442nd Fighter Wing

442d Fighter Wing
442d Fighter Wing - Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II - 79-0164
Active	1949–1951; 1952–1982; 1984–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Wing
Role	Fighter
Size	1,100 personnel
Part of	Air Force Reserve Command
Garrison/HQ	Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri
Motto(s)	Si Jeunesse Savait, Si Viellesse Pouvait French If Youth Knew, If Age Could 1955-1996
Decorations	AFOUA Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
Commanders
Current commander	Col Brian K. Borgen
Insignia
442d Fighter Wing emblem (approved 3 January 1996)
Patch with 442d Troop Carrier Wing emblem (approved 23 January 1963)
442d Troop Carrier Wing emblem (approved 6 May 1955)
Tail code	KC
Tail stripe	Yellow/red
Aircraft flown
Attack	A-10 Thunderbolt II

The 442d Fighter Wing is an Air Reserve Component of the United States Air Force. It is assigned to Tenth Air Force, Air Force Reserve Command, stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. If mobilized, the wing is gained by the Air Combat Command.

The 442d Fighter Wing trains reserve personnel and to operate, maintain and support the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II at combat readiness.

The 442nd Fighter Wing is organized like most Air Force wings. There are three groups and a medical squadron under the wing that are physically located at Whiteman AFB:

The wing was first activated as the 442d Troop Carrier Wing at Fairfax Field, Kansas in June 1949, when Continental Air Command (ConAC) reorganized its flying units under the wing base organization system, which united the flying units and supporting units under a single wing. The wing was equipped with Curtiss C-46 Commandos and Douglas C-47 Skytrains, but also flew trainer aircraft under the supervision of the 2472d Air Force Reserve Training Center. In May 1950 the wing and center moved to nearby Naval Air Station Olathe, Kansas. Although the 442d was manned at only 25% of normal strength, its combat group was authorized four squadrons rather than the three of active duty units.

The 442d was mobilized for the Korean war, as were all reserve combat units. This action was effective on 10 March 1951. Along with other Tenth Air Force units, it was activated in the second wave of reserve units being called up. Its personnel were distributed as fillers to other organizations, with Strategic Air Command getting first pick of these mobilizees. The unit's aircraft were distributed to other organizations as well, and the wing was inactivated two days after its call-up.