| 343d Wing | |
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Emblem of the 343d Wing (1991–1993) |
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| Active | 1942–1993 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
The 343d Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the Alaskan Air Command, stationed at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. It was inactivated on 20 August 1993
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During World War II, the 343d Fighter Group was activated in Alaska on 3 September 1942 and began operations immediately. Provided air dfense for the Aleutians; bombed and strafed Japanese camps, antiaircraft emplacements, hangars, and radio stations on Kiska; escorted bombers that struck enemy airfields, harbor facilities, and shipping. Flew its last combat mission in October 1943, but carried out patrol and reconnaissance assignments in the area until the end of the war. Later trained, carried mail, and served as part of the defense force for Alaska.
Reactivated as part of Air Defense Command in 1955 and performed air defense mission for north central United States until 1959
Reactivated as operational tactical fighter group at Elmendorf AFB in 1977. Inactivated in 1980. It became Eielson Air Force Base’s host unit on 1 October 1981.
It's operational squadron was the 18th Tactical Fighter Squadron, flying the Fairchild-Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II. On 19 December 1991 the 3rd Fighter Training Squadron was moved without personnel or equipment to Eielson from Clark Air Base, Philippines. The 3rd administered the Cope Thunder program and flew Bell Helicopter UH-1N Hueys for range support.
On 8 June 1994 the 343d Composite Wing was redesignated the 343d Tactical Fighter Wing. On 1 July 1991, it was redesignated as the 343d Wing. Also that year, the 343d gained a second flying unit, the 11th Tactical Air Support Squadron, which flew O/A-10As.
Additional flying squadrons assigned to the new wing included the 25th Tactical Air Support Squadron flying the Cessna O-2A Skymaster and North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco.
The 25th TASS O-2s were distinguishable by orange panels on the nose, tail and wings. In July 1986, the O-2s were retired, and on 15 September 1989 the OV-10s were also retired and the squadron inactivated.
The 18th TFS realigned in 1991, transitioning to Block 40 F-16C/D Fighting Falcons.
On 20 August 1993, the 11th TASS inactivated, being replaced by the 355th FS from the 354th Fighter Wing.
The 3rd FTS helicopters were reassigned to other bases on that same date and the unit was inactivated, being replaced by the 353rd Fighter Training Squadron from the 354th FW.
Notable events during the 343d Wing's tenure were:
It was inactivated and all personnel and equipment were rassigned to the 354th Fighter Wing on 20 August 1993.
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.
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