#1603 356th FS F-35A Lightning II print
Description
Squadron Prints Lithograph No. 1603 - 18-5356 '356 FS', F-35A Lightning II, 356th Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska.
The 356 Fighter Squadron (356 FS) is a unit assigned to the 354 Fighter Wing (354 FW). Currently stationed at Eielson AFB, Alaska, the 356 FS was activated on 15 Nov 1942 at Hamilton Field, California. The unit flew P-39 Airacobras during an initial training period while assigned to the IV Fighter Command. In June 1943, the unit was reequipped with P-51B Mustangs and deployed to the European Theater of Operations (ETO). Placed under operational control of the Eighth Air Force, the 356th flew long range bomber escort missions until November 1944. In November 1944, the 356th was reequipped with P-47D Thunderbolts to standardize fighter forces across the 8th and 9th Air Forces. The 356th remained in Occupied Germany until the squadron’s deactivation on 31 March, 1946. On 19 Nov 1956, the 356th was re-activated at Myrtle Beach AFB, South Carolina, flying the F-100 Super Sabre. During the Vietnam War, the 356 FS served alert positions at Misawa AB, Japan, and Kunsan AB, South Korea while transitioning to the F-4 Phantom II. Returning to Myrtle Beach in 1971, the Green Demons transitioned to a training mission flying the A-7D Corsair II. The training mission ended in July 1977 when the 356th became the Air Force’s first operational A-10A fighter squadron. In August 1990, the 356th deployed to King Fahd International Airport, Saudi Arabia in preparation for Operation Desert Shield/Storm. During January and February 1991 the 356th flew combat operations inflicting heavy damage to enemy armor and artillery emplacements, cutting off enemy supply lines, and engaging in search-and-rescue operations. The Green Demons returned home to Myrtle Beach in March 1991 and immediately began phasing down operations, as Myrtle Beach AFB prepared to permanently close. The 356 FS was deactivated on 10 June, 1992. On 10 October, 2019, the 356 FS was officially reactivated under the 354 Operations Group at Eielson AFB, Alaska. The reactivation marked the 354 Fighter Wing’s transition back to a combat mission. Flying the USAF’s newest fifth-gen stealth fighter, the F-35A Lightning II (also known as the Panther), the Green Demons train to a variety of offensive counter air (OCA) missions. The 356th is primarily focused on the Pacific AOR, however, the squadron is globally deployable and stands ready to protect American interests across the globe.