F-89 Scorpion units of the United States Air Force
The Northrop F-89 Scorpion was a subsonic second-generation jet interceptor of the United States Air Force. After a long development during the postwar era of the late 1940s, it began reaching operational units in the early 1950s. A stablemate of the North American F-86D Sabre Interceptor, the F-89 replaced the first-generation Lockheed F-94 Starfire interceptor, primarily in the Air Defense Command (ADC). It was phased out of active service in the late 1950s, being replaced by supersonic McDonnell F-101B Voodoos and Convair F-102A Delta Daggers. interceptors.
59th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron Northrop F-89D Scorpions in formation
Models and service life
- F-89B Scorpion, First production model, 40 produced; first assigned to the 84th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, Hamilton AFB, California in June 1951.[1] All transferred to Air National Guard by the end of 1954.[2]
- F-89C Scorpion, Second production model, 164 produced. First assigned to the 74th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, Presque Isle AFB, Maine in January 1952.[1] All transferred to Air National Guard by the end of 1954.[3]
- F-89D Scorpion, Third (and major) production model, 682 produced. First assigned to the 18th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, Ladd AFB, Alaska in January 1954.[1] All transferred to Air National Guard by the end of 1961.[4]
- F-89H Scorpion, Fourth (and last) production model; adaptation of the missile-armed F-89D to carry the new AIM-4 Falcon air-to-air missile, 156 produced. First assigned to the 445th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan in March 1956.[1] All transferred to Air National Guard by September 1959.[5]
- F-89J Scorpion, F-89Ds modified to carry Douglas MB-1 (later AIR-2) Genie nuclear-tipped unguided air-to-air rocket, 350 modified. First assigned to the 54th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, Ellsowrth AFB, South Dakota in July 1957[1][6]
The last active-duty USAF F-89J was transferred to Air National Guard service by the 57th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron at Keflavik Airport, Iceland in July, 1962.[1]
The Wisconsin Air National Guard 176th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron was federalized during the Korean War, receiving F-89Cs in February 1952-while on active duty. It was returned to state control in November 1952. Two squadrons of the Wisconsin Air National Guard, the 126th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron at General Mitchell Field, Milwaukee and the 176th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron at Truax Field, Madison were the first ANG units to be equipped with a mixture of F-89B/Cs in September 1954.[1]
The Northrop F-89 Scorpion reached the end of the line of US military service in July 1969 when the Iowa Air National Guard 124th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron retired its last F-89Js.[1]
Squadrons
| Active-Duty USAF operational squadrons | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Squadron | Unit | Model | Service | Notes/Subsequent History |
| 11th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 515th Air Defense Group | F-89D | Apr 1955-Aug 1956 | Duluth International Airport, MN; Converted to F-102 Delta Dagger[7][8] |
| 15th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 34th Air Division | F-89J | Apr 1959-Apr 1960 | Davis Monthan Air Force Base, AZ; Converted to F-101B Voodoo[8] |
| 18th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 514th Air Defense Group | F-89D | Jan 1954-Jun 1957 | Alaskan Air Command; Ladd Air Force Base, AK; Converted to F-102 Delta Dagger[1] |
| 29th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 29th Air Division | F-89H F-89J |
May 1957-Jun 1960 | Malmstrom Air Force Base, MT, F-89J April 1958; Converted to F-101B Voodoo June 1960[9] |
| 49th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 4727th Air Defense Group Syracuse Air Defense Sector |
F-89J | Aug 1959-Dec 1959 | Griffiss Air Force Base, NY, Acquired F-89Js by swapping F-86L Sabres with 465th FIS; Converted to F-101B/F Voodoo[10] |
| 54th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 29th Air Division | F-89J | Jul 1957-Dec 1960 | Ellsworth Air Force Base, SD, Squadron inactivated 25 December 1960[10] |
| 57th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 528th Air Defense Group Iceland Air Defense Force 1400th Operations Group |
F-89C F-89D F-89J |
Apr 1953-Jul 1962 | Presque Isle Air Force Base, ME; to Military Air Transport Service (MATS): Keflavik Airport, Iceland; To F-89D Aug 1953; F-89J Aug 1954; Last active-duty F-89 Squadron; Converted to F-102A Delta Dagger[1][10] |
| 58th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 33d Fighter Group 4735th Air Defense Group |
F-89D F-89H F-89J |
Apr 1955-Aug 1959 | Otis Air Force Base, MA, F-89H 1956, F-89J 1957; Squadron inactivated 25 December 1960[1][10] |
| 59th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 64th Air Division 4732d Air Defense Group |
F-89D F-89J |
Dec 1954-Apr 1960 | Goose Air Force Base, Labrador; transferred from Northeast Air Command (NEAC) with F-89Ds 1 April 1957 and converted to F-89J; converted to F-102A Delta Dagger[1][11] |
| 61st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 64th Air Division 4731st Air Defense Group |
F-89C F-89D |
Jun 1954-Nov 1957 | Ernest Harmon Air Force Base, Labrador; transferred from NEAC with F-89Ds 1 April 1957; F-89D received Jan 1955; converted to F-102A Delta Dagger[1][11] |
| 63d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 527th Air Defense Group 56th Fighter Group |
F-89D | Apr 1955-Aug 1955 | Wurtsmith Air Force Base, MI; Inactivated; replaced by 445th FIS (Project Arrow) [11] |
| 64th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 10th Air Division | F-89C | Apr 1954-Aug 1957 | Alaskan Air Command: Elmendorf Air Force Base, AK; Converted to F-102A Delta Dagger[1][12] |
| 65th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 10th Air Division | F-89C F-89D |
Apr 1954-Jan 1958 | Alaskan Air Command: Elmendorf Air Force Base, AK; to F-89D November 1954; inactivated Jan 1958[1][12] |
| 66th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 10th Air Division | F-89C | Jul 1954-Nov 1957 | Alaskan Air Command: Elmendorf Air Force Base, AK; Inactivated Jan 1958[12][1] |
| 74th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 4711th Air Defense Wing 528th Air Defense Group 64th Air Division |
F-89C F-89D |
Jun 1952-Jun 1958 | Presque Isle Air Force Base, ME; to NEAC, Thule Air Base, Greenland; F-89D June 1955; inactivated June 1958[1][12] |
| 75th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 23d Fighter Group | F-89D F-89H |
Aug 1955-Jul 1959 | Presque Isle Air Force Base, ME; Replaced 318th FIS; F-89H April 1957; Converted to F-101B Voodoo July 1959[12] |
| 76th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 23d Fighter Group 35th Air Division 32d Air Division |
F-89D F-89H F-89J |
Aug 1955-Apr 1961 | Presque Isle Air Force Base, ME; McCoy Air Force Base, FL; Replaced 82d FIS; F-89H, November 1957; F-89J June 1959; Converted to F-102A April 1961[13] |
| 82d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 28th Air Division | F-89D | Apr 1955-Aug 1955 | Travis Air Force Base, CA; Inactivated; replaced by 76th FIS (Project Arrow)[13] |
| 83d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 78th Fighter-Interceptor Group | F-89B | Oct 1951-Jun 1952 | Hamilton Air Force Base, CA; Converted to F-86D Sabre Interceptor, June 1952[13] |
| 84th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 78th Fighter-Interceptor Group | F-89B F-89D F-89H F-89J |
Jun 1951-Mar 1959 | Hamilton Air Force Base, CA; First USAF F-89 Squadron; Converted to F-101B Voodoo, March 1959[14] |
| 98th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 4621st Air Defense Wing 4728th Air Defense Group New York Air Defense Sector |
F-89D F-89J |
Apr 1956-Jul 1959 | Dover Air Force Base, DE; activated with F-89D; F-89J April 1957; Converted to F-101B Voodoo, July 1959[15] |
| 176th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 128th Fighter-Interceptor Group | F-89C | Feb 1952-Nov 1952 | Federalized Wisconsin Air National Guard during Korean War; Truax Field, WI, Federalized with F-89D; Only ANG unit during Korean War equipped with F-89; Returned to State Control, November 1952, re-equipped with F-51H Mustangs[1] |
| 318th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 528th Air Defense Group | F-89D | Apr 1955-Aug 1955 | Presque Isle Air Force Base, ME; Replaced by 75th FIS (Project Arrow), moved to McChord AFB, WA and re-equipped with F-86L Sabre Interceptor[16] |
| 319th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 30th Air Division Detroit Air Defense Sector |
F-89J | Oct 1957-Feb 1960 | Bunker Hill Air Force Base, IN; Westover Air Force Base, MA; converted to F-106A Delta Dart, February 1960[16] |
| 321st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 326th Fighter-Interceptor Group | F-89D F-89H F-89J |
Aug 1955-Mar 1960 | Paine Air Force Base, WA; replaced 83d FIS; F-89H July 1956; F-89J Oct 1957; Inactivated March 1960[17] |
| 337th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 514th Air Defense Group | F-89D | Jul 1954-Aug 1955 | Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport, MN, Activated July 1954; Replaced in August 1955 by 432d FIS Project Arrow and moved to Westover AFB, MA; re-equipped with F-86D Sabre Interceptor [18] |
| 432d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 475th Fighter Group | F-89D F-89H |
Aug 1955-Jan 1958 | Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, MN; Replaced 337th FIS; F-89H July 1956; Inactivated January 1958, assets to 109th FIS (Minnesota ANG)[19] |
| 433d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 31st Air Division 520th Air Defense Group 11th Air Division 5001st Air Defense Group 32d Fighter Group |
F-89C F-89D |
Nov 1952-Jan 1958 | Truax Field, WI: Ladd Air Force Base, AK: Minot Air Force Base, ND; Took over ex 176th FIS aircraft; converted to F-89D sometime in 1955; inactivated January 1958[19] |
| 437th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 414th Fighter Group | F-89D F-89H F-89J |
Mar 1956-Jan 1960 | Oxnard Air Force Base, CA; F-89H July 1956; F-89J March 1958; Converted to F-101B Voodoo January 1960[19] |
| 438th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 507th Fighter Group | F-89D | Apr 1954-Jul 1957 | Kincheloe Air Force Base, MI; Replaced with F-102A Delta Dagger, July 1957[19] |
| 445th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 412th Fighter Group | F-89D F-89H F-89J |
Aug 1955-Dec 1959 | Wurtsmith Air Force Base, MI; Replaced 63d FIS, F-89H March 1956; F-89J October 1956; Converted to F-101B Voodoo December 1959[19] |
| 449th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 5001st Air Defense Group 11th Air Division |
F-89D | Nov 1954-Aug 1960 | Alaskan Air Command: Ladd Air Force Base, AK; inactivated August 1960[1] |
| 460th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 337th Fighter Group | F-89D | Aug 1955-May 1958 | Portland International Airport, OR; replaced 437th FIS; Converted to F-102A Delta Dagger, May 1958[20] |
| 465th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 4711th Air Defense Wing 32d Air Division 4727th Air Defense Group |
F-89D F-89H F-89J |
Oct 1955-Jul 1959 | Griffiss Air Force Base, NY; F-89H, May 1956; F-89J Apr 1957; Swapped designations with 49th FIS July 1959, Converted to F-86L Sabre Interceptor[20] |
| 497th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 84th Fighter Group | F-89D | Apr 1954-Aug 1955 | Portland International Airport, OR; converted to F-86D Sabre Interceptor[21] |
| USAF Air Training Command squadrons | ||||
| 3625th Combat Crew Training Squadron | USAF Aircrew School (Interceptor) | F-89B | Dec 1951-Jan 1954 | Tyndall Air Force Base, FL; Inactivated. Aircraft transferred to Alaska or Northeast Air Command[22] |
| 3533d Combat Crew Training Squadron | 3550th Combat Crew Training Wing | F-89D F-89H |
Jul 1953-Jun 1957 | Moody Air Force Base, GA; Inactivated. Training transferred to James Connolly AFB, TX[22] |
| 4750th Pilot Training Wing | F-89D F-89H F-89J |
Nov 1956-Jul 1958 | Yuma County Airport, AZ; Inactivated. Training transferred to James Connolly AFB, TX[23] | |
| 3565th Training Wing | F-89D F-89H F-89J |
Jun 1957-Jun 1968 | James Connally Air Force Base, TX; Inactivated.[23] | |
| Air National Guard squadrons | ||||
| 103d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 111th Fighter-Interceptor Group | F-89H F-89J |
May 1959-May 1962 | Philadelphia International Airport, PA; Pennsylvania Air National Guard; F-89J July 1961; Converted to C-97 Stratofreighter May 1962[1] |
| 107th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 127th Fighter-Interceptor Group | F-89C | Jan 1958-Jan 1960 | Detroit-Wayne Major Airport, MI; Michigan Air National Guard; Converted to RF-84F Thunderstreak April 1958[1] |
| 109th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 133d Fighter Group | F-89H | Feb 1955-Apr 1958 | Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport, MN; Minnesota Air National Guard; Converted to C-97A Stratofreighter January 1960[1] |
| 116th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 141st Fighter Group | F-89D F-89J |
Apr 1958-Jul 1965 | Geiger Field, WA; Washington Air National Guard; F-89J July 1960; Converted to F-102A July 1965[1] |
| 123d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 142d Fighter-Interceptor Group | F-89D F-89H F-89J |
Jun 1957-Jan 1966 | Portland International Airport, OR; Oregon Air National Guard; F-89H July 1958; F-89J March 1960; Converted to F-102A Delta Dagger January 1966[1] |
| 124th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 132d Fighter-Interceptor Group | F-89J | Apr 1962-Jul 1969 | Des Moines Municipal Airport, IA; Iowa Air National Guard; F-89H July 1958; Received F-89Js from 126th FIS; Converted to F-84F Thunderstreak July 1969; Last ANG F-89 Squadron[1] |
| 126th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 128th Fighter-Interceptor Wing | F-89B/C F-89D F-89J |
Sep 1954-Jun 1960 | General Mitchell Field, WI; Wisconsin Air National Guard; First ANG F-89 Squadron; Received F-89D/J June 1960, then converted to KC-97 tankers almost immediately[1] |
| 132d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 101st Air Defense Wing | F-89D F-89J |
Sep 1957-Jul 1969 | Dow Air Force Base, ME; Maine Air National Guard; F-89J January 1960; Converted to F-102A Delta Dagger July 1969[1] |
| 134th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 158th Fighter-Interceptor Group | F-89D F-89J |
Apr 1958-Jul 1965 | Ethan Allen Air Force Base, VT; Vermont Air National Guard; F-89J July 1960; Converted to F-102A Delta Dagger July 1965[1] |
| 171st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 127th Fighter Group | F-89C | Feb 1955-Apr 1958 | Detroit-Wayne Major Airport, MI; Michigan Air National Guard; Converted to RF-84F Thunderstreak April 1958[1] |
| 172d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 110th Fighter-Interceptor Group 127th Fighter-Interceptor Group |
F-89C | Feb 1955-Apr 1958 | W. K. Kellogg Airport, MI; Michigan Air National Guard; Converted to B-57A Canberra Spring 1958[1] |
| 175th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 114th Fighter-Interceptor Group | F-89D | Apr 1958-Jul 1960 | Sioux Falls Regional Airport, SD; South Dakota Air National Guard; Converted to F-102A Delta Dagger, July 1960[1] |
| 176th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 128th Fighter-Interceptor Group 115th Fighter-Interceptor Group |
F-89B/C F-89D F-89H F-89J |
Sep 1954-Apr 1966 | Truax Field, WI; Wisconsin Air National Guard; First ANG F-89 Squadron; F-89D, August 1958; F-89J Jan 1960; Converted to F-102A Delta Dagger April 1966[1] |
| 178th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 133d Fighter-Interceptor Group 119th Fighter Group |
F-89D | May 1958-Jul 1966 | Hector Field, ND; North Dakota Air National Guard; Converted to F-102A Delta Dagger July 1966[1] |
| 179th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 133d Fighter-Interceptor Group 148th Fighter Group |
F-89D F-89H |
Sep 1957-Nov 1966 | Duluth Airport, MN; Minnesota Air National Guard; F-89H November 1959; Converted to F-102A Delta Dagger November 1966[1] |
| 186th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 140th Fighter Group 120th Fighter Group |
F-89C F-89H F-89J |
Apr 1956-Jul 1966 | Great Falls International Airport, MT; Montana Air National Guard; F-89H April 1958; F-89J March 1960; Converted to F-102A Delta Dagger July 1966[1] |
| 190th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | 140th Fighter-Bomber Group 124th Fighter Group |
F-89B | May 1956-July 1959 | Gowen Field, ID; Idaho Air National Guard; Converted to F-86L Sabre Interceptor, July 1959[1] |
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to F-89 Scorpion Squadron Emblems. |
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Northrop F-89 Scorpion. |
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.
- Isham, Marty J. (2004), Northrop F-89 Scorpion: A Photo Chronicle (Schiffer Military History Book), Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., ISBN 0764300652
- Baugher, Northrop F-89B Scorpion
- Baugher, Northrop F-89C Scorpion
- Baugher, Northrop F-89D Scorpion
- Baugher, Northrop F-89H Scorpion
- Baugher, Northrop F-89J Scorpion
- Cornett, Lloyd H; Johnson, Mildred W (1980). A Handbook of Aerospace Defense Organization, 1946–1980 (PDF). Peterson AFB, CO: Office of History, Aerospace Defense Center.
- Cornett & Johnson, p 114
- Cornett & Johnson, p 115
- Cornett & Johnson, p 116
- Cornett & Johnson, p 117
- Cornett & Johnson, p 118
- Cornett & Johnson, p 119
- Cornett & Johnson, p 120
- Cornett & Johnson, p 121
- Cornett & Johnson, p 124
- Cornett & Johnson, p 125
- Cornett & Johnson, p 127
- Cornett & Johnson, p 128
- Cornett & Johnson, p 129
- Cornett & Johnson, p 130
- Cornett & Johnson, p 81
- Cornett & Johnson, p 82
External links
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