31 st FIGHTER WING. DEPLOYED STATIONS Misawa AB, Japan, 20 Jul Oct 1952 Misawa AB, Japan, 11 Nov Feb 1954

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1 31 st FIGHTER WING LINEAGE 31 st Fighter Wing established, 6 Nov 1947 Organized, 20 Nov 1947 Redesignated 31 st Fighter Bomber Wing, 20 Jan 1950 Redesignated 31 st Fighter Escort Wing, 16 Jul 1950 Redesignated 31 st Strategic Fighter Wing, 20 Jan 1953 Redesignated 31 st Fighter Bomber Wing, 1 Apr 1957 Redesignated 31 st Tactical Fighter Wing, 1 Jul 1958 Redesignated 31 st Tactical Training Wing, 30 Mar 1981 Redesignated 31 st Tactical Fighter Wing, 1 Oct 1985 Redesignated 31 st Fighter Wing, 1 Oct 1991 STATIONS Turner Field (later, AFB), GA, 20 Nov 1947 George AFB, CA, 15 Mar 1959 Homestead AFB, FL, 31 May Dec 1966 Tuy Hoa AB, South Vietnam, 16 Dec Oct 1970 Homestead AFB, FL, 15 Oct Apr 1994 Aviano AB, Italy, 1 Apr 1994 DEPLOYED STATIONS Misawa AB, Japan, 20 Jul Oct 1952 Misawa AB, Japan, 11 Nov Feb 1954 ASSIGNMENTS Ninth Air Force, 20 Nov 1947 Fourteenth Air Force, 1 Feb 1949 Second Air Force, 1 Jul th Air Division, 14 Mar 1951 Ninth Air Force, 1 Apr st Air Division, 15 Mar 1959 Ninth Air Force, 1 Jun th Air Division, 1 Oct th Air Division, 1 Jan 1965

2 836 th Air Division, 1 Aug 1966 Seventh Air Force, 25 Dec th Air Division, 15 Oct 1970 Ninth Air Force, 30 Jun 1971 Sixteenth Air Force, 1 Apr 1994 ATTACHMENTS 39 th Air Division [Defense], 10 Jul-11 Oct 1952 and 10 Nov Feb 1954 Air Force Atlantic Command, 24 Oct-9 Nov st Air Division Provisional, 10 Nov-30 Nov 1962 Seventh Air Force, Dec 1966 WEAPON SYSTEMS P (later, F)-51, F-84, , KB-29, 1954, F-100, , KB-50, F-4, F-16, 1985 COMMANDERS Col William L. Lee, 20 Nov 1947 Col Eugene H. Snavely, 16 Aug 1948 Col Alvan C. Gillem II, c. 26 Dec 1950 Col Eugene H. Snavely, 10 Mar 1951 Col Carl W. Stapleton, 14 Mar 1951 LTC Charles W. Lenfrost, 9 Apr 1951 Col David C. Schilling, 1 May 1951 LTC Charles W. Lenfrost, c. 27 May 1951 LTC William D. Dunham, 22 Jun 1951 LTC Gerald W. Johnson, 1 Jul 1951 Col David C. Schilling, 20 Jul 1951 Col Robert P. Montgomery, 16 May 1955 Col Gordon M. Graham, 15 Jul 1955 Col Hubert Zemke, 1 Aug 1955 Col Gordon M. Graham, 13 Oct 1955 LTC Harold L. Williams, Feb 1959 Col Robert W. Stephens, 15 Mar 1959 Col Herbert E. Ross, 26 Aug 1959 Col William D. Ritchie, 5 Oct 1959 Col Jack R. Brown, 2 Oct 1961 Col Frank J. Collins, 14 Oct 1961 Col William E. Bethea, 9 Mar 1964 Col Franklin A. Nichols, 16 Mar 1964 Col Ernest T. Burnett, 30 May 1965

3 Col James Jabara, 17 Jun 1965 Col Raymond C. Lee Jr., 17 Nov 1966 Col Warren R. Lewis, 28 Nov 1966 Col William J. Evans, 7 Dec 1967 Col Abner M. Aust Jr., 3 May 1968 Col Cuthbert A. Pattillo, 8 Feb 1969 Col William B. Yancey Jr., 8 Aug 1969 Col Gilbert D. Hereth, 15 Jun 1970 BG Wiltz P. Segura, 15 Oct 1970 Col David E. Rippetoe Jr., 28 May 1971 Col Alonzo J. Walter Jr., 16 Jun 1972 Col Dudley J. Foster, 1 Mar 1974 Col Walter J. Bacon II, 7 Mar 1975 Col Samuel R. Johnson, 14 Jun 1976 Col William A. Gorton, 31 Aug 1978 Col Eugene H. Fischer, 2 Jan 1980 Col Robert H. Baxter, 5 Jan 1982 Col Billy G. McCoy, 20 Jun 1984 Col Charles L. Hehn, 27 Jun 1985 Col Hiram H. Burr Jr., 5 Sep 1986 Col Walter T. West, 28 Apr 1988 Col John L. Welde, 7 May 1990 Col Stephen B. Plummer, 1 Aug 1991 Col William T. Rudd, 6 Nov 1992 Col Rodney L. Bates, #1993???? Col John H. Campbell, 1 Apr 1994 BG Charles F. Wald, 24 May 1995 BG Timothy A. Peppe, 3 Jul 1997 BG Daniel P. Leaf, 30 Nov 1998 BG Daniel J. Darnell, 21 Jan 2000 BG Donald J. Hoffman, 25 May 2001 BG R. Michael Worden, 9 Oct 2002 BG Philip M. Breedlove, 18 Jun 2004 BG Jon Norman BG Barre Seguin HONORS Service Streamers None Campaign Streamers Vietnam Air Offensive Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase II Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase III Vietnam Air/Ground Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase IV

4 TET 69/ Counteroffensive Vietnam Summer-Fall, 1969 Vietnam Winter-Spring, 1970 Sanctuary Counteroffensive Southwest Monsoon Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers None Decorations Presidential Unit Citation Vietnam, 1 May-31 Dec 1968 Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device 17 Dec Apr 1968 Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards 4-16 Jul Mar-30 Nov Jun-16 Dec Apr Apr Apr Apr Oct Oct Oct Sep 2004 Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Crosses with Palm 17 Dec Oct Jan May 1969 Bestowed Honors Authorized to display honors earned by the 31 st Operations Group prior to 20 Nov 1947 Service Streamers None Campaign Streamers World War II Algeria-French Morocco, with Arrowhead Tunisia; Sicily Naples-Foggia Anzio Rome-Arno Southern France North Appenines Po Valley Air Offensive, Europe

5 Normandy Northern France Rhineland Central Europe Air Combat, EAME Theater Decorations Distinguished Unit Citations Rumania, 21 Apr 1944 Poland, 25 Jul 1944 EMBLEM Per bend nebule Or and Azure, in chief of a Wyvern sans legs, wings endorsed of the second, highlights Celeste, all within a diminished bordure Or. Attached below the shield, a White scroll edged with a narrow Yellow border and inscribed RETURN WITH HONOR in Blue letters. Symbolism Ultramarine blue and Air Force yellow are the Air Force colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the primary theater of Air Force operations. Yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of Air Force personnel. The nebule dividing the field symbolizes clouds, the area of the unit s operations. The legless Wyvern represents strength and ferociousness in the air when faced with the enemy. Approved, 13 Dec 1951 EMBLEM SIGNIFICANCE The shield is divided into the colors of Air Force ultramarine blue and yellow by a wavy line symbolizing clouds. The blue alludes to the sky, which is the primary theater of Air Force operation, and the yellow refers to the excellence required of Air Force people. The wyvern, a mythological dragon, represents strength. It is depicted without legs to indicate that all of the unit's fighting is done in the air. 9/24/ AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy (AFPN) -- The 31st Fighter Wing shield symbolizes the long heritage of the unit's lineage. The emblem was originally approved for the 31st Pursuit Group (U.S. Army) on June 28, 1941, and for the 31st Wing on Dec. 13, The shield is divided into the colors of Air Force ultramarine blue and yellow by a wavy line symbolizing clouds. The blue alludes to the sky, which is the primary theater of Air Force operation, and the yellow refers to the excellence required of Air Force people. The wyvern, a mythological dragon, represents strength. It is depicted without legs to indicate that all of the unit's fighting is done in the air. MOTTO Return With Honor NICKNAME

6 OPERATIONS TOSS WHATEVER IS NOT NEEDED FOR THIS SPECIFIC AFOB Trained to achieve tactical proficiency, From Dec 1950 through Jul 1951, all tactical and most support components deployed to England. Thereafter, deployed to provide air defense in Japan, Jul-Oct 1952 and Nov 1953-Feb Earned an outstanding unit award for making the first massed jet fighter crossing of the Pacific Ocean, in Jul Rotated tactical components to Alaska, , and to Europe, Became non-operational in Mar 1959, moved to George AFB, CA, and absorbed personnel and equipment of inactivated units. Reassigned to Homestead AFB, FL, in May 1962 and subsequently stood air defense alert during the Cuban Missile Crisis, Oct-Nov Maintained tactical proficiency by participating in exercises, firepower demonstrations, and by rotating tactical components overseas. Moved to Southeast Asia in Dec 1966 and conducted combat operations, 16 Dec 1966-Sep Controlled interdiction strikes, conducted visual and photo reconnaissance, rescue combat air patrols, and suppressed enemy antiaircraft artillery. Conducted air operations against enemy forces during the TET Offensive and the Siege of Khe Sanh, Feb-Apr Flew close air support missions during the extraction of friendly troops from Kham Duc on 12 May Gained forward air control mission in May Returned to Homestead AFB, FL, without personnel or equipment on 15 Oct 1970 and absorbed new personnel and equipment. Conducted F-4 replacement training from 1 Jul 1971 and rotated components to Southeast Asia, Apr Jun Assumed primary responsibility for air defense in southern Florida on 1 Apr 1976 and advised Air National Guard (ANG) fighter units on operational matters. In Sep 1979-Sep 1980, transferred nearly half of its F-4E aircraft to Egypt (Project PEACE PHAROAH) and the remainder to the ANG, and re-equipped with F-4D aircraft. Continued to operate as an F-4 combat crew training unit but relinquished its Florida air defense commitment in Oct Began transitioning into F-16 aircraft in Jun 1985 and reduced F-4 training operations as its flying squadrons completed turnover; the last F-4 training class graduated in May Subsequently became a fully operational F-16 wing and maintained readiness for worldwide deployment carrying either conventional or nuclear weapons. On 24 Aug 1992, much of Homestead AFB's physical plant was destroyed or severely damaged by Hurricane Andrew. Subsequently, the wing's fighter squadrons moved to other bases, and, in Nov 1992, were assigned to other wings. Other wing elements worked to clean up and salvage government property at Homestead. The 31st moved to Italy in Apr 1994 without personnel and equipment, replacing the 401st Fighter Wing as host wing at Aviano AB. From May 1994-Dec 2004, participated in the following major Balkan operations: DENY FLIGHT, May 1994-Aug 1995; DELIBERATE FORCE, Aug-Sep 1995; DENY FLIGHT, Sep-Dec 1995; DECISIVE EDGE, Dec 1995-Dec 1996; DELIBERATE GUARD, Dec 1996-Jun 1998; DELIBERATE FORGE, Jun 1998-Jun 1999; ALLIED FORCE, combat, Mar-Jun 1999; and JOINT GUARDIAN/DELIBERATE FORGE, Jun 1999-Dec Its squadrons deployed personnel and equipment to support operations in Southwest Asia Apr 1991-Nov In 2000 the wing gained a Combat Search and Rescue Mission (CSAR), along with additional F-16s. The 31st also supported OPERATIONS NORTHERN WATCH, Mar-May 2002 and SOUTHERN WATCH, Aug-Dec 2002.

7 The mission of the 31st Fighter Wing is to conduct and support air operations in Europe's southern region and to maintain munitions for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and national authorities. The 31st FW maintains two F-16 fighter squadrons, the 555th and the 510th, capable of conducting offensive and defensive air combat operations as required in support of U.S. and NATO taskings. In peacetime, the 31st FW prepares for it's combat role by maintaining its aircraft and personnel in a high state of readiness. The 31st FW also includes the 603rd Air Control Squadron, capable of providing air surveillance, control and communications. The 31st FW is the only U.S. fighter wing south of the Alps. During a NATO crisis, the wing's operational forces become part of the 5th Allied Tactical Air Force, located at Vicenza, Italy. This, and its strategic location, makes the wing critical to operations in NATO's southern region. Beginning July 1994, the wing provided combat support for NATO's first-ever operational mission, Deny Flight. In August and September 1995, 31st FW F-16s flew more than 400 combat sorties during Operation Deliberate Force. With the formal signing of the Dayton Peace Accord, Operation Deny Flight ended and the wing's emphasis shifted to support what is now Operation Deliberate Forge. And in March 1999, in support of Operation Allied Force, U.S. and allied forces assembled at Aviano Air Base, Italy, to react if called upon by NATO leadership. The 31st FW also supports three geographically-separated units: The 712th Munitions Squadron and 704th Munitions Support Squadron, Ghedi Air Base, Italy and the 496th Air Base Squadron, Moron Air Base, Spain. Today, the 31 FW provides and supports dominant, expeditionary air combat in support of the Global War on Terrorism. Currently, the wing accomplishes this goal by deploying people and equipment in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM Fox Peter One and Fox Peter Two - The use of in-flight refueling as a means of speeding up mass flights of fighters was soundly and profitably tested during two significant deployments to Japan. In early July, Colonel David C. Schilling led 58 F-84Gs of the 31st Fighter- Escort Wing from Turner Air Force Base, Georgia, to Misawa and Chitose Air Bases, Japan. The revolutionary flight, nicknamed Fox Peter One, was the first mass fighter deployment to be supported by inflight refueling. KB-29 tankers of the 2d and 91st Air Refueling Squadrons refueled the fighters on the first leg of the flight from Turner to Travis Air Force Base, California. The second refueling, conducted by tankers of the 2d, 91st, and 93d Air Refueling Squadrons, was carried out on the Travis to Hawaii leg of the flight. From Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, the fighters island-hopped to Japan, with en route stops at Midway, Wake, Eniwetok, Guam, and Iwo Jima. It took approximately ten days to complete that portion of the flight from California to Japan. In late 1950, it had taken over two weeks to move the 27th Wing's F-84Es by aircraft carriers from California to Japan, cnd it took several more days to get them ready for combat. For this 10,919-

8 mile flight, the 31st Wing was awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award in early The 31st was the first unit to receive this USAF award. The 27th Fighter-Escort Wing was selected to replace the 31st Wing in Japan under the 90-day rotational training program. Nicknamed Fox Peter Two, this deployment involved 75 F-84Gs under the command of Colonel Donald J. Blakeslee. The 7,800-mile flight, much shorter than Fox Peter One, began at Bergstrom Air Force Base, Texas, on 3 October and terminated at Misawa Air Base, Japan, on 14 October. En route stops were made at Travis, Hickam, and Midway, while in-flight refuelings were accomplished on the Travis to Hickam and the Midway to Misawa legs. Aircraft were grounded one day at Hickam and held over another day at Midway because of bad weather Operation Longstride and the Fourth Mackay Trophy - Swift deployment of F-84Gs across the Atlantic became equally important to SAC operations, particularly since the F-84 had been converted to a fighter-bomber with a nuclear bombing capability. Appropriately nicknamed Operation Longstride, the first mass nonstop fighter flight over the Atlantic was a dual mission conducted by the 31st and 508th Strategic Fighter Wings, located at Turner Air Force Base, Georgia. These wings were assigned to the 40th Air Division. The first phase of Operation Longstride began at 0743 ZULU time, on 20 August, when Colonel David C. Schilling, 31st Wing Commander, led a flight of nine F-84s off the runway at Turner Air Force Base. One Thunderjet spare accompanied the flight as far as Savannah, Georgia, and then returned home, while the main flight of eight continued on its way to North Africa. Three in-flight refuelings by KC-97 aircraft were required to get the fighters across the Atlantic. Operating out of Kindley Air Force Base, Bermuda, KC-97s of the 305th Air Refueling Squadron furnished the first two refuelings, while KC-97s of the 26th Air Refueling Squadron positioned at Lajes Air Force Base, Azores, provided the third refueling. The formation of eight landed at Nouasseur Air Base, French Morocco, approximately 10 hours and 20 minutes after leaving Turner. After spending a few days at Lakenheath RAF Station, England, the flight returned to Turner on 2 September. Within a few minutes after Colonel Schilling's flight was on its way to North Africa, the second phase of Operation Longstride began. This flight of 20 Thunderjets was led by Colonel Thayer S. Olds, 40th Air Division Commander, and Colonel Cy Wilson, 508th Wing Commander. Using the North Atlantic route, the 508th's fighters were also refueled three times, once over Boston by KB-29 tankers of the 100th Air Refueling Squadron, once near Labrador by KC-97s of the 26th Air Refueling Squadron, and once near Iceland by KC-97s of the 306th Air Refueling Squadron, which was TDY to England. The main flight of 17 landed at Lakenheath RAF Station, England, approximately 11 hours and 20 minutes after leaving Turner. Three Thunderjets were held over one day at Keflavik before completing the flight. The flight returned to Turner on 12 September. 31st Tactical Fighter Wing Turner AFB, GA 306 TFS Green 307 TFS Red 308 TFS Yellow 309 TFS Blue 31st Tactical Fighter Wing (TAC) The 31st Pursuit Group was activated on 1 February 1940 and trained with P-39s before moving to England during May of Re-equipping with Spitfires, the unit was

9 redesignated as the 31st Fighter Group and became part of the 8th Air Force. The Spitfires were operated over Germany and later in North Africa where the unit was equipped with tropicalized Spitfires VCs, which they operated until early In April of 1944 the 31st Fighter Group traded their Spitfires for P-51 Mustangs and came under the control of the Fifteenth Air Force. On their first assignment the unit flew top cover for bombers raiding Polesti, Romania. The Group flew the Mustang until deact-ivation on 7 November When reactivated in Germany during August of 1946, the unit was once again equipped with Mustangs and was assigned to USAFE and based at Geibelstadt and Kilzingen. In 1947 it became the second unit to re-equip with P-80As but was to remain in Europe for less than a year before being transferred to Turner AFB, Georgia as part of Strategic Air Command. In 1948 the group re-equipped with the F-84Cs and was re-designated the 31st Fighter Bomber Group in January of 1950 (F-84E). Redesignated again as the 31st Fighter Escort Group and assigned to the Strategic Air Command during 1951, it soon became known as a Fighter Escort Wing and made a historic flight involving fifty-eight F-84Gs flying from Turner AFB to Yokota AB, Japan, with KB-29s providing mid-air refueling over the Pacific and a number of stops at island bases along the route. It was the first jet fighter unit to cross the Pacific and the longest mass flight of jet fighters using inflight refueling. Once again the unit was redesignated as the 31st Strategic Fighter Wing and on 1 April 1957, it then became a Fighter Bomber Wing assigned to the Tactical Air Command. By June of 1957 the Wing had converted to the F-100D. F-100F ( ) was named Zaddies Rockin' Chair IV and was assigned to the 308th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 31st Tactical Fighter Wing at Toul-Rosiers Air Base France during Markings are Green bordered in White. At this time the Wing consisted of four squadrons: 306th (Green), 307th (Red), 308th (Yellow) and the 309th (Blue). The unit markings comprised of a fin flash in the squadron color together with a wide nose band with the rear edge of the band in a sharp pointed scallop. An aircraft code number was carried on the tail, in Yellow or Black. On 15 March 1959, the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing was transferred without personnel and equipment to George AFB, California. The 413th TFW, already in residence at George, was now redesignated as the 31st TFW and its four squadrons were also renumbered. The 1st Squadron became the 306th (Red), 21st became 307th (Blue), 34th became the 308th (Green) and 474th became the 309th (Yellow). The markings carried by the 413th Wing were retained by the 31 st Wing and comprised two parallel tail bands and a corresponding nose band. The nose band was divided in some cases: two for a Flight Leader, three for a Squadron Commander and four for a Wing Commander. The 31 st Wing insignia was applied to both sides of the tail on the lower band. An F-100F ( ) was at one time assigned to the Wing Commander (308th TFS) and his aircraft carried the customary Green tail bands with the intake bands in Red, Blue, Green and Yellow (front to rear). When the 31 st TFW took part in the 1958 Nellis Weapons Meet, the F-lOOs were painted with wide nose bands of Blue, Yellow, Red and Green (front to rear) with the 31st insignia on each side of the Red nose band. Tail markings consisted of a Blue background with the logo "Weapons Team" in White and 9th AF insignia. Although the drop tanks were removed during the competition, they were also painted with bands of Blue, Yellow, Red and Green around the front of the tank.

10 By late 1960, the squadron colors had been removed and replaced by the TAC badge. Just prior to the introduction of camouflage, a number of aircraft were painted with a narrow tail stripe in the squadron color, high on the fin and / , (F) and (F) Known Aircraft: Turner AFB 306th TFS 307th TFS 308th TFS 309th TFS George AFB 306th TFS 308th TFS 309th TFS Weapons team: , and The 31st Tactical Fighter Wing activated at Homestead AFB, Florida, in May The wing was asssigned to Tuy Hoa AB, RSVN, during December 1966 to control F-100 Super Sabre operations, and then returned to Homestead AFB on 15 October 1970 and assumed the assets of the tenant 4531st TFW. The initial F-4E units within the wing were the 436th TFS ('ZD', red), 478th TFS ZE, white/blue), 560th TFS ('ZF', green) and 68th TFS ('ZG'). The 478th TFS and 560th TFS inactivated on 31 October 1970, while the 68th TFS was reassigned to the 4403rd TFW at England AFB, Louisiana, and the 436th TFS to the 479th TFW at George AFB, California. The 306th TFS, 309th TFS and 308th TFS were reassigned from the 4403rd TFW at England AFB to the 31 st TFW at Homestead AFB, Florida, and assumed the 'ZD', 'ZE' and 'ZF' tailcoded F-4Es from the 436th TFS, 478th TFS and 560th TFS. All three were formerly assigned to the 31st TFW at Tuy Hoa AB, while flying the F-100 Super Sabre. The 307th TFS transferred from the 401st TFW on 14 July 1971, replacing the 306th TFS and assuming the 'ZD' tailcode and the latter squadron's F-4Es. Under the wing common tailcode concept introduced in 1972, all the 31st TFW assigned F-4Es adopted the 'ZF' tailcodes. The inactive 306th TFS redesignated to the 306th TFTS on 5 June 1978, and reactivated on 1 July 1978 to complete a four-squadron F-4E wing. The wing designation changed to 31st Tactical Training Wing on 30 March 1981, while the 306th TFS, 307th TFS and 309th TFS redesignated as TFTS on 1 July 1983, 9 October 1980 and 1 July 1982, respectively. All units began conversion to the F-4D during In late 1985, the 31st TTW began to re-equip with the F-16A/B, and the last 31st TTW-assigned F-4 left Homestead AFB in In late 1986, just prior to F-16A/B conversion, the wing changed its tailcode to 'HS', and hence F-4Ds from all three squadrons were noted with both 'HS' and 'ZF' tailcodes. The 31st Fighter Wing of today draws its heritage from a history of superb performance in peacetime and in combat. It traces its lineage from the 31st Pursuit Group that activated at Selfridge Field, Michigan, on 1 February 1940, the 31st Fighter Group of World War II, and the

11 31st Tactical Fighter Wing from Vietnam. The pursuit group was formed in part from cadres drawn from the 1st Pursuit Group of World War I fame with two squadrons - the 39th and 40th Pursuit Squadrons. In October of that same year, a third squadron, the 41st Pursuit Squadron, joined the group. In January of 1942, the group was designated the 31s Fighter Group. The original three squadrons transferred without planes or personnel to the 35th Pursuit Group and the 307th, 308th, and 309th Pursuit Squadrons activated to replace them. The members of the 31st Pursuit Group maintained and flew a mix of P-35, P-39, and P-40 aircraft until being transferred to England in June of One of the aircraft assigned to the 31st Pursuit Group prior to World War II. This aircraft was assigned to Capt Frank Hill, who later commanded the Group during the War. The group was participating in the "Carolina Maneuvers" war games in early (Photo courtesy of the 31st Fighter Group Association, taken by Frank Hill via Tom Kendle) The Group arrived in England without planes and began training in British Spitfire Mk Vbs at Achem and High Ercall Air Bases. They held the distinction of being the first complete American combat group in the European Theater of Operations and the first to engage in combat. From August through mid-october 1942 the group flew patrols and participated in operations over German-controlled France including the Dieppe Raid on 19 August. That day, 2nd Lt Samuel Junkins of the 31 FG became the first American operating in an American combat unit to shoot down a German aircraft operating over the British Isles. The group transferred from the 8th to the 12th Air force and was declared non-operational on 13 October prior to boarding ships bound for their next assignment. That next assignment included participating in the invasion force that landed in North Africa on 8 November 1942, becoming the first American Air Force unit to see combat in that theater. They flew from Gibraltar to Tafaraoui Airfield, Algeria, where they scored their first victories in the campaign - shooting down three French fighters that were strafing the airfield just as the 31st arrived. From there they moved quickly from base to base throughout Algeria and Tunisia, engaging in ground attack missions and later escorting P-39s and A-20s on missions to attack German troop positions and convoys. They found themselves as close as 15 miles from A Spitfire MkVb prepares for combat from a field in England. The 31st Fighter Group flew these British airplanes with great success in France, North Africa, Sicily, and Italy from August 1942 through March (Photo courtesy of the 31st Fighter Group Association) the front lines, and this led to a near disaster on at least one occasion. During a major German counteroffensive in February 1943, the group was forced to evacuate their position at Thelepte, Tunisia, only a few miles from the advancing German Army, leaving most of their supplies behind. The counteroffensive, however, was short-lived, and by May 1943 the Germans surrendered in North Africa. During the North Africa campaign, the group claimed 61 Luftwaffe aircraft destroyed. One of the highlights of the group s time in North Africa was the selection of the 308th Fighter Squadron to provide combat air patrols for the arrival of President Franklin Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill at the Casablanca conference in Morocco. As the Allied Forces looked to Europe, the 31 FG once again rose to the challenge as they were the first Army Air Force units in combat in Malta and Sicily, and the first to land in Italy. They distinguished themselves by destroying seven enemy fighters attacking allied shipping during the invasion of Sicily, and six more attacking the invasion force on the beaches at Salerno. Their missions consisted mainly of sweeps over allied positions and escorting bombers attacking German positions. January 1944 brought the Allied landing at Anzio with the 31 FG

12 Living conditions at Thelepte Airfield, Tunisia, during the North Africa Campaign. (Photo courtesy the 31st Fighter Group Association) the sole provider of air cover for the invasion and beachhead. In March of 1944 the group transferred from the 12th Air Force to the 15th Air Force and exchanged their Spitfires for new P-51 Mustangs. This brought about an immediate mission change as the Mustangs enjoyed a much longer range, and were tasked to escort heavy bombers on long-range missions into Romania, Bulgaria, Austria, France, and Northern Italy. During one of their first missions over Ploesti, Romania, on 21 April 1944, the group earned their first Distinguished Unit Citation for covering the raids in spite of severe weather and as many as 50 enemy fighters defending the area. They received their second Distinguished Unit Citation in July 1944 following a mission to escort P-38s on a raid from the Ukraine into Romania and Poland. By the time they returned to Italy, they had destroyed 37 enemy aircraft, including 21 enemy fighter-bombers on their way to attack Russian ground forces, with no losses of their own. Ground crews escort 31st FG P-51s at San Severo, Italy during their taxi-out. The design of the P-51 (and other tail-drag aircraft) limited the pilot s visibility, so ground crews rode the wings of the planes to assist in directing to and from the runway. (Photo courtesy of the 31st Fighter Group Association) The 31 FG remained active through the end of the war, not only flying bomber escort, but also photo reconnaissance and troop carrier escort, and took part in Operation Anvil, the invasion of southern France. When the shooting stopped, the 31st Fighter Group sat as the undisputed top scoring allied fighter group in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations and the 5th highest overall for the USAAF with 570 1/2 confirmed aerial victories. The group sailed for home on 13 August 1945, one of the last units to depart Europe. The unit inactivated on 7 November Following the war, the 31st Fighter Group activated at Gebelstadt, Germany, as part of the US Occupation Forces, on 20 August 1946, where they flew P-80s, the first US Jet fighter aircraft. From there the unit transferred without personnel or equipment to Langley Field, Virginia, in June 1947, and then to Turner Field, Georgia, in September of the same year. When the US Air Force activated as a separate service in September 1947, they chose the wing as their basic combat unit, and subsequently established and organized the 31st Fighter Wing at Turner Field on 20 November 1947 with the 31st Fighter Group and the 307th, 308th, and 309th Fighter Squadrons assigned to the wing. Originally assigned F-51s, the wing began converting to F-84s in August On 20 January 1950 the wing redesignated as the 31st Fighter-Bomber Wing and on 1 July 1950, the wing transferred from the Tactical Air Command to the Strategic Air Command and redesignated once again as the 31st Fighter-Escort Wing on 16 July The wing pioneered the development of in-flight refueling tactics. On 4 July 1952 the wing executed Operation Fox Peter One, the mass movement of the entire wing from Turner Field, Georgia, to Misawa AB, Japan, using aerial refueling to fly non-stop from Turner to Travis AFB, California, and from Travis to Hickam AFB, Hawaii. The unit then island-hopped across the rest of the Pacific with stops at Midway and Wake Islands, Eniwetok Atoll, Guam, Iwo Jima, and Yokota AB, Japan. The sheer magnitude of the accomplishment was sufficient to name the 31st Fighter-Escort Wing as the recipient of the first-ever Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, and the wing commander, Colonel David Schilling, won the Air Force Association Trophy (later named for Col Schilling following his death in a car accident in England). This movement included the longest over-water flight attempted to that date, and was the first trans-pacific mass flight of jet aircraft. As an encore, on 20 August 1953 Colonel Schilling led a flight of eight F-84s on a 10½-

13 hour non-stop flight from Turner Field to Nausseur AB, French Morocco. This successful flight culminated in the 40th Air Division of the Strategic Air Command receiving the Mackay Trophy for The wing received yet another designation change on 20 January 1953 when it became known as the 31st Strategic Fighter Wing. During this time the wing deployed (on temporary 30-day assignments) to Japan and Alaska to provide air defense in the northern Pacific. The wing also assumed the role of in-flight refueling with the assignment of the 58th Air Refueling Squadron on 11 May Then on 1 April 1957 the wing, except for the 58 ARS, transferred back to the Tactical Air Command, and was redesignated the 31st Fighter-Bomber Wing, and converted to F-100Cs. In September 1957 a fourth fighter squadron, the 306th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, was activated and assigned to the wing. On 1 July 1958 the wing s name changed for the fifth time to the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing, the name it would keep, except for a four-year period when it would be known as a Tactical Training Wing, until On 15 March 1959 the wing moved without people or equipment to George AFB, California. During the time in California, the wing deployed units for four-month alert rotations to Moron AB, Spain and Aviano AB, Italy. Then during the Berlin Crisis in October and November 1961, the 309th Fighter Squadron deployed to Spangdahlem AB, Germany to bolster the US military forces in Europe. In 1963 the wing earned a second Outstanding Unit Award in for achievements attained in During that time they moved from George AFB to Homestead AFB, Florida, while simultaneously deploying a squadron to Kadena AB, Japan, for a four-month TDY without losing any operational capability. Then, during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962, the 31 TFW planned operational missions and participated in events that ultimately led to the removal of the missiles from Cuba. On 8 February 1964 the 308th Fighter Squadron flew a non-stop mission from Homestead AFB, Florida, to Cigli AB, Turkey. The 6,600 mile trip required eight in-flight refuelings and set a new record for the longest mass flight of jet aircraft to cross the Atlantic. The flight also led to the wing receiving the Tactical Air Command Outstanding Fighter Wing Award for 1964, the second consecutive year it won that prestigious award. F-100s dispersed on the flightline at Homestead AFB, Florida during the Cuban Missile Crisis. (USAF Photo courtesy of the National Museum of the Air Force) In June 1965 the 307 TFS deployed to Bein Hoa AB, Republic of Vietnam; the 308 TFS replaced them in December, having moved there as a permanent change of station. The following April, the 307 TFS deployed, permanent change of station, to Torrejon AB, Spain, and in November 1966 the wing received orders to deploy, permanent change of station, to Tuy Hoa AB, Republic of Vietnam. An unexpected consequence of this move came when the wing commander, Colonel James Jabara, was killed in an automobile accident while driving his family to their new home in South Carolina where they were to await his return from his first tour in Vietnam. Colonel Jabara, a jet ace from the Korean War with one and one-half kills from World War II, is the name-sake of the Jabara Award for Airmanship awarded each year to the USAF Academy graduate whose accomplishments demonstrate superior performance in fields directly involved with aerospace vehicles. In 2006, Captain John Vargas from the 31st Fighter Wing received the Jabara Award. The 31 TFW arrived at Tuy Hoa AB, assigned to the Seventh Air Force, on Christmas Day The wing provided close air support and ground interdiction for US and RVN Army units in the central region of the country. In 1968 they helped defend installations against enemy forces during the Tet Offensive and the siege of Khe Sahn, and were later singled out for their

14 outstanding contribution during the extraction of friendly forces from Kham Duc. They reached 100,000 combat sortie milestone in September The wing earned two Outstanding Unit Awards, one with Combat V Device, a Presidential Unit Citation, two Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Crosses with Palm, and ten Campaign Streamers for action in Vietnam. On 15 October 1970 the wing returned to Homestead AFB, Florida, without people or equipment, as part of the US force reduction in Vietnam. At the same time, the wing switched from flying F-100s to F- 4Es. In July 1971, the 306 TFS inactivated and the 307 TFS moved without personnel or equipment to Homestead AFB, returning the wing to its original squadrons. The wing assumed a dual-role function with the primary mission of air defense of the southern Florida and the secondary as a replacement training unit. The 307 TFS and 309 TFS were designated to perform the pilot replacement training. From April to August 1972 the 308 TFS deployed to Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand to augment tactical air forces already deployed to that country, followed in July by the 307 TFS. In June 1972, Captains John Cerak and David B. Dingee of the 308 TFS were shot down and captured by the North Vietnamese, and confirmed as prisoners of war. In March 1973 both were released and returned to the United States. On 15 October 1972, Captains James L. Hendrickson and Gary M. Rubus of the 307 TFS, who replaced the 308 TFS at Udorn, Thailand, shot down a MiG-21 northeast of Hanoi. This marked the first aerial victory for the 31 TFW in Vietnam and the first for the wing since the end of World War II. The 308 TFS completed the wing s final deployment to Southeast Asia from December 1972 to June In 1979 and 1980 the wing transferred its F-4Es to the Egyptian Air Force and Air National Guard units, and began operating F-4Ds. On 30 March 1981, the wing assumed a larger responsibility for training all F-4 aircrews, and with the change, assumed a new designation as the 31st Tactical Training Wing. Training became the primary mission until 1985 when the wing received its next aircraft, the F-16, and resumed an air defense mission. With the change, the wing s designation changed yet again to the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing. This continued until 1992 when, on 1 June, as part of the most extensive restructuring since the Air Force became a separate service, the Tactical Air Command inactivated and the Air Combat Command activated, and the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing redesignated to its current name, the 31st Fighter Wing. Everything changed for the wing, though, on 24 August 1992, when Hurricane Andrew swept across southern Florida, leaving extensive damage in its wake. Every building on Homestead AFB received some damage, many buildings were destroyed. The fighter squadrons evacuated most of the planes before the storm, but were unable to return. In the aftermath, the Secretary of Defense recommended complete closure of the base, but in June 1993, the Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommended to realign the base under the Air Force Reserve and inactivate the 31 FW. The squadrons were assigned to other wings, and the 31 FW began inactivation proceedings. Air Force leadership had been looking at the whole realignment process following the end of the Cold War and they discovered that the Air Force was losing its heritage. When a base closed, the unit assigned to the base typically inactivated. With so many base closures taking place, many of the most significant wings were being inactivated, along with their history and heritage. In order to stop the trend, Air Force Chief of Staff, General Merrill McPeak, initiated a program whereby units in danger of being inactivated would be compared to another unit to determine which was the most significant, and move the most significant unit to keep its history active. Such was the case of the 31st Fighter Wing. As the highest scoring Army Air Force unit in the Mediterranean

15 Theater in WWII, added to their combat record in Vietnam and the number of significant firsts they produced in the early years of the Air Force, the 31 FW was chosen to move rather than fade into obscurity. So on 1 April 1994, the 31st Fighter Wing inactivated at Homestead AFB, Florida, and subsequently activated at Aviano AB, Italy, in place of the 401st Fighter Wing. The 31 FW received two new squadrons at that time, the 510th and 555th Fighter Squadrons, along with their Block-40 F-16s. The wing immediately became involved with events in Bosnia, part of the former communist country of Yugoslavia, in May 1994, as part of Operation DENY FLIGHT. A year later, the country held its breath as a massive rescue operation took place to extract Captain Scott O Grady of the 555 FS from behind enemy lines. A US Marine Corps HH- 53 picked him up after he evaded capture for six days. In August and September, Operation DELIBERATE FORCE began and the 31 FW conducted air strikes against Bosnian Serbs conducting ethnic purges among the Muslim population of the country. Peacekeeping operations continued in the Balkans through the end of 2004, when the European Union assumed responsibility for the region. In 1999 USAFE activated the 31st Air Expeditionary Wing-NOBLE ANVIL at Aviano AB, Italy, for Operation ALLIED FORCE, the NATO operation to stop Serbian atrocities in the Province of Kosovo. Assigned under a joint task force, the 31 AEW flew from Aviano and joined NATO allies in a 78-day air campaign against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia). From 24 March-10 June 1999, the 31 AEW, the largest expeditionary wing in Air Force history, flew nearly 9,000 combat sorties and accumulated almost 40,000 hours of combat service over the skies of Kosovo, Serbia, and the rest of the Balkans in support of NATO operations. The wing accomplished much during OAF as the two permanently assigned flying squadrons, the 510 FS and 555 FS, combined for over 2,400 sorties and over 10,000 combat hours. Additionally, as the first Aviano OAF squadrons to fly 1,000 combat sorties, 555 FS reached the 1,000 combat sortie mark on 27 May 1999 and the 510 FS followed suit two days later. Simply, the 31 FW operators, maintainers, and supporters proudly accomplished the NATO mission. Following the end of Operation ALLIED FORCE (OAF) in June 1999, the 31st Fighter Wing became fully entrenched in the Expeditionary Air Force. With the exception of a deployment to Operation NORTHERN WATCH (ONW) in 1998, the wing had not deployed to support a contingency operation since before it activated at Aviano. Instead, the wing fought in place, supporting operations in the Balkans. In 2000, the wing began its full-fledged participation in the Expeditionary Air Force. From March to September 2000, the 510th and 555th Fighter Squadrons conducted back-to-back deployments to Ahmed Al Jaber AB, Kuwait, in support of Operation Southern WATCH (OSW). While at Al Jaber, the squadrons flew over 400 combat sorties providing precisionguided munitions (PGM) delivery while patrolling the southern NFZ. Then, the Scorpions of the 603rd Air Control Squadron (603 ACS) deployed to Ali Al Salem AB, Kuwait from February to June As the core of the 386th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron, the 121 personnel of the 603rd served as the primary air control squadron for OSW. Significantly, the deployment marked the first-ever deployment of the 603rd outside of Europe. From June 2001 through May 2002, the fighter squadrons deployed their Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) capability three times to Operation NORTHERN WATCH. From June 1 Does not include sorties flown by non-31 FW aircraft temporarily assigned to Aviano.

16 2 The Days figures are actual calculations, not flying day calculations. Despite this, the Average Sorties/Day should reveal an approximate level of effort useful in comparing the operations. through December, the squadrons helped enforce the northern NFZ over Iraq, and then the 555 FS returned to Incirlik from March to May The fall and winter of 2002 saw the wing s largest ever deployment effort since arriving at Aviano. From August to December, the 510 FS and 603 ACS returned to Southwest Asia. The 603rd supported Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF) while the 510th supported OSW while flying missions over Afghanistan in support of OEF. At the same time, the 555th deployed its personnel and aircraft, including those personnel and aircraft not deployed with the 510th, to Decimomannu AB, Sardinia because the runway at Aviano closed for repairs. The wing s support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF) began in late The wing s first major support of OIF occurred during the deployment of the Southern European Task Force (SETAF) in late March Aviano AB served as the launch point for the airborne/air-land insertion of airborne forces opening a second front in northern Iraq. As the primary supporter, the wing secured, bedded, and fed over 2,300 personnel from the Army and USAF. The operation, the largest airborne operation since 1989 s Operation JUST CAUSE in Panama, constituted 62 missions transporting 2,146 passengers and 2,433.7 tons of cargo. Since the beginning of combat operations in Iraq, forces from the wing have been on regular combat rotations into the region. In late 2003 the 603 ACS became the first unit from the 31 FW deployed to Iraq where they provided provide air control for the country. In an air control squadron first, they relocated their entire operation from Baghdad International Airport to Balad AB. Under combat conditions, the squadron transferred $73 million in equipment and over 100 personnel via 20 convoys. Significantly, the squadron accomplished the move with no loss of command and control services. Unfortunately, the squadron also sustained a loss during its time in Iraq. On 10 April 2004, insurgents launched a mortar rocket attack on Balad, killing A1C Antoine Holt and injuring two other Scorpions. Airman Holt s death constituted the 31 FW s first combat fatality since the Vietnam War. From December 2003 to early March 2004, the 510 FS deployed to the region in support of OEF and OIF. Flying almost 900 sorties, including 750 combat sorties, the squadron flew close air support (CAS) and airborne forward air control (FAC-A) missions. Of note, squadron pilots were overhead during and participated in the capture of Saddam Hussein on 13 December Further, the 510th s overhead presence contributed to a 50% reduction in improvised explosive device and infrastructure attacks against Coalition forces. The 555 FS replaced the 510th and, like the Buzzards, the Nickel supported OEF and OIF where they were active in OEF s MOUNTAIN STORM in Afghanistan. In Iraq, the squadron performed the first true urban close air support (CAS) missions in recent history, a first in the F-16. Additionally, the 555th spearheaded development of CENTAF s tactics, techniques, and procedures to support and defend convoys. Finally, the squadron pioneered the Air Force s first operational F-16 employment of Advance Targeting Pods. 31 FW continued deploying forces to OEF and OIF, with people supporting combat operations every year since The fighter squadrons and the air control squadron accounted for the largest groups to deploy, but each year upwards of one-third of the wing went to some base in direct support of the Global War on Terror. The only significant deviation from this pattern occurred in 2007 when the 555 FS deployed to Kunsan AB, Republic of South Korea to provide theater support to the US Forces Korea commander. This marked the first time in history

17 that an entire USAFE fighter unit deployed to Asia. In 2008, neither fighter squadron deployed in support of OEF and OIF, as the wing was undergoing a massive aircraft upgrade program. The 603rd ACS, however, remained actively engaged in the AOR and deployed in 2008 and 2009 to the Middle East. In late November 2002, the 555 FS deployed to Caslav AB, Czech Republic, to provide combat air patrols over the site of the NATO Summit. The deployment included the real world diversion of an unidentified airliner. Covering NATO Summits continued as the wing deployed to Riga, Latvia to provide Presidential support and overflight protection the 2007 NATO Summit, as well as the 2008 Summit in Bucharest, Romania. Members of the 31 FW continue to expand their influence around Europe. With the addition of former Eastern Block countries into NATO and the European Union, the wing has been working with these new partners to train their air forces to integrate into the NATO community. Members of the wing have deployed to Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Romania, and Poland, and those countries have opened up their air to ground ranges for use in joint training exercises. After being victorious in WWII, and earning the top fighter group in the MTO, the 31st FG was returned to Drew Field in Flordia in August of 1945 and was deactivated on November 7th the same year. On 20 August, 1946 the 31st Fighter Group was reactivated in Germany assigned to the United States Air Force in Europe command, formerly known as the Eighth Air Force. During this time the 31st FG began to operate the new American jet fighter, the North American P-80 Shooting Star. The 31st was based out of Giebelstadt, Germany as part of the 12th Tactical Air Command from 20 August to 30 September Then the group was relocated to Kitzingen, Germany until 25 June The 31st FG was then transferred to Turner AFB in Georgia on 20 November of 1947 and was re-designated as the 31st Fighter Wing as part of the newly formed United States Air Force under the Tactical Air Command. Then from 1947 to 1950, the 31st trained hard and was re-designated as the 31st Fighter-Bomber Wing and was placed under the Strategic Air Command on 20 January Soon the 31st was once again re-designated as the 31st Fighter-Escort Wing with Fairchild F-84 Thunderjets, still under SAC, who's duty was switched to escorting B-29 and B-50 bombers. The 31st FEW was then deployed to England from December 1950 to July When the 31st returned back home they were once again deployed, this time to Japan from Turner AFB to provide air defense from July to October 1952 and November 1953 to February 1954 at Misawa Airbase. During these deployments, the 31st were once again redesignated, this time as the 31st Strategic Fighter Wing on 20 January As well the 31st earned an Outstanding Unit Award citation for their trek across the Pacific which was the first mass crossing of a fighter jet unit, adding another "first" for the history of the 31st. On the 1st of April the 31st was transferred back to the Tactical Air Command re-

18 designated once again to the 31st Fighter-Bomber Wing and began to equip themselves in the F-100 Super Saber at their new base, Turner AFB. They would then move to George AFB and begin rotating units to Alaska and Europe. At George AFB the 31st underwent one last name change that would last for the next several decades as they became the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing on the 1st of July In May of 1962, the 31st TFW was relocated once again to Homestead AFB, their new home for several years. Here the 31st would participate in the Cuban Missile Crisis of October-November Afterwards the 31st maintained combat readiness in their F-100s by deploying small units where needed, and began gearing up for their next big challenge in the Southeast Asia country of Vietnam. The 31st was one of several fighter wings that would be deployed to Southeast Asia in Vietnam. In 1957, the 31st was reassigned to the Tactical Air Command as the 31st Fighter-Bomber Wing as they were equipped with the new North American F-100 Super Saber at Turner AFB. During the next few years, the 31st would rotate her units to Alaska and Europe. On 15 March 1959 the 31st was transferred to George AFB at Victorville, California where it absorbed the 413th FW (Day) and was re-designated at the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing. In May 1962, the 31st TFW would move to Homestead AFB in Southern Florida. Homestead would become home of the 31st till the 1990s. 309th TFS F-100s refueling from a KC-135 In 1966, with the Vietnam War in motion and the needs of units for NATO, the 31st TFW temporarily lost the 307th TFS who was moved to Torrejon Air Base in Spain and joined the 401st TFW. Meanwhile, the 31st TFW and her 3 squadrons (the 306th coded- "SD", 308th coded- "SM", and 309th coded- "SS") were deployed to Tuy Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam on 16 December Their mission was to support the US troops on the ground as well as interdict enemy movement of troops and supplies in and out of the area. In June of 1968, the 31st would receive two additional fighter squadrons under its command. The Air National Guard units of the 136th TFS from the state of New York (coded-"sg") and the 188th TFS from the state of New Mexico (coded-"sk"). These two F-100 units were deployed for one year and were rotated back to the US and replaced by two other F-100 squadrons from the 37th TFW that was transitioning to the F-4. In May 1969, these two squadrons, the 355th TFS (coded-"sp") and 416th TFS (coded-"se"). F-100s of the 188th TFS of the New Mexico ANG assigned to the 31st TFW at Tuy Hoa, S. Vietnam During their missions in Vietnam, the 31st flew their intended roles of CAS (Close Air

19 Support) and interdiction, but also flew photo-recon missions, combat air patrols (CAP) for search & rescue missions (SAR), suppression of enemy air defense (Wild Weasel), and forward air control (FAC). The 31st became the most important "do-it-all" F-100 fighter wing in South Vietnam. The 31st TFW would participate in some of the most pivotal engagements in South Vietnam that would include the the Tet Offensive in 1968, the Siege of Khe Sanh of Feb-Apr 1968, and the withdraw of troops from the Battle of Kham Duc in May of The 31st continued to function in their roles until it was deactivated on 15 October 1970 as part of the US withdraw from Vietnam. Then the next day the 31st TFW was reactivated back home at Homestead AFB without personnel and equipment. The 31st started flying their latest aircraft, the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom and began replacement training for squadrons still located in Southeast Asia. 309th TFS, F-4E Phantom at Homestead AFB In April 1976, the 31st TFW gained primary responsibility for air defense of southern Florida as well as acting as advisors for the Florida ANG units. Then in September of 1979 to September of 1980, the 31st lost about half of their F-4Es in Project "Peace Pharaoh" where their F-4Es were transferred to Egypt and replaced with the F-4D and started to train F-4 pilots as the 31st Tactical Training Wing. The long history of the 31st Fighter Wing continued after its participation in Vietnam when in April 1981 the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing became an F-4 Phantom training wing still located at their long time home of Homestead AFB. From that time the 31st (now known as the 31st Tactical Training Wing) continued their training for four years and in October the 31st began to transition from the F-4 Phantom to the new modern General Dynamics F-16A/B "Fighting Falcon." As they transitioned into the F-16, the 31st TTW graduated their last F-4 class in May of 1988 and became a fully operational F-16 fighter wing regaining their Tactical Fighter Wing designation. Sadly though, with the wing's move from the F-4 to the F-16 also brought along the deactivation of the 306th TFS. In December of 1981, the 31st also changed its tail code to "HS." The 31st enjoyed a long period of time before the next change occurred in October 1991 when the 31st TFW began to transition to the new F-16C/D. A year later in June, along with the reorganization of the USAF, the 31st became the 31st Fighter Wing under the new Air Combat Command. But later that year, on the 24th of August 1992, Hurricane Andrew made landfall in southern Florida and destroyed most of the Homestead AFB. The F-16s of the 31st escaped the Hurricane by temporarily relocating to different fighter wings. Both the 307th and 308th Fighter Squadrons moved to Moody AFB, in Georgia and joined the 347th FW. Meanwhile the 309th FS moved from Homestead to Shaw AFB in South Carolina and joined the 363rd FW. After several promises from both Presidents'

20 Bush and Clinton to clean up Homestead AFB, the long time home of the 31st was closed and realigned to the AF Reserves. Another sad day came on October 1st 1992, when the 307th, 308th, and 309th fighter squadrons, whom have been with the 31st since World War 2, were reassigned to their respective dispersal fields. Meanwhile 31st itself spent the next few years salvaging government property from Homestead AFB. In April of 1994, the 31st Fighter Wing returned to Italy for the first time since World War II. The transfer was made without personnel and equipment and replaced the 401st FW at Aviano Airbase in Northern Italy. The 31st FW was given two combat squadrons of F- 16C/Ds who were coming from Ramstein Airbase in Germany. The two squadrons also had a long history that dated back during World War II, and Vietnam, the 510th FS and the 555th FS. The 510th Fighter Squadron, known as the "Buzzards," first served as a Dive-Bomber squadron flying A-24s (the USAAF designation of the SBD-Dauntless) when it was first activated in They then transferred from the A-24 and P-39 to the P-47 Thunderbolt and arrived at RAF Christchurch in England beginning combat operations in March of The 510th then served in Vietnam flying F-100 Spersabers from Bien Hoa Air Base, S. Vietnam flying over 27,000 combat missions until they were deactivated in The 510th was again re-activated in England flying A-10s out of RAF Bentwaters and then Spangdahlem Airbase, Germany. The fighter squadron was then de-activated in Germany and re-activated in Italy with the 31st FW. Along with the 510th, was the 555th Fighter Squadron known as the "Triple Nickel." The 555th's history began in WWII in November of 1942 as the 555th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) flying B-26s from bases in England, and eventually France and Belgium against the German Luftwaffe. After WWII the 555th was deactivated shortly after the end of WWII. On 8 January 1964, the 555th was re-activated as the 555th TFS and was the first USAF squadron to receive the F-4 Phantom. They were then deployed to Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base and scored their first aerial victories against the NVAF in April of 1966, and within a week the squadron has scored 6 victories making the 555th the first "ace" squadron in Southeast Asia. Then in June of 1966 the fighter squadron joined the 8th TFW. The 555th would continue to serve with distinction during Vietnam as part of the 8th severing in several air campaigns that include Linebacker I and II. By the end of Vietnam the "Nickel" had 39 air-to-air victories credited and produced both USAF fighter ace of the war thus earning the motto: "World's Largest Distributor of MiG Parts." The 555th also earned 3 Presidential Unit Citations and 5 AF Outstanding Unit award. The 555th then moved to Luke AFB, Arizona in 1974 after 9 years of combat operations in Southeast Asia and transitioned to the F-15 Eagle. Eventually in April of 1994, the 555th

21 FS joined the 31st FW in Italy transitioning into the F-16C/D. With the two new squadrons, the 31st FW return to Italy as part of the USAFE command placed upon the 31st a very large area of responsibility as its the only US fighter wing south of the Alps. The 31st FW served in several air operations in the Balkans in Op. Allied Force, enforced no-fly zones of Op. Northern and Southern Watch over Iraq as well as flying missions in Op. Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. To this day the 31st FW continues to fly their missions in the greatest tradition started by their forefathers in WWII as they continue to support their country and "Return with Honor." Air Force Order of Battle Created: 28 Sep 2010 Updated: Sources Air Force Historical Research Agency. U.S. Air Force. Maxwell AFB, AL.