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.

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

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

1. Maurer, pp. 417–418
2. Ravenstein, p. 291
3. 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 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.