79th Fighter Group
Encyclopedia
The 79th Fighter Group is an inactive United States Air Force
unit. It was last assigned to the Air Defense Command 30th Air Division, being assigned to Youngstown Air Force Base, Ohio
. It was inactivated on 1 March 1960.
, October–November 1942, and became part of Ninth Air Force
.
Trained with P-40 Warhawks's while moving westward in the wake of the British drive across Egypt and Libya
to Tunisia
. Although many of the group's pilots flew combat missions with other organizations, the 79th group itself did not begin operations until March 1943. By escorting bombers, attacking enemy shipping, and supporting ground forces, the 79th took part in the Allied operations that defeated Axis forces in North Africa
, captured Pantelleria
, and conquered Sicily
, the group being awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for its support of British Eighth Army during that period, March–August 1943.
Assigned to Twelfth Air Force in August 1943 and continued to support British Eighth Army by attacking troop concentrations, gun positions, bridges, roads, and rail lines in southern Italy
. Operated in the area of the Anzio
beachhead, January–March 1944. Participated in the drive on Rome
, March–June 1944, and converted to P-47 Thunderbolt
s during that time. Flew escort and strafing missions in southern France
during August and September 1944, and afterward engaged in interdictory and close support operations in northern Italy. Received second DUC for numerous missions flown at minimum altitude in intense flak to help pierce the enemy line at the Santerno River in Italy, 16–20 April 1945.
Remained overseas as part of United States Air Forces in Europe
after the war as part of the occupation force. Transferred, without personnel and equipment, to the US in June 1947. Inactivated on 15 July 1947.
.
The Air Force transferred command of Youngstown AFB to Continental Air Command
(ConAC) (now the Air Force Reserve Command) on 1 March 1960 and the 79th Fighter Group was inactivated that date.
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 Air Defense Command 30th Air Division, being assigned to Youngstown Air Force Base, 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...
. It was inactivated on 1 March 1960.
World War II
Constituted as 79th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) on 13 January 1942. Activated on 9 February 1942. Redesignated 79th Fighter Group in May 1942. Moved to EgyptEgypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, October–November 1942, and became part of Ninth Air Force
Ninth Air Force
The Ninth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command . It is headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina....
.
Trained with P-40 Warhawks's while moving westward in the wake of the British drive across Egypt and Libya
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
to Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
. Although many of the group's pilots flew combat missions with other organizations, the 79th group itself did not begin operations until March 1943. By escorting bombers, attacking enemy shipping, and supporting ground forces, the 79th took part in the Allied operations that defeated Axis forces in North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
, captured Pantelleria
Pantelleria
Pantelleria , the ancient Cossyra, is an Italian island in the Strait of Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea, southwest of Sicily and just east of the Tunisian coast. Administratively Pantelleria is a comune belonging to the Sicilian province of Trapani...
, and conquered Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
, the group being awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for its support of British Eighth Army during that period, March–August 1943.
Assigned to Twelfth Air Force in August 1943 and continued to support British Eighth Army by attacking troop concentrations, gun positions, bridges, roads, and rail lines in southern Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. Operated in the area of the Anzio
Anzio
Anzio is a city and comune on the coast of the Lazio region of Italy, about south of Rome.Well known for its seaside harbour setting, it is a fishing port and a departure point for ferries and hydroplanes to the Pontine Islands of Ponza, Palmarola and Ventotene...
beachhead, January–March 1944. Participated in the drive on Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, March–June 1944, and converted to 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 during that time. Flew escort and strafing missions in southern France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
during August and September 1944, and afterward engaged in interdictory and close support operations in northern Italy. Received second DUC for numerous missions flown at minimum altitude in intense flak to help pierce the enemy line at the Santerno River in Italy, 16–20 April 1945.
Remained overseas as part of 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...
after the war as part of the occupation force. Transferred, without personnel and equipment, to the US in June 1947. Inactivated on 15 July 1947.
Air Defense Command
Assigned to Air Defense Command and redesignated 79th Fighter Group (Air Defense). Activated 18 August 1955 at Youngstown AFB, Ohio as result of ADC "Project Arrow" notable unit redesignation program. Provided air defense over eastern Ohio as part of 30th Air Division, Central Air Defense ForceCentral Air Defense Force
The Central Air Defense Force is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Air Defense Command being stationed at Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base, Missouri. It was deactivated on July 1, 1960.-History:...
.
The Air Force transferred command of Youngstown AFB 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) (now the Air Force Reserve Command) on 1 March 1960 and the 79th Fighter Group was inactivated that date.
Lineage
- Constituted as 79th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) on 13 Jan 1942
- Activated on 9 Feb 1942
- Redesignated 79th Fighter Group in May 1942.
- Inactivated on 15 Jul 1947
- Established as 502d Air Defense Group on 16 Feb 1953
- Redesignated as 79th Fighter Group (Air Defense) on 20 Jun 1955
- Activated on 18 Aug 1955 by redesignation of 502d Air Defense Group502d Air Defense GroupThe 502d Air Defense Group is a disbanded United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the 4708th Air Defense Wing, being stationed at Youngstown Municipal Airport, Ohio...
- Inactivated on 1 Mar 1960
Assignments
- III Fighter CommandIII Fighter CommandThe III Fighter Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Third Air Force stationed at MacDill Field, Florida. It was inactivated on 8 April 1946.-Lineage:...
, 9 Feb 1942 - I Fighter CommandI Fighter CommandThe I Fighter Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the First Air Force, based at Mitchel Army Airfield, New York...
, 22 Jun 1942
- Attached to: Boston Fighter Wing, 1 Aug – 28 Sep 1942
- IX Fighter CommandIX Fighter CommandThe IX Fighter Command is an inactive United States Army Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the Ninth Air Force, based at Erlangen, Germany. It was inactivated on 16 November 1945....
, 18 Nov 1942 - Twelfth Air Force, 1 Aug 1943 – 20 Mar 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...
, Jul 1945 – 25 Jun 1947 - 30th Air Division, 18 Aug 1955 – 1 Mar 1960
- IX Fighter Command
Operational units
- 85th Fighter Squadron: 9 Feb 1942 – 15 Jul 1947
- 86th Fighter (later Fighter-Interceptor) Squadron86th Fighter-Interceptor SquadronThe 86th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 79th Fighter Group, stationed at Youngstown Air Force Base, Ohio...
: 9 Feb 1942 – 15 Jul 1947; 18 Aug 1955-1 Mar 1960 - 87th Fighter Squadron: 9 Feb 1942 – 15 Jul 1947
- 99th Fighter Squadron: 16 Oct 1943 – 1 Apr 1944 (Attached)
- 316th Fighter Squadron: 15 Mar – 21 May 1943 (Attached)
Stations
- Dale Mabry FieldDale Mabry FieldDale Mabry Field was an early airfield located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States established in 1928 and replaced by Tallahassee Regional Airport. It was located at what is now Appleyard Drive and W...
, Florida, 9 February 1942 - Morris Field, North CarolinaNorth CarolinaNorth Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
c. 1 May 1942 - Hillsgrove Army Airfield, Rhode IslandRhode IslandThe state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
c. 22 June 1942 - Bedford Army Airfield, MassachusettsMassachusettsThe Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
2 July – 28 September 1942 - EgyptEgyptEgypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
18 November 1942 - LibyaLibyaLibya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
c. 25 January 1943 - TunisiaTunisiaTunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
c. 12 March 1943 - SicilySicilySicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
16 July 1943 - Southern Italy c. 15 September 1943
- Foggia Airfield, Italy c. 9 October 1943
- Madna Airfield, Italy 19 November 1943
- Capodichino Airport, Naples, Italy, January 1944
- Pomigliano AirfieldPomigliano AirfieldPomigliano Airfield was a military airfield and base in Pomigliano d'Arco, southern Italy. It was attacked on several occasions by the United States Army Air Force...
, Italy 1 May 1944 - CorsicaCorsicaCorsica is an island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is located west of Italy, southeast of the French mainland, and north of the island of Sardinia....
June 1944 - St. Raphael/Frejus Airfield (Y-12), France c. 25 August 1944
- Valance Airfield (Y-23), France, Sep 1944
- Iesi AirfieldIesi AirfieldIesi Airfield is an abandoned World War II military airfield in central Italy, which was located near Jesi, in the province of Ancona in Marche....
, Italy October 1944 - Fano Airfield, Italy c. 5 December 1944
- Cesenatico Airfield, Italy c. 20 March 1945
- AAF Station Hoersching, Austria, July 1945 – 25 June 1947
- Langley Field, VirginiaVirginiaThe Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, 25 June – 15 July 1947 - Youngstown AFB, OhioOhioOhio 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...
, 18 August 1955 – 1 Mar 1960
Aircraft flown
- Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, 1942
- Republic P-47 Thunderbolt 1942–1945
- 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...
, 1955–1960