79th Fighter Squadron The 79th Fighter Squadron ( 79 FS ) is part of the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base , South Carolina . It operates the F - 16 Fighting Falcon aircraft conducting air superiority missions . The squadron is one of the oldest in the United States Air Force , its origins dating to 22 February 1918 , being organized at Rich Field , Waco Texas , as a pilot training Squadron during World War I . The squadron saw combat during World War II , and became part of the United States Air Forces in Europe ( USAFE ) during the Cold War . History . The 79th Fighter Squadron traces its history back to February 1918 , when it was first organized as the 79th Aero Squadron . The unit inactivated from November 1918 until April 1933 , when it became the 79th Pursuit Squadron , flying the Boeing P - 12 at Barksdale Field , Louisiana From 1940 to 1942 , the squadron trained combat pilots and flew the P - 40 Warhawk from bases on the east coast . In 1943 , the 79th converted to the P - 38 Lightning , flying out of Northamptonshire , England , performing duty as bomber escorts and conducting fighter sweeps over Germany . The 79th remained at English bases throughout the war , supporting both the Normandy invasion and the allied drive into Germany . The squadron returned to the states and was inactivated on 19 October 1945 . The 79th was again brought to active service on 29 July 1946 , at Biggs Field , Texas . The unit moved to Shaw Field , South Carolina , in October 1946 . The squadron moved again to Langley Air Force Base , Virginia , in November 1951 , and in June 1952 , trained to support NATO ground forces in conventional and nuclear roles . The next change came in 1970 , when the squadron transitioned to the F - 111 E Aardvark and moved to RAF Upper Heyford , England . The 79th received the Commander in Chief ’ s Trophy in 1981 , as the best tactical fighter squadron in U . S . Air Forces in Europe . From 1990 to 1991 , the 79th deployed to Southwest Asia to support Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm . On 30 June 1993 the squadron inactivated . On 1 January 1994 , it was reactivated at Shaw Air Force Base , South Carolina , transitioning to the F - 16 Fighting Falcon and assuming the mission of suppression of enemy air defenses . Since that time , the 79th has continuously supported Operations Northern and Southern Watch in Southwest Asia . In December 1998 , the 79th took an active part in Operation Desert Fox in conjunction with Operation Southern Watch demands . The squadron flew more than 1 , 000 successful combat sorties with these dual operational requirements . In January 1999 , the 79th Fighter Squadron was awarded the South Carolina Air Force Association ’ s Outstanding Air Force Unit of the Year award . Also in 1999 , the squadron was honored with Air Combat Command ’ s Maintenance Effectiveness Award . In June 1999 , the 79th deployed F - 16CJs in support of Operation Allied Force to a bare base in Southwest Asia . 2013 Sequestration . Air Combat Command officials announced a stand down and reallocation of flying hours for the rest of the fiscal year 2013 due to mandatory budget cuts . The across - the board spending cuts , called sequestration , took effect 1 March when Congress failed to agree on a deficit - reduction plan . Squadrons either stood down on a rotating basis or kept combat ready or at a reduced readiness level called “ basic mission capable ” for part or all of the remaining months in fiscal 2013 . This affected the 79th Fighter Squadron with a reduction of its flying hours , placing it into a basic mission capable status from 5 April - 30 July , then returning it to combat mission ready through September 2013 .