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UPDATED: 28 Dec 04

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Note: Information covers only the SEA period

3rd Tactical Fighter Wing

Lineage

3d Tactical Fighter Wing on 8 Jan 1964.

Assignments

2d Air Division, 8 Nov 1965; Seventh Air Force, 1 Apr 1966; Fifth Air Force, 15 Mar 1971; 314th Air Division, 15 Mar 1971; Thirteenth Air Force, 16 Sep 1974; Eleventh Air Force, 19 Dec 1991–.

Stations

Bien Hoa AB, South Vietnam, 8 Nov 1965; Kunsan AB, South Korea, 15 Mar 1971

Aircraft

F–100, 1964–1970; F–5, 1965–1967; A–1, 1965– 1966; U–10, 1965–1966; C/AC/HC–47, 1965–1966; A–37, 1967–1970; F–4, 1971–1974, 1974–1991

Squadrons

1st Air Commando (later, 1st Special Operations): attached 21 Nov 1965–8 Mar 1966.

8th Attack assigned 15 Nov 1969–30 Sep 1970. 

10th Fighter: 8 Apr 1966–17 Apr 1967. 

90th Tactical Fighter assigned 9 Jun 1964–19 Nov 1965 (detached 3 Feb–10 May 1965 and 3 Aug–19 Nov 1965); assigned 3 Feb 1966–31 Oct 1970. 

307th Tactical Fighter: attached 21 Nov–6 Dec 1965. 

308th Tactical Fighter: 2 Dec 1965–25 Dec 1966 (detached 15 Nov–25 Dec 1966). 

310th Attack:15–30 Nov 1969. 

311th Attack: 15 Nov–15 Dec 1969. 

416th Tactical Fighter: 16 Jun 1964–8 Nov 1965 (detached 14 Mar–21 Jul 1965); 16 Nov 1965– 15 Apr 1967 (detached 16 Nov 1965–15 Jun 1966). 

429th Tactical Fighter: attached c. 21 Nov–14 Dec 1965. 

510th Tactical Fighter: 16 Mar 1964–15 Nov 1969 (detached 5 May–c. 20 Aug 1965). 

531st Tactical Fighter: 16 Jun 1964– 19 Nov 1965 (detached 2 Nov 1964–18 Mar 1965); 7 Dec 1965–31 Jul 1970. 

602d Fighter: attached 21 Nov 1965–8 Mar 1966. 

604th Air Commando (later, 604th Special Operations): attached 15 Nov 1967–1 Mar 1970, assigned 1 Mar–30 Sep 1970. 

Operations

Moved in Nov 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. During this time, wing also participated in combat evaluation of F–5 and A–37 aircraft. Unmanned and unequipped on 31 Oct 1970, the wing remained active in a "paper" status until it moved to South Korea on 15 Mar 1971, to be manned and equipped with F–4 aircraft.

Honors

Campaign Streamers. 

Decorations. 

Tail Code:  

Aircraft:  

Vietnam Service:  

Commanders

Col Philip Brooks, 19 Feb 1964; Col Waring W. Wilson, 28 May 1965; Col Robert A. Ackerly, 19 Jul 1965; Col Richard C. Catledge, 1 Nov 1966; Col George W. McLaughlin, 30 Sep 1967; Col Homer K. Hansen, 5 May 1968; Col Howard M. Lane, 1 Apr 1969; Col William E. Charlson, 11 Apr– 31 Oct 1970; none (not manned), 1 Nov 1970–14 Mar 1971; Col Abner M. Aust, Jr., 15 Mar 1971; Col Charles A. Watry, 17 Nov 1971

The majority of the Information on this page is from the USAF Historical Research Agency: http://www.maxwell.af.mil/au/afhra/

Looking forward to hearing from members of Air Force Units.