Description

310th TFTS Top Hats 1970s, 4 inch Patch

Pilots and Crew!  Enjoy this beautifully embroidered 310th TFTS Top Hats 1970s Patch.  You’ll be able to wear this patch proudly!

• 4 inches
• Embroidered /Sew On
• US Naval Aviator Owned Business
• Reproduction

Fighter training
On 1 December 1969, the squadron resurfaced as the 310th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron 1 December 1969: two weeks later, on 15 December 1969 Luke Air Force Base, assuming the personnel and equipment of the provisional 4514th Combat Crew Training Squadron. Initially flying the new A-7 Corsair II ground attack aircraft, aircraft carrying tail code “LA” with blue tail stripes. Began transition to the McDonnell F-4C Phantom II in July 1971, assuming training mission from Davis–Monthan AFB units. Operated the F-4C until April 1982. aircraft carrying green fin caps. The squadron started phasing out the F-4 for the Block 1 General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon in 1982, with the distinction of operating the first production F-16 #78-0001. Deactivation with the F-4C was on 4 November 1982. F-16s initially tail coded “LA”, recoded to “LF” on 1 January 1983.[4]

In the early years of operation with the F-16, the squadron patch was very different and the squadron name was Falcons. Eventually the 310th would return to the patch style used in World War II with a tophat wearing skull with a pair of dice (see patch top of page). The squadron name changed as well to “Top Hats” which it has carried through to today.[4]

In 1988 the 310th began receiving brand new block 42 F-16C/Ds to replace the F-16A/B. The 310th TFTS became the first unit to receive the block 42 and also became the first F-16 squadron to receive the LANTIRN night vision system. Instructor pilots assigned to the 310th developed and wrote the Replacement Training Unit syllabus for both the Block 40/42 and LANTIRN. They also developed the first LANTIRN tactics. Until the mid-1990s, the 310th was dedicated almost exclusively to the LANTIRN training mission.[4]

On 1 November 1991 the 310th was re-designated simply as a Fighter Squadron. Although the word ‘Training’ was dropped, nothing in that role was changed and was the case for all USAF Tactical Fighter Training Squadrons at that time.[4]