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114th Fighter Squadron [114th FS]

The 8123 FITS became activated on 1 January 1983, and the first F-4 pilot training class began on 1 February 1983. The school's initial course offered "Operational Training Course and Air Defense" to four students, taught by three instructors using two F-4C aircraft. A total of nine students graduated the first year.

On 1 February 1984, a redesignation changed the 8123 FITS to the 114 Tactical Fighter Training Squadron (TFTS). A later change simplified the designation to 114 Fighter Squadron (FS). Kingsley Field received official recognition on 1 April 1983 as an Air National Guard base. Then the base build-up of support agencies and transfer of aircraft maintenance functions from Portland to Kingsley Field began. Colonel Steve "Slick" Harper, now the State Representative for District 53, assumed command of the unit on 13 July 1984.

In mid-November 1988, the last F-4 class graduated. The first F-16 aircraft arrived at Kingsley Field in August 1988. The first Air Defense Fighter modified F-16 aircraft arrived 1 March 1989, followed by the first F-16 student class on 13 July 1989.

The 114 FS added a new medical training program to its curriculum in January 1990, with the F-16 Flight Surgeon Training Course (also known as "Top Knife") being the first of its kind in the nation. "Top Eye" for optometrists joined the program in January 1994, followed by "Top Drill" for dentists in April 1994. The courses help orient military doctors to the rigors of high performance flight. Governor John A. Kitzhaber, a surgeon and former peacetime Commander-in-Chief of the Oregon National Guard, flew three sorties (flights) with the 173 FW in a modified Top Knife course on 21-22 March 1995.

During the build-up of the 114 FS schoolhouse, the ANG's Air Defense Alert mission continued as a separate detachment. However, the alert mission paralleled the 114 FS aircraft--first with the Portland detachment flying the F-4 and with a Fargo, North Dakota, detachment later flying the F-16. In mid-1994, the full-time alert mission became deactivated, and the facilities then served as a "warm" or "flex" site without a commander or permanent employees. Under this new concept, the site activates quarterly with other Air Guard units on 2-day air defense alert periods.

Official redesignation for the 173 Fighter Wing (173 FW) came on 27 June 1996. The 114 FS, retained as the flying component, falls under the Wing's Operations Group.

The Squadron's F-16 aircraft were replaced by F-15 aircraft in 1998. The 114 FS is the ANG's F-15 school.



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