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390th Electronic Combat Squadron

390th Electronic Combat Squadron
FieldValue
unit_name390th Electronic Combat Squadron
imageEA-18G at Whidbey April 2007.jpg
image_size290
captionEA-18G Growler at NAS Whidbey Island
dates1943–1946; 1953–1959; 1962–1982; 1982–present
country
branch
roleElectronic Combat
command_structureAir Combat Command
current_commanderLt Col Jesse Vanasse
garrisonNaval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington
nicknameWild Boars
Blue Boar (Vietnam)
battles[[File:European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Streamer.jpg150px]]
World War II – EAME Theater
[[File:Vietnam Service Streamer vector.svg150px]]
Vietnam War
[[File:Streamer AFE.PNG150px]]
Armed Forces Expeditionary
notable_commandersLt. Col. Harold E. Comstock (later Colonel)
8 Sep 1954
Lt. Col. Hoyt S. Vandenberg Jr. (later Maj. Gen.)
6 January 1967
Lt. Col. Larry D. New
(later Maj. Gen.)
17 Jun 1992
Lt. Col. Frank Gorenc (later General)
22 Jan 1996
decorations[[File:Streamer PUC Army.PNG150px]]
Distinguished Unit Citation
Presidential Unit Citation
[[File:AF MUA Streamer.JPG150px]]
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award
[[File:US Air Force Outstanding Unit Award - Stremer.jpg150px]]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" device
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
[[File:VGCP Streamer.jpg150px]]
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
Belgian Fourragère
battle_honours
identification_symbol_2[[File:390th ECS Emblem.svg165px]]
identification_symbol_2_label390th Fighter Squadron emblem (modified 18 November 1993)
identification_symbol_3[[File:390th tactical fighter sq.jpg165px]]
identification_symbol_3_label390th Fighter-Bomber Squadron emblem (approved 6 October 1955)

8 Sep 1954
Lt. Col. Hoyt S. Vandenberg Jr. (later Maj. Gen.)
6 January 1967 Lt. Col. Larry D. New (later Maj. Gen.) 17 Jun 1992 Lt. Col. Frank Gorenc (later General) 22 Jan 1996 Distinguished Unit Citation Presidential Unit Citation Air Force Meritorious Unit Award Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" device Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Belgian Fourragère

The 390th Electronic Combat Squadron (390 ECS) is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 366th Fighter Wing at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho and stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington.

The 390th was constituted on 24 May 1943 as the 390th Fighter Squadron and assigned to the 366th Fighter Group. On 17 December 1943 the unit was moved to Membury England and began combat operations in the European Theater. Since this time the unit has flown over ten different aircraft including the F-51, F-86, F-4, F-111 and the F-15. In the late 90s the USAF retired its aging fleet of EF-111A's leaving the Air Force without a dedicated EA platform. While the Air Force's EA platform may have disappeared the need for electronic attack has not. Due to this fact, in 1995, the Office of the Secretary of Defense arranged an agreement with the Navy embedding USAF electronic warfare airmen in Navy EA-6B and now EA-18G squadrons. Currently, The 390th provides logistical expertise and personnel to operate the EA-18G Growler in support of the Joint Airborne Electronic Attack Program.

Mission

390 ECS's mission is to man and deploy the Expeditionary EA-18G Growler squadrons in accordance with the Joint Airborne Electronic Attack program.

History

World War II

The 390th flew combat missions in the European Theater of Operations from 14 March 1944 – 3 May 1945.

On 12 April 1944, the squadron's P-47s flew its first escort job of the month and one of the deepest penetrations in its brief operational history. The VIII Air Force bombers went out in force to strike at repair depots and aircraft factories in Germany and Poland. The squadron took the big friendly into the vicinity of Kobelnz. The mission was uneventful. Three new replacements arrived on this day in the persons of Lieutenants William A.Hurd, Henry G. Hyde, and Robert B. Jones.

Vietnam

390th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4Cs flying over Vietnam, late 1965.

The 390th flew combat missions in Southeast Asia from, c. 18 November 1965 – 14 June 1972.

Electronic Warfare

EF-111A Raven in flight

The squadron conducted replacement training from, 1 July 1974 – c. 18 August 1976. It trained EF-111A Raven aircrews in electronic countermeasures from, 15 December 1982 – 4 August 1992. The 390th again saw combat when it jammed radar sites during the invasion of Panama in December 1989, and the Gulf War from, 17 January 1991 – 6 March 1991. The 390 FS also deployed aircraft and aircrews to Turkey and Saudi Arabia from, 10 January–c. 11 September 1992.

It was redesignated the 390th Electronic Combat Squadron again on 27 September 2010.

Operations

  • World War II
  • Vietnam War
  • Operation Just Cause
  • Operation Desert Storm

Lineage

  • Constituted as the 390th Fighter Squadron (Single Engine) on 24 May 1943 : Activated on 1 June 1943 : Redesignated 390th Fighter Squadron, Single Engine on 20 August 1943 : Inactivated on 20 August 1945
  • Redesignated 390th Fighter-Bomber Squadron on 15 November 1952 : Activated 1 January 1953
  • Redesignated 390th Tactical Fighter Squadron on 1 July 1958 : Inactivated on 1 April 1959 : Activated on 30 April 1962 (not organized) : Organized on 8 May 1962 : Inactivated on 1 October 1982
  • Redesignated 390th Electronic Combat Squadron on 10 December 1982 : Activated on 15 December 1982
  • Redesignated 390th Fighter Squadron on 11 September 1992
  • Redesignated 390th Electronic Combat Squadron on 27 September 2010

Assignments

  • 366th Fighter Group: 1 June 1943 – 20 August 1946
  • 366th Fighter-Bomber Group: 1 January 1953 (attached to 21st Fighter-Bomber Wing 25 December 1955 – c. 14 June 1956)
  • 366th Fighter-Bomber Wing (later 366th Tactical Fighter Wing): 25 September 1957 – 1 April 1959
  • United States Air Forces in Europe: 30 April 1962 (not organized)
  • 366th Tactical Fighter Wing: 8 May 1962
  • 6252d Tactical Fighter Wing: 29 October 1965
  • 35th Tactical Fighter Wing: 8 April 1966
  • 366th Tactical Fighter Wing: 10 October 1966
  • 347th Tactical Fighter Wing: 30 June 1972
  • 366th Tactical Fighter Wing (later 366th Fighter Wing: 31 October 1972 – 1 October 1982 (attached Detachment 1, Hq, 366th Tactical Fighter Wing 19 August 1976 – 16 September 1976)
  • 366th Fighter Wing: 15 December 1982 – present)

Stations

  • Richmond Army Air Base, Virginia, 1 June 1943
  • Bluethenthal Field, North Carolina, 9 August 1943
  • Richmond Army Air Base, Virginia, 6 November 1943 – 17 December 1943
  • RAF Membury, England, 10 January 1944
  • RAF Thruxton, England, 1 March 1944
  • Saint-Pierre-du-Mont Airfield, France, 20 June 1944
  • Dreux - Vernouillet Airport, France, 25 August 1944
  • Laon-Couvron Air Base, France, 8 September 1944
  • Asch Airfield, Belgium, 26 November 1944
  • Münster-Handorf Airfield, Germany, 14 April 1945
  • Bayreuth-Bindlach Airfield, Germany, 28 June 1945
  • Fritzlar Air Base, Germany, 14 September 1945 – 20 August 1946
  • England Air Force Base, Louisiana, 1 January 1953 – 1 April 1959 :: Deployed to Aviano Air Base, Italy, 25 December 1955 – c. 14 June 1956
  • Chambley-Bussieres Air Base, France, 30 April 1962
  • Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, 12 June 1963
  • Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam, 29 October 1965 (deployed to Clark Air Base, Philippines until c. 17 November 1965)
  • Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, 30 June 1972 – 1 October 1982
  • Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, 15 December 1982
- Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, 27 September 2010 – present ### Aircraft - P-47 Thunderbolt (1943–1946) - P-51 Mustang (1953) - F-86 Sabre (1953–1955) - F-84 Thunderjet (1954–1958, 1962–1965) - F-100 Super Sabre (1957–1959) - F-4 Phantom II (1965–1972) - F-111F model then F-111A model Aardvark (1972–1982) - EF-111A Raven (1982–1992) - F-15C/D Eagle (1992–2010) - EA-6B Prowler (2010–2014) - EA-18G Growler (2011–present) ### Campaign streamers World War II: - Air Offensive, Europe - Normandy - Northern France - Rhineland - Ardennes-Alsace - Central Europe - Air Combat, EAME Theater Vietnam: - Vietnam Defensive - Vietnam Air - Vietnam Air Offensive - Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase II - Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase III - Vietnam Air/Ground - Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase IV - TET 69/Counteroffensive - Vietnam Summer-Fall, 1969 - Vietnam Winter-Spring, 1970 - Sanctuary Counteroffensive - Southwest Monsoon - Commando Hunt V - Commando Hunt VI - Commando Hunt VII - Vietnam Ceasefire Southwest Asia: - Defense of Saudi Arabia - Liberation and Defense of Kuwait - Ceasefire Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers: - Panama, 1989–1990. ### Decorations Distinguished Unit Citation: 1. Normandy, 11 July 1944 Presidential Unit Citations (Southeast Asia): 1. 23 Apr–1 Aug 1967 1. 1 Apr–26 Jun 1972 Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with Combat "V" Device: 1. 1 May 1966 – 31 Mar 1967 1. 1 Apr 1967 – 31 Mar 1968 1. 1 Apr 1968 – 31 Jul 1969 1. 1 Aug 1969 – 1 Aug 1970 1. 2 Aug 1970 – 31 Mar 1972 Meritorious Unit Award: 1. 1 Jan 2007 – 31 May 2008. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1. 1 May 1964 – 30 Apr 1966; 1. 17 Apr 1974 – 15 Apr 1976; 1. 16 Apr 1976 – 27 Mar 1978; 1. 18 Aug–16 Sep 1976; 1. 1 Apr 1983 – 31 Mar 1985; 1. 1 Mar 1989 – 28 Feb 1991; 1. 1 Mar 1992 – 28 Feb 1994; 1. 1 Jun 1996 – 31 May 1998; 1. 1 Jun 1999 – 31 May 2001; 1. 1 Jun 2001 – 31 May 2002; 1. 1 Jun 2003 – 31 May 2005; 1. 1 Jun 2005 – 31 May 2006; 1. 1 Jun 2011 – 31 May 2012. Cited in the Orders of the Day, Belgian Army: 1. 6 Jun–30 Sep 1944; 1. 1 Oct–17 Dec 1944; 1. 18 Dec 1944 – 25 Jan 1945. Belgian Fourragere. Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm: 1. 1 May 1966 – 30 Jun 1972. ### Previous commanders - Capt Harold N. Holt, 1 June 1943 - Capt Clure E. Smith, 14 May 1944 - Capt Maurice L. Martin, 2 October 1944 - Capt Lowell B. Smith, 1 Feb – c. 20 Apr 1945 - unknown, 21 Apr 1945 – 20 Aug 1946 - Maj John W. Saxton, c. 1 Jan 1953-unknown - Lt Col Harold E. Comstock, c. Jun 1954-unknown - Maj Joseph S. Michalowski, unknown – 14 Aug 1957 - Maj Fred H. Henderson, 14 August 1957 - Lt Col Frank J. McGuinness, 9 Sep 1958 – 1 Apr 1959 - unknown, 8 May – 15 Jul 1962 - Lt Col Raymond L. Hurley, 16 July 1962 - Lt Col Jack Bellamy, 29 June 1964 - Lt Col Douglas H. Frost, Jul 1966 - Lt Col Hoyt S. Vandenberg Jr., 6 January 1967 - Lt Col Hervey S. Stockman, 19 May 1967 - Lt Col Clement D. Billingslea, 11 June 1967 - Lt Col Fred A. Haeffner, 20 June 1967 - Lt Col Wayne T. Elder, 23 November 1967 - Lt Col John S. Stoer, 19 May 1968 - Lt Col Cecil G. Foster, 29 July 1968 - Lt Col Robert S. McCormick, 7 June 1969 - Lt Col Garold R. Beck, 19 June 1969 - Lt Col John E. Cadou, 27 March 1970 - Lt Col Robert B. Watson, 8 December 1970 - Lt Col Delbert H. Jacobs, 22 April 1971 - Lt Col Walter E. Bjorneby, 18 December 1971 - Lt Col Gene E. Taft, 6 May-c. 14 June 1972 - none (not manned), 15–29 Jun 1972 - Lt Col Robert B. Coburn, 30 June 1972 - Lt Col Ronald G. Strack, 18 June 1973 - Lt Col David H. Reiner, 13 December 1974 - Lt Col John A. Dramesi, 1 May 1975 - Lt Col James C. Sharp, 12 April 1976 - Lt Col Brian R. Williams, 16 May 1977 - Lt Col Joe G. Cabuk Jr., 10 May 1979 - Lt Col Samuel L. Harris, 9 Jan 1981 – 1 Oct 1982 - Lt Col Herbert T. Pickering Jr., 15 December 1982 - Lt Col Robert J. Osterloh, 24 June 1983 - Lt Col William R. Teske, 7 June 1985 - Lt Col Richard M. Meeboer, 22 June 1987 - Lt Col Dennis Hardziej, 1 June 1989 - Lt Col Kenneth J. Muldowney, 7 June 1991 - Lt Col Larry D. New, 17 June 1992 - Lt Col Peter J. Bunce, 24 March 1994 - Lt Col Frank Gorenc, 22 January 1996 - Lt Col Mitch R. Fryt, 25 July 1997 - Lt Col Eric M. O’Connell, 16 July 1999 - Lt Col James P. Molloy, 9 March 2001 - Lt Col David A. Slade, 7 March 2003 - Lt Col Jeffrey W. Prichard, 25 March 2005 - Lt Col David L. Cool, 20 November 2006 - Lt Col James E. Stratton, 25 October 2008 - Lt Col Donald K. McFatridge, 27 September 2010 - Lt Col Karl Fischbach, May 2011 - Lt Col Don Keen, May 2013 - Lt Col Allen A. Geist, 20 May 2015 - Lt Col Jeffery S. Kassebaum, May 2017 - Lt Col David C. Davidson, June 2019 - Lt Col John L. Henderson, June 2021 ## References ### Notes ### Bibliography ## References 1. (17 April 2017). ["Factsheet 390 Electronic Combat Squadron (ACC)"](https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/432508/390-electronic-combat-squadron-acc/). *Air Force Historical Research Agency*. 2. Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', pp. 479–480 3. ["390th Fighter Squadron - History - April 1944"](https://www.9af.org/390th-fs-history-april-1944.cfm). 4. (11 August 2014). ["EA-18G officially the combat aircraft flown by 390th ECS"](https://www.acc.af.mil/News/story/id/123420621/source/GovD/). *Air Combat Command Public Affairs*. 5. Wolff, Jeremy D.. (2017-10-17). ["USAF's first electronic attack fighter pilots [Image 2 of 4]"](https://www.dvidshub.net/image/3917388/usafs-first-electronic-attack-fighter-pilots). ::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/390th_Electronic_Combat_Squadron) and is available under the [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the [article history page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/390th_Electronic_Combat_Squadron?action=history). ::
military-units-and-formations-established-in-1943 military-units-and-formations-in-idaho electronic-combat-squadrons-of-the-united-states-air-force
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