49th Fighter Wing, US Air Force

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49TH FIGHTER WING, US AIR FORCE

History: Established as 49 Fighter Wing on 10 August 1948. Activated on 18 August 1948. Redesignated as: 49 Fighter-Bomber Wing on 1 February 1950; 49 Tactical Fighter Wing on 8 July 1958; 49 Fighter Wing on 1 October 1991; 49 Wing on 25 June 2010. Trained to maintain tactical proficiency while participating in the military occupation and air defense of Japan, 1948-June 1950. Remained in Japan until 1 December 1950, although components detached for combat operations in Korea. The wing’s tactical mission was greatly reduced, but did include pilot training from late June to 1 December 1950. From 6 September to 1 December 1950, the wing had no tactical units except a detachment of the 41 Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, which provided strip alert. On 1 December the wing moved to South Korea and resumed operational control of its tactical components. Primarily interdicted enemy supplies, equipment and lines of communication, but also performed bombing of high value strategic targets, close air support of ground forces, and combat air patrol until 27 July 1953. Served as an administrative and support wing without tactical operations until July 1954, and then assumed an air defense mission with attached squadrons. 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 France. Supporting the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), participated in tactical exercises and operations in Europe, December 1957-June 1968. After moving to New Mexico in 1968, served as USAF’s first “dual-based,” NATO-committed wing, subject to immediate return to Europe if and when needed. The entire wing deployed back to Spangdahlem AB 15 January-4 April 1969 and 14 September-7 October 1970, receiving the Mackay Trophy for the 1969 deployment. At Holloman AFB, the wing continued participation in tactical exercises and firepower demonstrations to maintain combat readiness. Had base host responsibility 1 Jan 1971-1 Aug 1977 and 15 Nov 1991-. In the autumn of 1971, the wing’s four tactical squadrons deployed in Europe. 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 RTAFB, Thailand. Conducted combat operations in Southeast Asia, 11 May- 27 September 1972, to help blunt a strong North Vietnamese offensive. Flew combat sorties in South Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos and, 1 July-24 September 1972, during Operation Linebacker, the bombardment campaign in North Vietnam. Returned to Holloman AFB in early October 1972, and continued rotating tactical components to Europe to support NATO through September 1977. Also provided US Air Force fighter lead-in training, February 1974-December 1976. In October 1977, the wing ceased its “dual-base” commitment to NATO and changed to an air superiority mission, with training focusing on dissimilar air combat tactics for multi-theater operations. Won the 1988 William Tell air-to-air meet. Deployed aircraft and personnel to Southwest Asia to fly combat air patrol for coalition operations, 20 June-19 December 1991. After conversion to the F-117 in May 1992, served as the only stealth fighter wing in the world. 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. Using helicopters, the wing also performed a search and rescue mission from May 1993 to February 1999. Provided early flight training for 2Lt Jeannie M. Flynn, who eventually became the first woman USAF combat fighter pilot. Trained Taiwan Air Force fighter pilots in AT-38 aircraft, 1993- 1997, and German Air Force fighter pilots in F-4 aircraft, 1992-2004. Since May 1996, served as the host wing for the German Air Force Flying Training Center, which trained German Air Force combat pilots, weapon system officers and instructor aircrews to fly the Tornado aircraft. In early 1999, wing elements deployed to Europe for air strikes against Serbia during Operation ALLIED FORCE. Early in 2003, stealth fighters and crews of the wing deployed to Southwest Asia and dropped the initial bombs of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, the US-led invasion of Iraq. Continued to support combat operations there until the complete overthrow of the regime of Saddam Hussein. Replaced F-117 with new fifth generation fighter F-22 Raptors and began training pilots in the new aircraft in 2008. Began training officers as pilots and enlisted personnel as sensor operators for flight operations of the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial systems in 2009. The 54th Fighter Group was assigned to the wing in Oct 2018, giving the wing fighters again, although not stealthy ones.


Coat of arms (crest) of the 49th Fighter Wing, US Air Force
Official blazon
English blazon wanted

Origin/meaning

Emblem was approved on 10 October 1995.

Literature: Image from Wikimedia Commons. Information from https://www.afhra.af.mil/


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