35th Tactical Fighter Wing
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The 35th Fighter Wing is an air combat unit of the
United States Air Force The United States Air Force (USAF) is the Air force, air service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is one of the six United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Tracing its ori ...
and the host unit at
Misawa Air Base is an air base of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), List of United States Air Force installations, the United States Air Force, and the United States Navy located in Misawa, Aomori, Misawa, Aomori Prefecture, Aomori, in the northern p ...
, Japan. The
wing A wing is a type of fin that produces both Lift (force), lift and drag while moving through air. Wings are defined by two shape characteristics, an airfoil section and a planform (aeronautics), planform. Wing efficiency is expressed as lift-to-d ...
is part of
Pacific Air Forces The Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) is a List of Major Commands of the United States Air Force, Major Command (MAJCOM) of the United States Air Force and is also the air component command of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM). PAC ...
(PACAF)'s
Fifth Air Force The Fifth Air Force (5 AF) is a Numbered Air Force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). It is headquartered at Yokota Air Base, Japan. It is the U.S. Air Force's oldest continuously serving Numbered Air Force. The organ ...
. The wing was first activated in August 1948 at
Johnson Air Base is a Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) base located in the city of Sayama, Saitama, Sayama, Saitama Prefecture, north of western Tokyo, Japan. It was the airfield for the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force Academy until 1945, when it became Joh ...
, Japan when PACAF implemented the wing base organization. It participated in the
Korean War The Korean War (25 June 1950 – 27 July 1953) was an armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula fought between North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea; DPRK) and South Korea (Republic of Korea; ROK) and their allies. North Korea was s ...
and later served in the
air defense Anti-aircraft warfare (AAW) is the counter to aerial warfare and includes "all measures designed to nullify or reduce the effectiveness of hostile air action".AAP-6 It encompasses surface-based, subsurface (Submarine#Armament, submarine-lau ...
of Japan until inactivating in 1957. In 1966, the wing was again activated and served in combat in the
Vietnam War The Vietnam War (1 November 1955 – 30 April 1975) was an armed conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia fought between North Vietnam (Democratic Republic of Vietnam) and South Vietnam (Republic of Vietnam) and their allies. North Vietnam w ...
until inactivating in 1972 with the withdrawal of US forces from Southeast Asia. It was soon reactivated at
George Air Force Base George Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base located within the city limits, 8 miles northwest, of central Victorville, California, about 75 miles northeast of Los Angeles, California. Established by the United States Army Air C ...
, California, where it served until inactivating in 1992. It was activated the following year in Iceland as an air defense unit. With the drawdown of US forces in Iceland, the 35th Wing was inactivated on 1 October 1994 at Keflavik, but redesignated, reassigned, and reactivated as the 35th Fighter Wing at Misawa Air Base the same day.


Mission

The mission of the 35th Wing is to project power throughout the Pacific theater and execute worldwide deployments.


Units

The 35th Fighter Wing is a combat-ready F-16 wing composed of 4 groups, 2 fighter squadrons, 27 support squadrons and agencies, and more than 3,850 personnel. Host unit for 13,500-manned base supporting 35 associate units representing all four US military services and the Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF). The Operations Group controls all flying and airfield operations. The Maintenance Group performs Aircraft and Aircraft support equipment maintenance. The Mission Support Group has a wide range of responsibilities but a few of its functions are Security, Civil Engineering, Communications, Personnel Management, Logistics, Services and Contracting support. The Maintenance Group provides aircraft and mission support equipment maintenance, while the Medical Group provides medical and dental care. 35th Fighter Wing * 35th Fighter Wing Staff Agencies ** 35th Comptroller Squadron ** 35th Fighter Wing Chaplain ** 35th Fighter Wing Retiree Activities Office ** 35th Fighter Wing Command Post ** 35th Fighter Wing Inspector General ** 35th Fighter Wing Plans, Programs, and Inspections ** 35th Fighter Wing Legal ** 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs ** 35th Fighter Wing Safety ** 35th Fighter Wing Equal Opportunity Office ** 35th Fighter Wing Protocol ** 35th Fighter Wing School Liaison ** 35th Fighter Wing Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Office *
35th Operations Group The 35th Operations Group (35 OG) is the operational flying component of the United States Air Force 35th Fighter Wing. It is stationed at Misawa Air Base, Japan, and is a part of Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). During World War II, the unit's pr ...
(Tail Code: WW) **
13th Fighter Squadron The 13th Fighter Squadron is a fighter squadron of the United States Air Force. The squadron flies the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon and is part of the 35th Fighter Wing at Misawa Air Base, Japan. The squadron traces its heritage bac ...
F-16CJ/DJ Fighting Falcon **
14th Fighter Squadron The 14th Fighter Squadron is part of the 35th Fighter Wing at Misawa Air Base, Japan. It operates the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft conducting Wild Weasel missions. The squadron has been stationed at Misawa since 1987. The squadron was first ...
– F-16CJ/DJ Fighting Falcon ** 35th Operations Support Squadron ** 610th Air Control Flight * 35th Maintenance Group ** 13th Fighter Generation Squadron ** 14th Fighter Generation Squadron ** 35th Maintenance Squadron * 35th Medical Group ** 35th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron ** 35th Dental Squadron ** 35th Healthcare Operations Squadron ** 35th Medical Support Squadron ** 35th Surgical Operations Squadron * 35th Mission Support Group ** 35th Civil Engineer Squadron ** 35th Contracting Squadron ** 35th Communications Squadron ** 35th Force Support Squadron ** 35th Logistics Readiness Squadron ** 35th Security Forces Squadron


History

: ''For additional history and lineage, see
35th Operations Group The 35th Operations Group (35 OG) is the operational flying component of the United States Air Force 35th Fighter Wing. It is stationed at Misawa Air Base, Japan, and is a part of Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). During World War II, the unit's pr ...
'' The 35th Fighter Wing flew air defense missions in Japan, August 1948 – November 1950. Redesignated 35th Fighter-Interceptor Wing in January 1950 and two squadrons ( 39th,
40th Fighter Squadron The Motorola 68040 ("''sixty-eight-oh-forty''") is a 32-bit microprocessor in the Motorola 68000 series, released in 1990. It is the successor to the 68030 and is followed by the 68060, skipping the 68050. In keeping with general Motorola ...
s) were equipped with
Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star The Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star is the first jet fighter used operationally by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) during World War II. Designed and built by Lockheed in 1943 and delivered just 143 days from the start of design, two p ...
jet fighters.


Korean War

In July 1950, the
35th Fighter-Interceptor Group Military units *35th Fighter Wing, an air combat unit of the United States Air Force *35th Infantry Division (United States), a formation of the National Guard since World War I *35th Infantry Regiment (United States), a regiment created on 1 July 1 ...
commenced combat from
Ashiya Air Base is a military airdrome of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force . It is located north of Ashiya in the Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. History Ashiya Airfield was established as a Japanese Army Air Force facility in 1944 and was used primarily as a de ...
in southwestern Japan. It quickly converted from F-80Cs back to the rugged and longer-range
North American F-51D Mustang Over twenty variants of the North American P-51 Mustang fighter were produced from 1940, when it first flew, to after World War II, some of which were employed also in the Korean War and in several other conflicts. Allison-engined Mustangs NA- ...
s it had given up only a short time before. Group headquarters and the 40th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron moved to
Pohang Air Base Pohang Gyeongju Airport is an airport in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. In 2011, 255,227 passengers used the airport. History Pohang Airfield was originally developed during the Japanese Imperial period. Military Pre-Korea ...
(K-3) on South Korea's south eastern coast in mid-July, and the 39th Squadron followed on 10 August. The precarious ground situation in Korea forced the 35th Group to return to
Tsuiki Air Base file:JASDF 8th Tactical Fighter Squadron 60th Anniversary "Elephant Walk".jpg, 260px, JASDF 8th Tactical Fighter Squadron Mitsubishi F-2 at Tsuiki is a military aerodrome of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force . It is located in on the northeast coa ...
, Japan on 13 August, where it remained until early October. The two squadrons of the 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group were attached to the wartime 6131st Tactical Support Wing from 1 August, then to the 6150th Tactical Support Wing. The Korean War squadrons of the 35th FIG were the 39th (F-80C, F-51D), 40th (F-80C, F-51D) and
339th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron The 339th Flight Test Squadron is a United States Air Force unit based at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. It is part of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, with a mission to certify aircraft as worthy to return to service. The squadron ...
s (F-82G, F-89). From 6 September, the group supported
United Nations The United Nations (UN) is the Earth, global intergovernmental organization established by the signing of the Charter of the United Nations, UN Charter on 26 June 1945 with the stated purpose of maintaining international peace and internationa ...
ground forces moving north of the 38th parallel. The squadrons focused their attacks on fuel dumps, motorized transport, and enemy troop concentrations until it moved in mid-November to a forward airstrip at
Yonpo Airfield Yonpo Airfield (Korean: ), also known as Yonpo Air Base or K-27 Air Base, was an airport near Hamhung, South Hamgyong Province, North Korea. History Korean War On 2 July 1950, the 19th Bombardment Group launched a strike on Yonpo Airfield based ...
, near the North Korean port city of
Hungnam Hŭngnam () is a district of Hamhung, the second largest city in North Korea. It is a port city on the eastern coast on the Sea of Japan. It is only from the slightly inland city of Hamhung. In 2005 it became a ward of Hamhung. History The por ...
to provide
close air support Close air support (CAS) is defined as aerial warfare actions—often air-to-ground actions such as strafes or airstrikes—by military aircraft against hostile targets in close proximity to friendly forces. A form of fire support, CAS requires ...
to the U. S. Army
X Corps 10th Corps, Tenth Corps, or X Corps may refer to: France * 10th Army Corps (France) * X Corps (Grande Armée), a unit of the Imperial French Army during the Napoleonic Wars Germany * X Corps (German Empire), a unit of the Imperial German Army * ...
. When Communist Chinese Forces (CCF) surrounded the 1st U.S. Marine Division at the
Battle of Chosin Reservoir The Battle of Chosin Reservoir, also known as the Chosin Reservoir Campaign or the Battle of Lake Changjin (), was an important battle in the Korean War. The name "Chosin" is derived from the Japanese pronunciation "''Chōshin'', instead of th ...
, the F-51 Mustang-equipped squadrons provided close air support to the Marines. Relocating to
Pusan East Air Base Pusan East (K-9) Air Base(동부산공군기지) was a United States Air Force (USAF) and Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) air base adjacent to the Suyeong River in Haeundae District, Busan, South Korea. It was redeveloped in the 1990s as Cen ...
in early December 1950, the 35th Group continued supporting UN ground forces, eventually staging out of
Suwon Air Base Suwon Air Base is a Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) base near Suwon city. Units The base is home to the ROKAF's 10th Fighter Wing (제10전투비행단), comprising: *101st Fighter Squadron flying KF-5E/KF-5F/F-5F *153rd Fighter Squadron f ...
in March 1951 and
Seoul Air Base Seoul Air Base (sometimes K-16 Air Base, Seoul Airport or Seongnam Air Base) is located in Seongnam city near Seoul in South Korea. Runway 19 and 20 are equipped with an Instrument landing system, ILS. History It was constructed when Korea unde ...
in April. The combat-weakened group was transferred without personnel and equipment back to Johnson Air Base Japan in May 1951 where it was remanned and equipped with F-51s and F-80s and merged back with the wing to provide air defense for Japan. For its combat operations in Korea, the 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group was awarded the
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation The Presidential Unit Citation () is a military unit award of the government of Republic of Korea that may be presented to South Korean and foreign military units for outstanding performance in defense of the Republic of Korea. In recognition of a ...
, and the UN Defensive, UN Offensive, CCF Intervention, 1st UN Counteroffensive and CCF Spring Offensive campaign streamers.


Air Defense of Japan

After the 35th's squadrons transferred back to Johnson in 1951, the group was reunited with the wing and flew several aircraft types. The wing also added
aerial reconnaissance Aerial reconnaissance is reconnaissance for a military or Strategy, strategic purpose that is conducted using reconnaissance aircraft. The role of reconnaissance can fulfil a variety of requirements including Artillery observer, artillery spott ...
to its air defense mission. Aircraft flown included the RC-45, RF-51,
North American F-86F Sabre The North American F-86 Sabre, sometimes called the Sabrejet, is a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as the United States' first swept-wing fighter that could counter the swept-wing Sov ...
and
Lockheed F-94 Starfire The Lockheed F-94 Starfire is a first-generation jet powered all-weather day/night interceptor aircraft designed and produced by Lockheed Corporation. It was the first operational United States Air Force (USAF) fighter equipped with an afterbu ...
. The group was returned to operational status on 15 July 1954, and from 14 August to 30 September 1954 was detached from the wing, moving to
Yokota Air Base , is a Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) and United States Air Force (USAF) base in the Tama Area, or Western Tokyo. It occupies portions of Akishima, Fussa, Hamura, Mizuho, Musashimurayama, and Tachikawa. The base houses 14,000 pers ...
. All components of the wing were reassembled at Yokota in October 1954 and they served together until the wing was inactivated on 1 October 1957 with its operational squadrons coming under the control of the
41st Air Division The 41st Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Fifth Air Force at Yokota Air Base, Japan. It was inactivated on 15 January 1968. History "The 41st Air Division was organized, administered, equip ...
.


Vietnam War

On 14 March 1966, the wing was redesignated the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing. Two weeks later, it was organized at
Da Nang Air Base Da Nang Air Base () (1930s–1975) (also known as Da Nang Airfield, Tourane Airfield or Tourane Air Base) was a French Air Force and later Republic of Vietnam Air Force (RVNAF) facility located in the city of Da Nang, Vietnam. During the Vietnam ...
, South Vietnam, to replace the 6252nd Tactical Fighter Wing. While at Da Nang Air Base, the wing had five flying squadrons assigned or attached to it. Its aircraft were
McDonnell F-4C Phantom II The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is an American tandem two-seat, twin-engine, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor and fighter-bomber that was developed by McDonnell Aircraft for the United States Navy.Swanborough and Bowers ...
,
Martin B-57 Canberra The Martin B-57 Canberra is an American-built, twin-engined tactical bomber and reconnaissance aircraft that entered service with the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1953. The B-57 is a license-built version of the British English Electric ...
, and the
Convair F-102 Delta Dagger The Convair F-102 Delta Dagger is an interceptor aircraft designed and produced by the American aircraft manufacturer Convair. A member of the Century Series, the F-102 was the first operational supersonic interceptor and delta-wing fighter op ...
In October 1966, the wing moved to
Phan Rang Air Base Phan Rang Air Base (also called Thành Sơn Air Base) is a Vietnam People's Air Force (VPAF) ''(Khong Quan Nhan Dan Viet Nam)'' military airfield in Vietnam. It is located north-northwest of Phan Rang – Tháp Chàm in Ninh Thuận Provi ...
, Republic of Vietnam, to replace the
366th Tactical Fighter Wing The 366th Fighter Wing (366 FW) is a fighter wing of the United States Air Force Air Combat Command stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. Units The wing comprises four groups: the 366th Operations Group, 366th Maintenance Group, 3 ...
. With the transfer, the 35th became the parent wing at Phan Rang Air Base. The attached
No. 2 Squadron RAAF No. 2 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) squadron that operates from RAAF Base Williamtown, near Newcastle, New South Wales. From its formation in 1916 as part of the Australian Flying Corps, it has flown a variety of aircraft types ...
provided day and night bombing, photo strike assessment, and close air support primarily for
1st Australian Task Force The 1st Australian Task Force (1 ATF) was a brigade-sized formation which commanded Australian Army, Australian and New Zealand Army units deployed to South Vietnam between 1966 and 1972. 1 ATF was based in a rubber plantation at Nui Dat, north ...
in Phuoc Tuy Province. Missions included air support of ground forces, interdiction, visual and armed reconnaissance, strike assessment photography, escort, close and direct air support, and rapid reaction alert. It struck enemy bases and supply caches in Parrot's Beak just inside the Cambodian border, April–May 1970 and provided close air support and interdiction in support of South Vietnamese operations in Laos and Cambodia, January–June 1971. The wing's resources passed to the 315th Tactical Airlift Wing on 31 July 1971 when the 35th Wing inactivated. It was later reactivated at
George Air Force Base George Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base located within the city limits, 8 miles northwest, of central Victorville, California, about 75 miles northeast of Los Angeles, California. Established by the United States Army Air C ...
California on 1 October 1971. For its wartime combat duty in Southeast Asia, the 35th Wing was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Crosses with Palm and the Vietnam Air; Vietnam Air Offensive; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase II; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase III; Vietnam Air/Ground; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase IV; TET 69/Counteroffensive; Vietnam Summer-Fall, 1969; Vietnam Winter-Spring, 1970; Sanctuary Counteroffensive; Southwest Monsoon; Commando Hunt V; Commando Hunt VI. campaign streamers.


George Air Force Base

The 35th Tactical Fighter Wing was reassigned and reactivated at George Air Force Base, California on 1 October 1971, where it replaced the
479th Tactical Fighter Wing 479th may refer to: *479th Antisubmarine Group, inactive United States Air Force unit * 479th Bombardment Squadron, inactive United States Air Force unit * 479th Field Artillery Brigade (United States), field artillery brigade of the United States ...
. The wing's mission at George was to train F-4 flight crews. Its aircraft initially carried GA as its tail code, but this was changed to WW. General-purpose F-4C/D/E/G training squadrons were: * 20th Tactical Fighter Squadron (December 1972 – 1981) (F-4F) (1981 – June 1992) (F-4E) From 1972–1975, the 20th flew German Air Force F-4F aircraft for training of German Air Force (
Luftwaffe The Luftwaffe () was the aerial warfare, aerial-warfare branch of the before and during World War II. German Empire, Germany's military air arms during World War I, the of the Imperial German Army, Imperial Army and the of the Imperial Ge ...
) pilots. USAF F-4E aircraft in German AF motif were flown after 1981. * 21st Tactical Fighter Training Squadron (December 1972 – October 1980) (F-4C) (later 21st Tactical Fighter Squadron (October 1980 – October 1989) (F-4E), 21st Tactical Fighter Training Squadron (October 1974– June 1991) (F-4E) * 431st Tactical Fighter Training Squadron (December 1972 – October 1978) (F-4D, 1972–1976) (F-4E, 1976–1978) *
434th Tactical Fighter Squadron The 434th Flying Training Squadron is part of the 47th Flying Training Wing based at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. It operates Beechcraft T-6 Texan II aircraft conducting flight training. History World War II The squadron was activated ...
(October 1971 – October 1975) (F-4D)
434th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron (October 1975 – January 1977) (F-4E) * 4435th Tactical Fighter Replacement Squadron (October 1971 – December 1976) (F-4C, Red/White Tail stripe F-4C 1972–1976, F-4E 1976–1977) * 4452d Combat Crew Training Squadron (October 1971 – October 1973) (F-4D, 1972, F-4E, 1972–1973) * 4535th Combat Crew Training Squadron (October 1971 – December 1972) (F-4C)


Wild Weasel Training

In addition to the F-4 training, in November 1974
Republic F-105 Thunderchief The Republic F-105 Thunderchief is an American fighter-bomber that served with the United States Air Force from 1958 to 1984. Capable of Mach 2, it conducted the majority of strike bombing missions during the early years of the Vietnam War. It ...
s from the 17th Wild Weasel Squadron at
Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base or Nakhon Ratchasima Royal Thai Air Force Base is a base of the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) in northeast Thailand, approximately 200 km (125 mi) northeast of Bangkok and about 4 km (2.5 mi) sou ...
, Thailand were withdrawn from Southeast Asia and transferred to the
562d Tactical Fighter Squadron 56 may refer to: * 56 (number) * One of the years 56 BC, AD 56, 1956, 2056 * 56.com, a Chinese online video platform * Fiftysix, Arkansas, an unincorporated community in the United States * Fifty-Six, Arkansas, a city in the United States * "Fifty ...
. By 1975, with the arrival of new F-4G aircraft, the wing was training aircrews exclusively in Wild Weasel radar detection and suppression operations for deployment to operational units in Okinawa and Germany. * 561st Tactical Fighter Squadron (July 1973 – July 1980) (F-105F/G), (F-4G, July 1980 – June 1992)***, The Yellow Tails * 562d Tactical Fighter Squadron (October 1974 – July 1980) (F-105F/G), (F-4G, July 1980 – June 1992), The Blue Tails * 563d Tactical Fighter Squadron (July 1975 – July 1977) (F-105F/G), (F-4G, July 1977 – October 1989), The White Tails * 39th Tactical Fighter Squadron (January 1977 – May 1984) (F-4C/G Tail Code: WW) (January 1976 – October 1980, not operational 1980–1982) (F-4E, January 1982 – May 1984, The Green Tails In 1980, the wing received the new F-4G and its advanced Wild Weasel system. By July 1980, the last F-105G left George Air Force Base, leaving the 35th with F-4Gs in its inventory for Wild Weasel training.


Mission Realignments

In mid-1978, the 431st TFTS was inactivated and replaced by the 561st TFS. Its F-4Es sent to the Air National Guard. The 39th TFS received the Air Force's first F-4Gs, and the F-4Cs were sent to the ANG. All 39th TFS aircraft and personnel were absorbed by the 562d TFTS on 9 October 1980 and the squadron was inactivated. Operations at George Air Force Base were reorganized by mission requirements 30 March 1981. The 35th Tactical Fighter Wing retained control of the 20th and 21st Tactical Fighter Squadrons and gained the inactive 39th TFS for combat ready operations. The 39th remained non-operational until January 1982 when it began equipping with Pave Spike-equipped F-4Es obtained from the
21st Tactical Fighter Wing The 21st Wing (21 WG) is an inactive wing of the United States Air Force. It was established in 1953 as the 21st Fighter-Bomber Wing, deploying to Europe to join NATO's Allied Command Europe, before being inactivated in 1958. It reactivated i ...
at
Elmendorf Air Force Base Elmendorf Air Force Base is a United States Air Force (USAF) facility in Anchorage, Alaska. Originally known as Elmendorf Field, it became Elmendorf Air Force Base after World War II. It is the home of the Headquarters, Alaskan Air Command ( ...
, Alaska and reorganized as a combat-ready tactical fighter squadron. In May 1984, the 39th TFS was inactivated. In July 1983, the 21st TFS was returned to a fighter training mission and renamed 21st TFTS. With the inactivation of the 39th TFS in 1984, the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing was redesignated the 35th Tactical Training Wing. However, the wing kept its air defense augmentation responsibility. It provided operations and maintenance support for the close air support portion of Army training exercises conducted at the U.S. Army National Training Center at
Fort Irwin Fort Irwin National Training Center (Fort Irwin NTC) is a major training area for the United States military in the Mojave Desert in northern San Bernardino County, California. Fort Irwin is at an average elevation of . It is located northeast ...
, California (4443rd Tactics and Training Group), from 1981 to 1990. Also, the wing advised specific
Air National Guard The Air National Guard (ANG), also known as the Air Guard, is a Reserve components of the United States Armed Forces, federal military reserve force of the United States Air Force, as well as the air militia (United States), militia of each U.S. ...
units on F-4 operations from 1981 to 1991. The new
37th Tactical Fighter Wing The 37th Training Wing is a unit of the United States Air Force assigned to the 2nd Air Force and the Air Education and Training Command. As the host unit to Lackland Air Force Base, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, the wing (military aviation un ...
assumed the 561st, 562nd Tactical Fighter Squadrons active Wild Weasel missions in March 1981, plus the 563rd TFS's missions. This training ended in October 1989 when the 37th Wing moved to
Tonopah Test Range The Tonopah Test Range (TTR, also designated as Area 52) is a highly classified, restricted military installation of the United States Department of Defense, and United States Department of Energy ( nuclear stockpile stewardship) located about ...
Nevada assuming
Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk is an officially retired American single-seat, subsonic, twin-engined, stealth attack aircraft developed by Lockheed's secretive Skunk Works division and operated by the United States Air Force (USAF). It was th ...
operational development. All Wild Weasel operations (561st, 562d TFS) were consolidated under the newly redesignated 35th Tactical Fighter Wing.


Desert Shield/Desert Storm

In August 1990, the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing mobilized in support of
Operation Desert Shield , combatant2 = , commander1 = , commander2 = , strength1 = Over 950,000 soldiers3,113 tanks1,800 aircraft2,200 artillery systems , page = https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-PEMD-96- ...
. On 16 August 1990, 24 F-4Gs of the 561st Tactical Fighter Squadron left George Air Force Base en route to Shaikh Isa Air Base,
Bahrain Bahrain, officially the Kingdom of Bahrain, is an island country in West Asia. Situated on the Persian Gulf, it comprises a small archipelago of 50 natural islands and an additional 33 artificial islands, centered on Bahrain Island, which mak ...
. Once in the Middle East, its deployed people established operational, maintenance and living facilities for the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing (Provisional). These facilities eventually housed more than 60 active duty and Air National Guard F-4s and more than 2,600 military members. During
Operation Desert Storm Operation or Operations may refer to: Arts, entertainment and media * ''Operation'' (game), a battery-operated board game that challenges dexterity * Operation (music), a term used in musical set theory * ''Operations'' (magazine), Multi-Man ...
, the 561st Tactical Fighter Squadron flew 1,182 combat sorties for a total of 4,393.5 hours. The 35th Tactical Fighter Wing (Provisional) was credited with flying 3,072 combat missions for 10,318.5 hours. U.S. Central Command relied heavily on the wing's Wild Weasels to suppress enemy air defense systems. The F-4G aircrews were credited with firing 905 missiles at Iraqi targets, while the RF-4C aircrews shot more than 300,000 feet of vital reconnaissance film. During operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing (Provisional) suffered no casualties. The wing's people began returning to George Air Force Base 23 March 1991, with its aircraft and pilots following three days later. The 35th became the host unit for George Air Force Base when the 831st Air Division there inactivated 31 March 1991. As a result, the wing gained several support agencies, including the 35th Combat Support Group and associated squadrons. In support of the Air Force's force reduction programs, the 21st Tactical Fighter Training Squadron inactivated 28 June 1991. In October 1991, as part of the Air Force's reorganization plan, the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing was redesignated the 35th Fighter Wing. A month later, the wing's tactical fighter squadrons were redesignated fighter squadrons. On 1 June 1992, the 35th was transferred to the new
Air Combat Command The Air Combat Command (ACC) is one of nine List of Major Commands of the United States Air Force, Major Commands (MAJCOMs) in the United States Air Force, reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force (HAF) at the Pentagon. It is the prim ...
. In 1988, George was scheduled in the first round of base closures passed by
Congress A congress is a formal meeting of the representatives of different countries, constituent states, organizations, trade unions, political parties, or other groups. The term originated in Late Middle English to denote an encounter (meeting of ...
under the
Base Realignment and Closure Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) was a process by a Federal government of the United States, United States federal government commission to increase the efficiency of the United States Department of Defense by coordinating the realignment and ...
program. In 1991, the 35th began downsizing in preparation for the closure of George Air Force Base. * The 21st TFTS was inactivated on 28 June 1991 and its F-4 aircraft sent to
AMARC The World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (, AMARC) is the international umbrella organization of community radio Broadcasting, broadcasters founded in 1983, with nearly 3,000 members in 110 countries. Its mission is to support and c ...
. It was later reactivated as a
Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II The Fairchild Republic A-10 , also infamously known under the nickname , is a single-seat, twin-turbofan, straight-wing, subsonic attack aircraft developed by Fairchild Republic for the United States Air Force (USAF). In service since 19 ...
squadron at
Shaw Air Force Base Shaw Air Force Base (Shaw AFB) is a United States Air Force (USAF) base located approximately west-northwest of downtown Sumter, South Carolina. It is one of the largest military bases operated by the United States, and is under the jurisdict ...
in November. * On 5 June 1992, the 20th Fighter Squadron was reassigned to the 49th Fighter Wing at
Holloman Air Force Base Holloman Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base established in 1942 located six miles (10 km) southwest of the central business district of Alamogordo, which is the county seat of Otero County, New Mexico, United States. The b ...
, New Mexico, where it continued its mission of conducting training for the German Air Force. * The Wild Weasel training program was shut down and the 561st and 562d Fighter Squadrons were inactivated on 1 June 1992. The F-4Gs were sent to
Nellis AFB Nellis Air Force Base ("Nellis" colloq.) is a United States Air Force installation in southern Nevada. Nellis hosts air combat exercises such as Exercise Red Flag and close air support exercises such as Green Flag-West flown in " Military ...
,
Nevada Nevada ( ; ) is a landlocked state in the Western United States. It borders Oregon to the northwest, Idaho to the northeast, California to the west, Arizona to the southeast, and Utah to the east. Nevada is the seventh-most extensive, th ...
and between February 1993 and October 1996, the 561st was briefly reactivated as part of the
57th Operations Group The 57th Operations Group (57 OG) is the operational component of the 57th Wing, assigned to the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command. The group is stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. The Group provides direct oversight of the Ne ...
as the USAF's last F-4G squadron. It was again inactivated and its F-4G aircraft sent to AMARC. Shortly thereafter, on 15 December, the 35th Fighter Wing inactivated and George Air Force Base was closed pursuant to BRAC, bringing an end to 21 years of continuous service and more than 34 years of total service for the 35th.


Iceland

Less than six months after its inactivation, the 35th was again called to service. On 31 May 1993, the 35th Fighter Wing was redesignated the 35th Wing and activated at
Naval Air Station Keflavik Naval Air Station Keflavik (NASKEF) was a United States Navy air station at Keflavík International Airport, Iceland, located on the Reykjanes peninsula on the south-west portion of the island. NASKEF was closed on 8 September 2006 and its faci ...
, Iceland. The 35th replaced
Air Forces Iceland The 85th Fighter Group is an active United States Air Force organization, stationed at Ebbing Air National Guard Base as an active associate of the 188th Wing. It serves as a training unit for countries using the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning ...
, which had served as a wing equivalent command at NAS Keflavik for more than 40 years. Its new mission was to deter aggression, stabilize the North Atlantic region and protect the sovereign airspace of Iceland through the use of combat capable surveillance, air superiority and rescue forces. The wing's 57th Fighter Squadron protected the northern airspace with its McDonnell Douglas F-15C/D fighters. Its surveillance mission was handled by the
932d Air Control Squadron The 932d Air Control Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 85th Group, Third Air Force, stationed at Keflavik Naval Air Station, Iceland. It was inactivated on 27 June 2006.Hq, USAFE Special Order GD-2 ...
through the Iceland Regional Operations Control Center and four remote radar sites located on the four corners of the island. The
56th Rescue Squadron The 56th Rescue Squadron (56 RQS) is part of the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, from where it operates Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk, Sikorsky HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopters conducting search and rescue missions. The squadron was previ ...
's four
Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk The Sikorsky MH-60/HH-60 Pave Hawk is a four-blade, twin-engine, medium-lift utility military helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft. The HH-60 Pave Hawk and its successor the HH-60W Jolly Green II are combat rescue helicopters, though i ...
helicopters flew combat rescue and reaction force insertion missions. The 35th Wing was inactivated at Keflavik on 30 September 1994, being replaced by the 85th Wing, with the station being reassigned from
Air Combat Command The Air Combat Command (ACC) is one of nine List of Major Commands of the United States Air Force, Major Commands (MAJCOMs) in the United States Air Force, reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force (HAF) at the Pentagon. It is the prim ...
to
United States Air Forces in Europe United may refer to: Places * United, Pennsylvania, an unincorporated community * United, West Virginia, an unincorporated community Arts and entertainment Films * ''United'' (2003 film), a Norwegian film * ''United'' (2011 film), a BBC Two f ...
. The 57th Squadron was inactivated concurrent with the wing, with the Icelandic fighter alert mission assumed by rotational elements from CONUS-based
Air National Guard The Air National Guard (ANG), also known as the Air Guard, is a Reserve components of the United States Armed Forces, federal military reserve force of the United States Air Force, as well as the air militia (United States), militia of each U.S. ...
fighter wings equipped with the F-15C/D Eagle and USAFE's sole F-15C/D squadron at
RAF Lakenheath Royal Air Force Lakenheath or RAF Lakenheath is a Royal Air Force List of Royal Air Force stations, station near the village of Lakenheath in Suffolk, England, UK, north-east of Mildenhall, Suffolk, Mildenhall and west of Thetford. The insta ...
.


Misawa Air Base

The 35th Fighter Wing was redesignated and reassigned 1 October 1994 when it inactivated at NAS Keflavik and was reactivated the same day at
Misawa Air Base is an air base of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), List of United States Air Force installations, the United States Air Force, and the United States Navy located in Misawa, Aomori, Misawa, Aomori Prefecture, Aomori, in the northern p ...
,
Japan Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...
where the wing assumed the missions and responsibilities previously performed by the
432d Fighter Wing The 432nd Wing is a United States Air Force unit assigned to Air Combat Command at Creech Air Force Base near Indian Springs, Nevada. It flies General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper and RQ-170 Sentinel Unmanned aerial vehicles. The group operates unmanned ...
. The day following its inactivation in Iceland, the wing was reestablished and redesignated as the 35th Fighter Wing under
Pacific Air Forces The Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) is a List of Major Commands of the United States Air Force, Major Command (MAJCOM) of the United States Air Force and is also the air component command of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM). PAC ...
. The wing serves as host unit for
Misawa Air Base is an air base of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), List of United States Air Force installations, the United States Air Force, and the United States Navy located in Misawa, Aomori, Misawa, Aomori Prefecture, Aomori, in the northern p ...
, Japan, supporting 33 US associate units and units of the
Japan Self-Defense Forces The are the military forces of Japan. Established in 1954, the JSDF comprises the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. They are controlled by the Ministry of Defense ...
Northern Air Defense Force, primarily the 3rd Air Wing, which celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2007. In addition to providing air defense of northern Japan, the wing has also deployed aircraft and personnel to Southwest Asia in support of Operations Northern and
Southern Watch Operation Southern Watch was an air-centric military operation conducted by the United States Department of Defense from August 1992 to March 2003. United States Central Command's Joint Task Force Southwest Asia (JTF-SWA) had the mission of moni ...
and the War on Terror from 1997 to present.


Lineage

* Established as the 35th Fighter Wing on 10 August 1948. : Activated on 18 August 1948. : Redesignated 35th Fighter-Interceptor Wing on 20 January 1950 : Inactivated on 1 October 1957 * Redesignated 35th Tactical Fighter Wing and activated on 14 March 1966 (not organized) : Organized on 8 April 1966 : Inactivated on 31 July 1971 * Activated on 1 October 1971 : Redesignated 35th Tactical Training Wing on 1 July 1984 : Redesignated 35th Tactical Fighter Wing on 5 October 1989 : Redesignated 35th Fighter Wing on 1 October 1991 : Inactivated on 15 December 1992 * Redesignated 35th Wing on 9 April 1993 : Activated on 31 May 1993 : Inactivated on 1 October 1994 * Redesignated 35th Fighter Wing and activated on 1 October 1994


Assignments

* 314th Composite Wing, 18 August 1948 *
Fifth Air Force The Fifth Air Force (5 AF) is a Numbered Air Force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). It is headquartered at Yokota Air Base, Japan. It is the U.S. Air Force's oldest continuously serving Numbered Air Force. The organ ...
, 1 March 1950 * 314th Air Division, 25 May 1951 * Japan Air Defense Force, 1 March 1952 * Fifth Air Force, 1 September 1954 * 41st Air Division, 1 March 1955 – 1 October 1957 (attached to 6102 Air Base Wing after 1 July 1957) *
Pacific Air Forces The Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) is a List of Major Commands of the United States Air Force, Major Command (MAJCOM) of the United States Air Force and is also the air component command of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM). PAC ...
, 14 March 1966 not organized) *
Seventh Air Force The Seventh Air Force (Air Forces Korea) (7 AF) is a Numbered Air Force of the United States Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). It is headquartered at Osan Air Base, South Korea. The command's mission is to plan and direct air component operations in ...
, 8 April 1966 – 31 July 1971 *
Twelfth Air Force The Twelfth Air Force (12 AF; Air Forces Southern, (AFSOUTH)) is a Numbered Air Force of the United States Air Force Air Combat Command (ACC). It is headquartered at Davis–Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. The command is the air component to U ...
, 1 October 1971 * Tactical Training, George, 1 October 1977 *
831st Air Division The 831st Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Tactical Air Command, assigned to Twelfth Air Force at George Air Force Base, California, where it was inactivated on 31 March 1991. The ...
, 1 December 1980 * Twelfth Air Force, 31 March 1991 – 15 December 1992 *
First Air Force The First Air Force (Air Forces Northern & Air Forces Space; 1 AF-AFNORTH & AFSPACE) is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Air Combat Command (ACC). It is headquartered at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. Its primary mission i ...
, 31 May 1993 *
Eighth Air Force The Eighth Air Force (Air Forces Strategic) is a numbered air force (NAF) of the United States Air Force's Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC). It is headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. The command serves as Air Forces S ...
, 1 October 1993 – 1 October 1994 * Fifth Air Force, 1 October 1994 – present


Components

; Group * 35th Fighter Group (later 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group, 35th Operations Group): 18 August 1948 – 1 October 1957 (detached c. 9 July–1 December 1950, 7–24 May 1951, 14 August–30 September 1954), 31 May 1993 – 1 October 1994, 1 October 1994 – present * 4443rd Tactics and Training Group (Air Warrior): late 1980s, including August 1989 ; Squadrons * No. 2 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force: attached c. 19 April 1967 – 4 June 1971 *
8th Bombardment Squadron Eighth is ordinal form of the number eight. Eighth may refer to: * One eighth, , a fraction, one of eight equal parts of a whole * Eighth note (quaver), a musical note played for half the value of a quarter note (crotchet) * Octave, an interval b ...
(later 8 Special Operations Squadron): attached 8–18 April 1966, 15 June – 15 August 1966, 12 October – 12 December 1966, 11 February – 12 April 1967, 7 June – 2 August 1967, 26 September – 21 November 1967; assigned 15 January 1968 – 15 November 1969, 30 September 1970 – 31 July 1971 (detached after c. 16 July 1971) * 8th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron: attached 1 April – 14 August 1950 *
13th Bombardment Squadron In music or music theory, a thirteenth is the note thirteen scale degrees from the root of a chord and also the interval between the root and the thirteenth. The thirteenth is most commonly major or minor . A thirteenth chord is th ...
: attached 17 April – 17 June 1966, 14 August – 13 October 1966, 12 December 1966 – 11 February 1967, 11 April – 8 June 1967, 1 August – 26 September 1967, 21 November 1967 – 15 January 1968 * 20th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron (later 20th Fighter Squadron): 1 December 1972 – 8 July 1992 * 21st Tactical Fighter Training Squadron (later 21st Tactical Fighter Squadron, 21st Tactical Fighter Training Squadron): 1 December 1972 – 28 June 1991 * 39th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (later 39 Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, 39th Tactical Fighter Squadron): attached 8 October 1956 – 1 July 1957; assigned 1 July 1977 – 11 May 1984 * 40th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (later 40 Tactical Fighter Squadron): attached 15 January – 14 July 1954 and 8 October 1956 – 1 July 1957; assigned 1 June 1972 – 30 April 1982 * 41st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron: attached 9 July – 1 December 1950 and 15 January – 14 July 1954 * No. 77 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force: attached 1 December 1950 – 6 April 1951 * 120th Tactical Fighter Squadron: 30 April 1968 – 18 April 1969 * 319th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron: attached 17 August – 1 October 1954 * 339th Fighter Squadron (later 339th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron): attached 1 July 1949 – 1 December 1950 and 25 May 1951 – 20 July 1954 * 352d Tactical Fighter Squadron: 10 October 1966 – 31 July 1971 * 390th Tactical Fighter Squadron: 8 April – 10 October 1966 * 431st Tactical Fighter Training Squadron: 15 January 1976 – 1 October 1978 * 434th Tactical Fighter Squadron (later 434 Tactical Fighter Training Squadron): 1 October 1971 – 1 January 1977 (detached 12 August – 6 October 1972) * 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron: attached 8 April – 22 June 1966, assigned 23 June – 10 October 1966 * 561st Tactical Fighter Squadron (later 561st Fighter Squadron): attached 1–14 July 1973, assigned 15 July 1973 – 30 March 1981; 5 October 1989 – 30 June 1992 (detached August 1990 – March 1991) * 562d Tactical Fighter Squadron (later 562d Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, 562d Fighter Squadron): 31 October 1974 – 30 March 1981 (detached 12–30 August 1977); 5 October 1989 – 30 June 1992 * 563d Tactical Fighter Training Squadron (later 563 Tactical Fighter Squadron): 31 July 1975 – 30 March 1981 *
612th Tactical Fighter Squadron The 612th Tactical Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 401st Tactical Fighter Wing at Torrejon Air Base, Spain, where it was inactivated on 1 October 1991. The squadron was first activate ...
: 15 March – 15 July 1971 *
614th Tactical Fighter Squadron The 614th Tactical Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 401st Operations Group at Torrejon Air Base, Spain, where it was inactivated on 1 January 1992. The squadron (aviation), squadron was ...
: 10 October 1966 – 15 July 1971 *
615th Tactical Fighter Squadron The 615th Tactical Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing at Phan Rang Air Base, South Vietnam, where it was inactivated on 15 July 1971. The squadron (aviation), sq ...
: 10 October 1966 – 31 July 1971 * 4435th Combat Crew Training Squadron: 1 October 1971 – 1 December 1972 * 4435th Tactical Fighter Replacement Squadron: 1 October 1971 – 15 January 1976 * 4452d Combat Crew Training Squadron: 1 October 1971 – 1 December 1972


Stations

*
Irumagawa Air Base is a Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) base located in the city of Sayama, Saitama Prefecture, north of western Tokyo, Japan. It was the airfield for the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force Academy until 1945, when it became Johnson Air Force b ...
(later Johnson Air Base), Japan, 18 August 1948 * Yokota Air Base, Japan, 1 April 1950 * Johnson Air Base, Japan, 14 August 1950 * Yonpo Air Base, (K-27), North Korea, 1 December 1950 *
Pusan West Air Base Gimhae Air Base is a Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) base adjacent to Gimhae International Airport. Runway 18L/36R is used for military purposes only. Units The base is home to the ROKAF's 5th Tactical Airlift Wing (제5전술공수비행 ...
(K-1), South Korea, c. 7 December 1950 * Johnson Air Base, Japan, 25 May 1951 * Yokota Air Base, Japan, 1 October 1954 – 1 October 1957 * Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam, 8 April 1966 * Phan Rang Air Base, South Vietnam, October 1966 – 31 July 1971 * George Air Force Base, California, 1 October 1971 – 15 December 1992 * Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland, 31 May 1993 – 1 October 1994 * Misawa Air Base, Japan, 1 October 1994 – present


Aircraft

* North American P-51 Mustang, 1948–1950, 1950–1951, 1951–1953 * Northrop P-61 Black Widow, 1949–1950 * Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star, 1949–1950, 1951–1954 * North American P-82 Twin Mustang, 1949–1950 * Lockheed F-94 Starfire, 1951–1954 * North American F-86 Sabre, 1951, 1952–1953, 1953–1957 * Lockheed RF-80 Shooting Star, 1950, 1951–1952, 1953–1954 * North American RF-51 Mustang, 1952–1953 * Beechcraft RC-45, 1952–1954 * Beechcraft RT-7, 1952–1953 * McDonnell F-4 Phantom 1966, 1971–1992 * North American F-100 Super Sabre, 1966–1971 * Martin B-57 Canberra, 1966–1969 * Convair F-102 Delta Dart, 1966 * English Electric Canberra Mk-20, 1967–1971 * Cessna A-37 Dragonfly, 1970–1971 * Republic F-105 Thunderchief, 1973–1980 * McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, 1993–1994 * Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk, 1993–1994 * General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, 1994–.


See also

*
Wild Weasel Wild Weasel is a code name given by the United States Air Force (USAF) to any aircraft equipped with anti-radiation missiles and used to suppress enemy air defenses by destroying their radar and surface-to-air missile (SAM) installations.Hew ...


References

; Notes ; Citations


Bibliography

* * *


External links


35th Fighter Wing's Official Webpage

35th Fighter Wing history factsheet
which is an official document of the United States Government and is presumed to be in the public domain. {{USAF Pacific Air Forces 0035 Military units and formations established in 1948 United States Air Force