306th Fighter Wing
# 306th Fighter Wing

The 306th Fighter Wing (306th FW) was a World War II United States Army Air Forces organization assigned to Fifteenth Air Force as an intermediate-level command and control organization. It was last stationed at Drew Field, Florida and was inactivated on 7 November 1945.

## History

### World War II

The first predecessor of the 356th Special Operations Wing was the 306th Fighter Wing of World War II.

Constituted originally as the 306th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) on 7 December 1943. Activated in Italy on 15 January 1944. Assigned to Fifteenth Air Force.

Entered combat in Mar as a fighter organization. Redesignated 306th Fighter Wing in May 1944. Operated in the Mediterranean and European theaters until the end of the war.

Moved to the US, July–August 1945. Inactivated on 7 November 1945.

### Vietnam War

The second predecessor of the wing was the 656th Special Operations Wing, which replaced the 56th Special Operations Wing in Thailand in 1975.

### Consolidation and redesignation

The two wings were consolidated as the 356th Special Operations Wing in 1985, but have not been active since.

## Lineage

### 306th Fighter Wing

* Constituted as the 306th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) on 7 December 1943

    Activated on 15 January 1944.
    Redesignated 306th Fighter Wing in May 1944
    Inactivated on 7 November 1945
* Consolidated with the 656th Special Operations Wing as the 356th Special Operations Wing on 31 July 1985

### 656th Special Operations Wing

* Established as the 656th Special Operations Wing on 14 May 1975 (not organized)

    Activated on 30 June 1975
    Inactivated on 22 September 1975.
* Consolidated with the 306th Fighter Wing as the 356th Special Operations Wing on 31 July 1985

### Assignments

* Fifteenth Air Force, 15 January 1944 – 15 July 1945
* Third Air Force, August − 7 November 1945
* Thirteenth Air Force, 30 June 1975
* 17th Air Division, 1 July – 22 September 1975

### Stations

* Bari Airfield, Italy, 15 January 1944
* Foggia Airfield, Italy, 27 January 1944
* Lucera Airfield, Italy, 23 February 1944
* Torremaggiore, Italy, 8 March 1944
* Lesina Airfield, Italy, 3 September 1944
* Fano Airfield, Italy, 5 March – 15 July 1945
* Drew Field, Florida, August −7 November 1945
* Nakhon Phanom Airport, Thailand, 30 June – 22 September 1975

### Components

**Groups**

* 1st Fighter Group, 27 March – November 1944
* 14th Fighter Group, 1 November 1943 – 27 March 1944
* 31st Fighter Group, 2 April 1944 – 13 June 1945
* 52d Fighter Group, 14 May 1944 – 13 June 1945
* 82d Fighter Group, 27 March 1944 – 13 June 1945
* 325th Fighter Group, December 1943 – 13 June 1945
* 332d Fighter Group, 28 May 1944 – 13 June 1945

**Squadrons**

* 21st Special Operations Squadron, attached 30 June – 22 September 1975
* 23rd Flying Training Squadron, attached 30 June – 22 September 1975

### Aircraft

* P-47 Thunderbolt, 1943–1944
* P-51 Mustang, 1944–1945
* Sikorsky CH-53, 1975
* North American OV-10 Bronco, 1975
