The 355th Operations Group consists of five squadrons and over 450 personnel employing 75 A/OA-10 aircraft and an AN/TPS-75 radar system. It provides war-fighters with forces for close air support (CAS), air interdiction (AI), forward air control (FAC), combat search and rescue (CSAR), ground-based tactical air control, and airbase operations. It also conducts all formal course directed aircraft initial qualification/requalification training.
The 'Bulldogs' of the 354th FS maintain and employ 18 A-10 and 6 OA-10 combat ready aircraft to conduct Close Air Support, Air Interdiction, Forward Air Control -- Airborne, and Combat Search and Rescue missions for theater commanders worldwide.
Trains pilots in the A-10 and OA-10 Thunderbolt II. The 'Dragons' of the 357th FS conduct all formal courses related to directed aircraft transition, day and night weapons and tactics employment, day and night air refueling and dissimilar air combat maneuvers. The squadron trains pilots to plan, coordinate, execute, and control day and night close air support, air interdiction and battlefield surveillance and reconnaissance. The squadron prepares pilots for combat mission ready upgrade.
Beginning in May 1992, the 355th Operations Group took over control of flying units for 355th Wing. It provided war-fighters with forces for close air support, air interdiction, forward air control, ground-based tactical air control, and airbase operations. From 1992-2002, the group trained and provided electronic combat capabilities and airborne command and control.
For a brief period from Mar-Oct 2003 until the squadrons realigned under the 563d Rescue Group, it maintained a combat search and rescue capability. It also conducted all formal course directed aircraft initial qualification/requalification training for the A-10. In Oct 2003 and again in Nov 2005, the group deployed A-10s in support of combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Until 2011, the wing maintained the West Coast A-10 Demonstration Team. After the 2011 season it was discontinued, due to Federal sequestration constraints. It had consisted of 12 members and was assigned to the 355th Operations Group. The team's primary mission is to encourage retention and recruitment by showcasing the A-10 Thunderbolt II. It performed at more than 30 air shows annually before 15 million spectators nationwide, and provided insight about Air Combat Command and the United States Air Force.
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This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
