A F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft assigned to the 122nd Fighter Wing taxis at the Fort Wayne Indiana Air National Guard Base in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Oct. 20, 2023. The aircraft was the first to arrive at the base since conversion began in April.
Ten original members of the 358th Fighter Group pose in front of the U.S. Air Force 122nd Fighter Wing's heritage jet at their final reunion, which was hosted by the 122nd Fighter Wing in Terre Haute AGB, Indiana in October 2008. The 358th FG, the "Orange Tails", was activated in January 1943. During the Second World War this unit was awarded three Distinguished Unit Citations and the Croix de Guerre.Republic P-47D-30-RA Thunderbolt Serial No. 44-33240 of the 356th Fighter Squadron
The 358th Fighter Group trained in the Mid-Atlantic United States with P-40 Warhawks, 1943. While in training also used for air defense of Philadelphia area. Moved to England during September and October 1943, they were equipped with P-47 Thunderbolts and began operations on 20 December 1943 and served in combat with Eighth and later, Ninth Air Forces until V-E Day.
In 2005 the wing introduced the reconnaissance Theater Airborne Reconnaissance System, becoming one of the first units to fly with it.
In 2008, after having flown for 17 years with the block 25 aircraft, these F-16s were nearing the end of their planned operational lifespans. The aircraft the 122nd received were only somewhat newer; Block 30 F-16C/Ds, manufactured between 1987 and 1989. These models were provided by the Michigan Air National Guard107th Fighter Squadron, which was then transitioning to the A-10 Thunderbolt II at the time. With the upgrade to the Block 30 aircraft, the tail code of the 163rd was changed from "FW" (Fort Wayne) to "IN" (Indiana) in 2009 when the 181st Fighter Wing at Hulman Field became a non-flying unit. However, only a few of the F-16s were re-coded.
In 2009 – the year the unit honored its predecessor unit – the 358th FG – with a heritage jet – it was decided that the squadron was to retire their 20-year-old F-16s and become an A-10 Thunderbolt II squadron. The conversion happened in 2010.
In 2023, the unit converted back to the F-16 platform as a result of the National Defense Authorization Act. These started arriving in October 2023 and will continue until all 21 have arrived.
Lineageedit
World War II 358th Fighter Group emblem2006 Operation Iraqi Freedom patch
Constituted as 358th Fighter Group on 20 December 1942
Activated on 1 January 1943
Inactivated on 7 November 1945
Re-designated: 122nd Fighter Group and allocated to Indiana ANG on 24 May 1946
Extended federal recognition on 9 December 1946
Federalized and ordered to active service on: 10 February 1951
Established as 122nd Fighter-Interceptor Wing, extended federal recognition and activated on 10 February 1951
Group re-designated as 122nd Fighter-Interceptor Group and assigned as subordinate unit
Inactivated on 7 February 1952
Released from active duty and returned to Indiana state control, 1 November 1952
Re-activated on 1 November 1952
Re-designated: 122nd Tactical Fighter Wing, 1 July 1954
Group re-designated 122nd Tactical Fighter Group
Re-designated: 122nd Tactical Fighter Wing (Special Delivery), 1 July 1959
Group re-designated 122nd Tactical Fighter Group (Special Delivery)
Federalized and ordered to active service on: 1 October 1961
Operated as: 7122nd Tactical Wing (Special Delivery), 1 October 1961 – 31 August 1962
Released from active duty and returned to Indiana state control, 31 August 1962
122nd Tactical Fighter Group inactivated 30 June 1974.
Re-designated: 122nd Fighter Wing, 16 March 1992 – present
Group re-activated and re-designated 122nd Operations Group
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency.
Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN0-89201-092-4.
Johnson, David C. (1988), U.S. Army Air Forces Continental Airfields (ETO), D-Day to V-E Day; Research Division, USAF Historical Research Center, Maxwell AFB, Alabama.
Rogers, B. (2006). United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978. ISBN1-85780-197-0
Cornett, Lloyd H. and Johnson, Mildred W., A Handbook of Aerospace Defense Organization 1946–1980, Office of History, Aerospace Defense Center, Peterson AFB, CO (1980). 13 February 2016 at the Wayback Machine
122nd, fighter, wing, this, article, includes, list, references, related, reading, external, links, sources, remain, unclear, because, lacks, inline, citations, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, more, precise, citations, august, 2014, learn, w. This article includes a list of references related reading or external links but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations August 2014 Learn how and when to remove this template message The 122nd Fighter Wing 122 FW sometimes 122nd is a unit of the Indiana Air National Guard stationed at Fort Wayne Air National Guard Station Fort Wayne Indiana If activated to federal service the wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Combat Command 122nd Fighter WingA F 16 Fighting Falcon aircraft assigned to the 122nd Fighter Wing taxis at the Fort Wayne Indiana Air National Guard Base in Fort Wayne Indiana Oct 20 2023 The aircraft was the first to arrive at the base since conversion began in April Active1942 presentCountry United StatesAllegiance IndianaBranch Air National GuardTypeWingRoleClose Air SupportPart ofIndiana Air National GuardGarrison HQFort Wayne Air National Guard Station IndianaTail code IN IndianaCommandersCurrentcommanderCol Joshua C WaggonerInsignia122nd Fighter Wing emblemAircraft flownFighterF 16 Fighting Falcon Contents 1 Units 2 History 2 1 Lineage 2 2 Assignments 2 3 Components 2 4 Stations 2 5 Aircraft 3 References 4 External linksUnits edit122nd Operations Group Tail code formerly FW now IN 163rd Fighter Squadron122nd Maintenance Group 122nd Mission Support Group 122nd Medical GroupHistory edit nbsp Ten original members of the 358th Fighter Group pose in front of the U S Air Force 122nd Fighter Wing s heritage jet at their final reunion which was hosted by the 122nd Fighter Wing in Terre Haute AGB Indiana in October 2008 The 358th FG the Orange Tails was activated in January 1943 During the Second World War this unit was awarded three Distinguished Unit Citations and the Croix de Guerre nbsp Republic P 47D 30 RA Thunderbolt Serial No 44 33240 of the 356th Fighter SquadronThe 358th Fighter Group trained in the Mid Atlantic United States with P 40 Warhawks 1943 While in training also used for air defense of Philadelphia area Moved to England during September and October 1943 they were equipped with P 47 Thunderbolts and began operations on 20 December 1943 and served in combat with Eighth and later Ninth Air Forces until V E Day In 2005 the wing introduced the reconnaissance Theater Airborne Reconnaissance System becoming one of the first units to fly with it In 2008 after having flown for 17 years with the block 25 aircraft these F 16s were nearing the end of their planned operational lifespans The aircraft the 122nd received were only somewhat newer Block 30 F 16C Ds manufactured between 1987 and 1989 These models were provided by the Michigan Air National Guard 107th Fighter Squadron which was then transitioning to the A 10 Thunderbolt II at the time With the upgrade to the Block 30 aircraft the tail code of the 163rd was changed from FW Fort Wayne to IN Indiana in 2009 when the 181st Fighter Wing at Hulman Field became a non flying unit However only a few of the F 16s were re coded In 2009 the year the unit honored its predecessor unit the 358th FG with a heritage jet it was decided that the squadron was to retire their 20 year old F 16s and become an A 10 Thunderbolt II squadron The conversion happened in 2010 In 2023 the unit converted back to the F 16 platform as a result of the National Defense Authorization Act These started arriving in October 2023 and will continue until all 21 have arrived Lineage edit nbsp World War II 358th Fighter Group emblem nbsp 2006 Operation Iraqi Freedom patchConstituted as 358th Fighter Group on 20 December 1942Activated on 1 January 1943 Inactivated on 7 November 1945Re designated 122nd Fighter Group and allocated to Indiana ANG on 24 May 1946Extended federal recognition on 9 December 1946 Federalized and ordered to active service on 10 February 1951Established as 122nd Fighter Interceptor Wing extended federal recognition and activated on 10 February 1951Group re designated as 122nd Fighter Interceptor Group and assigned as subordinate unit dd Inactivated on 7 February 1952 Released from active duty and returned to Indiana state control 1 November 1952Re activated on 1 November 1952Re designated 122nd Tactical Fighter Wing 1 July 1954Group re designated 122nd Tactical Fighter Group dd Re designated 122nd Tactical Fighter Wing Special Delivery 1 July 1959Group re designated 122nd Tactical Fighter Group Special Delivery dd Federalized and ordered to active service on 1 October 1961 Operated as 7122nd Tactical Wing Special Delivery 1 October 1961 31 August 1962 Released from active duty and returned to Indiana state control 31 August 1962122nd Tactical Fighter Group inactivated 30 June 1974 dd Re designated 122nd Fighter Wing 16 March 1992 presentGroup re activated and re designated 122nd Operations Group dd Assignments edit I Fighter Command 1 January September 1943Attached to Philadelphia Fighter Wing 28 April September 1943IX Fighter CommandAttached to VIII Fighter Command 20 October 194371st Fighter WingAttached to IX Tactical Air Command 1 August 194470th Fighter WingAttached to IX Tactical Air Command 1 October 1944XIX Tactical Air Command 16 January July 1945 Second Air Force 3 August 7 November 1945 66th Fighter Wing 9 December 1946 55th Fighter Wing 7 December 1947 Indiana Air National Guard 31 October 1950Gained by Tenth Air Force Continental Air CommandEastern Air Defense Force Air Defense Command 10 February 1951 Central Air Defense Force Air Defense Command 1 December 1951 7 February 1952 Indiana Air National Guard 1 November 1952Gained by Eastern Air Defense Force Air Defense Command Gained by Tactical Air Command 1 July 1954Ninth Air Force 1 October 1961Attached to Seventeenth Air Force 1 October 1961 31 August 1962Indiana Air National Guard 1 September 1962Gained by Tactical Air Command Gained by Air Combat Command 1 June 1992 presentComponents edit 122nd Fighter Interceptor later Tactical Fighter Group 10 February 1951 30 June 1974Re designated 163rd Operations Group 16 March 1992 present112th Fighter later Fighter Interceptor Tactical Fighter Squadron 9 December 1946 30 September 1962 Ohio ANG 113th Fighter later Fighter Interceptor Tactical Fighter Squadron 9 December 1946 30 September 1962 GSU at Terre Haute IN 163rd Fighter later Fighter Interceptor Tactical Fighter Fighter Squadron 9 December 1946 Present 365th Fighter Squadron 1 January 1943 7 November 1945 366th Fighter Squadron 1 January 1943 7 November 1945 367th Fighter Squadron 1 January 1943 7 November 1945Stations edit Richmond Army Air Base Virginia 1 January 1943 Baltimore Municipal Airport Maryland 28 April 1943 Camp Springs AAF Maryland 28 May 1943 Philadelphia Airport Pennsylvania 16 June 1943 Richmond Army Air Base Virginia 13 August 25 September 1943 RAF Goxhill AAF 345 England 20 October 1943 RAF Leiston AAF 373 England 29 November 1943 RAF Raydon AAF 157 England 31 January 1944 RAF High Halden AAF 411 England 13 April 1944 Cretteville Airfield A 14 France 3 July 1944 Pontorson Airfield A 28 France 14 August 1944 Vitry Airfield A 67 France 14 September 1944 Mourmelon le Grand Airfield A 80 France 16 October 1944 Toul Croix De Metz Airfield A 90 France 9 November 1944 Mannheim Sandhofen Airfield Y 79 Germany 2 April 1945 Reims Champagne Airfield France c 23 June July 1945 La Junta Army Air Field Colorado 3 August 7 November 1945 Stout Field Indianapolis Indiana 9 December 1946 Baer Field Fort Wayne Indiana 1 May 1951Designated Fort Wayne Air National Guard Station 1991 present Aircraft edit P 40 Warhawk 1943 P 47D N Thunderbolt 1943 1945 F 51D Mustang 1946 1951 F 51H Mustang 1951 1954 F 80C Shooting Star 1954 1956 F 86A Sabre 1956 1958 F 84F Thunderstreak 1958 1962 1964 1971 RF 84F Thunderstreak 1962 1964 F 100D F Super Sabre 1971 1979 F 4C Phantom II 1979 1986 F 4E Phantom II 1986 1991 F 16C D Fighting Falcon 1991 2010 A 10 Thunderbolt II 2010 2023 F 16C D Fighting Falcon 2023 presentReferences edit nbsp World War II portal nbsp Indiana portal nbsp This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency Maurer Maurer 1983 Air Force Combat Units of World War II Maxwell AFB Alabama Office of Air Force History ISBN 0 89201 092 4 Johnson David C 1988 U S Army Air Forces Continental Airfields ETO D Day to V E Day Research Division USAF Historical Research Center Maxwell AFB Alabama Rogers B 2006 United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978 ISBN 1 85780 197 0 McLaren David Republic F 84 Thunderjet Thunderstreak amp Thunderflash A Photo Chronicle Atglen PA Schiffer Military Aviation History 1998 ISBN 0 7643 0444 5 External links editCornett Lloyd H and Johnson Mildred W A Handbook of Aerospace Defense Organization 1946 1980 Office of History Aerospace Defense Center Peterson AFB CO 1980 Archived 13 February 2016 at the Wayback Machine 163rd Fighter Squadron F 16 net https www usnews com news best states indiana articles 2018 03 05 new commander named for air national guards fort wayne base Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 122nd Fighter Wing amp oldid 1183849882, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
