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===Components===
===Components===
* 108th Fighter (later, Strategic Fighter; Fighter-Bomber; Fighter-Interceptor; Tactical Fighter) Group, 26 May 1949-19 Oct 1991
* 108th Operations Group, 19 Oct 1991-Present

* [[141st Air Refueling Squadron|141st Fighter (later Fighter-Bomber; Fighter-Interceptor; Tactical Fighter; Air Refueling) Squadron]]
: Assigned to 108th Group element, 26 May 1949-Present
* [[150th Air Refueling Squadron]]
: Assigned to 108th OG, 30 September 1993-Present

* [[119th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron]], 1 June 1955-15 October 1962 (GSU at Atlantic City, NJ)
* [[149th Fighter Squadron]], 1 March 1951-30 November 1952, 1 October 1961-17 August 1962 (Virginia ANG)
* [[153d Fighter Squadron]], 1 March 1951-30 November 1952 (Mississippi ANG)


* 340th Fighter Squadron: 30 Sep 1942 – 10 May 1946.
* 340th Fighter Squadron: 30 Sep 1942 – 10 May 1946.

Revision as of 23:21, 14 September 2012

108th Air Refueling Wing
108th Air Refueling Wing emblem
Active1952—present
CountryUnited States
BranchAir National Guard
TypeAir Refueling
RoleCombat Support
Part ofNew Jersey Air National Guard
Garrison/HQMcGuire Air Force Base
Nickname(s)"Jersey Thunder"
KC-135s on the flight line

The 108th Air Refueling Wing (108th ARW) is a unit of the New Jersey Air National Guard, stationed at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command.

The World War II predecessor unit, 348th Fighter Group, was the most successful P-47 Thunderbolt group in the South West Pacific Theatre. Its commander, Colonel Neel Ernest Kearby was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in combat. Over a dozen of the group's pilots became Flying aces.

Overview

The 108th Air Refueling Wing principal mission is air refueling. The wing enhances the Air Force's capability to accomplish its primary missions of Global Reach and Global Power. It also provides aerial refueling support to Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps aircraft as well as aircraft of allied nations. The wing is also capable of transporting litter and ambulatory patients using patient support pallets during aeromedical evacuations.

Units

The wing consists of four component units.

The wing operates a total of 8 KC-135R Stratotankers and Detachment 2, 108th Air Refueling Wing flying a single C-135B transport version of the KC-135.

History

World War II

see: 348th Fighter Group for full World War II history
First Lieutenant Lawrence F. O’Neill of the 342nd Fighter Squadron, in the cockpit of his Republic P-47D Thunderbolt, AAF Serial No. 42-22903, which he christened “Kathy/Veni Vidi Vici,” following his quadruple victory on 26 December 1943. O'Neill survived the war and reached Ace status with a total of 5 aerial victories.

The 348th Fighter Group was activated at Mitchel Army Airfield, New York, on 30 September 1942. It was equipped with the P-47 Thunderbolt. The 348th was one of the first USAAF Groups to be equipped with the P-47.

After an extended period of training in the northeast United States, the Group deployed to Archer Field (Archerfield Airport), Brisbane, Australia in June 1943. Began long-range missions to strike at Japanese targets in New Guinea. In mid-June the 348th made the 1,200-mile flight from Brisbane to Port Moresby, New Guinea. The unit operated from New Guinea and Noemfoor until November 1944, flying patrol and reconnaissance missions and escorted bombers to targets in New Guinea and New Britain.

In 1944 the 348th began to attack airfields, installations, and shipping in western New Guinea, Ceram, and Halmahera to aid in neutralizing those areas preparatory to the US invasion of the Philippines. When U.S. troops landed on Luzon the the group in process of conversion from P-47's to P-51 Mustangs, began operation from San Marcelino airstrip a few days after the landing at San Marcelino and Subic Bay. From this location the unit engaged in ground support operations, bombing and strafing in close support of ground troops. Remained in the Philippines throughout the campaign, moving to Okinawa in mid July 1945 in preparation for the planned invasion of Japan. Engaged in long-range operations over the Japanese Home Islands until ceasing combat on 14 August 1945.

Became part of the Army of Occupation in Japan, moving to Itami Airfield, Japan in October 1945 as part of Far East Air Forces. Inactivated at Itami Airfield on 10 May 1946.

New Jersey Air National Guard

Lineage

  • Constituted as 348th Fighter Group on 24 September 1942
Activated on 30 September 1942
Inactivated on 10 May 1946
Re-designated: 108th Strategic Fighter Wing extended federal recognition on 26 May 1949
Federalized and placed on active duty, 1 March 1951
Released from active duty and returned to New Jersey state control, 10 November 1952
Re-designated: 108th Fighter-Interceptor Wing on 10 November 1952
Re-designated: 108th Tactical Fighter Wing on 1 July 1958
Federalized and placed on active duty, 1 October 1961
Federalized components operated as 7108th Tactical Wing
Released from active duty and returned to New Jersey state control, 30 August 1962
Re-designated: 108th Air Refueling Wing on 19 Oct 1991

Assignments

Gained by: Strategic Air Command
Gained by: Air Defense Command
Gained by: Tactical Air Command, 1 July 1958
Federalized 7108th Tactical Wing assigned to United States Air Forces in Europe, 1 October 1961-30 August 1962
Gained by: Air Combat Command, 1 June 1992
Gained by: Air Mobility Command, 1 June 1993-Present

Components

  • 108th Fighter (later, Strategic Fighter; Fighter-Bomber; Fighter-Interceptor; Tactical Fighter) Group, 26 May 1949-19 Oct 1991
  • 108th Operations Group, 19 Oct 1991-Present
Assigned to 108th Group element, 26 May 1949-Present
Assigned to 108th OG, 30 September 1993-Present
  • 340th Fighter Squadron: 30 Sep 1942 – 10 May 1946.
  • 341st Fighter Squadron: 30 Sep 1942 – 10 May 1946.
  • 342d Fighter Squadron: 30 Sep 1942 – 10 May 1946.
  • 460th Fighter Squadron: 30 Sep 1942 – 10 May 1946.

Stations

Aircraft

References

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

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