474 th TACTICAL FIGHTER WING

Transcription

1 474 th TACTICAL FIGHTER WING LINEAGE Established as 474th Fighter-Bomber Wing on 25 Jun 1952 Activated on 10 Jul 1952 Inactivated on 8 Nov 1954 Activated on 8 Oct 1957 Redesignated 474th Tactical Fighter Wing on 1 Jul 1958 STATIONS Misawa AB, Japan, 10 Jul 1952 Kunsan AB, South Korea, 10 Jul 1952 Taegu AB, South Korea, 1 Apr Nov 1954 Cannon AFB, NM, 8 Oct 1957 Nellis AFB, Nev, 20 Jan 1968 ASSIGNMENTS Tactical Air Command, 10 Jul Nov d Air Division, 8 Oct 1957 USAF Tactical Fighter Weapons Center, 20 Jan d Air Division, 20 Mar 1968 Twelfth Air Force, 1 Jul 1975 ATTACHMENTS Fifth Air Force, 10 Jul Apr th Fighter-Bomber Wing, 1 Apr Nov 1954 Seventh Air Force, ADVON, 27 Sep Mar 1973 WEAPON SYSTEMS F-84, F-100, F-111, F-4, 1977 COMMANDERS Col William W. Ingenhutt, 10 Jul 1952

2 None (not manned), 1 Apr Nov 1954 Col Franklin H. Scott, 8 Oct 1957 Lt Col Jake L. Wilk, Jr., 15 Jul 1958 Col Thomas D. Robertson, 19 Jul 1958 Col William L. Curry, 8 Aug 1958 Col Gust Askounis, 30 Jul 1960 Col William L. Mitchell, Jr., 18 Aug 1960 Col Niven K. Cranfill, 6 Jun 1962 Col Francis E. Binnell, 21 Aug 1964 Col Paul P. Douglas, Jr., 3 Sep 1964 Lt Col Benjamin H. Clayton, 14 Jul 1965 Col Oscar L. Watson, 28 Aug st Lt Robert R. De Cocco, 15 Sep 1965 (additional duty) Col Ivan H. Dethman, 1 Oct 1966 Lt Col Maurice A. Spenny, 9 Aug 1967-unkn (additional duty) Col Chester L. Van Etten, 20 Jan 1968 Col Gelvin S. Nicely, 11 Jun 1968 Col Carmel M. Shook, 20 Jun 1968 Col Frederick C. Blesse, 5 Jun 1969 Col Herbert J. Gavin, 26 Jun 1970 Col Kenneth P. Miles, 22 Jun 1971 Col William R. Nelson, 1 Aug 1972 Col James N. McClelland, 25 Jul 1973 Col Thomas E. Wolters, 28 Feb 1975 Col Maurice E. Seaver, Jr., 24 May 1976 Col Reginald R. Davis, 5 Aug 1977 HONORS Service Streamers None Campaign Streamers Korea Summer-Fall, 1952 Third Korean Winter Korea Summer-Fall, 1953 Vietnam Ceasefire Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers Decorations Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device 28 Sep Feb 1973 Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 9 Mar Mar 1962

3 Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation 10 Jul Mar 1953 Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm 28 Sep Feb 1973 EMBLEM A shield per bend azure and or, in bend a lightning bolt throughout bend wise gules, fimbriated or, between a sphere argent, grid lines sable, and a stylized jet tail pipe vert emitting eight fire blasts gules, the pipe charged with an annulet of the first, fimbriated or, a semee of stars of the fourth on the azure field. (Approved for 474th Group, 22 Jun 1955 and for 474th Wing, 14 Nov 1958) EMBLEM SIGNIFICANCE MOTTO NICKNAME OPERATIONS Activated in Japan and moved the same day to South Korea with tactical components to begin com-bat operations. Tactical components were detached on 1 Apr 1953, while the rest of the wing reduced to "paper" status, a condition which prevailed until the wing inactivated in Activated in the United States in Oct 1957 and until mid-sep 1964 maintained proficiency in tactical fighter operations, deploying components, aircraft, and crews on a global basis in support of NATO, PACAF, AAC, and other organizations. Deployed three squadrons to southeastern United States during the Cuban missile crisis of Entire wing, except for a deployed squadron in Southeast Asia, reverted to "paper" status on 15 Sep 1965, the single detached squadron being reduced to "paper" status upon its return to the United States. Wing gained sparse manning on 1 Oct 1966 in anticipation of conversion to F-111, and. c. 30 Jun 1967 again reverted to "paper" status. On 20 Jan 1968 the 474th TFW, 474th FMS, and the 428th TFS moved without personnel or equipment to Nellis AFB, Nev, and the 474th AEMS and 474th MMS inactivated. The units that moved to Nellis absorbed the resources of an inactivating wing. Gaining the 474th CSG, 474th Tactical Hospital, and 474th Supply Squadron, the 474th Wing became host unit for Nellis. There it acquired the F-111 equipped 4527th CCTS. On 20 Jan 1968 the 428th TFS organized Detachment 1, which also received F- 111 aircraft. This detachment deployed c. 18 Mar to 22 Nov 1968 to Southeast Asia. On 15 May 1968 the 429th TFS discontinued attachment to another wing and rejoined the 474th Wing without personnel or equipment. A former component, the 430th TFS, became part of the wing on 15 Sep Tactical components of the wing received their initial F-111s between Nov 1968 and Mar 1969 and began training for proficiency in the new weapon system. The 4527th CCTS trained F-111 aircrews for the wing and for other USAF units until replaced in Oct 1969 by the 442d TFTS, which assumed the mission. The 4474th TTS, assigned 1 Dec to 15 Jun 1970, was sparsely manned and never equipped with F-111s. Upon inactivation of the 474th CSG, 474th Tactical Hospital, and 474th Supply Squadron in Feb 1970, the 474th Wing became a tenant at Nellis AFB. Wing assumed an operationally ready status between 31 Jan

4 and 8 Sep 1971, and from Sep 1971 initiated tactical exercises for the maintenance of tactical operational proficiency. Over 1,600 tactical and support personnel of the wing deployed on 27 Sep 1972 to Takhli RTAFB, Thailand, to participate in combat operations in Southeast Asia. A rear echelon of wing headquarters remained at Nellis to control units not deployed. The 430th TFS returned to Nellis on 23 Mar 1973, assuming a replacement training unit mission; on 30 Jul 1973, the 428th and 429th Squadrons became subordinate units of the 347th TFW in Southeast Asia. In 1975 both of these overseas squadrons were again assigned to the 474th Whig. On 6 Aug the last F-111 and crews were transferred to Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, and the 474th Wing absorbed the F-4D, crews, and resources of the inactivating Tactical Fighter Wing Provisional, 4474th. Trained combat-ready force of aircrews and maintained a rapidreaction capability to execute fighter attacks against enemy forces and facilities in time of crisis, The silver Super Sabers at the south end of Cannon's ramp represent the fourth generation of aircraft which have armed the proud men of the 474th Tactical Fighter Wing. The first generation was P-38s which equipped the original 474th Fighter Group after its activation on Aug. 1, In February and March 1944, they moved to Moreton, England and flew into action along the coast of France. Once France was secured, the 474th moved in for operation from Neuilly, France. They moved throughout France, Belgium and Germany to keep their P- 38s in the thick of the action until V-E Day. In November and December 1945, they returned to the United States, and on Dec. 8, 1945, the 474th was inactivated. On July 10, 1952, the 474th was reactivated, armed with F-84s, and assigned to the Tactical Air Command and attached to the Far East Forces for duty in the Korean War. F-86s were phased into the 474th inventory and in November and December 1954, they appeared in the skies over Eastern New Mexico. The 474th Fighter-Bomber Group had come to Clovis Air Force Base. The mid-1950s were a period of change for the 474th. The F-86s were replaced with F-lOOs and the 474th Fighter-Bomber Group became the 474th Tactical Fighter Wing. The insignia of the 474th has also kept pace with the changing appearance of the wing. The lightning bolt divided its distinguished shield. The world-wide commitment was symbolized in the upper right. A stylized jet tailpipe emitting eight fire blasts and representing the weapons system was added to the lower left. Today, behind the silver F-lOOs stands a sound support system which is constantly gaining new and more efficient facilities. The Armament and Electronics Squadron has enjoyed a modern permanent building for several years. The Chief of Maintenance boasts a modern control room surrounded by all attendant functions. The Munitions Maintenance Squadron, a new organization, along with the periodic function of Organizational Maintenance Squadron, are in new, especially designed facilities. Two permanent three-story barracks house all personnel but Munitions Maintenance who have a completely remodeled barracks area. In recent years, the Super Sabers of the 474th have deployed throughout the world, fulfilling their tactical mission of world-wide mobility and ground support. In the Middle East, Far East, Berlin, Vietnam, and the Cuban Crises, the men, aircraft, and equipment of the 474th have stood ready. Utilizing bases along the East coast, both KB-50 and KC-135 tankers, 474th aircraft have flown to France, Spain, Italy, and Turkey. Staging directly from Cannon Air Force Base as well as from west coast bases, they have flown on deployments to the Philippines, Formosa, and Thailand. The Army has become used to 474th F-lOOs over their head, especially at Fort Hood, Tex., where the 1st Armored Division is the 474th's Army counterpart

5 unit. The 428th Buccaneers, 429th Black Falcons, 430th Tigers and 478th Gray Foxes have carried the colors and traditions of the 474th Tactical Fighter Wing into all situations, performing varied missions, but always ready and capable of thrusting the sting of their F-lOOs to the very heart of aggression. The men of the 474th are the supersonic firefighters who stand in the way of brushfire or total wars through their constant readiness to deploy on minimum notice to fixed bases or base strips any place in the world. The 474th Tactical Fighter Wing at Nellis AFB, Nevada, was equipped with the F-111 before converting to the F-4D under Operation Ready Switch during August This movement involved three wings passing equipment to each other. The 474th TFW's assigned F-111As were transferred to Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, where the assigned F-111Fs were transferred to RAF Lakenheath's 48th TFW. In turn, the Lakenheath F-4Ds were reassigned to the 474th TFW. The three assigned squadrons, the 428th TFS ('Buccaneers', light blue), 429th TFS ('Black Falcons', yellow) and 430th TFS (Tigers', red), flew the F-4D until converting to the F- 16 Falcon in The 474thTactical Fighter Wing (Twelfth Air Force) activated. 20 Jan 1968 F-4s from the 474thTactical Fighter Wing deployed to Taegu, Korea, in response to increasing tensions between the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, following the downing of a civilian American airliner six months earlier. 9 Nov 1978 The 474th Wing (Twelfth Air Force) inactivated, as part of the Base Realignment and Closures Act 30 Sep th Tactical Fighter Wing Cannon AFB, NM & (Det One) Tan Son Nhut AB, RVN 428 TFS Blue Buccaneers 429 TFS Yellow Black Falcons 430 TFS Red Tigers 478 TFS Green Grey Foxes On July 10, 1952, the 474th FBW activated at Misawa AB, Japan, taking over the personnel and F-84E Thunderjets of the 116th FBW. During the next three weeks, the 474th Wing moved to Kunsan AB on the western side of the Korean peninsula, while the 474th Maintenance Squadron moved to Itazuke AB, Japan, and integrated into the rear-echelon maintenance combined operations (REMCO) for Thunderjet. Other wing-support units remained at Misawa AB, attached to the Japan Air Defense Force. The wing controlled its combat units until April 1, 1953, when its headquarters and support units were reduced to "paper status" and its tactical units attached to the 58th FBW. 474th Fighter-Bomber Group: July 10, 1952-April 1, Misawa AB, Japan, July 10, 1952; Kunsan AB, South Korea, July 10, 1952 Taegu AB, South Korea, April 1, 1953

6 Commanders Col. William W. Ingenhutt, July 10, 1952-April 1, 1953 Campaign Streamers Korea, Summer-Fall 1952; Third Korean Winter; Korea, Summer 1953 Decoration. Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation for period July 10, 1952-March 30, Air Force Order of Battle Created: 4 Jan 2011 Updated: Sources Unit history, Cannon AFB, NM