356th Special Operations Wing
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

Components

Groups
Squadrons

Aircraft

References

Notes
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Maurer, pp. 417–418
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ravenstein, p. 291
  3. 1 2 3 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

  • 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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