USAF's Quick Reaction Alert 'task' revive

At the beginning of February 2024, the Alaskan based 18th Aggressor Squadron (AGRS) was given the dedicated air defense 'Fighter Interceptor Squadron' (FIS) designation which had not been used by the USAF since some thirty years ago.

Operating AK coded F-16C/D Fighting Falcons, the 18th FIS 'Blue Foxes', part of the 354th Fighter Wing, are based at Eielson AFB near Fairbanks (AK).

Although USAF Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) tasks have never stopped and are still continued along the way, it was thought that the days of the Fighter Interceptor Squadron (FIS) were long past by.

Until the beginning of the nineties, after most Convair F-106A/B Delta Darts and McDonnel Douglas F-4C and D models were phased out, the USAF transformed the name of the Fighter Interceptor Squadron into a more general 'Tactical Fighter Squadron' and later just 'Fighter Squadron'.

Now tasked with mainly QRA operations, the USAF designation change to the 'Fighter Interceptor Squadron' seems to mark a shift in the geopolitical security situation in the Arctic and Pacific theatres. Because of this shift in US national priorities, is expected that some more squadrons will follow.

At this moment, USAF F-16 squadrons have the most advanced APG-83 radar. On 15 January 2023, Scramble Magazine wrote about the Spangdahlem based F-16s and their capacities including the APG-83.

Credit photo: USAF