On 5 December 2024, a New Jersey Air National Guard  F-16C Fighting Falcon was assigned to be the new 119th Fighter Squadron's flagship aircraft.

 

The flagship F-16C, with serial number 86-0309, assigned to the 119th Fighter Squadron, part of New Jersey Air National Guard's 177th Fighter Wing, now Officially bears the new “Jersey Jerk” tail flash design.

 

The Fighting Falcon is dedicated to USAF General Donald Strait, a retired commander of the New Jersey Air National Guard, who flew a Republic P-47 Thunderbolt and a North American P-51 Mustang of the same name, the “Jersey Jerk.”

 

For more information on a modern warbird P-51 with the same name see our previous post

 

In 1918, General Strait was born in East Orange (NJ). Throughout his childhood he had a distinct fascination with aviation. Strait enlisted in 1940 with the 119th Observation Squadron assigned to the NJ ANG.

 

Over the course of a 36-year-long career, Strait served in England during World War II, achieved the title of a “Flying Ace,” commanded the NJ ANG, and became the first NJ ANG officer to be appointed Major General.

 

Since 1958, the Jersey Devils have been located at Atlantic City International Airport, near Egg Harbor Township (NJ). While more Air National Guard units will be transitioning to newer aircraft like the F-15EX Eagle II and F-35A Lightning II, the 119th Fighter Squadron will be flying AC coded Fighting Falcons for the foreseeable future.