16th Weapons Squadron
The 16th Weapons Squadron is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the USAF Weapons School, based at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.
| 16th Weapons Squadron | |
|---|---|
F-16C Fighting Falcon from the USAF Fighter Weapons School on the ramp at Nellis AFB | |
| Active | 1940–Current |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Role | Advanced Fighter Training |
| Part of | Air Combat Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Nellis AFB, Nevada |
| Nickname(s) | Flying Wall (WW II) Tomahawks |
| Tail Code | "WA" |
| Engagements | Southwest Pacific Theater China Burma India Theater Korean War |
| Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (5x) Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation (2x) |
| Insignia | |
| 16th Weapons Squadron emblem | |
| 16 Fighter-Interceptor Sq emblem (approved 16 November 1961) | |
| 16th Fighter Sq emblem (World War II) | |
The 16th began as the 16th Pursuit Squadron on 20 November 1940. During World War II, the 16th Squadron flew missions in New Guinea, India, and China in the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, and North American P-51 Mustang. During the Korean War, the 16th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron flew missions from Korea and Japan in the Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star and North American F-86 Sabre. After the Korean War, the 16th was stationed in Japan, Taiwan, Florida, Norway, Turkey, Korea, and Utah, flying missions in the Convair F-102 Delta Dagger and McDonnell F-4 Phantom II aircraft.
In January 1979, the 16th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron became the USAF's first F-16A/B operational squadron.