78th Fighter Group
Encyclopedia
The 78th Fighter Group (78 FG) is an inactive United States Air Force
unit. It was last assigned to the 78th Fighter Wing, being assigned to Hamilton Air Force Base
, California. It was inactivated on 1 February 1961.
During World War II the group was an Eighth Air Force
fighter unit stationed in England assigned primarily to RAF Duxford. It claimed 338 air and 358 ground aircraft destroyed. It flew its last mission on 13 April 1945.
The 78th Fighter Group was activated in 1942. It initially trained for combat with P-38's and served as part of the west coast air defense organization. Moved to England in November 1942 and was assigned to Eighth Air Force
. The group lost its P-38's and most of its pilots in February 1943 when they were assigned to Twelfth Air Force for service in the North African campaign.
The group was reassigned to Duxford airfield in April 1943 and reequipped with P-47s. Aircraft of the group were identified by a black/white chequerboard pattern.
The group consisted of the following squadrons:
From Duxford, the 78th flew many missions to escort B-17/B-24bombers that attacked industries, submarine yards and docks, V-weapon sites, and other targets on the Continent. The unit also engaged in counter-air activities and on numerous occasions strafed and dive-bombed airfields, trains, vehicles, barges, tugs, canal locks, barracks, and troops.
In addition to other operations, the 78th participated in the intensive campaign against the German Air Force
and aircraft industry during Big Week, 20–25 February 1944
and helped to prepare the way for the invasion of France
. The group supported the landings in Normandy in June 1944 and contributed to the breakthrough at Saint-Lô
in July.
The group converted to P-51
s in December 1944 and participated in the Battle of the Bulge
, December 1944 – January 1945 and supported the airborne assault across the Rhine
in March.
The 78th Fighter Group received a Distinguished Unit Citation for activities connected with the airborne attack on Holland in September 1944 when the group covered troop carrier and bombardment operations and carried out strafing and dive-bombing missions. The group received a second DUC for destroying numerous aircraft on five airfields near Prague
and Pilsen on 16 April 1945.
The 78th Fighter Group returned to Camp Kilmer
New Jersey
and October 1945 and was inactivated in place on 18 October.
The 78th FG was reactivated in Germany on 20 August 1946, replacing the 368th Fighter Group
, which was allotted to the National Guard, at Straubing, Germany. The group was reactivated due to the Air Force's policy of retaining only low-numbered groups on active duty after the war.
In Germany the group was assigned to the United States Air Forces in Europe
XII Tactical Air Command
for duty with the occupation force. The group was assigned to AAF Station Straubing, and flew the former 368th's P-47 Thunderbolt
s from the airfield. The group was transferred, without personnel and equipment, to Mitchel Field, New York in June 1947.
At Mitchel, the group remained in active duty status and was assigned to Air Defense Command. The group was manned with a small cadre of personnel, being equipped with a few P-51D Mustangs. On 16 November 1948, the 78th was reassigned to Hamilton AFB, California where it was assigned of ADC's Fourth Air Force
. At that time the 78th Fighter Wing was established by the Hobson reorganization plan, with the 78th Fighter Group becoming a component of the wing, controlling its flying resources.
In February 1949, the 78th Fighter Group received the first of the new production F-84 Thunderjet
s, with these aircraft going to the assigned 82d, 83d and 84th Fighter Squadrons. The F-84s became problematic with cracks appearing in wing spars or skin beginning in September. The group lost four jets in accidents by the end of the year.
On 1 July 1949, Air Defense Command was inactivated as a major command, the 78th Fighter Wing being assigned to Continental Air Command
(ConAC). On 1 September 1949 ConAC created the Western Air Defense Force
, to which the 78th Fighter Wing was assigned. Redesignated the 78th Fighter-Interceptor Group in January 1950.
With the breakout of the Korean War
in June 1950, the 78th Fighter Group was the only remaining ConAC F-84 unit with an air defense commitment, the group lost many personnel which were reassigned to Far East Air Force units engaging in combat with deployed units. The personnel losses were replaced with less-experienced federalized Air Force Reserve or Air National Guard
personnel. At the same time, ConAC placed the 78th Fighter Group on 24/7 air defense alert status, with the three squadrons rotating among themselves for one day on and two days off alert periods.
Throughout this period, the F-84s remained problematic with wing integrity, the group having only 50 of its authorized 70 aircraft operational, as a third of its aircraft had been sent to Republic Aircraft or Air Materiel Command depots for repairs. This led to excess hours being put on the remaining aircraft, reducing their designed operational life. By the first quarter of 1951, the number of operational aircraft on station was reduced to 44, with only 34 actually being combat ready. The manpower shortage was worse, with only seven of the forty combat-rated pilots being available, the remainder being assigned Europe or combat duty in Korea.
In June 1951, the 78th Fighter Group received the first four of the F-89B Scorpions, as a replacement for the F-84 Thunderjets. The Scorpions were assigned to the 83d and 84th Fighter Squadrons, while the 82d retained the best of the groups remaining F-84s, while the remainder were either shipped as replacement aircraft to South Korea or sent to Republic for refurbishing.
By the end of 1951, the 82d Fighter Squadron stood alert during daylight hours while the other two squadrons rotated night and fowl weather duties. The F-89s, however, were rushed into service too rapidly. There were not enough trained pilots and radar operators, and there were not enough maintenance personnel who knew the intricacies of the complex and troublesome Hughes E-1 fire control system. The in-service rate of the F-89B was appallingly low, and crashes were all too frequently.
The 78th Fighter Group was inactivated on 6 February 1952 along with its parent wing as part of an ADC reorganization, being replaced by the 4702d Defense Wing when Hamilton was placed under the ADC 28th Air Division. Two of he inactivated 78th's squadrons were tramsferred. The 82d was transferred to Larson AFB, Washington and reassigned to the 4703d Defense Wing
; the 83d FIS to Paine AFB
, Washington and transferred to the 4704th Defense Wing. The 84th remained at Hamilton AFB.
The unit was reactivated in 1955 by replacing the 566th Air Defense Group at Hamilton AFB. The 566th Air Base Group was activated as the host unit at Hamilton AFB in February 1952, when the 78th Fighter-Interceptor Wing was inactivated. On 16 February 1953, the 566th was redesignated as an Air Defense Group and assumed operational control of the 84th FIS, and later the 325th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
and 496th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron. The 566th was replaced by the 78th Fighter Group
(Air Defense) as result of ADC "Project Arrow" notable unit redesignation program on 18 August 1955 and the 84th FIS was assigned to it. Its 83d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron returned without personnel or equipment to Hamilton and was reassigned to the group, taking over the personnel and equipment of the 325th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
, which moved without personnel or equipment to Truax Field, Wisconsin. On 18 October 1956, the 78th Fighter Wing was once again activated and the group transferred its maintenance and support functions to other groups. The group flew numerous interceptors for West Coast air defense until its inactivation on 1 February 1961 when group components were assigned directly to the 78th Fighter Wing as the 78th converted to the tri-deputate system.
*Note: Became subordinate unit of the 78th Fighter Wing on 24 September 1948
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. It was last assigned to the 78th Fighter Wing, being assigned to Hamilton Air Force Base
Hamilton 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. It was inactivated on 1 February 1961.
During World War II the group was an Eighth Air Force
Eighth Air Force
The Eighth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Global Strike Command . It is headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana....
fighter unit stationed in England assigned primarily to RAF Duxford. It claimed 338 air and 358 ground aircraft destroyed. It flew its last mission on 13 April 1945.
World War II
Eighth Air Force
The Eighth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Global Strike Command . It is headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana....
. The group lost its P-38's and most of its pilots in February 1943 when they were assigned to Twelfth Air Force for service in the North African campaign.
The group was reassigned to Duxford airfield in April 1943 and reequipped with P-47s. Aircraft of the group were identified by a black/white chequerboard pattern.
The group consisted of the following squadrons:
- 82d Fighter Squadron (MX)
- 83d Fighter Squadron83d Fighter Weapons SquadronThe 83d Fighter Weapons Squadron is an United States Air Force unit, assigned to the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group, being stationed at Tyndall AFB, Florida.-Overview:...
(HL) - 84th Fighter Squadron84th Flying Training SquadronThe 84th Flying Training Squadron is part of the 47th Flying Training Wing based at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. It operates T-6 Texan II aircraft conducting flight training.-World War II:...
(WZ)
From Duxford, the 78th flew many missions to escort B-17/B-24bombers that attacked industries, submarine yards and docks, V-weapon sites, and other targets on the Continent. The unit also engaged in counter-air activities and on numerous occasions strafed and dive-bombed airfields, trains, vehicles, barges, tugs, canal locks, barracks, and troops.
In addition to other operations, the 78th participated in the intensive campaign against the German Air Force
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....
and aircraft industry during Big Week, 20–25 February 1944
Big Week
Between February 20–25, 1944, as part of the European strategic bombing campaign, the United States Strategic Air Forces launched Operation Argument, a series of missions against the Third Reich that became known as Big Week. The planners intended to lure the Luftwaffe into a decisive battle by...
and helped to prepare the way for the invasion of France
D-Day
D-Day is a term often used in military parlance to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. "D-Day" often represents a variable, designating the day upon which some significant event will occur or has occurred; see Military designation of days and hours for similar...
. The group supported the landings in Normandy in June 1944 and contributed to the breakthrough at Saint-Lô
Saint-Lô
Saint-Lô is a commune in north-western France, the capital of the Manche department in Normandy.-History:Originally called Briovère , the town is built on and around ramparts. Originally it was a Gaul fortified settlement...
in July.
The group converted to P-51
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...
s in December 1944 and participated in the Battle of the Bulge
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was a major German offensive , launched toward the end of World War II through the densely forested Ardennes mountain region of Wallonia in Belgium, hence its French name , and France and...
, December 1944 – January 1945 and supported the airborne assault across the Rhine
Operation Varsity
Operation Varsity was a successful joint American–British airborne operation that took place toward the end of World War II...
in March.
The 78th Fighter Group received a Distinguished Unit Citation for activities connected with the airborne attack on Holland in September 1944 when the group covered troop carrier and bombardment operations and carried out strafing and dive-bombing missions. The group received a second DUC for destroying numerous aircraft on five airfields near Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
and Pilsen on 16 April 1945.
The 78th Fighter Group returned to Camp Kilmer
Camp Kilmer
Camp Kilmer, New Jersey is a former United States Army camp that was activated in June 1942 as a staging area and part of an installation of the New York Port of Embarkation. The camp was organized as part of the Army Service Forces Transportation Corps. Troops were quartered at Camp Kilmer in...
New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
and October 1945 and was inactivated in place on 18 October.
Cold War
368th Fighter Group
The 368th Fighter Group is an inactive United States Army Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the XII Tactical Air Command stationed at Fliegerhorst Straubing , Germany. It was deactivated on 20 August 1946....
, which was allotted to the National Guard, at Straubing, Germany. The group was reactivated due to the Air Force's policy of retaining only low-numbered groups on active duty after the war.
In Germany the group was assigned to the United States Air Forces in Europe
United States Air Forces in Europe
The United States Air Forces in Europe is the United States Air Force component of U.S. European Command, a Department of Defense unified command, and is one of two Air Force Major Commands outside of the continental United States, the other being the Pacific Air Forces...
XII Tactical Air Command
XII Tactical Air Command
The XII Tactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the United States Air Forces in Europe, based at Bad Kissingen, Germany...
for duty with the occupation force. The group was assigned to AAF Station Straubing, and flew the former 368th's P-47 Thunderbolt
P-47 Thunderbolt
Republic Aviation's P-47 Thunderbolt, also known as the "Jug", was the largest, heaviest, and most expensive fighter aircraft in history to be powered by a single reciprocating engine. It was heavily armed with eight .50-caliber machine guns, four per wing. When fully loaded, the P-47 weighed up to...
s from the airfield. The group was transferred, without personnel and equipment, to Mitchel Field, New York in June 1947.
At Mitchel, the group remained in active duty status and was assigned to Air Defense Command. The group was manned with a small cadre of personnel, being equipped with a few P-51D Mustangs. On 16 November 1948, the 78th was reassigned to Hamilton AFB, California where it was assigned of ADC's Fourth Air Force
Fourth Air Force
The Fourth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Reserve . It is headquartered at March Air Reserve Base, California....
. At that time the 78th Fighter Wing was established by the Hobson reorganization plan, with the 78th Fighter Group becoming a component of the wing, controlling its flying resources.
In February 1949, the 78th Fighter Group received the first of the new production F-84 Thunderjet
F-84 Thunderjet
The Republic F-84 Thunderjet was an American turbojet fighter-bomber aircraft. Originating as a 1944 United States Army Air Forces proposal for a "day fighter", the F-84 flew in 1946...
s, with these aircraft going to the assigned 82d, 83d and 84th Fighter Squadrons. The F-84s became problematic with cracks appearing in wing spars or skin beginning in September. The group lost four jets in accidents by the end of the year.
On 1 July 1949, Air Defense Command was inactivated as a major command, the 78th Fighter Wing being assigned to Continental Air Command
Continental Air Command
Continental Air Command was a Major Command of the United States Air Force responsible primarily for administering the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve.-Lineage:...
(ConAC). On 1 September 1949 ConAC created the Western Air Defense Force
Western Air Defense Force
The Western Air Defense Force is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Air Defense Command being stationed at Hamilton Air Force Base, California. It was inactivated on July 1, 1960.- History :...
, to which the 78th Fighter Wing was assigned. Redesignated the 78th Fighter-Interceptor Group in January 1950.
With the breakout of the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
in June 1950, the 78th Fighter Group was the only remaining ConAC F-84 unit with an air defense commitment, the group lost many personnel which were reassigned to Far East Air Force units engaging in combat with deployed units. The personnel losses were replaced with less-experienced federalized Air Force Reserve or 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...
personnel. At the same time, ConAC placed the 78th Fighter Group on 24/7 air defense alert status, with the three squadrons rotating among themselves for one day on and two days off alert periods.
Throughout this period, the F-84s remained problematic with wing integrity, the group having only 50 of its authorized 70 aircraft operational, as a third of its aircraft had been sent to Republic Aircraft or Air Materiel Command depots for repairs. This led to excess hours being put on the remaining aircraft, reducing their designed operational life. By the first quarter of 1951, the number of operational aircraft on station was reduced to 44, with only 34 actually being combat ready. The manpower shortage was worse, with only seven of the forty combat-rated pilots being available, the remainder being assigned Europe or combat duty in Korea.
In June 1951, the 78th Fighter Group received the first four of the F-89B Scorpions, as a replacement for the F-84 Thunderjets. The Scorpions were assigned to the 83d and 84th Fighter Squadrons, while the 82d retained the best of the groups remaining F-84s, while the remainder were either shipped as replacement aircraft to South Korea or sent to Republic for refurbishing.
By the end of 1951, the 82d Fighter Squadron stood alert during daylight hours while the other two squadrons rotated night and fowl weather duties. The F-89s, however, were rushed into service too rapidly. There were not enough trained pilots and radar operators, and there were not enough maintenance personnel who knew the intricacies of the complex and troublesome Hughes E-1 fire control system. The in-service rate of the F-89B was appallingly low, and crashes were all too frequently.
The 78th Fighter Group was inactivated on 6 February 1952 along with its parent wing as part of an ADC reorganization, being replaced by the 4702d Defense Wing when Hamilton was placed under the ADC 28th Air Division. Two of he inactivated 78th's squadrons were tramsferred. The 82d was transferred to Larson AFB, Washington and reassigned to the 4703d Defense Wing
4703d Defense Wing
The 4703d Defense Wing is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the 25th Air Division, being stationed at Hamilton Air Force Base, California...
; the 83d FIS to Paine AFB
Paine Air National Guard Base
Paine Air Force Base is a closed United States Air Force base, approximately 6 miles southwest of Everett, Washington. It was active during World War II as a IV Fighter Command air defense field for the Seattle, Washington area and during the Cold War as an Air Defense Command interceptor base...
, Washington and transferred to the 4704th Defense Wing. The 84th remained at Hamilton AFB.
The unit was reactivated in 1955 by replacing the 566th Air Defense Group at Hamilton AFB. The 566th Air Base Group was activated as the host unit at Hamilton AFB in February 1952, when the 78th Fighter-Interceptor Wing was inactivated. On 16 February 1953, the 566th was redesignated as an Air Defense Group and assumed operational control of the 84th FIS, and later the 325th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
325th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
The 325th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit, last assigned to the Air Defense Command, being stationed at Truax Field, Wisconsin. The squadron was inactivated on June 25, 1966.-History:...
and 496th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron. The 566th was replaced by the 78th Fighter Group
78th Fighter Group
The 78th Fighter Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 78th Fighter Wing, being assigned to Hamilton Air Force Base, California. It was inactivated on 1 February 1961....
(Air Defense) as result of ADC "Project Arrow" notable unit redesignation program on 18 August 1955 and the 84th FIS was assigned to it. Its 83d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron returned without personnel or equipment to Hamilton and was reassigned to the group, taking over the personnel and equipment of the 325th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
325th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
The 325th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit, last assigned to the Air Defense Command, being stationed at Truax Field, Wisconsin. The squadron was inactivated on June 25, 1966.-History:...
, which moved without personnel or equipment to Truax Field, Wisconsin. On 18 October 1956, the 78th Fighter Wing was once again activated and the group transferred its maintenance and support functions to other groups. The group flew numerous interceptors for West Coast air defense until its inactivation on 1 February 1961 when group components were assigned directly to the 78th Fighter Wing as the 78th converted to the tri-deputate system.
Lineage
- Constituted as 78th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) on 13 January 1942
- Activated on 9 February 1942
- Redesignated 78th Fighter Group in May 1942.
- Inactivated on 18 October 1945.
- Activated in Germany on 20 August 1946, replacing the 368th Fighter Group368th Fighter GroupThe 368th Fighter Group is an inactive United States Army Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the XII Tactical Air Command stationed at Fliegerhorst Straubing , Germany. It was deactivated on 20 August 1946....
*
- Activated in Germany on 20 August 1946, replacing the 368th Fighter Group
- Redesignated 78 Fighter-Interceptor Group on 20 January 1950
- Inactivated on 6 February 1952
- Redesignated 78th Fighter Group (Air Defense), and activated 18 August 1955
- Inactivated on 1 February 1961
*Note: Became subordinate unit of the 78th Fighter Wing on 24 September 1948
Assignments
- IV Fighter CommandIV Fighter CommandThe IV Fighter Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to Fourth Air Force, based at Oakland Airport, California...
, 9 February 1942 - VIII Fighter CommandVIII Fighter CommandThe VIII Fighter Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the United States Air Forces in Europe, being stationed at RAF Honington, England. It was inactivated on 20 March 1946....
, 29 November 1942. - 4th Air Defense Wing, 30 June 1943
- 65th Fighter Wing, 7 August 1943.
- 66th Fighter Wing66th Fighter Wing (World War II)The 66th Fighter Wing is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the VIII Fighter Command, being stationed at RAF Troston, England...
, 18 August 1943.
- Attached to: 3d Bombardment (later Air) Division, 5 September 1944 – 10 October 1945
- United States Air Forces in EuropeUnited States Air Forces in EuropeThe United States Air Forces in Europe is the United States Air Force component of U.S. European Command, a Department of Defense unified command, and is one of two Air Force Major Commands outside of the continental United States, the other being the Pacific Air Forces...
, 20 August 1946 – 15 June 1947 - Air Defense Command,30 June 1947
- 78th Fighter Wing (later 78th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, 16 November 1948 – 6 February 1952
- 28th Air Division, 18 August 1955 - 18 October 1956
- 78th Fighter Wing (Air Defense), 18 October 1956 – 1 February 1961
- United States Air Forces in Europe
Components
- 82nd Pursuit (later Fighter, Fighter-Interceptor, Fighter) Squadron: 9 February 1942 – 18 October 1945; 20 August 1946-6 February 1952; attached 9 January 1957 – 1 July 1960
- 83rd Pursuit (later Fighter, Fighter-Interceptor, Fighter) Squadron: 9 February 1942 – 18 October 1945; 20 August 1946—6 February 1952; 18 August 1955 - 1 February 1961
- 84th Pursuit (later Fighter, Fighter-Interceptor, Fighter) Squadron: 9 February 1942 – 18 October 1945; 20 August 1946 - 6 February 1952; 18 August 1955 - 1 February 1961
- 78th USAF Hospital, 18 August 1955 - 18 October 1956
- 78th Air Base Squadron 18 August 1955 - 18 October 1956
- 78th Air Police Squadron, 18 August 1955 - 18 October 1956
- 78th Food Service Squadron, 18 August 1955 - 18 October 1956
- 78th Field Maintenance Squadron, 18 August 1955 -19 October 1956
- 78th Installations Squadron, 18 August 1955 - 18 October 1956
- 78th Motor Vehicle Squadron, 18 August 1955
- 78th Operations Squadron, 18 August 1955 - 18 October 1956
- 78th Supply Squadron, 18 August 1955 - 18 October 1956
Stations
- Baer Field, IndianaIndianaIndiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
9 February 1942 - Muroc AAFld, California 30 April 1942
- Hamilton Field, California May–November 1942
- RAF GoxhillRAF GoxhillRAF Goxhill is a former Royal Air Force and United States Army Air Force station in England. It is located just to the east of the village of Goxhill, on the south bank of the Humber estuary, opposite the city of Kingston upon Hull, in north Lincolnshire....
(USAAF Station 345), England December 1942 - RAF Duxford (USAAF Station 357), England April 1943 – October 1945
- Camp KilmerCamp KilmerCamp Kilmer, New Jersey is a former United States Army camp that was activated in June 1942 as a staging area and part of an installation of the New York Port of Embarkation. The camp was organized as part of the Army Service Forces Transportation Corps. Troops were quartered at Camp Kilmer in...
, New JerseyNew JerseyNew Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
16–18 October 1945 - AAF Station StraubingStraubing Wallmuhle AirportStraubing Wallmuhle Airport is a regional airport in Germany, located about 3 miles north-northwest of Straubing ; about 250 miles south-southwest of BerlinIt supports general aviation with no commercial airline service scheduled.-History:...
, Germany, 20 August 1946 – June 1947
- Tenant unit, station (Mansfield Kaserne) under United States ArmyUnited States ArmyThe United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
control- Mitchel Field, New York June 1947
- Hamilton Air Force BaseHamilton Air Force BaseHamilton 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 November 1948 - 6 February 1952; 18 August 1955 - 1 February 1961
Aircraft assigned
- P-38 Lightning (1942–43)
- P-47 Thunderbolt (1943–44)
- 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...
(1944–45, 1949–52) - F-84 ThunderjetF-84 ThunderjetThe Republic F-84 Thunderjet was an American turbojet fighter-bomber aircraft. Originating as a 1944 United States Army Air Forces proposal for a "day fighter", the F-84 flew in 1946...
(1949–52) - F-89 ScorpionF-89 ScorpionThe Northrop F-89 Scorpion was an early American jet-powered fighter designed from the outset as an all-weather interceptor. Though its straight wings limited its performance, it was among the first USAF jet fighters with guided missiles, and notably the first combat aircraft armed with air-to-air...
(1951–52, 1956–59)
- F-86 SabreF-86 SabreThe North American F-86 Sabre was a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as America's first swept wing fighter which could counter the similarly-winged Soviet MiG-15 in high speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War...
(1956–58) - F-102 Delta DaggerF-102 Delta DaggerThe Convair F-102 Delta Dagger was a US interceptor aircraft built as part of the backbone of the United States Air Force's air defenses in the late 1950s. Entering service in 1956, its main purpose was to intercept invading Soviet bomber fleets...
(1957–60) - F-104 StarfighterF-104 StarfighterThe Lockheed F-104 Starfighter is a single-engine, high-performance, supersonic interceptor aircraft originally developed for the United States Air Force by Lockheed. One of the Century Series of aircraft, it served with the USAF from 1958 until 1969, and continued with Air National Guard units...
(1958–60) - F-101 VoodooF-101 VoodooThe McDonnell F-101 Voodoo was a supersonic military jet fighter which served the United States Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force...
(1959–61) - F-106 Delta DartF-106 Delta DartThe Convair F-106 Delta Dart was the primary all-weather interceptor aircraft for the United States Air Force from the 1960s through the 1980s. Designed as the so-called "Ultimate Interceptor", it has proven to be the last dedicated interceptor in USAF service to date...
(1959–60)