The 179th FS operates as the group's flying unit and has had the F-16A ADF assigned since July 1990. The unit was formed as the 179th Fighter Squadron in September 1948 with F-51Ds, and called to active service between March 1951 and November 1952. The squadron was redesignated the 179th FIS and re-equipped with the F-94A/B in July 1954, followed by the F-94C in mid-1957. The squadron converted to the F-89J in July 1959, joined the 148th FIG in July 1960 and converted to the F-102A in late 1966, before accepting delivery of F-101Bs in April 1972. The unit won the F-102A category at the 1970 William Tell competition. The squadron designation changed to TRS with the assignment of the RF-4C in January 1976, but the 179th reverted to the air defense role in 1984 with delivery of the F-4D.