308th Fighter Squadron
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| 308th Fighter Squadron | |
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 308th Fighter Squadron Patch |
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| Active | 30 January 1942 - 7 November 1945 20 August 1946 - Present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Fighter Training |
| Part of | Air Education and Training Command 19th Air Force 56th Fighter Wing 56th Operations Group |
| Garrison/HQ | Luke Air Force Base |
| Nickname | Emerald Knights |
| Engagements | Operation Torch Operation Husky Operation Dragoon |
| Decorations |  DUC PUC AFOUA w/ V Device RVGC w/ Palm |
The 308th Fighter Squadron (308 FS) is part of the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. It operates the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft conducting advanced fighter training.
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[edit] Mission
[edit] History
The 308th was activated on 30 January 1942, as the 308th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) and was activated at Baer Field, Fort Wayne, Indiana. After five months of training in the P-39 Aircobra, the squadron joined the war in Europe when it was assigned to a base in England in June 1942. The squadron's aircraft did not accompany the unit to England and 308th pilots and technicians spent a two-month period undergoing intensive training in flying and fighting in the British Spitfire. The squadron flew its first combat mission on 18 August 1942, when it attacked enemy positions in occupied France. In November 1942, the unit moved to Gibraltar and supported the allied invasion of North Africa. In February 1943, the Spitfires of the 308th supported allied efforts which halted Field Marshal Rommel's advance on allied positions. In July 1943, Spitfires from the 308th provided support for Allied Forces as the Invasion of Italy began with the capture of Sicily. As Allied bomber forces operating from Italy began the strategic bombing of Axis petroleum and communications facilities in central Europe and the Balkans, the 308th was re-equipped with the North American P-51 Mustang to replace the shorter-ranged Spitfire. In August 1944, the P-51's were involved in the invasion of Southern France. In December 1944, the first destruction of a German jet fighter by a 308th P-51 occurred. By war's end, the 308th had earned two Distinguished Unit Citations and was involved in eight campaigns. [1]
The 308th again pitted its aircraft against an enemy when it was assigned to Bien Hoa Air Base in the Republic of Vietnam. For its efforts in Southeast Asia from 16 December 1966 to 15 October 1970, the 308th was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm. The 308th Fighter Squadron also won the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with combat "V" device. [1]
On 1 October 1986, the squadron was re-designated a fighter squadron and re-equipped with the F-16 Fighting Falcon. The 308th was first assigned to Homestead Air Force Base, Florida, and then to Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, and on 1 April 1994 to Luke Air Force Base. The 308th ranks tenth as the most highly decorated unit in Air Force history among the 152 fighter squadrons that were ever active. [1]
[edit] Operations[2]
[edit] Lineage[2]
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[edit] Assignments[2]
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[edit] Bases stationed[2]
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[edit] Aircraft Operated[2]
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[edit] References
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b c 56 OG Fact Sheet
- ^ a b c d e AFHRA 308 FS Page
[edit] Bibliography
[edit] Also See
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