The wing was first activated as the 55th Bombardment Operational Training Wing in March 1943 at MacDill Field, Florida. Various groups were attached to the wing for short periods for training, but none were permanently assigned.[1]
Assigned to Fifteenth Air Force, being stationed at Bari, Italy and was inactivated on 9 September 1945.[1]
Air National Guard
Allocated to the Ohio Air National Guard for command and control origination for units in the Ohio River Valley region of the United States. Extended federal recognition and activated on 21 August 1946.
At the end of October 1950, the Air National Guard converted to the wing-base (Hobson Plan) organization. As a result, the wing was withdrawn from the Ohio ANG and was inactivated on 31 October 1950. The 121st Fighter Wing was established by the National Guard Bureau, allocated to the state of Ohio, recognized and activated 1 November 1950; assuming the personnel, equipment and mission of the inactivated 55th Fighter Wing.
Lineage
Constituted as the 55th Bombardment Operational Training Wing (Medium) on 17 March 1943
Activated on 31 March 1943
Redesignated 55th Bombardment Wing (Medium) in October 1943
Redesignated 55th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) in December 1943
Inactivated 9 September 1945
Redesignated 55th Fighter Wing and allotted to the National Guard on 21 August 1946
Activated and extended federal recognition on 7 December 1947