January 1978 initiated the conversion to the Vought Corporation's A-7D Corsair II attack aircraft.
The conversion from the F-100 to the A-7 was accomplished in less than three months, the fastest ever for an Air Force or Air National Guard unit.
The first major deployment with the A-7 was to Patrick AFB, Florida, on 12 August in support of Forward Air Controller training.
Also in 1978, the 162d participated in "Red Flag 78-9" on 23 September, and "Tequilla Shooter" at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, from 14 to 20 November.

The first deployment in 1979 was "Operation Snowbird" again as 118 enlisted and 30 officers deployed to Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona.
in support of the exercise. "
Sabre Sluff 79-2," a locally generated version of "Red Flag" was conducted at Springfield during 26–28 April, providing realistic training for the 162d's flying, communications, and radar control units.
13–15 September saw a second "Sabre Sluff" exercise, now known as "Buckeye Flag," carried out.

The 1980 exercise year started with "Empire Glacier" at Fort Drum, New York.
The 162d was awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for its meritorious service from 1 March 1978 to 28 February 1979.
In April, the 162nd was teamed with the Ohio ANG 166th Tactical Fighter Squadron in support of exercise "Cope Elite."
The exercise which was carried out at NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii, involved combat training for U.S. Army and Air Force units based in Hawaii.

In February 1981, Major John Smith commanded a six-aircraft deployment to the 49th TFW at Holloman AFB, New Mexico for Dissimilar air combat training (DACT).
In March, the squadron flew close air support (CAS) missions for opposing forces during "Eagle Strike I," an exercise involving two brigades for the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
During the May exercise "Maple Flag 7," support was given to the Ohio ANG 112th Tactical Fighter Squadron for a 30-day rotation TDY to Howard AFB, Panama.
This deployment provided the only operational fighters in the Southern Command.
In July, the 162nd participated in the Michigan-based combat readiness exercise "Sentry Buckeye XI," the first "Sentry Buckeye" to be flown from the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center.

1982 was a busy year with the unit taking part in eight individual exercises, including "Red Flag 82-4" at Nellis AFB, Nevada.
The 162d won the annual Ohio ANG "Turkey Shoot" competition in October at the Jefferson Proving Ground air-to-ground range.
The squadron also celebrated its 35th anniversary with an open house and a military ball.

More deployments were in store for 1983, starting with "Coronet Castle" in April.
In June, the 162nd completed five and one-half years of accident-free flying and earned the Tactical Air Command Flight Safety Award.

1984's first deployment was the Panama rotation.
In April, it was up to Canada for exercise "Maple Flag."
The June "Sentry Buckeye" at Alpena Mich. pitted "friendly" forces against "aggressor" forces from the Missouri ANG 131st Tactical Fighter Wing, St. Louis.
A deployment in December for another Operation Snowbird at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona.
rounded out the year.
A "Red Flag" exercise at Nellis AFB, Nevada was the first deployment for 1985. "
Solid Shield," a joint exercise with the 166th TFS was conducted in May at the Naval Air Station, Key West, Florida.
In June, it was off to the Panama Canal Zone for a deployment involving 50 personnel and four aircraft.

In 1986, DACT missions were conducted from January to April at various locations.
Also in April, CAS sorties were flown for the Canadian Forces Operation School. "
Coronet Miami," a six-week NATO exercise, was begun at RAF Sculthorpe, England.
There the 162nd trained with military elements of NATO and the U.S. Air Forces in Europe.
In November, 14 aircraft and 149 personnel supported "Operation Snowbird."
The final 162nd deployment for 1986 was at CFB Chatham, New Brunswick.
There, CAS missions were provided for the school that trains forward controller for the Canadian Armed Forces.
With all of the flying, the 162nd en
January 1978 initiated the conversion to the Vought Corporation's A-7D Corsair II attack aircraft. The conversion from the F-100 to the A-7 was accomplished in less than three months, the fastest ever for an Air Force or Air National Guard unit. The first major deployment with the A-7 was to Patrick AFB, Florida, on 12 August in support of Forward Air Controller training. Also in 1978, the 162d participated in "Red Flag 78-9" on 23 September, and "Tequilla Shooter" at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, from 14 to 20 November.
The first deployment in 1979 was "Operation Snowbird" again as 118 enlisted and 30 officers deployed to Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. in support of the exercise. "Sabre Sluff 79-2," a locally generated version of "Red Flag" was conducted at Springfield during 26–28 April, providing realistic training for the 162d's flying, communications, and radar control units. 13–15 September saw a second "Sabre Sluff" exercise, now known as "Buckeye Flag," carried out.
The 1980 exercise year started with "Empire Glacier" at Fort Drum, New York. The 162d was awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for its meritorious service from 1 March 1978 to 28 February 1979. In April, the 162nd was teamed with the Ohio ANG 166th Tactical Fighter Squadron in support of exercise "Cope Elite." The exercise which was carried out at NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii, involved combat training for U.S. Army and Air Force units based in Hawaii.
In February 1981, Major John Smith commanded a six-aircraft deployment to the 49th TFW at Holloman AFB, New Mexico for Dissimilar air combat training (DACT). In March, the squadron flew close air support (CAS) missions for opposing forces during "Eagle Strike I," an exercise involving two brigades for the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. During the May exercise "Maple Flag 7," support was given to the Ohio ANG 112th Tactical Fighter Squadron for a 30-day rotation TDY to Howard AFB, Panama. This deployment provided the only operational fighters in the Southern Command. In July, the 162nd participated in the Michigan-based combat readiness exercise "Sentry Buckeye XI," the first "Sentry Buckeye" to be flown from the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center.
1982 was a busy year with the unit taking part in eight individual exercises, including "Red Flag 82-4" at Nellis AFB, Nevada. The 162d won the annual Ohio ANG "Turkey Shoot" competition in October at the Jefferson Proving Ground air-to-ground range. The squadron also celebrated its 35th anniversary with an open house and a military ball.
More deployments were in store for 1983, starting with "Coronet Castle" in April. In June, the 162nd completed five and one-half years of accident-free flying and earned the Tactical Air Command Flight Safety Award.
1984's first deployment was the Panama rotation. In April, it was up to Canada for exercise "Maple Flag." The June "Sentry Buckeye" at Alpena Mich. pitted "friendly" forces against "aggressor" forces from the Missouri ANG 131st Tactical Fighter Wing, St. Louis. A deployment in December for another Operation Snowbird at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. rounded out the year. A "Red Flag" exercise at Nellis AFB, Nevada was the first deployment for 1985. "Solid Shield," a joint exercise with the 166th TFS was conducted in May at the Naval Air Station, Key West, Florida. In June, it was off to the Panama Canal Zone for a deployment involving 50 personnel and four aircraft.
In 1986, DACT missions were conducted from January to April at various locations. Also in April, CAS sorties were flown for the Canadian Forces Operation School. "Coronet Miami," a six-week NATO exercise, was begun at RAF Sculthorpe, England. There the 162nd trained with military elements of NATO and the U.S. Air Forces in Europe. In November, 14 aircraft and 149 personnel supported "Operation Snowbird." The final 162nd deployment for 1986 was at CFB Chatham, New Brunswick. There, CAS missions were provided for the school that trains forward controller for the Canadian Armed Forces. With all of the flying, the 162nd en
178th Wing