66th Weapons Squadron
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The United States Air Force's 66th Weapons Squadron is a United States Air Force Weapons School Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II instructional flying unit, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.
66th Weapons Squadron | |
---|---|
Active | 1941–1945; 1946–1958; 1969–1981; 2003–present |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Air Force |
Role | Advanced Close Air Support Training |
Part of | Air Combat Command |
Garrison/HQ | Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada |
Nickname(s) | Wild Weasel (1969-1981) |
Engagements | Mediterranean Theater of Operations[1] |
Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation (3x) Air Force Outstanding Unit Award French Croix de Guerre, with Palm[1] |
Insignia | |
66th Weapons Squadron emblem (reinstated and modified 18 January 1978)[1] | |
66th Fighter Weapons Squadron emblem (approved 20 March 1970)[1] | |
Patch with 66th Fighter Squadron emblem (approved 2 January 1942)[1] | |
Tail Code | WA |
The squadron was first activated in the build up of the American military prior to its entry into World War II as the 66th Pursuit Squadron. After training in the United States, it deployed to North Africa in 1942, and participated in combat in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. The squadron moved forward through Egypt, Libya, and Tunisia with Allied forces, moving to Italy in 1943. The 66th earned three Distinguished Unit Citations for its combat actions before returning to the United States for inactivation in 1945.
The following year, the squadron was activated for the air defense of Alaska. It served in this role, and briefly in the air defense of California, before inactivating in 1958. It was reactivated in 1969 as the 66th Fighter Weapons Squadron, an advanced training unit for Wild Weasel tactics until inactivating in 1981.