Editing Lockheed F-104 Starfighter (section)

====North American service====
[[File:TF-104G LukeAFB Nov1982.jpeg|thumb|alt=Twin-seat TF-104G with both canopies open|A German TF-104G at [[Luke Air Force Base|Luke AFB]], 1982]]
By the late 1950s, USAF fighter doctrine had shifted away from air superiority (fighter against fighter combat) and placed more importance on the interceptor (fighter against bomber combat) and tactical fighter-bomber roles. The F-104 was deemed inadequate for either, lacking both payload capability and endurance in comparison with other USAF aircraft. As a result, the USAF procured only 296 Starfighters, including both single-seat and two-seat versions. During [[Dominican Civil War|Operation Power Pack]], USAF F-104s were deployed to [[Ramey Air Force Base]] to protect the American supply line against potential Soviet-supplied [[Cuban Revolutionary Air and Air Defense Force|Cuban]] MiGs.<ref name=historyinpieces>{{cite report |last=Nalty |first=Bernard C. |date=30 June 1968 |title=U.S. Air Force Role in Five Crises: Lebanon, Taiwan, Congo, Cuba, Dominican Republic |url=https://historyinpieces.com/documents/documents/air-force-role-crises-lebanon-taiwan-congo-cuba-dominican-republic/|work= |location= |publisher=[[National Security Archive]] |docket= |access-date=11 March 2025 |via=historyinpieces.com}}</ref> Twelve F-104s were sent to Puerto Rico, where they remained until 3 June 1965.<ref name=historyinpieces/> The F-104's service with the USAF was quickly wound down after the aircraft's second deployment to southeast Asia in 1967.<ref name="Dobrzyński2015p60">Dobrzyński 2015, p. 60.</ref> Although the remaining F-104As in regular USAF service had been recently fitted with more powerful and reliable J79-GE-19 engines, the last USAF Starfighters left regular Air Force service in 1969.<ref name="Davies2014p34">Davies 2014, p. 34.</ref> The aircraft continued in use with the [[Puerto Rico Air National Guard]] until 1975 when it was replaced by the [[A-7 Corsair II]].<ref name="Hobson2001p100"/><ref name="Pace1992p53">Pace 1992, p. 53 (photo).</ref>

The last use of the F-104 Starfighter in US markings was training pilots for the [[West German Air Force]], with a wing of TF-104Gs and F-104Gs based at [[Luke Air Force Base]], Arizona. Although operated in USAF markings, these aircraft (which included German-built aircraft) were owned by West Germany. They continued in use until 1983.<ref name="FrickerJackson1996p74">Fricker and Jackson 1996, p. 74.</ref>