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*[[A-10 Thunderbolt II]] (1996–present)
*[[A-10 Thunderbolt II]] (1996–present)
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==Notes==
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==References==
==References==
{{Portal box|United States Air Force|Military of the United States|World War II}}
{{AFHRA}}
{{AFHRA}}
{{Reflist}}
* Mauer, Mauer (1969), Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II, Air Force Historical Studies Office, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. ISBN 0-89201-097-5
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* A Handbook of Aerospace Defense Organization 1946 - 1980, by Lloyd H. Cornett and Mildred W. Johnson, Office of History, Aerospace Defense Center, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado
* Maurer, Maurer. ''[http://www.airforcehistory.hq.af.mil/Publications/fulltext/combat_sq_of_the_af_wwii.pdf Combat Squadrons of the Air Force: World War II]''. [[Maxwell Air Force Base]], Alabama: Office of Air Force History, 1982.
* USAF Aerospace Defense Command publication, The Interceptor, January 1979 (Volume 21, Number 1).
*[http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0074fs.html USAF 74th Fighter Squadron History]
*[http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0074fs.html USAF 74th Fighter Squadron History]
*[http://www.moody.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=4460 23d Fighter Group Fact Sheet]
*[http://www.moody.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=4460 23d Fighter Group Fact Sheet]
* {{cite web|last=Rossi |first=J.R. |url=http://www.flyingtigersavg.22web.net/ |title=AVG American Volunteer Group - Flying Tigers }}
* {{cite web|last=Rossi |first=J.R. |url=http://www.flyingtigersavg.22web.net/ |title=AVG American Volunteer Group - Flying Tigers }}
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==External links==
==External links==
{{Portal box|United States Air Force|Military of the United States}}

{{US Air Force navbox}}
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{{USAF Air Combat Command}}
{{USAF Air Combat Command}}

Revision as of 12:54, 25 August 2011

74th Fighter Squadron
74th Fighter Squadron Patch
Active4 July 1942 - 5 January 1946
10 October 1946 - 24 September 1949
12 January 1951 - 25 June 1958
1 July 1972 - 15 February 1992
15 June 1993 - present
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Air Force
TypeFighter
Part ofAir Combat Command
9th Air Force
23d Wing
23d Fighter Group
Garrison/HQMoody Air Force Base
Nickname(s)Flying Tigers
Decorations DUC
AFOUA
RVGC w/ Palm
Two A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft of the 74th Fighter Squadron

The 74th Fighter Squadron (74 FS) is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 23d Fighter Group and stationed at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia.

During World War II, the 74th Fighter Squadron was one of the three original squadrons (74th, 75th, 76th) of the 23d Fighter Group.

On 17 December 1941, the AVG 1st Fighter Squadron was redesignated as the 23d Pursuit Group 74th Pursuit Squadron and subsequently the 74th Fighter Squadron

History

The 23d was the United States Army Air Force China Air Task Force organization took over the operations of the 1st American Volunteer Group (AVG) of the Chinese Air Force when the AVG was disbanded.[1] Some members of the AVG joined or rejoined the United States Airforce.[2][3][4] Some volunteered to serve for an extra short period to help with the changover.[5]

The 74th was one of the original squadrons in the 23d to see combat action in the Far East. The Fighter Group used P-40 Warhawks, and later P-51 Mustangs, to cover a large operational area and diverse combat roles. The area of operation extended beyond China into Burma, French Indochina (Vietnam), and Formosa.

The mission taskings included counter air campaigns, strafing and bombing Japanese forces and installations, escorting bombers, flying reconnaissance missions, and intercepting Japanese bombers. The fighter group excelled in these roles and received the Distinguished Unit Citation for its exceptional performance during the war.

Following World War II, the 74th was activated at various times and locations throughout the world. From 1946-1949 the 74th flew the P-47 at Northwest Field, Guam. During the years of 1951-1954, the 74th flew the F-86 and F-94 at Presque Isle AFB, Maine. The 74th then moved to Thule AB, Greenland, from 1954–1958 and flew the F-89. During the period 1958-1972, the 74th was deactivated.

In July 1972, the 74th rejoined its sister squadrons for the first time since 1949 when the 23d Tactical Fighter Wing was activated at England Air Force Base LA. The 74th began operations flying the A-7 Corsair II in 1972 and transitioned into the A-10 "Thunderbolt II" in the summer of 1981.

During the 1980s, the 74th lived up to its proud history by receiving the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award five different times. The most recent combat tasking for the 74th was during Operations DESERT SHIELD/STORM. From September 1990 until April 11, 1991, the 74th earned high praise for its performance during the campaign against Iraq's elusive Scud-B mobile missile launchers.

On February 15, 1992, the 74th was again inactivated at England Air Force Base as part of the Air Force's force structure realignment. It was reactivated June 15, 1993 at Pope AFB NC as part of the 23d Wing, the second composite wing built from the ground up. The 74th began operations at Pope AFB flying the F-16C/D Fighting Falcon. In July 1996, the F-16s departed Pope AFB and the 74th Fighter Squadron transitioned back to the A-10 aircraft.

Lineage

  • 74th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (1941–1942)
  • 74th Fighter Squadron (1942–1944)
  • 74th Fighter Squadron, Single Engine (1944–1950)
  • 74th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (1950–1972)
  • 74th Tactical Fighter Squadron (1972–1991)
  • 74th Fighter Squadron (1991–present)

Assignments

Attached: 46th Fighter Wing (December 1947 - 16 August 1948)
Attached: 354th Tactical Fighter Wing (Deployed) (2 July - 28 December 1973)
Deployed to: Korat RTAFB, Thailand
Attached: 354th Tactical Fighter Wing, (Provisional) (20 December 1990 - 20 April 1991)
Deployed to: King Fahad International Airport, Saudi Arabia

Stations

Aircraft

References

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

  1. ^ Older, Chuck (1980s). "Hammerhead Stalls and Snap Rolls". The Flying Tigers - American Volunteer Group - Chinese Air Force.
  2. ^ Rossi, J.R. "Older biography". The Flying Tigers - American Volunteer Group - Chinese Air Force.
  3. ^ Rossi, J.R. "Adair biography". The Flying Tigers - American Volunteer Group - Chinese Air Force.
  4. ^ Rossi, J.R. "Bailey biography". The Flying Tigers - American Volunteer Group - Chinese Air Force.
  5. ^ Rossi, J.R. "Poshefko biography". The Flying Tigers - American Volunteer Group - Chinese Air Force.