390th Electronic Combat Squadron

390th Electronic Combat Squadron
EA-18G Growler at NAS Whidbey Island
Active1943–1946; 1953–1959; 1962–1982; 1982–present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleElectronic Combat
Part ofAir Combat Command
Garrison/HQNaval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington
Nickname(s)Wild Boars
Blue Boar (Vietnam)
Engagements
World War IIEAME Theater

Vietnam War

Armed Forces Expeditionary
Gulf War (Southwest Asia)
Decorations
Distinguished Unit Citation
Presidential Unit Citation

Air Force Meritorious Unit Award

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" device
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
Belgian Fourragère
Commanders
Current
commander
Lt Col Jesse Vanasse [citation needed]
Notable
commanders
Lt Col Hoyt S. Vandenberg Jr. 6 January 1967
Lt Col Larry D. New 17 Jun 1992
Lt Col Frank Gorenc 22 Jan 1996
Insignia
390th Fighter Squadron emblem (modified 18 November 1993)[1]
390th Fighter-Bomber Squadron emblem (approved 6 October 1955)[2]

The 390th Electronic Combat Squadron (390 ECS) is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 366th Fighter Wing at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho and stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington.

The 390th was constituted on 24 May 1943 as the 390th Fighter Squadron and assigned to the 366 Fighter Group. On 17 December 1943 the unit was moved to Membury England and began combat operations in the European Theater. Since this time the unit has flown over ten different aircraft including the F-51, F-86, F-4, F-111 and the F-15. In the late 90s the USAF retired its aging fleet of EF-111A's leaving the Air Force without a dedicated EA platform. While the Air Force's EA platform may have disappeared the need for electronic attack has not. Due to this fact, in 1995, the Office of the Secretary of Defense arranged an agreement with the Navy embedding USAF electronic warfare airmen in Navy EA-6B and now EA-18G squadrons. Currently, The 390th provides logistical expertise and personnel to operate the EA-18G Growler in support of the Joint Airborne Electronic Attack Program.

  1. ^ Haulman, Daniel L. (17 April 2017). "Factsheet 390 Electronic Combat Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  2. ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 479–480