8th Fighter Wing

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=8th Fighter Wing


caption=
dates= 10 August 1948 - Present
country=United States
allegiance=
branch=Air Force
type=
role=
size=
command_structure=Pacific Air Forces
current_commander=Colonel Charles Q. Brown, Jr.
garrison=Kunsan Air Base
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname=Wolf Pack
patron=
motto=
colors=
identification_symbol=
march=
mascot=
battles=


* World War II: Asiatic-Pacific Campaign (1942-1945)
* Army of Occupation (Japan) (1945 - 1952)
* Korean Service (1950-1953)
* Vietnam Service (1965-1973)
notable_commanders=William W. Momyer
Robin Olds
Patrick K. Gamble
Frederic H. Smith, Jr.
anniversaries=
decorations=
battle_honours=

The United States Air Force 8th Fighter Wing (8 FW) is the host wing at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The wing is assigned to the Pacific Air Forces Seventh Air Force.

Mission

* DEFEND THE BASE
* ACCEPT FOLLOW-ON FORCES
* TAKE THE FIGHT NORTH

Units

The 8th Fighter Wing is composed of four groups each with specific functions. The Operations Group controls all flying and airfield operations. The Maintenance Group performs Aircraft and Aircraft support equipment maintenance. The Mission Support Group has a wide range of responsibilities but a few of its functions are Security, Civil Engineering, Communications, Personnel Management, Logistics, Services and Contracting support. While the Medical Group provides medical and dental care.

8th Operations Group (8 OG) (Tail Code: WP)
* 8th Operations Support Squadron (8 OSS)
* 35th Fighter Squadron (35 FS) (F-16C/D, blue tail stripe)
* 80th Fighter Squadron (80 FS) (F-16C/D, yellow tail stripe)

8th Maintenance Group (8 MXG)
*8th Maintenance Squadron (8 MXS)
*8th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (8 AMXS)
*8th Maintenance Operations Squadron (8 MOS)

Wing Staff Agencies
* 8th Comptroller Squadron (8 CPTS)8th Mission Support Group (8 MSG)
*8th Civil Engineer Squadron (8 CES)
*8th Security Forces Squadron (8 SFS)
*8th Services Squadron (8 SVS)
*8th Logistics Readiness Squadron (8 LRS)
*8th Mission Support Squadron (8 MSS)
*8th Communications Squadron (8 CS)

8th Medical Group (8 MDG)
*8th Medical Operations Squadron (8 MDOS)
*8th Medical Support Squadron (8 MDSS)

History

Lineage

* Authorized on the inactive list as the 8th Pursuit Group on 24 Mar 1923: Redesignated 8th Pursuit Group, Air Corps, on 8 Aug 1926: Activated on 1 Apr 1931: Redesignated: 8th Pursuit Group on 1 Sep 1936: Redesignated: 8th Pursuit Group (Fighter) on 6 Dec 1939: Redesignated: 8th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) on 12 Mar 1941: Redesignated: 8th Fighter Group on 15 May 1942: Resesignated: 8th Fighter Group, Single Engine, 20 Aug 1943
* Established as 8th Fighter Wing on 10 Aug 1948: Activated on 18 Aug 1948: Redesignated: 8th Fighter-Bomber Wing on 20 Jan 1950: Redesignated: 8th Tactical Fighter Wing on 1 Jul 1958: Resesignated: 8th Fighter Wing on 3 Feb 1992.

Assignments

* 2 Bombardment (later, 2; 2 Bombardment) Wing, 1 Apr 1931
* 7 Pursuit Wing, 18 Dec 1940
* First Air Force: I Interceptor Command, 31 Aug 1941
* US Army Forces in Australia, c. 6 Mar 1942
* AAF Southwest Pacific Area, Apr 1942
* Fifth Air Force, Sep 1942: V Fighter Command, Nov 1942
* Far East Air Forces (Pacific Air Forces after 1957): 315 Composite Wing, c. 31 May 1946: Fifth Air Force, 1 Mar 1950: 43d Air Division, 1 Mar 1955: Fifth Air Force, 1 Feb 1957: 41st Air Division, 10 Nov 1958: Fifth Air Force, 1 Jun 1962: Pacific Air Forces, 18 Jun 1964
* Tactical Air Command, 8 Jul 1964: Twelfth Air Force:: 831st Air Division, 10 Jul 1964
* Pacific Air Forces: Thirteenth Air Force, 8 Dec 1965:: Attached to 2d Air Division, 8 Dec 1965-31 Mar 1966:: Attached to Seventh Air Force, 1 Apr 1966-15 Sep 1974:: 314th Air Division, 16 Sep 1974;: Seventh Air Force, 8 Sep 1986-.

tations

*Langley Field, Virginia (1931-1940)
*Mitchel Field, New York (1940-1942)
*Various, Australia (1942-1943)
*Various, Pacific Theater of Operations (1943-1945)
*Various, Japan (1945-1950)
*Various, Korea (1950-1954)
* Itazuke AB, Japan, (1954-1964)
*George Air Force Base, California (1964-1965)
*Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand (1965-1974)
*Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea (1974-Present)

Components

Wings
* 51 Fighter-Interceptor: attached 25 Sep-12 Oct 1950
* 452 Bombardment: attached 15-30 Nov 1950.

Groups
* 8 Fighter (later, 8 Fighter-Bomber; 8 Operations): 18 Aug 1948-1 Oct 1957 (detached 14 Aug-30 Nov 1950): 3 Feb 1992-.
* 49 Fighter-Bomber: attached c. 9 Jul-30 Sep 1950.

Squadrons
* 4 Fighter-All Weather: attached 26 Jun-13 Jul 1950
* 9 Fighter-Bomber: attached c. 27 Jun-c. 9 Jul 1950
* 13 Bombardment: Attached 1-30 Oct 1970: Assigned 31 Oct 1970-24 Dec 1972
* 16 Special Operations: 30 Oct 1968-8 Dec 1975
* 25 Tactical Fighter: 28 May 1968- 5 Jul 1974
* 33 Pursuit: 25 Jun 1932-Aug 1941
* 35 Pursuit (later, 35 Fighter, 35 Fighter-Bomber, 35 Fighter) : 25 Jun 1932-18 Jun 1964: 16 Sep 1974 -.
* 36 Pursuit (later, 36 Fighter, 36 Fighter-Bomber): 1 Apr-30 Jun 1931: 15 Jun 1932-18 Jun 1964
* 55 Pursuit: 1 Apr 1931-15 Jun 1932
* 58 Tactical Fighter: attached Jun-11 Sep 1973
* 68 Fighter (later 68 Fighter-All Weather; 68 Tactical Fighter): 15 Dec 1945-19 Feb 1947: Attached 1 Mar-1 Dec 1950, 20 Oct 1954-1 Mar 1955, and 1 Dec 1961-15 Jun 1964: Assigned 25 Jul 1964-6 Dec 1965
* 77 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force: attached 2 Jul-10 Oct 1950 and 25 Jun-22 Aug 1951.
* 80 Pursuit (later, 80 Fighter, 80 Fighter-Bomber; 80 Tactical Fighter): 10 Jan 1942-26 Dec 1945: Attached 11 Aug- 1 Oct 1950: 20 Feb 1947-18 Jun 1964: 16 Sep 1974 -
* 308 Tactical Fighter: attached Dec 1972-Jun 1973
* 319 Fighter-Interceptor: attached 20 Feb- 17 Aug 1954
* 334 Tactical Fighter: attached 11 Apr-8 Jul 1972 and 25 Sep 1972-Mar 1973
* 335 Tactical Fighter: attached 8 Jul-Dec 1972
* 336 Tactical Fighter: attached 12 Apr-25 Sep 1972 and Mar-7 Sep 1973
* 339 Fighter Squadron, All Weather: attached 26 Jun- 5 Jul 1950
* 431 Tactical Fighter: 25 Jul 1964-6 Dec 1965 (detached 26 Aug-6 Dec 1965)
* 433 Tactical Fighter: 25 Jul 1964-23 Jul 1974
* 435 Tactical Fighter : attached 5 Jun-23 Jul 1966, assigned 24 Jul 1966-8 Aug 1974
* 497 Tactical Fighter: 25 Jul 1964-6 Dec 1965: 8 Dec 1965- 16 Sep 1974: 1 Oct 1978-1 Jan 1982
* 555 Tactical Fighter: attached c. 25 Feb-24 Mar 1966: assigned 25 Mar 1966-1 Jun 1968.

Aircraft Flown

*P-6 Hawk (1923-1940)
*P-12 (1923-1940)
*PB-2A (1923-1940)
*P-36 Hawk (1923-1940)
*P-40 Warhawk (1940-1944)
*P-39 Airacobra (1941-1943)
*P-38 Lightning (1943-1946)
*P-47 Thunderbolt (1943-1944)
*P-51 Mustang (1946-1950)
*P-80 Shooting Star (1948-1953)
*F-86 Sabre (1953-1957)
*F-100 Super Sabre (1956-1963)
*F-102 Delta Dagger (1961-1964)
*F-104 Starfighter (1966-1967)
*F-105 Thunderchief (1963-1964)
*F-4 Phantom (1964-1982)
*F-16 Falcon (1981-Present)
*AC-130 Spector (1968-1974)
*B-57 Canberra (1970-1972)

Origins

The 8th Fighter wing's origins go back to World War I, when the 33rd, 35th and 36th Aero Squadrons were activated in 1917 at Camp Kelly, Texas. On 6 February 1918, the 8th Pursuit Group, was authorized and activated at Camp Waco, Texas. The 33d, 35th and 36th squadrons were assigned to the group. During World War I they were deployed to several locations in France where they constructed facilities, maintained aircraft and functioned as flying training units. The group deactivated at the end of the war and remained as such until April 1931.

In 1931, the 8th Pursuit Group was reactivated helped fly the air corps air mail routes across the United States. In addition, the group trained, took part in maneuvers and reviews, and tested planes and equipment. Initially, the group had two flying squadrons assigned, but both operated from other bases. The 36th Pursuit Squadron flew from Selfridge Field, Michigan, while the 55th Pursuit Squadron operated from Mather Field, California.

In June 1932 the group reorganized. It gained the 33rd and 35th Pursuit Squadrons, and activated at Langley Field, Virginia. The 36th moved from Selfridge to Langley to join the rest of the group. At the same time, the 55th Pursuit Squadron transferred to the 20th Fighter Group, leaving the 8th with three squadrons.

At Langley the group trained in such aircraft as the Consolidated PB-2, Curtiss P-6, and Boeing P-12. Over the next several years, the group transitioned to such newer aircraft as the Seversky P-35, Curtiss P-36 Hawk, Bell P-39 Airacobra, and the Curtiss P-40.

Significantly, on 11 October 1940, the 8th Pursuit Group participated in a test designed to compare the take-off runs of standard Navy and Army aircraft. On that day, 24 P-40s from the 8th Pursuit Group launched from the USS Wasp, an aircraft carrier, and returned to Langley Field. That experiment, the first time that Army planes had flown from a Navy carrier, foreshadowed the use of the ship in the ferry role that it performed admirably in World War II.

In December 1940, the group became part of the defense force for the New York metropolitan area, being reassigned to Mitchel Field on Long Island. At Mitchel, the 33rd Pursuit Squadron was transferred to the 342d Composite Group in Iceland in August 1941 to engage in North Atlantic defense. This left the group with two flying squadrons, the 35th and 36th. To replace the 33rd the 58th was activated, but then was transferred to form the 33rd Fighter Group. Finally, the 80th Squadron was activated on 10 January 1942.

World War II

In the spring of 1942, the unit was redesignated as the 8th Fighter Group, as fighting became the new mission. The group was assigned to the South West Pacific Theatre and deployed Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, sailing on the [http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-civil/civsh-m/maui.htm Army Transport Ship Maui] . After a 21 day voyage, headquarters was established on 6 March 1942. Upon completion of the reassembly of planes, men and equipment the moved to the Townsville area.

On 26 April while the U.S. Navy was preparing to engage the Japanese invasion fleet headed for Port Moresby, New Guinea, men from the 35th and 36th arrived at the 7 mile strip where the 75th and 76th Australian Squadrons were sacrificing their last P-40s to the Japanese Zero's. When the squadrons arrived their first act included preparation and take-off over the Owen Stanley Range to surprise the Japanese at Lae. Meanwhile the Japanese fleet withdrew from the intended invasion and the Battle of the Coral Sea. During the month of May the 35th and 36th were experiencing not only daily and night raids, but endured the shortage of food, excessive heat, rain, mud, mosquito's and necessary parts for planes and vehicles plus continuous alerts, bombing and strafing.

Returning to Townsville in June, the 35th and 36th Squadrons were equipped and prepared to leave for Oro Bay when word was received that the Japanese began offensive action to occupy the same territory. On 20 July 1942 the 80th left the group for New Guinea equipped with P-400s for action near Port Moresby.

In August 1942 the Japanese invaded Milne Bay where it was reported that the 8th Fighter Control Squadron played an important part of the ground defense with four wheel drive vehicles capable of moving supplies and ammo through mud to the ground personnel. Once again the 35th and the 36th replaced the Australian 75th and 76th in Milne Bay on September 18, 1942 with the 80th following on November 8 for limited air action. The group served in combat until February 1943 flying P-40s. In February of 1943 the Group returned to Mareeba where the 80th was equipped with the P-38 Lightning which they took to Port Moresby in March.

Resuming operations in April 1943, the 8th served in combat operations through the rest of the Second World War, providing cover for Allied landings, escorting bombers, and attacking enemy airfields. The group supported operations of the Marines at Cape Gloucester, February and March 1944; flew long-range escort and attack missions to Borneo, Ceram, Halmahera, and the southern Philippines; provided cover for convoys; and attacked enemy shipping.

The unit won a Distinguished Unit Citation for strafing a Japanese naval force off Mindoro on 26 December 1944. The group went on to cover landings at Lingayen; support ground forces on Luzon; escort bombers to targets on the Asian mainland and on Formosa; and, in the last days of the war, attack enemy airfields and railways in Japan.

After V-J Day, the group remained as part of the Far East Air Forces occupation force at Ashiya Air Field on the island of Kyūshū.

Initially flying North American P-51D Mustangs in 1946, the 8th provided air defense for the Japanese region. While stationed in Japan, the wing upgraded to the more sophisticated Lockheed F-80C Shooting Star jet fighter in 1948. On January 20, 1950, the wing gained its new designation as the 8th Fighter Bomber Wing.

Korean War

On 25 June 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea, starting a war that would last three years. As the war in Korea began, the 347th Fighter Group was assigned to the 8th to fly combat missions. The wing provided air cover for the evacuation of Americans from Korea on 26 June, the day after the invasion.

The wing had several additional squadrons attached to it during the first months of the war in addition to the 35th, 36th, and 80th Fighter Squadrons, these being:

* 9th Fighter Squadron (27 June - 9 July 1950) (F-80C)
* 68th Fighter Squadron, All Weather (1 March - 1 December 1950) (F-82E/G)
* 77th Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force (2 July - 10 October 1950, 25 June - 22 August 1951) (F-51D)
* 339th Fighter Squadron, All Weather (26 June - 5 July 1950) (F-82E/G)

Other units attached to the 8th in Korea were:

* 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing (Attached September - October 1950) (F-80C)
* 452nd Bombardment Wing (Attached November 1950) (B-26)
* 49th Fighter-Bomber Group (Attached July - September 1950) (F-80C)

In these early operations, the wing flew the F-80 Shooting Star jet fighter and propeller driven aircraft such as the F-51 Mustang and F-82 Twin Mustang. The first aerial victory of the Korean War went to 1Lt William G. Hudson, of the 68th Fighter Squadron, All Weather in an F-82. Later the same day, 35th Fighter-Bomber Squadron F-80s scored the Air Force's first confirmed kills from jet aircraft. In August, the wing briefly reverted to the F-51 Mustang, returning to the F-80 in December 1950.

Throughout the war, the wing principally conducted air-to-ground operations, providing close air support to United Nations ground forces and attacking targets such as supply centers and transportation assets.

The 8th Fighter Wing is known for the heroic actions of its members, including Major Charles J. Loring, a pilot in the 80th FS, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on November 22, 1952 when he flew his badly damaged F-80 aircraft into an enemy artillery emplacement near Sniper Ridge so that entrenched U.S. Infantry men could escape. During the next three years, the 8th flew more than 60,000 sorties while operating from bases in both Korea and Japan. The wing participated in 10 campaigns and earned three unit citations.

The wing finished the war flying the F-86 Sabre beginning in 1953 and became responsible for air defense over South Korea until relocated to Itazuke Air Base, Japan in October 1954. Its wartime participation in Korea earned the wing two Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citations and ten campaign streamers, while the 8th Fighter-Bomber Group separately earned a Distinguished Unit Citation.

During the war in Korea, the 8th shot down 18 enemy aircraft, most in the earliest days of the war before the wing's mission changed to air-to-ground operations.

Cold War

With the end of the Korean War, the wing was assigned to Itazuke AB, Japan for the next ten years. On 1 October 1957, the 8th Fighter-Bomber Group inactivated, with the flying squadrons then assigned directly to the wing. Less than a year later, on 1 July 1958, the Air Force redesignated the wing as the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing. During its tenure at Itazuke, the wing flew several different aircraft, including the North American F-86 Sabre, North American F-100 Super Sabre, Convair F-102 Delta Dagger, and Republic F-105 Thunderchief.

As part of an overall effort to reduce the number of wings in Japan the wing's tactical squadrons were detached on 13 May 1964, and on 18 June 1964 all wing components except wing headquarters inactivated.

Vietnam War

On 18 Jun 1964, the wing moved without personnel or equipment to George AFB California, replacing and absorbing the resources of the 32d Tactical Fighter Wing. Operational squadrons of the 8th TFW at George were:

* 68th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
* 431st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
* 497th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron

While at George AFB, the wing trained with the McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II figher aircraft and participated in numerous exercises, operational readiness inspections, and the like until the wing moved to Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand in December 1965 to commence combat operations in the Vietnam War.At Ubon, the 8th TFW carried out its wartime mission as it led the way for other tactical Air Force fighter units during the Vietnam conflict. Initial F-4D operational sqauadrons were:

* 433d Tactical Fighter Squadron (December 1965 - July 1974) (Tail Code: FG)
* 497th Tactical Fighter Squadron (December 1965 - September 1974) (Tail Code: FP)

Additional F-4D squadrons deployed and assigned to the 8th TFW were:

* 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron (February 1966 - June 1968 (Tail Code: FY)
(Reassigned from 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing, Naha AB, Okinawa)
25th Tactical Fighter Squadron (May 1968 - July 1974) (Tail Code: FA)
(Reassigned from 33d Tactical Fighter Wing, Eglin AFB, Florida)
* 476th Tactical Fighter Squadron (June 1966 - August 1974) (Tail Code: FU)
(Reassigned from 479th Tactical Fighter Wing, George AFB, California)

Note: The 555th TFS was reassigned to the 432nd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at Udon RTAFB where it would bring the unit up to strength. The 25th Tactical Fighter Squadron, replaced the unit as the fourth F-4D fighter-bomber squadron at Ubon. The wing carried out a number of roles during combat. By the end of 1966, aircrews assigned to the 8th TFW flew nearly 14,000 combat missions into Vietnam. One of the squadrons assigned to wing, the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron, became known as the "Ace" squadron of the conflict. During his tenure from September 1966 to September 1967, Col Robin Olds, Wing Commander, referred to his unit as the "Wolf Pack" because of pilot aggressiveness and teamwork while flying combat missions, much like a pack of wolves, which led to the wing's nickname. In May 1968, the wing was the first to use laser-guided bombs (LGBs) in combat. During 1970, the Wolf Pack flew its 100,000th combat sortie. In addition to the F-4D fighter-bombers, the wing used Martin B-57G Canberras for night attacks, and AC-130 "Spectre" gunships for ground support and armed reconnaissance. Squadrons which operated these aircraft were:

* 16th Special Operations Squadron (October 1968 - July 1974) (AC-130A/E/H Tail Code: FT)
* 13th Bombardment Squadron (October 1970 - March 1972) (B-57G Tail Code: FS/FK) After North Vietnam invaded the Republic of Vietnam in March 1972, the 8 TFW was augmented by additional Temporary Duty (TDY) F-4E units. These were:

* 334th Tactical Fighter Squadron
(April 1972 - July 1972) (Tail Code: SA)
(September 1972 - March 1973) (Tail Code: SJ) (TDY from 4th TFW, Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina)
* 335th Tactical Fighter Squadron
(August 1972 - December 1972) (Tail Code: SJ) (TDY from 4th TFW, Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina)
* 308th Tactical Fighter Squadron
(December 1972 - January 1973) (Tail Code: ZF) (TDY from 31st TFW, Homestead AFB, Florida)
* 58th Tactical Fighter Squadron
(June 1973 - September 1973) (Tail Code: ED) (TDY from 33d TFW, Eglin AFB, Florida)

To make room for these forces, the 13th Bomb Squadron was reassigned to the 405th Fighter Wing at Clark AB, Philippines in December 1972.

In December 1972, the 8th became involved in Operation Linebacker II. Designed to make the enemy more serious about the peace negotiations in progress at Paris, France, the 8th TFW launched 524 sorties for bombing missions against North Vietnam between December 18-31, 1972.

Early in 1973, the Wolf Pack mission included air interdiction into Laos against communist insurgents in Cambodia. All combat operations ended on 15 August 1973. In mid-1974 action began to phase down Ubon Afld, Thailand, and the wing began to lose personnel, aircraft, and units. The last scheduled F-4 training flight occurred on 16 July 1974,

* The 433d TFS was inactivated in July 1974.
* The 25th TFS was reassigned to the 18th TFW at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa in July 1974.
* The 16th SOS was reassigned to the 388th TFW at Korat RTAFB in July 1974.
* The 435th TFS was inactivated in August 1974.
* The 497th TFS was inactivated in September 1974.

With the exception of the 25th TFS's aircraft, the F-4D aircraft were flown back to the United States and reassigned to various Air National Guard units. The 8th TFW was transferred without personnel or equipment to Kunsan Air Base, South Korea on 16 September 1974, where the wing absorbed resources of the 3d Tactical Fighter Wing which had been reassigned without personnel or equipment to Clark AB, Philippines

For its efforts during the Vietnam War, the 8th TFW received four Presidential Unit Citations and five Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards. In addition, the wing led the Air Force with 38.5 MiG kills.

Post Vietnam Era

With the reassignment to Kusan, the 8th TFW became responsible for air defense of South Korea. Operational F-4D squadrons of the wing were tail coded "WP" and were as follows:

* 35th Tactical Fighter Squadron (Light Blue tail stripe)
* 80th Tactical Fighter Squadron (Yellow tail stripe)

In April 1975 the wing gained an air base squadron at Kwang Ju Air Base, often used during numerous tactical exercises. Following the killing of two U.S. Army officers by North Koreans on 18 August 1976, the 8th TFW went on increased alert and was quickly augmented by F-4Cs and F-4Ds from the 12th and 67th Squadrons at Kadena AB, Okinawa. The alert status relaxed on 8 September 1976 and the augmentation forces were released.

On 1 October 1978, the wing gained a third F-4D flying unit, the 497th Tactical Fighter Squadron, based at Taegu Air Base, South Korea. 497th TFS aircraft carried a red tail stipe.

Operations continued unchanged for the next few years, until the wing transitioned from the F-4 to the newer F-16A Fighting Falcon in May 1981. The wing’s first F-16 sortie was flown the following 18 September and, by 19 July 1982, the conversion of the 35th and 80th Fighter squadrons was complete as the last F-4 departed Kunsan. This aircraft conversion made the 8th the first active-duty overseas F-16 wing. On 1 January 1982, the 497th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Taegu inactivated.

For the next ten years the wing used the F-16 to maintain combat readiness for the defense of Korea. In 1992 the F-16s were upgraded to the more capable F-16C/D models.

While the overall mission remained unchanged, the wing reorganized on 3 February 1992. The wing became the 8th Fighter Wing. Further, the wing adopted a new organizational structure. Under the former tri-deputy system, the wing commander had three deputy commanders, one each for operations, maintenance, and resources. As well, the squadrons were assigned directly to the wing.

Post Cold War

The 8th Fighter Wing entered a new era in November 2000. On 17 November, the 35th Fighter Squadron received its first Block 40 F-16s. The new aircraft carried Low-Altitude Navigation & Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN) pods. The 35th completed its conversion in February 2001.

The combination of LANTIRN and night-vision goggles has allowed the Wolf Pack to take the fight into the night.

ee also

* Fifth Air Force
* United States Air Force In South Korea

References

* [http://home.att.net/~jbaugher/usafserials.html USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers--1908 to present]
* This article contains information from the " [http://www.kunsan.af.mil/ 8th Wing history factsheet] " which is an official document of the United States Government and is presumed to be in the public domain.
* Martin, Patrick (1994). Tail Code: The Complete History of USAF Tactical Aircraft Tail Code Markings. Schiffer Military Aviation History. ISBN 0887405134.
* Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0892010924.
* Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947-1977. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0912799129.
* Stanaway, John (1995). Attack and Conquer: The 8th Fighter Group in World War II. Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0887408087

External links

* [http://www.kunsan.af.mil/ Kunsan AB Home Page]