333rd Fighter Squadron
The 333rd Fighter Squadron is part of the 4th Operations Group, 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. It operates McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft conducting advanced fighter training. History. Activated in 1957 at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina as a fourth North American F-100 Super Sabre squadron with the 4th Fighter-Day Wing, taking over personnel and equipment from the 448th Fighter-Day Squadron. Performed routine training exercises. The F-100s remained with the 333rd until 1960 when it was upgraded to the Republic F-105B Thunderchief. During the Cuban Missile  Crisis, the squadron was deployed to McCoy Air Force Base, Florida, ready to react at a moments notice for possible combat over Cuba. In the spring of 1964, the 333rd began the transition from F-105Bs to F-105D/Fs. Vietnam War. The squadron was deployed to Thailand in late 1965 to Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base for combat operations over Southeast Asia. However, the 333d then transferred to Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base to relieve the 335th Tactical Fighter Squadron. On 3 December 1965, the 333d deployment was changed from temporary to a permanent change of station, and the  squadron was reassigned to the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing at Takhli. Remained in combat operations over Southeast Asia from Thailand until October 1970 when was withdrawn from Thailand as part of the United States' phasedown of operations in the Vietnam War. Began to carry tail code "RK" in March 1968, carried red colors on tail. Ground Support. Assigned non-operationally to McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, then also to Luke Air Force Base, Arizona as a non-operational squadron. Was Moved to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in July 1971, becoming an operational LTV A-7D Corsair II squadron under Tactical  Air Command's Twelfth Air Force, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing. Aircraft carried tail code "DM", with red tail stripe. Took part in routine deployments and training operations with the A-7D until 1976, being upgraded to the new Fairchild Republic A-10A Thunderbolt II, becoming the first tactical unit to fly the A-10A. Initially retained red tail stripe, later replaced by red and white checkered fin caps. Trained and deployed with the 355th Wing until inactivated in February 1991 as part of the drawdown of the Air Force after the Cold War ended. Was reactivated in November 1991 as the 333rd Fighter  Squadron at Davis-Monthan, replacing the 22nd Tactical Air Support Training Squadron as an OA-10 forward air controller training squadron. Replaced by the 354th Fighter Squadron in October 1994. F-15E Strike Eagle. Returned to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base as a McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle training Squadron, 1 October 1994 in conjunction with the transfer of the F-15E formal training unit at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. L Inactivated on 15 February 1991