The 428th Fighter Squadron was created on May 28, 1943 and activated as a component of the 474th Fighter Group on August 1, 1943. Members of the squadron trained on P-38 "Lightning" and deployed overseas early 1944. First combat operations took place over France on April 25, 1944 and the squadron flew its last mission of the war in May 1945 before going back stateside and being deactivated on December 5, 1945.

The 428th was reactivated for the Korean War as a Fighter-Bomber Squadron and assigned to the Tactical Air Command and Misawa AB, Japan in July 1952. However, the unit flew F-84s from Kunsan and Taegu AB in Korea. After leaving Korea in November 1954, the 428th reported to Clovis AFB, NM and flew F-86s and F-100s over New Mexico. The 428th TFS deployed to Homestead AFB, FL during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

In 1964, the unit made its first trip to Vietnam and in the late 60s, moved with the 474th TFW to Nellis AFB, NV where they received the Air Force's newest plane, the F-111A and became the first fully operational unit with the type. In March 1968, Det.1 of the 428th TFS commanded by Col.Ivan H.Dethman deployed with six F-111A to Takhli, Royal Thai AB in Thailand under the code name "Combat Lancer". Following the loss of three aircraft due to internal problem and after 55 combat missions, the Det. returned to the United States in November 1968.

From Nellis AFB, the 428th flew F-111A until 1975 when it converted to the F-4D. Another aircraft conversion took place in 1980 when training began on the F-16A. The 428th TFS was deactivated at Nellis AFB in the summer of 1989.