Squadron Heritage
77th Fighter Squadron
From supporting a Texas training field during World War I to flying today’s Wild Weasel mission, the 77th has built a proud record of combat service and operational excellence.
A Century of Service
Squadron History
The 77th Fighter Squadron was activated at Waco Field, Texas, on 20 February 1918. During World War I, it served at Barron Field, Texas, providing base support. With the war over, the squadron was inactivated in 1919.
As the Air Corps expanded, the squadron was reactivated in November 1930 as part of the newly created 20th Pursuit Group at Mather Field, California. After operating from numerous bases and flying several aircraft types, it moved to March Field, California, and converted to the P-38 in 1943. The squadron later deployed to King’s Cliffe, England, where it conducted combat operations over Europe in the P-38 and P-51.
Briefly inactivated after World War II, the squadron returned to service in 1946 at Biggs Field, Texas. It subsequently moved to Shaw Field, South Carolina, where it became part of the reactivated 20th Fighter Group and the newly created 20th Fighter Wing.
The squadron operated various versions of the F-84 at Shaw Air Force Base, Langley Air Force Base, and RAF Wethersfield. At Wethersfield, it assumed a nuclear mission with the F-84G—a mission that continued through its service with the F-100 and, later, the F-111E at RAF Upper Heyford.
The 77th provided both aircrew and aircraft for combat operations during Operation Desert Storm. With the end of the Cold War, the squadron was inactivated in September 1993. It was reactivated on 1 January 1994 and assigned to the 20th Operations Group, 20th Fighter Wing, which transferred to Shaw Air Force Base that same day. At Shaw, the 77th assumed the Wild Weasel mission in the F-16.
Across the Generations
Defining Eras
World War I Base Support
Activated at Waco Field and stationed at Barron Field, the squadron supported the training-base mission during the closing period of World War I.
Combat Over Europe
Operating from King’s Cliffe, England, the 77th flew combat missions over Europe in the P-38 Lightning and P-51 Mustang.
From Nuclear Deterrence to Wild Weasel
The squadron’s mission evolved through the F-84G, F-100, and F-111E, followed by Desert Storm combat operations and today’s F-16 Wild Weasel role.