b'56thOperations Groupfirst for the LTV A-7D Corsair II, then the McDonnell-Douglas F-4C Phantom II. In 1989, the first Block 42 F-16C/D in the Air Force inventory was delivered to the 58th Tactical Training Wing at Luke.On December 26, 1989, the Top Hats were the first unit to deliver live ordnance on an uncontrolled range at night using the Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night, or LANTIRN, navigation pod. Additionally, they became the Air Forces first and only F-16 LANTIRN training squadron.On October 1 and November 19, 1997, the 310 FSsignificantly expanded its mission to include Forward Air Controller-Airborne and Night Vision Goggles training. Additionally, the 310 FS developed and implemented the first U.S. Air Force photo by Ryan Waters Mobile Training Team concept of training for AETC. With this concept, AETC is able to train additional students off-station 310TH FIGHTER SQUADRON at no loss in training at Luke AFB.Top Hats of the 310th Fighter Squadron trace their rootsOn November 24, 2008, the 310 FS transitioned from to January 1942, when the unit began as the 310th Pursuitdedicated Night Systems training to teaching all Luke syllabi. Squadron. It was formally activated on February 9, 1942 andThe 310 FS graduated its first B-course (initial F-16 student was attached to the 58th Pursuit Group at Harding Field, La., training) on August 3, 2009. On July 28, 2022, the 310 FS where its pilots trained replacements to fly the Bell P-39 stood down the F-16 mission, transitioning its Block 42 F-16s Aircobra aircraft. and perwsonnel to the 309 FS.Named a fighter squadron on May 15, 1942 at Dale MabryOn June 2, 2023, the Top Hats welcomed the F-35AField, Fla., the 310th continued training pilots for P-39 AirLightning II aircraft and personnel and began its new mission:Cobra, Curtiss P-40 Warhawk and Republic P-47 Thunderbolt To develop the worlds greatest F-35 pilots, instructors,aircraft. During World War II, the 310th saw combat in theand leaders. Southwestern Pacific Theater and earned several awards425TH FIGHTER SQUADRONincluding the Distinguished Unit Citation for action in the Philippine Islands on December 26, 1944 and the PhilippineConstituted as the 425th Night Fighter Squadron Nov. 23, Presidential Unit Citation. 1943, and activated Dec. 1, 1943, the 425th Fighter Squadron After World War II, the 310th deactivated until 1952, when(FS) was originally assigned to Orlando Air Base, Florida.it was redesignated the 310th Fighter-Bomber Squadron inOn Jan. 30, 1944, the 425th was reassigned to bases inthe 58th Fighter-Bomber Group on July 10, 1952 at TaeguCalifornia before arriving at its first European station at Air Base, Republic of Korea. First equipped with the RepublicChormy Down, England, May 26, 1944. The 425th flew to its F-84G Thunderjet from 1952, the squadron adopted the Northfirst home base on the European continent, Vannes, France, American F-86 Sabrejet in 1954 and kept it through 1958.Aug. 18, 1944. Aircraft, men and equipment of the 425th During the Korean Conflict, the squadron flew primarilymoved north along with the Allied advance against the Axis air-to-ground missions supporting ground operations. and Germany, on May 2, 1945, just six days before VE DayParticipating in the Korea Summer-Fall 1952, Third May 8, 1945. During the air war in Europe, the 425th flew the Korean Winter and Korean Summer-Fall 1953 campaigns, theYP-61, A-20, P-61 and P-70 aircraft. The unit flew and fought squadron again distinguished itself, earning the Republic ofin support of the Allied war effort in Normandy, Northern Korea Presidential Unit Citation. Osan AB, Korea, became theFrance, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and Central Europe.home of the 310th on March 19, 1955 and it stayed there untilBetween Sept. 9, 1945, and Sept. 1, 1946, the 425th was its inactivation in 1962. reassigned to various bases in California before being moved In 1958, the 310th gave up its F-86s when it became theto McChord Field in Washington state. On Aug. 25, 1947, the 310th Missile Squadron on June 15, 1958, assigned to the 425th was inactivated.58th Tactical Missile Group. It remained the home of the On Oct. 15, 1969, the 425th was reactivated at Williams Air surface-to-surface Matador missile until 1962, when the Force Base, Arizona, as the 425th Tactical Fighter Training missile left service and inactivated on March 25, 1962. Squadron and assigned to the 58th Tactical Fighter Training On December 1, 1969, the squadron resurfaced as the 310thWing at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The squadrons new Tactical Fighter Training Squadron; two weeks later, on mission with the 58th TFTW was to train aircrews from allied December 15, 1969, it formally joined other units at Luke. It hasnations to fly and fight in the F-5. This training was accomplished been here since, training pilots or weapons systems officers,at Williams Air Force Base and also at bases in those nations. 48 LUKE AIR FORCE BASE THE Premier Fighter Wing'