Established in 1969 flying the F-104G 'Starfighter', the Katanas only mission has been high-altitude interception of bombers. In 1990, the Squadron would replace the outdated Starfighters with the slightly newer Mirage F1EE and F1BE fighters. Still performing the same role of high altitude interdiction, the Katanas would be put to the test time and again against the Belkan Air Force's numerous B-52 raids against the country. Throughout the late 1990's and 2000's the Katanas would continue to hone their tactics, participating in multiple Defense Force exercises where they excelled at rapid scramble to intercept drills. While never as glamorous as frontline multirole squadrons, the Katanas earned a reputation for precision, discipline, and reliability, often being the first line of defense for Stafford and surrounding regions. Today, the squadron continues to operate under the Stafford Air National Guard, maintaining a specialized role that emphasizes swift reaction upholding its legacy
