receive new build F-16's (in 1987) rather than 'second-hand' ones in AFRC (Then known as AFRES - Air Force Reserve) Thirteen years later they still operate the same a/c! © Craig Baldwin

301 FW TX	F-16C Block 30A 85-1444/TX operated by 457 FS from the Joint Reserve Base (JRB) at NAS Fort Worth. The unit originally flew Block 15 F-16A/B's until 1994. © Peter Greengrass	419 FW HI	This can only be one place, Hill AFB home to the 466 FS, 419 FW. The 466th were the first AFRES unit to receive the Viper, the original aircraft came from the co-located active duty 388 TFW. F-16C Block 30F 87-0247/HI. © Brian C Rogers

127th Fighter Wing		Selfridge ANGB, Michigan	MI
Squadron Tail Colour	107th FS Black/Red
Current Type - Block	F-16C/D - 30
147th Fighter Wing		Ellington Field, Texas	EF
Squadron Tail Colour	111th FS Low-Viz
Current Type - Block	F-16C/D - 25
180th Fighter Wing		Toledo Express Apt, Ohio	OH
Squadron Tail Colour	112th FS Green/White
Current Type - Block	F-16C/D - 42
181st Fighter Wing		Hulman Field, Indiana	TH
Squadron Tail Colour	113th FS Red/White/Blue
Current Type - Block	F-16C/D - 30
177th Fighter Wing		Atlantic City IAP, New Jersey	AC
Squadron Tail Colour	119th FS Red/White
Current Type - Block	F-16C/D - 25
140th Fighter Wing		Buckley ANGB, Colorado	CO
Squadron Tail Colour	120th FS White/Blue
Current Type - Block	F-16C/D - 30
113th Fighter Wing		Andrews AFB, Maryland	DC
Squadron Tail Colour	121st FS Low-Viz
Current Type - Block	F-16C/D - 30
132nd Fighter Wing		Des Moines IAP, Iowa
Squadron Tail Colour	124th FS Red/White/Blue
Current Type - Block	F-16C/D - 42
138th Fighter Wing		Tulsa IAP, Oklahoma	OK
Squadron Tail Colour	125th FS Red/White
Current Type - Block	F-16C/D - 42
158th Fighter Wing		Burlington IAP, Vermont
Squadron Tail Colour	134th FS Low-Viz
Current Type - Block	F-16C/D - 25

127 FW MI	F-16C Block 30C, 86-0207 MI, operated by the 107th FS, 127th FW, Michigan ANG. Another former A-7D unit, the ‘Michigan Werewolves’ have recently undergone a name change - now called the ‘Red Devils’. © Brian C Rogers	147 FW EF	F-16C Block 25C, 84-1226 EF on the taxiway at Ellington Field, Houston. The 111 FS, 147 FW, Texas ANG wear a low viz grey stylized ‘Lone Star’ Texan flag on the fin base of their Vipers. The EF tailcode is recent addition for the ‘Ace in the Hole’ squadron, which previously flew the F-101, F-4, F-16A and F-16A (ADF). © Jarrod Wilkening

180 FW OH	F-16C Block 25B, 83-1158 OH, operated by the 112 FS ‘Stingers’, 180 FW, Ohio ANG. Yet another former A-7D unit, conversion to F-16Cs was completed in 1993. The current markings consist of a green/white band and a small grey scorpion emblem on the fin base, behind the ‘Stingers’ titling. © Unknown/EMCS	181 FW TH	F-16C Block 25F, 85-1407 TH, operated by the 113 FS, 181 FW, Indiana ANG. The unit markings consist of a white, eagle-headed fin band with black checks to the rear portion. The unit name ‘Racers’ is prominent at the base of the fin. The unit previously flew F-4C and E Phantom II's, and completed conversion to F-16s in 1992. © Unknown/EMCS

177 FW AC	F-16C Block 25A, 83-1133 AC, is operated by the 119 FS ‘Jersey Devils’, 177 FW New Jersey ANG. The unit was the final F-106A Delta Dart operator, then flew F-16A (ADF) models for a number of years before converting to the F-16C. A small devil’s head emblem is carried behind the cockpit, as well as the three-digit serial code on the nose. © Duncan Adams	140 FW CO	F-16C Block 30E, 86-0324 CO, 120 FS ‘Mile High Militia’, 140 FW, Colorado ANG. The unit completed conversion to the F-16C from the A-7D in 1992 © Doug Slowiak/Vortex Photo Graphics

113 FW DC	F-16C Block 30A, 85-1450 DC, the personal mount of the Commander of the 121 FS, 113 FW, District of Columbia ANG. The ‘Falcon Fighters’ fin band is dark grey with four light grey stars. A light grey Falcon emblem is carried behind the cockpit, and a small two-digit code is worn on the nose, in this case 06. The unit completed conversion to F-16 from the F-4D Phantom in 1990. © Brian C Rogers	132 FW	F-16C Block 42E, 89-2019 124 FS, 132 FW, Iowa ANG, photographed in September 1999. Another former A-7 unit, the ‘Hawkeyes’ have recently modified their tail markings - the previous red, white and blue flag has been replaced by a more aggressive vipers head emblem. © Don Logan

138 FW OK	F-16C Block 42E, 89-2010 OK, the commanders aircraft of the 125 FS, 138 FW, Oklahoma ANG, wears a highlighted tailcode and serial, red fin band and a colourful Indian chief emblem. Also worn on the nose are the last four digits of the serial in grey. The unit converted from A-7D to F-16C in 1993. © Doug Slowiak/Vortex Photo Graphics	158 FW	F-16C Block 25E, 84-1306, 134 FS, 158 FW, Vermont ANG. After converting from the F-4D Phantom II in 1986, the ‘Green Mountain Boys’ operated the F-16A then the F-16A (ADF) before converting to the F-16C. The current markings include a low viz band and a large militiaman figure on the fin. © Philippe Colin

174th Fighter Wing		Syracuse-Hancock Field, New York		NY
Squadron Tail Colour	138th FS Blue/Yellow
Current Type - Block	F-16C/D - 25/30
162nd Fighter Wing		Tucson IAP, Arizona		AZ
Squadron Tail Colour	148th FS Red/Yellow/Blue	152nd FS Red/Yellow/Blue	195th FS Red/Yellow/Blue
Current Type - Block	F-16A/B - 15	F-16C/D - 25/42	F-16A/B - 5/10
192nd Fighter Wing		Richmond IAP, Virginia		VA
Squadron Tail Colour	149th FS Red/White/Blue
Current Type - Block	F-16C/D - 30
169th Fighter Wing		McEntire ANGB, South Carolina
Squadron Tail Colour	157th FS Low-Viz
Current Type - Block	F-16C/D - 52
187th Fighter Wing		Montgomery - Dannelly Field, Alabama		AL
Squadron Tail Colour	160th FS Red/White
Current Type - Block	F-16C/D - 30
178th Fighter Wing		Springfield - Buckley MAP, Ohio		OH
Squadron Tail Colour	162nd FS Red/Yellow
Current Type - Block	F-16C/D - 30
122nd Fighter Wing		Fort Wayne MAP, Indiana		FW
Squadron Tail Colour	163rd FS Blue/Gold
Current Type - Block	F-16C/D - 25
183rd Fighter Wing		Capitol Apt, Illinois		SI
Squadron Tail Colour	170th FS Orange/Blue/White
Current Type - Block	F-16C/D - 30
185th Fighter Wing		Sioux City Gateway Apt, Iowa
Squadron Tail Colour	174th FS Black
Current Type - Block	F-16C/D - 30
114th Fighter Wing		Joe Foss Field, South Dakota
Squadron Tail Colour	175th FS Red/White
Current Type - Block	F-16C/D - 30

174 FW NY	F-16C Block 30H, 87-0285 NY, wears the new markings of the 138 FS 174 FW, New York ANG. The previous scheme of grey checked fin band, italic NY tailcode and ‘Syracuse’ at the fin base has been replaced by a blue/yellow fin band, standard tailcode and a grey viper’s head emblem. The previous small viper marking behind the cockpit has now been removed. The unit flew A-10As for ten years before converting to F-16As in 1989. © Philippe Colin	162 FW AZ	F-16A Block 15K, 82-0938 AZ, assigned to the 148 FS and marked as the commanders mount of the 162 FW, Arizona ANG. The wing is responsible for ANG and AFRC F-16 training and operates F-16A/B/C & D models across its three squadrons. The colourful stylized Arizona state flag on the fin band is matched here by the intake cover. © Bruce Trombecky

192 FW VA	F-16C Block 30C, 86-0244 VA, assigned to the 149 FS, 192 FW, Virginia ANG. The unit flew F-105s for eleven years then A-7Ds for 10 years before completing conversion to the F-16C in 1992. The Vipers currently wear red/white/blue fin bands and VA tailcodes. © Jerry Geer	169 FW	F-16D Block 52P, 92-3925 taxies out at McEntire ANGB in November 1999. The ‘Swamp Foxes’ of the 157 FS, 169 FW, South Carolina ANG formerly operated the A-7D Corsair, and are not difficult to identify with their massive fin band! A foxes head emblem is carried in light grey behind the cockpit. © Kevin Jackson

187 FW AL	F-16C Block 30E, 86-0346 AL, assigned to the 160 FS, 187 FW, Alabama ANG. The unit, which currently wears red fin bands, formerly flew the RF-4C, F-4D and F-16A before transitioning to the F-16C. © Unknown/Peter Greengrass Collection	178 FW OH	F-16C Block 30F, 87-0245 OH. The 162 FS, 178 FW Ohio ANG, was the final operator of the A-7D Corsair II, and converted to F-16Cs in 1993. The unit currently wears a red/yellow checkered band and a grey cougar’s head on the fins of its Fighting Falcons. © Jerry Geer

122 FW FW	F-16C Block 25A, 83-1130 FW, 163 FS, 122 FW Indiana ANG. The unit completed conversion from the F-4E to the F-16C in 1992, and until recently wore ‘Marksmen’ titles, but have now changed to ‘Black Snakes’. © Brian C Rogers	183 FW SI	F-16C Block 30F, 87-0240 SI, assigned to the 170 FS, 183 FW, Illinois ANG. The SI tailcode stands for ‘Springfield, Illinois’. The fin band and ‘Fly’n Illini’ Indian head dress logo, currently worn in black, have formerly been worn in both blue/orange/white and low viz grey schemes. The unit converted from F-4Ds to F-16As in 1989, then up to F-16Cs in 1996. © Alec Fushi/Flightline Photography

185 FW	F-16C Block 30B , 85-1557, assigned to the 174 FS, 185 FW, Iowa ANG. The unit completed conversion from the A-7D in 1992, and now flies the distinctive Bat marked F-16s, with ‘Sioux City’ at the fin base, and ‘The Bats’ in small grey stylized writing behind the cockpit. © Bruce Trombecky	114 FW	F-16C Block 30A, 85-1466 is assigned to the 175 FS ‘Lobos’, 114 FW, South Dakota ANG, another former A-7D unit. The wolf’s head fin markings are striking, despite being painted in low visibility greys. Colourful nose art is carried on the left side by many of the squadron’s Falcons. © Bob Greby

115th Fighter Wing		Dane County Apt, Wisconsin	WI
Squadron Tail Colour	176th FS Red/White
Current Type - Block	F-16C/D - 30
119th Fighter Wing		Hector Field, North Dakota
Squadron Tail Colour	178th FS Red/White
Current Type - Block	F-16A/B (ADF) - 15
148th Fighter Wing		Duluth IAP, Minnesota
Squadron Tail Colour	179th FS ¹ Blue/White
Current Type - Block	F-16A/B (ADF) - 15
149th Fighter Wing		Kelly AFB, Texas	SA
Squadron Tail Colour	182nd FS Low-Viz
Current Type - Block	F-16C/D - 25/30
188th Fighter Wing		Fort Smith MAP, Arkansas	FS
Squadron Tail Colour	184th FS Red/Blue/White
Current Type - Block	F-16A/B - 15
120th Fighter Wing		Great Falls IAP, Montana
Squadron Tail Colour	186th FS Low-Viz
Current Type - Block	F-16A/B (ADF) - 15
150th Fighter Wing		Kirtland AFB, New Mexico	NM
Squadron Tail Colour	188th FS Yellow/Black	150th DSE ²Black
Current Type - Block	F-16C/D - 40	F-16C/D - 30
144th Fighter Wing		Fresno Yosemite IAP, California
Squadron Tail Colour	194th FS ³Low-Viz
Current Type - Block	F-16C/D - 25

115 FW WI	F-16C Block 30H, 87-0278 WI, assigned to the Wisconsin ANG with the 176 FS, 115 FW. The squadron formerly flew A-10As, and reported to the 128th FW, before converting to F-16Cs in 1993. The wing designation changed to 115th FW in 1996. The current fin band is red/white, worn with a WI tailcode. © Unknown/Peter Greengrass Collection	119 FW	F-16A (ADF) Block 15P, 82-1012 is home based at Hector Field, Fargo. The 178 FS, 119 FW, North Dakota ANG operate ADF modified Block 15 Fighting Falcons in the air defence role. The famous red ‘Happy Hooligans’ fin band was previously worn by the F-4D Phantom II, the last of which was retired in July 1990. © Doug Slowiak/Vortex Photo Graphics

148 FW	F-16A (ADF) Block 15K, 82-0935. The 179 FS, 148 FW, Minnesota ANG, converted from F-4D to ADF Falcons in 1990, and is still current on the type. The unit flies the air defence mission and provides an alert detachment at Tyndall AFB, Florida. Current markings comprise a grey fin band and ‘Ursa Minor’ constellation, with ‘Minnesota’ in light grey on the rear fuselage. © Daniel Soulaine	149 FW SA	F-16A Block 15B, 80-0615 SA. The 182 FS, 149 FG (now a FW), Texas ANG was the first unit to fly the F-16 in the state where it is built. The red/white/blue fin band was toned down to grey before the unit converted to F-16Cs in 1995. The SA tailcode stands for ‘San Antonio’, where Kelly AFB is located. © Daniel Soulaine

188 FW FS	F-16A Block 15L, 82-0964 is assigned to the 184 FS, 188 FW, Arkansas ANG and wears the recently updated red/grey fin band and hog’s head emblem on the fin. The ‘Fort Smith’ FS tailcode is smaller than standard. The ‘Flying Razorbacks’ are the last combat deployable (as opposed to training) USAF Fighter Squadron to operate the standard A/B model Fighting Falcon. © Don Logan	120 FW	F-16A (ADF) Block 15C, 81-0666 is operated by the 186 FS, 120 FW, Montana ANG. The unit fin markings comprise a buffalo’s head over a mountain-scape. The ‘Big Sky Country’ unit converted to F-16As from F-106A Delta Darts in 1987, upgrading to ADF models in 1991. © Craig Baldwin

150 FW NM	F-16C Block 40C, 88-0480 NM, is assigned to the 188 FS, 150 FW, New Mexico ANG, and wears the ‘Tacos’ prominent yellow fin band. The co-assigned 150th DSE flies Block 30 F-16Cs with black fin bands - these aircraft fly in support of US Army test programmes on the White Sands Missile Range. © Doug Slowiak/Vortex Photo Graphics	144 FW	F-16C Block 25E, 84-1318, of the 194 FS, 144 FW, California ANG, photographed at home base, Fresno Yosemite IAP. The ‘Griffins’ have converted from ADF model F-16s to the current C/D models, but retain the screaming eagle marks in dark grey and the state name on the fin. The unit previously flew Delta Darts and Phantoms in the air defence role from George AFB. © Fred Krause

482nd Fighter Wing		Dade County - Homestead Regional Apt, Florida	FM
Squadron Tail Colour	93rd FS Blue/White
Current Type - Block	F-16C - 25/32
944th Fighter Wing		Luke AFB, Arizona	LR
Squadron Tail Colour	302nd FS Yellow/Red	301st FS ?
Current Type - Block	F-16C/D - 32	F-16C/D - ?
301st Fighter Wing		NAS Fort Worth JRB, Texas	TX
Squadron Tail Colour	457th FS Blue/red/white
Current Type - Block	F-16C/D - 30
419th Fighter Wing		Hill AFB, Utah	HI
Squadron Tail Colour	466th FS Yellow/Black
Current Type - Block	F-16C/D - 30

NOTES
¹ Det. at Tyndall AFB		²Defense Systems Evaluation. Operates on behalf of US Army's White Sands Weapons Range in which they e.g. fly simulated target missions for missiles tests. Only 8 F-16C-30's are configured for this kind of work, with part funding by the US Army.
³ Detachment at March ARB