58th Special Operations Wing

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58th Wing

58th Special Operations Wing Shield
Active 20 November 1940 — present
Country United States
Branch Air Force
Type Training
Part of Air Education and Training Command
Garrison/HQ Kirtland 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
Colonel Eugene Haase
Notable
commanders
Patrick K. Gamble

The 58th Special Operations Wing (58 SOW) is a wing of the United States Air Force based out of Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Contents

[edit] Mission

Train mission-ready special operations, combat search and rescue, missile site support, and UH-1 Distinguished Visitor airlift crews directly supporting Air Expeditionary Forces for the United States Air Force.

[edit] History

[edit] Lineage

  • 58th Pursuit Group (1940 – 1942)
  • 58th Fighter Group (1942 – 1946)
  • 58th Fighter-Bomber Wing (1952 – 1958)
  • 58th Tactical Fighter Training Wing (1969 – 1977)
  • 58th Tactical Training Wing (1977 – 1991)
  • 58th Fighter Wing (1991 – 1994)
  • 58th Special Operations Wing (1994 – Present)

[edit] World War II

From beginning of World War II until 1943 the 58th served as replacement training unit for fighter pilots. It trained for combat and moved overseas to Southwest Pacific Theater in 1943. The group began combat operations in February 1944, providing protection for U.S. bases and escorting transports initially, then escorting bombers over New Guinea and sea convoys to Admiralty Islands. From Noemfoor it bombed and strafed Japanese airfields and installations on Ceram, Halmahera, and the Kai Islands. It moved to the Philippines in November and flew fighter sweeps against enemy airfields, supported U.S. ground forces, and protected sea convoys and transport routes. The group earned a Distinguished Unit Citation (DCU) for strafing a Japanese naval force that was attacking a U.S. base on Mindoro on 26 December 1944. Beginning in July 1945 it attacked railways, airfields, and enemy installations in Korea and Kyūshū, Japan from Okinawa.

After V-J Day the 58th flew reconnaissance missions over Japan. It moved without personnel or equipment to the Philippines in December and was deactivated in January 1946.

[edit] Korean War

The 58th was reactivated in Korea during the Korean War absorbing the personnel and equipment of the 136 Fighter-Bomber Group.

Operational Units of the 58th in Korea were:

The 58th provided close air support for United Nations ground forces and attacked enemy airfields and installations. In 1952 and early 1953 the wing flew interdiction and close air support missions in as well as attacking special strategic targets such as military schools, dams, and port facilities. Having entered the war with slow, short-ranged F-84D ThunderJets, the 58 FBW transitioned in late 1952 to the new "G" model, designed with more speed and range. The wing attacked the major supply port of Sinuiju in September, inflicting heavy damage without loss of personnel or aircraft. Combining with other fighter-bomber units, it attacked the Kumgang Political School at Odong-ni in October 1952 and the North Korean tank and infantry school at Kangso in February 1953. In May, the 58th bombed North Korean dams, flooding enemy lines of communication and rice fields. On 27 July, 1953 it attacked runway at Kanggye and, with the 49 Fighter-Bomber Wing, bombed Sunan Airfield for the final action of the war. The wing earned a second DUC for its actions in the last three months of the war.

Stations:

  • Itazuke AB, Japan (July - August 1952)
  • Taegu AB, South Korea (K-9) (August 1952 - March 1955)

Aircraft Flown:

[edit] Cold War

After the armistice the 58th provided air defense for South Korea and deployed tactical components on rotational basis to Taiwan from January 1955 - Feb 1957. From 15 March 1953 to 8 November 1954 the 58th service-tested a "reinforced" wing organization, exercising direct control of the tactical components of the attached wings. In October 1958 it armed with tactical missiles to provide air defense of South Korea until 1962.

The wing conducted training of US, German Air Force, and other friendly foreign nation aircrew and support personnel, and participated in numerous operations and tactical exercises while operating Luke Air Force Base until April 1977. It managed Tactical Air Command's Central Instructor School from 1971 – 1981. Beginning in early 1983 it performed tactical fighter training for US and foreign aircrews in the F-16 Falcon.

The 58th deployed support personnel to Europe to augment USAFE units during the war against Iraq in 1991.

In the fall of 1991, its primary mission expanded to include tactical training in the F-15E Strike Eagle all-weather strike fighter. By 1994, the wing had trained pilots and support personnel from the Netherlands, South Korea, Turkey, Pakistan, the Republic of Singapore, Norway, Greece, Egypt, Indonesia, and Venezuela.

[edit] Post Cold War

In 1994, the wing's mission changed from the training of USAF and Allied fighter pilots to the training of USAF helicopter air crews and moved to Kirtland Air Force Base. It also trained crews in special operations aircraft, including helicopters and modified C-130 Hercules aircraft. It performed pararescue training and search and rescue missions as well. Additionally, the wing trained for missile site support and airlift for distinguished visitors. At the same time the wing continued to deploy personnel worldwide for contingency and combat operations.

The wing airlifted a federal task force to Pennsylvania to investigate the crash site of the fourth airliner following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks. Since that time the 58th has deployed personnel and equipment to support Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

[edit] Major Command

[edit] Numbered Air Force

[edit] Subordinate Organizations

58th Operations Group (58 OG)

58th Maintenance Group (58 MXG)

  • 58th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (58 AMXS)
  • 58th Maintenance Operations Squadron (58 MOS)
  • 58th Maintenance Squadron (58 MXS)

[edit] Bases stationed

[edit] Aircraft Operated

[edit] Unit Shields

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  • Futrell, Robert Frank (1983) The United States Air Force In Korea, 1950-1953, Maxwell AFB, Alabama Office of Air Force History, ISBN 0912799714
  • [1] Air Force Historical Research Agency

[edit] External links