357th Fighter Squadron
The 357th Fighter Squadron is part of the 355th Fighter Wing at Davis–Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. It operates Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft training pilots for close air support missions.
| 357th Fighter Squadron | |
|---|---|
357th Fighter Squadron Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II 76-0532 at Davis–Monthan AFB, 1991 | |
| Active | 1942–1946; 1952–1960; 1962–1970; 1971–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Role | Fighter Training |
| Part of | Air Combat Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Davis–Monthan Air Force Base |
| Nickname(s) | Dragons |
| Engagements | European Theater of Operations Vietnam War |
| Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation Presidential Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm |
| Insignia | |
| 357th Fighter Squadron Emblem (approved 23 January 2008) | |
| 357th Fighter Squadron Emblem (approved 24 June 1943) | |
The squadron was first activated during World War II as a Republic P-47 Thunderbolt fighter squadron. After training in the United States the unit deployed to the European Theater of Operations. The unit entered combat operations in the summer of 1943, continuing in combat until April 1945. It earned a Distinguished Unit Citation for carrying out a difficult attack in April 1944. The squadron moved to Germany, where it was briefly part of the occupation forces before returning to the United States where it was inactivated in November 1945.