372d Fighter Group
Encyclopedia
The 372d Fighter Group is an inactive United States Air Force
unit. Its last assignment was with Third Air Force
, stationed at Alexandria Army Air Base, Louisiana
. It was inactivated on 7 November 1945.
The 372d was primarily a training group during World War II
assigned initially to Fourth Air Force, than later to Third Air Force in March 1944. It took part in air-ground maneuvers and demonstrations, participating in the Louisiana Maneuvers in the summer of 1944 and in similar activities in the US until after V-J Day.
Inactivated at the end of the war, the group was allotted to the California Air National Guard
on 24 June 1946 and redesignated as the 144th Fighter Group.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
unit. Its last assignment was with Third Air Force
Third Air Force
The Third Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Forces in Europe . It is headquartered at Ramstein Air Base, Germany....
, stationed at Alexandria Army Air Base, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
. It was inactivated on 7 November 1945.
The 372d was primarily a training group during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
assigned initially to Fourth Air Force, than later to Third Air Force in March 1944. It took part in air-ground maneuvers and demonstrations, participating in the Louisiana Maneuvers in the summer of 1944 and in similar activities in the US until after V-J Day.
Inactivated at the end of the war, the group was allotted to the California Air National Guard
California Air National Guard
The California Air National Guard is the air component of the California National Guard. The California Air National Guard is headquartered at Sacramento, California.One of the duties of the California Air National Guard is defense of the United States...
on 24 June 1946 and redesignated as the 144th Fighter Group.
Lineage
- Constituted as 372d Fighter Group on 12 October 1943
- Activated on 28 October 1943
- Redesignated 372d Fighter-Bomber Group in April 1944
- Redesignated 372d Fighter Group in June 1944
- Inactivated on 7 November 1945
- Redesignated 144th Fighter Group and allotted to ANG (Calif) on 24 June 1946.
Assignments
- IV Fighter CommandIV Fighter CommandThe IV Fighter Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to Fourth Air Force, based at Oakland Airport, California...
, 28 October 1943 - III Fighter CommandIII Fighter CommandThe III Fighter Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Third Air Force stationed at MacDill Field, Florida. It was inactivated on 8 April 1946.-Lineage:...
, 29 March 1944-7 November 1945
Components
- 407th Fighter Squadron: 1943-1945
- 408th Fighter Squadron: 1943-1945
- 409th Fighter Squadron: 1943-1945.
Stations
- Hamilton Field, CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, 28 October 1943 - Portland Army Air BasePortland Air National Guard BasePortland Air National Guard Base is a United States Air Force base, located at Portland International Airport, Oregon. It is located northeast of Portland, Oregon.-Overview:The base is the home of the 142d Fighter Wing, Oregon Air National Guard...
, OregonOregonOregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, 7 December 1943 - Esler Army Airfield, LouisianaLouisianaLouisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, 29 March 1944 - Pollock Army Airfield, LouisianaLouisianaLouisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, 14 April 1944 - Esler Army Airfield, LouisianaLouisianaLouisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, 9 February 1945 - Alexandria Army Air Base, LouisianaLouisianaLouisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, 14 September–November 1945.