178th Fighter Wing
Encyclopedia
The United States Air Force
's 178th Fighter Wing (178 FW) is an F-16 Fighting Falcon
flying training organization assigned to the Ohio Air National Guard
and operationally-gained by the Air Education and Training Command
(AETC). The 178 FW is located at Springfield-Beckley Air National Guard Base, Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport
, Ohio
.
The 178 FW consists of four groups (178th Operations Group, 178th Maintenance Group, 178th Medical Group, and 178th Mission Support Group) and one flying squadron. In addition to its 900 personnel, the 178 FW also supports 320 members of the Headquarters, 251st Communications Group, the 269th Combat Communications Squadron (both co-located with the 178 FW), and the 123d Air Control Squadron, located in Cincinnati, Ohio
.
, California
, in December 1942, at that time a P-39 Airacobra squadron. To November 1943, as one of three fighter squadrons assigned to the 357th Fighter Group
, the Unit trained in preparation for movement overseas to England
. In December 1943 the 362d Fighter Squadron arrived in at RAF Raydon
in Suffolk
England
where it transitioned to the P-51 Mustang
to prepare for its mission of long range bomber support and air superiority over the Luftwaffe
. The 362 FS moved to RAF Leiston
in early 1944 and became operational in February 1944. On 20 August 1946 the 357 FG and its constituent squadrons were inactivated.
On 2 November 1947, the 162d Fighter Squadron received federal recognition and was initially stationed at Cox-Dayton Municipal Airport
, Vandalia, Ohio
. In 1955, to expand its operations, the 162d Fighter Squadron moved to its current location, the Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport
. The 162d Fighter Squadron deployed to Europe in 1961-1962 during the Berlin Crisis
, and in 1963, was formed into the 178th Tactical Fighter Group. The 178 TFG later flew the F-100 Super Sabre
and A-7D Corsair II
fighter-bombers.
In 1993, the 178th Fighter Wing was assigned the F-16 Fighting Falcon
with the mission of an ACC F-16 general purpose (GP) Fighter unit. In 1998 it was reassinged as a Formal Training Unit (FTU), training active duty Air Force, Air National Guard
, Air Force Reserve Command
and Royal Netherlands Air Force pilots to fly the F-16.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
's 178th Fighter Wing (178 FW) is an F-16 Fighting Falcon
F-16 Fighting Falcon
The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multirole jet fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force . Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,400 aircraft have been built since...
flying training organization assigned to the Ohio Air National Guard
Ohio Air National Guard
The Ohio Air National Guard is a part of the United States National Guard and an Air Reserve Component of the United States Air Force. It is composed of approximately 5,000 airmen and officers assigned to four flying wings and eight non-flying support units. OHANG units are based in Columbus,...
and operationally-gained by the Air Education and Training Command
Air Education and Training Command
Air Education and Training Command was established July 1, 1993, with the realignment of Air Training Command and Air University. It is one of the U.S. Air Force's ten major commands and reports to Headquarters, United States Air Force....
(AETC). The 178 FW is located at Springfield-Beckley Air National Guard Base, Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport
Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport
Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport is a public airport located five miles south of the central business district of Springfield, a city in Clark County, Ohio, United States...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
.
The 178 FW consists of four groups (178th Operations Group, 178th Maintenance Group, 178th Medical Group, and 178th Mission Support Group) and one flying squadron. In addition to its 900 personnel, the 178 FW also supports 320 members of the Headquarters, 251st Communications Group, the 269th Combat Communications Squadron (both co-located with the 178 FW), and the 123d Air Control Squadron, located in Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
.
Mission
The 178th Fighter Wing's self-described mission is to:- provide formal F-16 training while maintaining combat capability and resources in support of our nation, state, and community,
- (maintain) fully manned, trained, and equipped units which support national security objectives.
- (Deploy) manpower and equipment to aid civil authorities in the event of disasters and civil disturbances.
History
The 178th Fighter Wing, originally organized as the 362d Fighter Squadron, was formed and activated in Hamilton FieldHamilton Air Force Base
Hamilton Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base located along the western shore of San Pablo Bay, south of Novato, California.-History:...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, in December 1942, at that time a P-39 Airacobra squadron. To November 1943, as one of three fighter squadrons assigned to the 357th Fighter Group
357th Fighter Group
The 357th Fighter Group was an air combat unit of the United States Army Air Forces during the Second World War. The 357th operated P-51 Mustang aircraft as part of the U.S. Eighth Air Force and its members were known unofficially as "The Yoxford Boys" after a village near their base...
, the Unit trained in preparation for movement overseas to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. In December 1943 the 362d Fighter Squadron arrived in at RAF Raydon
RAF Raydon
RAF Raydon is a former United States Army Air Force station in England. It is located just to the northeast of the village of Raydon, about 6 miles from Ipswich on the B1070 in Suffolk.-Origins:...
in Suffolk
Suffolk
Suffolk is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. It has borders with Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south. The North Sea lies to the east...
England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
where it transitioned to the P-51 Mustang
P-51 Mustang
The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II, the Korean War and in several other conflicts...
to prepare for its mission of long range bomber support and air superiority over the Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
. The 362 FS moved to RAF Leiston
RAF Leiston
RAF Leiston is a former airfield in the United Kingdom. The airfield is located northwest of Leiston and south of Theberton in Suffolk.-USAAF use:...
in early 1944 and became operational in February 1944. On 20 August 1946 the 357 FG and its constituent squadrons were inactivated.
On 2 November 1947, the 162d Fighter Squadron received federal recognition and was initially stationed at Cox-Dayton Municipal Airport
Dayton International Airport
James M. Cox Dayton International Airport , also referred to as simply Dayton International Airport, is a public airport located nine miles north of the central business district of Dayton, a city in Montgomery County, Ohio, United States. The airport is situated in Vandalia and it is owned and...
, Vandalia, Ohio
Vandalia, Ohio
Vandalia is a city in Montgomery County, Ohio, United States, and a suburb of Dayton. Its population was 15,246 during the 2010 census. The James M. Cox Dayton International Airport is located in the city...
. In 1955, to expand its operations, the 162d Fighter Squadron moved to its current location, the Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport
Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport
Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport is a public airport located five miles south of the central business district of Springfield, a city in Clark County, Ohio, United States...
. The 162d Fighter Squadron deployed to Europe in 1961-1962 during the Berlin Crisis
Berlin Crisis of 1961
The Berlin Crisis of 1961 was the last major politico-military European incident of the Cold War about the occupational status of the German capital city, Berlin, and of post–World War II Germany. The U.S.S.R...
, and in 1963, was formed into the 178th Tactical Fighter Group. The 178 TFG later flew the F-100 Super Sabre
F-100 Super Sabre
The North American F-100 Super Sabre was a supersonic jet fighter aircraft that served with the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1971 and with the Air National Guard until 1979. The first of the Century Series collection of USAF jet fighters, it was the first USAF fighter capable of...
and A-7D Corsair II
A-7 Corsair II
The Ling-Temco-Vought A-7 Corsair II is a carrier-based subsonic light attack aircraft introduced to replace the United States Navy's Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, initially entering service during the Vietnam War...
fighter-bombers.
In 1993, the 178th Fighter Wing was assigned the F-16 Fighting Falcon
F-16 Fighting Falcon
The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multirole jet fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force . Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,400 aircraft have been built since...
with the mission of an ACC F-16 general purpose (GP) Fighter unit. In 1998 it was reassinged as a Formal Training Unit (FTU), training active duty Air Force, Air National Guard
Air National Guard
The Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
, Air Force Reserve Command
Air Force Reserve Command
The Air Force Reserve Command is a major command of the U.S. Air Force with its headquarters at Robins AFB, Georgia.It stood up as a major command of the Air Force on 17 February 1997....
and Royal Netherlands Air Force pilots to fly the F-16.
Major Command
- Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Air Education and Training CommandAir Education and Training CommandAir Education and Training Command was established July 1, 1993, with the realignment of Air Training Command and Air University. It is one of the U.S. Air Force's ten major commands and reports to Headquarters, United States Air Force....
(1998–present) - Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Tactical Air Command/ Air Combat Command (1958–1998) - Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Air Defense Command (1947–1958)
Previous designations
- 178th Fighter Wing (1 October 1995–Present)
- 178th Fighter Group (1992–1995)
- 178th Tactical Fighter Group (1962–1992)
- 162d Tactical Fighter Squadron (1958–1962)
- 362d Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group357th Fighter GroupThe 357th Fighter Group was an air combat unit of the United States Army Air Forces during the Second World War. The 357th operated P-51 Mustang aircraft as part of the U.S. Eighth Air Force and its members were known unofficially as "The Yoxford Boys" after a village near their base...
(1942–1945)
Squadrons assigned
- 178th Operations Group
- 162d Fighter Squadron162d Fighter SquadronThe 162d Fighter Squadron flies the F-16C/D Fighting Falcon. It is a unit of the Ohio Air National Guard. Its parent unit is the 178th Fighter Wing.-Mission:As of 2008 the 162d Fighter Squadron , is equipped with F-16 aircraft...
(1962–Present) - 178th Operations Support Flight
- 202d Weather Flight
- 162d Fighter Squadron
- 251st Communications Group
- 269th Combat Communications Squadron269th Combat Communications SquadronThe United States Air Force's 269th Combat Communications Squadron is an Air National Guard combat communications unit located at Springfield ANGB, Ohio.-Mission:...
- 269th Combat Communications Squadron
- 178th Maintenance Group
- 178th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
- 178th Maintenance Squadron
- 178th Maintenance Operations Flight
- 178th Mission Support Group
- 178th Civil Engineering Squadron
- 178th Communications Squadron
- 178th Logistics Readiness Squadron
- 178th Security Forces Squadron
- 178th Mission Support Flight
- 178th Services Flight
- 178th Medical Group
- 178th Medical Squadron
Bases stationed
- Springfield-Beckley Municipal AirportSpringfield-Beckley Municipal AirportSpringfield-Beckley Municipal Airport is a public airport located five miles south of the central business district of Springfield, a city in Clark County, Ohio, United States...
(1955–Present) - Cox-Dayton Municipal Airport (1947–1955)
Aircraft & Missiles Operated
- F-16C/D Fighting Falcon (1993–Present)
- A-7D/K Corsair II (1978–1993)
- F-100 Super SabreF-100 Super SabreThe North American F-100 Super Sabre was a supersonic jet fighter aircraft that served with the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1971 and with the Air National Guard until 1979. The first of the Century Series collection of USAF jet fighters, it was the first USAF fighter capable of...
(1970–1978) - F-84F ThunderstreakF-84F ThunderstreakThe Republic F-84F Thunderstreak was an American-built swept-wing turbojet fighter-bomber. While an evolutionary development of the straight-wing F-84 Thunderjet, the F-84F was a new design. The RF-84F Thunderflash was a photo reconnaissance version....
(1957–1970) - P-51 MustangP-51 MustangThe North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II, the Korean War and in several other conflicts...
(1944–1945) - P-39 Airacobra (1942–1943)