113th Wing: Difference between revisions
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==History== |
==History== |
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===World War II=== |
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: ''See [[352d Fighter Group]] for extended World War II history''' |
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The 352d Fighter Group was assigned to the Eight Air Force. Flying P-51 Mustangs and P-47 Thunderbolts out of Bodney, England, the unit, known as the "Blue-Nosed Bastards of Bodney" for the blue paint on the noses of their aircraft, was awarded the French Croix de Guerre with Palm for their heroism. To preserve the history, lineage and honors of this organization, after WW II the unit was reestablished in the DC Air National Guard as the 113th Tactical Fighter Wing. |
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In December 1944 German forces launched the Ardennes Offensive in their last major attempt to stop advancing allied forces. Taking advantage of the bad weather which has grounded allied aircraft, German armor, artillery, and infantry force American units to retreat. The penetration, which quickly becomes known as the Battle of the Bulge, found the 101st Airborne Division surrounded at the Belgian town of Bastogne. Faced with a surrender ultimatum, the Division Commander, General McAuliffe, replies, "Nuts!" |
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When the weather finally cleared, the 352nd Fighter Group roared into the sky in their shiny, new P-51 Mustangs. The unit has already seen extensive combat, earning high praise during the battle for St. Lo, and Operation Market Garden. They and other U.S. Army Air Corps units attacked in the face of fierce anti-aircraft fire and decimated German ground forces while dog-fights raged in the air. The 352nd was awarded the French Croix de Guerre with Palm for their heroism during the battle. |
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[[George Preddy]] of Greensboro, NC, was a pilot in the 352nd. During the battle he dove in pursuit of a Messerschmitt (ME-109) which was also coming under attack by American units on the ground. The American gunners failed to lead the German, and their shells hit Preddy's P-51. Both aircraft crash at almost the same spot and both pilots are killed. The United States lost one of its three top Aces of World War II. Preddy served in both the Pacific and European theaters of operations, and was eventually credited with a total of 26.83 kills in aerial combat. |
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===District of Columbia Air National Guard=== |
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===Lineage=== |
===Lineage=== |
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Revision as of 15:42, 16 November 2012
| 113th Wing | |
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 F-16D block 30 #85-1509 from the 121st Fighter Squadron is proudly showing off the unit's latest tail flash
C-38A Courier (s/n 94-1570) and a Boeing C-40C Clipper (s/n 02-0201) of the 201st Airlift Squadron | |
| Active | 1942-Present |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  Air National Guard |
| Type | Composite Unit |
| Role | Air Combat |
| Size | 1,400 |
| Part of | District of Columbia Air National Guard |
| Garrison/HQ | Joint Base Andrews, Camp Springs, Maryland |
| Nickname(s) | "Capital Guardians" |
| Motto(s) | Custodes Pro Defensione - "Guardians for Defense" |
| Tail Code | "DC" Red tailstripe w/stars |
| Engagements | Operation Iraqi Freedom |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Brig. Gen. Marc H. Sasseville |
| Notable commanders | Maj. Gen. David F. Wherley Jr. |
| Insignia | |
| 1113th Wing emblem emblem |  |
The 113th Wing (113 WG) is a unit of the District of Columbia Air National Guard, stationed at Joint Base Andrews, Camp Springs, Maryland. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Combat Command.
The 121st Fighter Squadron assigned to the Wings 113th Operations Group, is a descendant organization of the 121st Observation Squadron, established on 10 July 1940. It is one of the 29 original National Guard Observation Squadrons of the United States Army National Guard formed before World War II
Overview
The District of Columbia Air National Guard 113th Wing is truly unique among all Air National Guard Units. Known as the 'Capital Guardians', the Wing provides air sovereignty forces to defend the Nation's Capital, and also provides fighter, airlift and support forces capable of local, national and global employment.
Units
The 113th Wing consists of the following major units:
- 113th Operations Group
- 121st Fighter Squadron (F-16C/D Fighting Falcon)
- 113th Maintenance Group
- 113th Mission Support Group
- 113th Medical Group
- 201st Airlift Squadron (C-38A and C-40C)
History
World War II
- See 352d Fighter Group for extended World War II history'
The 352d Fighter Group was assigned to the Eight Air Force. Flying P-51 Mustangs and P-47 Thunderbolts out of Bodney, England, the unit, known as the "Blue-Nosed Bastards of Bodney" for the blue paint on the noses of their aircraft, was awarded the French Croix de Guerre with Palm for their heroism. To preserve the history, lineage and honors of this organization, after WW II the unit was reestablished in the DC Air National Guard as the 113th Tactical Fighter Wing.
In December 1944 German forces launched the Ardennes Offensive in their last major attempt to stop advancing allied forces. Taking advantage of the bad weather which has grounded allied aircraft, German armor, artillery, and infantry force American units to retreat. The penetration, which quickly becomes known as the Battle of the Bulge, found the 101st Airborne Division surrounded at the Belgian town of Bastogne. Faced with a surrender ultimatum, the Division Commander, General McAuliffe, replies, "Nuts!" When the weather finally cleared, the 352nd Fighter Group roared into the sky in their shiny, new P-51 Mustangs. The unit has already seen extensive combat, earning high praise during the battle for St. Lo, and Operation Market Garden. They and other U.S. Army Air Corps units attacked in the face of fierce anti-aircraft fire and decimated German ground forces while dog-fights raged in the air. The 352nd was awarded the French Croix de Guerre with Palm for their heroism during the battle.
George Preddy of Greensboro, NC, was a pilot in the 352nd. During the battle he dove in pursuit of a Messerschmitt (ME-109) which was also coming under attack by American units on the ground. The American gunners failed to lead the German, and their shells hit Preddy's P-51. Both aircraft crash at almost the same spot and both pilots are killed. The United States lost one of its three top Aces of World War II. Preddy served in both the Pacific and European theaters of operations, and was eventually credited with a total of 26.83 kills in aerial combat.
District of Columbia Air National Guard
Lineage
- Constituted as 352d Fighter Group on 29 September 1942
- Activated on 1 October 1942
- Inactivated on 10 November 1945
- Re-designated: 113th Fighter Group, and allotted to District of Columbia ANG on 24 May 1946
Assignments
- I Fighter Command, 1 October 1942 – June 1943
- Attached to: New York Fighter Wing, 1 October 1942 – November 1942; 9 March–June 1943
- Attached to: Boston Fighter Wing, November-1942-9 March 1943
- VIII Fighter Command, 6 July 1943
- 67th Fighter Wing, 6 October 1943
- Attached to: 1st Bombardment (later Air) Division, 15 September 1944 – 13 April 1945
- Further attached to: IX Tactical Air Command, 23 December 1944 – 13 April 1945
- Army Service Forces, 9–10 November 1945
Stations
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Components
- 201st Airlift Squadron, 20 June 1992-Present
- 328th Fighter Squadron (PE) 1 October 1942 – 10 November 1945
- 486th Fighter Squadron (PZ) 1 October 1942 – 10 November 1945
- 487th Fighter Squadron (HO) 1 October 1942 – 10 November 1945
Aircraft
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References
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
External links
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