The 174th FS is the group's operational unit and has flown the F-16C since December 1991. The unit was established as the 174th Fighter Squadron in December 1946 with P-51Ds. The 174th converted to the F-84B in May 1950 and was mobilized from April 1951 until January 1953. It reverted to F-51Ds in 1953, then re-equipped with the F-80C in July 1953 and the F-84E in August 1956. The 174th became a Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron in April 1958 with the RF-84F assigned, until redesignated a Tactical Fighter Squadron with the F-100C in May 1961. The squadron joined the 185th TFG in October 1962 and was mobilized between January 1968 and May 1969, involving a lengthy period of combat operations from Phu Cat AB, South Vietnam. The squadron upgraded to the F-100D in 1974 and converted to the A-7D in July 1977.