58th Special Operations Wing

Lineage

Established as 58th Fighter-Bomber Wing on 25 Jun 1952. Activated on 10 Jul 1952. Inactivated on 1 Jul 1958. Redesignated 58th Tactical Fighter Training Wing on 22 Aug 1969. Activated on 15 Oct 1969. Redesignated: 58th Tactical Training Wing on 1 Apr 1977; 58th Fighter Wing on 1 Oct 1991; 58th Special Operations Wing on 1 Apr 1994.

Aircraft

F?84, 1952?1954; F?86, 1954?1958. F?100, 1969?1971; F/TF?104, 1969? 1983; F?5, 1969?1979; A?7, 1969?1971; F?4, 1971?1982; F/TF?15, 1974? 1979, 1991?; F?16, 1982?.

Operations

Replaced the 136th Fighter-Bomber Wing (a unit comprised of federalized Air National Guard squadrons) on 10 Jul 1952. Initially headquartered at Itazuke AB, Japan with assets in South Korea; moved to Taegu AB, South Korea, in August. Primarily flew interdiction and close air support missions, but also attacked special strategic targets such as military schools, dams, and port facilities. After the armistice, provided air defense of South Korea. From 15 Mar 1953 to 8 Nov 1954, service-tested a "reinforced" wing organization by absorbing support and administrative functions of the 49th Fighter-Bomber Wing (replaced in a name-only move on 1 Apr 1953 by the 474th Fighter-Bomber Wing) while exercising direct control of the tactical components of the attached wing. Retained control of the 474th Fighter-Bomber Group to 24 Nov 1954. Inactivated on 1 Jul 1958. Activated to replace the 4510th Combat Crew Training Wing at Luke AFB, AZ, on 15 Oct 1969. Conducted training of US, German Air Force, and other friendly foreign nation aircrew and support personnel. Participated in numerous operations and tactical exercises and operated Luke AFB until Apr 1977. Managed Tactical Air Command?s Central Instructor School, 1971?1981. Relinquished F?5 and F?15 aircraft to 405th Tactical Training Wing upon restructure of Luke AFB in 1981. Replaced F?4 aircraft with F?16 fighters in 1981?1982 and began transferring F?104s to overseas users in 1982; the last F?104 class graduated in Mar 1983. Began tactical training for US and foreign aircrews in the F?16A/B beginning in early 1983, and upgraded to the F?16C/D in 1984?1985. By 1988, the 58th had trained pilots and support personnel from the Netherlands, South Korea, Turkey, Pakistan, the Republic of Singapore, Norway, Greece, Egypt, Indonesia, and Venezuela. The 58th deployed small numbers of support personnel to Europe to augment USAFE units during the war in Southwest Asia. In the fall of 1991, its primary mission expanded to include tactical training in the F?15E all-weather strike fighter.

Honors

Service Streamers. None.

Campaign Streamers. Korea: Korea Summer-Fall, 1952; Third Korean Winter; Korea Summer, 1953.

Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.

Decorations. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: [15 Oct 1969]?31 Dec 1969; 1 Jan 1971?31 Dec 1972; 1 Jan 1975?31 Dec 1976; 1 Jan 1978?31 Dec 1979; 1 Aug 1982?31 May 1984; 1 Jun 1986?31 May 1988. Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation: 10 Jul 1952?31 Mar 1953.

Bestowed Honors. Authorized to display honors earned by the 58th Operations Group prior to 10 Jul 1952.

Service Streamers. World War II American Theater.

Campaign Streamers. World War II: Bismarck Archipelago; New Guinea; Leyte; Luzon; Southern Philippines; Western Pacific; Ryukyus; Air Offensive, Japan; China Offensive.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Philippines, 26 Dec 1944. Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.