Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport aircraft.

[4][5] The group moved to the Middle East between October and December 1942[1] for operations with Ninth Air Force along with its 314th and 316th squadrons, while the 315th remained behind until January 1943.

Reunited in June 1943, the 324th group engaged primarily in escort and patrol missions between Tunisia and Sicily until July 1943.

It resumed combat on 30 October 1943 and directed most of its attacks against roads, bridges, motor transport, supply areas, rolling stock, gun positions, troop concentrations, and rail facilities in Italy until August 1944.

It aided the Allied offensive in Italy during May 1944, receiving another DUC during the Battle of Monte Cassino for action from 12 to 14 May when the group bombed an enemy position on Monastery Hill, attacked troops massing on the hill for counterattack, and hit a nearby stronghold to force the surrender of an enemy garrison.

The group converted to Republic P-47 Thunderbolts in July and supported the assault on southern France in August by dive-bombing gun positions, bridges, and radar facilities, and by patrolling the combat zone.

The unit attacked such targets as motor transport, rolling stock, rail lines, troops, bridges, gun emplacements, and supply depots after the invasion, giving tactical support to Allied forces advancing through France.

The unit aided the reduction of the Colmar bridgehead in January and February 1945, and supported Seventh Army's drive through the Siegfried defenses in March.

It was organized at Bradley Field, Windsor Locks, Connecticut in July 1946 and was extended federal recognition on 7 August 1946.

[9] However, ADC was experiencing difficulty under the wing base organizational structure in deploying its fighter squadrons to best advantage.

During its period of federalization, the 118th FIS transferred many of its pilots and ground support personnel to Regular Air Force units.

The 103rd was reactivated on 1 November 1952 with the end of the units federalization period and redesignated as the 103rd Fighter-Bomber Wing, operationally-gained by the Tactical Air Command (TAC).

In 1990 the 103rd was programmed to receive the specialized Block 10 F-16A/B Fighting Falcon, also referred to as the F/A-16 due to its close air support configuration.

During Operation Desert Storm, the F/A-16 was battle tested and it was discovered that the close air support F-16 project proved to be a failure.

In what is believed to be the 103rd Fighter Wing's first "rainbow deployment" – where unit aircraft and personnel deploy and operate with aircraft and personnel from other units – members of the unit departed for Aviano Air Base Italy starting 15 November 1993 for participation in Operation DENY FLIGHT alongside A-10s and personnel from the Maryland and Michigan Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve based at Barksdale AFB Louisiana.

There the unit, operating as part of the 387th Air Expeditionary Group flew over 892 combat missions over western Iraq from March through April 2003.

The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommended to the Department of Defense to realign Bradley International Airport Air Guard Station by distributing the 103rd's A-10s to the 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Municipal Airport Air Guard Station (nine aircraft) and retirement (six aircraft).

This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency Rogers, Brian.

AF Pamphlet 900-2, Unit Decorations, Awards and Campaign Participation Credits, Vol II Archived 4 August 2015 at the Wayback Machine Department of the Air Force, Washington, DC, 30 September 1976