JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- The National Guard Association of the United States has named the 113th Wing the winner of the 2009 Spaatz Award. The 113th Wing was formally the 352nd Fighter Group, that was credited with destroying 791.5 enemy aircraft between 1943 and 1945. Initially equipped with the P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft, the 352nd transitioned to the P-51 Mustang just prior to D-Day, and it was with this aircraft that the unit obtained its greatest reputation. On D-Day the 352nd strafed and dive-bombed German communication sites. In May of 1944, the Group was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation when it shot down 27 enemy aircraft on a escort mission to Brunswick, Germany. On Nov. 2, 1944, the Group shot down another 38 German planes in a single day. This was the second highest solo day score achieved by any Group in World War II. (U.S. Air Force phot by Tech. Sgt. Tyrell Heaton)