51 st FIGHTER WING LINEAGE 51 st Fighter Wing established, 10 Aug 1948 Activated, 18 Aug 1948 Redesignated 51 st Fighter Interceptor Wing, 1 Feb 1950 Inactivated, 31 May 1971 Redesignated 51 st Air Base Wing, 20 Oct 1971 Activated, 1 Nov 1971 Redesignated 51 st Composite Wing (Tactical), 30 Sep 1974 Redesignated 51 st Tactical Fighter Wing, 1 Jul 1982 Redesignated 51 st Wing, 7 Feb 1992 Redesignated 51 st Fighter Wing, 1 Oct 1993 STATIONS Naha Afld (later, AB), Okinawa, 18 Aug 1948 Itazuke AB, Japan, 22 Sep 1950 Kimpo AB, South Korea, 10 Oct 1950 Itazuke AB, Japan, 10 Dec 1950 Tsuiki AB, Japan, 15 Jan 1951 Suwon AB, South Korea, 1 Oct 1951-26 Jul 1954 Naha AB, Okinawa, 1 Aug 1954-31 May 1971 Osan AB, South Korea, 1 Nov 1971 ASSIGNMENTS 1 st Air Division, 18 Aug 1948 Thirteenth Air Force, 1 Dec 1948 Twentieth Air Force, 16 May 1949 313 th Air Division, 1 Mar 1955-31 May 1971 314 th Air Division, 1 Nov 1971 Seventh Air Force, 8 Sep 1986
ATTACHMENTS Fifth Air Force, 25 Sep 1950-1 Aug 1954 8 th Fighter Bomber Wing, 25 Sep-12 Oct 1950 WEAPON SYSTEMS F-61, 1948-1950 F-80, 1948-1951 F-82, 1949-1950 F-86, 1951-1960 F-94, 1954-1955 F-102, 1959-1964, 1966-1971 F-4, 1964-1965, 1965-1966 F-106, 1968 F-4, 1974-1989 OV-10, 1974-1982 A-10, 1982-1989 F-16, 1988 OA-10, 1990 C-12, 1992 HH-60, 1993-1995 A-10, 1998 COMMANDERS BG Hugo P. Rush, 18 Aug 1948 Col John W. Egan, 25 Mar 1949 Col Richard M. Montgomery, 1 Apr 1949 Col John W. Weltman, 19 Sep 1949 Col Oliver G. Cellini, 24 Apr 1951 Col William P. Litton, c. 1 Nov 1951 Col George R. Stanley, 2 Nov 1951 Col Francis S. Gabreski, 6 Nov 1951 Col John W. Mitchell, 13 Jun 1952 Col William C. Clark, 31 May 1953 Col Ernest H. Beverly, 9 Aug 1953 Col William C. Clark, 11 Sep 1953 Col Benjamin O. Davis Jr., Nov 1953 Col Barton M. Russell, 2 Jul 1954 Col Travis Hoover, 1 Aug 1954 Col Hilmer C. Nelson, 9 Aug 1954 Col Edwin C. Ambrosen, 16 Aug 1954 Col John H. Bell, 15 Nov 1955 Col Paul E. Hoeper, 2 Feb 1957 Col Robert L. Cardenas, 4 May 1957 Col Walter V. Gresham Jr., 15 Jul 1957 Col Elliott H. Reed, 1 Aug 1957 Col Walter V. Gresham Jr., 15 Aug 1957
Col Lester J. Johnson, 22 Nov 1957 Col William W. Ingenhutt, 25 Mar 1960 Col Lester C. Hess, 24 Jul 1962 Col Lloyd R. Larson, 11 Jun 1965 Col Frank E. Angier, 8 Apr 1967 Col John B. Weed, 13 Jun 1968 Col Roy D. Carlson, 30 Jun 1968-31 May 1971 Col Hewitt E. Lovelace Jr., 1 Nov 1971 Col John H. Allison, 1 Aug 1972 Col Billie J. Norwood, 7 Jun 1973 Col Alonzo L. Ferguson, 1 May 1974 Col Glenn L. Nordin, 30 Sep 1974 BG Vernon H. Sandrock, 12 Aug 1975 Col Frederick B. Hoenniger, 15 Jun 1977 Col James T. Boddie Jr., 18 Jun 1979 Col John C. Scheidt Jr., 16 May 1980 Col Eugene G. Myers, 20 Feb 1981 Col Thomas R. Olsen, 16 Jul 1982 Col Marcus F. Cooper Jr., 26 May 1983 Col Barry J. Howard, 18 Oct 1983 Col Charles D. Link, 20 Jul 1984 Col Henry J. Cochran, 12 Aug 1985 Col John C. Marshall, 12 Jun 1987 Col James J. Winters, 30 Jun 1989 Col Thomas R. Case, 17 Jul 1990 BG Robert G. Jenkins, 23 Jun 1992 BG Robert H. Foglesong, 31 Jan 1994 BG Steven R. Polk, 21 Nov 1995 BG Paul R. Dordal, 16 May 1997 BG Robert R. Dierker, 15 Sep 1998 BG David E. Clary, 22 May 2000 BG William L. Holland, 18 Mar 2002 Brig Gen Maurice H. Forsyth, 23 Sep 2003 Brig Gen Joseph Reynes Jr., 8 Jul 2005 Col Jon A. Norman, 15 Jun 2007 Col Thomas H. Deale, 15 Oct 2008 HONORS Service Streamers None Campaign Streamers Korea: UN Offensive CCF Intervention First UN Counteroffensive CCF Spring Offensive
UN Summer-Fall Offensive Second Korean Winter Korea Summer-Fall, 1952 Third Korean Winter Korea Summer, 1953 Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers None Decorations Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards 29 Aug 1958-19 Jan 1959 26 Mar 1962-30 Sep 1963 1 Jan 1965-31 Dec 1966 1 Jan 1969-31 Dec 1970 30 Sep 1974-31 Mar 1976 1 Apr 1983-30 Apr 1984 1 May 1984-30 Apr 1985 1 Jul 1985-30 Jun 1987 1 Jul 1987-30 Jun 1989 1 Oct 1992-30 Sep 1994 1 Nov 1995-31 May 1997 1 Oct 2002-30 Sep 2004 Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citations 20 Sep 1950-30 Jun 1951 1 Jul 1951-31 Mar 1953 19-20 Aug 1972 Bestowed Honors Authorized to display honors earned by the 51 st Fighter Group prior to 18 Aug 1948 Service Streamers None Campaign Streamers World War II India-Burma China Defensive China Offensive Decorations None EMBLEM
Per fess nebuly abased Azure and Or, issuing from partition line a demi-pegasus Argent with a machine gun in each wing bendwise Sable, gun fire Proper. Attached below the base, a White scroll edged with a narrow Yellow border and inscribed with the motto, LEADING THE CHARGE, in Blue letters. Symbolism Ultramarine blue and Air Force yellow are the Air Force colors. Blue represents the sky, the primary theater of Air Force operations. Yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of Air Force personnel. A nebuly line of partition divides the shield and represents clouds. Pegasus, the mythological winged horse, is shown in an attitude of flight, rising to the sky, deftly and swiftly with a flaming machine gun in each wing to accomplish the mission assigned successfully. Per fess nebuly abased Azure and Or issuing from partition line a demi-pegasus Argent with a machine gun in each wing bendwise Sable, gun fire proper, all within a diminished bordure of the second. Approved for 51st Group on 5 Feb 1942 and for 51st Wing on 2 May 1956. Approved c. Jun 1993. Approved for group on 5 Feb 1942 and for wing on 2 May 1956 EMBLEM SIGNIFICANCE MOTTO LEADING THE CHARGE NICKNAME OPERATIONS In 1948, assumed air defense of Ryukyu Islands. Commenced combat operations over Korea in Sep 1950 with combat air patrols, close air support, and armed reconnaissance missions in support of UN forces. Operated a detachment at Suwon AB, Korea, beginning in May 1951, and relocated there in Oct 1951, with maintenance and supply elements remaining in Japan until Aug 1954. Ceased combat 27 Jul 1953. Wing pilots claimed 312 victories against enemy MiG jet fighters, including the first USAF victory in the first all-jet aerial battle on 8 Nov 1950. Following the cease-fire, resumed air defense of the Ryukyu Islands. From Aug 1954 through early 1971, frequently deployed aircraft, crews, and support personnel throughout the Far East, including Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines. Stationed one squadron (16th Fighter- Interceptor) at Tainan, Taiwan, 29 Aug 1958-26 Jan 1959 during the Quemoy-Matsu Crisis to fly combat air patrol for Nationalist Chinese Air Force supply flights. Following the seizure of the USS Pueblo by North Korea, deployed one squadron (82 Fighter-Interceptor) and support
personnel to Suwon AB, Korea, 30 Jan-20 Feb 1968, and sent other personnel to Osan AB, South Korea, to support the 314 Air Division. Deployed an interceptor detachment to Suwon AB, South Korea, from Jun 1968 through 1970. In Nov 1971, served primarily as a support wing for Osan AB and the Koon-Ni range complex, and, after 15 Apr 1975, for Taegu AB, South Korea. Added a tactical mission on 30 Sep 1974. The wing lost control of Taegu AB from Oct 1978 to Jan 1982. The wing in 1982 gained a close air support capability to complement its air superiority role. Frequently deployed aircraft and crews to participate in training exercises throughout the Far East during this period. In addition, aircrews trained to perform fast forward air control missions beginning in 1984. In 1988-1989, mission shifted to offensive counterair and allweather air interdiction. Restored tactical air control capabilities in Oct 1990, and, in Sep 1991, became the first operational F-16 unit to employ laser targeting with the LANTIRN navigation and targeting system. Airlift support operations were augmented with the addition of a flight of light transports in Aug 1992. Took part in a series of joint and combined training exercises for the defense of the Republic of Korea. Today's 51 FW activated on 18 August 1948 at Naha AFB and absorbed the resources of the 301 FW, to include the 51 FG. The 51 FW became a "fighter-interceptor" wing in 1950. It entered combat service in the Korean War 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 51 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 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, Capt Joseph McConnell. The ratio of aerial victories to losses was 14 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. 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 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. Finally, on 23 January 1968, North Korean naval forces seized the USS Pueblo. From January to February 1968, the 51st dispatched 12 F-102s to Suwon AB, South Korea. The 51 FIW ended almost 17 years of service in the Pacific from Naha when it inactivated on 31 May 1971. Redesignated and activated as the 51st Air Base Wing on 1 November 1971, the 51st assumed the host responsibilities of the inactivated 6314th Support Wing at Osan AB, to include the Koon-ni range and a variety of remote sites. In the first of many changes in name and combat capability over the next 20 years, the 51 ABW became the 51st Composite Wing (Tactical) on 30 September 1974, when an F-4E fighter squadron and OV-10 tactical air support squadron were assigned. The defining changes of these decades included the addition of a squadron of A-10s on 1 January 1982, then based at Suwon AB; the transition from the F-4E to the F-16 in August 1988; and the assignment of a flight of turboprop C-12Js in August 1992.
The 51st Fighter Wing, headquartered at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, 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. Fate After WWII- Sailed for states in Nov 45, inactivated on 13 Dec at Fort Lewis, Wash- Activated as the 51st Fighter Group on 15 Oct 46 at Yontan Airdome, Okinawa- Moved to Naha Air Base, Okinawa, 26 May 47- Converted to F-80s in 1948. Provided air defense of Ryukus Islands- Redesignated 51st Fighter Wing on 18 Aug 48 and later the 51st Fighter Inceptor Wing on 1 Feb 50 Role in Korean War- Moved from Naha to Itazuke AB Japan in Sep 50 for operations over Korea- Relocated to Kimpo in early Oct 50- Pilots engaged in first all jet air-toair combat on 8 Nov 50- Chinese intervention forced wing to retreat to Japan in Dec 50- Using F-80 for ground attack mission destroyed over 7,000 buildings, 70 bridges, 500 railroad cars and 170 supply dumps- Conveted to F-86 Sabre in late 1950 taking on air superiority mission. Reloacted to Suwon AB in mid 1951-Fourteen wing pilots became aces, Capt. Joseph McConnell Jr. bacame the leading ace of war with 16 kills- Wing fliers destroyed 307 MiGs and damaged 285 in aerial combat during war (14 enemy MiGs for every wing F-86 lost)- Wing provided air defense after the armistice, remaining in Korea until 1954 when init moved back to Naha AB, Japan Major uses during Cold War and Vietnam War- Flew F-86s in support of Nationalist Chinese Forces during Taiwan Strait crisis of 1958-Deployed to Suwon AB with F-102s during Pueblo crisis of 1968, detachment established at Suwon and stayed until 1970-Inactivated on 31 May 71 Wartime Achievements/honors- United Nations Offensive (16 Sep-2 Nov 50)- Chinese Communist Forces Intervention (3 Nov 50-24 Jan 51)- First United Nations Counteroffensive (25 Jan-21 Apr 51)- Chinese Communist Forces Offensive (22 Apr-8 Jul 51)- United Nations Summer Fall Offensive (9 Jul-27 Nov 51)- Second Korean Winter (28 Nov 51-30 Apr 52)- Korea Summer-Fall, 1952 (1 May-30 Nov 52)- Third Korean Winter (1 Dec 52-30 Apr 53)- Korea, Summer-Fall 1953 (1 May-27 Jul 53)- 11 Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards (AFOUA) including the period 1 Nov 95-31 May 97 Significant Mission Changes/Aircraft since Korean Armistice- Continuing presence on Korean Peninsula since 1971- Flew F-4s from early 70 s to 1989- Took on FAC and CAS missions in early 70s flying OV-10s from 1974-82- Received A- 10s in 1982 and OA-10s in 1989- First F-16s arrived in 1988. Was the first LANTIRN equipped wing in PACAF- Added theater airlift mission in 1992 with addition of C-12 aircraft The 51st Fighter Wing, headquartered at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, 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. - Moved from Naha to Itazuke AB, Japan, in September 1950 for operations over Korea - 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing pilot credit with first all jet air-to-air combat aerial victory on 8 November 1950 - Redeployed to Itazuke AB, Japan, in December 1950 after Chinese Communist Forces
intervention in war using F-80 for ground attack mission destroyed more than 7,000 buildings, 70 bridges, 500 railroad cars, 170 supply dumps and 950 vehicles - Converted to F-86 Sabre in November 1951 taking on air superiority mission. Relocated to Suwon AB in mid 1951 - Fourteen wing pilots became aces, Capt. Joseph McConnell Jr. became the leading ace of war with 16 kills - Wing fliers destroyed 312 MiGs and damaged 290 in aerial combat during war (14 enemy MiGs for every wing F-86 lost) - Wing provided air defense after the armistice, remaining in Korea until August 1954 when it moved back to Naha AB, Japan - Flew F-86s in support of Nationalist Chinese Forces during Taiwan Strait crisis of 1958 - Deployed with F-102s to Philippines and South Vietnam following the Gulf of Tonkin incident in 1964 - Deployed to Suwon AB with F-102s during Pueblo crisis of 1968, detachment established at Suwon and stayed until 1970 Bestowed with three WWII streamers (from 51st Fighter Group): - India - Burma (1942-1945) - China Defensive (1942-1945) - China Offensive (1945) - United Nations Offensive (16 September - 2 November 1950) - Chinese Communist Forces Intervention (3 November 1950-24 January 1951) - First United Nations Counteroffensive (25 January - 21 April 1951) - Chinese Communist Forces Offensive (22 April - 8 July 1951) - United Nations Summer Fall Offensive (9 July - 27 November 1951) - Second Korean Winter (28 November 1951-30 April 1952) - Korea Summer-Fall, 1952 (1 May - 30 November 1952) - Third Korean Winter (1 December 1952-30 April 1953) - Korea, Summer-Fall 1953 (1 May - 27 July 1953) - 12 Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards (AFOUA) - 3 Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citations Significant Mission Changes/Aircraft since Korean Armistice - Continuing presence on Korean Peninsula since 1971 - Flew F-4s from 1974 to 1989 - Took on FAC and Close Air Support missions in early 70s flying OV-10s from 1974-82 - Received A-10s in 1982 and OA-10s in 1989 - First F-16s arrived in 1988. Was the first LANTIRN equipped wing in PACAF in 1990 - Added theater airlift mission in 1992 with addition of C-12 aircraft Provide mission ready Airmen to execute combat operations and receive follow-on forces. Our wing with its 24 PAA, F-16 and A-10 squadrons, along with a C-12 airlift flight and a myriad of base support agencies conducts the full spectrum of missions providing for the defense of the Republic of Korea. Every member of the Osan team is vital in maintaining stability in Northeast
Asia. In March 2007, the 51st Fighter Wing revived one of its historic legacies so that the Ready to Fight Tonight Mustangs of today can proudly carry on a tradition in its distinguished heritage begun nearly 67 years ago. Ever since World War I, military aircraft carried distinctive markings as a means of personal or unit identification in telling friend from foe. This tradition continued during World War II and the Korean War in the form of nose art and tail designs. Aircraft markings thus provided Airmen with a sense of pride, uplifting their morale and creating a lasting heritage. For the 51st Fighter Wing, this tradition began in 1942 when the 51 st Fighter Group flew combat missions from the Assam Valley in northeast India. Initially, the group s 16th Fighter Squadron, flying the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, was sent to China in June 1942, and attached to the 23d Fighter Group, the successor of the famed All-Volunteer Group, the Flying Tigers. The squadron adopted similar nose art of the Flying Tigers by painting shark mouths on the nose of its aircraft. Within several months, the group s 25th and 26th Fighter Squadrons, based at Dinjan and Sookerating airfields in the Assam Valley in October 1942, sported similar nose designs. The 25th added a short, saber tooth to its shark mouth while the 26th included its squadron insignia a winged deer caricature on a yellow disk in the center of the shark mouth. In October 1943, the 51st Fighter Group was reassigned from Tenth Air Force. The 16th squadron also rejoined the 51st at this time. In March 1944, the group converted to the North American P-51B/C Mustangs, and each squadron s aircraft carried their distinctive shark mouths. By the fall of 1944, the 25th squadron added a checkerboard design to the vertical tail fin. Black squares were painted in a checkerboard against the natural metal skin, and thus, became known as the Checkertails. P-51s of B Flight, 25 FS, at Yunnanyi, China, in November 1944. Following the war, the 51st Fighter Group was inactivated for a brief time, but returned to active duty on 15 October 1946 with its three WW II squadrons at Naha Airfield, Okinawa, for assignment to the 301st Fighter Wing. Pilots initially flew the Republic P-47 Thunderbolts of the inactivated 413th Fighter Group. Aircraft still carried 413th markings from WW II. In early 1947, the group received its first jet aircraft, the Lockheed F-80A/B Shooting Star. At the time, ground crews began painting the nose cowling and a stripe on the vertical stabilizer of the F-80s with each squadron s color. On 18 August 1948, the 51st Fighter Wing replaced the 301st, and the 51st Fighter Group was assigned to the 51st wing. By July 1950, the 51 st Fighter-Interceptor Wing (FIW) had been alerted for possible combat duty in the Korean War. Each squadron was upgraded to the F-80C. In early September 1950, the wing received orders to deploy, and on 22 September 1950, arrived at Itazuke AB, Japan, with the 16th and 25th squadrons. Both squadrons immediately flew close air support, aerial reconnaissance, and interdiction missions with this aircraft. About this same time, aircraft of the two squadrons were painted with two horizontal stripes on the vertical stabilizer blue for the 16th and red for the 25th. The top tip of the nose also was
painted black and surrounded by the color of each squadron. Over the following year, these markings remained unchanged. On 20 November 1951, the 51 FIW converted to the North American F-86E Sabre as its mission changed to air-to-air superiority. During the first few months of flying this aircraft, ground crew members did not have time to add unit markings. However, as the wing s pilots engaged MiG- 15s in aerial combat, it became clear that some type of marking was needed to distinguish the F- 86 from the MiG-15. While the 4 FIW, equipped with the F-86A since December 1950, had been flying with forwardslanting black and white stripes on the center fuselage, reminiscent of the World War II D-Day markings, the 51 FIG commander, Lt Col George L. Jones, felt his squadrons needed distinctive markings on their aircraft. He did not want to copy the 4th s stripes, and had the group s materiel officer, Capt Ed Matczak, develop something different for the 51st s aircraft. Captain Matczak, also an amateur artist, drew a picture of an F-86 with a forward-slanting yellow band on the fuselage, and yellow bands on each wing. This arrangement made it easier for F-86 pilots to identify with each other., during the first 6 months of 1952. The Checkertails design had not yet been applied to wing aircraft Several months later, the 39th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, which had been flying North American F-51 Mustangs with the 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing, was reattached to the 51 FIW on 1 June 1952, and converted to the F-86F. The addition of the 39 FIS finally brought the wing up to its full fighter complement. As more F-86Fs arrived, the 16th and 25th squadrons also began conversion to this model. Soon thereafter, ground crews added black squares to the natural metal, reviving the Checkertail markings of the 51st Fighter Group s WW II days. The Checktertails remained the wing s distinctive aircraft marking after the Armistice was signed on 27 July 1953. On 1 August 1954, the 51 FIW returned to Naha AB from Suwon AB, South Korea. Shortly after its return to Okinawa, the 51st began a conversion to the F-86D on 8 August 1954, and by the end of 1954, both squadrons were equipped with the interceptor. The squadrons also continued the tradition of the Checkertails on all F-86Ds. On 9 March 1959, the 16th squadron became the first squadron in Pacific Air Forces to convert to the Convair F-102A Delta Dagger. As the squadron received the world s first supersonic, allweather interceptor over the following several months, ground crews painted the Checkertails design on the vertical stabilizer. At the same time, the 25th squadron still flew the F-86D; however, by June 1960, the squadron was inactivated which left the 51st wing with only the 16th squadron carrying on the Checkertails tradition. The 16th squadron finally was inactivated in December 1964 as the F-102 was removed from active service, and as a result, the Checkertails design ended for the 51 FIW. The 51 FIW was inactivated at Naha AB on 31 May 1971; however, this status lasted only 5 months. On 1 November 1971, the 51st Air Base Wing replaced the 6314th Air Base Wing as the host wing at Osan AB, South Korea. Less than 3 years later, the wing was redesignated as the 51st Composite Wing (Tactical) with assignment of the 36th Tactical Fighter Squadron, equipped
with the McDonnell F-4E Phantom II, and the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron, equipped with the North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco. By the early 1980s, F-4Es of the 36 TFS aircraft displayed the shark mouth on its nose. However, this nose art was not continued when squadron converted to the General Dynamics F-16 Viper in August 1988. 25 TFS A-10s, based at Suwon AB, displayed the SU tail designation after arrival in 1982. 36 TFS F-4Es carried the shark mouth and eye on its nose with the OS tail designation from 1982 until 1988. Earlier in March 1982, the 51st added the Fairchild-Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II to its aircraft inventory with assignment to the 25th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Suwon AB. These aircraft, in camouflage, carried only the aircraft serial number and the two-letter base designation SU on its vertical stabilizers. By the mid 1990s, aircraft of the wing s two squadrons, the 25th and 36th, were painted grey with the vertical stabilizer(s) bearing the aircraft serial number, two-letter OS designation for Osan AB and Mustang logo. Additionally, the vertical stabilizers of the 25 FS A/OA-10s carried a small green and yellow checkered design at the across the top of the stabilizer. These were colors on the squadron s emblem. The 36 FS F-16s had a red and black checkered design. Early in 2007, with the USAF celebrating its 60th Anniversary as a separate service, Brig Gen Joseph Reynes Jr, 51 FW commander, discussed the idea of reviving the Checkertails design with Seventh Air Force commander, Lt Gen Stephen G. Wood, as a way to carry on this historic legacy of the 51 FW. After developing a Checkertails design, General Reynes submitted the proposal to Gen Paul V. Hester, PACAF commander, in February 2007 to change the paint schemes on two A-10s and three F-16s the flagship aircraft of the wing. The request included painting a black and grey Checkertails design on the vertical stabilizer and command stripes on the fuselage of each aircraft. On 23 March 2007, General Hester approved the Checkertails design with some modification for the five aircraft flown by the Seventh Air Force commander, 51 FW commander, 51st Operations Group commander, 25 FS commander, and 36 FS commander. The request for command stripes, though, was not approved at this time. In April 2007, the 51st Maintenance Squadron paint shop completed the new paint scheme on the 51 FW commander s aircraft, F-16C/D, #89-2020. During May 2007, they finished the Seventh Air Force commander s aircraft, F-16C/D #90-0710 with the other three aircraft scheduled for completion by mid June 2007. 51st Fighter Wing Historian 7/26/2007 - OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFPN) -- The shield of the 51st Fighter Wing symbolizes the unit's mission and retains a rich heritage that spans 65 years. The shield was
was originally approved for the 51st Pursuit Group on Feb. 5, 1942. The reflex blue and gold represent Air Force colors. The shield is divided by a partition line called a nebuly which represents a cloud formation. Pegasus, the winged horse of mythology, is shown in an attitude of flight, rising to the sky with a flaming machine gun under each wing to accomplish the mission assigned successfully. When the 51st Pursuit Group were deploying for their wartime location in the early days of World War II, the group commander received permission from Mobil Oil Co. to use its trademarked red Pegasus as a basis for their emblem. The War Department approved the emblem with a scroll beneath the emblem. On the original emblem, words "Deftly and Swiftly," were below the shield as the wing's motto. For today's emblem, the words were replaced with "Leading the Charge" and approved on June 1, 1993. It has remained unchanged. Source: 51st Fighter Wing Shield 51st Fighter Wing Shield The shield of the 51st Fighter Wing contains the primary emblem element of Pegasus, the winged horse of mythology, rising in an attitude of flight with a flaming machine gun in each wing signifying accomplishment of a successful mission. The other element is a stylized cloud formation (nebuly) that partitions the emblem, the top half of which is in Air Force reflex blue while the bottom half in Air Force yellow. The scroll carries the wing's motto, Leading the Charge. Origins of the shield date back to the opening days of World War II. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the 51st Pursuit Group received orders to deploy to Australia and then to India. Just prior to leaving the States, Lt Col Homer A. Sanders, group commander, is said to have received permission from the Mobil Oil Company to use its logo, the red Pegasus, as the basis for the 51st's emblem. On 5 February 1942, the War Department officially approved the group's emblem of Pegasus firing machine guns and rising from a cloud formation. The emblem was displayed on a rectangular-shaped shield with the scroll below carrying the group's motto, "Deftly and Swiftly," which was taken from the emblem's significance statement. Soon after the US Air Force became a separate military service on 18 September 1947, Air Force leaders initiated a service-wide test of its field organizations. Whereas the group served as the basic combat unit in World War II, the USAF decided upon a new field organizational structure that established the wing as the primary combat and administrative unit. Although not a part of the wing-base plan, the 51st Fighter Wing, activated on 18 August 1948, was one of the wings that came into existence following the service test. (The wing was redesignated as a fighter-interceptor wing on 1 February 1950). Additionally, the 51st Fighter Group (formerly, the 51st Pursuit Group) was assigned to the wing. At this time, the wing did not have an official emblem, but associated itself with the group's emblem.
As the wing-base field structure matured in the early 1950's, Strategic Air Command and Air Defense Command began to phase out many of its World War II combat groups as more wings assumed direct control of assigned combat squadrons. Elimination of these groups raised questions about honors. Many of the combat groups had compiled distinguished war records and received many honors unlike the post-war wings which possessed few if any honors. In 1954, HQ USAF decided to bestow "temporarily" the history and honors of the combat groups on like-numbered combat wings. Within this category, HQ USAF approved the temporary bestowal of the World War II history and honors of the 51st Fighter Group on the 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing in February 1955. At this time, the 51 FIW commander, Col Edwin C. Ambrosen, requested approval to adopt the 51st Fighter Group emblem as the wing's official emblem. On 2 May 1956, HQ USAF officially approved the request. The scroll of the shield, now standardized Air Force wide in a "heater-style" design, read "51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing." Over the succeeding years, the scroll was changed to reflect the current unit designation. Additionally, when a group was assigned to the wing, it used the wing shield with its current unit designation lettered on the scroll. By the early 1990s the USAF Chief of Staff conducted an extensive review of all unit emblems. The wing commander, Brig Gen Robert G. Jenkins, submitted a request on 30 January 1993 to change the wing's motto from "Deftly and Swiftly" to "Leading the Charge" as a more accurate reflection of the 51st's ongoing mission on the Korean Peninsula. On 1 June 1993, the Air Force Historical Research Agency officially approved the request, and the wing's shield has remained unchanged since that time. When HQ USAF approved the modification of the emblem on 2 May 1956, it provided the wing with the following heraldic information: Wing Emblem: Per fess nebuly abased azure and or, issuing from partition line a demipegasus argent with a machine gun in each wing bendwise sable, gun fire proper. Motto: DEFTLY AND SWIFTLY (Later changed to LEADING THE CHARGE) Significance: The shield is in the colors of the Air Force, and is divided by a nebuly partition line, representing clouds. Pegasus, the winged horse of mythology, is shown in an attitude of flight, rising to the sky, deftly and swiftly with a flaming machine gun in each wing, to accomplish the mission assigned successfully. Operations: In 1948, assumed air defense of Ryukyu Islands. Commenced combat operations over Korea in Sep 1950 with combat air patrols, close air support, and armed reconnaissance missions in support of UN forces. Operated a detachment at Suwon AB, Korea, beginning in May 1951, and relocated there in Oct 1951, with maintenance and supply elements remaining in Japan until Aug 1954. Ceased combat 27 Jul 1953. Wing pilots claimed 312 victories against
enemy MiG jet fighters, including the first USAF victory in the first all-jet aerial battle on 8 Nov 1950. Following the cease-fire, resumed air defense of the Ryukyu Islands. From Aug 1954 through early 1971, frequently deployed aircraft, crews, and support personnel throughout the Far East, including Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines. Stationed one squadron (16 Fighter-Interceptor) at Tainan, Taiwan, 29 Aug 1958-26 Jan 1959 during the Quemoy-Matsu Crisis to fly combat air patrol for Nationalist Chinese Air Force supply flights. Following the seizure of the USS Pueblo by North Korea, deployed one squadron (82 Fighter-Interceptor) and support personnel to Suwon AB, Korea, 30 Jan-20 Feb 1968, and sent other personnel to Osan AB, South Korea, to support the 314 Air Division. Deployed an interceptor detachment to Suwon AB, South Korea, from Jun 1968 through 1970. In Nov 1971, served primarily as a support wing for Osan AB and the Koon-Ni range complex, and, after 15 Apr 1975, for Taegu AB, South Korea. Added a tactical mission on 30 Sep 1974. The wing lost control of Taegu AB from Oct 1978 to Jan 1982. In 1982, the wing gained a close air support capability to complement its air superiority role. Frequently deployed aircraft and crews to participate in training exercises throughout the Far East during this period. In addition, aircrews trained to perform fast forward air control missions beginning in 1984. In 1988-1989, mission shifted to offensive counterair and all-weather air interdiction. Restored tactical air control capabilities in Oct 1990, and, in Sep 1991, became the first operational F-16 unit to employ laser targeting with the LANTIRN navigation and targeting system. Airlift support operations were augmented with the addition of a flight of light transports in Aug 1992. Took part in a series of joint and combined training exercises for the defense of the Republic of Korea (ROK). 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing 51st Air Base Wing 51st Composite Wing The 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing was assigned to Naha AB, Okinawa, during 1950. The wing moved to Osan AB, RoK, in November 1971, becoming the 51st Air Base Wing after being primarily an air defense unit with F-102 Delta Dagger. The wing redesignated as the 51st Composite Wing (Tactical) on 30 September 1974, controlling the 19th TASS, switching between the OV-10 and the OA-37, and the F-4E equipped the 36th TFS with 'OS' tailcodes. The wing further redesignated as the 51st TFW on 1 January 1982, with the addition of the 497th TFS ('OS', blue). In addition, the51st TFW controlled the A-10A-equipped 25th TFS. The 497th TFS recoded to 'GU' when the unit moved to Taegu AB, also in Korea, but still under 51st TFW control. In September 1950, the 51st F1W moved from Okinawa to Japan and converted to F-80 Shooting Stars. Its pilots flew combat patrols, close air support, and armed reconnaissance missions in support of UN ground forces in Korea. The wing moved to South Korea in October only to return to Japan in December, leaving combat elements behind. In May 1951, the 51 st FIW moved to Suwon AB, southwest of Seoul, but retained maintenance and supply elements at Tsuiki AB, Japan, to provide rear-echelon support. Transitioning in late 1951 to the F-86 Sabres, the wing assumed an air superiority mission for the rest of the war.
Air Force Order of Battle Created: 28 Sep 2010 Updated: Sources AFHRA