F-104s operating in Vietnam were upgraded in service with APR-25/26 radar warning receiver equipment, and one example is on display in the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The Starfighters rotated and/or transitioned to F-4 Phantoms in July 1967, having lost a total of 14 F-104s to all causes in Vietnam. Nine more F-104s were lost two F-104s to ground fire, three to surface-to-air missiles, and the final four losses were operational (engine failures). Starfighters returned to Vietnam when the 435th Tactical Fighter Squadron deployed from June 1966 until July 1967, in which time they flew a further 2,269 combat sorties, for a total of 5,206 sorties. The 476th Tactical Fighter Squadron deployed to Vietnam in April 1965 through July 1965, losing one Starfighter and the 436th Tactical Fighter Squadron deployed to Vietnam in July 1965 through October 1965, losing four. During that first deployment, two Starfighters were shot down by ground fire, one was shot down by a Chinese MiG-19 (Shenyang J-6) when the F-104 strayed over the border, and two F-104s were lost to a mid-air collision associated with that air-to-air battle. Starfighter squadrons made two deployments to Vietnam, the first was from April 1965 to November 1965, flying 2,937 combat sorties. Again in 1967 the TAC aircraft were transferred to the Air National Guard.Ĭommencing with the Operation Rolling Thunder campaign, the Starfighter was used both in the air-superiority role (although it saw little aerial combat and scored no air-to-air kills, Starfighters were successful in deterring MiG interceptors) and in the air support mission. The 479th Tactical Fighter Squadron at George AFB, California was the first unit to equip with the type in September 1958. The subsequent F-104C entered service with Tactical Air Command as a multi-role fighter and fighter-bomber.
After only one year of service these aircraft were handed over to the Air National Guard although it should be noted that the F-104 was intended as an interim solution while the ADC waited for delivery of the F-106 Delta Dart. The USAF reduced their orders from 722 Starfighters to 155. The aircraft were then fitted with the J79-3B engine and another three ADC units equipped with the F-104A.
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After just three months service, the unit was grounded after a series of engine-related accidents. The first unit to become operational with the F-104A was the 83rd Fighter Interceptor Squadron on 20 February 1958 at Hamilton AFB in California. The F-104A initially served briefly with the USAF Air Defense Command as an interceptor, although neither its range nor armament were well-suited for that role.
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