{{short description|US Air Force wing}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}} {{Infobox military unit | unit_name = 56th Fighter Wing[[File:Air Education and Training Command.svg|center|60px]] | image = 56th Fighter Wing - First F-35 Arrives.jpg | image_size = 290px | caption = [[F-16 Fighting Falcon]] with the wing's first [[F-35 Lightning II]] | dates = 1947–1952; 1961–1964; 1967–present | country = {{USA}} | branch = {{air force|USA}} | type = | role = [[fighter aircraft|Fighter Training]] | size = | command_structure = [[Air Education and Training Command]] | garrison = [[Luke Air Force Base]] | nickname = Thunderbolts | patron = | motto = Cave Tonitrum [[Latin]] Beware of the Thunderbolt | colors = | march = | mascot = | battles = | anniversaries = | decorations = [[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Presidential Unit Citation]] <br /> [[Air Force Outstanding Unit Award]] with [[Combat "V" Device]]<br />Air Force Outstanding Unit Award<br />[[Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross|Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/ Palm]] | battle_honours = <!-- Insignia --> | notable_commanders = [[Philip Breedlove]] <br /> [[Ronald Fogleman]] <br /> [[Joseph Ralston]] <br /> [[Robin Rand]] <br /> [[Carrol Chandler]] <br /> [[Perry J. Dahl]] <br /> [[Henry Viccellio Jr.]] | identification_symbol = [[File:USAF - 56th Fighter Wing.png|165px]] | identification_symbol_label = 56th Fighter Wing emblem <small>(approved 19 April 1967)</small><ref name=56FWfacts>{{cite web|url=http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=9747 |last1=Robertson |first1=Patsy |title=Factsheet 56 Fighter Wing (AETC) |date=13 July 2015 |publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency |url-status=dead |access-date=11 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811191104/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=9747 |archive-date=11 August 2016 }}</ref> | identification_symbol_2 = <big>'''LF'''</big> | identification_symbol_2_label = Tail code at Luke AFB | current_commander = [[Brigadier General (United States)|Brig Gen.]] [[David Berkland|David J. Berkland]] | commander2 = [[Colonel (United States)|Col.]] Matthew R. Johnston | commander2_label = Deputy Commander | commander3 = [[Command Chief Master Sergeant|CMSgt]] Jason Q. Shaffer | commander3_label = Command Chief | ceremonial_chief = | colonel_of_the_regiment = }} The '''56th Fighter Wing''' is a fighter wing in the [[United States Air Force]]. It is the world's largest [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II]] wing and one of two Air Force F-35 training locations. Additionally, it is one of two active-duty F-16 training bases. The 56th graduates dozens of F-35 and [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon]] pilots and 300 air control professionals annually.<ref name=Trifold>{{cite web |url= https://www.luke.af.mil/Portals/58/Luke%20Trifold%20Dec%202015.pdf?ver=2016-01-07-115952-733 |title=Luke Trifold|date=December 2015|publisher=56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs|access-date=14 June 2016}}</ref>
Additionally, the 56th Fighter Wing oversees the [[Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field]] and the [[Barry M. Goldwater Range]], a military training range spanning more than 1.7 million acres of [[Sonoran Desert]].<ref name=Trifold/>
==History==
===Initial activation=== [[File:Lockheed F-80 (5043612054).jpg|thumb|Lockheed F-80]] The '''56th Fighter Wing''' was activated 15 August 1947 at [[Selfridge Field]], Michigan<ref name=56FWfacts/> as part of the [[United States Air Force]]'s experimental [[Hobson Plan|wing base reorganization]], in which combat groups and all supporting units on a base were assigned to a single [[wing (military aviation unit)|wing]].<ref>Ravenstein, p. xxi</ref> The [[56th Fighter Group]], flying [[Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star]]s, became its operational component. The wing base organization was made permanent in 1948.<ref>Ravenstein, pp. 90–92.</ref>
In July and August 1948, the wing pioneered the first west-to-east jet fighter transatlantic crossing along the northern air route from the United States to Europe,<ref name=56FWfacts/> flying 16 of its F-80's from Selfridge to [[Fürstenfeldbruck Air Base]], Germany, by way of Maine Labrador, Greenland, Iceland and Scotland.{{citation needed|date=June 2016}}
===Air Defense Command=== [[Image:F-86F.jpg|thumb|North American F-86F Sabre jet]] The wing's mission included the [[air defense]] of a large portion of the United States. As this mission became more important, the 56th was transferred from [[Strategic Air Command]] (SAC) to [[Continental Air Command]] in December 1948, and then to the newly reformed [[Air Defense Command]] (ADC) on 1 December 1950. This mission was emphasized when the unit was redesignated '''56th Fighter-Interceptor Wing''' in January 1950.<ref name=56FWfacts/> It converted to the [[North American F-86 Sabre]] later that year. In a major ADC reorganization, to respond to the command's difficulties under the existing wing base organizational structure in deploying fighter squadrons to best advantage,<ref>Grant, p. 33</ref> the 56th was inactivated along with its [[56th Fighter-Interceptor Group]] on 6 February 1952. Its operational squadrons were transferred to the recently organized [[4708th Defense Wing]].<ref>Cornett & Johnson, p. 66. An apparent typo in this reference gives the date the 4708th was organized as 1 February 1953, rather than 1952.</ref>
Almost nine years later the wing was reactivated at [[K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base]], Michigan, where it replaced the 56th Fighter Group as Sawyer began to grow in size as SAC's [[4042d Strategic Wing]] began to add combat elements, requiring a larger support base. The wing once again had air defense mission.<ref name=56FWfacts/> The wing controlled a single tactical unit, the [[62d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron]], flying the [[McDonnell F-101 Voodoo]], which was capable of carrying the nuclear armed [[AIR-2 Genie]].<ref name=56FWfacts/><ref>Ray, p. 27</ref> At the time the wing was activated, it maintained two aircraft on five minute [[alert status]]. In February 1962, in addition to these two [[interceptor aircraft|interceptors]], one third of the wing's aircraft were placed on fifteen minute alert.<ref>Ray, p. 50</ref>
[[File:62d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron F-101B 57-0386 1968.jpg|thumb|62d FIS F-101B<ref group=note>Aircraft is McDonnell F-101B-95-MC Voodoo serial 57-386 at K.I. Sawyer AFB.</ref>]] On 22 October 1962, at the beginning of the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]], when [[President Kennedy]] announced the presence of Soviet [[intermediate-range ballistic missile]]s in Cuba. [[Continental Air Defense Command]] (CONAD) directed the dispersal of interceptors within the United States. The dispersal plan called for [[Hector Field]], North Dakota to be the wing's dispersal base, but ADC's dispersal plan was incomplete and [[Phelps Collins Field]], Michigan became the wing's "interim" dispersal base. The wing sent one third of its aircraft there. All wing aircraft, including those at home and those at Phelps Collins were armed and placed on fifteen minute alert status. The increased alert posture was maintained through mid-November, when CONAD returned the wing to its normal alert status.<ref>NORAD/CONAD Response to the Cuban Missile Crisis, pp. 16, 26</ref><ref>McMullen, pp. 10–12</ref>
The wing was assigned to the [[Sault Sainte Marie Air Defense Sector]] until October 1963 when it became part of the [[Duluth Air Defense Sector]]. It participated in many ADC exercises, tactical evaluations and other air defense operations.<ref name=56FWfacts/> Although the number of ADC interceptor squadrons remained almost constant in the early 1960s, attrition (and the fact that production lines closed in 1961) caused a gradual drop in the number of planes assigned to a squadron, from 24 to typically 18 by 1964. These reductions made it apparent that the primary mission of K.I. Sawyer would be to support SAC.<ref>McMullen, pp. 41, 43–45</ref> In preparation for K.I. Sawyer becoming a SAC base, the wing's single tactical squadron transferred to the Duluth Air Defense Sector on 16 December 1963,<ref>Cornett & Johnson, p. 117</ref> and on 1 January 1964, the wing was transferred to SAC,<ref>Cornett & Johnson, p. 62</ref> which inactivated it and transferred its support elements to the [[410th Bombardment Wing]], which became the base's new host.<ref>Mueller, p. 295</ref>
===Vietnam War=== [[Image:A-1 Skyraiders of the 56th Special Operations Wing at Nakhon Phanom c1968.jpg|thumb|Douglas Skyraiders of the 1st and 602nd Squadrons at Nakhon Phanom]] [[File:B-26K 609SOS NakhonPhanom engine start.jpg|thumb|B-26K of the 609th Squadron]] [[File:Helio H-295 Courier ’66-374 - EO’ (G-BAGT) (27410426832).jpg|thumb|Helio U-10]] [[File:NC-123K.jpg|thumb|NC-123K]] The wing was renamed the '''56th Air Commando Wing''' and activated at [[Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base]],<ref group=note>The base was commonly referred to by its identifier, "NKP", or informally as "Naked Fanny."</ref> Thailand in April 1967,<ref name=56FWfacts/> replacing the 634th Combat Support Group<ref name=56ACWapr67>{{cite web |url= http://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/451/110.xml |title=Abstract, History 56 Air Commando Wing Apr–Jun 1967|publisher=Air Force History Index|access-date=15 June 2016}}</ref> as the mission there expanded. It was assigned the [[606th Air Commando Squadron]], a composite unit flying [[Helio U-10 Courier]]s, [[Fairchild C-123 Provider]]s, [[Douglas A-26 Invader]] and [[North American T-28 Trojan]]s, and the [[602d Fighter Squadron]] flying [[Douglas A-1 Skyraider]]s at [[Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base]], Thailand.<ref name=56ACWapr67/> The wing continued to grow, adding the [[609th Air Commando Squadron]], which took over the T-28s and A-26s of the 606th,<ref>Anthony, p. 99</ref> the [[21st Helicopter Squadron]], which was activated in November with [[Sikorsky CH-3]] helicopters<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/433933/21-special-operations-squadron-afsoc |author=Unsigned (staff historian)|title=Factsheet 21 Special Operations Squadron|date=7 January 2008|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=15 June 2016}}</ref> and the [[1st Air Commando Squadron]], another Skyraider squadron, which moved to Nakhon Phanom from [[Pleiku Air Base]], [[South Vietnam]] in late December.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/433958/1-special-operations-squadron-afsoc |author=Unsigned (staff historian)|title=Factsheet 1 Special Operations Squadron|date=2 January 2008|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=15 June 2016}}</ref> The wing was assigned to [[Thirteenth Air Force]], but was attached [[Seventh Air Force]] in [[Saigon]] for operational control.<ref name=56FWfacts/>
The wing entered [[combat]] in Southeast Asia as soon as it was activated. It employed a wide variety of aircraft to meet specialized missions. Those missions included [[air interdiction|interdiction]], [[psychological warfare]], [[close air support]], [[search and rescue]], [[forward air control]], training [[Royal Thai Air Force]] and [[Royal Lao Air Force]] personnel, and [[helicopter]] escort for [[clandestine operation|clandestine insertion and extraction of personnel]] in Laos and North Vietnam.<ref name=56FWfacts/>
The [[Battle of Lima Site 85]] began in January 1968 and continued through March. The wing provided close air support for the defending forces. While this battle was continuing in Laos, the [[Siege of Khe Sanh]], just across the border in South Vietnam, began in February. The wing continued to support the defenses of both sites through the end of the battles in April 1968. In the middle of 1968, the wing became the '''56th Special Operations Wing''' and its various air commando, fighter and helicopter squadrons became special operations squadrons at the same time. Operations at Nakhon Phanom continued to expand as the 602d Squadron moved from Udorn in June{{citation needed|date=June 2016}} and a third squadron of A-1s, the [[22d Special Operations Squadron]], was activated in October 1968.<ref name=56FWfacts/>
By late 1969, attrition had reduced the number of A-26 Invaders in the 609th Special Operations Squadron. The squadron was inactivated in December and the remaining planes were returned to the United States.<ref>Anthony, p. 106</ref>
Wing elements participated in the [[Operation Ivory Coast]], the Son Tay Prison raid on 21 November 1970. The wing continued combat operations until 1973, ending operations in Vietnam in mid-January 1973, in Laos on 22, and in [[Cambodia]] on 15 1973. However, after combat operations ended, the wing continued to provide support services at Nakorn Phanom.<ref name=56FWfacts/>
Although no longer assigned combat units, the 56th assisted in [[Operation Eagle Pull]], the evacuation of [[Phnom Penh]] on 12 April 1975 and [[Operation Frequent Wind]], the evacuation of Saigon on 29 and 30 April 1975. During the [[Mayagüez incident]] on 15 May 1975, it provided forward air control and helicopter insertion/extraction support.<ref name=56FWfacts/> On 30 June 1975, the wing transferred its assets to the [[656th Special Operations Wing]] and moved on paper to [[MacDill Air Force Base]], where it replaced the [[1st Tactical Fighter Wing]], assuming its mission, personnel and equipment.<ref>''See'' Mueller, pp. 345, 354 (transfer of host responsibilities and dates units were at MacDill).</ref>
===Tactical fighter operations=== [[File:63d Tactical Fighter Squadron - McDonnell F-4D-28-MC Phantom 65-0756.jpg|thumb|63d Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D<ref group=note>Aircraft is McDonnell F-4D-28-MC Phantom serial 65-756 at [[Dyess Air Force Base]] in 1979.</ref>]] [[File:UH-1P 56th TFW at MacDill AFB 1983.JPEG|thumb|UH-1P used for range support at Avon Park]] At MacDill, the wing became the '''56th Tactical Fighter Wing''' and operated [[McDonnell F-4 Phantom II]]s. In addition to acting as host for MacDill, the wing operated nearby [[Avon Park Air Force Range]], Florida.<ref name=56FWfacts/>
The wing conducted F-4D/E replacement training for pilots, weapon systems officers, and maintenance personnel until July 1982. It was equipped with UH-1P helicopters from 1976 to 1987, to support Avon Range logistics needs, search and rescue efforts, and humanitarian missions.<ref name=56FWfacts/>
Starting in 1980 the wing began to convert to F-16A and F-16B aircraft, completing the transition in 1982. The 56th became the unit for transitioning USAF and select allied nation pilots into the new fighter, while continuing to augment [[NORAD]]'s air defense forces in the southeastern US. The wing provided logistic support to [[US Central Command]] beginning in 1983 and to [[United States Special Operations Command|US Special Operations Command]] after 1986. It upgraded to F-16C and F-16D aircraft between 1988 and 1990, providing support personnel and equipment to units in [[Southwest Asia]] from August 1990 – March 1991.<ref name=56FWfacts/>
The [[1991 Base Realignment and Closure Commission]] evaluated the Air Force's need for fighter bases it was decided to close MacDill AFB except for a small communications element and transfer it to another service or agency.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brac.gov/docs/final/AppendixF.pdf|title=Appendix F|page=F-6|publisher=1991 Base Realignment and Closure Commission|access-date=16 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528175345/https://www.brac.gov/docs/final/AppendixF.pdf|archive-date=28 May 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>
This recommendation was later altered and MacDill AFB remained open, being transferred to the [[Air Mobility Command]] and eventually becoming home to the [[6th Air Mobility Wing]] and its KC-135R and C-37A aircraft, while the 347th Wing, and later the 23rd Wing, at Moody AFB, Georgia would assume responsibility for the Avon Park Air Force Range and the Deployed Unit Complex (DUC) at MacDill AFB.
The 56th Fighter Wing moved on paper to Luke Air Force Base, Arizona on 1 April 1994,<ref name=56FWfacts/> where it assumed the assets of the [[58th Fighter Wing]].
===Flying training=== At Luke, the 56th took over the 58th Wing F-16 training mission, but its [[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle]] training mission was transferred to [[Tyndall Air Force Base]], Florida.{{citation needed|date=June 2016}}
After [[Hurricane Andrew]] battered [[Homestead Air Force Base]], Florida, its three F-16 fighter squadrons ([[307th Fighter Squadron|307th]], [[308th Fighter Squadron|308th]], and [[309th Fighter Squadron|309th]]) dispersed to [[Moody AFB]] and [[Shaw AFB]] for an interim period. In 1994, the 308th and 309th transferred to Luke and expanded the 56th to become the largest fighter wing in the Air Force. The wing reached its peak in 1997 when the [[21st Fighter Squadron]] was added to train pilots for the [[Republic of China Air Force]]. This brought the total number of flying units based at Luke to eight (five active duty F-16 training squadrons, two [[Foreign Military Sales|FMS]] F-16 squadrons, and one [[Air Force Reserve Command|Air Force Reserve]] F-16 squadron) and over 200 aircraft. This number was reduced by two active duty flying squadrons following the recommendations of the [[2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 September 2005 |title=2005 Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA466177.pdf |website=Defense Technical Information Center}}</ref>
In March 2014, The 54th Fighter Group was activated under the wing<ref name=54FGfacts>{{cite web |url= https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/862289/54-fighter-group-aetc/ |last1=Robertson|first1=Patsy|title=Factsheet 54 Fighter Group (AETC)|date=21 April 2014|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=23 April 2014}}</ref> to conduct F-16 Fighting Falcon training as the 56th Operations Group transitions to F-35 Lighting II training. The group was established with a single flying squadron, but added a second squadron in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.holloman.af.mil/Article-Display/Article/663407/314th-fs-activation/ |title=314th FS activation|date=14 July 2015|publisher=Air Combat Command Public Affairs|access-date=17 July 2015}}</ref> The group consists of approximately 800 personnel, maintains $2.2 billion in F-16 assets and executes a $144 million operations and maintenance budget to carry out F-16 training.<ref name=Units54FG>{{cite web |url= https://www.luke.af.mil/Units/54thFighterGroup.aspx |title=Luke Air Force Base Units: 54th Fighter Group|publisher=56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs|access-date=14 June 2016}}</ref>
===Units in 2026=== * [[56th Operations Group]] :: The 56th Operations Group is the flying element of the wing. It trains and produce F-35 pilots and crew chiefs for the United States and allied forces. It also maintains resources to meet potential contingency and wartime tasking. Finally it trains all operators for air control squadrons which provide ground tactical command and control operations for the United States.<ref name=Units54FG/> * 54th Fighter Group :: The 54th Fighter Group is located at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. The [[group (military aviation unit)|group]] trains an average of 180 students per year on the F-16, averaging more than 10,800 sorties and 14,600 hours per fiscal year.<ref name=Units54FG/> * 56th Maintenance Group :: The 56th Maintenance Group provides aircraft maintenance and generates more than 25,000 sorties compiling 32,000 flight hours per year. It is the largest maintenance group in the Air Force, with 2,200 members. The group also trains more than 3,000 maintenance technicians and 1,000 F-16 crew chiefs each year<ref name=Units54FG/> * [[607th Air Control Squadron]] :: The 607th Air Control Squadron (ACS) is a unit at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona that trains Airmen to perform key roles in command and control operations around the world. The 607th ACS is known for its training and collaboration with other nations, and for its role in training Airmen for the [[Control and Reporting Centre|Control and Reporting Center (CRC)]] career field. The 607th Air Control Squadron trains [[Air Battle Manager|Air Battle Managers (ABM)]], Mission Systems Operators (MSO) and [[Weapons Director Badge|Weapons Directors (WD)]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=607 Air Control Squadron (AETC) |url=https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/862222/607-air-control-squadron-aetc/ |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=Air Force Historical Research Agency |language=en-US}}</ref> * 56th Mission Support Group :: The 56th Mission Support Group has 1,965 members and performs the installation management. The base has approximately $396 million in land, building and real property including 4,200 acres at Luke and 1.7 million acres at the Barry M. Goldwater range complex.<ref name=Units54FG/> * 56th Comptroller Squadron :: The 56th Comptroller Squadron provides financial services, financial analysis, non-appropriated fund oversight and quality assurance for the wing.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.luke.af.mil/Units/56th-Fighter-Wing-Staff-Agencies/ |title=Luke Air Force Base Units: 56th Fighter Wing Staff Agencies|publisher=56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs|access-date=14 June 2016}}</ref>
==Lineage== * Established as the '''56th Fighter Wing''' on 28 July 1947 : Organized on 15 August 1947<ref group=note>The experimental (table of distribution) wing was discontinued on 1 August 1948. The permanent (table of organization) wing was established the same day. The Air Force later consolidated the two wings and considers this to have been a redesignation. Ravenstein, pp. 90–92.</ref> : Redesignated '''56th Fighter-Interceptor Wing''' on 20 January 1950 : Inactivated on 6 February 1952 * Redesignated '''56th Fighter Wing''' (Air Defense) and activated on 28 December 1960 (not organized) : Organized on 1 February 1961 : Discontinued and inactivated on 1 January 1964 * Redesignated '''56th Air Commando Wing''' and activated on 16 March 1967 (not organized) : Organized on 8 April 1967 : Redesignated '''56th Special Operations Wing''' on 1 August 1968 : Redesignated '''56th Tactical Fighter Wing''' on 30 June 1975 : Redesignated '''56th Tactical Training Wing''' on 1 October 1981 : Redesignated '''56th Fighter Wing''' on 1 October 1991<ref name=56FWfacts/>
== Assignments == {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=50%}} * [[Fifteenth Air Force]], 15 August 1947 * [[Strategic Air Command]], 1 October 1947 * [[Tenth Air Force]], 1 December 1948 (attached to [[26th Air Division]] 10 December 1949 – 19 February 1950, [[30th Air Division]] after 20 February 1950) * [[Eastern Air Defense Force]], 1 September 1950 – 6 February 1952 (remained attached to 30th Air Division) * [[Air Defense Command]], 28 December 1960 (not organized) * Sault Sainte Marie Air Defense Sector, 1 February 1961 {{Col-break|width=50%}} * Duluth Air Defense Sector, 1 October 1963 – 1 January 1964 * [[Pacific Air Forces]], 16 March 1967 (not organized) * Thirteenth Air Force, 8 April 1967 (attached to Seventh Air Force until 26 February 1974, then attached to United States Support Activities Group/Seventh Air Force) * [[Ninth Air Force]], 30 June 1975 * [[Nineteenth Air Force]], 1 April 1994<ref name=56FWfacts/> * Air Education and Training Command, 13 July 2012 – present{{citation needed|date=June 2016}} {{Col-end}}
== Components == ;Groups * 56th Fighter Group (later 56th Fighter-Interceptor, 56th Operations) Group: 15 August 1947 – 6 February 1952; 1 November 1991 – 4 January 1994; 1 April 1994 – present<ref name=56FWfacts/><ref>Components stationed with wing [[headquarters]], except as noted</ref> * [[54th Fighter Group]], 1 March 2014 – 1 October 2018<ref name=54FGfacts/>
;Squadrons * 1st Air Commando Squadron (later 1st Special Operations Squadron): 20 December 1967 – 15 December 1972 * [[13th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron]]: 15 January 1976 – 1 July 1982 * [[18th Special Operations Squadron]]: 25 August 1971 – 31 December 1972 (AC–119) * 21st Helicopter Squadron (later 21st Special Operations Squadron): 27 November 1967 – 30 June 1975 * [[22d Special Operations Squadron]]: 25 October 1968 – 30 September 1970 * [[23d Tactical Air Support Squadron]]: 15 March 1972 – 30 June 1975 (O-2A, OV-10) * [[61st Tactical Fighter Squadron]] (later 61st Tactical Fighter Training Squadron): 30 June 1975 – 1 November 1991 * [[62d Tactical Fighter Squadron]] (later 62d Tactical Fighter Training Squadron): 1 February 1961 – 16 December 1963; 30 June 1975 – 1 November 1991 * [[63d Tactical Fighter Squadron]] (later 63d Tactical Fighter Training Squadron): 30 June 1975 – 1 November 1991 * [[72d Tactical Fighter Training Squadron]]: 1 July 1982 – 1 November 1991 * [[97th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron]]: attached 1 December 1950 – 20 May 1951 * [[361st Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron]]: 1 September 1972 – 30 June 1974 (EC-47N/P) * [[554th Reconnaissance Squadron]]: 15 December 1970 – 30 September 1972 (QU-22B) * 602d Fighter Squadron (later 602d Special Operations Squadron): 8 April 1967 – 31 December 1970 :: Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base until October 1968<ref name=56ACWapr67/> * 606th Air Commando Squadron (later 606th Special Operations Squadron): 8 April 1967 – 15 June 1971 * 607th Air Control Squadron: 1 Nov 1991 – Present * 609th Air Commando Squadron (later 609th Special Operations Squadron): 15 September 1967 – 1 December 1969 * 4501st Tactical Fighter Replacement Squadron: 30 June 1975 – 15 January 1976<ref name=56FWfacts/>
== Stations == * Selfridge Field (later Selfridge Air Force Base), Michigan, 15 August 1947 – 6 February 1952 * K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base, Michigan, 1 February 1961 – 1 January 1964 * Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, 8 April 1967 – 30 June 1975 * MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, 30 June 1975 – 31 March 1994 * Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, 1 April 1994 – present<ref name=56FWfacts/>
== Aircraft == {{div col|colwidth=18em}} * Lockheed P-80 (later F-80) Shooting Star, 1947–1950 * North American F-86 Sabre, 1950–1952 * [[Republic F-47 Thunderbolt]], 1951–1952 * [[North American F-51 Mustang]], 1951–1952 * [[Lockheed F-94 Starfire]], 1951–1952 * McDonnel F-101 VooDoo, 1961–1963 * Douglas A-1 Skyraider, 1967–1972 * Douglas A-26 Invader, 1967–1969 * Sikorsky CH-3, 1967–1972 * Fairchild C-123 Provider, 1967–1971 * Fairchild UC-123 Provider, 1968–1971 * North American T-28 Trojan 1967–1973 * North American RT-28 Trojan 1967–1972 * [[de Havilland Canada U-6 Beaver]], 1967 * Helio U-10 Courier, 1967–1969 * [[Douglas C-47 Skytrain]], 1969–1972 * Douglas EC-47 Skytrain, 1972–1974 * [[Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion]], 1970–1975 * [[Beechcraft QU-22 Pave Eagle]], 1970–1972 * [[Fairchild AC-119]], 1971–1972 * [[Sikorsky H-34]], 1972 * [[North American OV-10 Bronco]], 1972–1975 * [[Cessna O-1 Bird Dog]], 1973 * [[F-4 Phantom II|McDonnell F-4 Phantom II]], 1975–1982 * [[Bell UH-1|Bell UH-1P Huey]], 1976–1987 * [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon]], 1980–present <ref name=56FWfacts/> * [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II]], 2014–present {{div col end}}
== Awards and campaigns == * Presidential Unit Citation:<ref name=56FWfacts/> :: (Vietnam): 1 November 1968 – 1 May 1969 :: 1 October 1969 – 30 April 1970 :: 1 April 1972 – 22 February 1973 * Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device:<ref name=56FWfacts/> {{div col}} :: 1 December 1970 – 30 November 1971 :: 1 December 1971 – 29 February 1972 :: 23 February 1973 – 28 February 1974 :: 24 January-2 May 1975 {{div col end}} * Air Force Outstanding Unit Award<ref name=56FWfacts/> {{div col|colwidth=18em}} :: 1 January 1977 – 1 January 1979 :: 1 July 1980 – 30 June 1982 :: 1 June 1984 – 31 May 1986 :: 1 May 1987 – 30 April 1989 :: 1 May 1989 – 30 April 1990 :: 1 May 1990 – 30 April 1991 :: 1 July 1994 – 30 June 1996 :: 1 July 1996 – 30 June 1998 :: 1 July 1998 – 30 June 2000 :: 1 July 2001 – 30 June 2003 :: 1 July 2003 – 30 June 2005 :: 1 July 2005 – 30 June 2006 :: 1 July 2006 – 30 June 2007 :: 1 July 2007 – 30 June 2008 {{div col end}} * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm:<ref name=56FWfacts/> :: 8 April 1967 – 28 January 1973
; Campaigns<ref name=56FWfacts/> : Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase II; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase III; Vietnam Air/Ground; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase IV; TET 69/ Counteroffensive; Vietnam Summer-Fall, 1969; Vietnam Winter-Spring, 1970; Sanctuary Counteroffensive; Southwest Monsoon; Commando Hunt V; Commando Hunt VI; Commando Hunt VII; Vietnam Ceasefire.
==References== {{reflist|group=note}}
===Citations=== {{reflist|2}}
== Bibliography == * {{cite book|last=Anthony|first=Major Victor B.|title=The Air Force in Southeast Asia: Tactics and Techniques of Night Operations 1961–1970|url= http://media.defense.gov/2011/Mar/24/2001330120/-1/-1/0/AFD-110324-027.pdf |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200919032740/https://media.defense.gov/2011/Mar/24/2001330120/-1/-1/0/AFD-110324-027.pdf |url-status= dead |archive-date= 19 September 2020 |access-date=16 June 2016|year= 1973|publisher=Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=1-780396-57-0}} * {{cite book|last=Cornett|first=Lloyd H|author2=Johnson, Mildred W|title=A Handbook of Aerospace Defense Organization, 1946 - 1980|url=http://www.usafpatches.com/pubs/handbookofadcorg.pdf|access-date=23 March 2012|year=1980|publisher=Office of History, Aerospace Defense Center|location=Peterson AFB, CO|archive-date=23 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061123115752/http://www.usafpatches.com/pubs/handbookofadcorg.pdf|url-status=dead}} * {{cite web |url= https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/Portals/16/documents/Studies/101-150/AFD-090529-030.pdf |last1=Grant|first1=C. L.|title= The Development of Continental Air Defense to 1 September 1954, USAF Historical Study No. 126|publisher=Research Studies Institute, USAF Historical Division, Air University|access-date=17 August 2014}} * McMullen, Richard F. (1964) ''The Fighter Interceptor Force 1962–1964'', ADC Historical Study No. 27 (Confidential, declassified 22 March 2000) * {{cite book|last=Ravenstein|first=Charles A.|title=Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947–1977|year=1984|url=https://archive.org/details/airforcecombatwi0000rave|publisher=Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-912799-12-9|url-access=registration}} * Ray, Thomas W. "[http://www.northcom.mil/Portals/28/Paper%20No%2020%20Nuclear%20Armament%20and%20Manned%20Interceptors,%201951-1963%20Partial%20Release.pdf?ver=2017-03-16-115741-520 Nuclear Armament: Its Acquisition, Control and Application to Manned Interceptors 1951–1963]" ADC Historical Study No. 20, Air Defense Command, Ent AFB, CO (Secret- Restricted Data, redacted version declassified 20 June 1996) * ''NORAD/CONAD Participation in the Cuban Missile Crisis'', Historical Reference Paper No. 8, Directorate of Command History Continental Air Defense Command, Ent AFB, CO, 1 Feb 63 (Top Secret NOFORN declassified 9 March 1996)
; Further reading * {{cite book|editor=Berger, Carl|title=1961–1973: An Illustrated History|url= http://media.defense.gov/2010/Nov/04/2001329882/-1/-1/0/AFD-101104-022.pdf |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161220185633/http://media.defense.gov/2010/Nov/04/2001329882/-1/-1/0/AFD-101104-022.pdf |url-status= dead |archive-date= 20 December 2016 |access-date= 6 December 2014|series=The United States in Southeast Asia |year=1977|publisher=Office of Air Force History |location= Washington, DC|isbn=978-0912799162 |lccn=76608038}}
[[Category:Fighter wings of the United States Air Force]] [[Category:Military units and formations established in 1947]] [[Category:1947 establishments in Michigan]]