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
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
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
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