78th Air Base Wing
Encyclopedia
Wing (air force unit)
Wing is a term used by different military aviation forces for a unit of command. The terms wing, group or Staffel are used for different-sized units from one country or service to another....
of the United States Air Force
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...
stationed at Robins Air Force Base
Robins Air Force Base
Robins Air Force Base is a major United States Air Force base located in Houston County, Georgia, United States. The base is located just east of and adjacent to the city of Warner Robins, Georgia, SSE of Macon, Georgia, and about SSE of Atlanta, Georgia...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. The 78th ABW acts as the host unit at Robins.
Mission
Deliver global support to the warfighter by providing and deploying trained, combat-ready Airmen and to provide world-class base operating support to Robins Air Force Base.Units
78th Civil Engineer Group (78 CEG)Communications Directorate (78ABW/SC)
- Operations Division (78ABW/SCO)
- Special Missions Division (78ABW/SCP)
- Resource and Plannning Division (78ABW/SCX)
78th Mission Support Group (78 MSG)
- 78th Logistics Readiness Squadron (78 LRS)
- 78th Force Support Squadron (78 FSS)
- 78th Security Forces Squadron (78 SFS)
78th Medical Group (78 MDG)
78th Operations Support Squadron (78 OSS)
78th Contracting and Comptroller Squadron (78 CCS)
Air Defense Command
78th Fighter Group
The 78th Fighter Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 78th Fighter Wing, being assigned to Hamilton Air Force Base, California. It was inactivated on 1 February 1961....
becoming a component of the wing, controlling its flying resources
Redesignated the 78th Fighter-Interceptor Wing in January 1950 as part of Air Defense Command. The group's squadrons (82d, 83d, 84th FIS) flew numerous interceptors for West Coast air defense. Inactivated on 6 February 1952 as part of a reorganization of ADC, its operational element was replaced by the 4702d Defense Wing. Its support elements were replaced at Hamilton by the 566th Air Base Group the same day. This group was redesignated the 566th Air Defense Group and assumed operational responsibilities at Hamilton on 16 February 1953 when the Air Force was trying to close Hamilton. On 18 August 19455, the 566th Air Defense Group was replaced by a former element of the wing, the 78th Fighter Group
78th Fighter Group
The 78th Fighter Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 78th Fighter Wing, being assigned to Hamilton Air Force Base, California. It was inactivated on 1 February 1961....
(Air Defense).
In 1956, it was decided to elevate the operational units at Hamilton back to a Wing level, and the wing was reactivated, with its operational squadrons still controlled by the 78th Fighter Group
78th Fighter Group
The 78th Fighter Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 78th Fighter Wing, being assigned to Hamilton Air Force Base, California. It was inactivated on 1 February 1961....
. The group component of the wing was considered to be a redundant level of organization by the late 1950s, and the 78th FIG was inactivated on 1 February 1961, with its flying units being directly assigned to the Wing.
The 78th Fighter Wing was the host unit at Hamilton until it was inactivated in 1969 in another effort by the Air Force to close the facility, as well as the lessened need for aircraft air defense in an age of ICBMs.
Air Training Command
The 78th Flying Training Wing replaced and absorbed resources of the 3560th Pilot Training Wing at Webb AFB, Texas, on 1 December 1972. Squadrons were 82d, 83d, 3389th Flying Training Sqdns. The wing performed pilot training for both USAF and allied officers.In 1977 the end of 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...
meant a decrease in the need for Air Force pilots and Webb AFB was closed. The 78th FTW was deactivated.
In 1989 the Dutch government allowed USAF to upgrade its headquarters unit at Soesterberg AB from squadron to group status. The story goes that the USAF wanted to change the 32d into the 78th TFG but that the Dutch government didn't allow another number as not to stir up the people who were against the American presence in the Netherlands.
Robins AFB
Since its reactivation in 1994, the 78th Air Base Wing has provided host services and support for the Warner-Robins Air Logistics Center and its tenant organizations.Lineage
- Established as 78th Fighter Wing on 24 September 1948
- Activated on 16 November 1948.
- Re-designated 78th Fighter-Interceptor Wing on 20 January 1950
- Inactivated on 6 February 1952
- Redesignated as 78th Fighter Wing (Air Defense) on 14 September 1956
- Activated on 18 October 1956
- Inactivated on 31 December 1969
- Re-designated 78th Flying Training Wing on 14 April 1972
- Activated on 1 December 1972
- Inactivated on 30 September 1977
- Re-designated 78th Air Base Wing on 16 September 1994
- Activated on 1 October 1994.
Assignments
- Fourth Air ForceFourth Air ForceThe Fourth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Reserve . It is headquartered at March Air Reserve Base, California....
, 16 November 1948
- Attached to Western Air Defense ForceWestern Air Defense ForceThe Western Air Defense Force is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Air Defense Command being stationed at Hamilton Air Force Base, California. It was inactivated on July 1, 1960.- History :...
, 10 November 1949 – 31 July 1950- Western Air Defense ForceWestern Air Defense ForceThe Western Air Defense Force is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Air Defense Command being stationed at Hamilton Air Force Base, California. It was inactivated on July 1, 1960.- History :...
, 1 August 1950 - 25th Air Division, 7 November 1952 – 8 October 1954
- 28th Air Division, 18 October 1956
- San Francisco Air Defense SectorSan Francisco Air Defense SectorThe San Francisco Air Defense Sector is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the 28th Air Division, being stationed at Beale Air Force Base, California.- History :...
, 1 July 1960 - 28th Air Division, 1 August 1963
- 26th Air Division, 1 April 1966
- 27th Air Division, 15 September 1969
- Tenth Air ForceTenth Air ForceThe Tenth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Reserve Command . It is headquartered at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas....
, 19 November-31 December 1969 - Air Training CommandAir Training CommandAir Training Command is a former major command of the United States Army Air Forces and United States Air Force. ATC came into being as a redesignation of the Army Air Forces Training Command on July 1, 1946...
, 1 December 1972 – 30 September 1977 - Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, 1 October 1994-Presnet
- Western Air Defense Force
Groups
- 78th Fighter (later, 78th Fighter-Interceptor, 78th Fighter) Group78th Fighter GroupThe 78th Fighter Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 78th Fighter Wing, being assigned to Hamilton Air Force Base, California. It was inactivated on 1 February 1961....
: 16 November 1948 – 6 February 1952; 18 October 1956-1 February 1961. - 530th Air Defense Group
- Geiger Field, Washington, 18 February 1953 – 8 October 1954
- 566th Air Defense Group
- Hamilton AFB, California, 1 February 1952 – 7 November 1952
Interceptor
- 31st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron31st Fighter-Interceptor SquadronThe 31st Tactical Reconnaissance Training Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing stationed at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina...
: 20 April 1953 – 8 October 1954 - 82d Fighter-Interceptor (later, Flying Training): 16 February-1 April 1953; 1 December 1972 – 15 June 1976
- 83d Fighter-Interceptor (later, Flying Training): 6 February-1 August 1952; 1 February 1961 – 1 July 1963; 1 December 1972-30 September 1977
- 84th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron: 6 February-7 November 1952; 1 February 1961 – 31 December 1969
- 323d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron323d Fighter-Interceptor SquadronThe 323d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Air Defense Command stationed at Ernest Harmon Air Force Base, Newfoundland. It was inactivated on July 1, 1960-History:...
: 19 January 1953 – 8 October 1954 - 3389th Flying Training: 1 January 1974 – 30 September 1977.
Radar
- 115th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron (Federalized AL ANG)
- Geiger Field, Washington, 16 February-1 December 1953
- 134th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron (Federalized TX ANG)
- Geiger Field, Washington, 15 February-1 October 1953
- 144th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron (Federalized CA ANG)
- Geiger Field, Washington, 15 February-1 December 1953
- 145th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron (Federalized CA ANG)
- Geiger Field, Washington, 16 February-1 December 1953
- 146th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron (Federalized CA ANG)
- Geiger Field, Washington, 16 February-1 December 1953
- 636th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
- Curlew AFS, Washington, 1 January 1953 – 8 October 1954
- 636th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
- Condon AFS, Oregon, 1 January 1953 – 1 October 1954
- 636th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
- Othello AFS, Oregon,1 January 1953 – 8 October 1954
- 638th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
- Curlew AFS, Washington, 1 January 1953 – 8 October 1954
- 680th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
- Yaak AFS, Montana, 16 February 1953 – 8 October 1954
- 682d Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
- Geiger Field, Washington, 1 December 1953 – 1 January 1954
- 683d Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron683d Aircraft Control and Warning SquadronThe 683d Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 31st Air Division, Aerospace Defense Command, stationed at Sweetwater Air Force Station, Texas...
- 683d Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
- Geiger Field, Washington, 1 December 1953 – 1 January 1954
- 684th Aircraft Control and Radar Squadron
- Geiger Field, Washington, 1 December 1953 – 1 January 1954
- 685th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron685th Aircraft Control and Warning SquadronThe 685th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the Oklahoma City Air Defense Sector, Aerospace Defense Command, stationed at Las Cruces Air Force Station, New Mexico...
- 685th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
- Geiger Field, Washington, 1 December 1953 – 1 January 1954
- 760th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
- Colville AFS, Washington, 1 September 1958 – 1 March 1960
Stations
- Hamilton Air Force BaseHamilton Air Force BaseHamilton Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base located along the western shore of San Pablo Bay, south of Novato, California.-History:...
, California, 16 November 1948 - Geiger Field, Washington, 7 November 1952 – 8 October 1954
- Hamilton Air Force BaseHamilton Air Force BaseHamilton Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base located along the western shore of San Pablo Bay, south of Novato, California.-History:...
, California, 18 October 1956 – 31 December 1969. - Webb Air Force BaseWebb Air Force BaseWebb Air Force Base , previously named Big Spring Air Force Base, was a United States Air Force facility of the Air Training Command that operated from 1951 to 1977 in west Texas within the current city limits of Big Spring. It was a major training facility, and by 1969 almost 9,000 pilots had...
, Texas, 1 December 1972 – 30 September 1977 - Robins Air Force BaseRobins Air Force BaseRobins Air Force Base is a major United States Air Force base located in Houston County, Georgia, United States. The base is located just east of and adjacent to the city of Warner Robins, Georgia, SSE of Macon, Georgia, and about SSE of Atlanta, Georgia...
, GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, 1 October 1994–present
Aircraft Operated
- P-51 MustangP-51 MustangThe 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...
(1949–52) - F-84 ThunderjetF-84 ThunderjetThe Republic F-84 Thunderjet was an American turbojet fighter-bomber aircraft. Originating as a 1944 United States Army Air Forces proposal for a "day fighter", the F-84 flew in 1946...
(1949–52) - F-89 ScorpionF-89 ScorpionThe Northrop F-89 Scorpion was an early American jet-powered fighter designed from the outset as an all-weather interceptor. Though its straight wings limited its performance, it was among the first USAF jet fighters with guided missiles, and notably the first combat aircraft armed with air-to-air...
(1951–52, 1956–59) - F-86 SabreF-86 SabreThe 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...
(1956–58) - F-102 Delta DaggerF-102 Delta DaggerThe Convair F-102 Delta Dagger was a US interceptor aircraft built as part of the backbone of the United States Air Force's air defenses in the late 1950s. Entering service in 1956, its main purpose was to intercept invading Soviet bomber fleets...
(1957–60) - F-104 StarfighterF-104 StarfighterThe Lockheed F-104 Starfighter is a single-engine, high-performance, supersonic interceptor aircraft originally developed for the United States Air Force by Lockheed. One of the Century Series of aircraft, it served with the USAF from 1958 until 1969, and continued with Air National Guard units...
(1958–60)
- F-101 VoodooF-101 VoodooThe McDonnell F-101 Voodoo was a supersonic military jet fighter which served the United States Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force...
(1959–68) - F-106 Delta DartF-106 Delta DartThe 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...
(1959–60, 1968–69) - T-37 TweetCessna T-37The Cessna T-37 Tweet is a small, economical twin-engine jet trainer-attack type aircraft which flew for decades as a primary trainer for the United States Air Force and in the air forces of several other nations...
(1972–77) - T-38 TalonT-38 TalonThe Northrop T-38 Talon is a twin-engine supersonic jet trainer. It was the world's first supersonic trainer and is also the most produced. The T-38 remains in service as of 2011 in air forces throughout the world....
(1972–77) - T-41 MescaleroT-41 MescaleroThe Cessna T-41 Mescalero is a military version of the popular Cessna 172 used by the United States Air Force and Army as well as the armed forces of various other countries as a pilot training aircraft.-Design and development:...
(1972–73)
See also
- List of USAF Aerospace Defense Command General Surveillance Radar Stations
- Aerospace Defense Command Fighter SquadronsAerospace Defense Command Fighter SquadronsThe second iteration of Aerospace Defense Command was established on 21 March 1946 as a component of the United States Army Air Forces, with the mission of planning for and executing the air defense of the United States...