Designation: 336th Fighter Squadron
Tailcode: SJ
Mission: Operational Squadron
Homebase: Seymour Johnson AFB, NC

The 336th Fighter Squadron 'Rocketeers' was the first operational F-15E squadron in the US Air Force when it achieved IOC on 1 October 1989. The squadron is based at Seymour Johnson AFB, located at the south-eastern outskirts of Goldsboro, North Carolina. Today's 336th Fighter Squadron is assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing, which is part of Air Combat Command's 9th Air Force and USCENTAF.

Commanded by Lt Col Scott "K9" Kindsvater, the 336th Fighter Squadron permanently trains for its mission as a combat-ready fighter squadron prepared for rapid worldwide deployment of its 24 F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft to accomplish offensive counter-air (air-to-ground), offensive and defensive counter-air (air-to-air), suppression of enemy air defenses ( SEAD), strategic attack, and deep interdiction missions.

Aircraft

Aircraft currently assigned to the 336th Fighter Squadron:

This section is under construction. Please check back later...

Note: All aircraft currently assigned to the 336th FS are equipped with F100-PW-220 engines.

World War II

"Volunteers for the RAF"

The history of the 336th Fighter Squadron dates back to World War II, when the squadron was activated as part of the 4th Fighter Group in the 8th Air Force at Debden, England, on 29 September 1942. The new squadron was made up of American volunteer pilots who had been serving in the Royal Air Force Fighter Command's third 'Eagle' squadron (No. 133 Squadron) which had formed on 1 August 1941 and operated the Hawker Hurricane fighter aircraft. 133 was mostly tasked with convoy escort patrols over the North Atlantic.

In October 1941 No.133 Squadron received the new Supermarine Spitfire fighter and gained their first aerial victory against the German Luftwaffe on 5 February 1942 when they engaged several Dornier Do 217s during a convoy patrol mission and shot down one. By May 1942 the squadron participated in the full range of offensive operations against Germany, mostly flying bomber escort missions and fighter sweeps.

A Spitfire of No.133 'Eagle' Squadron Photo courtesy of RAF Museum	366th Fighter Squadron P-51 Mustang Photo courtesy of US Air Force Museum

When No.133 Squadron and its two sister 'Eagle' squadrons (No.71 Squadron and No.122 Squadron) were transferred to the US Army Air Force to form the new 4th Fighter Group on 29 September 1942, No.133 Squadron became the 336th Fighter Squadron. Now operating out of Debden Airdrome, Essex, the 336th continued to fly their Spitfire Mk. Vb's until the arrival of Republic P-47 Thunderbolt fighter-bombers in early 1943.

Nearly one year later, the 336th started converting to the North American P-51 Mustang fighter, which served as their primary aircraft for the reminder of the war. The 336th Fighter Squadron participated in numerous campaigns during the war incl. Air Offensive Europe, Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe. Crews of the 336th were the first fighters to penetrate German airspace and by the end of the war the 336th had destroyed a total of 358 aircraft, 175 in the air and 183 on the ground. Twenty pilots of the 336th Fighter Squadron achieved ace status, with then Capt. Domenic 'Don' Gentile probably being the most famous of them.

After World War II

"The Rocketeers"

After the end of World War II hostilities in Europe the 336th Fighter Squadron moved to Steeple Morden airdrome, England on 23 Juli 1945 in preparation for their return to the United States, which took place on 4 November 1945. The 336th arrived at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey on 9 November 1945, where it was deactivated the following day.

On 9 September 1946 the Air Force reactivated the 336th Fighter Squadron at Selfridge Field, Michigan, where they operated once again the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. On 26 March 1947, the 336th moved to Andrews Fields (later Andrews AFB), Maryland, where it was redesignated the 336th Fighter Squadron (Jet Propelled) on 23 April 1947 and started converting to the Rebublic F-80 Shooting Star.

Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star Photo courtesy of USAF	North American F-86 Sabre Photo courtesy of John Starr

With its new F-80 Shooting Star, the USAF's first aircraft to exceed 500 mph in level flight, the 336th was one of the first units in the US Air Force to enter the jet age, earning them the name 'Rocketeers'.

On 2 May 1949 the 'Rocketeers' moved to Langley AFB, Virgina, where they transitioned to the North American F-86 Sabre, the first swept wing supersonic fighter in the Air Force's inventory. On 20 June 1950 the 'Rocketeers' were redesignated the 336th Fighter Interceptor Squadron.

The Korean War

"The Rocketeers at K-14"

When the North Korean People's Army crossed the 38th parallel and invaded South Korea on 25 June 1950, President Truman followed the United Nations Security Council's call to support South Korea against North Korea only two days later. He ordered the US Air Force and US Navy to help South Korea.

On 28 June 1950 the US Air Force flew first combat missions over Korea and on 13 December 1950, the 336th Fighter Squadron moved to Johnson AFB, Japan, to join hostilities with their F-86 Sabres, which were shipped in from San Francisco on aircraft carriers.

The primary mission of the 336th was air superiority, and their F-86 Sabres were capable of battling the Soviet-built MiG-15 on equal terms. Only four days after their arrival in the theater, 336th FIS commander Lt.Col. Bruce Hinton damaged a MIG-15 and shot down another in the first ever all supersonic aerial combat on 17 December 1950.

A 336th FIS F-86 Sabre at K-14, Korea Photo courtesy of John Starr	336 FIS F-86s scramble for "MIG Alley" Photo courtesy of John Starr

After the allied forces had gained a stronger foothold on the Korean peninsula, the 336th Fighter Interceptor Squadron deployed to Taegu AB (K-2), South Korea, on 15 March 1951, and to Suwon AB (K-13), South Korea, on 6 April 1951.

On 27 June 1951, the 'Rocketeers' returned to Johnson AFB, Japan, but only three months later, on 20 September 1951, they moved to Kimpo AB (K-14), South Korea, where they would stay for the reminder of the Korean War. Tasked mostly with air superiority missions over "MIG Alley", a narrow triangle of land south of the Yalu River in the northwestern corner of the Korean Peninsula, the 'Rocketeers' usually operated in flights of four, hoping to find MiGs that would engage in battle.

By the end of the Korean War in Juli 1953, the 336th Fighter Interceptor Squadron was credited with no less than 116.5 kills, adding four more aces to its rolls.

After the Korean War

"Seymour Johnson - Home Sweet Home"

After the cease-fire between North and South Korea, which became effective on 27 July 1953, the 336th FIS remained at Kimpo AB, Korea, until late 1954. With the deactivation of the 4th Fighter Interceptor Group, the 'Rocketeers' were assigned to the 49th Fighter Bomber Wing and moved to Misawa AB, Japan, on 19 November 1954. On 8 March 1955, the 336th FIS was redesignated the 336th Fighter Bomber Squadron and on 25 April 1956 the 336th Fighter Day Squadron.

When the 4th Fighter Day Wing was reactivated on 8 December 1957, the 336th Fighter Day Squadron moved to Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina, to rejoin the 4th. Only interrupted by numerous deployments, Seymour Johnson AFB would be the permanent homebase of the Rocketeers eversince.

On 1 July 1958, the 336th was redesignated the 336th Tactical Fighter Squadron and started converting to the North American F-100 Super Sabre. In July 1959, the 'Rocketeers' transitioned to the Republic F-105 Thunderchief, becoming one of Tactical Air Command's first squadrons to fly this Mach 2 capable aircraft.

The following eight years were a rather eventless period for the 'Rocketeers'. They deployed to McCoy AFB, Florida from 21 October through 29 November 1962. The 336th TFS deployed again from 12 August 1963 through 7 January 1964, this time to Moron AB, Spain. And from 25 May through 30 August 1965, Incirlik AB, Turkey, was the 336th TFS's host.

Republic F-105 Thunderchiefs Photo courtesy of USAF Museum	McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II Photo courtesy of USAF Museum

In early 1967, the 336th Tactical Fighter Squadron started converting to the McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II.

On 23 January 1968 North Korean patrol boats attacked and seized the US Navy reconnaissance vessel USS Pueblo in the international waters of the East Sea off Wonsan. One USS Pueblo crewmember was killed in the boarding and 82 were taken POW and held captive.

The United States' response to the seizure of the USS Pueblo was a military build-up in the area. In support of Operation 'Red Fox', the 336th Tactical Fighter Squadron received orders to deploy with their new F-4D Phantom II's to South Korea on 26 January 1968, where they were tasked with operations associated with the incident. The 336th returned to Seymour Johnson AFB in June 1968, as the situation in the area relaxed.

From June 1970 through July 1971 the 'Rocketeers' transitioned to the new McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II. The 336th TFS also became Tactical Air Command's first operational squadron to use the new modular bare base equipment.

The Vietnam War

"The Rocketeers in Thailand"

The 336th Tactical Fighter Squadron saw only little action in Vietnam. It was late in the war when the squadron deployed to southeast asia for the first time. The 'Rocketeers' arrived at Ubon RTAFB, Thailand, on 12 April 1972, where they were tasked with missions in support of Operation 'Linebacker', including chaff dispensing missions preceding air strikes by other Air Force units.

On 15 August 1972, a F-4E from the 336th TFS flown by Captain Fred Sheffler and his WSO Mark Massen accomplished the 4th TFW's only air-to-air kill during the Vietnam War by destroying an enemy MIG-21 Foxbat with an AIM-7 Sparrow missile. The 'Rocketeers' returned to Seymour-Johnson after their first Southeast Asia rotation ended on 30 September 1972.

McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II Photo courtesy of USAF Museum	A 336TFS F-4E lands at Seymour Johnson Photo courtesy of USAF Museum

The 'Rocketeers' returned to Ubon RTAFB, Thailand, for their second Vietnam deployment from 9 March through 7 September 1973. Once again, they were primarily tasked missions in support of the 'Linebacker' operations in Southeast Asia.

After the Vietnam War

"Back at Seymour Johnson"

One month after their returning from Thailand, in October 1973, the 336th participated in Operation 'Peace Echo IV', the delivery of ex- USAF and new-build McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II aircraft and material to the Israeli Air Force.

From 1978 through 1985, the 336th TFS deployed five times to Ramstein AB, Germany, for four-week periods. These deployments were associated with the 4th TFW's assumption of NATO's dual-based tasking in October 1977. During their stays at Ramstein AB, the 336th TFS participated in NATO exercises and familiarized with the European theatre of operations and weather.

With the arrival of F-15E 87-0187 'Spirit of Goldsboro' at Seymour Johnson on 29 December 1988, the 336th Tactical Fighter Squadron became the first operational squadron in the US Air Force to start converting to the new McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle.

Less than one year later, on 1 October 1989, the 'Rocketeers' achieved IOC and became the first operational F-15E squadron in the 4th TFW and in the US Air Force.

Operation 'Desert Storm'

"The Rocketeers in the Gulf"

When the United States and its allies started their build-up of forces in the Persian Gulf, the 336th Tactical Fighter Squadron was the first F-15E squadron that received orders to deploy for Operation 'Desert Shield'.

On 9 August 1990 the 'Rocketeers' left Seymour Johnson for Seeb Intern. Airport, Oman, where they started preparing for Operation 'Desert Storm'. On 30 September 1990, the 'Rocketeers' lost two of their own, when Maj. Peter S. Hook and his WSO Capt. James B. 'Boo Boo' Poulet were killed on a low-level training mission in the Omani desert. The 336th moved to Al-Kharj AB, Saudi Arabia, on 18 December 1990.

The 'Rocketeers' at Al-Kharj AB Photo courtesy of Lt.Col. Jerry 'One-Y' Oney	336th FS F-15Es lined up at Al-Kharj AB Photo courtesy of Lt.Col. Jerry 'One-Y' Oney

On the night of 17 January 1991, the 336th TFS participated in the initial assault on Iraq. The first night was an unqualified success as all 24 aircraft put their bombs on target and returned home safe and sound. On 18 January 1991, Iraqi air defenses downed one of the 336th Tactical Fighter Squadron's aircraft in the Iraqi desert. Both crewmen survived but were captured and taken prisoner until the end of the war.

By the end of Operation 'Desert Storm', the 336th TFS had flown a total of 1,088 combat sorties, logging more than 3,200 hours. The squadron dropped more than 6.5 million pounds of general-purpose, cluster and laser-guided bombs on bridges, airfields and SCUD launchers, as well as Republican Guard and regular Iraqi Army units. The 336th TFS returned to Seymour Johnson AFB on 13 March 1991.

After Gulf War I

"The Rocketeers keep moving"

Since the end of hostilities in the Persian Gulf, the 336th Fighter Squadron has returned to the region numerous times. Operating out of Dhahran AB and Prince Sultan AB, Saudi Arabia, the 'Rocketeers' played their role in the enforcement of the southern no-fly zone over Iraq under Operation 'Southern Watch'.

The 336th TFS also participated in various exercises such as 'Maple Flag', 'Gun Smoke', 'Combat Hammer', 'Ocean Venture', and 'Quick Force'. The squadron was redesignated the 336th Fighter Squadron on 1 December 1995.

On 2 April 1999, the 336th FS deployed four F-15Es and 110 support personnel to Operation 'Northern Watch'. The 'Rocketeers' were based at Incirlik AB, Turkey, where they participated in the enforcement of the northern no-fly zone over Iraq. Throughout their seven-month deployment to Incirlik, the 336th FS flew nearly 200 sorties, 150 of which were combat missions, dropping more than 290,000 pounds of bombs. The 'Rocketeers' successfully employed the AGM-130 missile to suppress Iraqi surface to air missile sites. The 336th was the first 4th FW squadron to use the weapon during combat. The 336th returned to Seymour Johnson on 30 September 1999.

In August 1999, the 336th Fighter Squadron sent eight F-15Es and 107 support personnel to Tyndall AFB, Florida, where they participated in exercise 'Combat Archer'. The 'Rocketeers' flew 99 sorties and expended seven air-to-air missiles during the exercise.

A 336FS F-15E during Exercise 'Red Flag' Photo courtesy of USAF	A 'Rocketeer' over Iraq during OIF Photo courtesy of MSgt. Luis Drummond

From 3 through 19 February 2000, the 336th FS and the 335th FS sent 22 F-15Es and more than 350 support personnel on a deployement to Nellis AFB, Nevada, where they participated in exercise 'Red Flag'. During the exercise, they performed Offensive Counter Air ( OCA) and Interdiction roles in a day/night high-threat scenario.

In May 2000, parts of the 'Rocketeers' returned to Incirlik AB, Turkey, once again patrolling the Iraqi northern no-fly zone under Operation 'Northern Watch'. They flew more than 60 combat sorties and dropped more than 69,000 pounds of ordnance.

One month later, the 336th FS deployed eight F-15Es, 25 aircrew, and 147 support personnel to Nellis AFB, Nevada. From 19 through 23 June 2000, the squadron participated in exercise 'Roving Sands 2000', a Joint Theater Air and Missile Defense exercise which consisted of both live and simulated operations conducted at multiple locations.

Operation 'Iraqi Freedom'

"Back at the Gulf"

On 10 January 2003, the 336th Fighter Squadron began deployment of 24 F-15E's to Al Udeid, AB, Qatar, with the last aircraft arriving at Al Udeid on 17 January.

336th FS Patch (Current)	336th FS Patch Operation 'Northern Watch' (1999)	336th FS Patch Exercise 'Red Flag' (2000)

Sources

• USAF, 4th Fighter Wing
• Global Security.org

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