342d Fighter Day Wing
Encyclopedia
The 342d Fighter Day Wing (FDW) is an inactive United States Air Force wing. Its last duty assignment was at Myrtle Beach AFB, South Carolina
.
On 25 July 1956, the 342d Fighter Day Wing was established and activated at Myrtle Beach AFB, South Carolina
. The Wing's subordinate components were the 342d Fighter-Day Group; the 342d Air Base Group and the 455th Fighter-Day Group, all being assigned to the wing as subordinate units.
The Wing Commander was Colonel Robert G. Emmens
.
The total manpower force of the 342d FDW at the time of its activation was 20 Officers, 1 Warrant Officer and 241 enlisted men, with the majority of the personnel being reassigned from the 4434th Air Base Squadron, (established on 9 April 1956) being redesignated as the 342d Air Base Group on 25 July 1956.
On 10 September 1956, the 342d FDW received a new commander, Colonel Francis S. Gabreski. Colonel Emmens assumed the role of Deputy Base Commander at that time.
The 342 FDW's mission was officially that of a fully functional fighter-day wing. In reality, the efforts and activities of the 342 FDW were directed to reach operational capabilities by overcoming the problems and obstacles inherent in the activation of a new fighter wing on a base sill largely under construction. Close liaison was maintained between units at Shaw AFB, SC for many activities. There were regularly scheduled truck convoys between Shaw and Myrtle Beach during the Wing's development.
The 342 FDW lasted 117 days until 18 November 1956. On 19 November, the Air Force redesignated the unit as the 354th Fighter-Day Wing, absorbing all personnel and assets of the 342d FDW. The 342d FDW and 342d FDG was inactivated along with the 455th Fighter-Day Group
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
.
Lineage
- Established as 342d Fighter Day Wing on 25 July 1956 and activated
- Inactivated with personnel and equipment being redesignated as 354th Fighter-Day Wing on 18 November 1956
Components
- 342d Fighter-Day Group, 25 July – 19 November 1956
- 455th Fighter-Day Group, 25 July – 19 November 1956
Bases assigned
- Myrtle Beach Air Force BaseMyrtle Beach Air Force BaseMyrtle Beach Air Force Base is a closed United States Air Force facility, located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It was established in 1940 as a World War II training base and was also used for coastal patrols during the war...
, South CarolinaSouth CarolinaSouth Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, 25 July 1956 – 18 November 1956
Operational history
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
. The Wing's subordinate components were the 342d Fighter-Day Group; the 342d Air Base Group and the 455th Fighter-Day Group, all being assigned to the wing as subordinate units.
The Wing Commander was Colonel Robert G. Emmens
Robert G. Emmens
Robert G. Emmens was a Doolittle Raider and a career United States Air Force officer.Emmens graduated from Medford High School, Medford, Oregon in 1931. He then attended University of Oregon, 1931 - 1934. Emmens entered the United States Army Air Corps on February 23, 1937 at Vancouver...
.
The total manpower force of the 342d FDW at the time of its activation was 20 Officers, 1 Warrant Officer and 241 enlisted men, with the majority of the personnel being reassigned from the 4434th Air Base Squadron, (established on 9 April 1956) being redesignated as the 342d Air Base Group on 25 July 1956.
On 10 September 1956, the 342d FDW received a new commander, Colonel Francis S. Gabreski. Colonel Emmens assumed the role of Deputy Base Commander at that time.
The 342 FDW's mission was officially that of a fully functional fighter-day wing. In reality, the efforts and activities of the 342 FDW were directed to reach operational capabilities by overcoming the problems and obstacles inherent in the activation of a new fighter wing on a base sill largely under construction. Close liaison was maintained between units at Shaw AFB, SC for many activities. There were regularly scheduled truck convoys between Shaw and Myrtle Beach during the Wing's development.
The 342 FDW lasted 117 days until 18 November 1956. On 19 November, the Air Force redesignated the unit as the 354th Fighter-Day Wing, absorbing all personnel and assets of the 342d FDW. The 342d FDW and 342d FDG was inactivated along with the 455th Fighter-Day Group