306th Fighter Wing

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

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

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

21st Special Operations Squadron, attached 30 June – 22 September 1975
23rd Flying Training Squadron, attached 30 June – 22 September 1975

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

^ a b c d e f g h i Maurer, pp. 417–418
^ a b c d e f Ravenstein, p. 291
^ 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

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.