303d Fighter Squadron: History and Origins

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Capt. Tyler Wistisen, left, 1st Lt. Michael Flury and Capt. Tana Gurule were honored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars with the Life Saving Award at the Clark County Armory in Las Vegas May 14, 2021. While in the nation's capital in January supporting the presidential inauguration, the Soldiers assisted a Virginia woman injured in a car crash.

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Military awards worn by a District of Columbia Army National Guard Soldier in Washington, D.C., March 10, 2021, include the D.C. National Guard Presidential Inauguration Support Ribbon on the bottom right. The ribbon is authorized for award to National Guard members from any state, territory or the District of Columbia who supported the 59th presidential inauguration on Title 32 orders.

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U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Carl Mattonen stands with his daughter, Spc. Carlie Mattonen, both with Forward Support Company, 107th Engineer Battalion, Michigan National Guard, near the U.S. Capitol in Washington Feb. 26, 2021.

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Soldiers from the Michigan National Guard’s Forward Support Company, 107th Engineer Battalion, based in Marquette, and the 177th Military Police Brigade, based in Taylor, join other Soldiers in food distribution at the U.S. Capitol Feb. 7, 2021. The National Guard is supporting law enforcement in the nation's capital through mid-March.

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1st Lt. Darren Tanis, executive officer of the Michigan Army National Guard’s 1433rd Engineer Company, based in Fort Custer, Michigan, stands near the U.S. Capitol in Washington Feb. 3, 2021. The National Guard is supporting federal law enforcement in the nation's capital through mid-March.

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Australian Army Capt. Dustin Gold, a reserve officer from the Royal Australian Artillery 9th Regiment, participates in a Reserve Forces Foreign Exchange Program with D.C. National Guard in Washington D.C., Jan. 23, 2021.

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Video by Master Sgt. Robert Jennings

303d Fighter Squadron: History and Origins

442d Fighter Wing

Sept. 2, 2022 | 19:20

The 303d Fighter Squadron has a long heritage, dating back to the 303d Troop Carrier Squadron in World War II. We spoke with some of pilots involved in the conversion of the squadron from C-130s to A-10s, and who have flown the A-10 and commanded the squadron since 1980s.

Credits: This video includes footage from the National Archives (https://catalog.archives.gov/); Gunsmoke '91, a production of the 442d Tactical Fighter Wing Public Affairs; and Grunts in the Sky, an documentary produced by Senior Airman Daniel Negrete about 303 FS activities in Afghanistan in 2014.

Music: Serene Horizon by Jean-Phillipe Ichard, published by Koka Media, Universal Production Music France
Dive Deeper by Liam Joseph Hennessy published by Ninja Tune Production Music