51st Fighter Wing
Encyclopedia
The 51st Fighter Wing is a wing of the United States Air Force
and the host unit at Osan Air Base
, South Korea
.
The 51st Fighter Wing is under Pacific Air Forces' Seventh Air Force
. The unit is the most forward deployed wing in the world, providing combat ready forces for close air support, air strike control, counter air, interdiction, theater airlift, and communications in the defense of the Republic of Korea. The wing executes military operations to beddown, maintain and employ follow-on forces for the combined arms base that includes three major flying tenants and large multiservice fighting units.
The wing is equipped with General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcons and Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II
squadrons and myriad base support agencies conducting the full spectrum of missions providing for the defense of the Republic of Korea.
In 1948, assumed air defense of Ryukyu Islands
With the outbreak of the Korean War
in 1950, elements of the 51st were dispatched first to Japan
, then to South Korea
. Korean War operational squadrons were:
It entered combat service flying the F-80C Shooting Star on 22 September of that year, when it moved to Itazuke AB, Japan, to support the breakout of the U.S. Eighth Army
from the Pusan Perimeter. For nearly 4 years thereafter, the 51st FIW played a key role in the defense of South Korea despite moving to four different locations within a year and operating under austere conditions.
The wing moved to South Korea in October only to return to Japan in December, leaving combat elements behind. In May 1951, the 51st FIW moved to Suwon AB, southwest of Seoul
, but retained maintenance and supply elements at Tsuiki AB, Japan, to provide rear echelon support. In November 1951 the 51st FIW transitioned to the F-86 Sabre
with two squadrons (16th, 25th), adding a third squadron (26th) the following May.
The group operated a detachment at Suwon AB, Korea, beginning in May 1951, and relocated there in October 1951, with maintenance and supply elements remaining in Japan until August 1954. The wing ceased combat on 27 July 1953. The 51 FIW's war record was impressive. Wing pilots flew more than 45,000 sorties and shot down 312 MiG-15s; this produced 14 air aces including the top ace of the war, Captain Joseph C. McConnell
. The ratio of aerial victories to losses was 10 to 1. Unfortunately, the wing lost 32 pilots to enemy action; however, nine that became prisoners of war were repatriated later.
On 1 August 1954, the 51 FIW returned to Naha Air Base
to resume air defense coverage of the Ryukyu Islands
. Operational squadrons were the 16th, 25th 26th FISs. At the same time, the wing demonstrated its mobility readiness in response to three regional crises.
From August 1958 to January 1959, the 51 FIW deployed eight F-86Ds to Ching Chuan Kang Air Base
Taiwan
to fly combat air support missions for Nationalist Chinese forces after mainland Communist Chinese forces shelled the Nationalist-held islands of Quemoy and Matsu
. Six years later, the wing deployed 12 F-102s to the Philippines
and South Vietnam
from August to October 1964 for air defense against possible Communist North Vietnamese air attacks.
During the Vietnam War
, crews of the 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing provided air defense of Naha AB, Okinawa, with F-102s. During the 1968 Pueblo crisis
, the wing deployed 12 of is 33 aircraft to Suwon AB. On 31 May 1971, the 51st FIW was inactivated, ending almost 17 years of service in the Pacific from Naha when it was inactivated as the Air Force began scaling down its activities in Southeast Asia
. In 1975 Naha Air Base closed.
The 51st was inactive for only five months. On 1 November 1971, the wing was redesignated the 51st Air Base Wing and activated at Osan Air Base
, South Korea. At Osan, the 51st assumed the host responsibilities of the inactivated 6314th Support Wing at to include the Koon-ni range and a variety of remote sites. Operational squadrons of the 51st at Osan have been:
Fighter Squadrons
Squadrons
, F-80 Shooting Star, F-82 Twin Mustang
, F-86 Sabre
jet, F-94 Starfire
, F-102A Delta Dagger, F-4E Phantom II
,RF-4C Phantom II F-106A Delta Dart
, OV-10 Bronco
, A-10 and OA-10 Thunderbolt II
and several versions of the F-16 Fighting Falcon
.
.jpg)
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
and the host unit at Osan Air Base
Osan Air Base
Osan Air Base , is a United States Air Force facility located in the Songtan section of Pyeongtaek City, South Korea, south of Seoul. Despite its name, Osan AB is not within Osan City, which is to the north. The base is the home of the Pacific Air Forces' 51st Fighter Wing, and a number of tenant...
, South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
.
The 51st Fighter Wing is under Pacific Air Forces' Seventh Air Force
Seventh Air Force
The Seventh Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea....
. The unit is the most forward deployed wing in the world, providing combat ready forces for close air support, air strike control, counter air, interdiction, theater airlift, and communications in the defense of the Republic of Korea. The wing executes military operations to beddown, maintain and employ follow-on forces for the combined arms base that includes three major flying tenants and large multiservice fighting units.
The wing is equipped with General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcons and Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II
A-10 Thunderbolt II
The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is an American single-seat, twin-engine, straight-wing jet aircraft developed by Fairchild-Republic in the early 1970s. The A-10 was designed for a United States Air Force requirement to provide close air support for ground forces by attacking tanks,...
squadrons and myriad base support agencies conducting the full spectrum of missions providing for the defense of the Republic of Korea.
Mission
The mission of the 51st FW is to provide mission-ready Airmen to execute combat operations and receive follow-on forces. The wing accomplishes this mission through:- Conducting exercises to ensure our forces maintain the highest degree of readiness to defend Osan AB against air and ground attack.
- Maintaining and administering U.S. operations at Osan and five collocated operating bases—Taegu, Suwon, Kwang Ju, Kimhae and Cheong Ju – for reception and beddown of follow-on forces.
- Providing timely and accurate air power in support of military operations directed by higher headquarters.
Units
The 51st Fighter Wing is composed of four groups each with specific functions. The Operations Group controls all flying and airfield operations. The Maintenance Group performs maintenance of aircraft, ground equipment and aircraft components. The Mission Support Group has a wide range of responsibilities but a few of its functions are Security, Civil Engineering, Communications, Personnel Management, Logistics, Services and Contracting support. While the Medical Group provides medical and dental care- 51st Operations Group (Tail Code OS)
- Operations Support Squadron (OSS)
- 25th Fighter Squadron25th Fighter SquadronThe 25th Fighter Squadron is part of the 51st Fighter Wing at Osan Air Base, South Korea. It operates the A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft conducting close air support missions.-History:...
(25 FS) (OA-10) - 36th Fighter Squadron36th Fighter SquadronThe 36th Fighter Squadron is part of the 51st Fighter Wing at Osan Air Base, South Korea. It operates the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft conducting air superiority missions.-Mission:...
(36 FS) (Block 40 F-16C/D)
- 51st Mission Support Group
- Civil Engineer Squadron (CES)
- Force Support Squadron (FSS)
- Logistics Readiness Squadron (LRS)
- Security Forces Squadron (SFS)
- Communications Squadron (CS)
- 51st Maintenance Group
- Maintenance Operations Squadron (MOS)
- Maintenance Squadron (MXS)
- Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (AMXS)
- Munitions Squadron (MUNS)
- 51st Medical Group
- Aerospace Medicine Squadron (AMDS)
- Medical Support Squadron (MDSS)
- Medical Operations Squadron (MDOS)
- Dental Squadron (DS)
- 51st Fighter Wing Staff Agencies
- Inspector General (IG)
- Comptroller (CPTS)
- Safety (SE)
- Chapel (HC)
- Judge Advocate General (JAG)
- Protocol (CCP)
- Command Post (OC)
- Public Affairs (PA)
- Military Equal Opportunity (MEO)
- Historian (HO)
- Sexual Assault Prevention & Response (SARC)
- Wing Plans (XP)
- AFSO21 (CVO)
- Information Protection (IP)
History
- For additional history and lineage, see 51st Operations Group51st Operations GroupThe 51st Operations Group is the operational flying component of the United States Air Force 51st Fighter Wing, stationed at Osan Air Base, South Korea....
In 1948, assumed air defense of Ryukyu Islands
Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
in 1950, elements of the 51st were dispatched first to Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, then to South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. Korean War operational squadrons were:
- 16th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron: duration (F-80C, F-86F)
- 25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron: duration (F-80C, F-86F)
- 26th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron: duration (F-80C, F-86F)
- 39th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron: attached 1 June 1952- (F-80C, F-86F)
- 68th Fighter-All Weather Squadron: attached 25 September – 9 October 1950 (F-82F/G)
- 80th Fighter-Bomber Squadron: attached 25 September – 20 December 1950 (F-80C)
It entered combat service flying the F-80C Shooting Star on 22 September of that year, when it moved to Itazuke AB, Japan, to support the breakout of the U.S. Eighth Army
U.S. Eighth Army
The Eighth United States Army – often unofficially abbreviated EUSA – is the commanding formation of all US Army troops in South Korea.-World War II:...
from the Pusan Perimeter. For nearly 4 years thereafter, the 51st FIW played a key role in the defense of South Korea despite moving to four different locations within a year and operating under austere conditions.
The wing moved to South Korea in October only to return to Japan in December, leaving combat elements behind. In May 1951, the 51st FIW moved to Suwon AB, southwest of Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, but retained maintenance and supply elements at Tsuiki AB, Japan, to provide rear echelon support. In November 1951 the 51st FIW transitioned to the F-86 Sabre
F-86 Sabre
The North American F-86 Sabre was a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as America's first swept wing fighter which could counter the similarly-winged Soviet MiG-15 in high speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War...
with two squadrons (16th, 25th), adding a third squadron (26th) the following May.
The group operated a detachment at Suwon AB, Korea, beginning in May 1951, and relocated there in October 1951, with maintenance and supply elements remaining in Japan until August 1954. The wing ceased combat on 27 July 1953. The 51 FIW's war record was impressive. Wing pilots flew more than 45,000 sorties and shot down 312 MiG-15s; this produced 14 air aces including the top ace of the war, Captain Joseph C. McConnell
Joseph C. McConnell
Joseph Christopher McConnell, Jr. was the top American flying ace during the Korean War. A native of Dover, New Hampshire, Captain McConnell was credited with shooting down 16 MiG-15s while flying North American F-86 Sabres with the U.S. Air Force. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross...
. The ratio of aerial victories to losses was 10 to 1. Unfortunately, the wing lost 32 pilots to enemy action; however, nine that became prisoners of war were repatriated later.
Cold War
Naha Airport
-Incidents:* On December 1, 1994, Ramzi Yousef planted a bomb on Philippine Airlines Flight 434, with the intent of mass murder. The bomb exploded on the Boeing 747-283B en route from Cebu to Tokyo, killing one passenger...
to resume air defense coverage of the Ryukyu Islands
Ryukyu Islands
The , also known as the , is a chain of islands in the western Pacific, on the eastern limit of the East China Sea and to the southwest of the island of Kyushu in Japan. From about 1829 until the mid 20th century, they were alternately called Luchu, Loochoo, or Lewchew, akin to the Mandarin...
. Operational squadrons were the 16th, 25th 26th FISs. At the same time, the wing demonstrated its mobility readiness in response to three regional crises.
From August 1958 to January 1959, the 51 FIW deployed eight F-86Ds to Ching Chuan Kang Air Base
Ching Chuan Kang Air Base
Ching Chuan Kang Air Base is a Republic Of China Air Force base located on Taiwan. It is the home to the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing, with three squadrons of Ching-kou air-defense /attack fighters...
Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
to fly combat air support missions for Nationalist Chinese forces after mainland Communist Chinese forces shelled the Nationalist-held islands of Quemoy and Matsu
Matsu Islands
The Matsu Islands are a minor archipelago of 19 islands and islets in the Taiwan Strait administered as Lienchiang County , Fujian Province of the Republic of China . Only a small area of what is historically Lienchiang County is under the control of the ROC...
. Six years later, the wing deployed 12 F-102s to the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
and South Vietnam
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
from August to October 1964 for air defense against possible Communist North Vietnamese air attacks.
During the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
, crews of the 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing provided air defense of Naha AB, Okinawa, with F-102s. During the 1968 Pueblo crisis
USS Pueblo (AGER-2)
USS Pueblo is an American ELINT and SIGINT Banner-class technical research ship which was boarded and captured by North Korean forces on January 23, 1968, in what is known as the Pueblo incident or alternatively as the Pueblo crisis or the Pueblo affair. Occurring less than a week after President...
, the wing deployed 12 of is 33 aircraft to Suwon AB. On 31 May 1971, the 51st FIW was inactivated, ending almost 17 years of service in the Pacific from Naha when it was inactivated as the Air Force began scaling down its activities in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
. In 1975 Naha Air Base closed.
The 51st was inactive for only five months. On 1 November 1971, the wing was redesignated the 51st Air Base Wing and activated at Osan Air Base
Osan Air Base
Osan Air Base , is a United States Air Force facility located in the Songtan section of Pyeongtaek City, South Korea, south of Seoul. Despite its name, Osan AB is not within Osan City, which is to the north. The base is the home of the Pacific Air Forces' 51st Fighter Wing, and a number of tenant...
, South Korea. At Osan, the 51st assumed the host responsibilities of the inactivated 6314th Support Wing at to include the Koon-ni range and a variety of remote sites. Operational squadrons of the 51st at Osan have been:
Fighter Squadrons
- 25th Fighter Squadron (1992–present A-10, OA-10)
- 36th Fighter Squadron (F-4E 1974-88), (F-16C/D 1988–present))
- 497th Fighter Squadron (F-4E) (1982–84)
Modern era
On 1 October 1993, after a half-dozen name changes, the wing returned to its original and current designation as the 51st Fighter Wing. Since then, the 51st has stayed true to its proud heritage, ensuring the defense of South Korea as a proven combat force and as an able host ready to receive and integrate follow-on forces on the peninsula.Lineage
- Established as 51 Fighter Wing on 10 August 1948
- Activated on 18 August 1948
- Redesignated 51 Fighter-Interceptor Wing on 1 February 1950
- Inactivated on 31 May 1971
- Redesignated 51 Air Base Wing on 20 October 1971
- Activated on 1 November 1971
- Redesignated: 51 Composite Wing (Tactical) on 30 September 1974
- Redesignated: 51 Tactical Fighter Wing on 1 July 1982
- Redesignated: 51 Wing on 7 February 1992
- Redesignated: 51 Fighter Wing on 1 October 1993.
Assignments
- 1st Air Division, 18 August 1948
- Thirteenth Air ForceThirteenth Air ForceThe Thirteenth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Hickam Air Force Base on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. 13 AF has never been stationed in the continental United States...
, 1 December 1948 - Twentieth Air ForceTwentieth Air ForceThe Twentieth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Global Strike Command . It is headquartered at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming.20 AF's primary mission is Intercontinental Ballistic Missile operations...
, 16 May 1949
- Attached to Fifth Air ForceFifth Air ForceThe Fifth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Yokota Air Base, Japan....
, 25 September 1950 – 1 August 1954- Further attached to 8th Fighter-Bomber Wing, 25 September – 12 October 1950
- 313th Air Division313th Air DivisionThe 313th Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Pacific Air Forces, based at Kadena AB, Okinawa. It was deactivated on 1 October 1991.-History:...
, 1 March 1955 – 31 May 1971 - 314th Air Division314th Air DivisionThe 314th Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Pacific Air Forces, based at Osan AB, South Korea. It was inactivated in September 1986....
, 1 November 1971 - Seventh Air ForceSeventh Air ForceThe Seventh Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea....
, 8 September 1986–present
- 313th Air Division
- Further attached to 8th Fighter-Bomber Wing, 25 September – 12 October 1950
Components
Groups- 5th Tactical Air Control (later, 5 Tactical Control; 5 Air Control) Group: 8 January 1980 – 20 June 1982; 1 October 1990 – 1 July 1993
- 51st Fighter (later, 51 Fighter-Interceptor, 51 Fighter, 51 Operations) Group51st Operations GroupThe 51st Operations Group is the operational flying component of the United States Air Force 51st Fighter Wing, stationed at Osan Air Base, South Korea....
: 18 August 1948 – 25 October 1957 (detached 26 September – 12 October 1950, 16 August 1954 – 15 March 1955) ; 1 October 1990–present
Squadrons
- 16th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron16th Fighter-Interceptor SquadronThe 16th Weapons Squadron is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the USAF Weapons School, based at Nellis AFB, Nevada.The 16th began as the 16th Pursuit Squadron on 20 November 1940. During World War II, the 16th Pursuit Squadron flew missions in New Guinea, India, and China in the...
: attached 1 July – 24 October 1957, assigned 25 October 1957 – 24 December 1964 - 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron: 30 September 1974 – 8 January 1980
- 25th Fighter-Interceptor (later, 25 Tactical Fighter) Squadron25th Fighter SquadronThe 25th Fighter Squadron is part of the 51st Fighter Wing at Osan Air Base, South Korea. It operates the A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft conducting close air support missions.-History:...
: attached 1 July – 24 October 1957, assigned 25 October 1957 – 8 June 1960; 1 February 1981 – 31 June 1990 - 36th Tactical Fighter Squadron: 30 September 1974 – 1 October 1990
- 82d Fighter Interceptor Squadron: attached 17 February – 24 June 1966, assigned 25 June 1966 – 31 May 1971 (detached 30 January – 20 February 1968)
- 318th Fighter Interceptor Squadron318th Fighter Interceptor SquadronThe 318th Fighter Interceptor Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 25th Air Division based at McChord AFB, Washington. The squadron was inactivated on December 7, 1989.-World War II:...
: attached 11-18 February 1968 - 497th Tactical Fighter Squadron: 1 January 1982 – 24 January 1989
- 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron: attached 11 December 1964 – 15 March 1965 and 11 November 1965 – 25 February 1966
- 558th Tactical Fighter Squadron: attached 12 March – 15 June 1965
- 559th Tactical Fighter Squadron: attached 12 June – 15 November 1965.
Stations
- Naha Afld (later, Naha AB)Naha Airport-Incidents:* On December 1, 1994, Ramzi Yousef planted a bomb on Philippine Airlines Flight 434, with the intent of mass murder. The bomb exploded on the Boeing 747-283B en route from Cebu to Tokyo, killing one passenger...
, Okinawa, 18 August 1948 - Itazuke AB, JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, 22 September 1950 - Kimpo AB, South KoreaSouth KoreaThe Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, 10 October 1950 - Itazuke AB, JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, 10 December 1950 - Tsuiki Air Base, JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, 15 January 1951 - Suwon AB (K-13), South KoreaSouth KoreaThe Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, 1 October 1951 – 26 July 1954 - Naha AB, Okinawa, 1 August 1954 – 31 May 1971
- Osan AB, South KoreaSouth KoreaThe Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, 1 November 1971–present
Aircraft Assigned
The 51st FW’s aircrews have flown a variety of aircraft, including the P/F-51 MustangP-51 Mustang
The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II, the Korean War and in several other conflicts...
, F-80 Shooting Star, F-82 Twin Mustang
F-82 Twin Mustang
The North American F-82 Twin Mustang was the last American piston-engine fighter ordered into production by the United States Air Force. Based on the P-51 Mustang, the F-82 was originally designed as a long-range escort fighter in World War II; however, the war ended well before the first...
, F-86 Sabre
F-86 Sabre
The North American F-86 Sabre was a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as America's first swept wing fighter which could counter the similarly-winged Soviet MiG-15 in high speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War...
jet, F-94 Starfire
F-94 Starfire
The Lockheed F-94 Starfire was the United States Air Force's first operational jet-powered all-weather interceptor aircraft. It was a development by Lockheed of the twin-seat T-33 Shooting Star trainer aircraft.-Design and development:...
, F-102A Delta Dagger, F-4E Phantom II
F-4 Phantom II
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable,...
,RF-4C Phantom II F-106A Delta Dart
F-106 Delta Dart
The Convair F-106 Delta Dart was the primary all-weather interceptor aircraft for the United States Air Force from the 1960s through the 1980s. Designed as the so-called "Ultimate Interceptor", it has proven to be the last dedicated interceptor in USAF service to date...
, OV-10 Bronco
OV-10 Bronco
The North American Aviation Rockwell OV-10 Bronco is a turboprop light attack and observation aircraft. It was developed in the 1960s as a special aircraft for counter-insurgency combat, and one of its primary missions was as a forward air control aircraft...
, A-10 and OA-10 Thunderbolt II
A-10 Thunderbolt II
The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is an American single-seat, twin-engine, straight-wing jet aircraft developed by Fairchild-Republic in the early 1970s. The A-10 was designed for a United States Air Force requirement to provide close air support for ground forces by attacking tanks,...
and several versions of the F-16 Fighting Falcon
F-16 Fighting Falcon
The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multirole jet fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force . Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,400 aircraft have been built since...
.
Commanders
The list of commanders for the 51st Fighter Wing and its predecessors includes a wartime hero, Colonel Francis Gabreski, and an aviation pioneer, Tuskegee Airman Colonel Benjamin O. Davis Jr.- Brig Gen Hugo P. Rush, 18 August 1948
- Col John F. Egan, 25 March 1949
- Col Richard M. Montgomery, 1 April 1949
- Col John W. Weltman, 19 September 1949
- Col Oliver G. Cellini, 24 April 1951
- Col William P. Litton, 1 November 1951 (Crashed 2 November 1951, on mission, missing and presumed dead)
- Col George R. Stanley, 2 November 1951
- Col Francis S. Gabreski, 6 November 1951
- Col John W. Mitchell, 13 June 1952
- Col William C. Clark, 31 May 1953
- Col Ernest H. Beverly, 9 August 1953
- Col William C. Clark, 11 September 1953
- Col Benjamin O. Davis Jr., ca. Dec. 1953
- Col Barton M. Russell, 2 July 1954
- Col Travis Hoover, 1 August 1954
- Col Hilmer C. Nelson, 9 August 1954
- Col Edwin C. Ambrosen, 16 August 1954
- Col John H. Bell, 15 November 1955
- Col Paul E. Hoeper, 2 February 1957
- Col Robert L. Cardenas, 4 May 1957
- Col Walter V. Gresham Jr., 15 July 1957
- Col Elliott H. Reed, 1 August 1957
- Col Walter V. Gresham Jr., 15 August 1957
- Col Lester J. Johnsen, 22 November 1957
- Col William W. Ingenhutt, 25 March 1960
- Col Lester C. Hess, 24 July 1962
- Col Lloyd R. Larson, 11 June 1965
- Col Frank E. Angier, 8 April 1967
- Col John B. Weed, 13 June 1968
- Col Roy D. Carlson, 30 June 1968
- Col Hewitt E. Lovelace Jr., 1 November 1971
- Col John H. Allison, 1 August 1972
- Col Billie J. Norwood, 7 June 1973
- Col Alonzo L. Ferguson, 1 May 1974
- Col Glenn L. Nordin, 30 September 1974
- Col Vernon H. Sandrock, 12 August 1975
- Col Fred B. Hoenniger, 15 June 1977
- Col James T. Boddie Jr., 18 June 1979
- Col John C. Scheidt Jr., 16 May 1980
- Col Eugene Myers, 20 February 1981
- Col Thomas R. Olsen, 16 July 1982
- Col Marcus F. Cooper Jr., 26 May 1983
- Col Barry J. Howard, 18 October 1983
- Col Charles D. Link, 20 July 1984
- Col Henry J. Cochran, 12 August 1985
- Col John C. Marshall, 12 June 1987
- Col James J. Winters, 30 June 1989
- Col Thomas R. Case, 17 July 1990
- Brig Gen Robert G. Jenkins, 23 June 1992
- Brig Gen Robert H. Foglesong, 31 January 1994
- Brig Gen Steven R. Polk, 21 November 1995
- Brig Gen Paul R. Dordal, 15 May 1997
- Brig Gen Robert R. Dierker, 15 September 1998
- Brig Gen David E. Clary, 22 May 2000
- Brig Gen William L. Holland, 18 March 2002
- Brig Gen Maurice H. Forsyth, 29 September 2003
- Brig Gen Joseph Reynes Jr., 8 July 2005
- Col Jon A. Norman, 15 June 2007
- Col Thomas H. Deale, 15 October 2008