366th Fighter Squadron

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366th Fighter Squadron
Active 1943 – 1945, 1972 – Present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
Role Fighter
Part of Air Force Reserve Command
Garrison/HQ Youngstown Air Reserve Station
Equipment General Dynamics F-16C/D Fighting Falcon
Engagements European Theater of Operations
Operation Northern Watch
Operation Southern Watch
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Decorations Distinguished Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
French Croix de Guerre with Palm
Insignia
Tail code (since 1972) YG

The 366th Fighter Squadron is part of the Air Force Reserve Command's 275th Fighter Wing at Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio. Originally formed on 1 January 1943 as the 366th Fighter Squadron (Single Engine), the squadron participated in the European Theatre of Operations and was inactivated on 7 November 1945. The 366th was reactivated as a reserve squadron in April 1972, flying Republic F-105 Thunderchiefs from Youngstown Air Force Base, Ohio. The unit transitioned to the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II in 1982, flying it until transitioning to the General Dynamics F-16A/B Fighting Falcon in 1993. In 1999, the 366th transitioned to their current aircraft, the General Dynamics F-16C/D Fighting Falcon with which they have conducted air superiority missions over Iraq as a part of Operation Northern Watch and Operation Iraqi Freedon.


History

World War II

The 366th began their WWII service by flying bomber escort missions for the Eighth and Ninth Air Forces. In April and May 1944, the 366th flew dive bombing missions against German marshalling yards and airfields in preparation for Operation Overlord. On D-Day and 7 June 1944, the 366th escorted troop carrier formations landing on the Cotentin Peninsula. For the remainder of June 1944, the 366th attacked rail lines, troop formations, bridges, and transportation infrastructure before moving to Cretteville France in July. From Cretteville, the squadron took part in operations resulting in the Allied breakthrough at St Lo, continuing to fly escort, interdiction, and close air support missions throughout 1944 and 1945. The squadron remained in Germany until VE Day in July 1945, returning to the United States where it would be inactivated on 7 November 1945.

Air Force Reserve

Lineage

  • Constituted as the 366th Fighter Squadron (Single Engine) on 20 December 1942
Activated on 1 January 1943
Inactivated on 7 November 1945
  • Redesignated 366th Tactical Fighter Squadron on 13 April 1972
Activated in the Reserve on 13 April 1972
Redesignated 366th Fighter Squadron on 1 October 1993

Assignments

  • 358th Fighter Group: 1 February 1943 – 7 November 1945
  • 950th Tactical Fighter Group: 13 April 1972 – 9 March 1983
  • 275th Tactical Fighter Wing: 9 March 1983 – 1 October 1993
  • 275th Operations Group: 1 October 1993 – Present

Stations

Aircraft

Currently operated F-16C/D Block 30 Fighting Falcons of the 366th FS


Important: This is an Alternate Universe version of the 366th FS and, while the WWII history is more or less real, should not be considered historical in any way.