355th Wing History

355th Fighter Group

The 355th Fighter Group activated Nov. 12, 1942, at Orlando Army Air Base, Fla., and began flying the Republic P47 "Thunderbolt" aircraft. The 354th, 357th and 358th Fighter Squadrons comprised the group as it quickly prepared for combat in World War II. In July 1943, the 355th moved to Steeple Morden, England. The group first saw combat in September when pilots escorted bombers attacking industrial areas of Berlin, marshaling yards, airfields and oil production facilities. Group pilots also flew fighter sweeps, area patrols and their own bombing missions, destroying enemy supply and communication lines.

After converting to the North American P51 "Mustang" in April 1944, the 355th FG pilots quickly gained acclaim as "The Steeple Morden Strafers" for their weapons expertise. The group successfully bombed and strafed German airdromes during snow storm April 5, 1944, resulting in a Distinguished Unit Citation. On D-Day, the 355th provided fighter cover and visual reconnaissance for allied forces landing in Normandy. The fighter group continued combat operations until April 25, 1945. During the war, the Steeple Morden Strafers destroyed or damaged 1,500 enemy planes, accumulating more than 17,000 sorties. By July 1945, the group had moved to Gablingen, Germany. The 355th FG inactivated Nov. 20, 1946.

Nearly nine years later, Aug. 18, 1955, the 355th FG reactivated at McGhee-Tyson Airport, Tenn., flying the North American F-86D "Sabrejet" under the Air Defense Command. For the next two years, the 355th provided fighter defense for the Atomic Energy Plant, Oak Ridge, Tenn., the ALCOA Aluminum Plant, the Tennessee Valley Authority dams and the eastern region of the United States. Then in January 1958, it inactivated.

355th Tactical Fighter Wing

April 13, 1962, the 355th reactivated at George AFB, Calif., as the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, flying the Republic F-105 "Thunderchief" and training pilots in tactical fighter operations. After two years, the wing transferred to McConnell AFB, Kan., conducting F-105 aircrew training and deploying tactical squadrons overseas for combat duty in Southeast Asia. By November 1965, the 355th had transferred to Takhli, Thailand. From there, 355th pilots conducted air-to-air combat, ground strikes, armed reconnaissance, close air support and electronic warfare missions against North Vietnam. Between 1965 and 1970, the 355 TFW amassed more than 101,300 combat sorties, delivered 202,596 tons of bombs and destroyed 12,675 targets. Assigned pilots scored 22 MiG aerial victories, destroyed eight MiGs on the ground and damaged another nine.

The 355th earned three Presidential Unit Citations, a Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross and three Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with Valor. Also, of the 12 airmen awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War, two Capt Merlyn H. Dethlefsen and Maj. Leo K. Thorsness belonged to the 355th TFW. The wing was one again inactivated during the phasedown of the United States presence in Thailand.

The wing returned to duty six months later at Davis-Monthan AFB, this time flying the Vought A-7D "Corsair II." Assigned to 12th Air Force, the wing immediately began to build its A-7D fleet for training aircrews in a close air support role, attaining combat ready status Aug. 22, 1972. In March 1974, the wing conducted the first launch of a live AGM-65 Maverick missile from a remotely piloted vehicle, scoring a direct hit at Dugway Proving Grounds, Utah. In addition to drone missions and aircrew training, the 355th also supported many tactical exercises and deployments in the United States and overseas. For CONSTANT GUARD VI, the wing deployed two squadrons to Korat, Thailand.

In early 1975, the 355th TFW began conversion to the Fairchild Republic A-10A "Thunderbolt II," receiving its first four A-10s in March 1976. Once the wing had demonstrated the firepower and capabilities of the A-10 to U.S. and allied military leaders, its pilots began training all A-10 pilots prior to their first assignment. Between 1978 and 1979, the wing conducted OPERATION READY BENTWATERS, delivering 74 A-10s to the 81st TFW. Bentwaters; Royal Air Force Base, England. In the midst of such events, Davis-Monthan AFB officially transferred from Strategic Air Command to Tactical Air Command in September 1976, and the 355th TFW became the host wing.

355th Fighter Wing

In 1981, the 836th Air Division was activated on Davis-Monthan AFB and the wing was placed under it. The wing won the TAC Commander's Award for Top Aircraft Maintenance in the A-10 category and "Best A-10 Team" during the Long Rifle V gunnery competition held at Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C., in 1989. Members of the wing repeated both honors the very next year. Also during 1990, wing members deployed to Venezuela and to the Mideast in support of Desert Shield. The wing was redesignated as the 355th Fighter Wing, Oct. 1, 1991, and then the 355th Wing, May 1, 1992. On the same day, the 836th Air Division and the 602nd Tactical Air Control Wing were inactivated, and the 355th Wing went back under 12th Air Force and assumed duties once held by other units.

While the 355th Wing continues to train A/OA-10 aircrews for assignment to worldwide operational units, and is responsible for EC-130H aircrew training, it is also tasked to train and employ the EC-130E to provide airborne command, control, and communication capabilities for managing tactical air operations in war and other contingencies worldwide. The wing provides training for A-10 close support, OA-10 forward air controllers, air liaison officers, EC-130H Compass Call countermeasures, air control radar to unified commands and EC-130E airborne battlefield command and control of tactical air operations. Members of the wing also serve as executive agents for the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces and Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty compliance.

From the P47 "Thunderbolt" to the A-10 "Thunderbolt II," the wing has come full circle. Its members continue to maintain the high standards of excellence that has always been synonymous with the 355th for more than half a century.

Information provided by the 355th Wing Historian, TSgt Kim Smith
Current as of April 1995

Davis-Monthan AFB Web Server, United States Air Force, webguru@wg355.dm.af.mil

© Tom Pirtle 1997