306th Fighter Wing
| 356th Special Operations Wing | |
|---|---|
 OV-10 Bronco firing white phosphorus | |
| Active | 1943–1945; 1975 |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Air Force |
| Role | Fighter, Special Operations |
| Engagements | Mediterranean Theater of Operations Vietnam War |
The 306th Fighter Wing (306th FW) was a World War II United States Army Air Forces organization assigned to Fifteenth Air Force as an intermediate-level command and control organization. It was last stationed at Drew Field, Florida and was inactivated on 7 November 1945.
History
[edit]World War II
[edit]The first predecessor of the 356th Special Operations Wing was the 306th Fighter Wing of World War II.[1]
Constituted originally as the 306th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) on 7 December 1943. Activated in Italy on 15 January 1944. Assigned to Fifteenth Air Force.
Entered combat in Mar as a fighter organization. Redesignated 306th Fighter Wing in May 1944. Operated in the Mediterranean and European theaters until the end of the war.[1]
Moved to the US, July–August 1945. Inactivated on 7 November 1945.[1]
Vietnam War
[edit]The second predecessor of the wing was the 656th Special Operations Wing, which replaced the 56th Special Operations Wing in Thailand in 1975.[2]
Consolidation and redesignation
[edit]The two wings were consolidated as the 356th Special Operations Wing in 1985, but have not been active since.[3]
Lineage
[edit]- 306th Fighter Wing
- Constituted as the 306th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) on 7 December 1943
- Activated on 15 January 1944.
- Redesignated 306th Fighter Wing in May 1944
- Inactivated on 7 November 1945[1]
- Consolidated with the 656th Special Operations Wing as the 356th Special Operations Wing on 31 July 1985[3]
- 656th Special Operations Wing
- Established as the 656th Special Operations Wing on 14 May 1975 (not organized)
- Activated on 30 June 1975
- Inactivated on 22 September 1975.[2]
- Consolidated with the 306th Fighter Wing as the 356th Special Operations Wing on 31 July 1985[3]
Assignments
[edit]- Fifteenth Air Force, 15 January 1944 – 15 July 1945
- Third Air Force, August − 7 November 1945[1]
- Thirteenth Air Force, 30 June 1975
- 17th Air Division, 1 July – 22 September 1975[2]
Stations
[edit]- Bari Airfield, Italy, 15 January 1944
- Foggia Airfield, Italy, 27 January 1944
- Lucera Airfield, Italy, 23 February 1944
- Torremaggiore, Italy, 8 March 1944
- Lesina Airfield, Italy, 3 September 1944
- Fano Airfield, Italy, 5 March – 15 July 1945
- Drew Field, Florida, August −7 November 1945[1]
- Nakhon Phanom Airport, Thailand, 30 June – 22 September 1975[2]
Components
[edit]- Groups
- 1st Fighter Group, 27 March – November 1944
- 14th Fighter Group, 1 November 1943 – 27 March 1944
- 31st Fighter Group, 2 April 1944 – 13 June 1945
- 52d Fighter Group, 14 May 1944 – 13 June 1945
- 82d Fighter Group, 27 March 1944 – 13 June 1945
- 325th Fighter Group, December 1943 – 13 June 1945
- 332d Fighter Group, 28 May 1944 – 13 June 1945[1]
- Squadrons
- 21st Special Operations Squadron, attached 30 June – 22 September 1975
- 23rd Flying Training Squadron, attached 30 June – 22 September 1975
Aircraft
[edit]- P-47 Thunderbolt, 1943–1944[1]
- P-51 Mustang, 1944–1945[1]
- Sikorsky CH-53, 1975[2]
- North American OV-10 Bronco, 1975[2]
References
[edit]- Notes
Bibliography
[edit]
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
- Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-02-1. LCCN 61060979.
- Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947–1977. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-12-9.
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