344th Fighter Squadron
Encyclopedia
The 344th Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force
unit. Its last assignment was with 343d Fighter Group stationed at Shemya Army Airfield, Alaska Territory
.
. Engaged in combat missions during Aleutian Campaign, 1942–1943. Switched to long-range P-38 Lightning fighters in 1944 and flew long-range attacks against Japanese shipping and airfields in northern Japan from its base at Shemya. Inactivated in 1946.
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...
unit. Its last assignment was with 343d Fighter Group stationed at Shemya Army Airfield, Alaska Territory
Alaska Territory
The Territory of Alaska was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from August 24, 1912, until January 3, 1959, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Alaska...
.
History
Activated as a P-40 Warhawk fighter squadron in Alaska during World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Engaged in combat missions during Aleutian Campaign, 1942–1943. Switched to long-range P-38 Lightning fighters in 1944 and flew long-range attacks against Japanese shipping and airfields in northern Japan from its base at Shemya. Inactivated in 1946.
Lineage
- Constituted 344th Fighter Squadron on 2 Oct 1942
- Activated on 10 Oct 1942
- Inactivated on 15 Aug 1946.
Stations
- Elmendorf Field, Alaska Territory, 10 Oct 1942
- Detachment at Fort Randall Army Airfield, Alaska Territory, 12 Nov 1942
- Fort Randall Army Airfield, Alaska Territory, c. 25 Dec 1942
- Fort Glenn Army Airfield, Alaska Territory, 8 Mar-c. 23 May 1943
- Detachment at Amchitka Army AirfieldAmchitka Army AirfieldAmchitka Army Airfield is an abandoned airfield located near Amchitka, in the Rat Islands group of the Aleutian Islands in southwest Alaska.-History:The airfield was used as a transit base by USAAF/RCAF for the defense of Dutch Harbor....
, Alaska Territory, May-Jul 1943 - Detachment at Alexai Point Army Airfield, Attu, Alaska Territory, c. 12 Jun-Dec 1943
- Shemya Army Airfield, Alaska Territory, 25 Jun 1943-15 Aug 1946.