Description

The 496th Tactical Fighter Squadron was first activated in 1942, and served until April 1944 as a replacement and operational training unit for light bombardment and fighter-bomber units and crews. It was active as a reserve unit from 1949 to 1951, flying the aircraft of the regular 52d Fighter-All Weather Group until it was called to active duty for the Korean War and its personnel used to fill out other units.

Its longest period of active duty started in 1953, when it was activated as an interceptor squadron. After training in the Western United States, it moved to Germany, serving in the air defence of Western Europe until 1968, when it converted to the tactical fighter mission.