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Introduction
USAF 429th Fighter Squadron later Electronic Combat Squadron
The 429th Electronic Combat Squadron has a long and distinguished history spanning the Second World War, Korea, the Cold War, and modern electronic warfare operations. From its origins as a fighter squadron flying the P-38 Lightning to its final role operating the EF-111A Raven, the squadron played a key role in both tactical air operations and electronic combat missions.
This page brings together a range of authentic 429th Squadron patches, including from its Fighter and Electronic Warfare periods, roles, and manufacturing versions associated with the unit.
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WWII – P-38 Lightning
429th Fighter Squadron was activated Glendale Airport California on 1 August 1943 equipped with P-38 Lightning fighter aircraft. The Squadron was assigned to 474th Fighter Group of IV Fighter Command. The Squadron moved to Van Nuys Airport California on 11 October 1943 and to Oxnard Flight Strip California on 5 January 1944. The Squadron embarked for the UK with the Group on 6 February 1944 and formed up at RAF Warmwell on 12 March 1944 as part of Ninth Air Force.
429th FS began combat sweeps against ground targets over France in April 1944. On D Day it provided patrols over the invasion fleet. The Squadron carried out offensive patrols from RAF Warmwell until crossing to France on 6 August 1944. 429th Fighter Squadron continued US Army ground air support operations flying from liberated airfields. The Squadron moved to its first German base Langansalza Airfield on 22 April 1945 before relocating to AAF Station Schweinfurt Germany on 16 June 1945. The Squadron became part of the United States Air Forces in Europe Army of Occupation on 7 August 1945. The Squadron relocated to AAF Station Stuttgart Echterdingen Germany on 25 October 1945. It demobilised and left for the US without personnel and equipment on 21 November 1945. On arrival 429th Fighter Squadron was inactivated on 7 December 1945.
Korean War – F-84G Thunderjet
429th Fighter Bomber Squadron was activated at Misawa AB Japan on 10 July 1952 as assigned to 474th Fighter Bomber Group. They replaced Federalized Georgia Air National Guard personnel and took over their F-84G Thunderjets. 429th FBS relocated to Kunsan AB K 8 South Korea in August 1952. Here the began ground attack combat operations bombing and strafing enemy ground targets including bridges bunkers troop concentrations and artillery positions. The Squadron moved to Taegu AB K 2 in April 1953 attached to 58 Fighter Bomber Wing. The Squadron continued interdiction and close air support missions and began attacking special strategic targets including military schools dams and port facilities in North Korea until the June 1953 Armistice.
Cold War – F-86H / F-100 / Vietnam build-up
The Squadron remained in South Korea to ensure Communist compliance with the cease fire until retuning to Clovis AFB NM in November 1954. Here they reequipped with F-86H Sabre fighter bombers and maintained proficiency in tactical fighter operations with worldwide deployments in support of NATO USAFE PACAF AAC and other organizations.
429th FBS reequipped with F-100 Super Sabre fighters in 1957. 429th Fighter Bomber Squadron was redesignated 429th Tactical Fighter Squadron on 1 July 1958. The Squadron deployed with the rest of 474th TFG Squadrons to the southeastern US in 1962 in response to the Cuban Missile Crisis. 429th TFS deployed TDY to Bien Hoa AB South Vietnam on 13 July 1965 for close air support combat operations. They returned in December 1965 before being inactivated on 15 November 1966.
Vietnam War – F-111A Aardvark
429th Tactical Fighter Squadron was reactivated with 474th Tactical Fighter Wing at Nellis AFB Nevada on 15 September 1968. The Wing was the first to receive the new F-111A Aardvark fighter bombers. The F-111As continued development following its combat deployment to Vietnam with 474th Wings 428th TFS under the Combat Lancer programme during 1968. 429th Tactical Fighter Squadron continued training reaching operational status in 1971.
The Squadron deployed with the rest of 474th TFW to Takhli RTAFB Thailand in September 1972 in response to the North Vietnamese Easter Offensive. 429th TFS participated in the Linebacker II aerial offensive against targets in North Vietnam and Laos. Operating during the monsoon season without electronic countermeasures escort aircraft or air refuelling support the Squadron was able to deliver five times the bomb load of an F 4 Phantom II. 429th TFS carried out twenty strikes over North Vietnam on 8 November 1972 in weather which grounded most other aircraft. With the Wings other Squadrons 428th and 430th TFSs flew 4000 combat missions with excellent success rates in hitting targets even when visibility was near zero with only six aircraft lost in action. The Squadron returned to the US in March 1973 leaving its assigned aircraft at Takhli AB.
At Nellis AFB the Squadron with 428th and 430th TFSs were reassigned to 347th Fighter Wing on 30 July 1973. They were deployed back to Takhli RTAFB on permanent status reequipping with the aircraft left behind in March. Combat operations began immediately with missions in Cambodia until 15 August 1973 when the last Constant Guard mission was completed. Following the cease fire 347th TFW remained in a combat ready status in case of resumption of hostilities.
With the closure of Takhli AB 429th TFS moved with the Wing to Korat RTAFB Thailand on 12 July 1974. They maintained readiness for strike missions in the event of hostilities and undertook numerous exercises and firepower demonstrations. Maritime surveillance patrol operations were carried out between January and May 1975. The Squadron participated in the recovery of the SS Mayaguez from Cambodian Communist forces in May 1975.
Post-Vietnam / Transition – F-4 Phantom II / F-16
The Squadron returned to Nellis AFB on 21 June 1975 reassigned back to 474th TFW. 429th TFS reequipped with F 4D Phantom II in 1977 and its F-111A Aardvarks were transferred to 366th TFW at Mountain Home AFB. The Squadron was tasked with strike interdiction.
429th TFS reequipped with Block 1-5 F-16 A and B Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft in November 1980. They conducted routine Tactical Air Command training and deployments from Nellis AFB. The Squadron upgraded to Block 10 to15 Model F-16 aircraft in the early 1980s. 429th Tactical Fighter Squadron was inactivated on 30 September 1989 when their aircraft were considered no longer front line combat capable.
Gulf War Era – EF-111A Raven Electronic Warfare
The Squadron reactivated at Mountain Home AFB Idaho as 429th Electronic Combat Squadron ECS on 11 September 1992 assigned to 366th Operations Group. It was equipped with EF-111A Raven Electronic Warfare SIP System Improvement Program aircraft tasked with electronic warfare jamming and monitoring. The Squadron relocated to Cannon AFB NM reassigned to 27 Operations Group on 22 June 1993. Here the took over the EF-111 A Raven and EC-130 Hercules electronic warfare aircraft of the newly inactivated 430th Electronic Combat Squadron leaving 429th ECS as the USAFs only Squadron with the Raven. 429th ECS deployed its EF-111A Ravens and its EC-130 Hercules to Italy for combat Electronic Warfare jamming missions over the Balkans. The Squadron also deployed to the Gulf for combat operations over Iraq. All in all they provided 2780 days and 32 rotations of continuous support to Operation Southern Watch. 429th Electronic Combat Squadron was inactivated on 19 June 1998 on the retirement of the EF-111A Raven.
429st Tactical Missile Wing Patch Variants
Collectors will find that 429st TMW patches exist in multiple variants, reflecting:
- Different production runs
- Subdued (low-visibility) versions
- Deployment-specific designs
- Unit sub-elements (e.g. maintenance, avionics)
These variations are typical of USAF patches from the Cold War period and make the 501st TMW a particularly interesting and collectible unit.
Available 429th TMW Patches
Below are examples of variants currently illustrated in our collection:
🟢 Standard Variants
- 👉 USAF 429th Tactical Missile Wing Patch – Variant A
- 👉 USAF 429th Tactical Missile Wing Patch – Variant B
🟢 Subdued Variants (Low Visibility) -TBA
- 👉 USAF 429th Tactical Missile Wing Patch – Subdued Variant D1
- 👉 USAF 429th Tactical Missile Wing Patch – Subdued Variant D2
🟢 Specialist & Unit Variants -TBA
- 👉 USAF 429TH Tactical Missile Wing Clinic Patch
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