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UPDATED: 28 Dec 04

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Note:  History of the unit in SEA only is given.

8th Tactical Fighter Wing

Redesignated 8th Tactical Fighter Wing on 1 Jul 1958; 8th Fighter Wing on 3 Feb 1992.

Thirteenth Air Force, 8 Dec 1965 (attached to 2d Air Division, 8 Dec 1965–31 Mar 1966; Seventh Air Force, 1 Apr 1966–15 Sep 1974); 314th Air Division, 16 Sep 1974; Seventh Air Force, 8 Sep 1986–.

Ubon Afld, Thailand, 8 Dec 1965– 16 Sep 1974

Squadrons

13th Bombardment: attached 1–30 Oct 1970, assigned 31 Oct 1970–24 Dec 1972. 

16th Special Operations: 30 Oct 1968–8 Dec 1975 (detached 19 Jul 1974–8 Dec 1975). 

25th: 28 May 1968– 5 Jul 1974. 

58th: attached Jun–11 Sep 1973. 

308th: attached Dec 1972–Jun 1973. 

334th: attached 11 Apr–8 Jul 1972 and 25 Sep 1972–Mar 1973. 

335th: attached 8 Jul–Dec 1972. 

336th: attached 12 Apr–25 Sep 1972 and Mar–7 Sep 1973. 

431st: 25 Jul 1964–6 Dec 1965 (detached 26 Aug–6 Dec 1965). 

433d: 25 Jul 1964–23 Jul 1974. 

435th: attached 5 Jun–23 Jul 1966, assigned 24 Jul 1966–8 Aug 1974. 

497th: 25 Jul 1964–6 Dec 1965; 8 Dec 1965– 16 Sep 1974; 1 Oct 1978–1 Jan 1982. 

555th: attached c. 25 Feb–24 Mar 1966, assigned 25 Mar 1966–1 Jun 1968.

F–4, 1964–1974, 1974–1982; F–104, 1966–1967; AC–130, 1968–1974; AC–123, 1969–1970; B–57, 1970–1972; 

Moved to Thailand in Dec 1965 and commenced combat operations. Operations included bombardment, ground support, air defense, interdiction, and armed reconnaissance. In the latter stages of the Southeast Asian conflict, the wing’s mission shifted from combat air patrol as new types of aircraft became part of its force. 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. After North Vietnam invaded the Republic of Vietnam in Mar 1972, the 8th Wing was augmented by additional F–4 units from the United States. To make room for these forces, the B–57 squadron moved to the Philippines. The wing continued combat in Vietnam until mid-Jan 1973, in Laos until 22 Feb 1973, and in Cambodia until 15 Aug 1973. F–4 augmentation forces were released in Sep 1973. In mid-1974 the wing began to lose personnel, aircraft, and units.The last scheduled F–4 training flight occurred on 16 Jul l974, and on 16 Sep the wing and most of its components moved without personnel or equipment to Kunsan AB, South Korea, where the wing absorbed resources of the 3d TFW that had moved without personnel or equipment to the Philippines.

Campaign Streamers. Vietnam: Vietnam Defensive; Vietnam Air; Vietnam Air Offensive; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase II; Vietnam Air Offensive; Phase III; Vietnam Air/Ground; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase IV; TET 69/ Counter-offensive; Vietnam Summer–Fall, 1969; Vietnam Winter–Spring, 1970; Sanctuary Counteroffensive; Southwest Monsoon; Commando Hunt V; Commando Hunt VI; Commando Hunt VII; Vietnam Ceasefire.

Decorations.  Presidential Unit Citations (Vietnam): 16 Dec 1966–2 Jan 1967; 1 Mar 1967–31 Mar 1968; 1 Jan–1 Apr 1971. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with Combat "V" Device: 16 Dec 1965–15 Dec 1966; 1 Apr–30 Sep 1968; 1 Jan–31 Dec 1970; 1 Oct 1971–31 Mar 1972; 1 Apr–22 Oct 1972; 18 Dec 1972–15 Aug 1973. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 12 May 1963– 21 Mar 1964; 1 Apr 1977–31 Mar 1978; 1 Jun 1986–31 May 1988.  Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm: 1 Apr 1966– 28 Jan 1973.

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.