Established in mid-1942 as a
IV Fighter Command Operational Training Unit (OTU) with a mission to train fighter pilots on single-engine fighter aircraft. Later became a Replacement Training Unit (RTU). Inactivated in early 1944 when the need for fighter pilots was reduced.
Air defense
The squadron was redesignated the 329th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron and reactivated at
George Air Force Base, California in August 1955[1] as part of
Air Defense Command's Project Arrow, which was designed to bring back on the active list the fighter units which had compiled memorable records in the two world wars.[2] At George. the squadron replaced the
456th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, which had been detached from the
520th Air Defense Group at
Truax Field, Wisconsin, assuming its
North American F-86D Sabres and its mission to provide air defense over the Southern California region.[3]
In the spring of 1957 it received F-86L Sabres and a year later transitioned into
Convair F-102A Delta Dagger aircraft. In July 1960 the unit began flying
Convair F-106 Delta Darts. The 329th was inactivated on 31 July 1967 as part of the phasedown of ADC.
Lineage
Constituted as the 329th Fighter Squadron (Single Engine) on 24 June 1942
Activated on 10 July 1942
Redesignated 329th Fighter Squadron, Single Engine c. 1 August 1943
Disbanded on 31 March 1944
Reconstituted and redesignated 329th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron on 20 June 1955
^Aircraft is Convair F-106A Delta Dart serial 59-23, taken in the mid-1960s.
^Aircraft is North American F-86D-40-NA Sabre serial 52-3719. Taken at George AFB, California, July 1957. Two stripes on the fuselage represent Operations Officer's aircraft.
^Aircraft is Convair F-102A-90-CO Delta Dagger serial 57-811. Taken about 1959.
Buss, Lydus H.(ed), Sturm, Thomas A., Volan, Denys, and McMullen, Richard F., History of Continental Air Defense Command and Air Defense Command July to December 1955, Directorate of Historical Services, Air Defense Command, Ent AFB, CO, (1956)