North American F-86 Sabre - Operators

Operators

Source: F-86 Sabre Jet: History of the Sabre and FJ Fury

• Argentina: Argentine Air Force

Acquired 28 F-86Fs, 26 September 1960, FAA s/n CA-101 through CA-128. The Sabres were already on reserve status at the time of the Falklands War but were reinstated to active service to bolster air defences against possible Chilean involvement. Finally retired in 1986.

• Belgium: Belgian Air Force

5 F-86F Sabres delivered, no operational unit

• Bolivia: Bolivian Air Force

Acquired 10 F-86Fs from Venezuelan Air Force October 1973, assigned to Brigada Aérea 21, Grupo Aéreo de Caza 32, they were reported to have finally been retired from service in 1994, making them the last Sabres on active front line service anywhere in the world.

• Canada: Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)
• Colombia: Colombian Air Force

Acquired two F-86Fs from Spanish Air Force (s/n 2027/2028), one USAF F-86F (s/n 51-13226) and other six Canadair Mk.6; assigned to Escuadron de Caza-Bombardero.

• Ethiopia: Ethiopian Air Force

Acquired 14 F-86Fs in 1960.

• Germany: Luftwaffe – see North American F-86D Sabre and Canadair Sabre

• Iran: Imperial Iranian Air Force

Acquired an unknown number of F-86Fs

• Iraq: Iraqi Air Force
• Honduras: Honduran Air Force

Acquired four F-86K from Venezuela (1970) and 10 CL.13 Mk2 (F-86E) from Yugoslavia

• Italy: Aeronautica Militare Italiana

Received first 179 Canadair Sabre MK 4 (F-86E) and later 121 FIAT-produced F-86Ks and acquired between 1955 and 1958, plus 120-ex USAF F-86Ks. They saw service in the following Gruppi Caccia (Fighter Groups): 6, 17 and 23 Gruppo of 1 Aerobrigata, 21º and 22 Gruppo of 51 Aerobrigata, 12 Gruppo of 4 Aerobrigata, 313 Aerobatics Training Team (Frecce Tricolori).

• Japan: Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF)

Acquired 180 U.S. F-86Fs, 1955–1957. Mitsubishi built 300 F-86Fs under license 1956–1961, and were assigned to 10 fighter hikōtai or squadrons. JASDF called F-86F the "Kyokukō" (旭光, Rising Sunbeam) and F-86D the "Gekkō" (月光, Moon Light). Their Blue Impulse Aerobatic Team, a total of 18 F-models were converted to reconnaissance version in 1962. Some aircraft were returned to the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California, as drones.

• Norway: Royal Norwegian Air Force

Acquired 115 F-86Fs, 1957–1958; and assigned to seven Norwegian Squadrons, Nos. 331, 332, 334, 336, 337, 338 and 339.

• Pakistan: Pakistani Air Force

Acquired 102 U.S.-built F-86F-35-NA and F-86F-40-NAs, last of North American Aviation's production line, 1954–1960s.

• Peru: Peruvian Air Force

Acquired 26 U.S.-built F-86Fs in 1955, assigned to Escuadrón Aéreo 111, Grupo Aéreo No.11 at Talara air force base. Finally retired in 1979.

• Philippines: Philippine Air Force

Acquired 50 F-86Fs in 1957. Retired in early 1970s.

• Portugal: Portugal Air Force

Acquired 50 U.S.-built F-86Fs, 1958, including some from USAF's 531st Fighter Bomber Squadron, Chambley, Portugal.

• • 201 Squadron "Falcões" (Falcons) (formerly designated as 50 Sqn. and later 51 Sqn., before being renamed in 1978), based at Air Base No. 5 (BA5), in Monte Real
  • 52 Squadron "Galos" (Roosters), based at Air Base No. 5 (BA5), in Monte Real
• Taiwan: Republic of China Air Force

Acquired 320 U.S.-built F-86Fs,7 RF-86Fs,18 F-86Ds, The 18 F-86Ds back to U.S. military and US send 6 to Republic of Korea Air Force,8 to Philippine Air Force in 1966.

, Finally retired in 1977.

• Saudi Arabia: Royal Saudi Air Force

Acquired 16 U.S.-built F-86Fs in 1958, and three Fs from Norway in 1966; and assigned to RSAF No. 7 Squadron at Dharhran.

• South Africa: South African Air Force

Acquired on loan 22 U.S.-built F-86F-30s during the Korean War and saw action with 2 Squadron SAAF.

• South Korea: Republic of Korea Air Force

Acquired 122 U.S.-built F-86Fs and RF-86Fs, beginning 20 June 1955; and assigned to ROKAF 10th Wing.

• • It also served with the ROKAF Black Eagles aerobatic team, until retired 1966.

• Spain: Spanish Air Force

Acquired 270 U.S.-built F-86Fs, 1955–1958; designated C.5s and assigned to 5 wings: Ala de Caza 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6. Retired 1972.

• Thailand: Royal Thai Air Force

Acquired 40 U.S.-built F-86Fs, 1962; assigned to RTAF Squadrons, Nos. 12 (Ls), 13, and 43.

• Tunisia: Tunisian Air Force

Acquired 15 used U.S.-built F-86F in 1969.

• Turkey: Turkish Air Force

Acquired 12 U.S.-built F-86Fs.

• United States: United States Air Force

Further information: List of Sabre and Fury units in U.S. military

• Venezuela: Venezuelan Air Force

Acquired 30 U.S.-built F-86Fs, October 1955 – December 1960; and assigned to one group, Grupo Aéreo De Caza No. 12, three other squadrons.

• Yugoslavia: Yugoslav Air Force

Acquired 121 Canadair CL-13s and F-86Es, operating them in several fighter aviation regiments between 1956 and 1971.