The 27th Fighter Wing originated from the 27th Bombardment Group (Light), activated February 1, 1940, at Barksdale AFB, La.

It was first deployment to the Philippines. Just 18 days after arriving, the Japanese struck Pearl Harbor and the 27th was caught on the ground without aircraft to defend itself. Eventually aircraft arrived from Australia, but more than two-thirds of the 27th's men died either during the infamous "Bataan Death March" or later in prisoner of war camps. The unit received three distinguished unit citations for their actions in the Philippines.

The 27th Bombardment Group headed for Algiers in late 1942 where it converted to the A-36 dive-bombers. The group fought in Tunisia and helped spearhead the allied invasions of the Mediterranean islands of Sicily (Italy) and Corsica (France). The organization was awarded two unit citations for combat actions in Italy and France.

Established as 27th Fighter Wing on 28 Jul 1947. On February 1, 1950, the unit was redesignated as the 27th Fighter-Escort Wing. The unit also began flying its first jet aircraft, the F-84.

In November 1950, the wing was transferred to Korea with the advance echelon landing at Taegu AB and the rear echelon at Itazuki AB, Japan.

On January 21, 1951, Lt. Col. William Bertram, commander of the 523rd Squadron, shot down the first MIG-15 for the wing and became the first F-84 pilot with a confirmed MIG kill.

The 27th Fighter-Escort Wing received the distinguished unit citation for their actions in Korea. The 27th Fighter-Escort Group was inactivated June 16, 1952. On January 20, 1953, the wing was redesignated; 27th Strategic Fighter Wing.

On July 1, 1957 the unit was redesignated the 27th Fighter-Bomber Wing. On July 1, 1958 the unit was redesignated the 27th Tactical Fighter Wing. The wing transferred to Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. on February 18, 1959 and was assigned the supersonic F-100.

The 27th Tactical Fighter Wing deployed to Takhli Royal Thai Air Base was the destination in December 1962. The wing's 522nd Tactical Fighter Squadron spent two tours in the Philippines and Vietnam in the summer and fall of 1964 and 1965. Southeast Asia saw members of the 27th in combat operations for the third time as the 481st Tactical Fighter Training Squadron deployed to Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam.

On October 1, 1991, the 27th Tactical Fighter Wing officially became the 27th Fighter Wing. The 27th Fighter Wing became part of the Air Combat Command in June 1992.

EF-111 crews and support personnel from the 429th Electronic Combat Squadron joined the F-model crews at Incirlik for Operation Provide Comfort in December 1992. In May 1993, EF-111s began deployments to Saudi Arabia for Operation Southern Watch. The 429th also flew extensive missions over Bosnia-Herzegovinia from Aviano AB, Italy.

In preparation for the DOD announced retirement of the F-111 in 1996 and EF-111 in 1998, the 27th Fighter Wing began receiving F-16s in May 1995. The first operational F-16 mission flown by the wing occurred in September 1995. The 522 Fireballs officially activated as an F-16 unit in January 1996. The 523 Crusaders converted the F-16 in May 1996 and the 524 Hounds in July 1996.

Today, the 27th Fighter Wing continues to deploy people and aircraft to exercises and contingencies throughout the world.