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Upon its return to Illinois State Control, the Illinois Air National Guard authorized the 169th Tactical Fighter Squadron to expand to a group level, and the 182d Tactical Fighter Group was established by the National Guard Bureau on 15 October 1962. The 169th TFS became the group's flying squadron. Other squadrons assigned into the group were the 182d Headquarters, 182d Material Squadron (Maintenance), 182d Combat Support Squadron, and the 182d USAF Dispensary.
Upon its return to Illinois State Control, the Illinois Air National Guard authorized the 169th Tactical Fighter Squadron to expand to a group level, and the 182d Tactical Fighter Group was established by the National Guard Bureau on 15 October 1962. The 169th TFS became the group's flying squadron. Other squadrons assigned into the group were the 182d Headquarters, 182d Material Squadron (Maintenance), 182d Combat Support Squadron, and the 182d USAF Dispensary.


During the 1960s the squadron continued to operate its F-84F Thunderstraks, and the unit was not activated during the Vietnam War. In May of 1969, the F-84Fs were retired and 182d TFG was re-designated as the 182d Tactical Air Support Group (TASG); flying Forward Air Control (FAC) missions. The 169th was equipped with light observation U-3A/B Blue Canoe and O-2A Skymaster aircraft, its mission being to perform visual reconnaissance, as the FAC flew light aircraft slowly over the rough terrain at low altitude to maintain constant aerial surveillance over a combat area. By patrolling the same area constantly, the FACs grew very familiar with the terrain, and they learned to detect any changes that could indicate enemy forces hiding below. In 1979, the squadron recieved OA-37B Dragonfly jet aircraft from the New York and Maine Air National Guard, continuing the FAC mission
During the 1960s the squadron continued to operate its F-84F Thunderstraks, and the unit was not activated during the Vietnam War. In May of 1969, the F-84Fs were retired and 182d TFG was re-designated as the 182d Tactical Air Support Group (TASG); flying Forward Air Control (FAC) missions. The 169th was equipped with light observation U-3A/B Blue Canoe and O-2A Skymaster aircraft, its mission being to perform visual reconnaissance, as the FAC flew light aircraft slowly over the rough terrain at low altitude to maintain constant aerial surveillance over a combat area. By patrolling the same area constantly, the FACs grew very familiar with the terrain, and they learned to detect any changes that could indicate enemy forces hiding below. In 1979, the squadron received OA-37B Dragonfly jet aircraft from the New York and Maine Air National Guard, continuing the FAC mission until March 1992 when the A-37s were finally retired.


===Lineage===
===Lineage===

Revision as of 11:11, 6 October 2012

169th Airlift Squadron
169th Airlift Squadron emblem
Active1942-Present
CountryUnited States
BranchAir National Guard
TypeSquadron
RoleAirlift
Part ofIllinois Air National Guard
Garrison/HQPeoria Air National Guard Base, Peoria, Illinois
Nickname(s)Defenders of Freedom

The 169th Airlift Squadron (169 AS) is a unit of the Illinois Air National Guard 182d Airlift Wing located at Peoria Air National Guard Base, Peoria, Illinois. The 169th is equipped with the C-130H2 Hercules.

History

World War II

The 304th Fighter Squadron was activated at Morris Field, North Carolina with the 98th,[1] 303d,[2] and 304th Fighter Squadrons[3] assigned.[4] It received its initial cadre from the 20th Fighter Group.[5] The squadron operated as replacement training unit, flying primarily P-40 Warhawks and P-51 Mustangs, but also other fighter aircraft.[4] The squadron and its components were disbanded in 1944[4] in a major reorganization of the Army Air Forces (AAF) in which all units not programmed to be transferred overseas were replaced by AAF Base Units to free up manpower for overseas deployment. The 341st AAF Base Unit (Replacement Training Unit, Fighter) took over the group's equipment at Pinellas.[6]

Illinois Air National Guard

The wartime 304th Fighter Squadron was re-constituted and re-designated on 24 May 1946 and and was allotted to the Illinois Air National Guard. It was organized at Greater Peoria Airport, Illinois and was extended federal recognition on 21 June 1947. The 169th Fighter Squadron was bestowed the history, honors, and colors of the 304th Fighter Squadron. The squadron was equipped with F-51D Mustang and was assigned to the Illinois ANG 126th Bombardment Group (Light), at Chicago Municipal Airport.

Korean War mobilization

In February 1951. The unit was ordered to active service on 1 April 1951 as a result of the Korean War. The unit was initially assigned to Tactical Air Command at Langley AFB, Virginia.

The wing moved to Bordeaux-Merignac Air Base, France with the first elements arriving in November 1951. The unit was assigned to United States Air Forces in Europe. By 10 November, Bordeaux was considered an operational base and was assigned to the 12th Air Force.

At Bordeaux, the The aircraft were marked in Black/Yellow/Red, and it flew B-26's for training and maneuvers and stayed at Bordeaux AB until being transferred Laon-Couvron Air Base, France on 25 May 1952 where it remained for the balance of the year. The 169th was relieved from active duty and transferred, without personnel and equipment, back to the control of the Illinois ANG on 1 January 1953.

Cold War

After returning to Peoria, the 169th returned to flying the Mustang, receiving the very-long distance F-51H which was designed as an escort fighter for B-29s in the Pacific Theater during World War II. In 1954 the 169th FBS obtained the copyright for The Chief, a Walt Disney cartoon character, to display as their emblem. In 1958, the squadron received its first F-84F Thunderstreak, and the unit flew the first ANG air-to-air refueling mission in 1961.

On 1 October 1961, as a result of the 1961 Berlin Crisis, the 169th was again mobilized and assigned to the Missouri ANG 131st Tactical Fighter Wing, and again equipped with F-84F Thunderstreak tactical fighters. Due to budget shortfalls, the squadron physically remained at Peoria while the 131st TFW and its 110th Tactical Fighter Sauadron deployed to Toul-Rosières Air Base, France as the 7131st Tactical Fighter Wing (Provisional). During the next year, elements of the 169th were rotated from Peoria to Toul Air Base as needed.

While in France, the Guardsmen assumed regular commitments on a training basis with the U.S. 7th Army as well as maintaining a 24-hour alert status. The 7131st exchanged both air and ground crews with the Royal Danish Air Force's 730th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Skydstrup Air Station, Denmark, during May 1962. As the Berlin situation subsided, all activated ANG units were ordered to be returned to the United States and released from active duty. The 7131st TFW was inactivated in place in France on 19 July 1962 leaving its aircraft and equipment to USAFE.

Upon its return to Illinois State Control, the Illinois Air National Guard authorized the 169th Tactical Fighter Squadron to expand to a group level, and the 182d Tactical Fighter Group was established by the National Guard Bureau on 15 October 1962. The 169th TFS became the group's flying squadron. Other squadrons assigned into the group were the 182d Headquarters, 182d Material Squadron (Maintenance), 182d Combat Support Squadron, and the 182d USAF Dispensary.

During the 1960s the squadron continued to operate its F-84F Thunderstraks, and the unit was not activated during the Vietnam War. In May of 1969, the F-84Fs were retired and 182d TFG was re-designated as the 182d Tactical Air Support Group (TASG); flying Forward Air Control (FAC) missions. The 169th was equipped with light observation U-3A/B Blue Canoe and O-2A Skymaster aircraft, its mission being to perform visual reconnaissance, as the FAC flew light aircraft slowly over the rough terrain at low altitude to maintain constant aerial surveillance over a combat area. By patrolling the same area constantly, the FACs grew very familiar with the terrain, and they learned to detect any changes that could indicate enemy forces hiding below. In 1979, the squadron received OA-37B Dragonfly jet aircraft from the New York and Maine Air National Guard, continuing the FAC mission until March 1992 when the A-37s were finally retired.

Lineage

  • Constituted 304th Fighter Squadron on 16 July 1942
Activated on 23 July 1942
Disbanded on 1 May 1944; replaced by "Squadron C", 341st Army Air Forces Base Unit (Replacement Training Unit, Fighter).
  • Re-constituted, and re-designated 169th Fighter Squadron and allotted to Illinois ANG on 24 May 1946
Extended federal recognition on 21 June 1947
Ordered to active service on 1 Apr 1951
Re-designated: 169th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron on 1 July 1952
Re-designated: 169th Fighter-Bomber Squadron on 1 December 1952
Relieved from active duty and returned to Illinois state control. 1 January 1953
Re-designated: 169th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron on 1 July 1955
Re-designated: 169th Tactical Fighter Squadron on 10 November 1958
Re-designated: 169th Air Refueling Squadron on 1 July 1961
Ordered to active service on 1 October 1961
Re-designated: 169th Tactical Fighter Squadron on 1 October 1961
Relieved from active duty and returned to Illinois state control. 31 August 1962
Re-designated: 169th Tactical Air Support Squadron on 16 May 1969
Re-designated: 169th Fighter Squadron on 15 March 1992
Re-designated: 169th Airlift Squadron on 1 October 1995

Assignments

Attached to: 7123d Tactical Wing (USAFE), 1 October 1961-31 August 1962

Stations

Operated from: Bordeaux-Mérignac AB, France, 1 November 1951 – 25 May 1952
Operated from: Laon-Couvron AB, France, 25 May 1952 – 31 December 1952
Elements operated from: Toul-Rosieres AB, France, 1 October 1961-31 August 1962
Designated: Peoria Air National Guard Base, Illinois, 1991-Present

Aircraft

References

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

  1. ^ Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. pp. 326–327. ISBN 0-405-12194-6.
  2. ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 367 (this squadron is not related to the current reserve 303d Fighter Squadron, which was a troop carrier unit during World War II)
  3. ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 368
  4. ^ a b c Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. pp. 215–216. ISBN 0-912799-02-1.
  5. ^ Abstract, History of 337th Fighter Group, Jul 1942-Oct 1943 (accessed 31 May 2012)
  6. ^ Abstract, History of Pinellas AAF, May-Jul 1944 (accessed 31 May 2012)


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