Thailand AF Units

กองทัพอากาศไทย - Royal Thai Air Force

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Last update 19-12-2021

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Squadrons wore two-digit unit code painted on aircrafts until 1977,
   when the Air Force was restructured and they received three digits
   designations. A second restructuration took place on 04-05-90
   followed by a third on 01-10-96. The Wings are under control of Air
   Divisions.

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1st FIGHTER WING
The Wing was formed by three Squadrons, the 11th (equipped with Lockeed T-33A and RT-33A), the 12th equipped with North American F-86L and the 13th equipped with North American F-86F before the arrival
of Northrop F-5s.

The 11th Squadron was renamed later 101st, the 12th to 102nd and the 13th changed to 103nd Squadron

13th Tactical Fighter Squadron - "Lightning"
On aircrafts Official badge
This was the first unit, based at Don Muang AFB, to receive the early Freedom Fighters, starting from April 1966; all versions were initially attached to the Squadron in 3 flights: Northrop F-5A, Northrop RF-5A,
Northrop F-5B.

Northrop F-5A code 1312, US serial 69160 and 1313, US serial 69161 at Don Muang AFB on 16-11-67.   Northop F-5B 1302/38439 at Don Muang AFB, in the background an Hawker Hunter
Hunter                                                                                                                                              two-seater on delivery to the Singapore AF.
                                                                                     Photos: archives The Northrop F-5 Enthusiast

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Photo: archives The Northrop F-5 Enthusiast
Northop RF-5A 1342/97157 at Don Muang AFB in February 1976

Freedom Fitghter war operations by this unit took place on 06-10-70 im Khao-Kho area, supported by North American F-86Fs of the 43rd Tactical Fighter Squadron and Cessna O-1As for observation.
One Northrop F-5A, code 1313, was shot down this day by rebels, killing its pilot.
A war mission was operated on 11-06-83 (and later) by two single-seaters in the province Phetchabun, again with the loss of one fighter code (1333). The pilot was recovered.

The 13th Squadron started to move its 16 Freedom Fighters on 17-10-1977 to its new homebase, Korat AFB (an USAF base during the Vietnam war). Contemporaneously an Air Force restructuration
took place and the Squadron was renumbered 103. See below for information about this Squadron.

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103rd Tactical Fighter Squadron - "Lightning"
Wester inscriptio Thai inscription

The 103rd Squadron was formed by renaming the 13th TFS upon relocating its eighteen Northrop F-5A, F-5B, RF-5A from Don Muang AFB to Korat AFB on 17-10-1978.

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                            Northrop F-5A 10334/10265                    Photo: unknown               The same aircraft seen later in a South-East Aisia camouflge, of notice the aircraft in the
                                                                                                                                    background, still in metalic colours, tail Squadron badge visible.

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   Photo: unknown
                                                                       Northrop RF-5A 10341/97154 seen in 1982 at an Air Base open-day.

The same aircraft seen later in a South-East Aisia camouflge, of notice the aircraft in the
background, still in metalic colours, tail Squadron badge.

The Squadron participated to several exercises:
Commando West, Air Thai-Sing (now known as Cope Tiger), Thai Boomerang, Thai Kiwi, Cope West, Angels Thunder while operating with Freedom Fighters.

It was the first Thai unit to be re-equipped with F-16A/F-16B Fighting Falcons starting from 13-06-88, but the Northrop fighters were already transferred to the 231st TFS at Udon Thani AFB in 1986 in order to
prepare the Squadron for the much more sophisticated new aircraft.
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102nd Tactical Fighter Squadron - "Starfighters"
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Patch Tail badge on F-5E

Formerly designated 12th Squadron it was inactive for some time after having withdrawn its North American F-86L.

Re-equipement came upon delivery of the first batch of 13 Northrop F-5E and 3 F-5F in June 1978 to Korat AFB, later supplemented in 1979 by 4 Northrop F-5E. First combat ready demostration was staged on 16-08-78; official combat readiness declaration was on 25-09-78.

Hectic on the apron line-up of Northrop F-5E, 102 Squadron, aircrafts painted in the initial colours,           Northrop F-5E 10232/61674 at Clark AFB on 13-01-88 for Cope Thunder exercise
ho badge on tail                                                                                     Photo: R Thai AF                           Photo: archives The Northrop F-5 Enthusiast

      Photo: Thai Aviation Military Group
                                                          Ability to carry four 500 lbs is hown on Northrop F-5E serial 21125/80771 seen before June 2015

One of the second batch Northrop F-5F was assigned to the Squadron together with seven former USAF F-5E bought in 1988, (one) two of the last mentioned being used for spares recovery only.
The year 1994 saw re-equipment with Aero L-39ZA light attack aircrafts and the transfer of the Northrop fighters to the 711th Squadrons.
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21st WING               -                211th Tactical Fighter Squadron    - "Eagle"
                                                     211th Interception Squadron     by 01-2019

latest tail badge 211 Interceptor Squadron 40 years/160'000 hrs F-5 new camouflage Interceptor Squadron Worn on pilot uniform 01-2019
21 Wing Old badge on tail Second badge on tail

Cessna A-37B were phased out by the Squadron upon receipt of its first (formerly 403 Squadron operated) Northrop F-5E, F-5F on 01-04-94 at Ubon Ratchathani AFB.

The 211th Squadron was mainly tasked with the Air Defence of Eastern part of Thailand beginning of the 2000', due to the continous infringement of Thai air space by Vietnamese aircrafts during the Thai-Lao/Vietnamese crise.

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Dramatic picture of Northrop F-5E 21124/91887 used as a Target Tug   Photo: unknown                     Northrop F-5F 21105/91692 at Don Muang AFB in January 2007, with first tail insigna
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Photo: P. van Weenen

Photo: R Thai AF
Seldom seen Northrop F-5E armed wth Python 2, probably for trials

All upgraded frames, possibly 13 single- and 3 double-seaters (locally redesignated Northrop F-5T "Tigris" and Northrop F-5FT) were delivered to this Squadron as this was the remaining Tiger unit.

    Northrop F-5T 21119/91682 at Don Muang AFB 10-01-09 still with old badge on tail                 In-flight view of upgraded two-seater Northrop F-5F 21104 armed with Python 4
                                                                                                        Photo: unknown                                                                                             Photo: R. Thai AF

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     Photo: unknown
                                                             Northrop F-5T 21128/91697 rolls for take-off with training Sidewinder missiles and DACT
                                                       pod. Note new badge on tail.           Photo: unknown

211 Squadron received the remaining 12 Northrop F-5E and single Northrop F-5B upon re-equipment of 701 Squadron with Saab J-39 Gripen during the year 2012.

Photo: R Thai AF
Line-up of 3 former 701 Squadron Northrop F-5E in old colours, 1 Northrop F-5B in new colours, 6 Northrop F-5T (2 in special colours), 2 Northrop F-5F at Ubon Ratchathani AFB during 2012.

The unit's first IAI upgrated Northropn F-5TH was rolled out in a ceremony on May 2018.

Northrop F-5T 21105 in 30 years F-5 operation special colours and Northrop F-5FTH in the latest colours launching a flare Photos: R. Thai AF
Excercises

Exercises participation includes "Cope Tiger 98", attended between 08 and 20-02-98 with single-seaters; Cobra Gold exercise was attended by the Squadrons' Northrop F-5T.

The unit participated to the yearly "Air Thamal" excercise" in May 2014 at least with 1 Northrop F-5T an 2 Northrop F-5F at RTAFB Korat.

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                                                                  Line-up of Thai Northrop F-5T, F-5F, Malaysian MiG-29, Hawker Hawk.

Combat SAR was demonstrated at "Air Thamal 265/2016" between 10 and 18 May 2016 excercise in RTAFB Korat by at 5 Northrop F-5T (at least 2), F-5F (at least 1).
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23 Wing    -    231st Tactical Fighter Squadron - "Hunter"

Wing patch On camouflaged F-5A 23124 Squadron patch on F-5E tail

Based at Udon Thani AFB it received in 1986 former 103rd Squadron aircrafts : 9 Northrop F-5A, 4 F-5B, 2 RF-5A. Two additional ex USAF Northrop F-5B were received in 1987.

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Northrop F-5A 23133/38371 in SEA camouflage being pushed to its hangar Northrop F-5B 23102/400778 at Clark AFB (Philippines) on 13-01-88 without tail insignia
Photo: archives The Northrop F-5 Entusiast Photo: Guido Bühlmann

Northrop F-5A 23122/01391 seen in December 1992 Photo: archives The Northrop F-5 Enthusiast    Former USAF Northrop F-5E 23115/50615 at Don Muang AFB on a "Children Day": 13-01-95
                                                                                                                                                                                                               Photo: archives The Northrop F-5 Enthusiast

The Squadron received some former 711 Squadron Northrop F-5E, F-5F in 1993 when this had transitioned on the General Dynamics F-16.

Some of its Northrop F-5Es were sent to Chiang Mai AFB to reinforce the 211st TFS during 1998 to face the Lao/Vietnamese troops during this conflict. All remaining versions of the the Freedom
Fighters and 12 Northrop F-5E/F were transferred to the 711st Squadron in 1998, when former German Alpha Jets were received.
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40 Wing    -    403rd Tactical Fighter Squadron -

Badge on tail Squadron patch

The 4th Wing has three operational units: the 401st, 402nd and the 403rd, but only the 403rd has been equipped with the Northrop fighter.
Takhli AFB based, formerly Cessna A-37B equipped, the first 8 Tigers for the 403rd TFS were delivered to Don Muang AFB on board a Lockheed C-5A on 14-01-81, officially taken over by the Squadron on January 22nd, 1981. Its main duty was ground-attack.

Sixteen pilots of the 403rd Squadron and 22 ground crew were trained in the USA between March 01st and May 03rd 1981. They participated to "Red Flag 81-3" exercise at Nellis AFB (USA) using 8 new built Tigers (5 Northrop F-5E and 3 F-5F), delivered, with another two, to Don Muang AFB on 28-05-81 by Lockheed C-5A.

Northrop F-5E 40332/61674 at Clark AFB on 13-01-88 for Cope Thunder exercise. Northrop F-5F 40301/91693 at Clark AFB on 14-01-88 for Cope Thunder exercise.
Photos: archives The Northrop F-5 Enthusiast

The Tigers were kept in use by the Squadron till 31-03-94, when it started preparing for its re-equipment with General Dynamics F-16A Block 15, transferring them to the 211 Squadron.
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71st WING - 711th Tactical Fighter Squadron - "Shark"

Squadron badge showing aggressor role
Reorganisation of the Air Force on 24-09-91 saw the arrival for the 711th Squadron at Surat Thani AB of former 102nd Squadron Northrop F-5E, F-5F, unit at the time equipped with North American OV-10C Bronco.
Another change came in 1998 when all remaining Freedom Fighters of the 231st Squadron were transferred in 1998 to this Squadron;
it had a dual role, air defence and ground attack. Aggressor training role followed later.

Former USAF Northrop F-5E 71134/50615 in company of 71134/61674 photographed at            Northrop F-5F 711014/61612 photgraphed at its homebase, Surat Thani
Surat Thani AFB in January 1999.             Photo: archives The Northrop F-5 Enthusiast

The 71st Wing and the 711th Squadron were redesignated 7th Wing and 701st Squadron in February 2000, see below for details.

                                    7th WING              - 701st Tactical Fighter Squadron -  "Shark"

Wing badge Old badge on tail New badge on tail Squadron badge

The 701st Tactical Fighter Squadron took over in February 2000 former 711 Squadron aircrafts, both of the first and second generation Northrop fighter. Ground attack was now its main role. A flight of four
Northrop F-5E/F-5F was regularly detached to Chiang Mai (Northern Thailand).

South-East Asia camouflaged Northrop F-5A 70141/69160, coded SRT       Photo: A. Romang                                                       Northrop F-5B 70102/40778 Korat AFB on 16-02-04

Last operational Northrop RF-5A seen at Surat Thani AFB in its newest colours, similar to the Northrop F-5E
seen behind. This aircraft helped to assess damages caused by the 2005 Tsunami.

Northrop F-5E 70112/6665 named "Sorik" seen on take-off at Don Muang AFB on 08-01-05. Northop F-5E 70143/61672 with new tailbadge at Don Muang AFB on 14-02-12

The remaining 4 Northrop F-5A were decommissioned in 2000, but 3 Northrop F-5B and 1 Northrop RF-5A Freedom Fighters were kept by the unit. The last reconnaissance aircraft (code 7104, serial 69-07158)
was in use as instructional frame in January 2006.

Photo: Cusak77
Quite unusual photo of an 701st Squadron Northrop F-5E and an F-5B intercepting a Boeing B-52!

Five Northrop F-5E participated to the Air Thamal 2005 edition (15th-23rd June) from Kuantan AB.

The strategic importance of the Southern border with Malaysia was underlined with the selection in 2008 of Surat Thani AFB and its 701st Squadron to house the latest Thai fighter: the Saab JAS-39 Gripen.

The Squadron stood down in November 2007 to prepare the pilots and ground crew for the arrival of the Gripen, a farewell airshow was held on 21-11-07, though it was later decided to keep the Northrop fighter in a flight until the new fighter was operational.

The initial batch of the Saab JAS-39 Gripen, 4 single- and 2 double-seaters, arrived on 22-02-11; contemporaneously the unit was divided in two flights each housing one type of aircraft.

The Squadron had by mid-2012, according to an unofficial source, 13 Northrop F-5E, 4 Northrop F-5F, 1 Northrop F-5B; twelve single-seater were initially transferred to 211th Squadron at Ubon Ratchathani, while the final 2 Northrop F-5E and 1 F-5B were handed over to the during an official ceremony on 11-10-12.
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6th WING

The Tiger equipped Royal Flight was only nominally attached to the 6th Wing; it depended directly from the Royal House. One Boeing B.737 and one Bell 412 were also part of the flight.

Royal Flight - 904 Aggressor Squadron

Badges Badges and Prince's initials on tail - Another variant in 1996

The Royal Flight, stationed at Don Muang AFB, had 1995 a personal "mount" Northrop F-5E of the Crown Prince Vatsilalongkon Machidownwho, who flew the aircraft approximately four times a week, accompanied by three Tigers on detachment fom front-line Squadrons. The prince had attended conversion training on the Tiger at Williams AFB in 1983 and became instructor pilot on 04-05-1994.

Several different badges were painted on tails and under the cockpit. Hereunder some are shown.

Northrop F-5E 90406/80770/VM Aggressor 06 in a Royal Squadron line-up Former USAF Northrop F-5E 90403/41575/VM Aggressor 03 at Don Muang AFB on 13-01-96
at Don Muang AFB on 24-07-96. Photos: archives The Northrop F-5 Enthusiast

Northrop F-5E 90401/VM/61668 at Don Muang AFB on 14-01-96 with special Northrop F-5E 9408/80773, its origin from the 701 Squadron is shown by the tail
tail badge, Thai CN inscription and simple aggressor number "01" code SRT, seen at Don Muang AFB on 10-01-98 Photos: archives The Northrop F-5 Enthusiast

Northrop F-5E 90407/91704 with unusual 904 Squadron code position in addition to 211 Squadron          Northrop F-5E 90407/80770 Aggressor 07 with tail stripe at Don Muang 27-06-14
code 21131 and tail badge at Don Muang AFB in January 1997.                                                                                                                                                               Photo: Mark Rourke
                                                                        Photo: archives The Northrop F-5 Enthusiast

The flight was redesignated later as 904 Aggressor Squadron, still based at Don Muang AB, it remained the personal Crown Prince unit for some time, but has changed to an aggressor only role for the whole Air Force
units since the Crown Prince doesn't fly with it anymore. An aircraft with code belonging to this Squadron has been noted at Bangkok-Don Muang in June 2012; another was noted on 17-05-17 without the tail code VM
and with aggressor code

It is probable that the Prince had in 1991 an General Dynamics F-16A block 15 as personal mount.

Some two Northrop F-5E/T and 2 Northrop F-5F were seen in a hangar at Don Muang AB, possibly belonging to the the Royal Flight.

Any further detail about this unit is most welcome.
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