Allocated to the Oregon National Guard in 1940, activated on April 18, 1941 at Portland Municipal Airport. The newly formed unit began operations with two officers, 108 enlisted men, and two aircraft, a North American BC-1A (like the AT-6) and a Douglas O-46A. The squadron flew observation missions primarily along the Pacific Coast and occasionally made mail flights.

Ordered to active service in September 1941 as part of the pre-World War II buildup of the United States Army Air Corps and assigned to the 70th Observation Group, Fourth Air Force. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, flew anti-submarine patrols along the Pacific Coast from airfields in Oregon and Washington, later becoming part of the air defense forces of Southern California. This included one of the first missions flown from a U.S. base on December 7, 1941. Flew anti-submarine patrols until mid-1943 when the mission was turned over to the United States Navy.

Reassigned to Third Air Force, the squadron was first sent first to Texas, then to Oklahoma for combat reconnaissance and aerial photography training to support Army ground forces. After training, the unit deployed to China Burma India Theater, as part of the Fourteenth Air Force where they engaged in unarmed observation flights over Japanese-held territory supporting Chinese Nationalist forces. Flying B-25 Mitchells, A-20 Havocs, and DB-7 Boston Havocs originally built for the RAF the squadron flew from rough and remote airfields in China throughout the rest of the War, later converting to the unarmed high-speed long-range P-38 Lightning's and F-5 Reconnaissance Lightning's. The squadron received credit for participation in seven campaigns in World War II.

Lockheed F-5A Lightning is the photo - reconnaissance variant of the famous P-38. The "F" designation was use for aircraft with a photo  mission. 

Not all 123d personnel served with the 35th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (35th PRS), as some were diverted to other units as early as 1942 and served elsewhere in the Pacific and in Europe. As part of the large drawdown of forces after the war, the 35th PRS inactivated on November 7, 1945 at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey.

The wartime squadron, designated the 35th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron redesignated as the 123d Fighter Squadron, Single Engine and was allotted to the Oregon Air National Guard, on May 24, 1946. It was organized at Portland Municipal Airport, Oregon and was extended federal recognition on June 26, 1946 by the National Guard Bureau. The 123d Fighter Squadron was bestowed the history, honors, and colors of the 35th PRS. The 123d FS was assigned to the 142d Fighter Group at Portland Municipal Airport beginning fighter operations for the first time in the North American F-51D Mustang with 75 officers and 800 enlisted men. The units were allotted to Continental Air Command, with a mission of the air defense of the State of Oregon.

North American F-51D Mustang of the 123rd FIS during the units Korean War activation.

As a result of the Korean War, the squadron was called to active duty on 10 February 1951 and redesignated as the 123d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron falling under the command of the McChord AFB based 325th Fighter-Interceptor Wing and later, the 4704th Defense Wing in February 1952 after the inactivation of the 325th FIW. The squadron conducted air intercept training missions with its F-51s until June 1952 when it was re-equipped with the F-86F Sabre daylight interceptor. On 1 November 1952, the 123rd was released back to the Oregon ANG after its personnel, mission, and equipment were absorbed by the newly activated 357th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron.

Re-formed as part of the 142d Fighter-Interceptor Group with F-86A Sabres the 123rd resumed its peacetime mission of the air defense of Oregon. In 1955, the Redhawks transitioned to the F-94A Starfire and a new mission. With this new all-weather interceptor, the mission of the 123d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron changed from day interceptor to day and night all-weather interceptor. In 1957, the 123d again upgraded to the improved F-89J Scorpion then in 1966 to the supersonic F-102A Delta Dagger. In the summer of 1958, the 142d implemented the ADC Runway Alert Program, in which interceptors of the 123d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron were committed to a five-minute runway alert 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

In the mid 70's F-101 VooDoos were the first aircraft to wear the 123 FIS "Redhawk" tailflash.

In 1972, the Redhawks transitioned into the Mach-2 F-101B Voodoo. As an example of the unit's readiness and capability, in 1976, the unit won top honors at a pair of Aerospace Defense Command (ADC) competitions, the Weapons Loading Competition and the famous William Tell Air Defense Competition. In William Tell 1976, the 123rd FIS / 142nd FIG garnered first place in the F-101 category and Lt. Col. Don Tonole and Maj. Brad Newell captured the overall "Top Gun" title flying the McDonnell F-101B Voodoo.

After the inactivation of Aerospace Defense Command in 1979 and the units re-assignment to Tactical Air Commands Air Defense, Tactical Air Command (ADTAC), the 123d began replacing its VooDoo's with the F-4C Phantom II in 1981. Success came again at William Tell 1984 when the unit placed first in the F-4 category flying the McDonnell-Douglas F-4C Phantom II and beat many of its F-15 Eagle and F-106 Delta Dart rivals in the overall competition. Majors Ron Moore and Bill Dejager were the overall F-4 "Top Guns" of the competition. Two years later, the 142nd FIG / 123rd FIS sent the oldest airplanes flown by the youngest aircrews the 1988 edition of the William Tell Weapons Meet. The team, whose ranking member was a Captain, placed first in the F-4 category again beating many newer, more advanced fighters.

Classic photo of aircraft assigned to the 123rd FIS / 142nd FIG in the 80's, T-33A T-Bird, F-4C Phantom & C-130A Hercules, all would be retired by the 1990.

On October 6, 1988, the last Redhawk T-33 left the base for retirement it was the only remaining T-33A in the Air Force inventory at that time. The Oregon Air National Guard received its first T-33A in June 1954; later five more arrived and each of these six aircraft flew more than 2,000 hours. The first T-Bird to arrive was aircraft number 53-5943, which was straight from the factory with fewer than 20 hours of flight - the Oregon Air Guard put 9,556 total hours on it during its assignment with the 123rd. Oregon Air Guard flew it for a total of 34 accident-free years. Oregon never lost a T-33A to an accident, and never had an engine failure in flight. The T-33s assigned to the Oregon Air Guard averaged 12.6 hours of manual labor per flying hour. The sorties averaged 1.5 hours in duration.

In 1989, as part of upgrade to the Air National Guard's interceptor inventory, the 123rd FIS / 142nd FIG began to receive F-15 Eagles from the 318th Fighter - Interceptor Squadron, an active duty unit from McChord AFB slated for deactivation as a part of a Cold War drawdown. The Redhawks F-4s were the last of the "C" model flown by a USAF were flown to various basis combat coded fighter squadron.  After receiving it last F-15 its last F-15, the Redhawks re-established their alert commitment at Portland on December 29, 1989. On February 1, 1990 Det. 1 142 Fighter Interceptor Group was established at McChord AFB manned by pilots and aircraft of the 123rd FIS. On Sept 30, 1993, the detachment was deactivated as a part of the Department of Defense force reduction plan.  

Three versions of the F-15 camouflage schemes are displayed in this photo -t he "Ghost Gray" scheme is worn by F-15A S/N 76-0073, a "PACAF" Scheme worn by S/N 76-0099 (with a low-vis tailflash), and the final "Mod Eagle" scheme worn by 76-0142.

In 1992, as part of a large USAF reorganization, the squadron was redesignated as the 123rd Fighter Squadron.  

Over the next few years, the Redhawks would progressively upgrade their fleet of F-15s with new aircraft; receiving Multi Stage Improvement Program (MSIP) F-15A/B models between 1992 and 1995 replacing the early F-15's most coming from the 318th FIS. On May 5, 2007, the Redhawks entered the next chapter in their 19 year F-15 history with the arrival of their first two F-15C's from Kadena Air Base in Japan. On Sept 17, 2007, the 123rd retired the USAF's final combat coded F-15 closing the book on the F-15A/B in USAF service.

Since the end of the Cold War, the 142d has served as the principal air defense unit of the Pacific Northwest.  With more than 1,000 officers and airmen, the 123rd Fighter Squadron guards the Pacific Northwest skies from northern California to the Canadian border, on 24-hour Air Sovereignty Alert as part of Air Combat Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). The wing also stands ready to participate in state and federal contingency missions as required.

The Redhawks have participated in a wide variety of expeditionary missions in the turbulent post-Cold War environment while providing air defense of the Pacific Northwest. These included major deployments to Turkey in 1998 for Operation Northern Watch and to Saudi Arabia in 2000 for Operation Southern Watch, patrolling the no-fly zones then in place over Iraq. The squadron deployed aircraft to Panama in 1998 in support of counter-drug missions, helping stem the flow of the drug trade by air. In response to the 9/11 Attack on America the Redhawks maintain an alert presence under Operation Noble Eagle, the national military response to homeland defense.

The Redhawks now fly the most advance F-15 eagles in the Air Force.

Lineage - Designated 123d Observation Squadron, and allotted to Oregon National Guard, on 30 July 1940. Activated on 18 April 1941. Ordered to active service on 15 September 1941. Redesignated: 123d Observation Squadron (Light) on 13 January 1942. Redesignated: 123d Observation Squadron on 4 July 1942. Redesignated: 123d Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment) on 2 April 1943. Redesignated: 35th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron on 11 August 1943. Inactivated on 7 November 1945. Redesignated 123d Fighter Squadron and allotted to Oregon ANG 24 May 1946. Extended federal recognition on 26 June 1946. Federalized and placed on active duty, 10 February 1951. Released from active duty and returned to Oregon state control, 1 November 1952. Re-designated: 123d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 1 November 1952. Re-designated: 123d Fighter Squadron 31 March 1992.

Assignments - Oregon National Guard, 18 April 1941. 70th Observation (later Reconnaissance) Group, 15 September 1941. 77th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, 11 August 1943. Attached to 70th Tactical Reconnaissance Group to 31 October 1943. III Reconnaissance (later Tactical Air) Command, 30 November 1943. AAF, India-Burma Sector, 5 May 1944. Fourteenth Air Force, c. September 1944. Tenth Air Force, 1 August 1945. Fourteenth Air Force, 25 August – 7 November 1945. Oregon Air National Guard, 24 May 1946. Gained by Fourth Air Force, Air Defense Command. 142d Fighter Group, 30 August 1946. 325th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, 10 February 1951. 4704th Air Defense Wing, 6 February 1952. 142d Fighter-Interceptor Group 1 November 1952. 142d Fighter Group 16 March 1992. 142d Operations Group, 1 October 1995 – Present

Stations - Gray Army Airfield, Washington, 25 September 1941. Detachment operated from Bowerman Field, Washington, 15 March-c. August 1942. Ontario Army Airfield, California, 16 March 1943. Roberts Field, California, 20 August 1943. Gainesville Army Airfield, Texas, 10 November 1943. Will Rogers Field, Oklahoma, 5 February – 10 April 1944. Guskhara Airfield, India, 13 June 1944. Kunming Airport, China, 1 September 1944. Flight at Nanning Airfield, China, 16 September – 6 October 1944. Flight at Yunnani Airfield, China, 16 September 1944 – 10 February 1945. Chanyi Airfield, China, 17 September 1944. Flight at Chihkiang Airfield, China, 19 October 1944-c. 1 September 1945. Flight at Suichwan Airfield, China, 19 NOV 1944 – 22 January 1945. Flight at Chengkung Airfield, China, 10 February – 13 May 1945. Flight at Laohwangping Airfield, China, 27 February-c. 1 September 1945. Flight at Kunming Airport, China, 14 May – 31 July 1945. Flight at Nanning Airfield, China, 31 July-c. 1 September 1945. Luliang Airfield, China, 18–24 September 1945. Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, 5–7 November 1945. Portland International Airport, Oregon, 23 June 1946 – 1 November 1952. Designated: Portland Air National Guard Base, Oregon, 1991-present

Aircraft - O-47, 1941-1945; O-49 Vigilant, 1941-1945; O-46, 1941-1942; B-25 Mitchell, 1943-1944; A-20 Havoc, 1943; DB-7 Boston, 1943; P-39 Aircobra, 1943-1944; P-38 Lightning, 1944; F-5 Lightning, 1944-1945; B-25 Mitchell, 1945; F-51D Mustang, 1946-1952; F-86F Sabre, 1952-1955; F-94A Starfire, 1955-1957; F-89J Scorpion, 1957-1966; F-102A Delta Dagger, 1966-1971; F-101B Voodoo, 1972-1981; F-4C Phantom II, 1981-1989; F-15A/B Eagle, 1989-2009; F-15C/D Eagle, 2007–Present

76-0034

76-0050

76-0051

76-0059

76-0066

76-0070

76-0071

76-0073

76-0075

76-0091

76-0095

76-0098

76-0099

76-0102

76-0105

76-0106

76-0108

76-0139

76-0141

 76-0142

73-0089

75-0040

75-0057

75-0061

75-0068

76-0041

76-0043

76-0045

77-0073

77-0086

77-0091

77-0098

77-0108

77-0119

77-0123

77-0126

 76-0142

78-0479

78-0492

79-0050

 79-0069  

80-0026

80-0028

82-0016

84-0002

84-0007

84-0020

84-0026

84-0030

 84-0031

85-0094

85-0100

85-0106

85-0130

85-0132