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

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

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.

  1. Isham, Marty J. (2004), Northrop F-89 Scorpion: A Photo Chronicle (Schiffer Military History Book), Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., ISBN 0764300652
  2. Baugher, Northrop F-89B Scorpion
  3. Baugher, Northrop F-89C Scorpion
  4. Baugher, Northrop F-89D Scorpion
  5. Baugher, Northrop F-89H Scorpion
  6. Baugher, Northrop F-89J Scorpion
  7. 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.
  8. Cornett & Johnson, p 114
  9. Cornett & Johnson, p 115
  10. Cornett & Johnson, p 116
  11. Cornett & Johnson, p 117
  12. Cornett & Johnson, p 118
  13. Cornett & Johnson, p 119
  14. Cornett & Johnson, p 120
  15. Cornett & Johnson, p 121
  16. Cornett & Johnson, p 124
  17. Cornett & Johnson, p 125
  18. Cornett & Johnson, p 127
  19. Cornett & Johnson, p 128
  20. Cornett & Johnson, p 129
  21. Cornett & Johnson, p 130
  22. Cornett & Johnson, p 81
  23. Cornett & Johnson, p 82
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