306th Fighter Wing

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356th Special Operations Wing
OV-10 Bronco firing White phosphorus.jpg
OV-10 Bronco firing white phosphorus
Active1943–1945; 1975
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleFighter, Special Operations
EngagementsMediterranean 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[]

World War II[]

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[]

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[]

The two wings were consolidated as the 356th Special Operations Wing in 1985, but have not been active since.[3]

Lineage[]

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[]

Stations[]

  • 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[]

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

Aircraft[]

  • 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[]

Notes
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Maurer, pp. 417–418
  2. ^ a b c d e f Ravenstein, p. 291
  3. ^ a b c Department of the Air Force/MPM Letter 648q, 31 July 1985, Subject: Reconstitution, Redesignation, and Consolidation of Selected Air Force Organizations

Bibliography[]

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.

  • 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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