World War II

The 389th flew combat in the European Theater of Operations from 14 March 1943 to 3 May 1945.^[1]

The 389th Fighter Squadron, led by Colonel Meyer, participated in its first combat mission on March 14, 1944, under Field Order #78 from Headquarters, Ninth Fighter Command.  Eighteen P-47's took part in this mission which was a fighter sweep into France with the Bayeux-St Aubin area as the target.  After briefing at 0600 in the group briefing room, they took off at 0745, experienced very little flak and no contact with E/A, returning undamaged. By the end of March the squadron comprising 59 Officers and 253 Enlisted Men had flown a total of 16 missions.^[3]

Tactical Air Command

Vietnam War

The squadron flew combat operations in Southeast Asia from 14 March 1966 to 8 October 1971.^[1]

Recent operations

The squadron trained F-111 Aardvark aircrews from 30 September 1979 to 26 June 1991. It rotated aircraft and personnel to Southwest Asia throughout the 1990s in support of Operation Southern Watch. It furnished resources for units participating in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Noble Eagle following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. Pilots and aircraft deployed from unit conducted close air support mission after 2005, although the unit itself remained in the United States.^[1]

Assignments

• 366th Fighter Group, 1 June 1943 – 20 August 1946
• 366th Fighter-Bomber Group, 1 January 1953 (attached to Twelfth Air Force 29 September–17 November 1954, 48th Fighter-Bomber Wing 18 November 1954 – 28 March 1955, United States Air Forces in Europe c. 20 September-c. 3 October 1956, 21st Fighter-Bomber Wing after 10 June 1957)
• 366th Fighter-Bomber Wing (later 366th Tactical Fighter Wing), 25 September 1957 – 1 April 1959 (remained attached to 21 Fighter-Bomber Wing to c. Oct 1957, attached to 388th Fighter-Bomber Wing, c. Oct-9 Dec 1957, 49th Fighter-Bomber Wing 10–22 December 1957)
• United States Air Forces in Europe, 30 April 1962 (not organized)
• 366th Tactical Fighter Wing, 8 May 1962 (attached to Alaskan Air Command, 15 September–16 December 1965)
• 37th Tactical Fighter Wing, 15 June 1969
• 12th Tactical Fighter Wing, 31 March 1970
• 347th Tactical Fighter Wing, 15 October 1971
• 366th Tactical Fighter Wing, 31 October 1972 – 22 July 1991
• 366th Operations Group, 11 March 1992 – present^[1]

Stations

Aircraft

Operations

In recent years, the Thunderbolts have served as a leading example of fighter aircraft war fighting capability, especially through exceptional demonstrations of Agile Combat Employment in 2024 and 2025. After one highly successful deployed operation, the 389th Fighter Squadron was recognized by President Biden as an "exceptional group of men and women. Among the greatest mankind has ever known."^[6]

Culture

An important aspect of fighter aviation culture is the use of callsigns. The 389FS uniquely grants new members with the callsign "Sparky" immediately upon arrival to the squadron. Symbolizing a small or "baby" Thunderbolt, the name Sparky speaks to the innocence of the new members. Not yet tampered by war and the mistakes and experiences that inevitably accompany it, Sparkies bear a badge of purity among the squadron. As such, they are bestowed with duties that others are not permitted - namely preparing food and snacks (such as popcorn) for the squadron. Sparkies are the social life-blood, maintaining the youthfulness of the squadron.

After deployment to a combat environment, or gaining sufficient experience to no longer be considered a new member of the squadron, the name Sparky is retired, allowing other young members to take up title and continue to carry the torch of youth and innocence.

Notes

Citations

Bibliography

• Anderson, Capt. Barry (1985). Army Air Forces Stations: A Guide to the Stations Where U.S. Army Air Forces Personnel Served in the United Kingdom During World War II (PDF). Maxwell AFB, AL yes: Research Division, USAF Historical Research Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 January 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
• Johnson, 1st Lt. David C. (1988). U.S. Army Air Forces Continental Airfields (ETO) D-Day to V-E Day (PDF). Maxwell AFB, AL: Research Division, USAF Historical Research Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 September 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2017.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-02-1. LCCN 61060979. Retrieved 17 December 2016.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
• Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947–1977. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-12-9. Retrieved 17 December 2016.