With the transfer of the interceptors and no previously qualified aircrew or maintenance personnel assigned the 136th went through a year of transition to the new mission and to achieve operational status. They did so in eight months, the previous "normal" time for the conversion was two years. In 1966 the squadron began a rotational deployment to Ramstein Air Base in support of Operation Creek Party.
The squadron's transformation into a new operational unit was expedited by the transfer of interceptors, but it encountered difficulties due to the absence of experienced personnel. Normally taking two years, they achieved operational status in just eight months and subsequently participated in rotational deployments to Ramstein Air Base.