Usaf 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron Tank Tops

April 1962, the 480th TFS was reactivated again under United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) and assigned to the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing. Arriving at Chaumont-Semoutiers Air Base, France 1963, the 480th TFS was reassigned to Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, where it re-equipped with the McDonnell Douglas F-4C Phantom II in 1965.

The squadron was deployed to Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam, on 5 February 1966 as part of the USAF buildup in Southeast Asia. On 15 April 1969, the squadron moved to Phù Cát Air Base (tail code: HK), South Vietnam

The 480th Fighter Squadron (480th FS), nicknamed the Warhawks, is an active United States Air Force unit operating the General Dynamics F-16CJ Fighting Falcon. The 480 FS assigned to the 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany is the only United States Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa flying unit performing the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) mission. United States Air Force Europe (1962–1963) April 1962, the 480th TFS was reactivated again under United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) and assigned to the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing. Arriving at Chaumont-Semoutiers Air Base, France 1963, the 480th TFS was reassigned to Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico.

The 480th Fighter Squadron (480th FS), nicknamed the Warhawks, is an active United States Air Force unit operating the General Dynamics F-16CJ Fighting Falcon. The 480 FS assigned to the 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany is the only United States Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa flying unit performing the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) mission. United States Air Force Europe (1962–1963) April 1962, the 480th TFS was reactivated again under United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) and assigned to the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing. Arriving at Chaumont-Semoutiers Air Base, France 1963, the 480th TFS was reassigned to Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the squadron conducted routine training missions however the outbreak of the 1990–91 Gulf War put the F-15s of Bitburg into the heart of the conflict. The squadron's pilots and aircraft engaged in combat operations during Operation Desert Storm. Not a single F-15 aircraft was lost in combat during the war. In June 1991, the deployed squadron returned to Bitburg.

Perfect for 497th TFS veterans, flight simulator gamers, F4 Phantom model kit builders and military history enthusiasts. Also makes a cool 497th Tactical Fighter Squadron gift at Christmas and birthdays.

Perfect for 497th TFS veterans, flight simulator gamers, F4 Phantom model kit builders and military history enthusiasts. Also makes a cool 497th Tactical Fighter Squadron gift at Christmas and birthdays.

Here's the crest of the mighty USAF Tactical Air Command (TAC). TAC's mission was to provide air superiority by eliminating an enemy's aircraft so other military units could perform their missions. TAC handled tactical bombing and ground support missions, too.

The 480th Fighter Squadron (480th FS), nicknamed the Warhawks, is an active United States Air Force unit operating the General Dynamics F-16CJ Fighting Falcon. The 480 FS assigned to the 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany is the only United States Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa flying unit performing the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) mission. United States Air Force Europe (1962–1963) April 1962, the 480th TFS was reactivated again under United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) and assigned to the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing. Arriving at Chaumont-Semoutiers Air Base, France 1963, the 480th TFS was reassigned to Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico.

A pair of F16 Fighting Falcons flying in tight formation photographed at RAF Fairford in England in 2017. The show was a tribute to the 70th anniversary of the United States Air Force. The aircraft belong to the 480th fighter squadron, nicknamed "Warhawks" based in Spangdahelm in Germany.

The squadron was reactivated as the 430th Fighter-Bomber Squadron in 1952, when it replaced an Air National Guard squadron in Japan. It again saw combat in the Korean War, earning another Distinguished Unit Citation and a Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation. The squadron returned to the United States in 1954, but made frequent overseas deployments, including combat in the Vietnam War. It remained a fighter unit until inactivating in 1989. In 1992, the unit became the 430th Electronic Combat Squadron, but was only active for one year. It was converted to provisional status and received its current name in 2013.

In May 1961, received the Republic F-105 Thunderchief and continued to carry on its Cold War mission of tactical nuclear weapons delivery. Twice in the early 1960s when Cold War tensions were elevated due to the 1961 Berlin Wall crisis and 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis the squadron rose to a high level of alert. Was upgraded to the McDonnell F-4 Phantom II in 1966.

The 430th TFS returned to Clovis Air Force Base, New Mexico in November 1954. Squadron was re-equipped with Nort American F-86H Sabre fighter-bomber aircraft, being assigned to Twelfth Air Force, Tactical Air Command. Maintained proficiency in tactical fighter operations, deploying components, aircraft, and crews on a global basis in support of NATO, PACAF, AAC, and other organizations. Deployed to southeastern United States during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.

In 1952 when it moved to the new Bitburg Air Base, west of the Rhine River near the French border in the Eifel mountains. In August 1953, the North American F-86F Sabre was introduced to the squadron, replacing the F-84s. In 1956, the squadron received the North American F-100 Super Sabre, marking the first time a wing in USAFE flew supersonic jets. On 15 May 1958, the squadron was redesignated as a tactical fighter squadron because its missions had now grown to include delivery of tactical nuclear weapons.

1952 when it moved to the new Bitburg Air Base, west of the Rhine River near the French border in the Eifel mountains. In August 1953, the North American F-86F Sabre was introduced to the squadron, replacing the F-84s. In 1956, the squadron received the North American F-100 Super Sabre, marking the first time a wing in USAFE flew supersonic jets. On 15 May 1958, the squadron was redesignated as a tactical fighter squadron because its missions had now grown to include delivery of tactical nuclear weapons.