342d Fighter-Day Wing

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.

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

Major Commands

 * Ninth Air Force, 25 July 1956 – 18 November 1956

Bases assigned

 * Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, South Carolina, 25 July 1956 – 18 November 1956

Major aircraft assigned

 * RF-80 Shooting Star (1956)

Operational history
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