What is now the 169th Airlift Squadron originated during World War II as the 304th Fighter Squadron, which was activated on July 23, 1942. The 304th was assigned to the 337th Fighter Group at the Pinellas County Airport, Florida, and served as an operational training unit equipped with the P-39 Airacobra and the P-40 Warhawk. The 304th was disbanded May 1, 1944, and reconstituted May 24, 1946, redesignated the 169th Fighter Squadron and allocated to the Illinois National Guard.
This link is to the Facebook group for the 182nd Airlift Wing, the Air National Guard unit stationed at Peoria IAP.