119th Fighter Interceptor Group
"Happy Hooligans"
Hector Field, Fargo, North Dakota, 1977-1990
178th Fighter Interceptor Squadron,
119th Fighter Interceptor Group
"Happy Hooligans"
Hector Field, Fargo, North Dakota, 1977-1990
This page created by R. Tahsin Guney
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The 178th Fighter Interceptor Squadron "Happy Hooligans" (a nickname acquired as a result of a particularly boisterous celebration during summer encampment) flew F-4Ds between March 1977 and April 1990, prior to converting to F-16A/B Falcons. They transitioned from the F-101B into F4Ds, many of which they received from the 49th TFW at Holloman AFB. 178th FIS was the first ANG unit to receive the F-4D. With its F-4Ds, the 178th FIS deployed twice overseas, flying Tupolev Tu-95 Bear patrols in Iceland in 1984 and becoming the first unit to provide personnel and equipment for Operation "Creek Klaxon" at Ramstein AB, Germany, in 1986-87.
Above: F-4D-25-MC Phantom II, 64-0963. 119th FIG, 178th FIS, Hector Field, North Dakota. Aircraft in standart Air Force SEA camouflage scheme. Tail markings consist of "The Happy Hooligans" written in white on a red band. An unusual practice is the enlarging of only the last two digits of the serial number.
Above: F-4D-26-MC Phantom II, 64-0975. 119th FIG, 178th FIS, Hector Field, North Dakota. Aircraft in standart Air Force SEA camouflage scheme. A large ANG badge was added to both intakes instead of the usual unit badges.
Above: F-4D-26-MC Phantom II, 64-0979. 119th FIG, 178th FIS, Hector Field, North Dakota. Aircraft in standart Air Force Aerospace Defense Command gray paint scheme. Note the "07" aircraft code on the rudder.
Above: F-4D-26-MC Phantom II, 64-0973. 119th FIG, 178th FIS, Hector Field, North Dakota. Aircraft in standart Air Force Aerospace Defense Command gray paint scheme. The red band on the tail of 178th FIS aircraft in the ADC gray scheme is outlined in black. It was white on the SEA scheme.
Above: F-4D-29-MC Phantom II, 66-7478. 119th FIG, 178th FIS, Hector Field, North Dakota. Aircraft in standart Air Force Aerospace Defense Command gray paint scheme. A different style of anti-glare panel.
Above: F-4D-26-MC Phantom II, 64-0970. 119th FIG, 178th FIS, Hector Field, North Dakota. Aircraft in standart Air Force Aerospace Defense Command gray paint scheme.
Above: F-4D-29-MC Phantom II, 66-7498. 119th FIG, 178th FIS, Hector Field, North Dakota. Aircraft in standart Air Force Europe One camouflage scheme. During 1986, the 178th FIS received some ex-New Jersey ANG Phantoms painted in Europe One.
Above: F-4D-26-MC Phantom II, 64-0968. 119th FIG, 178th FIS, Hector Field, North Dakota. Aircraft in standart Air Force Egypt One three tone gray camouflage scheme.
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