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16th Weapons Squadron
Military unit / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 16th Weapons Squadron is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the USAF Weapons School, based at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.
16th Weapons Squadron | |
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Active | 1940–Current |
Country | ![]() |
Branch | ![]() |
Role | Advanced Fighter Training |
Part of | Air Combat Command |
Garrison/HQ | Nellis AFB, Nevada |
Nickname(s) | Flying Wall (WW II) Tomahawks |
Tail Code | "WA" |
Engagements | ![]() Southwest Pacific Theater China Burma India Theater ![]() Korean War[1] |
Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation ![]() Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (5x) ![]() Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation (2x)[1] |
Insignia | |
16th Weapons Squadron emblem[1] | ![]() |
16 Fighter-Interceptor Sq emblem (approved 16 November 1961)[2] | ![]() |
16th Fighter Sq emblem (World War II)[3] | ![]() |
The 16th began as the 16th Pursuit Squadron on 20 November 1940. During World War II, the 16th Squadron flew missions in New Guinea, India, and China in the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, and North American P-51 Mustang. During the Korean War, the 16th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron flew missions from Korea and Japan in the Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star and North American F-86 Sabre. After the Korean War, the 16th was stationed in Japan, Taiwan, Florida, Norway, Turkey, Korea, and Utah, flying missions in the Convair F-102 Delta Dagger and McDonnell F-4 Phantom II aircraft.
In January 1979, the 16th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron became the USAF's first F-16A/B operational squadron.