The Connecticut Air National Guard began with the activation during W.W.I. Later, the National Defense Act of 1921 provided for a number of National Guard Aviation Squadrons and the 43rd Aero Squadron was redesignated as the 43rd Division Air Service Squadron. Before Brainerd Field in Hartford was completed in 1923, the squadron was based in Rhode Island. When construction was complete, the unit was reorganized as the 118th Observation Squadron and its first aircraft was the Curtis JN-4 "Jenny".

During WW II, the 118th was activated and flew anti-submarine missions along the east coast. Later, in 1943, the unit transitioned to combat aircraft (P-40, P-39, A-20, B-25, and finally, the P-51) and was redesignated as the 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron. In 1944, the 118th was reassigned to the China-Burma-India theater of operations as part of the 23rd Fighter Group, the "Flying Tigers." The unit participated in security patrol, close air support, and ground attack missions as part of the 23rd Fighter Group. Following the conclusion of the war, the 118th was officially disbanded.



















Regards Duggy.