352d Tactical Fighter Squadron

352d Tactical Fighter Squadron

F-100D of the 352d Tactical Fighter Squadron dropping napalm near Bien Hoa
Active 1943-1944; 1944-1945; 1957-1971
Country  United States
Branch  United States Air Force
Role Tactical Fighter
Motto(s) Latin:Dum Spiro Pugno (While I Breathe I Fight)
Engagements American Theater of World War II
European Theater of World War II
Vietnam Service
Insignia
352d Tactical Fighter Squadron Emblem[1]
652d Bombardment Squadron emblem (approved 21 February 1945)[2]
Viet Nam Tail Code VM

The 352d Tactical Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force fighter squadron. Its last assignment was with the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing at Phan Rang Air Base, South Vietnam, where it was inactivated on 31 July 1971.

The first predecessor of the squadron was activated in 1943 as the 372d Fighter Squadron, which served as a Lockheed P-38 Lightning Replacement Training Unit until it was disbanded in 1944.

The second predecessor of the squadron was the 652d Bombardment Squadron, which conducted weather reconnaissance in the European Theater of Operations.

The 352d Fighter-Day Squadron was formed during the Cold War, the squadron was attached to NATO, and stood on alert during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Deployed to South Vietnam during the Vietnam War, the squadron fought with distinction. The squadron was inactivated in 1971.

History

World War II

Fighter Replacement Training

The 372d Fighter Squadron was activated in early 1943 at March Field, California as one of the three original squadrons of the 360th Fighter Group,[3] but moved on paper to Glendale Airport the same day.[4] It operated as a Lockheed P-38 replacement training unit. Replacement training units were oversized units which trained aircrews prior to their deployment to combat theaters.[5] In January 1944 the squadron moved away from its parent group and established a separate RTU at Santa Maria Army Air Field, California.[3][4]

However, the Army Air Forces found that standard military units, based on relatively inflexible tables of organization were proving less well adapted to the training mission. Accordingly, a more functional system was adopted in which each base was organized into a separate numbered unit.[6] This resulted in the 372d, along with other units at Santa Maria, being disbanded in the spring of 1944[4] and being replaced by the 440th AAF Base Unit (Fighter Replacement Training Unit, Twin Engine).

Weather Reconnaissance in the European Theater

The second predecessor of the squadron was the 652d Bombardment Squadron, which conducted weather reconnaissance in the European Theater of Operations.[2]

The 652d Bombardment Squadron replaced what began as a provisional weather reconnaissance detachment that was formed on 31 August 1943 with Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses, then transferred to RAF St Eval on 8 September 1943 to conduct meteorological fights over the Atlantic Ocean. On 25 October 1943 this provisional unit was formalized as Detachment A of the Combat Weather Detachment, 1st Combat Crew Replacement Center at RAF Bovingdon. On 23 November 1943 the detachment joined its parent at Bovingdon. On 28 March 1944 Eighth Air Force replaced the detachment with the 8th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy) (Provisional). The squadron was one of the three squadrons of the 8th Reconnaissance Group (Provisional) (later the 802d Reconnaissance Group, Special (Provisional).

In August 1944 Eighth Air Force replaced its provisional weather reconnaissance units with permanent ones and the 652d was activated.[2] The 652d primarily flew B-17Gs, although at first it also had B-24Ds and B-24Hs. Its missions were long-range weather flights code named "Epicure" In which the aircraft flew a box pattern 700 miles out over the Atlantic. Weather readings were taken every 50 miles at heights varying from 50 to 30,000 feet. The average flight time for these flights was over 12 hours. For thirteen months the squadron maintained an average of 1.5 aircraft in the air over the Atlantic at all hours of the day and night, and for the last nine months of the war the average exceeded two aircraft in the air for all hours of the day and night.

When its parent 25th Bombardment Group returned to the United States after the German surrender in May 1945, the 652d was assigned to 1st Air Division and continued to fly weather missions. The squadron returned to the United States in December and was inactivated when it reached the Port of Embarkation.[2]

Cold War

352d TFS North American F-100D Super Sabre 56-3413, about 1960.

On 25 September 1957 Tactical Air Command (TAC) activated the 352d Fighter-Day Squadron and assigned it to the 354th Fighter-Day Wing[7] at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, South Carolina. The squadron was equipped with the North American F-100 Super Sabre.

The 354th wing was committed to NATO support, and the squadron frequently deployed to Europe. It deployed to Adana Air Base, Turkey in July 1958 in response to the Crisis in Lebanon, to support the pro-western government of Lebanon, which believed itself threatened by internal dissension supported by the United Arab Republic. The squadron returned in October.

After the Lebanon Crisis, TAC began to rotate combat squadrons to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey and Aviano Air Base, Italy in support of NATO alert commitments and Air Force weapons training at the Maniago Range. The 352d, along with the 354th wing's other squadrons periodically supported these rotations.

During the Berlin Crisis precipitated by the erection of the Berlin Wall by the German Democratic Republic in August 1961 and the subsequent face-off of American and Soviet tanks in Berlin, the squadron deployed to Hahn AB, German Federal Republic, in November 1961. Once tensions eased, the squadron returned in March 1962.

The squadron deployed a third time in response to a Cold War crisis, but this time the deployment was closer to home. During the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, the 352 TFS deployed to McCoy AFB, Florida[7] in October where it became part of the forces attached to the Air Division, Provisional, 2d. After the crisis ended, the 352d returned home in December.

Vietnam War

As the intensity of the Viet Nam War increased in 1966, The United States Air Force began to replace its rotational units on temporary duty in Southeast Asia with permanent ones. As a result, the 352d Tactical Fighter Squadron moved to Phan Rang Air Base, South Vietnam on 15 August 1966, where it was assigned to the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing.[8] Two months later Pacific Air Forces moved the 366th Wing to Da Nang Air Base where it became a F-4 Phantom II wing, while the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing took its place at Phan Rang, with F-100 Super Sabre squadrons in a swap of wing headquarters designations.[9]

Squadron missions included close air support of ground forces, air interdiction, visual and armed air reconnaissance, escort, and rapid reaction alert.

During the Cambodian Campaign of 1970, the 352d struck enemy bases and supply caches in the Parrot's Beak area just inside the Cambodian border during April and May. The 352d also provided close air support and interdiction in support of South Vietnamese operations in Laos and Cambodia during January through June 1971.

In April 1971 the 352d began phasing down for inactivation and flew its last combat mission on 26 June 1971. The squadron was inactivated permanently, along with the 35th TFW on 31 July 1971 as part of the American drawdown in Vietnam. The squadron was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation and four Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards w/Combat "V" Device for its combat performance.[10][11]

Consolidation

In September 1985, the three squadrons were consolidated under the 352d Tactical Fighter Squadron designation, but have remained inactive.[12]

Lineage

372d Fighter Squadron

  • Constituted on 20 December 1942 as the 372d Fighter Squadron, Two Engine
Activated on 15 January 1943
Disbanded on 31 March 1944[4]
  • Reconstituted on 19 Sep 1985 and consolidated with the 352d Tactical Fighter Squadron and the 652d Bombardment Squadron as the 352d Tactical Fighter Squadron[12]

652d Bombardment Squadron

  • Constituted on 17 July 1944 as the 652d Bombardment Squadron, Heavy (Weather Reconnaissance)
  • Activated on 9 August 1944
  • Inactivated on 19 December 1945[2]
  • Consolidated on 19 September 1985 with the 372d Fighter Squadron and the 352d Tactical Fighter Squadron as the 352d Tactical Fighter Squadron[12]

352d Tactical Fighter Squadron
Constituted on 20 August 1957 as the 352d Fighter-Day Squadron
Activated on 25 September 1957
Redesignated 352d Tactical Fighter Squadron 1 July 1958
Inactivated 31 July 1971
Consolidated on 19 September 1985 with the 372d Fighter Squadron and the 652d Bombardment Squadron[12] (remained inactive)

Assignments

Stations

Adana Air Base, Turkey, 16 July 1958 – 26 October 1958
Aviano AB, Italy and Incirlik AB, Turkey between 1959 and 1965
Hahn AB, West Germany, 14 November 1961 – 11 March 1962
McCoy AFB, Florida, 21 October – 1 December 1962
Palam Airport, India, 7–18 May 1963)

Aircraft

  • Lockheed P-38, 1943-1944
  • Consolidated B-24D, 1944
  • Consolidated B-24H, 1944
  • Boeing B-17F, 1944-1945
  • Boeing B-17G, 1944-1945
  • North American F-100D, 1957-1971
  • North American F-100F, 1957-1971

Awards and Campaigns

Award streamer Award Dates Notes
Presidential Unit Citation10 October 1966 - 10 April 1967Viet Nam, 352d Tactical Fighter Squadron[10]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award w/Combat "V" Device3 September 1967 - 2 May 1968352d Tactical Fighter Squadron[10]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award w/Combat "V" Device1 October 1968 - 13 April 1969352d Tactical Fighter Squadron[11]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award w/Combat "V" Device14 April 1969 - 13 April 1970352d Tactical Fighter Squadron[11]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award w/Combat "V" Device1 Dec 1970 - 25 June 1971352d Tactical Fighter Squadron[11]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 October 1962 - 31 December 1963352d Tactical Fighter Squadron[10]
Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm3 June 1966 - 30 March 1971352d Tactical Fighter Squadron[11]
Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm24 February 1971 - 30 March 1971352d Tactical Fighter Squadron[11]
Service and Campaign Streamers Campaign Dates Notes
American Theater of World War II15 January 1943 – 31 March 1944372d Fighter Squadron[4]
Northern France9 August 1944 – 14 September 1944652d Bombardment Squadron[2]
Air Combat, EAME Theater9 August 1944 – 11 May 1945652d Bombardment Squadron[2]
Vietnam Air3 June 1966 – 28 June 1966352d Tactical Fighter Squadron[10]
Vietnam Air Offensive29 June 1966 – 8 March 1967352d Tactical Fighter Squadron[note 1]
Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase II29 June 1966 – 8 March 1967352d Tactical Fighter Squadron
Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase III29 June 1966 – 8 March 1967352d Tactical Fighter Squadron
Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase IV1 November 1968 – 22 February 1969352d Tactical Fighter Squadron[11]
Tet 1969/Counteroffensive23 February 1969 – 8 June 1969352d Tactical Fighter Squadron[11]
Vietnam Summer-Fall 19699 June 1969 – 31 October 1969352d Tactical Fighter Squadron[11]
Vietnam Winter-Spring 19703 November 1969 – 30 April 1970352d Tactical Fighter Squadron[11]
Sanctuary Counteroffensive1 May 1970 – 30 June 1970352d Tactical Fighter Squadron[11]
Southwest Monsoon1 July 1970 – 30 November 1970352d Tactical Fighter Squadron[11]
Commando Hunt V1 December 1970 – 14 May 1971352d Tactical Fighter Squadron[11]
Commando Hunt VI15 May 1971 – 31 July 1971352d Tactical Fighter Squadron[11]

References

Notes
  1. ↑ There is a gap between 1966 and 1968 in awards registered in Volumes 1 and 2 of AFP 900-2. The squadron participated in combat during these campaigns
Citations
  1. ↑ Robertson, p, 233
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 696
  3. 1 2 Maurer, Combat Units, p. 243
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 461
  5. ↑ Craven & Cate, Vol. VI, Men & Planes, p.xxxvi
  6. ↑ Craven & Cate, p. 7
  7. 1 2 3 Ravenstein, pp. 187–189
  8. 1 2 Ravenstein, pp. 194-196
  9. 1 2 Ravenstein, pp. 60-63
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 AF Pamphlet 900-2, 15 Jun 1971, p. 336
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 AF Pamphlet 900-2, 30 Sep 1976, p. 62
  12. 1 2 3 4 Department of the Air Force/MPM Letter 662q, 19 Sep 85, Subject: Reconstitution, Redesignation, and Consolidation of Selected Air Force Tactical Squadrons
  13. ↑ Mueller, p. 438

Bibliography

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.

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