429th Electronic Combat Squadron [429th ECS]

The 429th Electronic Combat Squadron inactivated on June 19, 1998, at Cannon AFB, NM.

The squadron's inactivation came as a result of the US Air Force's decision to retire all EF-111 aircraft (all of which were stationed at Cannon AFB) from its inventory, with the retirement of the 34-year-old aircraft set to be completed by June 30, 1998. The EF-111 Raven's primary role was to jam early warning ground interceptor radar and acquisition radar for enemy surface-to-air missile systems and enemy anti-aircraft artillery.

The EF-111A Raven was the Air Force's only tactical jamming platform and had been flying from Incirlik since September 1, 1990, when they were flown there during the Gulf War build-up. The Navy's EA-6B Prowler was set to assume the Ravens' mission.

As part of the 4404th Wing (Provisional) in Southwest Asia, the deployed EF-111 Ravens provided tactical electronic jamming support to coalition forces enforcing the No-fly Zone over Southern Iraq as part of Operation Southern Watch.

The 429th ECS had been in Southwest Asia continuously since October 1993, logging more than 2,780 days, flying more than 3,350 sorties and accumulating more than 9,700 flying hours. However, it was as the 430th ECS that the squadron has supported Cannon's first EF-111 deployment in June 1993. The 429th ECS then relocated from Mountain Home AFB, ID, and reactivated at Cannon. In October 1993, the 430th ECS was redesignated the 429th ECS, becoming the sole Air Force unit involved with flying and maintaining the Ravens. It became, as a result, the longest running single-support unit for Operation Southern Watch.

The inactivation of the 429th ECS took place, following the return to Cannon AFB, on 4 April 1998, of three EF-111A jets and crews from the 429th, from its 32nd and final deployment to Southwest Asia.

The 429th Electronic Combat Squadron was originally constituted as the 429th Fighter Squadron (Two Engine) on 26 May 1943. It activated on 1 August 1943 at Glendale, CA, as a unit of the 474th Fighter Group, flying the P-38 aircraft.

It was redesignated as the 429th Fighter Squadron, Two Engine, on 20 August 1943. Relocating to Moreton, England, on 12 March 1942, the squadron saw combat in ETO, from 25 April 1944-8 May 1945, operating from locations in England, France, Belgium, and Germany. The squadron inactivated upon its return to the United States at Camp Kilmer, NJ, on 5 December 1945.

Redesignated as the 429th Fighter-Bomber Squadron on 25 June 1952, the 429th reactivated on 10 July 1952 at Misawa AB, Japan and Kunsan AB, South Korea. Flying the F-84 aircraft, the squadron was assigned to the 474th Fighter-Bomber Group (though attached to the 58th Fighter-Bomber Wing, from 1 April 1953-22 November 1954). The squadron saw combat in Korea from 1 August 1952-27 July 1953, relocating, during that time to Taegu AB, South Korea, on 1 April 1953.

The 429th returned to the United States and was stationed at Clovis (later, Cannon) AFB, NM, starting 13 December 1954.

It was reassigned to the 474th Fighter-Bomber (later, 474th Tactical Fighter) Wing, on 8 October 1957 (though it was attached to the 7216th Air Base Group at Incirlik AB, Turkey (19 June-15 October 1959 and 11 June-22 October 1962); USAFE at Chambley AB, France (1 September-28 November 1961); the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson AFB, NC (22 October-28 November 1962); the 7227th Support [later, 7227th Combat Support] Group at Aviano AB, Italy (3 July-13 November 1963); Sixteenth Air Force at Validati AB, Iran (7 April-c. May 1964); the 39th Air Division at Misawa AB, Japan (16 November 1964-12 February 1965); the 27th Tactical Fighter Wing at Bien Hoa AB, South Vietnam (13 July-16 December 1965) and at Homestead AFB, FL (15 May 1967-15 May 1968); and the 347th Tactical Fighter Wing (18 March-29 July 1973)).

The squadron was redesignated as the 429th Tactical Fighter Squadron on 1 July 1958. The 429th relocated to Nellis AFB, NV, on 15 May 1968 (but deployed at Takhli RTAFB, Thailand, from 28 September 1972-26 January 1973 and 18 March-29 July 1973).

The 429th saw combat in Southeast Asia, from 16 July-14 December 1965, but was not operational afterward from c. 16 December 1965-15 May 1967. It then saw combat again from 28 September 1972-26 January 1973, and from 20 March-15 August 1973. Aircraft operated by the squadron were the F-84 (1952-1954); the F-86 (1955-1957); the F-100 (1957-1965, 1967-1968); and the F-111 (1969-1975).

The squadron relocated to Takhli RTAFB, Thailand, on 30 July 1973, upon it reassignment to the 347th Tactical Fighter Wing. Reassigned to the 474th Tactical Fighter Wing on 21 June 1975, it relocated to Korat RTAFB, Thailand, from 14 July 1974-15 June 1975; and to Nellis AFB, NV, on 21 June 1975. Starting in June 1975, the squadron became tasked with conducting fighter training. That same year, the unit transitioned to the F-4 aircraft, which it replaced in 1981 with the F-16. The squadron inactivated on 30 September 1989.

Redesignated as the 429th Electronic Combat Squadron on 1 August 1992, it reactivated on 11 September 1992 at Mountain Home AFB, ID, under the 366th Operations Group. Operating the EF-111, it was tasked with conducting command, control, and communications countermeasures.

The 429th ECS was reassigned to the 27th Operations Group, on 22 June 1993, and relocated, as a consequence, to Cannon AFB, NM.