338th Bombardment Group

The 338th Bombardment Group (BG) is a disbanded United States Air Force unit. It was last active with Continental Air Command at O'Hare International Airport, Illinois on 27 June 1949.

History
The group was activated by III Fighter Command as a fighter Operational Training Unit (OTU) during World War II with the 305th, 306th, and 312th Fighter Squadrons assigned as its operational elements. The group's mission was to train newly-trained pilots and provide combat training prior to their overseas deployment. Initially equipped with the P-39 Aircobra, later using P-47 Thunderbolts and P-51 Mustangs when they became available.

In June 1943, the 312th Fighter Squadron moved to Perry Army Airfield, Florida. The group was disbanded in 1944, and its personnel, equipment and mission transferrred to 335th Army Air Force Base Unit (Replacement Training Unit, Fighter).

Reconstituted as an element of Continental Air Command and redesignated as the 338th Bombardment Group, Very Heavy at Orchard Place Airport, Illinois as an Air Force Reserve B-29 Superfortress Group. However, ConAC did not have the funding nor personnel to stand up the organization and it remained an administrative organization until inactivated in June 1949.

Lineage

 * Constituted as the 338th Fighter Group on 16 July 1942
 * Activated on 22 July 1942
 * Disbanded on 4 May 1944.
 * Reconstituted and redesignated 338th Bombardment Group, Very Heavy, on 5 May 1947
 * Activated on 12 June 1947.
 * Inactivated on 27 June 1949
 * Disbanded 9 September 1992

Assignments

 * III Fighter Command, 22 July 1942 – 4 May 1944
 * 73d Bombardment Wing (later 73d Air Division), 12 June 1947 – 27 June 1949

Components
World War II
 * 305th Fighter Squadron: 16 July 1942 - 1 May 1944
 * 306th Fighter Squadron: 16 July 1942 - 1 May 1944
 * 312th Fighter Squadron: 16 July 1942 - 1 May 1944
 * 441st Fighter Squadron: 21 February 1943 - 1 May 1944

Air Force Reserve
 * 42d Flying Training Squadron: 1947–1949.
 * 560th Bombardment Squadron: 1947–1949
 * 561st Bombardment Squadron: 1947–1949
 * 562d Bombardment Squadron: 1947–1949
 * 563d Bombardment Squadron: 1947–1949.

Stations

 * Dale Mabry Field, Florida, 22 July 1942 – 1 May 1944
 * Orchard Place Aprt, Illinois, 12 June 1947 – 27 June 1949

Aircraft

 * P-39 Airacobra, 1942–1944
 * P-47 Thunderbolt, 1942–1944
 * P-51 Mustang, 1942–1944