366th Fighter Squadron

The 366th Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 358th Fighter Group, IX Fighter Command, stationed at La Junta Army Airfield, Colorado. It was inactivated on 7 November 1945.

History

Trained in the Mid-Atlantic United States with P-40 Warhawks, 1943. While in training also used for air defense of Philadelphia area. Moved to England during September–October 1943 Equipped with P-47 Thunderbolts. Began operations on 20 December 1943 and served in combat with Eighth and, later, Ninth Air Forces until V-E Day.

Attached to Eighth Air Force, engaged in escort work until April 1944 to cover the operations of bombers that the AAF sent against targets on the Continent. They were at RAF Leiston, Suffolk from 29 November 1943; then RAF Raydon, Suffolk from 31 January 1944; then the 358th was transferred to RAF High Halden, Kent on 13 April 1944.

Dive-bombed marshalling yards and airfields during Apr to help prepare for the invasion of Normandy.

Moved to the Continent in July 1944 and took part in operations that resulted in the Allied breakthrough at St Lo. Continued to fly escort, interdictory, and close-support missions during the Allied drive across France and into Germany, earning four citations before the end of the war. Reassigned to Ninth Air Force in August.

Reassigned to Second Air Force in July 1945 and programmed for deployment to Okinawa to take part in planned invasion of Japan. Equipped with long-range P-47N Thunderbolt and began training until Atomic Bomb attacks ended the Pacific War.

Inactivated on 7 November 1945.

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.

• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556.