Squadrons – Canada

Overview of the squadrons operating the F-104 Starfighter within the Belgian Air Force.

1st WING, BEAUVECHAIN AIR BASE
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Operated the F-104G and TF-104G in AWX (All Weather Interceptor) role with two squadrons between 18 April 1963 and 10 April 1981. Aircraft was replaced by the General Dynamics F-16 fighter.
Wing markings : a blue circle with yellow wings on the upper tail fin.

349 Squadron (Smaldeel) : Operated the F-104G between November 1963 and March 1980 - Markings : Nailed-balls on chain.
350 Squadron (Smaldeel) : Operated the F-104G between March 1963 and October 1981 - Markings : Viking.

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10th WING, KLEINE BROGEL AIR BASE
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Operated the F-104G and TF-104G in FB (Fighter Bomber) role with two squadrons between June 1963 and October 1983. Aircraft was replaced by the General Dynamics F-16 fighter.
Wing markings : a rectangular blue badge with red lion on the upper tail fin.

23 Squadron (Smaldeel) : Operated the F-104G between April 1964 and December 1982 - Markings : Devil.
31 Squadron (Smaldeel) : Operated the F-104G between June 1963 and October 1983 - Markings : Tiger.

 

RCAF/CF CF-104 Bases and Squadrons

1 Wing: Marville, France and Lahr, Germany

2 Wing: Grostenquin, France

3 Wing: Zweibrücken, Germany

4 Wing: Baden-Soellingen, Germany

RCAF Station/CFB Cold Lake, Alberta

6 Strike/Reconnaissance Operational Training Unit

Formed in October 1961 at RCAF Station Cold Lake, and temporarily relocated to Namao,

Alberta graduated the first course in November 1962. In March 1968, it became:

417 Strike/Reconnaissance Operational Training Squadron

In 1972, all training was converted towards the conventional ground attack role, and continued

until the unit was disbanded in July 1983, after graduating the 75th course, and more than 750

students.

421 Squadron (Red Indian)

Reactivated December 1963 at 2 Wing, Grostenquin. In February 1964, the Squadron moved to

4 Wing, Baden-Soellingen, Germany in the nuclear strike role, and in January 1972, to the

conventional attack role. The squadron was disbanded in October 1985.

422 Squadron (Tomahawk)

Reactivated in July 1963 at 4 Wing, Baden-Soellingen, in the nuclear strike role, and disbanded

in July 1970.

427 Squadron (Lion)

Reactivated in December 1962 at 3 Wing, Zweibrücken, and became the first operational

nuclear strike CF-104 squadron. In June 1969, moved to 4 Wing, Baden-Soellingen. Disbanded

in July 1970.

430 Squadron (Silver Falcon)

Reactivated 30 September 1963 at 2 Wing,

Grostenquin. On 23 February 1964, moved to 3 Wing,

Zweibrücken, in nuclear strike role. In February 1969,

moved to 1 Wing, Lahr, and continued in the strike role.

Disbanded in May 1971, having achieved nearly seven

years of fatality free CF-104 flying.

434 Squadron (Bluenose)

Reactivated in April 1963 at 3 Wing Zweibrücken, as

nuclear strike squadron, and disbanded in February

1967.

439 Squadron (Sabre-Toothed Tiger)

Reactivated March 1964 at 1 Wing, Marville in the

photo-reconnaissance role, and moved to Lahr in March

  1. Moved to Baden-Soellingen in July 1970 and

switched to conventional ground attack role. Disbanded

in November 1984.

441 Squadron (Silver Fox)

Reactivated January 1964 at 1 Wing, Marville in the

photo reconnaissance role, and moved to Lahr in March

  1. In July 1970, moved to 4 Wing, Baden-Soellingen, and converted to nuclear strike.

January 1972 saw another role change into conventional attack, with a secondary function of air

defence augmentation. Became Canada’s last CF-104 squadron, until disbandment in March

1986.

444 Squadron (Cobra)

Reactivated in May 1963 at 4 Wing, Baden-Soellingen in the nuclear strike role, and disbanded

in March 1967.

 

441sq book:

 

Squadron De activated F-86 Activated CF-104 Role Disbanded
6 OTU/417sq n.a. Oct 61 OTU 1-7-83
427sq 15-12-62 17-12-62 S/A 1-7-70
434sq 15-1-63 8-4-63 S/A 1-3-67
444sq 1-3-63 27-5-63 S/A 1-4-67
422sq 15-4-63 15-7-63 S/A 1-7-70
430sq 31-5-63 30-9-63 S/A 1-5-70
421sq 31-7-63 2-12-63 S/A 31-10-85
441sq 1-9-63 20-1-64 S/R 1-3-86
439sq 1-11-63 2-3-64 S/R 30-11-84
CEPE/AETE n.a. 1959 Test & Dev. 21-10-83

 

 

Jeff Ranking Lowe:

 

427 (Lion) Squadron: 3 Wing, Zweibrucken/Baden-Sollingen, 1962 to 1972

Selected as the first of eight squadrons in No. 1 Air Division Europe

to be re-equipped with CF-104 Starfighter aircraft for a nuclear strike

role, it was deactivated on 15.December 1962 and reactivated as Strike Attack

on the 17th. 427 Squadron was the first to form, with initial deliveries to

Zweibrucken in December of 1962. In May of 1969, 3 Wing at Zweibrucken

was closed, and No 427 Squadron was relocated to Baden-Sollingen. In 1972

No.427 Squadron was disbanded.

 

The above appears correct to me.

 

434 (Bluenose) Squadron: 3 Wing, Zweibrucken, 1963 to 1967

434 (Strike Attack) Squadron (1963-67). The role of 434 Squadron

changed to that of all weather strike and reconnaissance and the Canadair built

Lockheed CF-104 Starfighter was chosen as the Sabre replacement. In

January 1963 the first CF 104 pilots arrived at 3 Wing. The Squadron disbanded

once again three years later in 1967.

Activated as 434 (ST/A) Squadron at Zweibrücken on 8 April 1963.

Disbanded on 1 March 1967

If that is correct (seen 1962) 104810 was initially with 427 sqn!

I know they were just assigned to a wing, but 434 sqn came in 1963.

---

Other interesing one: demo team(s)
There is mention of a CF-104 flown by Flight Lieutenant D.R. Serrao as
part of the 'Golden Centennaires' team operated between April and October
1967.

 

At Marville also the ARO could be found.
ARO stands for Aircraft Repair Organization. It was the section that carried out the phase check on the aircraft....they did the routine checks during service and when the hours were up to a specified point the aircraft went into major repairs or overhaul. (Steve Pajot).

 

/RCAF/6STR-OTU/

Group : ---

Airbase: Cold Lake

types : CF104,CF104D

Period : ..1061-110368

Task   : OTU

Name   : ---

marking: ---

RadioCS: ---

Remarks: ---

 

/RCAF/417sq/

Group : ---

Airbase: Cold Lake

types : CF104,CF104D

Period : 110368-010783

Task   : OTU

Name   : City of Windsor

marking: ---

RadioCS: ---

Remarks: ---

 

/RCAF/421sq/

Group : 2W

Airbase: Grostenquin

types : CF104,CF104D

Period : ..1263-..0264

Task   : FB

Name   : Red Indian

marking: Sometime the unit-badge on its nose.

RadioCS: ---

Remarks: ---

 

Group : 4W

Airbase: Baden-Sollingen

types : CF104,CF104D

Period : ..0264-190970

Task   : FB

Name   : Red Indian

marking: Sometime the unit-badge on its nose.

RadioCS: ---

Remarks: ---

 

Group : 1CAG

Airbase: Baden-Sollingen

types : CF104,CF104D

Period : 190970-..1085

Task   : FB

Name   : Red Indian

marking: Red Indian head or tone downversion, mostly painted

on the tail if applied.

RadioCS: ---

Remarks:

 

/RCAF/422sq/

Group : 4W

Airbase: Baden-Sollingen

types : CF104,CF104D

Period : ..0763-010770

Task   : FB

Name   : Tomahawk

marking: Sometimes the unit-badge on its nose.

RadioCS: ---

Remarks: ---

 

19 march 1963 - first CF-104 is delivered to nr 4Wing Sollingen via C-130.

July 1963, first 12 pilots arrived with 422sq/4W and on 15 July the squadron is officially reactivated as strike/attack squadron in No.1 Air Division.

1-7-1970 : squadron disbanded.

 

 

 

/RCAF/427sq/

Group : 3W

Airbase: Zweibrucken

types : CF104,CF104D

Period : ..1262-..0669

Task   : FB

Name   : Lion

marking: Sometimes the unit-badge on its nose.

RadioCS: ---

Remarks: ---

 

Group : 4W

Airbase: Baden-Sollingen

types : CF104,CF104D

Period : ..0669-010770

Task   : FB

Name   : Tomahawk

marking: Sometime the unit-badge on its nose.

RadioCS: ---

Remarks: ---

 

/RCAF/430sq/

Group : 2W

Airbase: Grostenquin

types : CF104,CF104D

Period : ..0963-..0264

Task   : FB

Name   : Silver Falcon

marking: Sometime the unit-badge on its nose.

RadioCS: ---

Remarks: ---

 

Group : 3W

Airbase: Zweibrucken

types : CF104,CF104D

Period : ..0264-..0269

Task   : FB

Name   : Silver Falcon

marking: Sometime the unit-badge on its nose.

RadioCS: ---

Remarks: ---

 

Group : 1W

Airbase: Lahr

types : CF104,CF104D

Period : ..0269-010570

Task   : FB

Name   : Silver Falcon

marking: Sometime the unit-badge on its nose.

RadioCS: ---

Remarks: ---

 

/RCAF/434sq/

Group : 3W

Airbase: Zweibrucken

types : CF104,CF104D

Period : ..0263-280267

Task   : FB

Name   : Blue Nose

marking: Sometime the unit-badge on its nose.

RadioCS: ---

Remarks: ---

 

/RCAF/439sq/

Group : 1W

Airbase: Marville

types : CF104,CF104D

Period : 020364-300367

Task   : FB

Name   : Sabre-tooth tiger

marking: Sometime the unit-badge on its nose.

RadioCS: ---

Remarks: 30 March the unit moved to Lahr.

 

Group : 1W

Airbase: Lahr

types : CF104,CF104D

Period : ..0367-..0770

Task   : FB

Name   : Sabre-tooth tiger

marking: Sometime the unit-badge on its nose.

RadioCS: ---

Remarks: ---

 

Group : 4W

Airbase: Baden-Sollingen

types : CF104,CF104D

Period : ..0363-190970

Task   : FB

Name   : Sabre-tooth tiger

marking: Sometime the unit-badge on its nose.

RadioCS: ---

Remarks: ---

19 march 1963 - first CF-104 is delivered to nr 4Wing Sollingen via C-130.

July 1963, first 12 pilots arrived with 422sq/4W and on 15 July the squadron is officially reactivated as strike/attack squadron in No.1 Air Division.

 

 

Group : 1CAG

Airbase: Baden-Sollingen

types : CF104,CF104D

Period : 190970-..1184

Task   : FB

Name   : Sabre-tooth tiger

marking: Sometime a yellow tigerhead painted on the tail. Some

aircraft have worn TIGER color-scheme.

RadioCS: ---

Remarks: ---From July 1970 the squadron had only 16 aircraft (from 24), due to measurements of the Canadian government to reduce the support to Europe by 50%.

The recce role (with Vicon) ended on 30 June 1972 with the final mission.

 

/RCAF/441sq/

Group : 1W

Airbase: Marville

types : CF104,CF104D

Period : ..0164-..0367

Task   : FB

Name   : silver fox

marking: Sometime the unit-badge on its nose.

RadioCS: ---

Remarks: ---

 

Group : 1W

Airbase: Lahr

types : CF104,CF104D

Period : ..0367-..0770

Task   : FB

Name   : silver fox

marking: Sometime the unit-badge on its nose.

RadioCS: ---

Remarks: ---

 

Group : 4W

Airbase: Baden-Sollingen

types : CF104,CF104D

Period : ….63-010770

Task   : FB

Name   : silver fox

marking: Sometime the unit-badge on its nose.

RadioCS: ---

Remarks: ---

 

Group : 1CAG

Airbase: Baden-Sollingen

types : CF104,CF104D

Period : 010770-..0386

Task   : FB

Name   : silver fox

marking: Sometimes a checkered lower rudder.

RadioCS: ---

Remarks: ---

 

/RCAF/444sq/

Group : 4W

Airbase: Baden-Sollingen

types : CF104,CF104D

Period : ..0563-310367

Task   : FB

Name   : cobra

marking: Sometime the unit-badge on its nose.

RadioCS: ---

Remarks: ---

 

/RCAF/CEPE/

Group :

Airbase: Cold Lake

types : CF104,CF104D

Period : ….61-040567

Task   : testing

Name   : CEPE = Central Experimental and Proving Establishment.

marking: none

RadioCS: ---

Remarks: ---

 

Via JRLowe:

No. 448 Squadron

 

448 (Test) Squadron was formed on 4 May 1967 as a component of AETE, which was also formed on that day by the merger of CEPE with 129 Test & Ferry Flight and VX 10. 448's role was to perform test and evaluations of various aircraft, systems, and components. It was disbanded on 1 September 1971 and AETE assumed the role in-house. Doing this effectively saved a layer of management, but was otherwise pretty transparent.

 

The Central Experimental and Proving Establishment (CEPE), later re-named the Aeronautical Evaluation and Test Establishment (AETE) moved to Uplands from Rockcliffe in 1957.

 

Within 448 (Test) Squadron was 448 Squadron Ferry Flight, which took over the duties and responsibilities of 129 Test & Ferry Flight in 1970. 129 T&FF began as 129 Acceptance & Ferry Flight, which was formed on 15 February 1953. It was part of 6 Repair Depot, which later became AMDU (Aerospace Maintenance Development Unit), and which is now ATESS (Aerospace & Telecommunications Engineering Support Squadron). Somewhere along the way, 129 T&FF was renamed 129 Ferry Unit (date unknown). 129 T&FF had a Det at RCAF Station Park (Calgary, Alberta) equipped with a Silver Star. As far as I can tell 129 Ferry Unit was disbanded in 1970 when 448 Squadron Ferry Flight took over its duties.

 

Some aircraft were formally assigned to 129, while the rest were simply being flown by it. Those lost while being ferried were officially transferred to 129 effective that date. This must be the military equivalent of the signs in shops selling expensive china and crystal: "You break it, you buy it." LOL

 

The red "X" on the tails of AETE's aircraft originated with the RCN's VX 10. Most of 448's aircraft wore it and it continued with AETE since 448's disbandment. It's not a tail code, but rather a badge.

 

This squadron was involved with Starfighter operations throughout the aircraft's entire lifetime. It started initially in Cold Lake, with five single seat aircraft, serials 12701 to 12705, and one dual, 12652, and continually undertook evaluations and flight trials of all the aircraft modifications, systems and armaments. Testing operations also took place in Uplands (Ottawa #10 hangar), from a flight test detachment at the Canadair factory in Cartierville, and another flight test detachment at Scottish Aviation, at Prestwick AP, Scotland. The latter company carried out periodic overhauls and modifications of the Air Division aircraft.

 

The squadron was disbanded on 1 September 1971 and all Aircraft and personnel were absorbed by the Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment (AETE).

 

Today the Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment (AETE) is based at 4 Wing Cold Lake.

 

 

/RCAF/AETE/

Group :

Airbase: Cold Lake

types : CF104,CF104D

Period : 040567-..86

Task   : testing

Name : Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment

marking: Sometime a X sign on tail and/or fuselage

RadioCS: ---

Remarks: ---

WEBLINKS!
427sq : https://www.427squadron.com/page_1.html