312 Aeronautical Systems Group (AFMC) Lineage. Established as 312 Bombardment Group (Light) on 28 Jan 1942. Activated on 15 Mar 1942. Redesignated: 312 Bombardment Group (Dive) on 27 Jul 1942; 312 Bombardment Group (Light) on 21 Dec 1943; 312 Bombardment Group, Light, on 14 Feb 1944; 312 Bombardment Group, Heavy, on 19 Jul 1945. Inactivated on 6 Jan 1946. Redesignated 312 Bombardment Group, Very Heavy, on 14 Jul 1947. Activated in the Reserves on 30 Jul 1947. Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949. Redesignated 312 Fighter-Bomber Group on 29 Jul 1954. Activated on 1 Oct 1954. Inactivated on 8 Oct 1957. Redesignated 312 Tactical Fighter Group on 31 Jul 1985. Consolidated (23 Jun 2006) with the F-16 Systems Group, which was established on 23 Nov 2004. Activated on 18 Jan 2005. Redesignated 312 Aeronautical Systems Group on 14 Jul 2006. Assignments. III Air Support Command, 15 Mar 1942; III Bomber Command, 16 Mar 1942; XII Bomber Command, 2 May 1942; III Ground Air Support Command, 10 Aug 1942; Desert Training Center, Army Ground Forces, 20 Feb 1943; III Air Support Command, 31 May 1943; V Fighter Command, 19 Nov 1943; V Bomber Command, 16 Jan 1944; Seventh Air Force, 18 Oct-13 Dec 1945; Vancouver Barracks, WA, 3-6 Jan 1946. 44 Bombardment Wing (later, 44 Air Division, Bomb), 30 Jul 1947-27 Jun 1949. 312 Fighter-Bomber Wing, 1 Oct 1954-8 Oct 1957. Fighter Attack Systems (later, 312 Aeronautical Systems) Wing: 18 Jan 2005-. Components. Squadrons. 386 Bombardment (later, 386 Fighter-Bomber): 15 Mar 1942-18 Dec 1945; 13 Aug 1947-27 Jun 1949; 1 Oct 1954-8 Oct 1957. 387 Bombardment (later, 387 Fighter-Bomber): 15 Mar 1942-6 Jan 1946; 13 Aug 1947-27 Jun 1949; 1 Oct 1954-8 Oct 1957. 388 Bombardment (later, 388 Fighter-Bomber): 15 Mar 1942-4 Jan 1946; 13 Aug 1947-27 Jun 1949; 1 Oct 1954-8 Oct 1957. 389 Bombardment: 15 Mar 1942-26 Dec 1945; 13 Aug 1947-27 Jun 1949. Stations. Bowman Fld, KY 15 Mar 1942; Will Rogers Fld, OK, May 1942; Hunter Fld, GA, 26 Aug 1942; DeRidder AAB, LA, 20 Feb 1943; Rice AAFld, CA, 13 Apr 1943; Salinas AAB, CA, 15 Aug-24 Oct 1943; Sydney, Australia, 19 Nov 1943; Brisbane, Australia, 22 Nov 1943; Lae, New Guinea, 21 Dec 1943; Gusap, New Guinea, c. 1 Jan 1944; Hollandia, New Guinea, Jun 1944; Tanauan, Leyte, 19 Nov 1944; Mangaldan, Luzon, 10 Feb 1945; Floridablanca, Luzon, 19 Apr 1945; Yontan Air Drome, Okinawa, 13 Aug-13 Dec 1945; Vancouver Barracks, WA, 3-6 Jan 1946. Ellington Fld (later, AFB), TX, 30 Jul 1947-27 Jun 1949. Clovis (later, Cannon) AFB, NM, 1 Oct 1954-8 Oct 1957. Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, 18 Jan 2005-. Commanders. Unkn, 15 Mar -1 Sep 1942; Col Robert H. Strauss, 1 Sep 1942; Lt Col Selmon W. Wells, 10 Mar 1945; Col Frank R. Cook, c. 25 Aug 1945-unkn. Unkn, 30 Jul 1947-27 Jun 1949. Lt Col Charles A. Appel, 1954; Lt Col John E. Vogt, 2 Feb 1955; Col Emmett S. Davis, 8 Jul 1955; Col Arlie J. Blood, 3 Jun-8 Oct 1957. Aircraft. V-72, 1942-1943; A-24, 1942-1943; A-36, 1943; P-40, 1943-1944; A-20, 1944-1945; B-32 1945. F-86, 1955-1956; F-100, 1956-1957. Operations. Trained with A-24, A-31, and P-40 aircraft prior to moving to Southwest Pacific in Nov 1943. Began operations in New Guinea, flying patrol and escort missions. Following conversion to light bombers, attacked airfields, troop concentrations, gun positions, bridges, and warehouses on the northern and western coasts of New Guinea. Moved to Philippines in Nov 1944 and provided support for ground troops and struck airfields and transportation facilities. Received a DUC for actions against Japanese butanol plants in Formosa, 25 Mar-4 Apr 1945. Trained in the Reserve, 1947-1949. From Oct 1954-Oct 1957, trained and exercised in F-86 and F-100 fighter-bombers. Service Streamers. World War II, American Theater. Campaign Streamers. World War II: Air Offensive, Japan; New Guinea; Western Pacific; Leyte; Luzon. Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None. Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Formosa, 25 Mar-4 Apr 1945. Philippine Presidential Unit Citation. Lineage, Assignments, Components, Stations, and Honors through 14 Jul 2006 Commanders, Aircraft, and Operations through Oct 1957. Supersedes published information in Maurer Maurer (ed.), Air Force Combat Units of World War II (Washington: USGPO, 1983). Emblem. Group must use wing emblem with group designation in the scroll. Prepared by Carl E. Bailey Reviewed by Daniel L. Haulman.