Wing heritage easier to access

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mike Morrison
  • 442nd Fighter Wing historian
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The first “histories” of our wing were little more than well constructed photo journals divided by group and squadron functions. Surprisingly, there is little content in these early publications that cover the Normandy invasion, however, there are several photos depicting the unit’s role in the ill-fated Anglo-American-planned and executed Operation Market-Garden over Holland from September 17 to 21, 1944. 

After World War II, the focus of wing or group periodic histories shifted from a pictorial to a technical format, which included log-type entries into a narrative or book format. These simplified histories constructed the foundation for the modern periodic history format that was used from the birth of the Continental Air Command in 1948, until the present. 

Unfortunately, there are a lack of histories in the 442nd Fighter Wing archives between the end of World War II and 1958. However, attempts to reunite these histories with the unit are being made with the most promising being the transferring of information consolidated during this period from the Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA) at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., to the 442nd via compact discs. The current library of wing histories spans from 1958 to 2003. 

The next phase in the evolution of the recording of wing history is the newly-minted Issues Based Electronic History (IBEH). This all-electronic, computer-based format consists of the same information found in the traditionally printed versions of wing periodic histories, including all front matter such as a table of contents, preface and commander’s comments, and other relevant sections dedicated to mission, operations, support and general wing information. 

One of the major differences between the traditional histories and the IBEH are the ease of collecting and recording information, and accessing this information after the history is submitted to AFHRA. 

The IBEH is formatted with built-in hyperlinks that allow the reader to detour from the issues text to original source documents. This eliminates the need to shuttle between volumes of a hard-copy history. The ease of reading the electronic copy is further facilitated by the reader’s ability to determine what part of the document fits their research needs. In other words, while the IBEH is comprehensive in its construction, some information found in the history will not be relevant to the reader’s needs. Thus, parts of the history can be bypassed; a feature not available with traditional printed versions without the reader having to scan the entire text. 

A fundamental reason for transitioning to the IBEH format is the ability for wing members to access the wing’s history. Unlike the limited number of hard copies available in the wing’s archives, which are maintained within the guidelines of the wing historian’s Air Force Instruction 84-101, the IBEH, with the exception of classified annexes, will be stored on the wing’s shared drive. This allows the reader to access the history as soon as it is posted. 

As information sharing in today’s Air Force Reserve evolves from a paper-based system to one involving electronic communications, it is vital to allow wing members to have access to information about the wing’s history. The IBEH does just that. Through widespread availability and ease of use, annual wing histories will become not just a record of past activities and accomplishments but a tool used by wing members to fully appreciate the ability of the wing to meet its mission and that of the Air Force Reserve