List of Lockheed F-104 Starfighter operators
The List of Lockheed F-104 Starfighter operators lists the countries and their air force units that operated the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter.
Military operators
Belgium
Belgium operated F-104G and TF-104Gs. They served with four squadrons: 23 and 31 (fighter-bombers), 349 and 350 (interceptors), and finally an OCU unit. In total 101 SABCA-built F-104Gs and 12 TF-104G built by Lockheed were purchased (one F-104G crashed before delivery). The Belgian Air Force operated the type from 14 February 1963 to 19 September 1983; some survivors were sent to Taiwan (23 aircraft) and Turkey (18 aircraft). Thirty-eight F-104G and three TF-104Gs were lost in accidents.
- Belgian Air Force
- 1 Wing, BAF based at Beauvechain
- 349th Squadron (Interception)
- 350th Squadron (Interception)
- Kleine Brogel
- 23rd Squadron (Fighter/Bomber)
- 31st Squadron (Fighter/Bomber)
Canada
The RCAF, and later the unified
- 1 Wing RCAF based at Marville / Lahr, W.Germany
- No. 439 (Sabre-Toothed Tiger) Squadron
- No. 441 (Silver Fox) Squadron
- Baden-Söllingen / Lahr
- Baden-Söllingen / Zweibrücken
- No. 427 (Lion) Squadron
- No. 434 (Bluenose) Squadron
- Baden-Söllingen
- Central Experimental and Proving Establishment/Aerospace Engineering and Test Establishment
- 6 Strike-Recce OTU
- No. 417 Operational Training Squadron RCAF
Denmark
Denmark initially received 25 F-104G and four TF-104Gs under the Mutual Defense Assistance Act during 1964–65. Surplus Canadian license-built aircraft were transferred between 1971–73 (15 CF-104 and 7 CF-104D). A total of 51 Starfighters were operated by Denmark before their retirement in 1986. Fifteen surplus F-104Gs and three TF-104Gs were transferred to Taiwan in 1987.[2]
- Royal Danish Air Force used the F-104s as interceptors.
- Eskadrille 723 based at Aalborg Air Base
- Converted from F-86D Sabre in 1965 and switched to F-16A/B in 1984.
- Eskadrille 726 based at Aalborg Air Base
- Converted from F-86D Sabre in 1964 and switched to F-16A/B in 1986.[3]
West Germany
West Germany received 916 F-104s, comprising 749 F/RF-104Gs, 137 TF-104Gs and 30 F-104Fs,[4] forming the major combat equipment of both the German Air Force and Marineflieger. At its peak in the mid-1970s, the Luftwaffe operated five F-104 -equipped fighter bomber wings, two interceptor wings and two tactical reconnaissance wings. The Marineflieger operated a further two wings of F-104s in the maritime strike and reconnaissance roles.[5]
The Starfighter entered service with the Luftwaffe in July 1960,[6] with deliveries continuing until March 1973,[7] remaining in operational service until 16 October 1987,[8] and continuing in use for test purposes until 22 May 1991.
The two squadrons operating the RF-104G were re-equipped with
The Marineflieger initially used AS.30 command guidance missiles as anti-ship weapons, but these were replaced with the more sophisticated and longer-ranged radar-guided AS.34 Kormoran missile, allowing stand-off attacks to be carried out against enemy ships.[9] West German Starfighters proved to have an alarming accident rate, 292 of 916 Starfighters crashed, claiming the lives of 115 pilots.
- . (Reconnaissance)
- Aufklärungsgeschwader 52 based at Leck, Nordfriesland (Reconnaissance)
- Jagdbombergeschwader 31 "Boelcke" based at Nörvenich(Fighter/Bomber)
- Lechfeld(Fighter/Bomber)
- Jagdbombergeschwader 33 based at Büchel(Fighter/Bomber)
- Jagdbombergeschwader 34 based at Memmingen (Fighter/Bomber)
- Jagdbombergeschwader 36 based at Rheine-Hopsten (Fighter/Bomber)
- Jagdgeschwader 71 "Richthofen" based at Wittmundhafen (Interception)
- Jagdgeschwader 74 based at Neuburg (Interception)
- Marinefliegergeschwader 1 based at Schleswig-Jagel (Anti-Shipping & Reconnaissance)
- Marinefliegergeschwader 2 based at Eggebek (Anti-Shipping & Reconnaissance)
Greece
Greece received 45 new-built F-104G and six TF-104s under the Military Assistance Program. These were supplemented by second-hand Starfighters passed on from other NATO air forces, including 79 from Germany, seven from the Netherlands and nine from Spain. The Starfighter entered Greek service in April 1964, equipping two wings, leaving service in March 1993.[10]
- Greek Air Force
Italy
In the Italian Air Force, the F-104 was a mainstay from the early 1960s until the end of the 20th century. The first flight for an Italian F-104G was a Lockheed-built aircraft, MM6501, on 9 June 1962; however, the first Fiat/Aeritalia-built example flew two years later on 5 October 1962. Italy initially received a total of 105 F-104G, 24 TF-104G and 20 RF-104Gs, becoming operational in March 1963. This fleet was later increased by the addition of 205 built under license by Aeritalia F-104S aircraft and six ex-Luftwaffe TF-104Gs bringing the total number of aircraft operated to 360. In 1986 the AMI was the largest operator with eleven units flying the Starfighter operationally. Up to 1997, Italy lost 137 (38%) of its F-104s in 928,000 flying hours (14.7 aircraft every 100,000 hrs). The F-104 was officially retired from AMI service during a large ceremony at
- Aeronautica Militare Italiana
- 3° Stormo based at Villafranca
- 28° Gruppo (Reconnaissance)
- 132° Gruppo (Reconnaissance)
- 4° Stormo based at Grosseto
- 9° Gruppo (Interception)
- 20° Gruppo (Operational Conversion)
- 5° Stormo based at Rimini
- 23° Gruppo (Interception)
- 102° Gruppo (Fighter/Bomber)
- 6° Stormo based at Ghedi
- 154° Gruppo (Fighter/Bomber)
- 155° Gruppo (Fighter/Bomber)
- 9° Stormo based at Grazzanise
- 10° Gruppo (Interception)
- 36° Stormo based at Gioia del Colle
- 12° Gruppo (Interception)
- 156° Gruppo (Fighter/Bomber)
- 37° Stormo based at Trapani
- 18° Gruppo (Interception & Fighter/Bomber)
- 51° Stormo based at Treviso / Istrana
- 22° Gruppo (Interception)
- 53° Stormo based at Cameri / Novara
- 21° Gruppo (Interception)
Japan
The JASDF operated 210 F-104J air-superiority fighters and 20 dual-control trainer F-104DJs. Called Eiko ("Glory"), they served from October 1962 to 1986, losing only 3 airplanes in this time including a mid-air collision accident. Seven air-superiority squadrons used them: 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207. Japanese F-104s faced intrusive Soviet airplanes during this long service. Twenty two[11] of the Japanese F-104s were eventually converted to drones for aerial target practice. 31 F-104J and five F-104DJ[11] aircraft were sold to Taiwan.[12][13][14][15]
- 2nd Kokudan based at Chitose Air Base (201st) and Komatsu Air Base (203rd)
- Tsuiki Air Base(204th)
- 6th Kokudan based at Komatsu Air Base
- Hyakuri Air Base, part at Naha Air Base
Jordan
Jordan received 29 F-104A and four F-104B aircraft delivered under the Military Assistance Program in 1967. Controlled by the United States these aircraft were moved temporarily to Turkey during the Arab–Israeli Six-Day War. Replaced by the Northrop F-5 and Dassault Mirage F1 by 1983, the survivors serve as airfield decoys.
- No. 9 Squadron RJAF based at Prince Hassan Air Base, ceased flying F-104 in 1977.
- No. 25 Squadron RJAF based at Mwaffaq Salti
Netherlands
The Netherlands operated European-built F-104s with the exception of the TF-104G. These were delivered directly from Palmdale to the KLu. A total of 138 Starfighters were delivered to the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (Royal Netherlands Air Force, or KLu).[16] Many Dutch aircraft were transferred to Turkey.
- Volkel air base
- 306 Squadron RNLAF (Reconnaissance)
- 311 Squadron RNLAF (Fighter/Bomber)
- 312 Squadron RNLAF (Fighter/Bomber)
- Leeuwarden air base
- 322 Squadron RNLAF(Interception)
- 323 Squadron RNLAF (Interception)
- Training and Conversion Unit A, RNLAF
- Conversie Afdeling Volkel
Norway
Norway received 18 surplus CF-104s and four CF-104Ds from Canada in 1974, the country had initially received 19 Canadair built F-104Gs and four TF-104Gs in 1963 under the Military Assistance Program. The F-104 was phased out of Norwegian service in winter 1982.
- 331 Squadron based at Bodø
- 334 Squadron based at Bodø
Pakistan
Pakistan was the first
- Central Air Command
- No. 38 Multi-Role Wing based at Sargodha AFB
- No. 9 Squadron "Griffins"
- No. 38 Multi-Role Wing based at
Spain
The Spanish Air Force received their F-104s under the Military Assistance Program: 18 Canadair-built F-104Gs and three Lockheed-built TF-104Gs were delivered under MAP to Spain's Ejército del Aire in 1965.
- Ejército del Aire
- Ala 6 based at Torrejon (later redesignated Ala 16)
- 61 Escuadron (later redesignated 161 Escuadron and 104 Escuadron)
Taiwan (Republic of China)
ROC operated a total of 282 aircraft funded by the
- 427th Tactical Fighter Wing, ROCAF based Ching Chuang Kang AB
- 499th Tactical Fighter Wing, ROCAF based at Hsinchu AB
- 401st Tactical Combined Wing, ROCAF based at Taoyuan AB
Turkey
Turkey received 48 new-build F-104Gs and six TF-104Gs from Lockheed and Canadair production, funded under the Military Assistance Program, which were delivered from 1963, and directly purchased 40 new F-104S interceptors from Fiat in 1974–75.[22] In addition, like Greece, Turkey received large numbers of surplus Starfighters from several NATO nations in the 1970s and 1980s, including 170 ex-German aircraft, 53 aircraft from the Netherlands and 52 from Canada. In total, Turkey received over 400 Starfighters from various sources, although many of these aircraft were broken up for spares without having been flown. The F-104 was finally retired from Turkish service in 1995.[23]
- Akıncı Air Base
- Bandirma
- Diyarbakir
- Balikesir
United States
- Edwards AFB, California
- George AFB, California
- 434th Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 435th Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 436th Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 476th Tactical Fighter Squadron
- Air Defense Command / Aerospace Defense Command
- Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
- Hamilton AFB, California
- Westover AFB, Massachusetts
- Larson AFB, Washington
- Homestead AFB, Florida
- Webb AFB, Texas
- Sky Harbor International Airport, Arizona
- 156th Fighter Group, Puerto Rico Air National Guard based at Muñiz Air National Guard Base, Puerto Rico
- 198th Tactical Fighter Squadron
- McEntire ANGS, South Carolina
- McGhee Tyson ANGB, Tennessee
Civil operators
United States
Eleven F-104s (different versions) were operated by NASA between 1956 and 1994. Aircraft were used in support of the
The team based in Clearwater, Florida currently operate three Canadair CF-104 Starfighters, performing at air shows across the United States and Canada. Their CF-104s consist of a two-seat CF-104D Serial#:104632 (registered as N104RB), and two single-seat CF-104s Serial#s: 104850 (registered as N104RD) and 104759 (registered as N104RN). The aircraft were originally operated with the Royal Canadian Air Force and all later served with the Royal Norwegian Air Force before being imported into the U.S. in the early 1990s.[25]
- F-104RB "Red Baron"
Another civilian Starfighter, called the
Summary of production by country
- Source: F-104 Starfighter in action[26]
Operated | Lockheed | Canada | Germany | Netherlands | Belgium | Italy | Japan | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USAF | 297 | 297 | ||||||
USAF/MAP | 250 | 110 | 140 | |||||
Canada | 238 | 38 | 200 | |||||
Japan | 230 | 23 | 207 | |||||
Germany | 917 | 240 | 283 | 255 | 89 | 50 | ||
Netherlands | 138 | 14 | 99 | 25 | ||||
Belgium | 112 | 3 | 109 | |||||
Italy | 354 | 12 | 342 | |||||
subtotals | Grand: 2536 | 737 | 340 | 283 | 354 | 198 | 417 | 207 |
See also
- Canadair CF-104
- CL-1200 Lancer and X-27
- Lockheed NF-104A
- Mutual Defense Assistance Act (Military Assistance Program)
References
Notes
- ^ Stachiw and Tattersall 2007, p. 47.
- ISBN 87-89022-24-6.
- ISBN 978-87-993688-0-8(in English)
- ^ Jackson 1976, p. 21.
- ^ Jackson 1976, p. 22.
- ^ Jackson 1976, p. 20.
- ^ Fricker and Jackson 1996. p. 72
- ^ Sgarlato 2004
- ^ Fricker and Jackson 1996. p. 56
- ^ Fricker and Jackson 1996, p. 93
- ^ a b F-104 Archived 30 September 2017 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 30 September 2017
- ^ ROCAF F-104 Retirement Archived 26 February 2019 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 30 September 2017
- ^ Preserved in Taiwan International F-104 Society Retrieved 30 September 2017
- ^ 916 Starfighter Retrieved 30 September 2017
- ^ Ejection History - Taiwan Archived 7 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 30 September 2017
- ^ Baugher's F-104 to the Netherlands Archived 26 January 2008 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved: 6 February 2008
- ^ a b c "F-104 Starfighters in PAKISTAN AIR FORCE". Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 12 February 2011.
- ^ a b c d Air Commodore Muhammad Ali (20 February 2021). "Fast & Furious: A Tale of Starfighter – Speedster of PAF". Second To None.
- ^ Baugher's F-104G Spain delivery Archived 26 January 2008 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved: 6 February 2008
- ^ Bowman 2000, p. 164.
- ^ ROCAF F-104 retirement Archived 26 February 2019 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved: 6 February 2008
- ^ Fricker and Jackson 1996, p.98
- ^ Fricker and Jackson 1996, p.99
- ^ NASA F-104 history page
- ^ Starfighters F-104 Demo Team Retrieved: 6 February 2008
- ^ Drendel 1976, p.5.
Bibliography
- Bowman, Martin W. Lockheed F-104 Starfighter. Ramsbury, Marlborough, Wiltshire, UK: Crowood Press Ltd., 2000. ISBN 1-86126-314-7.
- Drendel, Lou. F-104 Starfighter in action, Aircraft No. 27. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications, 1976. ISBN 0-89747-026-5.
- Fricker, John and Paul Jackson. "Lockheed F-104 Starfighter". Wings of Fame. Volume 2, 1996, pp. 38–99. Aerospace Publishing. London. ISBN 1-874023-69-7.
- Jackson, Paul A. German Military Aviation 1956-1976. Hinckley, Leicestershire, UK: Midland Counties Publications, 1976. ISBN 0-904597-03-2.
- Stachiw, Anthony L. and Andrew Tattersall. CF-104 Starfighter (Aircraft in Canadian Service). St. Catharine's, Ontario: Vanwell Publishing Limited, 2007. ISBN 1-55125-114-0.