36th Fighter Squadron

VISION
To lead the combat air forces as the most lethal fighter squadron of motivated, expertly trained warriors focused on the defense of the Republic of Korea and regional stability

MISSION STATEMENT
Prepare for and execute immediate air combat operations to dominate any aggressors threatening U.S. or ROK interests.

The 36th Fighter Squadron is a combat ready Block 40 F-16/C/D squadron with the capability to conduct air interdiction, close air support and counter-air missions in both day and night conditions. 

HISTORY
During its distinguished 101-year history, the 36th FS has flown over 20 different types of aircraft, received 22 unit citations and accumulated 24 service and campaign streamers. 

The unit came into existence when a group of aviation pioneers, eager to prove the value of air power in World War I, formed the 36th Aero Squadron at Kelly Field, Texas, in June 1917. First Lieutenant Quentin Roosevelt, the son of President Theodore Roosevelt, was one of the squadron's first commanders, assuming command later that year. While the new squadron did not see combat as a unit when it moved to France, several of its members did while flying for other squadrons. 

After World War I, the 36th was inactivated, only to be resurrected in October 1930 at Selfridge Field, Mich., to train pilots and develop new air tactics. In 1932, the 36th relocated to Langley Field, Va., as part of the 8th Pursuit Group, now the 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. While assigned to the 8th, the 36th flew airmail for the U.S. Postal Service, flying in all types of weather without instruments. During World War II, the Fiends flew P-40, P-39, P-47 and P-38 fighters in a number of Pacific Theater campaigns. These included the defense of New Guinea and the battle for the Philippines. They moved to Fukuska, Japan at the end of the war. 

When the communist forces attacked the Republic of Korea in June 1950, the 36th found itself in the fight from the beginning of the conflict. Flying their new F-80 Shooting Stars, the squadron attacked advancing North Korean tanks, trucks, artillery and troops. The unit later converted back to the piston-engined F-51 Mustang, considered more suitable for operations in Korea. The Fiends ended the war equipped with F-86 Saberjets, flying bombing and strafing missions against enemy air fields. The 36th returned to Japan after the Korean War, operating out of Itazuke Air Base for the next 10 years. 

During the Vietnam conflict, the 36th flew combat missions into Southeast Asia from Korat Royal Thai Air Base. Fiend pilots flew F-105 Thunderchiefs, escorting rescue aircraft and suppressing anti-aircraft fire. The squadron was re-equipped with F-4C Phantom II fighters in December 1967 and stationed at Yokota Air Base, Japan, with regular deployments to Kunsan beginning in March 1971. The 36th moved to Kunsan in May 1971, establishing a forward operating location at Osan. The squadron permanently moved to Osan and was assigned to the 51st Composite Wing (Tactical) in September 1974. 

The 36th ushered in the era of the "Viper" on Aug. 10, 1988, when squadron commander Lt. Col. Al Spitzer landed the first F-16C "Fighting Falcon" at Osan. The squadron's combat capabilities were transformed in 1993 when the Fiends converted to the Block 40 Low Altitude Navigational and Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN) F-16C/D. The addition of LANTIRN gave the Fiends the current ability to fly at low levels and deliver precision guided munitions during nighttime conditions. Upgrades to the Block 40 in recent years have included GBU-31 JDAM capability for all weather precision engagement. 

The 36th FS, more recently, has begun training with the AIM-9X Sidewinder and the AN/AAQ-33 Sniper XR Advanced Targeting Pod. Additionally, in the Spring of 2012 the Fiends acquired the AN/ASQ-213 HARM Targeting System.

 

Engagements

World War I
World War II
Korean War
Vietnam

Streamers

Service Streamers
World War I Theater of Operations 

Campaign Streamers
World War II

East Indies
Air Offensive, Japan
China Defensive
Papua
New Guinea
Bismarck Archipelago
Western Pacific
Leyte
Luzon with Arrowhead
Southern Philippines
China Offensive

Korea
UN Defensive
UN Offensive
CCF Intervention
First UN Counteroffensive
CCF Spring Offensive
UN Summer-Fall Offensive
Second Korean Winter
Korea, Summer-Fall, 1952
Third Korean Winter
Korea, Summer 1953

Vietnam
Vietnam Advisory
Vietnam Defensive

Decorations

Distinguished Unit Citations
Papua, [Sep] 1942–23 Jan 1943
New Britain, 26 Dec 1943
Philippine Islands, 26 Dec 1944
Korea, 16 Sep–2 Nov 1950

Presidential Unit Citation
Vietnam, 26 Aug–28 Oct 1965

Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards
12 May 1963–21 May 1964
1 Apr–30 Jun 1965
15 Apr 1969–15 Apr 1971
1 Jul 1972–31 Dec 1973
30 Sep 1974–31 Mar 1976
1 Apr 1983–20 Apr 1984
1 May 1984–30 Apr 1985
1 Jul 1985–30 Jun 1987
1 Jul 1987–30 Jun 1989
1 Oct 1992-30 Sep 1994
1 Nov 1995-31 May 1997
1 Oct 2002-30 Sep 2004.

Philippine Presidential Unit Citation (WWII)
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citations

27 Jun 1950–31 Jan 1951
1 Feb 1951–31 Mar 1953
19–20 Aug 1972

Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
1 Apr 1966–14 May 1971

Annual Consumer Report