Source:
Lineage: Constituted as Fourteenth AF on 5 Mar 1943 and activated in China on 10 Mar. Served in combat against the Japanese, operating primarily in China, until the end of the war. Moved to the US, Dec 1945-Jan 1946. Inactivated on 6 Jan 1946. Activated on 24 May 1946. Assigned first to Air Defense Command and later (1948) to Continental Air Command. Supervised reserve and national guard activities.
Wings: 68th Composite: 1943-1945. 69th Composite: 1943-1945. 312th Fighter: 1944-1945.
Stations: Kunming, China, 10 Mar 1943; Peishiyi, China, 7 Aug-15 Dec 1945; Ft Lawton, Wash, 5-6 Jan 1946. Orlando AB, Fla, 24 May 1946; Robins AFB, Ga, 29 Oct 1949-.
Commanders: Maj Gen Claire L Chennault, 10 Mar 1943; Maj Gen Charles B Stone III, 10 Aug-31 Dec 1945. Maj Gen Leo A Walton, 24 May 1946; Maj Gen Ralph F Stearley, 27 Jul 1948; Maj Gen Charles E Thomas Jr, 17 Jul 1950; Maj Gen George G Finch, 1 Feb 1955-.
Campaigns: India-Burma; China Defensive; China Offensive.
Decorations: None.
(Presidential Unit Citation: See "Background of the Presidential Unit Citation for MIS" in CBI Unit Histories)
Source: "The Army Almanac", U.S. Government Printing Office, 1950.
Lineage: Activated at Kunming, China, 10 March 1943. Inactivated 6 January 1946, at Fort Lawton Staging Area, Washington. Activated at Orlando Army Air Base, Florida, 24 May 1946.
Commanding generals: Maj. Gen. Claire L. Chennault (10 March 1943-10 August 1945); Maj. Gen. Charles B. Stone (10 August 1945-1 January 1946); Maj. Gen. Leo A. Walton (24 May 1946-27 July 1948); Maj. Gen. Ralph F. Stealey (27 July 1948-).
Operational Notes (World War II): In March 1943, the Fourteenth Air Force replaced the China Air Task Force, which had continued the work of the Flying Tigers after disbandment of the American Volunteer Group in July 1942. Pursuing against the Japanese a policy of attrition similar to that of its predecessors, the Fourteenth whittled away at the enemy's air force, interdicted lines of communications, and ferreted out troop concentrations. From Hengyang, its units struck at Hankow, Canton, and traffic on inland waterways; from Kweilin, they swept the coast of the South China Sea and mined shipping lanes; from Yunnanyi, they protected the eastern end of the Hump route and bombed military targets near the Burmese towns of Myitkyina, Bhamo, Lashio, and Katha. To Chinese armies, the Fourteenth gave tactical support and furnished air supply-especially during the Japanese drive toward Hsian, Ankang, and Chihkiang in the spring of 1945. In the Chengtu area, it gave protection to forward bases of B-29's then stationed in India; it also engaged in night reconnaissance, and flew diversionary missions coordinated with the invasion of Luzon and the landing on Okinawa.
Station: Orlando Air Force Base, Orlando, Fla. (Oct. 1948).
Source:
Fourteenth Air Force operated primarily in China during World War II and subsequently served Air Defense Command, Continental Air Command, and the Air Force Reserve. Since 1993 Fourteenth Air Force has had responsibility for missile warning, space surveillance, and range operations for DoD, NASA, and commercial launches.
Lineage: Established as Fourteenth Air Force on March 5, 1943. Activated on March 10, 1943, at Kunming, China, and assigned to U.S. Army Forces, China-Burma-India Theater. Assigned to U.S. Forces, China Theater, about October 24, 1944. Moved to Peishyi, China, in August 1945. Returned to the United States, arriving at Fort Lawton, Washington, on January 5, 1946. Inactivated on January 6, 1946. Activated on May 24, 1946, at Orlando Army Air Base (later, AFB), Florida, with assignment to Air Defense Command. Assigned to Continental Air Command on December 1, 1948. Moved to Robins AFB, Georgia, in October 1949. Inactivated on September 1, 1960. Activated on January 20, 1966, and assigned to Air (later, Aerospace) Defense Command. Organized on April 1, 1966, at Gunter AFB, Alabama. Moved without personnel or equipment to Colorado Springs, Colorado, on July 1, 1968, absorbing resources of 9th Aerospace Defense Division. Redesignated Fourteenth Aerospace Force on July 1, 1968. Inactivated on October 1, 1976. Redesignated Fourteenth Air Force (Reserve), and activated on October 8, 1976, at Dobbins AFB (later, ARB), Georgia, and assigned to Air Force Reserve. Redesignated Fourteenth Air Force on December 1, 1985. Inactivated on July 1, 1993. Activated the same day at Vandenberg AFB, California, with a change in assignment to Air Force Space Command. Redesignated Fourteenth Air Force (Air Forces Strategic - Space) on June 18, 2007. Redesignated Fourteenth AF (Air Forces Strategic) 4 Apr 08 per DAF/A1M 945s, 4 Apr 2008; SO #GD-012, Hq AFSPC, 4 Apr 2008.
Emblem: Azure, a winged Bengal tiger or with Sable and Argent markings, nose and langued gules armed White below and surmounting the lower points of a mullet of the fourth pierced of the fifth, all within an annulet and diminutive bordure Yellow.
Significance: Blue and yellow are the Air Force colors. Blue alludes to the sky, and the primary theater of Air Force operations. Yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of Air Force personnel. The tiger represents the unit's heritage in China as the American Volunteer Group during World War II. The wings on the tiger reflect the unit's flight capabilities in peace and war. The star pierced red symbolized the devotion and sacrifice by all previous personnel of the unit. Approved 16 August 1994.
Source: Ex-CBI Roundup, December 1976 issue
14th AEROF Crest Is Symbol of An Adventure-Filled Era
Hq. 14th AEROF - The official crest of the Fourteenth Aerospace Force had its beginning in the superstitions of the Japanese people.
For nearly a decade before Pearl Harbor, Japanese military aircraft roamed at will over China, virtually unopposed in the air. Japanese bombers and fighters nestled in some 200 Japanese airmies to strike the ill-armed, ill-supplied retreating forces of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek.
In the summer of 1941, the band of American flyers that was to become known as the American Volunteer Group (AVG) arrived in China under the leadership of Claire Lee Chennault. Chennault had first come to China in 1937 as an air advisor.
Shortly after the AVG's arrival in China, its members called themselves the Flying Tigers. They heard the Chinese call them tigers and learned that the Japanese inherently feared the Bengal Tiger as a symbol of evil. On the other hand, the Chinese looked upon the saber toothed tiger as their national symbol.
Before they were in China long, some of the members of the AVG spotted a RAF squadron of P-40 Tomahawks decorated with shark teeth along the nose of the aircraft. So the AVG soon converted the noses of their drab P-40s into grinning mouths of tiger sharks. A leering, bloody tongue was added and a single ominous eye just aft of the propeller completed the grim design which became world famous as the unofficial Flying Tiger trademark.
Upon the organization of the 14th Air Force in March, 1943, individual members of the AVG were either called to active duty under reserve commissions or commissioned in the Army of the United States and assigned duty with the 23rd Fighter Group, a unit of the 14th Air Force.
The 14th Air Force insignia was approved Aug. 6, 1943, as a result of a personal request from General Chennault. The design was created by Sgt. Howard Arnegard, a member of the 14th Air Force, who modeled it after an original Flying Tiger drawing created by Mr. Henry Porter, an artist at Walt Disney studios. The insignia is a blue disc with a winged Bengal Tiger partially covering a white star charged with a red disc. The Bengal Tiger reflects the good luck charm of the Chinese people. The blue disc represents an airman's skies, and the white star charged with a red disc is the traditional symbol the United States has displayed on all its aircraft.
Source: Fact Sheets - 14th Air Force History (Vandenberg AFB website)
14TH AIR FORCE HISTORY
The Beginning-the American Volunteer Group
Preceding the establishment of the 14th Air Force, there was a slow build-up of American air strength in China. In 1937, Claire L. Chennault, a retired officer in the United States Army Air Corps, accepted the gigantic task of reorganizing the Chinese Air Force. In 1941, President Roosevelt signed a secret executive order which permitted Chennault to organize assistance. A group of volunteers (approximately 100 pilots and 150 support personnel) formed the American Volunteer Group (AVG). The AVG was trained by Chennault in Burma on innovative combat tactics. Later, one hundred crated P-40 aircraft, rejected by the British as obsolete, were shipped to China. To enhance esprit de corps, aircraft noses were painted to symbolize the grinning mouth, flashing teeth and the evil eye of the tiger shark. Subsequently, journalists used the tagline "Flying Tigers" which rapidly caught on worldwide.
Fighting against numerically superior forces, the AVG compiled one of the greatest records of the war before it was discontinued in 1942. According to official Chinese statistics, confirmed losses to the enemy by the AVG were 268 enemy aircraft destroyed and another 40 aircraft damaged against 12 losses for the AVG. In a separate report, Chennault credits the AVG with 294 enemy aircraft shot down.
The Creation of the 14th Air Force
The China Air Task Force continued as the "Flying Tigers" under the command of Brigadier General Chennault. After the China Air Task Force was discontinued, the 14th Air Force (14 AF) was established by the special order of President Roosevelt on 10 March 1943. Chennault was appointed the commander and promoted to Major General. The "Flying Tigers" of 14 AF (who adopted the "Flying Tigers" designation from the AVG) conducted highly effective fighter and bomber operations along a wide front that stretched from the bend of the Yellow River and Tsinan in the north to Indochina in the south, from Chengtu and the Salween River in the west to the China Sea and the island of Formosa in the east. They were also instrumental in supplying Chinese forces through the airlift of cargo across "The Hump" in the China-Burma-India theater. By the end of World War II, 14 AF had achieved air superiority over the skies of China and established a ratio of 7.7 enemy planes destroyed for every American plane lost in combat. Overall, military officials estimated that over 4,000 Japanese planes were destroyed or damaged in the China-Burma-India theater during World War II. In addition, they estimated that air units in China destroyed 1,100,000 tons of shipping, 1,079 locomotives, 4,836 trucks and 580 bridges. The United States Army Air Corps credits 14 AF with the destruction of 2,315 Japanese aircraft, 356 bridges, 1,225 locomotives and 712 railroad cars.
Post War Period
After World War II, 14 AF moved to Orlando Army Air Base, Florida, to administer Air Defense Command functions in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. They supervised the air defense training of active duty units, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units. Continental Air Command later expanded the mission of 14 AF to include the equipping and combat preparation of units.
During the Korean War, 14 AF participated in the mobilization of Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units and individuals from its headquarters at Robins Air Force Base (AFB), Georgia. After the Korean War, the reserve wings of 14 AF participated in various airlift operations, such as Operation SIXTEEN TONS, Operation SWIFT LIFT and Operation READY SWAP.
The 14th Air Force inactivated in 1960 and reactivated a few years later as part of Air Defense Command at Gunther AFB, Alabama. The reactivated 14 AF supported the North American Aerospace Defense Command Southern Region's air defense mission. Later, they provided for Aerospace Defense Command training, testing and evaluation missions.
Entry Into Space
In 1968, 14 AF moved to Ent AFB, Colorado, and was redesignated the 14th Aerospace Force. The 14th Aerospace Force was responsible for detecting foreign missile launches, tracking missiles and satellites in space, providing space vehicle launch services, maintaining a satellite data base of all man-made objects in space and performing anti-satellite actions. The 14th Aerospace Force also equipped, trained, administered and provided personnel to operate and maintain space surveillance, space defense and missile warning systems.
A Brief Return to Flying
In 1976, the 14th Aerospace Force was redesignated the 14 AF (Reserve) at Dobbins AFB, Georgia, where it managed airlift forces for Military Air Command and participated in such missions as Operation JUST CAUSE.
Return to Space
On 1 July 1993, 14 AF returned to its former space role and became a Numbered Air Force for Air Force Space Command, responsible for performing space operations. In 1997, 14 AF established the Space Operations Center at Vandenberg AFB in California for the 24-hour command and control of all space operations resources. In 2002, 14 AF became the Air Force space operational component of United States Strategic Command. In 2005, 14 AF officially opened up its newly renovated operations center. The new command and control capabilities of the Joint Space Operations Center ensured unity of effort for all space capabilities supporting joint military operations around the globe.
Today
As the Air Force's sole Numbered Air Force for space and its concurrent United States Strategic Command mission of Joint Space Operations, the operational mission of 14 AF includes space launch from the east and west coasts, satellite command and control, missile warning, space surveillance and command and control of assigned and attached joint space forces. The overall mission is control and exploit space for global and theater operations, thereby ensuring warfighters are supported by the best space capabilities available. The 14th Air Force consists of two launch wings (the 30th Space Wing at Vandenberg AFB, California, and the 45th Space Wing at Patrick AFB, Florida); a space control and missile warning wing (the 21st Space Wing at Peterson AFB, Colorado); a satellite command and control wing (the 50th Space Wing at Schriever AFB, Colorado) and a missile warning wing (the 460th Space Wing at Buckley AFB, Colorado).
History of the CBI Theater:
Army Air Forces in WWII Series, Volumes 5 & 7
Office of Air Force History
Wesley Craven & James Cate, editors
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American Volunteer Group (AVG)
(forerunner to the China Air Task Force, July 1937 - July 1942)
 Monument located in Memorial Park
National Museum of the United States Air Force
 Plaque located at Air Force Academy Cemetery
Source: Flying Tigers: American Volunteer Group
When Japan invaded China, the Chinese government looked to the United States for assistance, hiring U.S. Army Air Corps veteran Claire Chennault to train its pilots. Chennault was a leading developer of combat tactics for pursuit aircraft whose ideas had fallen out of favor. When he was forced to retire in 1937 from the Air Tactical School because of bronchitis, Madame Chiang Kai-Shek, the head of the Chinese Air Force, offered him the job. He accepted and left for China, where his health rapidly improved.
On 09 Jul 37 Chennault accepted a request from Generalissimo & Madam Chaing Kai-shek to take over the Chinese Air Force and straightened it out as the Italians had been running it. Chennault found that of the 500 planes listed only 91 actually existed.
On 15 Apr 41, President Roosevelt gave an unpublished Executive Order allowing men from the Army Air Corps, Naval & Marine air services to resign so they could join the new American Volunteer Group in China. The A.V.G. was born, and began working with the Chinese against the Japanese.
The AVG flew P-40 Tomahawks built by the Curtiss-Wright Aircraft Company, and 100 of the P-40's which were go to the UK were diverted to the AVG. Planes 1 - 33 were assigned to the 1st Pursuit Squadron, the Adam & Eve or Apple squadron as the logo on the fuselage was and apple with Adam & Eve. Planes 34 - 67 were assigned to the 2nd Pursuit Squadron, the Panda Bears. Planes 68 - 99 to the 3d Pursuit Squadron, The Hell's Angels squadron.
The Chinese called them Fei Hu, for the shark's teeth painted on their planes.
Other Sites of Interest:
Flyingtigersky.com
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China Air Task Force (CATF)
(forerunner to the 14th Air Force, July 1942 - March 1943)
 Plaque located at Air Force Academy Cemetery
Source: China Air Task Force: Replaced the American Volunteer Group
(Excerpt from Aviation History magazine, by Mr. William B. Allmon)
At midnight on July 4, 1942, the American Volunteer Group (AVG), better known as the Flying Tigers, ceased to exist. They were replaced by the China Air Task Force (CATF), a group that was, in the words of Tiger founder and leader Brigadier General Claire Lee Chennault, "patched together in the midst of combat from whatever happened to be available in China during the gloomy summer of 1942."
Chennault was called to Chungking, China, on March 29, 1942, for a conference to decide the fate of the AVG. Present at the conference were Chiang Kai-shek; his wife, Madame Chiang; Lt. Gen. Joseph W. Stilwell, commander of U.S. forces in China; and (Colonel Clayton A.) Bissell, who had arrived in early March.
Stilwell and Bissell made it clear to both Chennault and Chiang that unless the AVG became part of the U.S. Army, its supplies would be cut off. "Unless the AVG fought in Army uniforms they were to be denied the privilege of fighting at all," Chennault wrote. He agreed to return to active duty but, as he later wrote, "I made it clear to Stilwell that my men would have to speak for themselves."
Chiang Kai-shek finally agreed to let the AVG be inducted into the USAAF, after Stilwell promised to replace it with a complete fighter group that Chennault would command. Stilwell and Bissell wanted the AVG dissolved by April 30, 1942. Chennault, wanting to keep the Flying Tigers going as long as possible, proposed the group disband on July 4, when the AVG's contracts with the Nationalist Chinese government expired. Stilwell and Bissell accepted. "And so it was agreed," Chennault recalled, "with smiles and handshaking from all but me."
Chennault returned to active duty in the USAAF on April 15, 1942. He was promoted eight days later, on April 23, from colonel to brigadier general. Chennault was told that he would have to be satisfied to command a "China Air Task Force" of fighters and bombers. Its mission was to defend the air supply route over the Himalayan mountains between India and China--called the "Hump"--and to provide air support for Chinese ground forces. The task force would operate as part of the Tenth Air Force, stationed in India, which would control supplies, personnel and operations. Bissell, also newly promoted to brigadier general--senior to Chennault by one day--would command all American air units in China. Chennault would be a deputy commander, subject to Bissell's orders.
The Flying Tigers' war ended on July 4, 1942, and the China Air Task Force's war began. Chennault had received little help from the U.S. Army in putting together the CATF. The Army supplied only a dozen green pilots, plus 20 clerks and mechanics. "Everything else...was AVG equipment bought and paid for by the Chinese," Chennault remembered. "The Army provided no fighter planes, no trucks, no jeeps, no radios, no administrative or maintenance equipment, not even an extra pair of uniform pants or an experienced group commander."
Other Sites of Interest:
Flyingtigersky.com
China Air Task Force - LIFE Magazine - April 12, 1943
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68th Composite Wing
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Source:
Lineage: Constituted as 68th Fighter Wing on 9 Aug 1943. Activated in China on 3 Sep 1943. Assigned to Fourteenth AF. Redesignated 68th Composite Wing in Dec 1943. Served in combat from Dec 1943 until Aug 1945. Inactivated in China on 10 Oct 1945. Disbanded 15 Jun 83; Reconstituted 31 Jul 85 as 518th Air Refueling Wg, not active.
Groups: 23d Fighter: 1943-1945.
Stations: Kunming, China, 3 Sep 1943; Kweilin, China, c. 23 Dec 1943; Liuchow, China, c. 15 Sep 1944; Luliang, China, c. 7 Nov 1944; Peishiyi, China, c. 19 Sep-10 Oct 1945.
Commanders: Brig Gen Clinton D Vincent, c. 23 Dec 1943; Col Clayton B Claassen, c. 13 Dec 1944; Lt Col Frank N Graves, 1 Aug 1945; Lt Col Charles C Simpson Jr, 10 Aug 1945; Lt Col Oliver H Clayton, 22 Aug 1945; Maj Asa F Constable, 8 Sep 1945-unkn.
Campaigns: China Defensive; Western Pacific; China Offensive.
Decorations: None.
Insigne: None.
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23d Fighter Group
 Plaque located at Air Force Academy Cemetery
Source:
Lineage: Established as 23 Pursuit Group (Interceptor) on 17 Dec 1941. Redesignated 23 Fighter Group on 15 May 1942. Activated on 4 Jul 1942. Inactivated on 5 Jan 1946. Activated on 10 Oct 1946. Inactivated on 24 Sep 1949. Redesignated 23 Fighter-Interceptor Group on 19 Dec 1950. Activated on 12 Jan 1951. Inactivated on 6 Feb 1952. Redesignated 23 Fighter Group (Air Defense) on 20 Jun 1955. Activated on 18 Aug 1955. Inactivated on 1 Jul 1959. Redesignated 23 Tactical Fighter Group on 31 Jul 1985. Redesignated 23 Operations Group, and activated, on 1 Jun 1992. Inactivated on 1 Apr 1997. Redesignated 23 Fighter Group on 26 Sep 2006. Activated on 1 Oct 2006.
Assignments: Tenth Air Force, China Air Task Force, 4 Jul 1942; Fourteenth Air Force, 10 Mar 1943-5 Jan 1946. 20 Fighter Wing, 10 Oct 1946; 23 Fighter Wing, 16 Aug 1948-24 Sep 1949. 23 Fighter-Interceptor Wing, 12 Jan 1951-6 Feb 1952. 4711 Air Defense Wing, 18 Aug 1955; 32 Air Division (Defense), 1 Mar 1956; Bangor Air Defense Sector, 1 Aug 1958-1 Jul 1959. 23 Wing, 1 Jun 1992-1 Apr 1997. 23 Wing, 1 Oct 2006-.
Squadrons: 2 Airlift: 1 Jun 1992-1 Apr 1997. 16 Fighter: attached, 4 Jul 1942-19 Oct 1943. 41 Airlift: 16 Jul 1993-1 Apr 1997. 74 Fighter: 4 Jul 1942-5 Jan 1946; 10 Oct 1946-24 Sep 1949; 12 Jan 1951-6 Feb 1952; 15 Jun 1993-1 Apr 1997; 1 Oct 2006-. 75 Fighter (later, 75 Fighter-Interceptor; 75 Fighter): 4 Jul 1942-5 Jan 1946; 10 Oct 1946-24 Sep 1949; 12 Jan 1951-6 Feb 1952; 18 Aug 1955-1 Jul 1959; 1 Jun 1992-1 Apr 1997; 1 Oct 2006-. 76 Fighter (later, 76 Fighter-Interceptor): 4 Jul 1942-5 Jan 1946; 10 Oct 1946-24 Sep 1949; 18 Aug 1955-9 Nov 1957. 118 Tactical Reconnaissance: attached, May-Aug 1945. 132 Fighter-Interceptor: attached, 21 Jul-2 Aug 1951. 134 Fighter-Interceptor: attached, Jan-2 Aug 1951. 449 Fighter: attached, Jul-19 Oct 1943.
Stations: Kunming, China, 4 Jul 1942; Kweilin, China, c. Sep 1943; Liuchow, China, 8 Sep 1944; Luiliang, China, 14 Sep 1944; Liuchow, China, Aug 1945; Hanchow, China, c. 10 Oct-12 Dec 1945; Ft Lewis, WA, 3-5 Jan 1946. Northwest Field (later, Northwest Guam AFB), Guam, 10 Oct 1946-3 Apr 1949; Howard AFB, Canal Zone, 25 Apr-24 Sep 1949. Presque Isle AFB, ME, 12 Jan 1951-6 Feb 1952. Presque Isle AFB, ME, 18 Aug 1955-1 Jul 1959. Pope AFB, NC, 1 Jun 1992-1 Apr 1997. Pope AFB, NC, 1 Oct 2006; Moody AFB, GA, 30 Jul 2007-.
Commanders: Col Robert L. Scott Jr., 4 Jul 1942; Lt Col Bruce K. Holloway, 9 Jan 1943; Lt Col Norval C. Bonawitz, 16 Sep 1943; Col David L. Hill, 4 Nov 1943; Lt Col Philip C. Loofbourrow, 15 Oct 1944; Col Edward F. Rector, 12 Dec 1944-c. Dec 1945. Col Lester S. Harris, 10 Oct 1946; Maj Leonard S. Dysinger, 1 Nov 1947; Lt Col Hadley V. Saehlenou, Nov 1947-unkn; Col Louis R. Hughes Jr., 1 Sep 1948-unkn. Unkn, Jan-Jul 1951; Col Norval K. Heath, c. Jul 1951-6 Feb 1952. Col Frank Q. O'Connor, 1955; Lt Col Frank J. Keller, Dec 1955; unkn, 1956-1959. Col Charles M. Thrash, 1 Jun 1992; Col Frederick D. Van Valkenburg, 30 Jun 1994; Col Bobby J. Wilkes, 12 Jul 1996-31 Mar 1997. Col Henry J. Santicola, 1 Oct 2006; Col Michael O'Dowd, 27 Jul 2007-.
Aircraft: P-40, 1942-1944; P-51, 1943-1945. F-47, 1946-1949; F-80, 1949. F-86, 1951-1952. F-89, 1955-1959. A-10, 1992-1997, 2006-; C-130, 1992-1997; F-16, 1992-1996.
Operations: The 23 Fighter Group initially owed its planes, several of its pilots, and its nickname to Claire Chennault's American Volunteer Group, "The Flying Tigers." Upon activation, the group used the shark-nosed P-40s made famous by its predecessor. The group provided air defense for the Chinese terminus of the Hump route from India; conducted a campaign against Japanese aircraft, both in the air and on the ground, strafed and bombed Japanese forces, installations, and transportation; escorted bombers, and flew reconnaissance missions. It intercepted Japanese planes attempting to bomb Allied airfields; attacked Japanese airdromes; strafed and bombed river craft, troop concentrations, supply depots, and railroads; and protected bombers that attacked Hong Kong, Canton, Shanghai, and other targets. Its area of operations extended beyond China to Burma, French Indochina, and Formosa. The "Flying Tigers" operated against the Japanese during the enemy's drive toward Chansha and Chungking in May 1943 and supported Chinese forces during the Japanese offensive in the Tungting Hu region in Nov 1943. Despite bad weather and heavy flak, the group received a DUC for actions it took in the effort to halt a Japanese force that pushed down the Hsiang Valley in Jun 1944 by repeatedly striking boats, trucks, aircraft, troops, and other objectives. During the following spring, the group helped stop a Japanese offensive, then proceeded to bomb and strafe retreating enemy columns. In Oct 1946, the 23 Fighter Group activated on Guam and was assigned to the Far East Air Forces, where it flew training, interception, and island defense missions, until its move to the Panama Canal Zone in Apr 1949 to provide jet transitional training in RF-80s for the Caribbean Air Command. From 1951-1952 and 1955-1959, served as part of the Air Defense Command flying air defense missions over northeastern United States. Activated as the 23 Operations Group, under the composite-type 23 Wing in 1992, the group flew A-10s, C-130s, and F-16s. Provided airlift and close air support to the U. S. Army's XVIII Airborne Corps until 1997 when the 23 Wing was redesignated 23 Fighter Group and assumed new responsibilities. In Oct 2006 when the 23 Fighter Group returned to wing status, the 23 Operations Group again was redesignated to a fighter group and assumed the mission at Pope AFB, NC. Trained to provide close air support for ground forces, 2006-.
Service Streamers: None.
Campaign Streamers: World War II: India-Burma; China Defensive; China Offensive; Western Pacific.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers: None.
Decorations: Distinguished Unit Citation: Hunan Province, China, 17-25 Jun 1944. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award: 31 May 1995-31 Mar 1997.
Emblem: Azure, over a bolt of lightning, in pale, or, a Flying Tiger proper, tongue red, winged argent; all outlines black; a diminutive border silver-grey. (Approved 24 Jan 1957.) Group will use the wing emblem with group designation in the scroll.
Lineage, Assignments, Components, Stations, and Honors through 10 Dec 2007.
Commanders, Aircraft, and Operations through 30 Nov 2007.
Source: Ex-CBI Roundup, October 1980 Issue
Issued 27 August 1945 by Headquarters Fourteenth Air Force, APO 287, c/o Postmaster New York City, New York, as follows:
GENERAL ORDERS NUMBER 118)
1. UNIT CITATION: Under the provisions of War Department Circular No. 333, dated 22 December 1943, the following named unit is cited for outstanding performance of duty in action against the enemy:
23RD FIGHTER GROUP
The Japanese were sending 70,000 crack ground troops down the Siang River Valley in Hunan Province, China, aiming at the capture of Hengyang, vital communications center and mid-way point in the Japanese strategy to drive an inland corridor across China. A major defense stand by ill-equipped Chinese ground forces was planned at Hengshan, 25 miles north of Hengyang, to attempt to stop the drive. Between 17 June 1944 and 25 June 1944 the 23RD FIGHTER GROUP threw its total effort into the battle. On all but three days during this period the weather was adverse to aerial operations, with an overcast arched over the river valley and resting on the mountains that lined both sides of the valley. Demonstrating extraordinary heroism, the pilots flew nearly half of their missions during this period through this "tunnel" created low above the valley. The valley floor was studded with machine guns, antiaircraft guns and thousands of rifles in the hands of the troops, forcing the pilots to fly through deadly curtains of machine gun and small arms fire. Despite the extreme hazards, the Group's pilots flew 538 sorties, strafing and bombing the enemy spearhead forces. They killed 1,640 troops and destroyed approximately 780 cavalry and pack horses. Striking at the supply lines immediately behind the front, they destroyed 377 small boats and damaged 372 more; sank fifteen large river vessels 100-or-more feet in length and damaged eight. They destroyed 91 motor trucks and damaged 50. They also sank three and damaged two heavily-armed gunboats that the Japanese had rushed into the area to protect their water supply lines. In addition, they wrought extensive destruction among supplies and equipment in the 100 or more compound storage centers they destroyed and damaged. In four encounters with enemy aircraft, the Group's pilots shot down seven enemy planes, probably destroyed seven more and damaged eight, losing none of their own aircraft. This lone, gallant stand by the 23RD FIGHTER GROUP against 70,000 enemy troops, despite adverse weather and even after the Allied ground defense stand at Heng-shan failed to develop, is expressive of an extraordinary heroism, gallantry, determination and esprit de corps in keeping with the highest traditions of the American military service.
BY COMMAND OF MAJOR GENERAL STONE:
CLAYTON B. CLAASSEN
Colonel, G.S.C.
Chief of Staff.
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Other Sites of Interest:
23d Flying Tiger Association
Flyingtigersky.com
Globalsecurity.org (23d Fighter Group)
Source: Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA) (23d Wing)
Lineage: Established as 23 Fighter Wing on 10 Aug 1948. Activated on 16 Aug 1948. Inactivated on 24 Sep 1949. Redesignated 23 Fighter-Interceptor Wing on 19 Dec 1950. Activated on 12 Jan 1951. Inactivated on 6 Feb 1952. Redesignated 23 Tactical Fighter Wing, and activated, on 28 Jan 1964. Organized on 8 Feb 1964. Redesignated 23 Fighter Wing on 1 Oct 1991. Inactivated on 1 Jun 1992. Redesignated 23 Wing, and activated, on 1 Jun 1992. Redesignated: 23 Fighter Group on 1 Apr 1997; 23 Wing on 1 Oct 2006.
Assignments: Twentieth Air Force, 16 Aug 1948; Caribbean Air Command, 25 Apr-24 Sep 1949. Eastern Air Defense Force, 12 Jan 1951-6 Feb 1952. Tactical Air Command, 28 Jan 1964; Twelfth Air Force, 8 Feb 1964; 835 Air Division, 1 Jul 1964; Twelfth Air Force, 30 Jun 1971; Ninth Air Force, 1 Jul 1972-1 Jun 1992. Ninth Air Force, 1 Jun 1992; 347 Wing, 1 Apr 1997; 4 Fighter Wing, 27 Jun 2000; 347 Rescue Wing, 18 Aug 2006; Ninth Air Force, 1 Oct 2006-.
Components:
Groups: 23 Fighter (later, 23 Fighter-Interceptor; 23 Operations; 23 Fighter): 16 Aug 1948-24 Sep 1949; 12 Jan 1951-6 Feb 1952; 1 Jun 1992-1 Apr 1997; 1 Oct 2006-. 347 Rescue: 1 Oct 2006-. 563 Rescue: 1 Oct 2006-.
Squadrons: 6 Special Operations Training: 1 Jan-15 Sep 1974. 74 Tactical Fighter (later, 74 Fighter): 1 Jul 1972-15 Feb 1992 (detached 2 Jul-28 Dec 1973; 29 Aug 1990-20 Apr 1991); 1 Apr 1997-1 Oct 2006. 75 Tactical Fighter (later, 75 Fighter) 1 Jul 1972-2 Dec 1991; 1 Apr-1 Jun 1992; 1 Apr 1997-1 Oct 2006. 76 Tactical Fighter (later, 76 Fighter): 1 Oct 1972-29 May 1992 (detached 27 Aug 1990-c. Apr 1991). 132 Fighter-Interceptor: attached 21 Jul 1951-6 Feb 1952. 134 Fighter-Interceptor: attached 1 Apr 1951-6 Feb 1952. 333 Tactical Fighter: 15 Oct 1970-22 Mar 1971. 357 Tactical Fighter: attached c. 8 Nov 1965-28 Jan 1966; assigned 15-22 Mar 1971. 419 Tactical Fighter Training: 15 Oct 1969-1 Oct 1971. 421 Tactical Fighter: 8 Dec 1957-16 Apr 1959. 560 Tactical Fighter: 8 Feb 1964-25 Sep 1968. 561 Tactical Fighter: 8 Feb 1964-1 Jul 1972 (detached 6 Mar-10 Jul 1965 and 9 Apr-30 Jun 1972). 562 Tactical Fighter: 8 Feb 1964-1 Jul 1972 (detached 13 Aug-6 Dec 1965). 563 Tactical Fighter: 8 Feb 1964-1 Jul 1972 (detached 8 Apr-15 Aug 1965). 4519 Combat Crew Training: 1 Aug 1967-16 Oct 1969.
Stations: Northwest Guam AFB, Guam, 16 Aug 1948-3 Apr 1949; Howard AFB, CZ, 25 Apr-24 Sep 1949. Presque Isle AFB, ME, 12 Jan 1951-6 Feb 1952. McConnell AFB, KS, 8 Feb 1964; England AFB, LA, 1 Jul 1972-1 Jun 1992. Pope AFB, NC, 1 Jun 1992; Moody AFB, GA, 1 Oct 2006-.
Commanders: Col Romulus W. Puryear, 16 Aug 1948; Col John T. Shields, 22 Sep 1948; Col Angier H. Foster, 25 Apr 1949; Col Louis R. Hughes Jr., c. 28 Apr-24 Sep 1949. Col Charles H. MacDonald, 12 Jan 1951-6 Feb 1952. None (not manned), 28 Jan-7 Feb 1964; Col Olin E. Gilbert, 8 Feb 1964; Col Edmund B. Edwards, 17 Aug 1964; Col Deward E. Bower, 12 Jul 1965; Col Max T. Beall, 9 Oct 1967; Col James V. Hartinger, 28 Aug 1968; Col Walter D. Druen Jr., 15 Jun 1970; Col Garry A. Willard Jr., 21 Oct 1971; Col Harry W. Schurr, 28 Apr 1972; Col Louis W. Weber, 1 Jul 1972; Col Waymond C. Nutt, 20 Nov 1973; Col Charles W. McClarren, 28 Jun 1975; Col Bernard J. Bogoslofski, 12 Dec 1975; Col Paul L. Wieland, 1 Jan 1977; Col Jerry W. Osgood, 1 Jun 1979; Col Michael J. Dugan, 29 May 1980; Col Jimmie V. Adams, 30 Mar 1981; Col Peter K. Foley, 15 Apr 1983; Col James L. Jamerson, 31 May 1985; Col Glenn A. Profitt II, 20 Feb 1987; Col John L. Welde, 10 Jan 1989; Col David A. Sawyer, 2 Apr 1990; Col Richard C. Lemon, 27 Aug 1990; Col David A. Sawyer, c. 22 Apr 1991-1 Jun 1992. Brig Gen Bobby O. Floyd, 1 Jun 1992; Brig Gen James E. Sandstrom, 27 May 1994; Brig Gen Paul R. Dordal, 12 Jan 1996; Col Bobby J. Wilkes, 1 Apr 1997; Col Dale A. Elliott, 22 Jan 1998; Col Joseph R. Wood, 9 Aug 1999; Col Vincent P. Wisniewski, 23 Mar 2001; Col Vincent P. DiFronso, 24 Jan 2003; Col Warren L. Henderson, 23 Jul 2004; Col Henry J. Santicola, 27 Jul 2006; Col Joseph T. Callahan, III, 1 Oct 2006; Col Kenneth E. Todorov, 11 May 2007-.
Aircraft: F-47, 1948-1949; RF-80, 1949. F-86, 1951-1952; F-51, 1951-1952; F-80, 1951-1952. F-105, 1964-1972; AT-33, 1966-1969; T-39, 1966-1972; A-7, 1972-1981; A-37, 1974; A-10, 1980-1992. A/OA-10 1992-; C-130, 1992-1997; F-16, 1993-1996; HH-60. 2006-; HC-130, 2006-.
Operations: Air defense of Guam, 1948-1949, and of the Canal Zone, 1949. Air defense of the northeastern United States, 1951-1952. Conducted basic training for about 500 Air Force recruits, 1951. Replaced 388 Tactical Fighter Wing in Feb 1964. Maintained proficiency in tactical fighter operations, frequently deploying whole units or segments thereof to support contingency and combat operations in overseas areas, 1964-1965. Conducted F-105 replacement training, Jan 1966-Nov 1970, and training for ANG units, Nov 1970-Apr 1971. Maintained proficiency in tactical fighter operations, 1970-1972. Replaced 4403 Tactical Fighter Wing at England AFB, LA, in Jul 1972 and switched to A-7 aircraft operations. Also controlled an A-37B special operations training squadron in 1974. Converted to the A-10 Thunderbolt in 1980. Trained in close air support, joint anti-armor operations and battlefield air interdiction. Deployed elements in support of operations in Grenada, Oct-Nov 1983. Deployed two squadrons (74 and 76) to Southwest Asia, Aug 1990-Apr 1991, where they performed close air support and joint anti-armor operations. On 1 Jun 1992, the wing inactivated at England AFB and activated at Pope AFB, SC. As a composite wing continued A-10 Thunderbolt training while adding an OA-10 reconnaissance mission and a C-130 airlift mission. Took part in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia in 1992 and 1993. In 1997, when the wing was redesignated a group, it gave up its C-130 squadrons but kept A/OA-10s. One of its squadrons flew F-16s from 1993 to 1996, when it also converted to A-10s. Beginning in 2006, supported worldwide search and rescue missions utilizing HH-60 and HC-130 aircraft; operated and maintained the largest A-10 fighter group in the USAF; provided global war on terrorism (GWOT) force.
Service Streamers: None.
Campaign Streamers: Southwest Asia: Defense of Saudi Arabia; Liberation and Defense of Kuwait.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers: Grenada, 1983.
Decorations: Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Jun 1970-15 Jun 1971; 1 Jul 1980- 30 Jun 1981; 1 Jul 1981-30 Jun 1983; 1 Apr 1989-31 Mar 1991; 31 May 1995-31 Mar 1997; 1 Jun 1997-31 May 1999; 1 Jun 2000-31 May 2002; 1 Jun 2002-31 May 2003.
Bestowed Honors: Authorized to display honors earned by the 23d Operations Group prior to 16 Aug 1948:
Service Streamers: None.
Campaign Streamers: World War II: India-Burma; China Defensive; Western Pacific; China Offensive.
Decorations: Distinguished Unit Citation; Hunan Province, China, 17 25 Jun 1944.
Emblem: Azure a lightning flash palewise Or surmounted by a tiger salient to base proper, langued Gules winged Argent, all within a diminished bordure of the second. Approved for 23d Group on 24 Jan 1957 and used by 23d Wing since Jan 1964 (KE 17354). Motto: FLYING TIGERS. Approved on 10 Dec 1992.
Lineage, Assignments, Components, Stations, and Honors through 10 Dec 2007.
Commanders, Aircraft, and Operations through 30 Nov 2007.
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1st Pursuit Squadron / 74th Fighter Squadron
 Aircraft were numbered 11-50. Beginning in 1945, aircraft were numbered 1-40. Plaque located at Air Force Academy Cemetery
Source:
Lineage: Constituted 74th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) on 17 Dec 1941. Redesignated 74th Fighter Squadron on 15 May 1942. Activated on 4 Jul 1942. Redesignated 74th Fighter Squadron, Single Engine, on 28 Feb 1944. Inactivated on 5 Jan 1946. Activated on 10 Oct 1946. Inactivated on 24 Sep 1949. Redesignated 74th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron on 19 Dec 1950. Activated on 12 Jan 1951. Inactivated on 25 Jun 1958. Redesignated 74th Tactical Fighter Squadron on 18 May 1972. Activated on 1 Jul 1972. Redesignated 74th Fighter Squadron on 1 Nov 1991. Inactivated on 15 Feb 1992. Activated on 15 Jun 1993.
Assignments: 23d Fighter Group, 4 Jul 19425 Jan 1946. 23d Fighter Group, 10 Oct 194624 Sep 1949 (attached to 20th [later, 46th] Fighter Wing, Dec 194716 Aug 1948). 23d Fighter-Interceptor Group, 12 Jan 1951; 4711th Defense Wing, 6 Feb 1952; 528th Air Defense Group, 16 Feb 1953; 64th Air Division, 21 Aug 1954; 4734th Air Defense Group, 1 Apr 1957; 64th Air Division, 1 May25 Jun 1958. 23d Tactical Fighter (later, 23d Fighter) Wing, 1 Jul 197215 Feb 1992 (attached to 354th Tactical Fighter Wing, 2 Jul28 Dec 1973 and to Tactical Fighter Wing, 23, Provisional, 20 Dec 199020 Apr 1991). 23d Operations Group, 15 Jun 1993.
Stations: Kunming, China, 4 Jul 1942; Yunnani, China, 12 Mar 1943; Kweilin, China, 19 May 1943 (detachment operated from Liuchow, China, 16 Feb30 Apr 1944); Luliang, China, 12 Sep 1944 (detachment operated from Tushan, China, MarAug 1945); Liuchow, China, c. Aug 1945; Hangchow, China, c. 15 Oct4 Dec 1945; Ft Lewis, Wash, 35 Jan 1946. Northwest Field (later, Northwest Guam AFB), Guam, 10 Oct 19463 Apr 1949; Howard AFB, CZ, 25 Apr24 Sep 1949. Presque Isle AFB, ME, 12 Jan 195119 Aug 1954; Thule AB, Greenland, 20 Aug 195425 Jun 1958. England AFB, LA, 1 Jul 197215 Feb 1992 (deployed at Korat RTAFB, Thailand, 2 Jul28 Dec 1973 and to King Fahd Aprt, Saudi Arabia, 29 Aug 199020 Apr 1991). Pope AFB, NC, 15 Jun 199311 Jan 2008. Moody AFB 11 Jan 08 per MO-04, Hq ACC, 25 Jul 2007; AFOSCR-ACC, 31 Jan 2008.
Commanders: Maj Frank Schiel Jr., 4 Jul 1942; Maj Albert J. Baulmer, Dec 1942; Maj John D. Lombard, c. Mar 1943; Lt Col Norval C. Bonawitz, 7 Jul 1943; Maj Arthur W. Cruickshank, 15 May 1944; Maj John C. Herbst, 1944; Maj Philip G. Chapman, Feb 1945; Maj Floyd Finberg, Mar 1945; Maj Bruce Downs, Jun 1945; Maj Julius C. Lowell, Sep 1945-unkn. Maj John C. Haygood, 10 Oct 1946; Maj Joseph H. Griffin, 8 Nov 1947; Lt Col Charles E. Parsons, 1 Jan 1948; Capt Gardner E. Cole, 7 Dec 1948; Capt Adolph J. Bregar, c. Apr-24 Sep 1949. Capt John P. Wilson, 12 Jan 1951; Lt Col William B. Hawkins Jr., 13 Jan 1951; Maj Dudley M. Watson, c. May 1952; Capt Charles B. Morfit, 23 Jun 1952; Lt Col Richard L. Crutcher Jr., 23 Jul 1952; Lt Col Fred J. Wolfe, 19 Aug 1955; Lt Col Walter A. Smith Jr., 19 May 1956; Maj James A. Kyle, 1957-25 Jun 1958.
Lt Col Clarence P. Bell, 1 Jul 1972; Lt Col Larry K. Barton, 23 Jul 1974; Lt Col Roy H. Boone, 16 Jun 1976; Lt Col Robert I. Bond, 17 May 1978; Lt Col Fred C. Boli, 26 Sep 1979; Lt Col John M. Roberson, 24 Nov 1979; Lt Col Robert A. Heston, 30 Nov 1981; Lt Col Richard C. Lemon, 18 Nov 1983; Lt Col Bobby D. Buffkin, 15 Nov 1985; Lt Col Robert O. Williams, 5 Oct 1987; Lt Col Phillip S. Williams, 17 Oct 1989-unkn. Lt Col Dana T. Atkins, 15 Jun 1993; Lt Col Michael V. Ely, 1 Jul 1994; Lt Col Timothy B. Vigil, 10 Jul 1996; Lt Col John F. Bingaman, 3 Jul 1997; Lt Col Charles L. Schneider, 7 Apr 1999; Lt Col Arden B. Dahl, 26 Mar 2001; Lt Col Charles C. Floyd, 12 Jul 2002; Lt Col Jeffrey L. Cowan, 26 Apr 2004; Lt Col Russell Myers, 1 Oct 2006-.
Aircraft: P-40, 1942-1944; P-51, 1944-1945. P-47, 1946-1949; RF-80, 1949. F-86, 1951-1952; F-89, 1952; F-94, 1952-1953; F-89, 1953-1958. A-7, 1972-1981; A-10, 1980-1992. F-16, 1993-1996; A/OA-10, 1996-.
Operations: Combat in China-Burma-India (CBI) Theater, 16 Jul 1942-10 Aug 1945. Air defense, 1946-1949 and 1951-1958. Combat in Southeast Asia, 8 Jul-15 Aug 1973. Combat in Southwest Asia, Jan-Feb 1991. Rotated personnel and equipment to Southwest Asia in support of various operations, 1994-2003. Trained and maintained combat-ready aircraft and personnel, 2006-.
Service Streamers: None.
Campaign Streamers: World War II: India-Burma; China Defensive; Western Pacific; China Offensive. Southwest Asia: Defense of Saudi Arabia; Liberation and Defense of Kuwait.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers: None.
Decorations: Distinguished Unit Citation: Hunan Province, China, 17-25 Jun 1944. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Jul 1980-30 Jun 1981; 1 Jul 1981-30 Jun 1983; 1 Apr 1989-31 Mar 1991; 31 May 1995-31 Mar 1997; 1 Jun 1997-31 May 1999; 24 Mar-10 Jun 1999; 1 Jun 2000-31 May 2002; 1 Jun 2002-31 May 2003. Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, 2 Jul-21 Dec 1972.
Emblem (WWII): Over a shield blue, with a border gray, a bolt of lightning yellow, superimposed over the center of the shield, with the point extending over the upper and lower edges of the shield, thereover a representation of the "Flying Tiger" in natural colors, with wings white, extending upperward to the corners of the shield; the tiger represented as "closing in for the kill." (Approved 24 Sep 1952.)
Emblem (Current): On a Blue disc edged with a narrow Yellow border, a White sun with twelve pointed rays fimbriated Yellow from which emerges within a Red burst, the head and forepaws of an Orange Bengal tiger with paws outstretched, detailed Black, White eye, ear, teeth and claws, Red tongue and pupil, wearing a top hat of Blue, White and Red with White five pointed stars. MOTTO: FLYING TIGERS. Approved on 4 May 1979 (KE 68594); replaced emblem approved on 24 Sep 1952 (K 6607).
Lineage, Assignments, Components, Stations, and Honors through 10 Dec 2007.
Commanders, Aircraft, and Operations through 30 Nov 2007.
Other Sites of Interest: 23d Flying Tiger Association
Photos from 2007 Gathering of Mustangs and Legends
Rickenbacker International Airport
Columbus, Ohio
29 September 2007
Photos courtesy of Mr. Steve Bricker
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2nd Pursuit Squadron / 75th Fighter Squadron
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(Hand made from a burlap bag) |
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Aircraft were numbered 150-199. Beginning in 1945, aircraft were numbered 40-80. From spring until fall of 1943, the 75th FS used squadron insignia on the tail. After that they used their squadron color on the propeller spinner. |
Plaque located at Air Force Academy Cemetery |
Source:
Lineage: Constituted 75th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) on 17 Dec 1941. Redesignated 75th Fighter Squadron on 15 May 1942. Activated on 4 Jul 1942. Redesignated 75th Fighter Squadron, Single Engine, on 28 Feb 1944. Inactivated on 5 Jan 1946. Activated on 10 Oct 1946. Redesignated 75th Fighter Squadron, Jet, on 3 May 1949. Inactivated on 24 Sep 1949. Redesignated 75th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron on 19 Dec 1950. Activated on 12 Jan 1951. Discontinued, and inactivated, on 30 Jun 1968. Activated on 30 Sep 1968. Inactivated on 30 Nov 1969. Redesignated 75th Tactical Fighter Squadron on 18 May 1972. Activated on 1 Jul 1972. Redesignated 75th Fighter Squadron on 1 Nov 1991. Inactivated on 2 Dec 1991. Activated on 1 Apr 1992.
Assignments: 23d Fighter Group, 4 Jul 19425 Jan 1946. 23d Fighter Group, 10 Oct 194624 Sep 1949 (attached to 20th [later, 46th] Fighter Wing, Dec 194716 Aug 1948). 23d Fighter-Interceptor Group, 12 Jan 1951; 4711th Defense Wing, 6 Feb 1952; 4709th Defense Wing, 14 Oct 1952; 519th Air Defense Group, 16 Feb 1953; 23d Fighter Group, 18 Aug 1955; Bangor Air Defense Sector, 1 Jul 1959; 36th Air Division, 1 Apr 196630 Jun 1968. 34th Air Division, 30 Sep 196830 Nov 1969. 23d Tactical Fighter (later, 23d Fighter) Wing, 1 Jul 19722 Dec 1991. 23d Fighter Wing, 1 Apr 1992; 23d Operations Group, 1 Jun 1992.
Stations: Hengyang, China, 4 Jul 1942; Chanyi, China, 17 Aug 1942; Yunani, China, 20 Jan 1943; Lingling, China, 31 Mar 1943; Kunming, China, 26 Apr 1943; Kweilin, China, 11 Oct 1943; Hengyang, China, c. Nov 1943; Lingling, China, 10 Jun 1944; Kweilin, China, 25 Jun 1944; Luliang, China, 12 Sep 1944; Luichow, China, Aug 1945; Hangchow, China, 10 Oct-10 Dec 1945; Ft Lewis, WA, 3-5 Jan 1946. Northwest Field (later, Northwest Guam AFB), Guam, 10 Oct 1946-3 Apr 1949; Howard AFB, CZ, 25 Apr-24 Sep 1949. Presque Isle AFB, ME, 12 Jan 1951; Suffolk County AFB, NY, 16 Oct 1952; Presque Isle AFB, ME, 18 Aug 1955; Dow AFB, ME, 25 Jun 1959-30 Jun 1968. Wurtsmith AFB, MI, 30 Sep 1968-30 Nov 1969. England AFB, LA, 1 Jul 1972-2 Dec 1991. Pope AFB, NC, 1 Apr 1992; Moody AFB, GA, 30 Jul 2007-.
Commanders: Maj David L. Hill, Jul 1942; Lt Col John R. Alison, 1 Dec 1942; Maj Edmund R. Goss, c. Mar 1943; Lt Col E. W. Richardson, c. Oct 1943; Lt Col Philip C. Loofbourrow, c. Mar 1944; Maj Donald L. Quigley, Jul 1944; Maj A. T. House, Aug 1944; Lt Col Clyde B. Slocumb Jr., Oct 1944; Capt John R. Alarie, Dec 1945-c. Jan 1946. Capt Robert D. Cox, 10 Oct 1946; Maj Kenneth C. Jacobs, 1 Feb 1947; Maj Harold C. Gibson, Jan 1948; Maj George B. Hamilton, Oct 1948; Maj Richard R. Coursey Jr., May 1949; Lt Col George J. LaBreche, Jun-Sep 1949. Lt Col Francis J. Vetort, 12 Jan 1951; Maj Edward C. Fletcher, 13 Mar 1952; Lt Col August E. Weil, 1954; Maj George C. McCleary, c. 1955; Lt Col John A. Simmons Jr., 1956; Maj Luverne S. Johnson, c. 1957; Maj James S. Simon, 1959; Lt Col Harold I. Hill, 10 Jul 1959; Lt Col William C. Davis, 20 Aug 1962; Col Morris B. Pitts, 1 Jul 1964; Lt Col Donald F. Chaplain, 23 Jun 1966; Lt Col Robert E. Prince, 1 Nov 1967-30 Jun 1968. Lt Col Monroe E. Blaylock, by Jan-30 Nov 1969. Lt Col Robert D. Reichart, 1 Jul 1972; Lt Col George R. Kennebeck, 16 Mar 1974; Lt Col Hugh D. Ebert, 16 Jun 1975; Lt Col Lawrence G. Hoppe, 9 May 1977; Lt Col William K. Hayes, 31 May 1979; Lt Col Ronald E. Smith, 20 Mar 1981; Lt Col Albert M. Barnes, 1 Sep 1981; Lt Col Robert G. Coleman II, 1 Sep 1983; Lt Col Roger R. Radcliffe, 4 Sep 1985; Lt Col Marvin G. Bass, 24 Oct 1986; Lt Col John D. Smith, 12 Sep 1988; Lt Col Larry A. Reseter, 1 Jun 1990-unkn. Lt Col Phillip Brown, 3 Apr 1992; Lt Col William Dixon, 28 Jan 1994; Lt Col Leonard M. Ritchey, 26 May 1995; Lt Col Marc W. Frith, 11 Mar 1996; Lt Col Wayne C. Pepin, 24 Jun 1997; Lt Col John Allison, 27 May 1999; Lt Col Paul T. Johnson, 16 Jan 2001; Lt Col Raymond Strasburger, 8 Jun 2003; Lt Col Richard Turner, 2 Apr 2004; Lt Col Tim Rice, 10 Jun 2005-.
Aircraft: P-40, 1942-1944; P-51, 1944-1945. P-47, 1946-1949; RF-80, 1949. F-86, 1951-1955; F-89, 1955-1959; F-101, 1958-1968. F-101, 1968-1969. A-7, 1972-1981; A-10, 1980-1991. A/OA-10, 1992-.
Operations: Combat in China-Burma-India (CBI) Theater, 6 Jul 1942-14 Aug 1945. Air Defense, 1946-1949, 1951-1968, and 1968-1969. Combat in Southeast Asia, 1968-1969; Jul-Aug 1973. Combat in Southwest Asia, Jan-Feb 1991. Rotated personnel and aircraft in support of combat search and rescue (CSAR), close air support (CAS), and forward air control (FAC) missions in Southwest Asia, 1995-1997. Trained and maintained combat-ready personnel and aircraft.
Service Streamers: None.
Campaign Streamers: World War II: India-Burma; China Defensive; Western Pacific; China Offensive. Southwest Asia: Southwest Asia Ceasefire.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers: None.
Decorations: Distinguished Unit Citation: Hunan Province, China, 17-25 Jun 1944. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device: 1 Dec 1999-31 Mar 2000. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Jul 1980-30 Jun 1981; 1 Jul 1981-30 Jun 1983; 1 Apr 1989-31 Mar 1991; 31 May 1995-31 Mar 1997; 1 Jun 1997-31 May 1999; 1 Jun 2000-31 May 2002; 1 Jun 2002-31 May 2003.
Emblem: On a Black disc with an inner White border a tiger shark (White with Blue and Black markings and Red eye) swimming to dexter and firing Yellow tipped White rockets from its lateral fins. Approved on 27 Feb 1953 (K 7070).
Lineage, Assignments, Stations, and Honors through 10 Dec 2007.
Commanders, Aircraft, and Operations through 30 Nov 2007.
Other Sites of Interest: 23d Flying Tiger Association
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3d Pursuit Squadron / 76th Fighter Squadron
Aircraft were numbered 100-149. Beginning in 1945, aircraft were numbered 100-140. |
In 1943 the shark mouth was dropped by the 76th FS on their P-51s. The 76th FS painted a black silhouette of an indian on the tails of their P-51s after their unit call sign, Pontiac. |
Plaque located at Air Force Academy Cemetery |
Source:
Lineage: Constituted 76 Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) on 17 Dec 1941. Redesignated 76 Fighter Squadron on 15 May 1942. Activated on 4 Jul 1942. Inactivated on 5 Jan 1946. Activated on 10 Oct 1946. Inactivated on 24 Sep 1949. Redesignated 76 Fighter-Interceptor Squadron on 20 Jun 1955. Activated on 18 Aug 1955. Discontinued, and inactivated, on 1 Jul 1963. Redesignated 76 Tactical Fighter Squadron on 18 May 1972. Activated on 1 Oct 1972. Redesignated 76 Fighter Squadron on 1 Nov 1991. Inactivated on 29 May 1992. Redesignated 76 Space Operations Squadron on 21 Nov 1995. Activated on 1 Dec 1995. Inactivated on 21 Jan 2001. Redesignated 76 Space Control Squadron, and activated, on 22 Jan 2001. Inactivated on 22 Jan 2008 per DAF/A1M 894s, 16 Nov 2007; SO #GD-007, Hq AFSPC, 18 Jan 2008. (A new 76th SPCS was activated on 22 Jan 2008 with a new lineage. The lineage through this date will likely be assumed by the new 76th FS when activated later in 2008.)
Assignments: 23 Fighter Group, 4 Jul 1942-5 Jan 1946. 23 Fighter Group, 10 Oct 1946-24 Sep 1949. 23 Fighter Group, 18 Aug 1955; 35 Air Division, 9 Nov 1957; 32 Air Division, 15 Nov 1958; Boston Air Defense Sector, 1 Feb 1961-1 Jul 1963. 23 Tactical Fighter (later, 23 Fighter) Wing, 1 Oct 1972-29 May 1992. Fourteenth Air Force, 1 Dec 1995; 614 Space Operations Group, 28 Aug 1998; 21 Operations Group, 31 Mar 2000-21 Jan 2001. 21 Operations Group, 22 Jan 2001-22 Jan 2008.
Stations: Kumming, China, 4 Jul 1941; Kweilin, China, 25 Jul 1942; Kunming, China, 18 Aug 1942; Lingling, China, 13 May 1943; Hengyang, China, 11 Aug 1943 (detachment operated from Suichwan, China, 3 Oct-7 Dec 1943); Kweilin, China, 21 Nov 1943; Suichwan, China, 26 Dec 1943; Lingling, China, 1 Jun 1944; Liuchow, China, Jul 1944; Luliang, China, c. 12 Sep 1944; Liuchow, China, 24 Aug 1945; Hangchow, China, 15 Oct-4 Dec 1945; Fort Lewis, WA, 3-5 Jan 1946. Northwest Field, Guam, 10 Oct 1946-3 Apr 1949; Howard AFB, CZ, 25 Apr-24 Sep 1949. Presque Isle AFB, ME, 18 Aug 1955; Pinecastle (later, McCoy) AFB, FL, 8 Nov 1957; Westover AFB, MA, 1 Feb 1961-1 Jul 1963. England AFB, LA, 1 Oct 1972-29 May 1992 (deployed aircraft and personnel to Saudi Arabia, Aug 1990-Apr 1991). Falcon (later, Schriever) AFB, CO, 1 Dec 1995; Peterson AFB, CO, 1 Dec 1999-21 Jan 2001. Peterson AFB, CO, 22 Jan 2001-22 Jan 2008.
Aircraft: P-40, 1942-1944; P-51, 1944-1945. P-47, 1946-1949; RF-80, 1949. F-89, 1955-1960; F-102, 1960-1963. A-7, 1972-1981; A-10, 1981-1992. None, 1995-2008.
Operations: Combat in the China-Burma-India (CBI) theater, 18 Jul 1942-11 Aug 1945, earning a Distinguished Unit Citation for missions in China in June 1944. Air defense intercept operations in Guam, 1946-1949, in Panama, 1949, and at various bases in the eastern United States, 1955-1963. Trained in and conducted close air support operations, 1972-1992. Portion of squadron deployed to Saudi Arabia in 1990 and took part in operations against Iraq in early 1991. Beginning in Dec 1995, assisted other units to integrate space product applications into current operations procedures. Deployed personnel to air units worldwide to enhance their links to space assets.
Service Streamers: None.
Campaign Streamers: World War II: India-Burma; China Defensive; Western Pacific; China Offensive; Air Combat, Asiatic-Pacific Theater. Southwest Asia: Defense of Saudi Arabia; Liberation and Defense of Kuwait.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers: None.
Decorations: Distinguished Unit Citation: China, 17-25 Jun 1944. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Jul 1980-30 Jun 1981; 1 Jul 1981-30 Jun 1983; 1 Apr 1989-31 Mar 1991; 1 Sep 1998-31 Aug 1999; 1 Sept 1998-[30 Mar 2000]; [31 Mar 2000]-31 Aug 2001.
Emblem: Approved on 24 Jul 1944
Transfer Ceremony Reunites Flying Tigers Heritage
by Corey Dahl
21st Space Wing Public Affairs
9/21/2007 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFPN) -- Two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs carried a piece of Flying Tigers heritage away from Peterson Sept. 21 as part of an effort by Air Force officials to reunite three pieces of a historic World War II legacy.
During the transfer ceremony, 76th Space Control Squadron officials here gave the squadron's piece of the historic Flying Tigers heritage, which has been held since 1995, to the new 76th Fighter Squadron, a Reserve associate unit based at Moody Air Force Base, Ga.
The 76th FS will now join the 74th and 75th Fighter Squadrons, which also share the Flying Tigers heritage, under the 23rd Wing, the same arrangement the original Flying Tigers shared in the 1940s.
Col. Steve Arthur, commander of the 442nd Fighter Wing at Whiteman AFB, Mo., which is supplying the reservists for the new squadron, said the new unit is excited to be adopting such a historic piece of Air Force history.
The Flying Tigers heritage dates back to 1941, when a group of American volunteer pilots banded together under secret presidential sanction to defend China against the Japanese. The unit eventually became renowned for its combat successes, often while flying in adverse conditions, as well as its distinctive Curtiss P-40 planes, which had shark-like faces painted on the front.
The unit was later split into the 74th, 75th and 76th Fighter Squadrons and fought the remainder of the war as part of the 23rd Fighter Group. Over the years, the units drifted apart, were deactivated and reactivated in numerous forms, and the heritage all three carried was separated.
The 76th FS began preparing for stand up earlier this year, though, and Air Force officials decided to reunite the heritage under the same wing once again. The timing was appropriate, said Col. Jay Raymond, commander of the 21st Space Wing, as the transfer occurred the same week the Air Force was celebrating its 60th birthday.
"This year, as we commemorate 60 years of air and space excellence, we're celebrating our past and looking toward our future," he said at the ceremony. "Today's ceremony is all about that Heritage to Horizons."
The 76th SPCS operates a counter communications system which provides a critical counterspace capability never before available to warfighters around the world.
"The Flying Tigers were an innovative group, and it is clear that the 76th SPCS, the Air Force's only counterspace unit, carried on that spirit of innovation," Colonel Raymond said. "Over the past 12 years, the men and women of the 76th SPCS have taken great care of this lineage and have proudly carried the mantle of the Flying Tigers."
For the 76th, the future means building a new legacy under their new name -- the 76th SPCS Lobos. Unit members said they're sorry to see the Flying Tigers heritage go, but they're looking forward to beginning their own storied lineage.
"We're just going from being a small part of a large history to being a big part of our own ," said Capt. Cory Garcher, a member of the 76th Space Control Squadron.
Other Sites of Interest:
23d Flying Tiger Association
76th Fighter Squadron Association
76th Space Control Squadron
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16th Fighter Squadron
 Aircraft were numbered 11-40. After October 1943 aircraft were numbered 350-400. Plaque located at Air Force Academy Cemetery
(See 10th AF Units)
23d Fighter Control Squadron
Source:
Lineage: Activated 4 Jul 42, inactivated Oct 45. Disbanded 8 Oct 48. Reconstituted 1 Mar 92 and consolidated with the 1723d Special Tactics Sq as the 23d Special Tactics Sq, 31 Mar 92.
Assignments: 23d Fighter Gp -May 44, 14th Air Force -Aug 45, 10th Air Force.
Stations:
23d Fighter Control Squadron (627 NY) - Kunming, China
Det (627 NY) Changsha, China
Det (627 NY) Chanyi, China
Det (627 NY) Chengtu, China
Det (627 NY) Chihkiang, China
Det (627 NY) Chungking, China
Det (627 NY) Hengyang, China
Det (627 NY) Iliang, China
Det (627 NY) Kanchow, China
Det (627 NY) Kukong, China
Det (627 NY) Kunyang, China
Det (430 NY) Kweilin, China
Det (627 NY) Lingling, China
Det (627 NY) Luichow, China
Det (627 NY) Mengtze, China
Det (627 NY) Namyang, China
Det (627 NY) Nanning, China
Det (627 NY) Peishiyi, China
Det (627 NY) Poashan, China
Det (627 NY) Suichwan, China
Det (627 NY) Szomao, China
Source: Fact Sheets - 23rd Special Tactics Squadron
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23d STSQ, Blue Team |
23d STSQ, Gold Team |
23RD SPECIAL TACTICS SQUADRON
Mission: The unit trains, equips and employs combat control, pararescue, and support personnel in response to Presidential/Secretary of Defense taskings. The primary task is to integrate, synchronize, and/or control the elements of air and space power in the objective area.
The unit performs austere airfield control, terminal attack control, personnel rescue and recovery, assault zone assessment, battlefield trauma care, direct action, and special reconnaissance.
Lineage: Constituted 23rd Fighter Control Squadron (Special) on 10 Jan 1943. Activated on 6 Feb 1943. Redesignated 23rd Fighter Control Squadron on 16 Sep 1943. Inactivated on 29 Oct 1945. Disbanded on 8 Oct 1948. Reconsituted, and consolidated (1 Mar 1992) with 1723rd Combat Control Squadron. Redesignated 1723rd Special tactics Squadron on 1 Apr 1990; 23rd Special Tactics Squadron on 31 Mar 1992.
Emblem Significance: Blue and yellow are the Air Force colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the primary theater of Air Force operations. Yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of Air Force personnel. The globe stands for the worldwide commitment of Special Tactics Combat Controllers and Pararescuemen. The two shades of blue signify night and day deployment capability. The parachute and the dagger denote infiltration and commando operations respectively. The arrows represent triple threat capabilities--land, sea, or air. The lightning bolt indicates quick action medical and communications capabilities. The lamp of knowledge reflects the civic action role of the unit, i.e. the unit functions as teachers and medical providers as well as warriors.
Source: Globalsecurity.org (23d Special Tactics Squadron)
Combat controllers of the 23d Special Tactics Squadron were deployed to Tuzla, Bosnia, in early 1996 where they were working in all three of the sectors controlled by British, French and Americans forces in Bosnia. While there, they were tasked with keeping commanders of the three special operations command control elements in radio contact with the special forces liaison coordination elements in the field. They also provided the six non-NATO countries with services such as assault zone surveys, communications and air traffic control.
Combat controllers from the 23d STS also deployed to Somalia during relief efforts there. During Operation United Shield in Mogadishu, and for a period of 72 hours, they oversaw more than 150 aircraft sorties from the airport.
Personnel from the 23d STS were involved in the recovery of downed 2 US Air Force pilots during Operation Allied Force. The two pilots involved were flying an F-16 and an F-117 aircraft.
Personnel from the 23d STS took part in the 2000 edition of the Canadian Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) from September 15-20, along with personnel from the 24th STS, based at Pope AFB, NC, and the 210th RQS, based at Kulis ANGB, AK. This was the first time in 15 years that Americans units had participated in the annual Canadian exercise.
The 23d Special Tactics Squadron comprises pararescuemen, combat controllers and various support specialties into one cohesive team. This unit provides a force multiplier capability for unconventional warfare in the worldwide arena.
The mission of the 23d STS is to:
- Deploy specially organized, trained, and equipped forces to survey and assess assault zones.
- Establish and control landing and drop zones in the most austere and inhospitable regions of the world.
- Set up and operate forward area refueling and rearming points.
- Establish and manage casualty collection, triage and evacuation sites.
- Participate in Air Force Special Operations Command foreign internal defense efforts.
- Provide special operations terminal attack control capability in hostile environments.
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118th Tactical Reconnaisanace Squadron (See CBI Unit Histories)
 Aircraft were numbered 550-600 starting in June 1944. Beginning in 1945, aircraft were numbered 150-199.
Courtesy of Mr. Nick King Plaque located at Air Force Academy Cemetery
Source:
Lineage: Organized as 118th Aero Squadron on 31 Aug 1917. Redesignated 639th Aero Squadron on 1 Feb 1918. Demobilized on 6 Jun 1919. Reconstituted and consolidated (1936) with 118th Observation Squadron which, having been alloted to NG, was activated on 1 Nov 1923. Ordered to active service on 24 Feb 1941. Redesignated: 118th Observation Squadron (Light) on 13 Jan 1942; 118th Observation Squadron on 4 Jul 1942; 118th Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter) on 2 Apr 1943; 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron on 11 Aug 1943. Inactivated on 7 Nov 1945. Redesignated 118th Fighter Squadron, Single Engine and allotted to the Air National Guard 24 May 46, activated 1 Jul 46, federally recognized 7 Aug 46, redesignated 118th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 1 Mar 51, inactivated 1 Nov 52. Redesignated 118th Fighter-Bomber Squadron and activated 1 Jan 53, redesignated 118th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 1 Jul 55, 118th Tactical Fighter Squadron 1 Nov 58, 118th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron Aug 61, 118th Tactical Fighter Squadron 12 Jun 71, 118th Fighter Squadron 31 Mar 92.
Assignments: Unkn, 31 Aug 1917-Jun 1918; Second Corps Aeronautical School, Jun 1918-c. Mar 1919; unkn, c. Mar-6 Jun 1919. Connecticut NG (divisional aviation, 43d Division), 1 Nov 1923; IV Army Corps, 24 Feb 1941; 66th Observation (later Reconnaissance; Tactical Reconnaissance) Group, 1 Sep 1941; III Reconnaissance Command, Oct 1943; AAF, India-Burma Sector, Jan 1944 (attached to Tenth Air Force, 14 Feb-c. 12 Jun 1944); Fourteenth Air Force, c. 12 Jun 1944 (attached to 23d Fighter Group, c. 16 Jun 1944-c. 15 Aug 1945); Tenth Air Force, 1 Aug 1945; Fourteenth Air Force, 25 Aug-7 Nov 1945. 103d Fighter Group/ Fighter-Interceptor Group 1946-6 Feb 52, 4709th Defense Wing -1952. 103d Fighter-Bomber Group (later Fighter-Interceptor Group, Fighter Group, Tactical Fighter Group, Fighter Group, Tactical Fighter Group, Fighter Group, Operations Group) 1953-.
Stations: Kelly Field, Tex, 31 Aug 1917; Garden City, NY, 3-13 Jan 1918; St Maixent, France, 29 Jan 1918; Our-ches, France, 3 Mar 1918; Amanty, France (detachment at Ourches), c. 24 Mar 1918; Chatillon-sur-Seine, France, 8 Jun 1918-1919; Mitchel Field, NY, c. 22 May-6 Jun 1919. Hartford, Conn, 1 Nov 1923; Jacksonville, Fla, 16 Mar 1941; Charleston, SC, 22 Jan 1942; Tullahoma, Tenn, 8 Sep 1942; Morris Field, NC, 9 Nov 1942; Camp Campbell, Ky, 2 Apr 1943; Statesboro AAFld, Ga, 23 Jun 1943; Aiken AAFld, SC, 29 Aug 1943; Key Field, Miss, 25 Oct-i8 Dec 1943; Gushkara, India, 16 Feb 1944 (detachments operated from Chakulia and Kharagpur, India, Mar-Jun 1944); Chengkung, China, Jun 1944 (air echelon at Kewilin, China, 16 Jun-14 Sep 1944, Liuchow, China, 14 Sep-7 Nov 1944, and Suichwan, China, 12 Nov 1944-22 Jan 1945; operated primarily from Laohwangping, China, after 14 Apr 1945); Laohwangping, China, Jun 1945; Liuchow, China, c. 25 Aug-26 Sep 1945; Camp Kilmer, NJ, 5-7 Nov 1945. Bradley Fld, CT 1946-Jun 51, Suffolk County AFB, NY -1952. Bradley Fld, CT 1952-.
Aircraft: In addition to JN type, TW-3, PT-1, BT-1, O-2, and 0-17, briefly included DH-4, SE-5, and M-1 during period 1924-1932; 0-38, 1931-c. 1937; in addition to 0-46, 1936-1943, 0-47, c. 1939-c. 1942, and P-39, c. 1942-1943, included O-49, O-57, O-58, and apparently O-59 during period 1941-1942 and B-25, DB-7, L-5, and apparently P-40 during period 1942-1943; in addition to P-40 and P-51, 1944-1945, included L-5, 1944-1945 and F-6, 1945.
Operations: Constructed facilities, repaired aircraft and equipment, and served as transportation and supply unit in Zone of Advance, 1918-1919. Emergency operations while under state control included surveillance flights in Connecticut during labor troubles in 1934. Antisubmarine patrols, 26 Jan-c. Aug 1942; air defense patrols in India in area to rear of combat zone, 28 Mar-4 Jun 1944; combat in CBI as fighter unit, 18 Jun 1944-21 Jan 1945, 16 Apr-11 Aug 1945.
Service Streamers: Theater of Operations.
Campaigns: Antisubmarine, American Theater; India-Burma; China Defensive; China Offensive.
Decorations: Distinguished Unit Citation: Hunan Province, China, [18]-25 Jun 1944.
Emblem: On a yellow disc with a black border, a representation of a Connecticut colonial secretary running with the colony's charter in his left hand proper (hat, coat and breeches blue; hair, vest, tie, shoes and stockings black; face, hands, shirt collar, shoe buckles and charter white) all encircled with a black annulet broken at the top with white spots, similar to the international code letters "F.E.A.", in base a white and black fleur-de-lis. (Approved 13 Aug 1953.)
Source: Philippe's Aviation Pages (118th Fighter Squadron)
The 118th Aero Squadron was organized at Kelly Field, TX, on August 31, 1917. This Air Service unit moved to France in January 1918 and was redesignated 639th Aero Squadron the following month. Was demobilized at Mitchell Field, NY on June 6, 1919. In 1936, its lineage and honors were consolidated with those of the 118th OS, which had been allotted to the Rhode Island NG but was activated as a Connecticut NG unit in November 1923. During World War II, the 118th TRS flew fighter and recce combat missions in the CBI theater of operations from February 1944 until the Japanese surrender. Was inactivated at Camp Kilner, NJ, on November 7, 1945 and the unit was redesignated 118th FS. Was allotted back to the Connecticut NG on May 24, 1946. On August 7, 1946, the 118th FS (SE) extended federal recognition at Bradley Field, Windsor Locks and was equipped with P-47Ns. Was redesignated 118th FIS in September 1950 and was called to active duty as part of the Korean War call-up and transferred to Suffolk County AFB, NY, to provide air defense for New England and New York. The unit returned to state control in December 1952 to be reorganized as the 118th FBS with F-51Hs. In January 1953, it converted to F-84Ds followed by another conversion to the F-94Bs in 1956 when it was redesignated 118th FIS. In the Fall of 1957, the 118th became a Tactical Fighter Squadron and was equipped with F-86Hs. During the Summer of 1960, it converted to F-100As and was once again redesignated 118th FIS. In January 1966, it converted to F/TF-102As. In the Summer of 1971, the 118th TFS became TAC-gained and received F-100D/Fs. The CT ANG flew the "Huns" until the Summer of 1979 when it converted to A-10As. On March 15, 1992, the unit designation changed to 118th Fighter Squadron, 103d Fighter Group. Joined Air Combat Command in June 1992 as part of the Air Force restructuring program. Was redesignated the 118th Fighter Squadron and 103d Fighter Wing on October 1, 1995. During the same year, the 103d deployed in support of Operation Deny Flight and Precision Endeavour over Bosnia. In August 1996, the 103d FW deployed to Aviano AB, Italy to fly close air support (CAS) missions in Bosnia.
| 118th TRS Pilots, Meridian, MS (Photo courtesy of Mr. Chris Davis) |
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| Front Row: 2Lt George "Spider" Greene, 1Lt Perry Cox, 1Lt Carl Eley, Capt Robert Gee, Maj Ed McComas, Capt Ira Jones, 1Lt Earl Davis, 1Lt Bruce Salisbury, 1Lt Warren Christensen |
| 2nd Row: 2Lt John Powell, 1Lt Ray Darby, 2Lt Chester Malarz, 1Lt George Kutsher, 2Lt Henry Miehe, 1Lt Charles McMillin, 2Lt Berthold Petersen, 2Lt John Carpenter, 2Lt Robert O'Brien, 2Lt Oscar "Pop" Nislar |
| 3rd Row: Sgt Stan Gould (L-5 Pilot), 2Lt Don Penning, 1Lt Frank Bickel, SSgt Quincy McPhail (L-5 Pilot), Pvt Frank Castanette (L-5 Pilot) |
Other Sites of Interest:
118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron History
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5th AAF Special Weapons Detachment
Stations: Dudhkundi by 1 Aug 1945
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308th Bombardment Group (See CBI Unit Histories)
Source:
Lineage: Established as 308 Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 28 Jan 1942. Activated 15 Apr 1942. Inactivated 6 Jan 1946. Redesignated 308 Reconnaissance Group, Weather, on 27 Sep 1946. Activated 17 Oct 1946. Inactivated 5 Jan 1951. Redesignated 308 Bombardment Group, Medium, on 4 Oct 1951. Activated 10 Oct 1951. Inactivated 16 Jun 1952. Consolidated (3 May 2006) with Long Range Missile Systems Group, which was established on 23 Nov 2004. Activated 27 Jan 2005. Redesignated 308 Armament Systems Group on 15 May 2006.
Assignments: Second Air Force, 15 Apr 1942; Fourteenth Air Force, 10 Mar 1943; United States Forces India-Burma Theater, Aug-Dec 1945; Air Transport Command, Air Weather Service, 17 Oct 1946; Military Air Transport Service, Air Weather Service, 1 Jun 1948-5 Jan 1951. 308 Bombardment Wing, 10 Oct 1951-16 Jan 1952. Air to Ground Munitions Systems (later, 308 Armament Systems) Wing, 27 Jan 2005-.
Components:
Squadrons: 36 Reconnaissance (later, 425 Bombardment): 15 Apr 1942-6 Jan 1946; 53 Reconnaissance: attached 17 Oct 1946-15 Oct 1947. 54 Reconnaissance: 17 Oct 1946-15 Oct 1947. 55 Reconnaissance: 17 Oct 1946-15 Oct 1947. 59 Reconnaissance: attached 17 Oct 1946-15 Oct 1947. 373 Bombardment: 15 Apr 1942-21 Jul 1945; 10 Oct 1951-16 Jun 1952 (detached 10 Oct 1951-17 Apr 1952). 374 Bombardment (later, 374 Reconnaissance): 15 Apr 1942-6 Jan 1946; 15 Oct 1947-19 Dec 1950; 10 Oct 1951-16 Jun 1952 (detached 10 Oct 1951-17 Apr 1952). 375 Bombardment: 15 Apr 1942-6 Jan 1946; 10 Oct 1951-16 Jun 1952 (detached 10 Oct 1951-17 Apr 1952). 512 Reconnaissance: 15 Oct 1947-20 Sep 1948; 13 Feb-14 Nov 1949. 513 Reconnaissance: 15 Oct 1947-20 Sep 1948; 10 Aug 1949-19 Dec 1950. 2078 Weather Reconnaissance: 1 Jun 1948-20 Mar 1950.
Stations: Gowen Field, ID, 15 Apr 1942; Davis-Monthan Field, AZ, 20 Jun 1942; Wendover Field, UT, 1 Oct-28 Nov 1942; Kunming, China, 20 Mar 1943; Hsinching , China, 10 Feb 1945; Ruspi, India, 27 Jun-15 Oct 1945; Camp Kilmer, NJ, 5-6 Jan 1946. Morrison Field, FL, 17 Oct 1946; Fairfield-Suisun AAFld, CA, 1 Jul 1947; Tinker AFB, OK, 10 Nov 1949-5 Jan 1951. Forbes AFB, KS, 10 Oct 1951; Hunter AFB, GA, 11 Apr-16 Jun 1952. Eglin AFB, FL, 27 Jan 2005-.
Commanders: Capt Harris K. McCauley, 11 May 1942; Col Fay R. Upthegrove, 5 Jun 1942; Maj Leroy A. Rainey, 15 Jul 1942; Col Eugene H. Beebe, 16 Sep 1942; Col William P. Fisher, c. 3 Nov 1943; Col John G. Armstrong, 19 Oct 1944; Col William D. Hopson, 1 Jul 1945-unkn. Col Richard E. Ellsworth, 17 Oct 1946-unkn; Col Hervey H. Whitfield, Apr 1949-unkn; Col George N. Newton Jr., 5 Nov 1951; Col Maurice A. Preston, 10 May-16 Jun 1952. Col James Geurts, Jan 2005; Col John R. Griggs, 4 May 2006-.
Aircraft: B-24, 1942-1945. B-29, 1946-1951.
Operations: Made many trips over the Hump to India to obtain gasoline, oil, bombs, spare parts, and other items the group needed to prepare for and then to sustain its combat operations. The 308th Group supported Chinese ground forces; attacked airfields, coalyards, docks, oil refineries, and fuel dumps in French Indochina; mined rivers and ports; bombed shops and docks at Rangoon; attacked Japanese shipping in the East China Sea, Formosa Strait, South China Sea, and Gulf of Tonkin. Received a DUC for an unescorted bombing attack, conducted through antiaircraft fire and fighter defenses, against docks and warehouses at Hankow on 21 Aug 1943. Received second DUC for interdiction of Japanese shipping during 1944-1945. Maj Horace S Carswell Jr was awarded the Medal of Honor for action on 26 Oct 1944 when, in spite of intense antiaircraft fire, he attacked a Japanese convoy in the South China Sea; his plane was so badly damaged that when he reached land he ordered the crew to bail out; Carswell, however, remained with the plane to try to save one man who could not jump because his parachute had been ripped by flak; before Carswell could attempt a crash landing, the plane struck a mountainside and burned. The group moved to India in Jun 1945. Ferried gasoline and supplies over the Hump. Sailed for the US in Dec 1945. From Oct 1946 through Jan 1951, served with Air Weather Service; supervised training and operation of weather reconnaissance units. Not operational 10 Oct 1951-16 Jun 1952. Beginning in Jan 2005 equipped warfighters with long range, precision attack capabilities.
Service Streamers: None.
Campaign Streamers: World War II: China Defensive; China Offensive; India-Burma; Western Pacific; New Guinea.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers: None.
Decorations: Distinguished Unit Citations: China, 21 Aug 1943; East and South China Seas, Straits of Formosa, and Gulf of Tonkin, 24 May 1944-28 Apr 1945.
Emblem: Azure, between a pale argent thereon three pallets gules, on the dexter a star of twelve points white, charged with an annulet azure; on the sinister a thundercloud proper with three lightning flashes or; in chief per chevron, inverted and enhanced sable, three bombs points downward or, between a semee of fifteen stars argent. Motto: Non Sibi, Sed Aliis - Not for Self, But for Others. (Approved 29 Aug 1952.) Group will use the wing emblem with the group designation in the scroll.
Lineage, Assignments, Components, Stations, and Honors through 15 May 2006.
Commanders, Aircraft, and Operations through 4 May 2006.
Source: Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA) (308th Armament Systems Wing)
Lineage: Established as 308 Bombardment Wing, Medium, on 4 Oct 1951. Activated on 10 Oct 1951. Inactivated 25 Jun 1961. Redesignated 308 Strategic Missile Wing (ICBM-Titan), and activated, on 29 Nov 1961. Organized on 1 Apr 1962. Inactivated 18 Aug 1987. Consolidated (3 May 2006) with Air to Ground Munitions Systems Wing, which was established 23 Nov 2004. Activated 27 Jan 2005. Redesignated 308 Armament Systems Wing on 15 May 2006.
Assignments: 38 Air Division, 10 Oct 1951 (attached to 21 Air Division, 10 Oct 1951-17 Apr 1952; 5 Air Division, 21 Aug-c. 26 Oct 1956); 820 Air Division, 15 Jul 1959-25 Jun 1961. Strategic Air Command, 29 Nov 1961; 825 Air (later, 825 Strategic Aerospace) Division, 1 Apr 1962; 42 Air Division, 1 Jan 1970; 17 Strategic Aerospace Division, 31 Mar 1970; 12 Strategic Missile (later, 12 Air) Division, 30 Jun 1971; 42 Air Division, 1 Apr 1973; 19 Air Division, 1 Dec 1982-18 Aug 1987. Air Armament Center, 27 Jan 2005-.
Components:
Groups: 308 Bombardment: 10 Oct 1951-16 Jun 1952 (not operational).
Squadrons: 303 Air Refueling: attached 1 Feb 1956-15 Jul 1959. 308 Air Refueling: 8 Jul 1953-15 Jun 1959 (detached 1-21 Jun 1954, 5 Jan-4 Mar 1956, and 2 Apr-2 Jul 1958). 373 Bombardment (later, 373 Strategic Missile): attached 10 Oct 1951-15 Jun 1952 (not operational, 10 Oct-5 Nov 1951), assigned 16 Jun 1952-25 Jun 1961 (not operational, 15 Jul 1959-25 Jun 1961); assigned 1 Apr 1962-18 Aug 1987. 374 Bombardment (later, 374 Strategic Missile): attached 10 Oct 1951-15 Jun 1952 (not operational, 10 Oct-5 Nov 1951), assigned 16 Jun 1952-25 Jun 1961 (not operational, 15 Jul 1959-25 Jun 1961); assigned 1 Sep 1962-15 Aug 1986. 375 Bombardment: attached 10 Oct 1951-15 Jun 1952 (not operational, 10 Oct-13 Nov 1951), assigned 16 Jun 1952-25 Jun 1961 (not operational, 15 Jul 1959-25 Jun 1961). 425 Bombardment: 1 Oct 1958-25 Jun 1961 (not operational, 15 Jul 1959-25 Jun 1961).
Stations: Forbes AFB, KS, 10 Oct 1951; Hunter AFB, GA, 17 Apr 1952; Plattsburgh AFB, NY, 15 Jul 1959-25 Jun 1961. Little Rock AFB, AR, 1 Apr 1962-18 Aug 1987. Eglin AFB, FL, 27 Jan 2005-.
Commanders: None (not manned), 10 Oct-4 Nov 1951; Col George L. Newton Jr., 5 Nov 1951; Col Charles B. Dougher, 5 Feb 1952; Col George L. Newton Jr., 15 Mar 1952; Col Maurice A. Preston, 7 May 1952; Lt Col Perry P. Menzies, 20 Feb 1953; Col Maurice A. Preston, 28 Mar 1953; Col John F. Batjer, 5 Aug 1953; Col James H. Thompson, 15 Aug 1953; Col John F. Batjer, 24 Aug 1953; Col James H. Thompson, 27 Aug 1953; Col Ralph C. Jenkins, 29 Sep 1953; Col James H. Thompson, 1 Oct 1953; Brig Gen Maurice A. Preston, 23 Oct 1953; Col John F. Batjer, 12 Jan 1954; Lt Col John O. Vick, 21 Sep 1954; Col John F. Batjer, 12 Nov 1954; Col Paul W. Tibbetts Jr., 9 Jun 1956; Col William L. Gray, 7 Jan 1958-14 Jul 1959; none (not manned), 15 Jul 1959-25 Jun 1961. None (not manned), 29 Nov 1961-31 Mar 1962; Col Charles P. Sullivan, 1 Apr 1962; Col Collier H. Davidson, 11 Jun 1962; Col Charles P. Sullivan, 1 Jul 1965; Col Edward A. Vivian, 28 Aug 1966; Col Don C. La Moine, 22 Aug 1969; Col William E. Bifford, 6 Jul 1971; Col Max M. Axelsen, 1 Sep 1972; Col Edward D. Bailey, 27 Apr 1973; Col William E. O'Neil, 15 Jul 1974; Col Joe P. Morgan, 17 Nov 1975; Col Gary E. Marsh, 17 Mar 1978; Col John T. Moser, 10 Jun 1980; Col Ronald J. Bishop Jr., 3 Dec l980; Col Jack A. Leach, 14 Jul 1982; Col John E. Chambers, 3 Aug 1984; Col Albert R. Greene Jr., 9 Jun 1986-18 Aug 1987. Mr. Gerry L. Freisthler, 27 Jan 2005; Mr. Thomas J. Robillard, 4 May 2006-.
Aircraft: B-29, 1951-1952, 1952-1953; B-47, 1953-1954; 1954-1959; KC-97, 1953-1959. Titan II, 1963-1987.
Operations: Strategic bombardment, 1951-1959, and air refueling, 1953-1959, to meet SAC's global commitments. Deployed to bases in North Africa three times, twice in detachment form and once (Sidi Slimane AB, Morocco, 21 Aug-c. 26 Oct 1956) as a unit. From Nov 1956 to Mar 1957, tested SAC alert plan by maintaining one-third of its bomber and tanker force in continuous alert. Not operational, Jul 1959-Jun 1961. Organized in Apr 1962 as a strategic missile wing. Gained control over first missile complex in Aug 1962 and became fully operational with 18 sites in Dec 1963. From 1963-1987, maintained missiles on 24-hour alert, ready to launch within minutes after receipt of authenticated orders from National Command Authorities. On 1 May 1985, tasked to comply with a presidential directive and inactivate its entire ICBM fleet, one at a time, in a safe and orderly fashion, by 30 Sep 1987. Activated in 2004 to design, develop, field and maintain a family of air-to-ground munitions that enhanced warfighter strike capabilities.
Service Streamers: None.
Campaign Streamers: None.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers: None.
Decorations: Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Nov 1956-1 Apr 1957; 1 Jul 1967-30 Jun 1968; 1 Jul 1972-30 Jun 1974; 1 Jul 1975-30 Jun 1977; 1 Jul 1984-30 Jun 1985; 1 Jul 1985-30 Jun 1987.
Emblem: Approved 22 Aug 2006.
Lineage, Assignments, Components, Stations, and Honors through 22 Jan 2007.
Commanders, Aircraft, and Operations through 4 May 2006.
Other Sites of Interest:
308th Bomb Group
308th Strategic Missile Wing
308th Strategic Missile Wing
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373d Bombardment Squadron
Source:
Lineage: Constituted 373d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 28 Jan 1942. Activated on 15 Apr 1942. Inactivated on 7 Jan 1946. Redesignated 373d Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Long Range, Weather) on 16 Sept 1947. Activated on 15 Oct 1947. Inactivated on 21 Feb 1951. Redesignated 373d Bombardment Squadron (Medium) on 4 Oct 1951. Activated on 10 Oct 1951. Discontinued, and inactivated, on 25 Jun 1961. Redesignated 373d Strategic Missile Squadron, and activated, on 29 Nov 1961. Organized on 1 Apr 1962. Inactivated 18 Aug 87.
Assignments: 308th Bombardment Group, 15 Apr 1942; 494th Bombardment Group, 21 Jul 1945; 11th Bombardment Group, 11 Oct 1945-7 Jan 1946. 8th Weather (later 2108th Air Weather) Group, 15 Oct 1947-21 Feb 1951. 308th Bombardment Group, 10 Oct 1951 (attached to 21st Air Division, 10 Oct 1951-17 Apr 199); 308th Bombardment Wing, 16 Jun 1952-25 Jun 1961. Strategic Air Command, 29 Nov 1961; 308th Strategic Missile Wing, 1 Apr 1962-.
Stations: Gowen Field, Idaho, 15 Apr 1942; Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz, 20 Jun 1942; Alamogordo, NM, 23 Jul 1942; Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz, 28 Aug 1942; Wendover Field, Utah, 1 Oct 1942; Pueblo AAB, Colo, 30 Nov 1942-2 Jan 1943; Yangkai, China, 20 Mar 1943; Luliang, China, 14 Sep 1944; Yontan, Okinawa, 21 Jul-ig Dec 1945; Vancouver, Wash, 4-7 Jan 1946. Kindley Field, Bermuda, 15 Oct 1947-21 Feb 1951. Forbes AFB, Kan, 10 Oct 1951; Hunter AFB, Ga, 17 Apr 1952; Plattsburgh AFB, NY, 15 Jul 1959-25 Jun 1961. Little Rock AFB, Ark, 1 Apr 1962-.
Aircraft and Missiles: B-18, 1942; B-24, 1942-1945. TB-17, 1947-1948; B/RB/WB-29, 1947-1951. B-29, 1951-1953; B-47, 1954-1959. Titan, 1963-.
Operations: Combat in CBI and Western Pacific, 4 May 1943-3 Jun 1945 and 21 Jul-14 Aug 1945. Not manned, 15 Jul 1959-25 Jun 1961.
Service Streamers: None.
Campaigns: India-Burma; Air Offensive, Japan; China Defensive; New Guinea; Western Pacific; China Offensive; Air Combat, Asiatic-Pacific Theater.
Decorations: Distinguished Unit Citation: East and South China Seas, Straits of Formosa, and Gulf of Tonkin, 24 May 1944-28 Apr 1945. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award: 1 Nov 1956-1 Apr 1957.
Emblem: A brown bear, front view, wearing brown flight boots lined in yellow and a green parachute harness with white buckles and carrying a black bomb in his right paw, a blue aerial bomb in his left, and cartridge-belt over his right shoulder; all on a white disc. (Approved 19 May 1953.)
 Ex-CBI Roundup, July 1953 Issue
Other Sites of Interest: 308th Bomb Group
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374th Bombardment Squadron
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...please be patient.
