8th Fighter Wing: Difference between revisions
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=== Post Vietnam Era === |
=== Post Vietnam Era === |
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On 16 September 1974 the wing moved without personnel or equipment to Kunsan AB, South Korea, where it absorbed resources of the [[3rd Wing|3d Tactical Fighter Wing]]. The 8th then became responsible for air defense of South Korea. |
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In April 1975 the wing gained an air base squadron at Kwang Ju, often used during numerous tactical exercises. Following the killing of two U.S. Army officers by North Koreans on 18 August 1976, the 8th TFW went on increased alert and was quickly augmented by F-4s from the 12th and 67th Squadrons at Kadena AB, Okinawa. The alert status relaxed on 8 September 1976 and the augmentation forces were released. |
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== See Also == |
== See Also == |
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Revision as of 03:18, 5 July 2007
| 8th Fighter Wing | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | 1 April 1931 - Present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | Air Force |
| Part of | Pacific Air Forces |
| Garrison/HQ | Kunsan Air Base |
| Nickname(s) | Wolf Pack |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Colonel Jeffrey Lofgren |
| Notable commanders | William W. Momyer Robin Olds |
The United States Air Force 8th Fighter Wing (8 FW) is the host wing at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The wing is assigned to the Pacific Air Forces Seventh Air Force.
Mission
- DEFEND THE BASE
- ACCEPT FOLLOW-ON FORCES
- TAKE THE FIGHT NORTH
Units
The 8th Fighter 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.
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8th Operations Group (8 OG) (Tail Code: WP)
8th Maintenance Group (8 MXG)
Wing Staff Agencies
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8th Mission Support Group (8 MSG)
8th Medical Group (8 MDG)
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8 FW -
8 CPTS -
35 FS -
80 FS
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8 OSS -
8 MXG -
8 MOS -
8 MSG -
8 CES -
8 CS -
8 LRS -
8 SFS -
8 SVS -
8 MDG -
8 MDOS -
8 MDSS
History
Lineage
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Note:*** Lineage, honors and history of USAAF 8th Fighter Group bestowed on USAF 8th Fighter Wing, 1952.
Bases Assigned
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Aircraft Flown
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Origns
February 6, 1918, marked the activation of the 8th Pursuit Group at Camp Waco, Texas. By May of that year, the pilots of the 8th were deployed to the World War I Western Front and experienced their first combat in France. The group deactivated at the end of the war and remained as such until April 1931.
In 1931, the 8th was reactivated helped fly the air corps air mail routes across the United States. In addition, the group trained, took part in maneuvers and reviews, and tested planes and equipment. In December 1941, the group became part of the defense force for the New York metropolitan area.
World War II
In 1940, the P-40 aircraft became the primary weapon used by the 8th Pursuit Group. When the unit arrived in Brisbane, Australia, in April 1942, three squadrons were assigned: the 35th, 36th and 80th Pursuit Squadrons. Since fighting became the new objective, the unit took on the new designation of the 8th Fighter Group.
In September 1942 the group moved to New Guinea and served in combat in February 1943. Resuming operations in April 1943, the 8th served in the theater through the rest of the Second World War, providing cover for Allied landings, escorting bombers, and attacking enemy airfields. The group supported operations of the Marines at Cape Gloucester, February and March 1944; flew long-range escort and attack missions to Borneo, Ceram, Halmahera, and the southern Philippines; provided cover for convoys; and attacked enemy shipping. The unit won a Distinguished Unit Citation for strafing a Japanese naval force off Mindoro on 26 December 1944. The group went on to cover landings at Lingayen; support ground forces on Luzon; escort bombers to targets on the Asian mainland and on Formosa; and, in the last days of the war, attack enemy airfields and railways in Japan.
After V-J Day, the group remained as part of the occupation force at Ashiya Air Field on the island of Kyushu. Flying P-51 Mustangs , the 8th provided air defense for the Japanese region. While stationed in Japan, the wing changed to the more sophisticated F-80 jet fighter. On January 20, 1950, the wing gained its new designation as the 8th Fighter Bomber Wing.
Korean War
When war broke out on the Korean Peninsula June 25, 1950, the 8th FBW became the first air unit committed to the conflict and the first American jet wing to fly combat missions during wartime. The wing provided air cover for the evacuation of civilians from Seoul, 26 - 28 June 1950, then conducted interdiction and close air support missions. The tactical group and its squadrons moved to South Korea on 11 August 1950, while the wing remained in Japan and assumed operational control of other combat units. Wing and group reunited on 1 December 1950, performed a variety of missions, including some strategic bombardment, air cover for bombers, armed reconnaissance, and low-level bombing and strafing for interdiction and ground support.
The 8 FW is known for the heroic actions of its members, including Major Charles J. Loring, a pilot in the 80th FS, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on November 22, 1952 when he flew his badly damaged F-80 aircraft into an enemy artillery emplacement near Sniper Ridge so that entrenched U.S. Infantry men could escape. During the next three years, the 8th flew more than 60,000 sorties while operating from bases in both Korea and Japan. The wing participated in 10 campaigns and earned three unit citations.
Cold War
The 8 FW conducted air defense in South Korea, July 1953-October 1954. In 1954, the unit moved back to Itazuke AB, Japan and once again assumed an air defense role. Redesignated the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing on July 1, 1958, it remained in Japan until July 1964. During its tenure in Japan the wing flew a variety of aircraft including the F-86, F-100, and the F-105.
Vietnam War
On 18 Jun 1964, the wing moved without personnel or equipment to George AFB California, absorbing resources of the 32d Tactical Fighter Wing. While at George AFB, the wing trained with the F-4 Phantom II fighter aircraft until the wing moved to Thailand in December 1965 to commence combat operations in the Vietnam War
For the next seven years, the 8th TFW carried out its wartime mission as it led the way for Air Force units during the Vietnam conflict. Based at Ubon Royal Thai AB, Thailand, the wing carried out a number of roles during combat. By the end of 1966, aircrews assigned to the 8th TFW flew nearly 14,000 combat missions into Vietnam. One of the squadrons assigned to wing, the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron, became known as the "Ace" squadron of the conflict. During his tenure from September 1966 to September 1967, Col Robin Olds, Wing Commander, referred to his unit as the "Wolf Pack" because of pilot aggressiveness and teamwork while flying combat missions, much like a pack of wolves, which led to the wing's nickname.
In May 1968, the wing was the first to use laser-guided bombs (LGBs) in combat. During its final years of combat, the wing used B-57s for night attacks, AC-130 gunships for ground support and armed reconnaissance, and F-4s for fast-forward air control, interdiction, escort, armed reconnaissance, and other special missions.
During 1970, the Wolf Pack flew its 100,000th combat sortie. After North Vietnam invaded the Republic of Vietnam in March 1972, the 8 FW was augmented by additional F-4 units. To make room for these forces, the B-57 squadron moved to the Philippines.
Between 1966 and 1968, the 8th's primary function involved tactical fighter bombing. With the temporary bombing halt in 1969, attention turned toward interdiction of enemy resources bound for South Vietnam. In 1972, the 8th became involved in Linebacker II. Designed to make the enemy more serious about the peace negotiations in progress at Paris, France, the 8th TFW launched 524 sorties for bombing missions against North Vietnam between December 18-31, 1972.
Early in 1973, the Wolf Pack mission included air interdiction into Laos against communist insurgents in Cambodia. After termination of hostilities in Southeast Asia, the 8th TFW assumed a training role. For its efforts, the wing received four Presidential Unit Citations and five Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards. In addition, the wing led the Air Force with 38.5 MiG kills.
Post Vietnam Era
On 16 September 1974 the wing moved without personnel or equipment to Kunsan AB, South Korea, where it absorbed resources of the 3d Tactical Fighter Wing. The 8th then became responsible for air defense of South Korea.
In April 1975 the wing gained an air base squadron at Kwang Ju, often used during numerous tactical exercises. Following the killing of two U.S. Army officers by North Koreans on 18 August 1976, the 8th TFW went on increased alert and was quickly augmented by F-4s from the 12th and 67th Squadrons at Kadena AB, Okinawa. The alert status relaxed on 8 September 1976 and the augmentation forces were released.