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{{about|the 55th Fighter Wing|the 55th Reconnaissance Wing|55th Wing}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox military unit
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name= 55th Fighter Wing
|unit_name= 55th Fighter Wing
[[File:Air national guard shield.svg|60px]]
[[File:US-AirNationalGuard-2007Emblem.svg|center|60px]]
|image= [[File:166th Fighter Squadron - North American F-51D-25-NA Mustang 44-73029.jpg|300px]]
| image= 166th Fighter Squadron - North American F-51D-25-NA Mustang 44-73029.jpg
| image_size = 300
|caption= F-51D-25-NA Mustang 44-73029 from the 166th Fighter Squadron, Ohio Air National Guard
|caption=[[F-51D Mustang]] from the Wing's [[166th Fighter Squadron]]<ref group=note>Aircraft is North American F-51D-25-NA Mustang serial 44-73029.</ref>
|dates= 1943–1945; 1947-1950
|dates= 1943–1945; 1947-1950
|country={{flag|United States|23px}}
|country={{flag|United States|23px}}
|allegiance=
|branch={{air force|USA}}
|branch={{air force|USA}}
|type= Wing
|type= Wing
Line 23: Line 24:
|march=
|march=
|mascot=
|mascot=
|battles=[[Mediterranean Theater of Operations]]
|battles=<center>[[Image:European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign ribbon.svg|60px]]</center>
⚫
* World War II
: European Campaign (1943–1945)
|notable_commanders=
|notable_commanders=
|anniversaries=
|anniversaries=
<!-- Insignia -->
<!-- Insignia -->
|identification_symbol=[[Image:55bw-ww2-insignia.jpg|150px]]
|identification_symbol=[[Image:55 bombardment wg-ww2-insignia.jpg|150px]]
|identification_symbol_label=Emblem of the 55th Bomb Wing
|identification_symbol_label=Unofficial 55th Bombardment Wing emblem<ref group=note>Maurer indicates the wing had no approved emblem. Maurer, ''Combat Units'', pp. 397-398</ref>
}}
}}


The '''55th Fighter Wing (55 FW)''' is a disbanded unit of the [[United States Air Force]], last stationed at [[Lockbourne Air Force Base]], Columbus, Ohio. It was withdrawn from the [[Ohio Air National Guard]] (OH ANG) and inactivated on 31 October 1950.
The '''55th Fighter Wing''' is a disbanded unit of the [[United States Air Force]], last stationed at [[Lockbourne Air Force Base]], Ohio. It was withdrawn from the [[Ohio Air National Guard]] and inactivated on 31 October 1950 when the Guard adopted the [[Hobson Plan|Wing Base organizational model]] and formed the cadre for the [[121st Fighter Wing]].


During [[World War II]], the wing served as the '''55th Bombardment Wing''' in the [[Mediterranean Theater of Operations]], flying strategic bombardment missions against areas under Axis control.
This wing is not related to the [[United States Air Force]] [[55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing]] or subsequent units that was constituted on 29 June 1948 and activated on 19 July 1948.


==History==
==History==
⚫
===World War II===
Established in early 1943 as an intermediate-level command and control organization. Initially was a [[Third Air Force]] training unit at McDill Field, Florida, with responsibility for B-26 Marauder training by [[III Bomber Command]].
The [[wing (military aviation unit)|wing]] was first activated as the '''55th Bombardment Operational Training Wing''' in March 1943 at [[MacDill Field]], Florida. Various [[group (military aviation unit)|groups]] were attached to the wing for short periods for training, but none were permanently assigned.<ref name=Maurer55BW>Maurer, ''Combat Units'', pp. 397-398</ref>


Assigned to [[Fifteenth Air Force]], being stationed at [[Bari]], Italy and was inactivated on 9 September 1945.
Assigned to [[Fifteenth Air Force]], being stationed at [[Bari]], Italy and was inactivated on 9 September 1945.<ref name=Maurer55BW/>


===Air National Guard===
===Air National Guard===
Line 47: Line 47:
At the end of October 1950, the Air National Guard converted to the wing-base ([[Hobson Plan]]) organization. As a result, the wing was withdrawn from the Ohio ANG and was inactivated on 31 October 1950. The [[121st Fighter Wing]] was established by the [[National Guard Bureau]], allocated to the state of Ohio, recognized and activated 1 November 1950; assuming the personnel, equipment and mission of the inactivated 55th Fighter Wing.
At the end of October 1950, the Air National Guard converted to the wing-base ([[Hobson Plan]]) organization. As a result, the wing was withdrawn from the Ohio ANG and was inactivated on 31 October 1950. The [[121st Fighter Wing]] was established by the [[National Guard Bureau]], allocated to the state of Ohio, recognized and activated 1 November 1950; assuming the personnel, equipment and mission of the inactivated 55th Fighter Wing.


===Lineage===
==Lineage==
* Constituted as '''55th Bombardment Operational Training Wing (Medium)''' on 17 March 1943
* Constituted as the '''55th Bombardment Operational Training Wing''' (Medium) on 17 March 1943
: Activated on 31 March 1943
: Activated on 31 March 1943
: Re-designated '''55th Bombardment Wing (Medium)''' in October 1943
: Redesignated '''55th Bombardment Wing''' (Medium) in October 1943
: Re-designated '''55th Bombardment Wing (Heavy)''' in December 1943
: Redesignated '''55th Bombardment Wing''' (Heavy) in December 1943
: Inactivated 9 September 1945.
: Inactivated 9 September 1945
* Re-designated '''55th Fighter Wing''', and allotted to the Ohio ANG on 21 August 1946
* Redesignated '''55th Fighter Wing''' and allotted to the National Guard on 21 August 1946
: Extended federal recognition and activated on 7 December 1947
: Activated and extended federal recognition on 7 December 1947
: Inactivated, and returned to the control of the Department of the Air Force, on 31 October 1950
: Inactivated on 31 October 1950<ref name=Maurer55BW/>
* Disbanded on 15 June 1983<ref>Department of the Air Force/MPM Letter 498q, 15 June 1983, Subject: Disbandment of Certain Inactive Air Force Units</ref>
* Disbanded on 15 June 1983


===Assignments===
===Assignments===
* [[Third Air Force]], 31 March 1943 – February 1944
* [[III Bomber Command]], 31 March 1943
* [[Fifteenth Air Force]], March 1944 – 9 September 1945
* [[XV Bomber Command]], March 1944 – 9 September 1945
* [[Ohio Air National Guard]], 7 December 1947 – 31 October 1950
* [[Ohio Air National Guard]], 7 December 1947 – 31 October 1950


===Stations===
===Stations===
* [[MacDill Field]], Florida, 31 March 1943–February 1944
* MacDill Field, Florida, 31 March 1943 – c. February 1944
* [[Spinazzola Airfield]], Italy, March 1944
* [[Spinazzola Airfield]], Italy, March 1944
* Pantanella Airfield, [[Italy]] (465th Bomb Group)
* [[Bari Airfield]], Italy, c. July – September 1945
⚫
* [[Lockbourne Air Force Base]], Ohio, 7 December 1947 – 31 October 1950<ref name=Maurer55BW/>
* [[Bari Airfield]], Italy, July–September 1945
⚫
* [[Lockbourne Air Force Base]], Ohio, 7 December 1947 – 31 October 1950


===Components===
===Components===

====World War II====
====World War II====
* [[460th Bombardment Group]],<ref name=Maurer55BW/> c. 5 February 1944 – 15 June 1945<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.afhra.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/433979/460-space-wing-afspc/ |last1=Robertson|first1=Patsy|title=Factsheet 460 Space Wing (AFSPC)|date=28 December 2007|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=22 November 2016}}</ref>
* [[21st Bombardment Group]], 31 March 1943 – 10 October 1943 (B-26 OTU)
* [[461st Bombardment Group]],<ref name=Maurer55BW/> 5 February 1944 – 15 June 1945<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.afhra.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/432088/461-operations-group-acc/ |last1=Robertson|first1=Patsy|title=Factsheet 461 Operations Group (ACC)|date=9 April 2012|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=22 November 2016}}</ref>
* [[336th Bombardment Group]], 13 October-6 November 1943 (B-26 RTU)
* [[460th Bombardment Group]], 5 February 1944 – 15 June 1945
* [[464th Bombardment Group]],<ref name=Maurer55BW/> 2 October 1943 – 31 June 1945
* [[464th Bombardment Group]], 2 October 1943 – 31 June 1945
* [[465th Bombardment Group]],<ref name=Maurer55BW/> 1 April 1944 – 15 June 1945
* [[465th Bombardment Group]], 1 April 1944 – 15 June 1945
* [[485th Bombardment Group]],<ref name=Maurer55BW/> 1 April 1944 May-15 May 1945
* [[485th Bombardment Group]], 1 April 1944 May-15 May 1945


====Ohio Air National Guard====
====Ohio Air National Guard====
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==References==
==References==

{{Portal|United States Air Force|Military of the United States|World War II}}

; Notes
⚫
{{Reflist|group=note}}

; Citations
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{Air Force Historical Research Agency}}
{{Air Force Historical Research Agency}}
* {{cite book|editor=Maurer, Maurer|title=Air Force Combat Units of World War II|orig-year= 1961|url= http://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001330256/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-044.pdf |edition=reprint|year=1983|publisher=Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-912799-02-1|lccn=61060979}}
⚫
{{Reflist}}
* {{cite book|editor=Maurer, Maurer|title=Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II|orig-year=1969|url= http://media.defense.gov/2010/Dec/02/2001329899/-1/-1/0/AFD-101202-002.pdf|edition= reprint|year=1982|publisher=Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-405-12194-6|oclc=72556|lccn=70605402}}
{{refbegin}}
* Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-89201-092-4.
* Maurer, Maurer. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20090325124757/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.
{{refend}}


==External links==
{{US Air Force navbox}}
{{US Air Force navbox}}
{{Air National Guard}}
{{Air National Guard}}
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}}
}}


[[Category:Former wings of the United States Air National Guard|0055]]
[[Category:Wings of the United States Air National Guard|0055]]
[[Category:European theatre of World War II]]
[[Category:European theatre of World War II]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 1945]]
[[Category:World War II strategic bombing units]]
[[Category:Military units and formations in Ohio]]
[[Category:Military units and formations in Ohio]]
[[Category:Fighter wings of the United States Army Air Forces|055]]
[[Category:Fighter wings of the United States Army Air Forces|055]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1983]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1950]]
[[Category:Fighter wings of the United States Air Force|055]]
[[Category:Fighter wings of the United States Air Force|055]]

Latest revision as of 15:09, 9 February 2024

This article is about the 55th Fighter Wing. For the 55th Reconnaissance Wing, see 55th Wing.

55th Fighter Wing
F-51D Mustang from the Wing's 166th Fighter Squadron[note 1]
Active1943–1945; 1947-1950
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
TypeWing
RoleCommand and Control
Part ofOhio Air National Guard
EngagementsMediterranean Theater of Operations
Insignia
Unofficial 55th Bombardment Wing emblem[note 2]

The 55th Fighter Wing is a disbanded unit of the United States Air Force, last stationed at Lockbourne Air Force Base, Ohio. It was withdrawn from the Ohio Air National Guard and inactivated on 31 October 1950 when the Guard adopted the Wing Base organizational model and formed the cadre for the 121st Fighter Wing.

During World War II, the wing served as the 55th Bombardment Wing in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, flying strategic bombardment missions against areas under Axis control.

History

[edit]

World War II

[edit]

The wing was first activated as the 55th Bombardment Operational Training Wing in March 1943 at MacDill Field, Florida. Various groups were attached to the wing for short periods for training, but none were permanently assigned.[1]

Assigned to Fifteenth Air Force, being stationed at Bari, Italy and was inactivated on 9 September 1945.[1]

Air National Guard

[edit]

Allocated to the Ohio Air National Guard for command and control origination for units in the Ohio River Valley region of the United States. Extended federal recognition and activated on 21 August 1946.

At the end of October 1950, the Air National Guard converted to the wing-base (Hobson Plan) organization. As a result, the wing was withdrawn from the Ohio ANG and was inactivated on 31 October 1950. The 121st Fighter Wing was established by the National Guard Bureau, allocated to the state of Ohio, recognized and activated 1 November 1950; assuming the personnel, equipment and mission of the inactivated 55th Fighter Wing.

Lineage

[edit]
  • Constituted as the 55th Bombardment Operational Training Wing (Medium) on 17 March 1943
Activated on 31 March 1943
Redesignated 55th Bombardment Wing (Medium) in October 1943
Redesignated 55th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) in December 1943
Inactivated 9 September 1945
  • Redesignated 55th Fighter Wing and allotted to the National Guard on 21 August 1946
Activated and extended federal recognition on 7 December 1947
Inactivated on 31 October 1950[1]
  • Disbanded on 15 June 1983[2]

Assignments

[edit]

Stations

[edit]

Components

[edit]

World War II

[edit]

Ohio Air National Guard

[edit]

References

[edit]
Notes
  1. ^ Aircraft is North American F-51D-25-NA Mustang serial 44-73029.
  2. ^ Maurer indicates the wing had no approved emblem. Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 397-398
Citations
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 397-398
  2. ^ Department of the Air Force/MPM Letter 498q, 15 June 1983, Subject: Disbandment of Certain Inactive Air Force Units
  3. ^ Robertson, Patsy (28 December 2007). "Factsheet 460 Space Wing (AFSPC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  4. ^ Robertson, Patsy (9 April 2012). "Factsheet 461 Operations Group (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 22 November 2016.

Bibliography

[edit]

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

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