20th Pursuit Group at Butte, Montana

20th Pursuit Group at Butte, Montana

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From Barksdale AFB web site: On October 31, 1932, Barksdale Field's first combat organization, the 20th Pursuit Group, arrived from Mather Field, Sacramento, California, USA. At the time the 20th had two pursuit squadrons, the 55th and the 77th. Five months later, on April 1, 1933, the group activated a third pursuit squadron, the 79th. The group's mission was aerial training for the purpose of developing procedures and techniques for engaging hostile aircraft. Boeing P-12s and later aircraft also served as protection to vital industrial centers, airdromes and airborne attack bombardment aircraft.

From Ranger95 website: Authorized on the inactive list as 20th Balloon Group on October, 18, 1927. Redesignated 20th Pursuit Group in 1929. Activated on November 15, 1930. Redesignated 20th Pursuit Group (Fighter) in 1939, 20th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) in 1941, and 20th Fighter Group in 1942. Equipped successively with P-12, P-26, and P-36 aircraft prior to WW II; used P39s and P-40s during the early part of the war; converted to P-38s in January 1943. Trained, participated in maneuvers and tactical exercises, and took part in aerial reviews and demonstrations during the period 1930-1939. Provided personnel for and helped to train new units during 1940-1941. Served as an air defense organization after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Began intensive training late in 1942 for combat duty overseas.


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From Barksdale AFB web site: On October 31, 1932, Barksdale Field's first combat organization, the 20th Pursuit Group, arrived from Mather Field, Sacramento, California, USA. At the time the 20th had two pursuit squadrons, the 55th and the 77th. Five months later, on April 1, 1933, the group activated a third pursuit squadron, the 79th. The group's mission was aerial training for the purpose of developing procedures and techniques for engaging hostile aircraft. Boeing P-12s and later aircraft also served as protection to vital industrial centers, airdromes and airborne attack bombardment aircraft. From Ranger95 website: Authorized on the inactive list as 20th Balloon Group on October, 18, 1927. Redesignated 20th Pursuit Group in 1929. Activated on November 15, 1930. Redesignated 20th Pursuit Group (Fighter) in 1939, 20th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) in 1941, and 20th Fighter Group in 1942. Equipped successively with P-12, P-26, and P-36 aircraft prior to WW II; used P39s and P-40s during the early part of the war; converted to P-38s in January 1943. Trained, participated in maneuvers and tactical exercises, and took part in aerial reviews and demonstrations during the period 1930-1939. Provided personnel for and helped to train new units during 1940-1941. Served as an air defense organization after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Began intensive training late in 1942 for combat duty overseas.