378th Fighter Squadron

378th Fighter Squadron
378th Fighter Squadron
	378th Fighter Squadron F-35 Lightning II, 2022
Active	1943–1946; 2015–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Fighter
Part of	Air Combat Command
Garrison/HQ	Truax Field Air National Guard Base
Nickname(s)	"Gundogs"[ citation needed ]
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation
Insignia
378th Fighter Squadron emblem
378th Fighter Squadron emblem (World War II)
Aircraft flown
Fighter	F-15C Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-35 Lightning II

Last updated January 07, 2025

The 378th Fighter Squadron is an active duty fighter squadron in the United States Air Force whose mission is to fly, maintain and support F-16 and F-35 aircraft. It is assigned to the 495th Fighter Group, of Air Combat Command and is stationed at Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field, Wisconsin. It was last activated on 8 November 2015.

History

Established on 1 March 1943 at Westover Field, Massachusetts as the 362d Fighter Group, equipped with Republic P-47 Thunderbolts. Deployed to the European Theater of Operations and assigned to Ninth Air Force in England. Engaged in combat operations until May 1945.^{[ citation needed ]}

Returned to the United States in August–September 1945, and assigned to First Air Force at Seymour Johnson Field, North Carolina, being programmed for deployment to Okinawa to take part in the planned Invasion of Japan. As a result of the Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the sudden end of the Pacific War, the deployment plans were canceled, however the unit was retained as part of the Second Air Force under Continental Air Forces and reassigned to Biggs Field, Texas, being equipped with North American P-51 Mustangs. Inactivated on 1 August due to postwar budget restrictions.^{[ citation needed ]}

Active Associate Unit

In 2008, Air Force leadership recognized that the changing force structure demanded creative ways to generate experienced fighter pilots. The solution was to capitalize on the experience and assets of the Guard and Reserve. This Total Force Integration initiative became Active Association, whereby Regular Air Force personnel work side-by-side with host Air Reserve and Air National Guard Component units in a mutually beneficial relationship. Total Force Integration is a vital enterprise aimed at maximizing the combined contributions of the Active and Reserve components, while ensuring "right-sizing" of component mix. The 378th Fighter Squadron will continue to lead the Air Force's pilot absorption efforts and the partnerships will allow active-duty and Air National Guard fighter units to share resources, reduce duplications of effort, and ultimately, increase the Air Force's overall air defense capabilities in order to enhance the ability to provide dominant combat airpower for America.^{[ citation needed ]}

Lineage

Constituted as the 378th Fighter Squadron on 11 February 1943

Activated on 1 March 1943

Inactivated on 1 August 1946

Activated on 8 November 2015^[2]

Assignments

362d Fighter Group, 1 March 1943 – 1 August 1946
495th Fighter Group, 8 November 2015^[2]

Stations

Westover Field, Massachusetts, 1 March 1943
Bradley Field, Connecticut, 22 June 1943
Groton Field, Connecticut, 2 August 1943
Mitchel Field, New York, 19 October – 12 November 1943
RAF Wormingford (AAF-159), England, 30 November 1943
RAF Headcorn (AAF-412), England, 13 April 1944
Lignerolles Airfield (A-12), France, 2 July 1944
Rennes/St-Jacques Airfield (A-27), France, 10 August 1944

Prosnes Airfield (A-79), France, 19 September 1944
Verdun Airfield (A-82), France, 5 November 1944
Frankfurt/Rhine-Main Airfield (Y-73), Germany, 8 April 1945
Furth/Industriehafen Airfield (R-30), Germany, 30 April 1945
Illesheim Airfield (R-10), Germany, 3 May 1945
AAF Station Straubing, Germany, 12 May–August 1945
Seymour Johnson Field, North Carolina, 5 September 1945
Biggs Field, Texas, 3 December 1945 – 1 August 1946
Truax Field Air National Guard Base, Wisconsin, 8 November 2015 - present^[2]

Aircraft

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt, 1943–1945
North American P-51H Mustang, 1945–1946
F-15 Eagle, 2015-2023
F-16 Fighting Falcon, 2015-Present
F-35 Lightning II, 2022-Present

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">354th Operations Group</span> Military unit

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">48th Operations Group</span> Military unit

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References

Notes

↑ Watkins, p. 30
1 2 3 Haulman, Daniel L. (10 December 2015). "Factsheet 378 Fighter Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 28 December 2024.

Bibliography

This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556.
- * Watkins, Robert (2008). Battle Colors. Vol. III Insignia and Markings of the Ninth Air Force In World War II. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-0-7643-2938-8.

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[1] Watkins, p. 30

[378FGfacts-2] 1 2 3 Haulman, Daniel L. (10 December 2015). "Factsheet 378 Fighter Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 28 December 2024.

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