49th Fighter Wing
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| 49th Fighter Wing | |
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| Active | 20 November 1940 — present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | Air Force |
| Part of | Air Combat Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Holloman Air Force Base |
| Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Brigadier General David Goldfein |
| Notable commanders |
Bruce Carlson William L. Kirk Lloyd W. Newton |
The 49th Fighter Wing (49 FW) is a wing of the United States Air Force based at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico.
The wing is assigned to Air Combat Command's Twelfth Air Force.
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[edit] Mission
The 49 FW supports national security objectives with mission-ready F-22 Stealth Fighters, Air Transportable Medical Clinic and BEAR Base assets; deploys combat-ready and mission-support forces supporting Air Expeditionary Force operations, Global War on Terrorism and peacetime contingencies; the T-38A aircraft; and provides support to over 18,000 personnel to include training pilots in the F-22 Raptor and German Air Force Tornado operations.
[edit] Units
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49th Operations Group (49 OG) (F-22A, Tail Code: HO)
49th Maintenance Group (49 MXG)
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49th Mission Support Group (49 MSG)
49th Material Maintenance Group (49 MMG) |
49th Medical Group (49 MDG)
- 49th Medical Operations Squadron (49 MDOS)
- 49th Aeromedical-Dental Squadron (49 ADOS)
- 49th Medical Support Squadron (49 MDSS)
.** 7th Combat Training Squadron reactivated as 7th Fighter Squadron while 8th and 9th Fighter Squadron inactivated May 16th, 2008.
[edit] History
[edit] Lineage
- 49th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) (1940-42)
- 49th Fighter Group (1942-50)
- 49th Fighter Wing (1948-50)
- 49th Fighter-Bomber Wing (1950-58)***
- 49th Tactical Fighter Wing (1965-91)
- 49th Fighter Wing (1991 – Present)
.*** Bestowed the lineage, honors and history of the USAAF World War II 49th Fighter Group in 1952.
[edit] Stations
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[edit] Aircraft operated
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[edit] World War II
The 49th Fighter Wing has its origins at Selfridge Field, Michigan in June 1941 when the 49th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) was activated. The group trained with Seversky P-35s and consisted of three operational squadrons (7th, 8th, and 9th).
With the advent of World War II, the group moved to Australia and became part of Fifth Air Force in January 1942. It was redesignated as the 49th Fighter Group in May 1942. The unit received Curtiss P-40 Warhawks in Australia and, after training for a short time, provided air defense for the Northern Territory, being awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for engaging the enemy in frequent and intense aerial combat while operating with limited materiel and facilities for the period March-August 1942.
The group moved to New Guinea in October 1942 to help stall the Japanese drive southward from Buna to Port Moresby. Engaged primarily in air defense of Port Moresby; also escorted bombers and transports, and attacked enemy installations, supply lines, and troop concentrations in support of Allied ground forces.
The 49th participated in the Allied offensive that pushed the Japanese back along the Buna trail, took part in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea in March 1943, fought for control of the approaches to Huon Gulf, and supported ground forces during the campaign in which the Allies eventually recovered New Guinea. It covered the landings on Noemfoor and had a part in. the conquest of Biak..
After having used Lockheed P-38 Lightnings, Curtiss P-40 Warhawks and Republic P-47 Thunderbolts, the 49th was equipped completely in September 1944 with P-38's, which were used to fly long-range escort and attack missions to Mindanao, Halmahera, Seram, and Borneo. The unit arrived in the Philippines in October 1944, shortly after the assault landings on Leyte and engaged enemy fighters, attacked shipping in Ormoc Bay, supported ground forces, and covered the Allied invasion of Luzon.
Major Richard I. Bong, who became the USAAF's top ace of World War II, was awarded the Medal of Honor for voluntarily flying in combat from 10 October to 15 November 1944, a period for which he was credited with the destruction of eight enemy aircraft in the air. For intensive operations against the Japanese on Leyte, the group was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation.
Other missions from the Philippines included strikes against industry and transportation on Formosa and against shipping along the China coast. By the war's end, the group's pilots destroyed 678 enemy aircraft, a record surpassing that of any other fighter group in the Pacific Theater. The group's World War II activities merited two Philippines Republic Presidential Unit Citations, three U.S. Distinguished Unit Citations, and 10 battle honors. Among the unit's 43 aces were Lt. Colonel Boyd D. "Buzz" Wagner, the first World War II ace in the Pacific Theater, and Major Richard I. Bong, whose 40 kills made him America's number one ace (a record that still stands). The 49th soon became endeared to the American people through the nickname, "Fighting 49ers."
The 49th moved to Okinawa in August 1945 and to Japan in September. As part of the Army of occupation in Japan, the 49th Fighter Group trained, took part in maneuvers, and flew surveillance patrols, as part of Far East Air Forces. The group was equipped with North American P-51 Mustangs in 1946, with Lockheed F-80 Shooting Stars being added in 1948. In February 1950, the unit was redesignated as the 49th Fighter-Bomber Wing.
[edit] Korean War
With the outbreak of the Korean War in June 1950, the 49th Fighter-Bomber Wing was one of the first USAF units dispatched to Korea from Japan, its tactical squadrons began operations with P-51D Mustangs. Initially under its parent wing, the 49th was reassigned to the 8th Fighter-Bomber Wing during July through September, and finally the 6149th Tactical Support Wing during October and November 1950. Korean War squadrons of the 49th were the 7th, 8th and 9th Fighter-Bomber Squadrons.
The 49th's first task in South Korea was to cover the evacuation of civilians from Kimpo and Suwon. Next, it flew close air support missions to help slow the advancing North Korean armies. Later, it turned to the interdiction of enemy troops, supplies and communications.
Phasing out its F-51s for Lockheed F-80C Shooting Stars jets, the 49th FBW moved to Taegu AB (K-9) on October 1, 1950, becoming the first jet fighter outfit to operate from bases in South Korea. It received a Distinguished Unit Citation for its combat operations during the first five months of the war.
When the Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) Intervention Campaign gained momentum in 1950-1951, the group again concentrated on ground support missions. It converted to Republic F-84G Thunderjets, June -September 1951, one squadron at a time, while the others continued combat operations. The 49th FBG earned another DUC for its contribution to the success of the 1st UN Counteroffensive Campaign (1951). Afterwards, it engaged primarily in air interdiction operations against the main enemy channel of transportation, the roads and railroads between Pyongyang and Sinuiju. Also, it flew close air support missions for the ground forces and attacked high value targets, including the Sui-ho hydroelectric plants in June 1952 and the Kumgang Political School in October 1952.
On July 27, 1953, the 49th FBG joined the 58th FBG to bomb Sunan Airfield for the final action of F-84 fighter-bombers during the Korean War. The unit was one of the most decorated Air Force units in the Korean conflict, having earned two Republic of Korea Presidential Unit citations and another eight battle honors. Such accomplishments earned the wing a niche in United States Air Force history.
The wing remained in Korea for a time after the armistice. It was reassigned to Misawa AB, Japan on 2 November 1953 and provided air defense for Japan through 1957.
[edit] United States Air Forces in Europe
On 15 April 1957 the detached 49 Fighter-Bomber Group became a paper unit, and the wing assumed the fighter-bomber mission the group had been performing, continuing it to 15 September 1957, when the wing prepared to move to Europe. Worldwide DOD Budget restrictions during FY 1958 affected PACAF as well as USAFE and the 49th FBW based in Japan had to be retired.
The 49th Fighter-Bomber Wing was reassigned to Etain-Rouvres Air Base, France where it absorbed the assets of the former host unit, the 388th FBW. As the 388th was originally formed in December 1942, and the 49th was formed in November 1940, the older wing's heritage was preserved by transferring its lineage to Etain.
The transfer was a strict designation change with no personnel, equipment or aircraft being transferred. All 388th FBW wing units, personnel, equipment and aircraft were redesignated to the 49th FBW and the mission of the 49th FBW was exactly the same as the 388th's. The fighter squadrons were redesignated the 7th, 8th and 9th Fighter-bomber Squadrons.
The stay of the 49th in France was short, as in 1957, the French Government decreed that all nuclear weapons and delivery aircraft had to be removed from French soil by July 1958. As a result, the F-100's of the 49th TFW had to be removed from France.
On 8 July 1958 the name of the wing was changed to the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing as a result of an Air Force wide redesignation. Its squadrons were renamed Tactical Fighter Squadrons. On 25 August 1959, the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing relocated to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany and assumed host unit duties, replacing the 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing which was moved to RAF Alconbury England. Tactical Fighger Squadrons of the 49th TFW at Spangdahlem were the 7th, 8th and 9th.
The 49 TFW flew F-100s until 1961 when it converted to the Republic F-105D/F Thunderchief, commonly known as the "Thud". The 49th TFW was only the third USAF unit to operate the F-105.
The 49th received two Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards for F-105 operations at Spangdahlem. On 9 March 1967, the Wing began receiving the McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II.
The 49 TFW remained at Spangdahlem AB until 1 July 1968 when it relocated to Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, to serve as the US Air Force’s first dual-based, NATO-committed wing.
[edit] Holloman Air Force Base
On July 1, 1968, the 49th arrived at Holloman Air Force Base, becoming the first dual-based tactical fighter wing. Under the dual-basing concept, the 49th, stationed at Holloman, deployed individual squadrons periodically to Europe, fulfilling their NATO commitment. At Holloman, the wing continued participation in tactical exercises and firepower demonstrations to maintain combat readiness. It had base host responsibility 1 January 1971 –1 August 1977 and 15 November 1991 to the present. In the autumn of 1971 the wing's four tactical squadrons deployed in Europe.
In 1969, the wing participated in its first dual-basing exercise, Crested Cap I, deploying 2,000 personnel and 72 aircraft to NATO bases in Europe. Also in 1972, the 49th earned the coveted MacKay Trophy for the "most meritorious flight of the year," for the redeployment from Germany to Holloman after Crested Cap II. The MacKay Trophy recognized the 49th for the fastest non-stop deployment of jet aircraft accomplished by a wing's entire fleet.
[edit] Operation Linebacker
On 4 May 1972, after North Vietnam invaded South Vietnam, the entire wing, except for a rear echelon that remained to run Holloman, deployed at Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. The wing conducted combat operations in Southeast Asia from 11 May – 27 September 1972, to help blunt a strong North Vietnamese offensive. The 49th flew combat sorties in South Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos from 1 July – 24 September 1972 during Operation Linebacker, the bombardment campaign in North Vietnam. During this deployment, Operation Constant Guard, the 49th flew more than 21,000 combat hours over just about every battle zone from An Loc to vital installations in the Hanoi vicinity. During five months of combat, the wing did not lose any aircraft or personnel -- a testament to the outstanding training and proficiency of all members of the 49th. The unit officially closed out its Southwest Asia duty October 6, 1972, receiving an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device for its participation.
[edit] Post-Vietnam Era
The wing returned to Holloman Air Force Base in early October 1972, and continued rotating tactical components to Europe to support NATO through September 1977. It also provided USAF fighter lead-in training from February 1974 - Dec 1976.
In October 1977, the wing ceased its "dual-base" commitment to NATO and changed to an air superiority mission with the wing beginning a conversion from the F-4 to the F-15. The transition was completed June 4, 1978. Training was refocused on dissimilar air combat tactics for multi-theater operations.
History was made during February 1980, when two pilots from the 49th each flew their F-15s, 6,200 miles (10,000 km) in just over 14 hours, establishing a record for the longest flight of a single-seat fighter aircraft. The flights required six aerial refuelings, proving the global power of the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing.
In July 1980, the wing acquired the commitment of a primary Rapid Deployment Force unit. This tasking, which lasted for a year, required the wing to be ready to deploy its aircraft, crews, and support personnel on short notice. The wing served with the Rapid Deployment Force until July 1981, when the tasking was transferred to the 1st Tactical Fighter Wing, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia.
The 49th won the 1988 William Tell air-to-air meet. The wing outdistanced the nearest competitor by more than 2,000 points. The 49th won a variety of awards, including the coveted "Top Gun" for best fighter pilot.
It deployed aircraft and personnel to Southwest Asia to fly combat air patrol for coalition operations from 20 June – 19 December 1991.
In 1992, the 49th underwent a number of transitions. The last F-15 departed Holloman June 5, 1992, ending 14 years of Eagle operations. On May 9, 1992, four F-117 stealth fighters from Tonopah Test Range, Nevada, arrived at Holloman taking over for the 37th Fighter Wing the 49th served as the only stealth fighter wing in the world. Also, F-4s returned to Holloman, as part of the 9th Fighter Squadron, in May 1992
After conversion to the F-117 in May 1992, It deployed fighters and their crews to Southwest Asia during the 1990s to support United Nations weapons inspectors in Iraq, to enforce the no-fly zone over the southern part of that country, and for shows of force.
[edit] Post-Cold War
The 48th Rescue squadron served at Holloman AFB from 1 May 1993-1 February 1999. With its six HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, the personnel of the 48th deployed six times in support of Operations Northern and Southern Watch. Additionally, during its six years of service, the 48th saved 33 lives in real-world rescues in the American Southwest.
Using helicopters, the wing also performed a search and rescue mission from May 1993 to February 1999. It provided early flight training for Second Lieutenant Jeannie M. Flynn, who eventually became the first woman USAF combat fighter pilot. The 49th also trained Taiwan Air Force fighter pilots in AT-38 aircraft from 1993 – 1997, and German Air Force fighter pilots in F-4 aircraft from 1992 to the present.
In early 1999, the wing deployed F-117 and their crews to Aviano Air Base, Italy and Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany from 21 February-1 July 1999, in support of Operation Allied Force. Flying more than 1,000 total sorties, pilots flew into heavily defended skies, littered with surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft fire. In particular, F-117A pilots bravely trusting in their aircraft's low observable technology struck some of the most valuable and highly guarded targets in Serbia. The F-117s successfully penetrated the heavily defended areas, which conventional aircraft could not reach.
People, airplanes, and equipment of the 49th Fighter Wing played a key role in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The wing's F-117s fly up to 700,000 mph. They played a major role, dropping the first bombs against an Iraqi leadership target in Baghdad on March 19, 2003. In all, F-117 pilots flew more than 80 missions and dropped nearly 100 enhanced guided bomb units against key targets. Approximately 300 people deployed with the air package and provided direct support to the F-117 mission. Additionally, hundreds of other 49ers such as explosive ordinance disposal teams of the 49th Civil Engineer Squadron served on the frontline of the war against Iraq providing freedom for the people of Iraq and security for the people of the world.
[edit] Operation Iraqi Freedom
Early in 2003, stealth fighters and crews of the wing deployed to Southwest Asia. The 49th dropped the initial bombs of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, and continued to support combat operations there until the country was occupied.
The 49th continued to demonstrated its versatility, when on 3 September 2005, the wing answered a humanitarian call from the gulf coast area of the United States. Responding to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the wing deployed fifty-nine Airmen from the 49th Materiel Maintenance Group as part of Joint Task Force Katrina. The BEAR Base team sent 120 short tons of cargo and built a tent city and housekeeping facilities for workers providing Hurricane Katrina relief operations.
Today, the 49th Fighter Wing continues to serve at the forefront of military operations, with its F-117 "stealth" aircraft while it prepares to receive its newest aircraft - the F-22 Raptor.
[edit] See also
- United States Pacific Air Forces
- United States Air Forces in Europe
- United States Air Force In Thailand
- Tactical Air Command
- Air Combat Command
- USAF Organizations in the Korean War
[edit] References
Much of this text in an early version of this article was taken from pages on the Holloman Air Force Base website, which as a work of the U.S. Government is presumed to be a public domain resource. That information was supplemented by:
- Endicott, Judy G. (1999) Active Air Force wings as of 1 October 1995; USAF active flying, space, and missile squadrons as of 1 October 1995. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. CD-ROM.
- McAuliffe, Jerome J. (2005). US Air Force in France 1950-1967. San Diego, California: Milspec Press, Chapter 11, Etain-Rouvres Air Base. ISBN 0-9770371-1-8.
- Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0892010924.
- Martin, Patrick (1994). Tail Code: The Complete History of USAF Tactical Aircraft Tail Code Markings. Schiffer Military Aviation History. ISBN 0887405134.
- Mueller, Robert (1989). Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982. USAF Reference Series, Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-53-6
- Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947-1977. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0912799129.
- Rogers, Brian (2005). United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978. Hinkley, England: Midland Publications. ISBN 1-85780-197-0.
- Thompson, Warren (2000). F-84 Thunderjet Units Over Korea. Osprey Publishing ISBN 1841760226
- Thompson, Warren (2001). F-80 Shooting Star Units over Korea. Osprey Publishing ISBN 1841762253
- [1] USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers--1908 to present
[edit] External links
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