The 436th Tactical Fighter Squadron, part of the 479th Tactical Fighter Wing, was originally formed in 1943 and assigned to the Eighth Air Force, flying bomber escort missions during the Second World War.  The group was deactivated shortly after the war, but reactivated in 1952 as part of the Tactical Air Command.  The 479th TFW, based at George AFB, California, was the first unit to reach operational capability with the F-100 Super Sabre back in 1954. 