366th Fighter Squadron
| 366th Fighter Squadron | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1943 – 1945, 1972 – Present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Role | Fighter |
| Part of | Air Force Reserve Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Youngstown Air Reserve Station |
| Equipment | General Dynamics F-16C/D Fighting Falcon |
| 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 |
| Insignia | |
| Tail code (since 1972) | YG |
The 366th Fighter Squadron is part of the Air Force Reserve Command's 275th Fighter Wing at Youngstown Air Reserve Station, 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 Force 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 1993. In 1999, 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 Freedon.
Contents
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
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
- Richmond Army Air Base, Virginia, 1 January 1943
- Camp Springs Army Air Field, Maryland, 20 April 1943
- Millville Army Air Field, New Jersey, 29 May 1943
- Philadelphia Municipal Airport, Pennsylvania, 16 June 1943
- Richmond Army Air Base, Virginia, 13 August 1943 – 25 September 1943
- RAF Goxhill (Station 345), England, United Kingdom, 20 October 1943
- RAF Leiston (Station 373), England, United Kingdom, 4 December 1943
- RAF Raydon (Station 157), England, United Kingdom, 21 January 1944
- RAF High Halden (Station 411) England, United Kingdom, 13 April 1944
- Cretteville (A-14), France, 4 July 1944
- Pontorson (A-28), France, 14 August 1944
- Vitry-le-François (A-67), France, 15 September 1944
- Mourmelon-le-Grand Airfield (A-80), France, 16 October 1944
- Toul-Croix de Metz Airfield (A-90), France, 20 November 1944
- Mannheim-Sandhofen Airfield (Y-79), Germany, 8 April 1945
- Reims-Champagne Airport (A-62), France, 23 June 1945 – 10 July 1945
- La Junta Army Air Field, Colorado 3 August 1945 – 7 November 1945
- Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio 13 April 1972 – Present
Aircraft
- Curtiss P-40 Warhawk (1943)
- Republic P-47 Thunderbolt (1943–1945)
- Republic F-105 Thunderchief (1972–1982)
- McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II (1982–1991)
- General Dynamics F-16A/B Fighting Falcon (1993–1999)
- General Dynamics F-16C/D Fighting Falcon (1999–present)
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.
