Reactivated in the F-4D on 15 Nov 1976 at Spangdahlem AB, West Germany. Became a NATO assigned unit of the 52nd Tactical Fighter Wing with the mission of maintaining an operationally ready nuclear strike capability. In a conventional operation, the 480th was tasked with destroying enemy ground and air forces through attack, interdiction, armed reconnaissance, and close air support of friendly ground troops.

Transitioned to AN/ARN-101 Digital Modular Avionics System equipped F-4E in Nov 1979, and began receiving F-4Gs in late 1983 when a wing-wide reorganization took place.

The 480th took on the role of "Wild Weasel" defense suppression, using F-4G/F-4E "Hunter Killer" tactics.

In April 1987 F-4Es began being replaced by F-16s, who took over the "Killer" role in tandem with the "Hunter" F-4Gs until shortly after the 1991 Gulf War.

On 1 Oct 1991 the squadron was redesignated the 480th Fighter Squadron and became part of the 52nd Operations Group on 31 Mar 1992 until it was inactivated on 1 Apr 1994.

HONORS:

AF OUTSTANDING UNIT AWARDS

1 Jul 1978 - 30 Jun 1980
1 Jul 1991 - 30 Jun 1993

In March 1993, the 480th received the USAFE Commander in Chief's Trophy as the outstanding fighter squadron in the command for 1992.

COMMANDERS:

LtCol Howard K. Carroll, 15 Nov 1976.
LtCol Barton P. Crews, 28 Jul 1978.
LtCol Laurence W. Peters, 7 Nov 1980.
LtCol Marlin R. Kitchen, 1981 - 1982.
LtCol Thomas L. Ticktin, 5 Mar 1982.
LtCol John W. Adler, 22 Dec 1982.
LtCol Richard F. Hardy, 14 Dec 1984.
LtCol William W. Hillman, 12 Dec 1986.
LtCol Larry E. Bickel, 30 Dec 1988.
LtCol James E. Allgood, 13 Jul 1990.
LtCol Jimmie E. Crouch Jr., 27 May 1992.
LtCol Kenneth S. Callicutt, 17 Nov 1993 - 1 April 1994.