Difference between revisions of "366th Fighter Squadron"

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{{Infobox military unit
 
{{Infobox military unit
 
|unit_name= 366th Fighter Squadron
 
|unit_name= 366th Fighter Squadron
| image=
+
| image=File:366th FS F-16C-D Block 30s.png
 
| image_size = 290
 
| image_size = 290
|caption=
+
|caption= Currently operated F-16C/D Block 30 Fighting Falcons of the 366th FS
 
|dates=1943 – 1945, 1972 – Present
 
|dates=1943 – 1945, 1972 – Present
 
|country={{wp|United States}}
 
|country={{wp|United States}}
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|type=
 
|type=
 
|role={{wp|fighter aircraft|Fighter}}
 
|role={{wp|fighter aircraft|Fighter}}
|size=
+
|size=~250 full and part time Reservists, 24 aircraft
 
|command_structure={{wp|Air Force Reserve Command}}
 
|command_structure={{wp|Air Force Reserve Command}}
|current_commander=
+
|current_commander=Col Anna Byrne, USAFR
|garrison={{wp|Youngstown Air Reserve Station}}
+
|garrison={{wp|Youngstown Air Reserve Station|Youngstown Air Reserve Base}}
 
|ceremonial_chief=
 
|ceremonial_chief=
 
|colonel_of_the_regiment=
 
|colonel_of_the_regiment=
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|march=
 
|march=
 
|mascot=
 
|mascot=
|equipment={{wp|General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|General Dynamics F-16C/D Fighting Falcon}}
+
|equipment=
 
|battles={{wp|European Theater of Operations}} <br/> {{wp|Operation Northern Watch}} <br/> {{wp|Operation Southern Watch}} <br /> {{wp|Operation Enduring Freedom}} <br/> {{wp|Iraq War|Operation Iraqi Freedom}}
 
|battles={{wp|European Theater of Operations}} <br/> {{wp|Operation Northern Watch}} <br/> {{wp|Operation Southern Watch}} <br /> {{wp|Operation Enduring Freedom}} <br/> {{wp|Iraq War|Operation Iraqi Freedom}}
 
|notable_commanders=
 
|notable_commanders=
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|decorations={{wp|Distinguished Unit Citation}}<br/>{{wp|Air Force Outstanding Unit Award}}<br/>{{wp|Croix de Guerre 1939–1945|French Croix de Guerre with Palm}}
 
|decorations={{wp|Distinguished Unit Citation}}<br/>{{wp|Air Force Outstanding Unit Award}}<br/>{{wp|Croix de Guerre 1939–1945|French Croix de Guerre with Palm}}
 
|battle_honours=
 
|battle_honours=
|identification_symbol=  
+
|identification_symbol= [[File:366th FS Patch.png|165px]]
|identification_symbol_label=
+
|identification_symbol_label=366th Fighter Squadron emblem <small>(approved 7 January 1990)</small>
|identification_symbol_2=<big>'''YG'''</big>
+
|identification_symbol_2=<big>'''IP'''</big>
|identification_symbol_2_label=Tail code (since 1972)
+
|identification_symbol_2_label=Fuselage code (1 January 1943 – 7 November 1945)
 +
|identification_symbol_3=<big>'''YN'''</big>
 +
|identification_symbol_3_label=Tail code (13 April 1972 – 1 January 1990)
 +
|identification_symbol_4=<big>'''YG'''</big>
 +
|identification_symbol_4_label=Tail code (1 January 1990 – Present)
 +
<!-- Aircraft -->
 +
|aircraft_attack=
 +
|aircraft_fighter={{wp|General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|General Dynamics F-16C/D Fighting Falcon}}
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 +
The 366th Fighter Squadron is part of the {{wp|Air Force Reserve Command}}'s 275th Fighter Wing at {{wp|Youngstown Air Reserve Station|Youngstown Air Reserve Base}}, {{wp|Ohio}}. Originally formed on 1 January 1943 as the 366th Fighter Squadron (Single Engine), the squadron participated in the European Theatre of Operations and was inactivated on 7 November 1945. The 366th was reactivated as a reserve squadron in April 1972, flying {{wp|Republic F-105 Thunderchief}}s from {{wp|Youngstown Air Reserve Station|Youngstown Air Reserve Base}}, Ohio. The unit transitioned to the {{wp|McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II}} in 1982, flying it until transitioning to the {{wp|General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|General Dynamics F-16A/B Fighting Falcon}} in 1990. In 1997, the 366th transitioned to their current aircraft, the {{wp|General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|General Dynamics F-16C/D Fighting Falcon}}, with which they have conducted air superiority missions over Iraq as a part of Operation Northern Watch and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
  
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
 
===World War II===
 
===World War II===
 +
The 366th began their WWII service by flying bomber escort missions for the Eighth and Ninth Air Forces. In April and May 1944, the 366th flew dive bombing missions against German marshalling yards and airfields in preparation for Operation Overlord. On D-Day and 7 June 1944, the 366th escorted troop carrier formations landing on the Cotentin Peninsula. For the remainder of June 1944, the 366th attacked rail lines, troop formations, bridges, and transportation infrastructure before moving to Cretteville France in July. From Cretteville, the squadron took part in operations resulting in the Allied breakthrough at St Lo, continuing to fly escort, interdiction, and close air support missions throughout 1944 and 1945. The squadron remained in Germany until VE Day in July 1945, returning to the United States where it would be inactivated on 7 November 1945.
 +
 
===Air Force Reserve===
 
===Air Force Reserve===
 +
After a break of 27 years, the squadron was reactivated as part of the Air Force Reserve in 1972 at Youngstown Air Reserve Base in northeast Ohio. The 366th was initially assigned to the 950th Tactical Fighter Group, flying {{wp|Republic F-105 Thunderchief}}s. On 9 March 1983, the unit was reassigned to the newly-formed 275th Tactical Fighter Wing, having recently transitioned to the {{wp|McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II}}. The 366th participated in Exercise Patriot Pearl at {{wp|Roosevelt Roads Naval Station}}, {{wp|Puerto Rico}} in 1988. In late 1989, the squadron began transitioning to the {{wp|General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|General Dynamics F-16A/B Fighting Falcon}}, a process that was completed in 1990. In June 1994, the unit participated in Exercise Central Enterprise, sending 6 F-16s to {{wp|Karup Air Base}}, {{wp|Denmark}}. The 366th participated in {{wp|Operation Northern Watch}} in 1999, two years after transitioning to newer {{wp|General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|General Dynamics F-16C/D Block 30 Fighting Falcon}}s, enforcing the no-fly zone over northern {{wp|Iraq}}. They later deployed to {{wp|Kuwait}} in support of {{wp|Operation Southern Watch}} and again for {{wp|Operation Iraqi Freedom}} in 2008. They have deployed several times in recent years, including to South Korea in support of a Theatre Support Program in 2012 and to {{wp|Bagram Airfield}} in 2015.
 +
 +
[[File:General Dynamics F-16A Block 15 Fighting Falcon (366th TFS) 82-0900.png|thumb|F-16A Block 15 82-0900 at YARS in 1991]]
 +
[[File:General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon (366th TFS-FS Marking Evolution).png|thumb|Evolution of 366th FS F-16 Markings, 1990-Present]]
 +
 
==Lineage==
 
==Lineage==
 
* Constituted as the '''366th Fighter Squadron''' (Single Engine) on 20 December 1942
 
* Constituted as the '''366th Fighter Squadron''' (Single Engine) on 20 December 1942
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* Redesignated '''366th Tactical Fighter Squadron''' on 13 April 1972
 
* Redesignated '''366th Tactical Fighter Squadron''' on 13 April 1972
 
: Activated in the Reserve on 13 April 1972
 
: Activated in the Reserve on 13 April 1972
: Redesignated '''366th Fighter Squadron''' on 1 October 1991
+
: Redesignated '''366th Fighter Squadron''' on 1 October 1993
 
===Assignments===
 
===Assignments===
 +
*358th Fighter Group: 1 February 1943 – 7 November 1945
 +
*950th Tactical Fighter Group: 13 April 1972 – 9 March 1983
 +
*275th Tactical Fighter Wing: 9 March 1983 – 1 October 1993
 +
*275th Operations Group: 1 October 1993 – Present
 
===Stations===
 
===Stations===
 
* Richmond Army Air Base, Virginia, 1 January 1943
 
* Richmond Army Air Base, Virginia, 1 January 1943
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* {{wp|Reims-Champagne Airport}} (A-62), France, 23 June 1945 – 10 July 1945
 
* {{wp|Reims-Champagne Airport}} (A-62), France, 23 June 1945 – 10 July 1945
 
* {{wp|La Junta Army Air Field}}, Colorado 3 August 1945 – 7 November 1945
 
* {{wp|La Junta Army Air Field}}, Colorado 3 August 1945 – 7 November 1945
* {{wp|Youngstown Air Reserve Station}}, Ohio 13 April 1972 – Present
+
* {{wp|Youngstown Air Reserve Station|Youngstown Air Reserve Base}}, Ohio 13 April 1972 – Present
 
===Aircraft===
 
===Aircraft===
 
* {{wp|Curtiss P-40 Warhawk}} (1943)
 
* {{wp|Curtiss P-40 Warhawk}} (1943)
 
* {{wp|Republic P-47 Thunderbolt}} (1943–1945)
 
* {{wp|Republic P-47 Thunderbolt}} (1943–1945)
 
* {{wp|Republic F-105 Thunderchief}} (1972–1982)
 
* {{wp|Republic F-105 Thunderchief}} (1972–1982)
* {{wp|McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II}} (1982–1991)
+
* {{wp|McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II}} (1982–1990)
* {{wp|General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|General Dynamics F-16A/B Fighting Falcon}} (1991–1997)
+
* {{wp|General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|General Dynamics F-16A/B Block 15 Fighting Falcon}} (1990–1997)
* {{wp|General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|General Dynamics F-16C/D Fighting Falcon}} (1997–present)
+
* {{wp|General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|General Dynamics F-16C/D Block 30 Fighting Falcon}} (1997–present)
 +
 
 +
==External Links==
 +
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/366th_Fighter_Squadron 366th Fighter Squadron - Wikipedia]
 +
<br/>[https://www.americanairmuseum.com/unit/954 366th Fighter Squadron - American Air Museum in Britain]
  
  
  
 
''Important: This is an Alternate Universe version of the 366th FS and, while the WWII history is more or less real, should not be considered historical in any way.''
 
''Important: This is an Alternate Universe version of the 366th FS and, while the WWII history is more or less real, should not be considered historical in any way.''

Latest revision as of 02:23, 26 August 2023

366th Fighter Squadron
366th FS F-16C-D Block 30s.png
Currently operated F-16C/D Block 30 Fighting Falcons of the 366th FS
Active 1943 – 1945, 1972 – Present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
Role Fighter
Size ~250 full and part time Reservists, 24 aircraft
Part of Air Force Reserve Command
Garrison/HQ Youngstown Air Reserve Base
Engagements European Theater of Operations
Operation Northern Watch
Operation Southern Watch
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Decorations Distinguished Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
French Croix de Guerre with Palm
Commanders
Current
commander
Col Anna Byrne, USAFR
Insignia
366th Fighter Squadron emblem (approved 7 January 1990) 366th FS Patch.png
Fuselage code (1 January 1943 – 7 November 1945) IP
Tail code (13 April 1972 – 1 January 1990) YN
Tail code (1 January 1990 – Present) YG
Aircraft flown
Fighter General Dynamics F-16C/D Fighting Falcon

The 366th Fighter Squadron is part of the Air Force Reserve Command's 275th Fighter Wing at Youngstown Air Reserve Base, Ohio. Originally formed on 1 January 1943 as the 366th Fighter Squadron (Single Engine), the squadron participated in the European Theatre of Operations and was inactivated on 7 November 1945. The 366th was reactivated as a reserve squadron in April 1972, flying Republic F-105 Thunderchiefs from Youngstown Air Reserve Base, Ohio. The unit transitioned to the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II in 1982, flying it until transitioning to the General Dynamics F-16A/B Fighting Falcon in 1990. In 1997, the 366th transitioned to their current aircraft, the General Dynamics F-16C/D Fighting Falcon, with which they have conducted air superiority missions over Iraq as a part of Operation Northern Watch and Operation Iraqi Freedom.


History

World War II

The 366th began their WWII service by flying bomber escort missions for the Eighth and Ninth Air Forces. In April and May 1944, the 366th flew dive bombing missions against German marshalling yards and airfields in preparation for Operation Overlord. On D-Day and 7 June 1944, the 366th escorted troop carrier formations landing on the Cotentin Peninsula. For the remainder of June 1944, the 366th attacked rail lines, troop formations, bridges, and transportation infrastructure before moving to Cretteville France in July. From Cretteville, the squadron took part in operations resulting in the Allied breakthrough at St Lo, continuing to fly escort, interdiction, and close air support missions throughout 1944 and 1945. The squadron remained in Germany until VE Day in July 1945, returning to the United States where it would be inactivated on 7 November 1945.

Air Force Reserve

After a break of 27 years, the squadron was reactivated as part of the Air Force Reserve in 1972 at Youngstown Air Reserve Base in northeast Ohio. The 366th was initially assigned to the 950th Tactical Fighter Group, flying Republic F-105 Thunderchiefs. On 9 March 1983, the unit was reassigned to the newly-formed 275th Tactical Fighter Wing, having recently transitioned to the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II. The 366th participated in Exercise Patriot Pearl at Roosevelt Roads Naval Station, Puerto Rico in 1988. In late 1989, the squadron began transitioning to the General Dynamics F-16A/B Fighting Falcon, a process that was completed in 1990. In June 1994, the unit participated in Exercise Central Enterprise, sending 6 F-16s to Karup Air Base, Denmark. The 366th participated in Operation Northern Watch in 1999, two years after transitioning to newer General Dynamics F-16C/D Block 30 Fighting Falcons, enforcing the no-fly zone over northern Iraq. They later deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Southern Watch and again for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2008. They have deployed several times in recent years, including to South Korea in support of a Theatre Support Program in 2012 and to Bagram Airfield in 2015.

F-16A Block 15 82-0900 at YARS in 1991
Evolution of 366th FS F-16 Markings, 1990-Present

Lineage

  • Constituted as the 366th Fighter Squadron (Single Engine) on 20 December 1942
Activated on 1 January 1943
Inactivated on 7 November 1945
  • Redesignated 366th Tactical Fighter Squadron on 13 April 1972
Activated in the Reserve on 13 April 1972
Redesignated 366th Fighter Squadron on 1 October 1993

Assignments

  • 358th Fighter Group: 1 February 1943 – 7 November 1945
  • 950th Tactical Fighter Group: 13 April 1972 – 9 March 1983
  • 275th Tactical Fighter Wing: 9 March 1983 – 1 October 1993
  • 275th Operations Group: 1 October 1993 – Present

Stations

Aircraft

External Links

366th Fighter Squadron - Wikipedia
366th Fighter Squadron - American Air Museum in Britain


Important: This is an Alternate Universe version of the 366th FS and, while the WWII history is more or less real, should not be considered historical in any way.