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In late 1969 the F-100s of the 3d TFW began a phaseout at Bien Hoa. The 510th TFS was deactivated on November 15, 1969, the 531st TFS on July 31, 1970. The wing converted to the A-37 in 1969. The 90th Tactical Fighter Squadron reverted back to its pre-World War II designation of an attack squadron. The 8th Bombardment Squadron was reactivated as the 8th Attack Squadron. During May and June 1970, the wing participated in the Sanctuary Counteroffensive in Cambodia aimed at depriving the enemy the use of its sanctuary bases and destroying its leadership. The campaign marked the wing's last major operation
In late 1969 the F-100s of the 3d TFW began a phaseout at Bien Hoa. The 510th TFS was deactivated on November 15, 1969, the 531st TFS on July 31, 1970. The wing converted to the A-37 in 1969. The 90th Tactical Fighter Squadron reverted back to its pre-World War II designation of an attack squadron. The 8th Bombardment Squadron was reactivated as the 8th Attack Squadron. During May and June 1970, the wing participated in the Sanctuary Counteroffensive in Cambodia aimed at depriving the enemy the use of its sanctuary bases and destroying its leadership. The campaign marked the wing's last major operation


On 31 October 1970, the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing ended its duties in Vietnam. Unmanned and unequipped, the wing remained active in a "paper" status until it moved to [[Kunsan Air Base]], South Korea on 15 March 1971. The wing had served for 59 consecutive
On 31 October 1970, the Tactical Fighter Wing ended its duties in Vietnam. Unmanned and unequipped, the wing remained active in a "paper" status until it moved to [[Kunsan Air Base]], South Korea on 15 March 1971. The wing had served for 59 consecutive

months of combat duty in Vietnam. It had withstood mortar and rocket attacks and in return had inflicted over 23,000 battle deaths on the enemy.
After a 20-year absence, the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing returned to Kunsan Air Base where it was equipped with the McDonnell [[F-4D Phantom II]]. Squadrons assigned included the 35th, 36th and 80th Tactical Fighter Squadrons. The 3d Tactical
Fighter Wing helped provide air defense for South Korea and maintained proficiency for combat operations. During this period, the 3d Tactical Fighter Wing received a short notice requirement to deploy 18 F-4Ds from the 35th Tactical Fighter Squadron in early April 1972 in support of Linebacker I.

The air campaign was designed to stop the North Vietnamese 1972 Spring Offensive, launched on 30 March to conquer South Vietnam. The squadron deployed with a full complement of aircrews and maintenance personnel. During its stay in South Vietnam, nine members of the squadron received credit for destroying six North Vietnamese fighters, four Mig-21s
and two Mig-19s.


===Post-Vietnam era===
===Post-Vietnam era===

Revision as of 17:13, 12 December 2011

3d Wing
3d Wing emblem
Active1948–present
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Air Force
RoleFighter / Command & Control / Airlift
Part ofPacific Air Forces
Garrison/HQJoint Base Elmendorf-Richardson
Motto(s)NON SOLUM ARMIS
Not by Arms Alone
Engagements
 
  
  • World War II
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign (1942–1945)
  • Army of Occupation (Japan) (1945–1951)
  • Korean Service (1950–1953)
  • Vietnam Service (1965–1971)
Decorations PUC
AFOUA w/ V Device
ROK PUC
RVGC w/ Palm
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Edwin A. Doss

The 3d Wing (3 WG) is a unit of the United States Air Force, assigned to the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) Eleventh Air Force. It is stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

As the host unit at Elmendorf, 3d Wing is the largest and principal unit within 11th Air Force. A composite organization, it provides air supremacy, surveillance, worldwide airlift, and agile combat support forces to project global power and global reach. The 3d Wing also maintains the installation for critical force staging and throughput operations in support of worldwide contingencies and provides medical care for all forces in Alaska.

The wing's 3d Operations Group is a direct descendant of the 3d Attack Group, one of the 15 original combat air groups formed by the Army before World War II. The Wing performed reconnaissance and interdiction combat missions from Iwakuni AB, Japan, at the beginning of the Korean War.

During the Vietnam War, the wing moved in November 1965 to Bien Hoa AB, South Vietnam, a forward operating base, which frequently came under enemy mortar and rocket fire. Missions included close air support, counterinsurgency, forward air control, interdiction, and radar-controlled bombing. Supported numerous ground operations with strike missions against enemy fortifications, supply areas, lines of communication and personnel, in addition to suppressing fire in landing areas.

Today, the 3d Wing trains and equips an Air Expeditionary Force lead wing composed of more than 6,000 Airmen and E-3B, C-17 and F-22A aircraft as part of the Global War on Terrorism.

Overview

The mission of the 3d Wing is to support and defend U.S. interests in the Asia Pacific region and around the world by providing units who are ready for worldwide air power projection and a base that is capable of meeting PACOM's theater staging and throughput requirements.

The Wing is composed of four groups each with specific functions. 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; while the Medical Group provides medical and dental care.

Heraldry

The wing's emblem, approved in 1922, features the old Air Service colors with a prickly pear cactus commemorating early service patrolling the Mexican border. The 19 German crosses allude to victory credits accumulated by its World War I squadrons.

History

For additional lineage and history, see 3d Operations Group

Established as 3d Bombardment Wing, Light on 10 August 1948. Activated on 18 August 1948 at Yokota Air Base, Japan. The 3rd Bombardment Group was assigned to the wing, which received the group's emblem and honors. The wing trained as a bombardment and reconnaissance wing as part of the army of occupation.

The 3d Bomb Wing moved to Johnson Air Base, Japan, on 1 April 1950, where it trained in bombardment and reconnaissance. The training switched to night interdiction in June. On 25 June 1950, the Air Force redesignated the 8th, 13th and 90th as bombardment squadrons (light, night intruder). That same day, North Korea invaded South Korea during the early morning hours. President Harry Truman authorized the US Air Force and Navy to support the rapidly retreating South Koreans.

Korean War

3d Bomb Wing B-26B-50-DL Invaders during the Korean War. Serial 44-34306 identifiable.

When the Korean War broke out in June 1950, the 3d Wing participated from the first bombing sortie to the very last during the Korean War. The 8th Bombardment Squadron, staging from Iwakuni Air Base on the west coast of Japan, flew the first Air Force mission of the war on 27 June. The squadron struck North Korean ground forces, destroying several tanks and vehicles. Later that day, the 13th Bombardment Squadron attacked the tank column again. Bad weather prevented further attacks for the next two days.

The first Americans to lose their lives during the Korean War, 1Lt. Remer L. Harding and SSgt. William Goodwin, were assigned to the 13th Bomb Squadron, 3d Bombardment Wing when they lost their lives June 28, 1950 returning from a sortie on the Korean Peninsula. President Truman, on 30 June, authorized the Air Force to strike targets in North Korea. In another first, the 3rd Bombardment Wing launched 16 B-26s from the 8th and 13th Bombardment Squadrons against Pyongyang Airfield the same day, destroying 25 North Korean aircraft on the ground and damaging another 20. Sergeant Nyle Mickly scored the first aerial victory over North Korea by shooting down a fighter.

On 1 July 1950, the 3rd Bombardment Group moved to Iwakuni Air Base, Japan, where it could be closer to its targets. The wing headquarters remained at Yokota until 1 December 1950, when it joined the group. Initially, the 3rd Bombardment Group operated under the operational control of Fifth Air Force. Control reverted back to the wing headquarters on 1 December 1950. The group continued to strike targets in North Korea and fly low-level attacks against advancing North Korean columns. By the end of July, the North Koreans had been forced to stay off the roads during daylight hours. The group switched to night missions in August 1950, flying its jet-black B-26s against North Korean convoys and other targets from its base at Iwakuni. On 15 September 1950, General MacArthur conducted his surprise landing at Inchon, with the insuing Battle of Inchon cutting off the North Koreans in the south and shifting the initiative to the United Nations forces.

The 731st Bombardment Squadron (Light, Night Attack), a reserve unit called to active duty, joined the group's three squadron in November 1950 and remained until June 1951. Operations continued into 1951 as the defensive lines stabilized following the entry of the Chinese Communist People's Liberation Army into the conflict in late 1950. The 3rd Bombardment Group, now back under control ofthe 3rd Bombardment Wing, continued its night interdiction missions against targets in North Korea.

The 3rd Bombardment Group physically rejoined its parent wing when both moved to Kunsan Air Base (K-8), South Korea in August 1951. Colonel Nils O. Odman, who had assumed command ofthe wing in July, had searchlights mounted on B-26s. The new illumination proved highly effective over the flares that had been used. During the first mission, the wing's B-26 crews succeeded in destroying an entire enemy freight train.

Captain John S. Walmsley, Jr. was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on September 14, 1951: flying a night mission in a B-26, Capt Walmsley discovered and attacked an enemy supply train, and after exhausting his ammunition he flew at low altitude to direct other aircraft to the same objective; the train was destroyed but Walmsley's plane crashed in the target area.

The 3rd Bombardment Wing continued to serve in Korea for the remainder of the war. In recognition of the wing's distinguished service, the 3d Bombardment Wing's was granted the privilege of conducting the last bombing mission over North Korea minutes before implementation of the s:Korean Armistice Agreement. At 9:31 PM, 27 July 1953, as midnight approached for the cease-fire to take effect; the 8th Bombardment Squadron bombed a troop concentration in North Korea.

When the 3rd Bombardment Wing's units completed their war tour in Korea, they had racked up an impressive record that included the first and last bombing missions of the war. The squadrons had flown 33,220 sorties, destroyed 31,026 vehicles, 337 locomotives, 2,920 boxcars, 116 bridges, 529 buildings and cut 918 roads and 841 rail lines.

Cold War

Martin B-57B-MA Serial 53-3896 of the 3d Bomb Wing.

With the war over in Korea, wing returned to the routine of peacetime duty in the Cold War environment. It remained at Kunsan Air Base until October 1954, when it moved to Johnson AB, Japan. Beginning in January 1956, the 3d Bombardment Group converted from the B-26 to the Martin B-57B Canberra Night Intruder.

The 3rd Bombardment Group was reduced to one officer and an enlisted man on 13 August 1956, essentially becoming a paper organization. The wing headquarters assumed direct control over the 8th, 13th, and 90th Bombardment Squadrons. Finally, the Air Force inactivated the 3rd Bombardment Group on 25 October 1957, as part of a reorganization plan that created wing deputy commanders for various functional areas and gave wing commanders more direct control over their units. While the group ceased to exist after 36 years of service, its proud heritage, in the form ofits emblem and battle honors remained with the 3rd Bombardment Wing.

The B-57Bs suffered from engine malfunctions which filled up the cockpit with toxic fumes, which led to a brief grounding. The USAF was not very happy with the B-57B as it was initially produced. It was still deemed to be inadequate to meet the night intruder and close support role for which it had originally been designed. In August 1958, Mainland Chinese forces began bombarding the Nationalist-held island of Quemoy. The 3d BG stood by in Japan to strike strategic targets in China, North Korea and possibly even the Soviet Union should the crisis escalate out of control. Fortunately, the crisis soon cooled and hostilities were averted.

However, the USAF began to re-equip its B-57 wings with the F-100 Super Sabre. As the active duty USAF TAC bomb groups were re-equipped , their aircraft were transferred to the Air National Guard (ANG). This left the 3d Bombardment Group as the sole active B-57 USAF unit. Since nuclear weapons could not be stationed in Japan, in August 1958, the 3rd BG set up a rotation of crews to stand nuclear alert at Kunsan (K-8) air base in South Korea. This rotation continued until April 1964, when the 3rd BG returned to Yokota to begin the process of inactivation.

In November 1960, the 3d Bombardment Wing moved to Yokota Air Base where it continued to train in bombardment, reconnaissance and aerial refueling operations. The wing also stood nuclear alert with its B-57s along with the 40th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (December 1961 – May 1962) equipped with the Convair F-102 Delta Dagger for air defense.

In January 1964 the wing was redesignated as the 3d Tactical Fighter Wing, and was reassigned w/p/o/e to England AFB, Louisiana. It was part of an overall effort to reduce the number of wings in Japan. At the same time, the wing gave up its B-57s, becoming the last bombardment wing to fly the medium bomber.

The move also ended the long association with the 8th and 13th Bombardment Squadrons and nearly 22 years of active duty in the Far East. The 8th and 13th remained in PACAF and were realigned under the Thirteenth Air Force. They were attached to the 41st Air Division and later to the 2d Air Division as the USAF mulled over the fate of the B-57B. During this time, they continued the rotational nuclear alert at Kunsan AB South Korea. However, the increasing demands for aircraft in South Vietnam for use in the escalating conflict with North Vietnam caused the Air force to reconsider the deactivation. The aircraft to be moved to Clark AB, Philippines.

At England AFB, the wing transitioned into flying primarily North American F-100D/F Super Sabres. It was deployed to Bien Hoa AB, South Vietnam from 1965–1970. During the Vietnam War, the wing flew thousands of sorties in support of allied forces. Although it encountered some maintenance difficulties, the F-100 proved remarkably adaptable to rough-field operations in the tropical heat and rain of Southeast Asia. The wing's F-100s generally operated only in South Vietnam, leaving North Vietnam for the F-4 Phantom II and the F-105 Thunderchief. It a very effective ground support aircraft, and beat back many enemy attacks.

The 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing kept the 90th Bombardment Squadron, now redesignated as a tactical fighter squadron, and gained the 416th, 510th and 531st Tactical Fighter Squadrons. While at England AFB, the wing was brought up to full strength and equipped with the North American F-100 Super Saber.

Vietnam War

North American F-100D-50-NH Super Sabre 55-2881 of the 3d TFW 531st TFS (Taken at Bien Hoa AB)

The wing began deploying its units to Vietnam on rotational duty while the others trained in their ground support role. In November 1965, the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing moved to Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam as part of the major buildup of forces following President Johnson's decision to commit ground troops. In the years ahead, the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing found itself involved in a variety of duties throughout South Vietnam. Its mission included close air support, counterinsurgency, forward air control, interdiction and radar-controlled bombing. The wing supported numerous ground operations with air strike missions against enemy fortifications, supply areas, lines of communications and personnel, in addition to providing suppressive fire during assault operations.

While assigned to Bien Hoa, the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing gained control of various units with different missions. It also supported the testing of the Northrop F-5A Freedom Fighter being developed for other nations under the "Skoshi Tiger" project. The wing successfully flew the F-5 in combat from April 1966 to April 1967, before turning the fighters over to the Vietnamese Air Force.

The wing also evaluated the combat capabilities of the Cessna A-37 Dragonfly during November and December 1967. The attack version of the US Air Force's primary trainer proved highly adaptable in its ground support role. The 604th Air Commando Squadron, attached to the wing, flew the Dragonfly from November 1967 to September 1970.

In late 1969 the F-100s of the 3d TFW began a phaseout at Bien Hoa. The 510th TFS was deactivated on November 15, 1969, the 531st TFS on July 31, 1970. The wing converted to the A-37 in 1969. The 90th Tactical Fighter Squadron reverted back to its pre-World War II designation of an attack squadron. The 8th Bombardment Squadron was reactivated as the 8th Attack Squadron. During May and June 1970, the wing participated in the Sanctuary Counteroffensive in Cambodia aimed at depriving the enemy the use of its sanctuary bases and destroying its leadership. The campaign marked the wing's last major operation

On 31 October 1970, the 3d Tactical Fighter Wing ended its duties in Vietnam. Unmanned and unequipped, the wing remained active in a "paper" status until it moved to Kunsan Air Base, South Korea on 15 March 1971. The wing had served for 59 consecutive months of combat duty in Vietnam. It had withstood mortar and rocket attacks and in return had inflicted over 23,000 battle deaths on the enemy.

After a 20-year absence, the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing returned to Kunsan Air Base where it was equipped with the McDonnell F-4D Phantom II. Squadrons assigned included the 35th, 36th and 80th Tactical Fighter Squadrons. The 3d Tactical Fighter Wing helped provide air defense for South Korea and maintained proficiency for combat operations. During this period, the 3d Tactical Fighter Wing received a short notice requirement to deploy 18 F-4Ds from the 35th Tactical Fighter Squadron in early April 1972 in support of Linebacker I.

The air campaign was designed to stop the North Vietnamese 1972 Spring Offensive, launched on 30 March to conquer South Vietnam. The squadron deployed with a full complement of aircrews and maintenance personnel. During its stay in South Vietnam, nine members of the squadron received credit for destroying six North Vietnamese fighters, four Mig-21s and two Mig-19s.

Post-Vietnam era

McDonnell Douglas F-4E-42-MC Phantom Serial 69-0275 of the 90th TFS/3d TFW Clark AFB, Philippines, 1979. Later, this aircraft was converted to the F-4G configuration. To AMARC as FP1024 3/25/1996. To Holloman AFB as QF-4G AF151. Expended 2/5/1998.
Northrup F-5E Tiger IIs of the 26th Training Aggressor Squadron at Clark AB. Serial 73-0847 in foreground was originally scheduled for shipment to the South Vietnamese Air Force, however the aircraft was retained by the USAF after the collapse of the South Vietnamese government in 1975. With the deactivation of the 26th TAS in 1988, this aircraft was sold to the Honduras Air Force

After its withdrawal from Southeast Asia in 1971, the wing transitioned to the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II and moved to Kunsan AB South Korea with two tactical fighter squadrons (35th, 36th TFS), the scene of much of its success during the Korean War. By 1974, the wing moved to Clark AB, Republic of the Philippines, helping that nation transform into a stable democracy.

The Wing deployed six F-4Es to Turkey for Operation Desert Storm in early 1991 where they flew some of that aircraft's last combat sorties.

The wing remained at Clark AB, though treaty negotiations with the Philippines broke down, and it was decided to move the 3d Wing beginning in 1992-93. The Mount Pinatubo eruption in June 1991 changed these plans and forced the wing's hasty relocation w/p/o/e to Elmendorf AFB, Alaska on December 19, 1991, where it replaced the 21st Wing which previously was the host organization for Elemendorf.

Modern era

With the reassignment, to Alaska, the wing was also redesigned as the 3d Wing and was realigned to the multi-mission objective wing concept.

Today, the 3d Wing continues to grow in size and importance because of its strategic location and training facilities. It expanded the air defense mission of Alaska with the F-15E aircraft to include deep interdiction and air-to-air capabilities. Added an airlift mission in April 1992, and a long-range airborne surveillance, detection, identification, and command and control mission in 1993. Since 1993, deployed and employed assigned aircraft worldwide to accomplish air superiority, air interdiction, tactical airlift, airborne air surveillance, theater resupply, passenger service and served as host unit for all Elmemdorf AFB organizations.

During 2004, fulfilled Air Expeditionary Force (AEF) taskings in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

Lineage

  • Established as 3d Bombardment Wing, Light on 10 August 1948
Activated on 18 August 1948
Redesignated: 3d Bombardment Wing, Tactical on 1 October 1955
Redesignated: 3d Tactical Fighter Wing on 8 January 1964
Redesignated: 3d Wing on 19 December 1991.

Assignments

Components

Groups

Squadrons

Stations

Aircraft

References

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

  • Martin, Patrick. Tail Code: The Complete History of USAF Tactical Aircraft Tail Code Markings. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Military Aviation History, 1994. ISBN 0-88740-513-4.
  • Ravenstein, Charles A. Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories, 1947-1977. Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama: Office of Air Force History, 1984. ISBN 0-912799-12-9.
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