The 318th vs. 498th Compass Rose “Northstar” Tail Flash Saga [by Ernie White (Updated by Pat McGee)]
There has been a lot of talk over the years about the 318th FIS Compass Rose aka Northstar tail flash and whether it was ever also on 498th jets after moving to McChord. Initially many believed that during the time the 498th was co-located with the 318th FIS at McChord they had no tail flash. As such, any F-106 found with either an early version or later version of the 318th style tail flash, was in fact a 318th jet. This does not seem to be the case. During the transition from Geiger Field to McChord AFB, the 498th swapped out their "1957" model F-106 jets with the 456th FIS, gaining a majority of "1959" models. This was accomplished to ensure the 325th FW, the host wing at McChord AFB, had a more common fleet to assist in maintenance, training, and etc. After things "settled" down following the move, the fleet was, once again, (slightly) reshuffled with the 318th and 498th, swapping tails [aircraft] between the squadrons with a majority of the ex 456 FIS fleet being assigned to the 498 FIS. With this transition, some of the jets with the 318th Compass Rose tail flash ended up serving with the 498th, and some of the "new" Sixes served with the 318th. I would consider the tail flash one that was approved for both F-106 units as a Wing tail flash, although haven't seen the design used for the 325th’s T-33's. During this time, the 325 FW ‘shield’ was applied to the left side of the aircraft (replacing the 318ths Green Dragon emblem on their jets). I would consider this another indication that the Compass Rose was truly a Wing tail flash during this era. From what I understand, no squadron insignias were applied to any McChord jets, except for the Sixes from the 318th that participated in William Tell. They were the only F-106's that wore squadron emblems during that period.
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*Osan Korea 1968 318 FIS
34 photos
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560464 Crash
1964 Capt Huss
51 photos
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590144 Crash
1978 Capt Miller
14 photos
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- 255 visits
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590059 TAC Tail and Kill Markings from Giant Voice 1979
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590057
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580776 1980
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thumb318
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318 FIS-Det 1 Castle AFB Alert Close-Out Last Six Alert Day
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590059 TAC Tail and Kill Markings from Giant Voice 1979
- 736 visits
![590059 TAC Tail and Kill Markings from Giant Voice 1979](_data/i/upload/2019/08/14/20190814200812-a03adb4f-cu_s9999x225.jpg "590059 TAC Tail and Kill Markings from Giant Voice 1979 (736 visits)
F-106A 59-0059 of the 318 FIS McChord AFB WA with Giant Voice 1979 "kill" markings on t...")
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560463 J75-P-17 Engine
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, Rating: 4.30
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580776 Centennial Between McChord & Kingsley
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FB IMG 1483146579834
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, Rating: 3.05
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, Rating: 4.30
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- 1022 visits
, Rating: 4.30
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- 1027 visits
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- 1045 visits
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- 1098 visits
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590057
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590057
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Sign at McChord 1983
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- 1220 visits
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- 1247 visits
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WT82 318 FIS Maintenance
- 1248 visits
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590152
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- 1268 visits
, Rating: 4.30
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- 1279 visits
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- 1282 visits
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- 1293 visits
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560466
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- 1294 visits
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WT82 318 FIS Maintenance
- 1300 visits
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318 Det 1 Castle AFB Alert Close-MSgt Black
- 1301 visits
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WT82
- 1308 visits
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590058 572465 590063 Tyndall TA 1980
- 1318 visits
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590152
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590147 WT74
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560466
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- 1351 visits
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- 1352 visits
, Rating: 3.05
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590108 590147 590141 580776 590198 WT74
- 1355 visits
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560459 and 590016
- 1356 visits
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590057 Engine Removal
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560463
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Welcome Brochure 1964
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WT82 318 FIS Maint Area
- 1366 visits
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590143 WT74
- 1375 visits
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