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The United States Air Force's 178th Fighter Wing is an F-16 Fighting Falcon flying training organization assigned to the Ohio Air National Guard and located at Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport, Ohio.
The 178th FW consists of four groups (178th Operations Group, 178th Maintenance Group, 178th Medical Group, and 178th Mission Support Group) and one flying squadron. In addition to its 900 personnel, the 178th FW also supports 320 members of the Headquarters, 251st Communications Group, the 269th Combat Communications Squadron (both co-located with the 178th FW), and the 123rd Air Control Squadron, located in Cincinnati, Ohio.
[edit] Mission
The 178th Fighter Wing's self-described mission is to:
- provide formal F-16 training while maintaining combat capability and resources in support of our nation, state, and community,
- (maintain) fully manned, trained, and equipped units which support national security objectives.
- (Deploy) manpower and equipment to aid civil authorities in the event of disasters and civil disturbances.
[edit] History
The 178th Fighter Wing, originally organized as the 362d Fighter Squadron, was formed and activated in Hamilton Field, California, in December 1942, at that time a P-39 Airacobra squadron. To November 1943, as one of three fighter squadrons assigned to the 357th Fighter Group, the unit trained in preparation for movement overseas to England. In December 1943 the 362d Fighter Squadron arrived in at RAF Raydon in Suffolk England where it transitioned to the P-51 Mustang to prepare for its mission of long range bomber support and air superiority over the Luftwaffe. The 362nd FS moved to RAF Leiston in early 1944 and became operational in February 1944. On August 20, 1946 the 357th FG and its constituent squadrons were inactivated.
On November 2, 1947, the 162d Fighter Squadron received federal recognition and was initially stationed at Cox-Dayton Municipal Airport, Vandalia, Ohio. In 1955, to expand its operations, the 162d Fighter Squadron moved to its current location, the Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport. The 162d Fighter Squadron deployed to Europe in 1961-1962 during the Berlin crisis, and in 1963, was formed into the 178th Tactical Fighter Group. The 178th TAG later flew the F-100 Super Sabre and A-7D Corsair II fighter-bombers.
In 1993, the 178th Fighter Wing was assigned the F-16 Fighting Falcon, now with the mission of training active duty Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve pilots to fly the F-16.
[edit] Assignments
[edit] Previous designations[1]
- 178th Fighter Wing (1 October 1995-Present)
- 178th Fighter Group (1992-1995)
- 178th Tactical Fighter Group (1962-1992)
- 162nd Tactical Fighter Squadron (1958-1962)
- 362nd Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group (1942-1945)
[edit] Squadrons assigned
- 178th Operations Group
- 251st Communications Group
- 269th Combat Communications Squadron
- 178th Maintenance Group
- 178th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
- 178th Maintenance Squadron
- 178th Maintenance Operations Flight
- 178th Mission Support Group
- 178th Civil Engineering Squadron
- 178th Communications Squadron
- 178th Logistics Readiness Squadron
- 178th Security Forces Squadron
- 178th Mission Support Flight
- 178th Services Flight
- 178th Medical Group
[edit] Bases stationed
[edit] Aircraft & Missiles Operated[2]
[edit] Decorations
[edit] References
- ^ Rogers, B. (2006). United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978. ISBN 1-85780-197-0
- ^ World Airpower Journal. (1992). US Air Force Air Power Directory. Aerospace Publishing: London, UK. ISBN 1-880588-01-3
- ^ Air Force Personnel Center Awards Search (Post-1991)
[edit] External links
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