179th Fighter Squadron

179th Fighter Squadron
179th Fighter Squadron F-16s over Duluth IAP, 2002
Active	26 May 1943-Present
Country	United States
Allegiance	Minnesota
Branch	Air National Guard
Type	Squadron
Role	Fighter
Part of	Minnesota Air National Guard
Garrison/HQ	Duluth Air National Guard Base, Minnesota
Nickname(s)	Bulldogs
Engagements	World War II
Decorations	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Insignia
179th Fighter Squadron emblem
Tail Markings	Blue tail stripe "Duluth" in white letters Tail Code: MN
World War II Fuselage Code	8L

The 179th Fighter Squadron (179 FS) is a unit of the Minnesota Air National Guard 148th Fighter Wing located at Duluth Air National Guard Base, Minnesota. The 179th is equipped with the General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon.

The squadron was first organized as the 393d Fighter Squadron at Hamilton Field, California, on 15 July 1943, as one of the original squadrons of the 367th Fighter Group. Several members of its initial cadre were former Flying Tigers with prior combat experience. It was not until late August, however, that the group received its first Bell P-39 Airacobra. After building up its strength, the squadron moved in October to Santa Rosa Army Air Field, California. In December group headquarters and the squadron moved to Oakland Municipal Airport, while the other squadrons of the group were at other locations in northern California. The squadron moved temporarily to Tonopah Army Air Field, Nevada, where it performed dive bombing and gunnery training. Training accidents with the Bell P-39 Airacobra cost several pilots their lives. In January 1944, as it prepared for overseas movement, the 393d was beefed up with personnel from the 328th and 368th Fighter Groups. The squadron staged through Camp Shanks, and sailed for England aboard the SS Duchess of Bedford. The "Drunken Duchess" docked at Greenock, Scotland on 3 April and the group was transported by train to its airfield at RAF Stoney Cross, England.