352d Tactical Fighter Squadron

The 352d Tactical Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force fighter squadron.

The squadron was formed in 1942 and served in the European Theater of World War II. During the Cold War, the squadron was attached to NATO, and stood on alert during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Deployed to South Vietnam during the Vietnam War, the squadron fought with distinction. The Squadron was deactivated in 1971.

World War II Service

The 352d Fighter Squadron was activated on 1 Oct 1942 as part of the 353d Fighter Group.

The squadron trained for duty overseas and at the same time served as an air defense organization flying the P-47D "Thunderbolt". It was assigned to Mitchel Field NY, Richmond AAF VA, and Baltimore Airport, MD.

In June 1943, the 352d was assigned to the Eighth Air Force, being initially deployed to RAF Goxhill, UK (Station 345). The squadron regularly escorted bombers that attacked industrial establishments, marshalling yards, submarine installations, V-weapon sites, and other targets. It frequently strafed and dive-bombed buildings, troops, flak batteries, barges and tug boats, locomotives and rail lines, vehicles, bridges, and airfields.

On 3 August 1943, the 352 FS moved to RAF Metfeld (Station 366}.

The 352 FS also flew numerous counter-air missions and provided escort for bombers that attacked targets in western Europe, made counter-air sweeps over France and the Low Countries, and dive-bombed targets in France.

The unit participated in the intensive campaign against the German Air Force and aircraft industry during Big Week, 20–25 February 1944, and provided cover over the beachhead and close support for the D-Day invasion on 6 June 1944.

In April 1944, the 352 FS moved to RAF Raydon (Station 157}.

During the Normandy campaign, the squadron supported the breakthrough at St Lo in July and received the Distinguished Unit Citation for supporting Operation Market Garden when the group contributed to the operation by protecting bombers and troop carriers and by strafing and dive-bombing ground targets during the period 17–23 September 1944.

In October 1944, the 352d converted to the P-51 "Mustang".

The unit continued its fighter-bomber, escort, and counter-air activities, participating in the Battle of the Bulge (Dec 1944-Jan 1945) and the airborne attack across the Rhine (March 1945).

The squadron flew combat missions until the end of April 1945. After the end of hostilities, the 352d trained and prepared for transfer to the Pacific Theater.

However with the end of the war, the squadron was returned to the United States and was inactivated at Camp Kilmer, NJ on 18 October 1945.

CampaignsAir Offensive, Europe, Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Central Europe, Ardennes-Alsace

Cold War Service

On 25 September 1957,the squadron was reactivated as the 352d Fighter-Day Squadron, attached to the 354th Fighter-Day Wing, Myrtle Beach AFB, South Carolina. The squadron was equipped with the F-100D/F "Super Sabre".

The 354 FDW/TFW was committed to NATO, and the squadron deployed often to Europe. After the July 1958 Lebanon Crisis, Tactical Air Command began a rotation of combat squadrons to Incirlik AB, Turkey and Aviano AB, Italy in support of NATO alert commitments and Air Force weapons training deployments to the nearby Maniago Range.

During the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, the 352 TFS deployed on 21 October to McCoy AFB, Florida. After the crisis ended, the 352d remained at McCoy until 20 January 1963.

Vietnam Service

The 352d Tactical Fighter Squadron was deployed and permanently reassigned to the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing at Phan Rang Air Base, South Vietnam on 15 August 1966. On 10 October it was decided to transfer the F-4 equipped squadrons at Phan Rang to Da Nang Air Base, and move the F-100 equipped squadrons at Da Nang to Phan Rang.

The 366th TFW was reassigned w/o personnel or equipment to Da Nang and the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing was reassigned from Da Nang to Phan Rang.

The deployed F-100 squadrons at Phan Rang were:

* 120 Tactical Fighter (F-100C/F) (Tail Code: VS)
* 352 Tactical Fighter (F-100D/F) (Tail Code: VM)
* 612 Tactical Fighter (F-100D/F) (Tail Code: VS)
* 614 Tactical Fighter (F-100D/F) (Tail Code: VP)
* 615 Tactical Fighter (F-100D/F) (Tail Code: VZ)

The 120 TFS deployed from the Colorado Air National Guard in April 1967, remaining until April 1969. With its personnel returning to CONUS, the squadron was redesignated the 612 TFS. The 614 and 615 TFS were deployed squadrons from the 401 TFW at England Air Force Base Louisiana and were reassigned to Phan Rang from Da Nang in October 1966.

Missions carried out by the squadrons included air support of ground forces, interdiction, visual and armed reconnaissance, escort, close and direct air support, and rapid reaction alert.

During the Cambodian incursion of April 1970, the 352d struck enemy bases and supply caches in the Parrot’s Beak area just inside the Cambodian border during April and May. The 352d also provided close air support and interdiction in support of South Vietnamese operations in Laos and Cambodia during January through June 1971.

In April 1971, the 352 TFS began phasing down for inactivation and flew its last combat mission on 26 June 1971. The 612, 614 and 615 TFSs were deactivated in place on 31 July 1971 and were reassigned back to the 401st Tactical Fighter Wing, now assigned to Torrejon Air Force Base Spain.

However, the 352 TFS was deactivated permanently, along with the 35th TFW on 31 July 1971 as part of the American drawdown in Vietnam.

Patches of parent Wings & Groups

External links