The List of Lockheed F-104 Starfighter operators lists the countries and their air force units that operated the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter.

Military operators

Belgium Belgium operated F-104G and TF-104Gs. They served with four squadrons: 23 and 31 (fighter-bombers), 349 and 350 (interceptors), and finally an OCU unit. In total 101 SABCA-built F-104Gs and 12 TF-104G built by Lockheed were purchased (one F-104G crashed before delivery). The Belgian Air Force operated the type from 14 February 1963 to 19 September 1983; some survivors were sent to Taiwan (23 aircraft) and Turkey (18 aircraft). Thirty-eight F-104G and three TF-104Gs were lost in accidents. Belgian Air Force 1 Wing, BAF based at Beauvechain 349th Squadron (Interception) 350th Squadron (Interception) 10 Wing, BAF based at Kleine Brogel 23rd Squadron (Fighter/Bomber) 31st Squadron (Fighter/Bomber)

Canada

The RCAF, and later the unified Canadian Forces, operated 200 Canadian-built CF-104s and 38 dual-control trainer CF-104Ds (built by Lockheed) between 1962 and 1986. CF-104s were equipped with additional electronic equipment, with a Radar warning receiver function, in the tail and under the nose. Losses were high, with around 110 crashes in Europe. Its heavy usage, mainly at low-level for bombing and reconnaissance missions was a major factor, while bad weather conditions contributed to almost 50% of the accidental losses. The airframes had an average of 6,000 flying hours when phased-out; triple that of Germany's F-104s. Surplus CF-104s and CF-104Ds were later transferred to Denmark, Norway, and Turkey.Stachiw and Tattersall 2007, p. 47. Royal Canadian Air Force 1 Wing RCAF based at Marville / Lahr, W.Germany No. 439 (Sabre-Toothed Tiger) Squadron No. 441 (Silver Fox) Squadron 2 Wing RCAF based at Grostenquin / Baden-Söllingen / Lahr No. 421 (Red Indian) Squadron No. 430 (Silver Falcon) Squadron 3 Wing RCAF based at Grostenquin / Baden-Söllingen / Zweibrücken No. 427 (Lion) Squadron No. 434 (Bluenose) Squadron 4 Wing RCAF based at Baden-Söllingen No. 422 (Tomahawk) Squadron No. 444 (Cobra) Squadron Central Experimental and Proving Establishment/Aerospace Engineering and Test Establishment 6 Strike-Recce OTU No. 417 Operational Training Squadron RCAF

Denmark

Denmark initially received 25 F-104G and four TF-104Gs under the Mutual Defense Assistance Act during 1964–65. Surplus Canadian license-built aircraft were transferred between 1971–73 (15 CF-104 and 7 CF-104D). A total of 51 Starfighters were operated by Denmark before their retirement in 1986. Fifteen surplus F-104Gs and three TF-104Gs were transferred to Taiwan in 1987.Schrøder, Hans (1991). "Royal Danish Airforce". Ed. Kay S. Nielsen. Tøjhusmuseet, 1991, p. 1–64. . Royal Danish Air Force used the F-104s as interceptors. Eskadrille 723 based at Aalborg Air Base Converted from F-86D Sabre in 1965 and switched to F-16A/B in 1984. Eskadrille 726 based at Aalborg Air Base Converted from F-86D Sabre in 1964 and switched to F-16A/B in 1986.page 64, 153 & 154 in Jan Jørgensen: "Flyvevåbnet - Scenes from Danish military aviation history", 2010, Nordic Airpower,

West Germany

West Germany received 916 F-104s, comprising 749 F/RF-104Gs, 137 TF-104Gs and 30 F-104Fs,Jackson 1976, p. 21. forming the major combat equipment of both the German Air Force and Marineflieger. At its peak in the mid-1970s, the Luftwaffe operated five F-104 equipped fighter bomber wings, two interceptor wings and two tactical reconnaissance wings. The Marineflieger operated a further two wings of F-104s in the maritime strike and reconnaissance roles.Jackson 1976, p. 22.

The Starfighter entered service with the Luftwaffe in July 1960,Jackson 1976, p. 20. with deliveries continuing until March 1973,Fricker and Jackson 1996. p. 72 remaining in operational service until 16 October 1987,Sgarlato 2004 and continuing in use for test purposes until 22 May 1991.

The two squadrons operating the RF-104G were re-equipped with RF-4E Phantoms in the early 1970s.

The Marineflieger initially used AS.30 command guidance missiles as anti-ship weapons, but these were replaced with the more sophisticated and longer-ranged radar-guided AS.34 Kormoran missile, allowing stand-off attacks to be carried out against enemy ships.Fricker and Jackson 1996. p. 56 West German Starfighters proved to have an alarming accident rate, 292 of 916 Starfighters crashed, claiming the lives of 115 pilots.

Luftwaffe Aufklärungsgeschwader 51 "Immelmann" based at Ingolstadt / Manching and previously Bremgarten. (Reconnaissance) Aufklärungsgeschwader 52 based at Leck, Nordfriesland (Reconnaissance) Jagdbombergeschwader 31 "Boelcke" based at Nörvenich (Fighter/Bomber) Jagdbombergeschwader 32 based at Lechfeld (Fighter/Bomber) Jagdbombergeschwader 33 based at Büchel (Fighter/Bomber) Jagdbombergeschwader 34 based at Memmingen (Fighter/Bomber) Jagdbombergeschwader 36 based at Rheine-Hopsten (Fighter/Bomber) Jagdgeschwader 71 "Richthofen" based at Wittmundhafen (Interception) Jagdgeschwader 74 based at Neuburg (Interception)

Marineflieger Marinefliegergeschwader 1 based at Schleswig-Jagel (Anti-Shipping & Reconnaissance) Marinefliegergeschwader 2 based at Eggebek (Anti-Shipping & Reconnaissance)

Greece

Greece received 45 new-built F-104G and six TF-104s under the Military Assistance Program. These were supplemented by second-hand Starfighters passed on from other NATO air forces, including 79 from Germany, seven from the Netherlands and nine from Spain. The Starfighter entered Greek service in April 1964, equipping two wings, leaving service in March 1993.Fricker and Jackson 1996, p. 93 Greek Air Force 335 Moira "Tigris" based at Tanagra / Araxos 336 Moira "Olympos" based at Tanagra / Araxos

Italy

In the Italian Air Force, the F-104 was a mainstay from the early 1960s until the end of the 20th century. The first flight for an Italian F-104G was a Lockheed-built aircraft, MM6501, on 9 June 1962; however, the first Fiat/Aeritalia-built example flew two years later on 5 October 1962. Italy initially received a total of 105 F-104G, 24 TF-104G and 20 RF-104Gs, becoming operational in March 1963. This fleet was later increased by the addition of 205 built under license by Aeritalia F-104S aircraft and six ex-Luftwaffe TF-104Gs bringing the total number of aircraft operated to 360. In 1986 the AMI was the largest operator with eleven units flying the Starfighter operationally. Up to 1997, Italy lost 137 (38%) of its F-104s in 928,000 flying hours (14.7 aircraft every 100,000 hrs). The F-104 was officially retired from AMI service during a large ceremony at Pratica di Mare in 2004. Aeronautica Militare Italiana 3° Stormo based at Villafranca 28° Gruppo (Reconnaissance) 132° Gruppo (Reconnaissance) 4° Stormo based at Grosseto 9° Gruppo (Interception) 20° Gruppo (Operational Conversion) 5° Stormo based at Rimini 23° Gruppo (Interception) 102° Gruppo (Fighter/Bomber) 6° Stormo based at Ghedi 154° Gruppo (Fighter/Bomber) 155° Gruppo (Fighter/Bomber) 9° Stormo based at Grazzanise 10° Gruppo (Interception) 36° Stormo based at Gioia del Colle 12° Gruppo (Interception) 156° Gruppo (Fighter/Bomber) 37° Stormo based at Trapani 18° Gruppo (Interception & Fighter/Bomber) 51° Stormo based at Treviso / Istrana 22° Gruppo (Interception) 53° Stormo based at Cameri / Novara 21° Gruppo (Interception)

Japan

The JASDF operated 210 F-104J air-superiority fighters and 20 dual-control trainer F-104DJs. Called Eiko ("Glory"), they served from October 1962 to 1986, losing only 3 airplanes in this time including a mid-air collision accident. Seven air-superiority squadrons used them: 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207. Japanese F-104s faced intrusive Soviet airplanes during this long service. Twenty twoF-104 Retrieved 30 September 2017 of the Japanese F-104s were eventually converted to drones for aerial target practice. 31 F-104J and five F-104DJ aircraft were sold to Taiwan.ROCAF F-104 Retirement Retrieved 30 September 2017Preserved in Taiwan International F-104 Society Retrieved 30 September 2017916 Starfighter Retrieved 30 September 2017Ejection History - Taiwan Retrieved 30 September 2017 Japan Air Self-Defense Force 2nd Kokudan based at Chitose Air Base (201st) and Komatsu Air Base (203rd) 201st Tactical Fighter Squadron 203rd Tactical Fighter Squadron 5th Kokudan based at Nyutabaru Air Base (202nd) and Tsuiki Air Base (204th) 202nd Tactical Fighter Squadron 204th Tactical Fighter Squadron 6th Kokudan based at Komatsu Air Base 205th Tactical Fighter Squadron 7th Air Wing based at Hyakuri Air Base, part at Naha Air Base 206th Tactical Fighter Squadron 207th Tactical Fighter Squadron

Jordan

Jordan received 29 F-104A and four F-104B aircraft delivered under the Military Assistance Program in 1967. Controlled by the United States these aircraft were moved temporarily to Turkey during the Arab–Israeli Six-Day War. Replaced by the Northrop F-5 and Dassault Mirage F1 by 1983, the survivors serve as airfield decoys. Royal Jordanian Air Force No. 9 Squadron RJAF based at Prince Hassan Air Base, ceased flying F-104 in 1977. No. 25 Squadron RJAF based at Mwaffaq Salti

Netherlands

The Netherlands operated European-built F-104s with the exception of the TF-104G. These were delivered directly from Palmdale to the KLu. A total of 138 Starfighters were delivered to the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (Royal Netherlands Air Force, or KLu).Baugher's F-104 to the Netherlands Retrieved: 6 February 2008 Many Dutch aircraft were transferred to Turkey. Royal Netherlands Air Force Volkel air base 306 Squadron RNLAF (Reconnaissance) 311 Squadron RNLAF (Fighter/Bomber) 312 Squadron RNLAF (Fighter/Bomber) Leeuwarden air base 322 Squadron RNLAF (Interception) 323 Squadron RNLAF (Interception) Training and Conversion Unit A, RNLAF Conversie Afdeling Volkel

Norway

Norway received 18 surplus CF-104s and four CF-104Ds from Canada in 1974, the country had initially received 19 Canadair built F-104Gs and four TF-104Gs in 1963 under the Military Assistance Program. The F-104 was phased out of Norwegian service in winter 1982. Royal Norwegian Air Force 331 Squadron based at Bodø 334 Squadron based at Bodø

Pakistan

Pakistan was the first Major non-NATO Ally to be equipped with the F-104, a total of 12 F-104A and 2 F-104B were delivered; nine F-104A (tail numbers 56-803, 56-804, 56-805, 56-807, 56-868, 56-874, 56-875, 56-877, 56-879) and two F-104B (tail numbers 57-1309, 57-1312) on 5 August 1961, although some sources say the first two were landed at Sargodha Airbase (now Mushaf Airbase) by Sqn Ldr Sadruddin and Flt Lt Middlecoat in 1962. One more F-104A was delivered on 8 June 1964 (tail number 56-773) and another on 1 March 1965 (tail number 56-798) as replacements for the lost starfighters in accidents. Pakistani starfighters were ex-USAF Air Defence Command aircraft retro-fitted with the more powerful General Electric J-79-11A engines and, at the PAF's request, the 20 mm Vulcan gatling gun was re-installed after removal by the USAF. These F-104s had unusually high thrust to weight ratios due to the older but lighter airframe and more modern engines. The F-104 was in service for 12 years with 11,690 flight hours, 246 hours 45 minutes of these in the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War and 103 hours 45 minutes in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War, after which five F-104 remained and were grounded by lack of spares due to post war U.S. sanctions. The type was phased out in late 1972. Pakistan Air Force

Central Air Command No. 38 Multi-Role Wing based at Sargodha AFB No. 9 Squadron "Griffins"

Spain