318th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
| 318th Fighter Interceptor Squadron | |
|---|---|
F-15 Eagle of the 318th Fighter Interceptor Squadron
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| Active | 1942–1989 |
| Country |
 United States
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| Branch |
 United States Air Force
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| Role | Fighter Interceptor |
| Nickname(s) | Green Dragons |
| Engagements |
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| Decorations |
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| Insignia | |
| 318th Fighter Interceptor Squadron emblem (approved 9 November 1955) |  |
The 318th Fighter Interceptor Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 25th Air Division based at McChord AFB, Washington. The squadron was inactivated on 7 December 1989.
It was established in mid-1942 as a fighter squadron, and trained under I Fighter Command primarily in the northeast with Curtiss P-40 Warhawks. It was deployed to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO) in Algeria, and took part in the North African Campaign supporting the United States Fifth Army's advance with tactical air support. It attacked enemy armored columns, troop concentrations, road transport, bridges and other targets of opportunity. It also flew combat missions over Sicily from airfields in Tunisia, supporting the Allied ground forces in the liberation of the island. The squadron was re-equipped with P-47 Thunderbolts when it moved to Italy in late 1943, and continued tactical operations as part of Twelfth Air Force. It supported the Fifth Army as it advanced into central and northern Italy during the Italian Campaign. the squadron was re-equipped with P-51D Mustangs in 1944. It continued combat operations until the German capitulation, and demobilized in northern Italy during the summer of 1945. It was inactivated in October.
It was reactivated by Air Defense Command in May 1947 at Mitchell Field, New York. In December 1947 it was transferred to Hamilton Field, California where it received its first aircraft, P-61 Black Widows which had been pressed into the air defense mission. In the spring of 1948 the squadron received new F-82 Twin Mustangs and in November 1948 moved to McChord AFB, Washington. In the fall of 1950 the squadron transitioned into jet F-94As Starfire Interceptors.
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