Seven Decades of Combat

The 49th Wing traces its history back to the activation of the 49th Pursuit Group on Jan. 15, 1941, at Selfridge Field, Mich. Following the onset of war, the 49th was one of the first units to respond to Japanese aggression. On Feb. 2, 1942, the 49th moved to Melbourne, Australia, to provide air defense across the South Pacific. Over the next three years the 49th flew the P-38, P-40 and P-47 in campaigns over China, Japan, New Guinea and the Battle of the Bismark Sea, recording 678 confirmed kills. Forty of those kills came to one man, Maj. Richard I. Bong, who set a record that still stands, earning the title "America's Ace of Aces."

Although the majority of units inactivated in a massive post-World War II drawdown, the 49th remained active. On Sept. 12, 1945, the 49th began their service as an occupational force of Japan when the group moved to Atsugi Air Base, Japan. From there, the 49th Wing activated, serving as the headquarters unit for the 49th Fighter Group, which maintained the 7th Fighter Squadron under its operational control.

On June 25, 1950, the North Korean People's Army launched an attack against South Korea. Called upon to react quickly to the invasion, the first mission of the 49th Fighter-Bomber Wing was to fly cover missions for the evacuation of civilians from Kimpo and Suwon, Korea. Over the course of the Korean War, primarily flying the F-80 and F-84, the 49th Fighter-Bomber Wing participated in every major air operation, destroying 27 aircraft, 239 tanks, 150 locomotives, over 3,000 railroad cars, more than 2,000 vehicles, 889 artillery positions and 125 gun positions. For their action, the 49th received eight campaign credits and two Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citations.

Following the Korean ceasefire, the 49th returned to Japan in 1953. In 1957, the wing ended its 15-year service in Asia, moving to Etain-Rouvers Air Base, France and then Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. During this period, the 49th flew the F-100, F-105 and F-4.

On July 1, 1968, the "Fighting 49ers" returned to the United States for the first time in 26 years, making Holloman Air Force Base home. The 49th continued to write history by earning the MacKay Trophy for redeployment from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. The Wing was able to flawlessly launch 72 F-4D aircraft without a single abort and complete 504 successful air-to-air refueling during the 5,000 mile trip from Spangdahlem to Holloman.

From May 11 through Sept. 24, 1972, under Operation Constant Guard III, the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing deployed a force of 72 F-4s and 2,300 personnel to Takhli Royal Thai Air Base. During Constant Guard, the 49th flew over 10,000 combat missions for more than 22,000 combat hours dropping more than 41,000,000 pounds of ordnance with a 90-percent ordnance accuracy rate on targets in North and South Vietnam. For their actions, the 49th received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with combat "V" device for valor.

In 1977, the wing traded its F-4s for the Air Force's premier air-to-air weapon, the F-15 Eagle. Fifteen years later, the wing introduced the F-117A Nighthawk stealth fighter into the Air Force inventory.

Today the wing uses the F-22A Raptor to ensure air dominance and enhance the success of friendly forces through improved effectiveness and situational awareness. The F-22A ensures the "Fightin 49ers" are ready to fly, fight, and win while providing combat ready Airmen—ANYWHERE...ANYTIME. All told, the 49th Wing has proudly fulfilled its motto for nearly 60 years. "I Protect and Avenge."  read more...

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