3d Wing
Encyclopedia
The 3d Wing 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.
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.
3d Operations Group
(Tail Code: AK)
3d Maintenance Group
Wing Staff Agencies
3d Mission Support Group
3d Medical Group
Established as 3 Bombardment Wing, Light on 10 August 1948. Activated on 18 August 1948 in Japan. The wing trained as a bombardment and reconnaissance wing as part of the army of occupation.
. 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. 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.
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 of July 27, 1953.
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 B-57Bs, however, 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 of 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.
. 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, however 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 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.
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 90th TFS was redesignated the 90th Attack Squadron on November 15, 1969 and was re-equipped with the Cessna A-37 Dragonfly and assigned to the 14th Special Operations Wing at Nha Trang Air Base
on October 31, 1970.
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.
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.
Squadrons
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
, assigned to the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) Eleventh Air Force
Eleventh Air Force
The Eleventh Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska....
. It is stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson is a United States military facility adjacent to Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska. It is an amalgamation of the former United States Air Force Elmendorf Air Force Base and the United States Army Fort Richardson, which were merged in 2010.-Overview:The...
, Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
.
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
3d Operations Group
The 3d Operations Group is the operational flying component of the United States Air Force 3d Wing. It is stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, and is assigned to the Pacific Air Forces Eleventh Air Force....
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
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The Wing performed reconnaissance and interdiction combat missions from Iwakuni AB, Japan, at the beginning of the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
.
During the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
, 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.
3d Operations Group
3d Operations Group
The 3d Operations Group is the operational flying component of the United States Air Force 3d Wing. It is stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, and is assigned to the Pacific Air Forces Eleventh Air Force....
(Tail Code: AK)
- 3d Operations Support Squadron
- 90th Fighter Squadron90th Fighter SquadronThe 90th Fighter Squadron is part of the 3d Wing at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. It operates the F-22 Raptor aircraft conducting air superiority missions.-Mission:...
(F-22A) - 517th Airlift Squadron517th Airlift SquadronThe 517th Airlift Squadron is part of the 3d Wing at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. It operates C-12 Huron and C-17 Globemaster III aircraft providing airlfit in the Pacific theater.-Mission:...
(C-12, C-17) - 525th Fighter Squadron525th Fighter SquadronThe 525th Fighter Squadron is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 3d Operations Group and stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska.-Overview:...
(F-22A) - 537th Airlift Squadron (C-130)
- 962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron (E-3)
3d Maintenance Group
- 3d Air Maintenance Squadron
- 3d Component Maintenance Squadron
- 3d Equipment Maintenance Squadron
- 3d Maintenance Operations Squadron
- 703d Air Maintenance Squadron
Wing Staff Agencies
3d Mission Support Group
- 3d Civil Engineer Squadron
- 3d Communications Squadron
- 3d Contracting Squadron
- 3d Logistics Readiness Squadron
- 3d Mission Support Squadron
- 3d Security Forces Squadron
- 3d Services Squadron
3d Medical Group
- 3d Aerospace Medical Squadron
- 3d Dental Squadron
- 3d Medical Operations Squadron
- 3d Medical Support Squadron
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 Group3d Operations GroupThe 3d Operations Group is the operational flying component of the United States Air Force 3d Wing. It is stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, and is assigned to the Pacific Air Forces Eleventh Air Force....
Korean War
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 WarKorean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. 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. Captain John S. Walmsley, Jr.
John S. Walmsley, Jr.
John Springer Walmsley, Jr. was a bomber aircraft pilot in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II, and later the United States Air Force during the Korean War...
was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
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.
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
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
minutes before implementation of the s:Korean Armistice Agreement of July 27, 1953.
Cold War
With the war over in Korea, wing returned to the routine of peacetime duty in the Cold WarCold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
environment. It remained at Kunsan Air Base
Kunsan Air Base
Kunsan Air Base , is a United States Air Force base located on the west coast of the South Korean peninsula bordered by the Yellow Sea. It is at the town of Gunsan about 150 miles south of Seoul. The town can be romanized as both Gunsan and Kunsan...
until October 1954, when it moved to Johnson AB, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. Beginning in January 1956, the 3d Bombardment Group converted from the B-26 to the Martin B-57B Canberra
B-57 Canberra
The Martin B-57 Canberra was a United States-built, twin jet engine light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, which entered service with the United States Air Force in 1953. The B-57 was initially a version of the English Electric Canberra built under license. However, the Glenn L...
Night Intruder.
The B-57Bs, however, 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 of 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
Yokota Air Base
, is a United States Air Force base in the city of Fussa, one of 26 cities in the Tama Area, or Western Tokyo.The base houses 14,000 personnel. The base occupies a total area of and has a runway...
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.
Vietnam War
In January 1964 the wing was redesignated as the 3d Tactical Fighter Wing, and was reassigned w/p/o/e to England AFB, LouisianaLouisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
. 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, however 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
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. However, the increasing demands for aircraft in 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
F-100 Super Sabre
The North American F-100 Super Sabre was a supersonic jet fighter aircraft that served with the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1971 and with the Air National Guard until 1979. The first of the Century Series collection of USAF jet fighters, it was the first USAF fighter capable of...
. It was deployed to Bien Hoa AB
Bien Hoa Air Base
Bien Hoa Air Base is a Vietnam People's Air Force military airfield located in South-Central southern Vietnam about 20 miles from Saigon near the city of Bien Hoa within Dong Nai Province....
, South Vietnam
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
from 1965–1970. During the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
, 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
F-4 Phantom II
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable,...
and the F-105 Thunderchief
F-105 Thunderchief
The Republic F-105 Thunderchief, was a supersonic fighter-bomber used by the United States Air Force. The Mach 2 capable F-105 conducted the majority of strike bombing missions during the early years of the Vietnam War; it has the dubious distinction of being the only US aircraft to have been...
. It a very effective ground support aircraft, and beat back many enemy attacks.
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 90th TFS was redesignated the 90th Attack Squadron on November 15, 1969 and was re-equipped with the Cessna A-37 Dragonfly and assigned to the 14th Special Operations Wing at Nha Trang Air Base
Nha Trang Air Base
Nha Trang Air Base is a Vietnam People's Air Force military airfield in Vietnam. It is located northwest of Nha Trang in Khanh Hoa Province....
on October 31, 1970.
Post-Vietnam era
After its withdrawal from Southeast Asia in 1971, the wing transitioned to the McDonnell DouglasMcDonnell Douglas
McDonnell Douglas was a major American aerospace manufacturer and defense contractor, producing a number of famous commercial and military aircraft. It formed from a merger of McDonnell Aircraft and Douglas Aircraft in 1967. McDonnell Douglas was based at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport...
F-4 Phantom II
F-4 Phantom II
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable,...
and moved to Kunsan AB
Kunsan Air Base
Kunsan Air Base , is a United States Air Force base located on the west coast of the South Korean peninsula bordered by the Yellow Sea. It is at the town of Gunsan about 150 miles south of Seoul. The town can be romanized as both Gunsan and Kunsan...
South Korea with two tactical fighter squadrons (35th
35th Fighter Squadron
The 35th Fighter Squadron is part of the 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea.-History:The 35th Fighter Squadron heritage dates back to 12 June 1917, when the unit activated as the 35th Aero Squadron. Originally an aircraft maintenance squadron, the unit served in France from...
, 36th TFS
36th Fighter Squadron
The 36th Fighter Squadron is part of the 51st Fighter Wing at Osan Air Base, South Korea. It operates the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft conducting air superiority missions.-Mission:...
), 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
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
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
Mount Pinatubo
Mount Pinatubo is an active stratovolcano located on the island of Luzon, near the tripoint of the Philippine provinces of Zambales, Tarlac, and Pampanga. It is located in the Tri-Cabusilan Mountain range separating the west coast of Luzon from the central plains, and is west of the dormant and...
eruption in June 1991 changed these plans and forced the wing's hasty relocation w/p/o/e to Elmendorf AFB, Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
on December 19, 1991, where it replaced the 21st Wing
21st Space Wing
The 21st Space Wing is a unit of the Air Force Space Command based at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. The unit is tasked with the operation of early missile warning and space object detection equipment around the world in support of NORAD and USSTRATCOM through a network of command and control...
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
- 314th Air Division314th Air DivisionThe 314th Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Pacific Air Forces, based at Osan AB, South Korea. It was inactivated in September 1986....
, 18 August 1948 - Fifth Air ForceFifth Air ForceThe Fifth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Yokota Air Base, Japan....
, 1 March 1950 - 41st Air Division, 1 March 1955
- Fifth Air ForceFifth Air ForceThe Fifth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Yokota Air Base, Japan....
, 1 February 1957 - 41st Air Division, 10 November 1958
- Twelfth Air Force, 8 January 1964
- Attached to 4481 Air Division, Provisional, 8 January-30 June 1964
- 834th Air Division, 1 July 1964
- 2nd Air Division2nd Air DivisionThe 2d Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Military Airlift Command, assigned to Twenty-Third Air Force, being stationed at Hurlburt Field, Florida...
, 8 November 1965 - Seventh Air ForceSeventh Air ForceThe Seventh Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea....
, 1 April 1966 - Fifth Air ForceFifth Air ForceThe Fifth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Yokota Air Base, Japan....
, 15 March 1971 - 314th Air Division314th Air DivisionThe 314th Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Pacific Air Forces, based at Osan AB, South Korea. It was inactivated in September 1986....
, 15 March 1971 - Thirteenth Air ForceThirteenth Air ForceThe Thirteenth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Hickam Air Force Base on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. 13 AF has never been stationed in the continental United States...
, 16 September 1974 - Eleventh Air ForceEleventh Air ForceThe Eleventh Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska....
, 19 December 1991–present
Components
Groups- 3d Bombardment (later, 3d Operations)3d Operations GroupThe 3d Operations Group is the operational flying component of the United States Air Force 3d Wing. It is stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, and is assigned to the Pacific Air Forces Eleventh Air Force....
: 18 August 1948-25 October 1957 (detached 20 July-30 November 1950); 19 December 1991–present
Squadrons
- 1st Air Commando (later, 1st Special Operations) Squadron1st Special Operations SquadronThe 1st Special Operations Squadron is part of the 353d Special Operations Group at Kadena Air Base, Japan. It operates MC-130 Combat Talon II aircraft providing special operations capability...
: attached 21 November 1965-8 March 1966; assigned 15 January 1981-1 March 1983 - 1st Test Squadron: 16 September 1974-1 January 1980 (detached 15 March 1979-1 January 1980)
- 3d Tactical Electronic Warfare Training Squadron: 15 May 1976-1 January 1980
- 3d Tactical Fighter Squadron: 15 December 1975-19 December 1991 (detached 15–16 December 1975)
- 7th Airborne Command and Control Squadron7th Airborne Command and Control SquadronThe 7th Expeditionary Airborne Command and Control Squadron is part of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. It operates the E-8 Joint STARS aircraft, conducting airborne command and control missions.-History:...
: 31 March-14 August 1975 (detached) - 8th Bombardment (later, 8th Attack) Squadron8th Special Operations SquadronThe 8th Special Operations Squadron is part of the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida. It operates CV-22 Osprey in support of special operations.-Mission:...
: attached 13 August 1956-24 October 1957, assigned 25 October 1957-8 January 1964 (detached 1 September 1963-8 January 1964); assigned 15 November 1969-30 September 1970 - 8th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron: attached 18 April 1949-1 April 1950
- 10th Fighter Squadron: 8 April 1966-17 April 1967
- 13th Bombardment Squadron: attached 13 August 1956-24 October 1957, assigned 25 October 1957-8 January 1964 (detached 1 September 1963-8 January 1964)
- 20th Operations Squadron: 16 September 1974-31 March 1975
- 25th Tactical Fighter Squadron: 18–19 December 1975
- 26th Tactical Fighter (later, 26th Tactical Fighter Training; 26th Tactical Fighter Training Aggressor; 26th Aggressor) Squadron26th Space Aggressor SquadronThe 26th Space Aggressor Squadron is a unit of the United States Air Force located at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. It is part of the 926th Group and is the Reserve Associate of the 527th Space Aggressor Squadron....
: 16 September 1974-1 October 1988 - 35th Tactical Fighter Squadron: 15 March 1971-16 September 1974 (detached 1 April-12 October 1972)
- 36th Tactical Fighter Squadron: 15 May 1971-16 September 1974
- 40th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron: attached 1 December 1961-31 May 1962
- 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron: attached 3 April-2 June 1972 and 28 July-8 September 1972
- 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron: attached 2 June-28 July 1972 and 8 September-16 October 1972
- 68th Tactical Fighter Squadron: 16 September 1974-30 September 1975
- 80th Tactical Fighter Squadron: 15 March 1971-16 September 1974
- 90th Bombardment (later, 90th Tactical Fighter; 90th Attack; 90th Tactical Fighter) Squadron90th Fighter SquadronThe 90th Fighter Squadron is part of the 3d Wing at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. It operates the F-22 Raptor aircraft conducting air superiority missions.-Mission:...
: attached 13 August 1956-24 October 1957, assigned 25 October 1957-8 January 1964 (detached 1 September 1963-8 January 1964); assigned 9 June 1964-19 November 1965 (detached 3 February-10 May 1965 and 3 August-19 November 1965); assigned 3 February 1966-31 October 1970; assigned 16 September 1974-29 May 1991 - 307th Tactical Fighter Squadron: attached 21 November-6 December 1965
- 308th Tactical Fighter Squadron: 2 December 1965-25 December 1966 (detached 15 November-25 December 1966)
- 310th Attack Squadron: 15–30 November 1969
- 311th Attack Squadron: 15 November-15 December 1969
- 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron: 16 June 1964-8 November 1965 (detached 14 March-21 July 1965); 16 November 1965-15 April 1967 (detached 16 November 1965-15 June 1966)
- 421st Air Refueling Squadron421st Air Refueling SquadronThe 421st Air Refueling Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 41st Air Division, stationed at Yokota Air Base, Japan. It was inactivated on 15 January 1965.-History:...
: attached 21 November 1960-1 June 1962 - 429th Tactical Fighter Squadron: attached c. 21 November-14 December 1965
- 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron: 16 March 1964-15 November 1969 (detached 5 May-c. 20 August 1965)
- 531st Tactical Fighter Squadron: 16 June 1964-19 November 1965 (detached 2 November 1964-18 March 1965); 7 December 1965-31 July 1970
- 602d Fighter Squadron: attached 21 November 1965-8 March 1966
- 604th Air Commando (later, 604 Special Operations) Squadron: attached 15 November 1967-1 March 1970, assigned 1 March-30 September 1970
- 731st Bombardment Squadron731st Bombardment SquadronThe 731st Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 452d Bombardment Group, stationed at Iwakuni Air Base, Japan. It was inactivated on 25 June 1951-History:...
: attached 1 December 1950-25 June 1951 - 6091st Reconnaissance Squadron: attached 21 November 1960-c. 5 June 1962.
Stations
- Yokota AB, JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, 18 August 1948 - Johnson AB, JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, 1 April 1950 - Yokota AB, JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, 14 August 1950 - Iwakuni AB, JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, 1 December 1950 - Kunsan AB, South KoreaSouth KoreaThe Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, 22 August 1951 - Johnson AB, JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, 1 October 1954
- Yokota AB, JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, 18 November 1960-8 January 1964 - England AFB, LouisianaLouisianaLouisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, 8 January 1964-November 1965 - Bien Hoa AB, South VietnamSouth VietnamSouth Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
, 8 November 1965 - Kunsan AB, South KoreaSouth KoreaThe Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, 15 March 1971 - Clark AB, PhilippinesPhilippinesThe Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, 16 September 1974-19 December 1991 - Elmendorf AFB, AlaskaAlaskaAlaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
, 19 December 1991–present
Aircraft
- B-26 Invader (1948–1950, 1950–1956)
- F-15 ReporterF-15 ReporterThe Northrop F-15 Reporter was an unarmed photographic reconnaissance aircraft. Based on the Northrop P-61 Black Widow night fighter, it was the last piston-powered photo-reconnaissance aircraft designed and produced for the United States Air Force...
(1949) - RF-80P-80 Shooting StarThe Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star was the first jet fighter used operationally by the United States Army Air Forces. Designed in 1943 as a response to the German Messerschmitt Me-262 jet fighter, and delivered in just 143 days from the start of the design process, production models were flying but...
(1949–1950) - C-47 SkytrainC-47 SkytrainThe Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in operation to this day.-Design and...
(1951) - B-57 CanberraB-57 CanberraThe Martin B-57 Canberra was a United States-built, twin jet engine light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, which entered service with the United States Air Force in 1953. The B-57 was initially a version of the English Electric Canberra built under license. However, the Glenn L...
(1956–1963) - B-50 SuperfortressB-50 SuperfortressThe Boeing B-50 Superfortress strategic bomber was a post-World War II revision of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, fitted with more powerful Pratt & Whitney R-4360 radial engines, stronger structure, a taller fin, and other improvements. It was the last piston-engined bomber designed by Boeing for...
(1960–1961) - B-50 SuperfortressB-50 SuperfortressThe Boeing B-50 Superfortress strategic bomber was a post-World War II revision of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, fitted with more powerful Pratt & Whitney R-4360 radial engines, stronger structure, a taller fin, and other improvements. It was the last piston-engined bomber designed by Boeing for...
(1960–1962) - C-130 HerculesC-130 HerculesThe Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
(1961–1962, 1992–present) - F-102 Delta DaggerF-102 Delta DaggerThe Convair F-102 Delta Dagger was a US interceptor aircraft built as part of the backbone of the United States Air Force's air defenses in the late 1950s. Entering service in 1956, its main purpose was to intercept invading Soviet bomber fleets...
(1961–1962) - F-100 Super SabreF-100 Super SabreThe North American F-100 Super Sabre was a supersonic jet fighter aircraft that served with the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1971 and with the Air National Guard until 1979. The first of the Century Series collection of USAF jet fighters, it was the first USAF fighter capable of...
(1964–1970) - Northrop F-5 (1965–1967, 1977–1988)
- A-1 SkyraiderA-1 SkyraiderThe Douglas A-1 Skyraider was an American single-seat attack aircraft that saw service between the late 1940s and early 1980s. It became a piston-powered, propeller-driven anachronism in the jet age, and was nicknamed "Spad", after a French World War I fighter...
(1965–1966) - U-10Helio CourierThe Helio Courier is a light C/STOL utility aircraft designed in 1949.Around 500 of these aircraft were manufactured in Pittsburg, Kansas from 1954 until 1974 by the Helio Aircraft Company. During the early 1980s, new owners made an attempt to build new aircraft with direct-drive Lycoming engines,...
(1965–1966) - C/AC/HC-47C-47 SkytrainThe Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in operation to this day.-Design and...
(1965–1966)
- A-37 DragonflyA-37 DragonflyThe Cessna A-37 Dragonfly, or Super Tweet, is a United States light attack aircraft developed from the T-37 Tweet basic trainer in the 1960s and 1970s...
(1967–1970) - F-4 Phantom IIF-4 Phantom IIThe McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable,...
(1971–1974, 1974–1991) - T-33 Shooting StarT-33 Shooting StarThe Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star is an American-built jet trainer aircraft. It was produced by Lockheed and made its first flight in 1948, piloted by Tony LeVier. The T-33 was developed from the Lockheed P-80/F-80 starting as TP-80C/TF-80C in development, then designated T-33A. It was used by the...
(1974–1987) - McDonnell Douglas C-9 (1974–1975)
- CH-3 (1974–1975)
- T-38 TalonT-38 TalonThe Northrop T-38 Talon is a twin-engine supersonic jet trainer. It was the world's first supersonic trainer and is also the most produced. The T-38 remains in service as of 2011 in air forces throughout the world....
(1976–1980) - C-130H (1972–2007, 2010-present)
- UH-1N Iroquois (1989–1991)
- F-15 EagleF-15 EagleThe McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter designed by McDonnell Douglas to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. It is considered among the most successful modern fighters with over 100 aerial combat victories with no losses in dogfights...
(1991–2007) - C-12 HuronC-12 HuronThe C-12 Huron is the military designation for a series of twin-engine turboprop aircraft based on the Beechcraft Super King Air and Beechcraft 1900. C-12 variants are used by the United States Air Force, United States Army, United States Navy and United States Marine Corps...
(1992–present) - E-3 SentryE-3 SentryThe Boeing E-3 Sentry is an airborne warning and control system developed by Boeing as the prime contractor. Derived from the Boeing 707, it provides all-weather surveillance, command, control and communications, and is used by the United States Air Force , NATO, Royal Air Force , French Air Force...
(1993–present) - C-17 Globemaster IIIC-17 Globemaster IIIThe Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft. Developed for the United States Air Force from the 1980s to the early 1990s by McDonnell Douglas, the C-17 is used for rapid strategic airlift of troops and cargo to main operating bases or forward operating bases throughout...
(2007–present,1 crashed at Elemendorf AFB) - F-22 RaptorF-22 RaptorThe Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor is a single-seat, twin-engine fifth-generation supermaneuverable fighter aircraft that uses stealth technology. It was designed primarily as an air superiority fighter, but has additional capabilities that include ground attack, electronic warfare, and signals...
(2007–present)