20th Fighter Wing

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=20th Fighter Wing


caption=
dates= 18 October 1917 — present
country=United States
allegiance=
branch=Air Force
type=
role=
size=
command_structure=Air Combat Command
current_commander=Colonel James Post III
garrison=Shaw Air Force Base
nickname=
patron=
motto=Victory by Valor
colors=
identification_symbol=
march=
mascot=
battles=
notable_commanders= Ira C. Eaker
Merrill McPeak
anniversaries=
decorations=
battle_honours=

The 20th Fighter Wing (20 FW) is a wing of the United States Air Force and the host unit at Shaw Air Force Base South Carolina.

The 20th FW is under Air Combat Command's Ninth Air Force.

Mission

The mission of the 20th FW is to provide, project and sustain combat-ready aircraft in conventional and anti-radiation suppression of enemy air defenses, strategic attack, counter-air, air interdiction, joint maritime operations and combat search-and-rescue missions.

Units

The 20th Fighter Wing is composed of four groups each with specific functions. The Operations Group controls all flying and airfield operations. The Maintenance Group performs maintenance of aircraft, ground equipment and aircraft components. 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 care20th Operations Group (20 OG)
*55th Fighter Squadron (55 FS)
*77th Fighter Squadron (77 FS)
*79th Fighter Squadron (79 FS)
*20th Operations Support Squadron (20 OSS)

20th Maintenance Group (20 MXG)
*20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (20 AMXS)
*20th Component Maintenance Squadron (20 CMS)
*20th Equipment Maintenance Squadron (20 EMS)
*20th Maintenance Operations Squadron (20 MOS)20th Mission Support Group (20 MSG)
*20th Contracting Squadron (20 CONS)
*20th Security Forces Squadron (20 SFS)
*20th Services Squadron (20 SVS) [http://www.shaw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123074664]
*20th Logistics Readiness Squadron (20 LRS)
*20th Mission Support Squadron (20 MSS) [http://www.shaw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123074664]
*20th Communications Squadron (20 CS)
*20th Civil Engineering Squadron (20 CES)

20th Medical Group (20 MDG)
*20th Medical Operations Squadron (20 MDOS)
*20th Aeromedical Squadron (20 AMDS)
*20th Dental Squadron (20 DS) "Putting the Bite in the Fight!"
*20th Medical Support Squadron (20 MDSS)Additionally, the 20th Comptroller Squadron (20 CPTS) reports directly to the wing staff.

Lineage

*20th Balloon Group (1927 – 1929)
*20th Pursuit Group (1929 – 1942)
*20th Fighter Group (1942 – 1950)
*20th Fighter Bomber Group (1950 - 1955)
*20th Tactical Fighter Group (1985 -1992)
*20th Operations Group (1992 - Present)----
*20th Fighter Wing (1947 – 1950)
*20th Fighter-Bomber Wing (1950 – 1958)
*20th Tactical Fighter Wing (1958 – 1991)
*20th Fighter Wing (1991 – Present)

Bases assigned

United States Army Air Corps
*Mather Field, California (1930 – 1932)
*Barksdale Field, Louisiana (1932 – 1939)
*Moffett Field, California (1939 – 1940)
*Hamilton Field, California (1940 – 1942)
United States Army Air Forces
*Wilmington, North Carolina (1942)
*Morris Field, North Carolina (1942)
*Drew Field, Florida (1942)
*Paine Field, Washington (1942 – 1943)
*March Field, California (1943)
*Kingscliffe, England (1943 – 1945)
*Camp Kilmer, New Jersey (1945 – 1946)
*Biggs Field, Texas (1946)
United States Air Force
* Tactical Air Command
** Shaw Field, South Carolina (1946 – 1951)
** Langley Air Force Base, Virginia (1951 – 1952)
* United States Air Forces in Europe
** RAF Wethersfield, England (1952 – 1970)
** RAF Upper Heyford, England (1970 – 1994)
* Air Combat Command
** Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina (1994 – Present)

Aircraft operated

*DH-4 (1931)
*P-12 (1930 - 1935)
*P-26 Peashooter (1934 - 1938)
*P-36 Hawk (1938 - 1940)
*P-40 Warhawk (1940 - 1942)
*P-39 Airacobra (1942 - 1943)
*P-38 Lightning (1943 - 1944)
*P-51 Mustang (1944 - 1948)
*F-84 Thunderjet (1948 – 1957)
*F-100 Super Sabre (1957 – 1971)
*F-111 Aardvark (1970 – 1993)
*EF-111 Raven (1984 – 1992)
*A-10 Thunderbolt II (1994 – 1996)
*F-16 Falcon (1994 – Present)

History

Origins

The 20th Balloon Group was authorized as an inactive element of the Department of the Army Air Arm on 18 October 1917. It was redesignated as the 20th Pursuit Group in 1929 and activated on 15 November 1930 at Mather Field, California and consisted of the 71st Service Squadron (the administrative and support element of the group) and initially two flying squadrons:

* 55th Pursuit Squadron (attached 15 November 1930, assigned 15 June 1932)
* 77th Pursuit Squadron (assigned)
* 78th Pursuit Squadron (assigned 1 April 1931)
* 79th Pursuit Squadron (assigned 1 April 1933) The 20th flew Boeing P-12 single-seat, biplane fighters featured two .30 caliber machine guns, an open cockpit, a convert|500|hp Pratt and Whitney engine, and a top speed of 180 miles per hour.

The Group remained at Mather Field for a little less than two years until 15 October 1932, after which it relocated to Barksdale Field, Louisiana. Just prior to its transfer to Barksdale, the group was assigned, along with the 3rd Attack Group, to the 3rd Attack Wing in June 1932. The 3rd Attack Wing and Group operated out of Fort Crockett, Texas.

By February 1933 when Barksdale Field was formally dedicated, the group's training program was in full operation. Its aerial training mission focused on the development of procedures and techniques for engaging enemy aircraft and provided for the protection of vital industrial centers, airdromes, and bombardment aircraft.

In October 1934, the group (by then four flying squadrons strong) made its first aircraft transition--from the P-12 to the Boeing P-26 Peashooter. This open cockpit monoplane had a convert|600|hp engine and a top speed of 253 miles per hour. Like the P-12, it possessed two .30 caliber machine guns. Unlike its predecessor, it also featured wing-mounted bomb racks. The 20th Pursuit Group acquired its first aircraft with a closed cockpit, the Curbs P-36 Mohawk, in September 1938. The P-36 had a convert|1050|hp engine, and a top speed of 303 miles per hour. It could carry up to 400 pounds of bombs on its undercarriage. During this time, the 20th began training, participating in maneuvers and tactical exercises, and conducting aerial reviews and aircraft demonstrations.

On 15 November 1939 the 20th moved to Moffett Field, California, stayed there less than one year, and moved again on 9 September 1940 to Hamilton Field, also in California. At Hamilton the group changed aircraft once again, this time to the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk. This was the top of the line pre-World War II pursuit fighter. It had a range of convert|750|mi|km, a top speed of 343 miles per hour, two .50 caliber machine guns in the nose, and four .50 caliber machine guns in the wings.

Several events in 1941 marked the group's assignment at Hamilton Field. Deployed flights spent the first part of 1941 at Muroc Lake, California, and Esler Field, Louisiana, conducting maneuvers. In October 1941, the group split into its component squadrons and deployed to various locations on the east coast, with group headquarters temporarily established at Morris Field, North Carolina. In December 1941, the 20th reassembled at Hamilton Field, California.

World War II

After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor the 20th used P-39's and P-40's during the early part of the war, serving as an air defense organization.

The group made several station moves following the United States' declaration of war on Japan. From Hamilton Field it moved to Wilmington, North Carolina, to Morris Field, North Carolina, and to Paine Field, Washington - all in the latter part of 1942. While at Wilmington, the group exchanged its P-40s for P-39 Airacobras. In January 1943 the group moved to March Field, California, where it acquired its P-38 Lightning aircraft. Eight months later, on 11 August 1943, the personnel of the 20th departed California to Camp Miles Standish, Massachusetts. From this European staging area, the members of the 20th embarked on the HMS Queen Elizabeth and departed for the United Kingdom on 20 August 1943 for overseas combat duty.

The group was assigned to the Eighth Air Force throughout the war, entering combat in late December 1943. The unit escorted heavy and medium bombers to targets in enemy-occupied Europe. Returning from those escort missions, group aircraft often strafed enemy airdromes, trucks, gun emplacements, radio stations, and locomotives in France, Belgium, and Germany. The 20th became known as the "Loco Group" because of its destruction of so many enemy locomotives on low-level attacks. It continued escort duties, but in March 1944 began flying fighter-bomber missions as well. The 20th received a Distinguished Unit Citation for action on 8 April 1944 when the group attacked to airfields in central Germany and destroyed 20 enemy aircraft and damaged 23 others. The group patrolled the English Channel during the Allied invasion of Normandy on 6 June 1944. Throughout June 1944, it supported the invasion force with strafing, bombing, and escort missions. The group participated in the airborne attack against German forces in the Netherlands in September 1944. From 11 - 16 September, the group escorted bombers on shuttle mission to Russia. From October to December 1944, the group escorted bombers and attacked railroads, vehicles, and other targets beyond the Siegfried Line in Germany. During the Battle of the Bulge, December 1944 - January 1945, it escorted bombers to the battle area. The group flew patrols to support the Allied airborne attack across the Rhine River in March 1945.

In the last month of the war, aircrews of the 20th downed their first ME-262s. On 10 April 1945, during airfield attacks around Potsdam and Brandenburg, 20th pilots destroyed five ME-262s in individual encounters, while the group as a whole eliminated a total of 55 German fighters (mostly on the ground) without a single loss to its own numbers.

The 20th flew its last mission of the war on 25 April 1945.

At the end of World War II, air aces (pilots who destroyed five or more enemy aircraft) of the 20th Pursuit Group numbered 28. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the 20th lost 73 pilots to the Germans during the war, with a further 1 1 killed during training flights. The 20th also counted 56 of their number inhabiting Nazi prisoner-of-war camps during the war. Ten others bailed out in Axis territory, but evaded capture and eventually returned to Allied lines.

Following the war, the 20th Fighter Group returned to the United States for inactivation at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey on 18 October 1945.

Cold War

Tactical Air Command

The 20th Fighter Group became activated again on 29 July 1946 at Biggs Field, Texas. In October 1946, the group relocated to Shaw Field, South Carolina, where it was assigned under the 20th Fighter Wing on 15 August 1947 as a Ninth Air Force unit.

The 20th Fighter Group was equipped with North American P-51D with the following operational squadrons:

* 55th Fighter Squadron
* 77th Fighter Squadron
* 79th Fighter Squadron

The group exchanged its P-51's in February 1948 for F-84B (later D) Thunderjets. Two days later, on 26 August 1948, the wing's 20th Airdrome Group was discontinued and its elements became realigned under the 20th Air Base Group. Control over the wing changed hands on 1 February 1949 with its assignment to Fourteenth Air Force. Eleven months later, on 20 January 1950, the wing was redesignated as the 20th Fighter Bomber Wing. Similar redesignations altered the titles of the 20th Group and its three flying squadrons.

The wing trained to maintain proficiency as a tactical fighter unit, 1947 - 1950. The 20th provided P-51 training for Turkish officers, February - April 1948.

Subordinancy to Fourteenth Air Force was short-lived, and on 1 August 1950 the wing was reassigned directly under Tactical Air Command. Ninth Air Force resumed control over the 20th on 22 January 1951. Control was swapped back to Tactical Air Command on 1 December 1951, just after the wing's relocation from Shaw to Langley AFB, Virginia. At Langley, the wing began flying new Republic F-84Gs in addition to F-84Ds.

United States Air Forces in Europe

The 20th Fighter Bomber Wing made its second move, this time to RAF Wethersfield in Essex, England, on 31 May 1952 with a mission of maintaining proficiency for tactical operations with conventional and nuclear weapons in support of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) operations in the European area. Its fighter bomber group set up headquarters, along with the 55th and 77th Squadrons, at Wethersfield a day later. Restricted space there compelled the 79th Squadron to move into RAF Bentwaters in Suffolk, England the squadron moved to RAF Woodbridge, three miles (5 km) southeast of Bentwaters, on 1 October 1954.

On 5 June 1952, Tactical Air Command relinquished control over the wing to the United States Air Forces in Europe. It was placed under the Third Air Force 49th Air Division, On 15 November 1952, the wing and group merged unofficially placing the flying squadrons directly under the wing's operational and administrative control. The group remained on the Air Force's active list however, until 8 February 1955 when the three fighter-bomber squadrons were officially realigned under the wing.

The Department of the Air Force temporarily bestowed the lineage and honors of the 20th Group on the 20th Wing in November 1954. That action was accomplished to facilitate the Air Force's adoption of a wing-base plan, making the wing the primary combat element of operational organizations. Consequent to the action of temporary bestowal, the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing laid claim to the lineage, honors, and history of the 20th Fighter Group. That bestowal has remained in effect ever since.

In June 1955, the wing started flying F-84F Thunderstreaks in addition to its F-84Ds and F-84Gs. The F-84G was phased out by June 1955 and the F-84F remained in the inventory until December 1957. Prior to the departure of the F-84 fleet, the 20th began conversion to North American F-1OOD and F-1OOF Super Sabres on 16 June 1957.

The 20th Fighter Bomber Wing established an operational detachment at Wheelus AB, Libya in February 1958. Three months later, the wing took on the designation of the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing. The 55th, 77th and 79th Squadrons were also re-labeled as tactical fighter squadrons at that time. The flying squadrons dispersed on a monthly rotational basis to RAF Alconbury, RAF Woodbridge, and Nouasseur AB, Morocco, due to a RAF Wethersfield runway closure from May to August, 1958.

The wing first established its Blast Off (later named Victor Alert) capability in July, 1958. The first mobility plan was initiated on 1 January 1959. A year-round weapons training detachment was established at Wheelus AB, Libya, for monthly squadron rotations. Pilot survival and ski training began in Norway in February, 1959. The 20th Tactical Fighter Wing represented USAFE in the William Tell exercise held at Nellis AFB, Nevada in October, 1960.

The first NATO Tiger meet was sponsored by the 79th Tactical Fighter Tiger Squadron at RAF Woodbridge in June, 1961 (established by Captains Michael T Dugan and Merril A McPeak, each of whom went on to become Air Force Chief of Staff).

Intermediate command over the 20th changed hands between 3rd Air Force and 16th Air Force from 1 July 1961 to 1 September 1963. Monthly rotations to Cigli AB, Turkey were conducted from July 1966 to June 1970 and to Aviano AB, Italy from December 1966 to June 1970. Political closures of US bases in France forced opening of RAF Greenham Common under 20th TFW management to handle personnel overflow in January 1967.

A military coup in Libya forced the closure of Wheelus AB in September 1969 and initiation of 20th TFW weapons training detachment operations at Torrejon AB, Spain in November, 1969.

Detachment 1, 20th Tactical Fighter Wing was established at RAF Upper Heyford on 10 December 1969. All three flying squadrons rotated to Zaragoza AB, Spain for weapons training from January to March 1970.

Headquarters, 20th Tactical Fighter Wing relocated from RAF Wethersfield to RAF Upper Heyford on 1 June 1970. For the first time since it left Virginia in 1952, all three of its flying squadrons were united on one base. Less than three months later, the wing began converting to a new aircraft - the General Dynamics F-111E Aardvark (unofficially). On 12 September 1970, the first two F-111Es arrived at RAF Upper Heyford. The last of the 20th's F-100s transferred to the Air National Guardon 12 February 1971 and in November of that year the wing's F-111s were declared operationally ready.

The 20th TFW participated in F-111 NATO and US unilateral operations Shabaz, Display Determination, Cold Fire, Ocean Safari, Datex, Priory, Reforger, Dawn Patrol, Highwood, Hammer, and others from January 1972 to October 1993.

In March 1973, the 20th TFW became one of only two wings in the Air Force to participate in the tri-deputy wing organization system. The Deputy Commander for Materiel organization split apart to form the Deputy Commander for Logistics (renamed Deputy Commander for Resources in 1974 and Deputy Commander for Resource Management in 1975) and the Deputy Commander for Maintenance organizations. Under this test the Organizational, Field, Avionics, and Munitions Maintenance Squadrons became prime components of the Deputy Commander for Maintenance organization. The procurement and comptroller offices, along with the 20th Supply and 20th Transportation Squadrons (moved under the Combat Support Group) constituted the Deputy Commander for Logistics organization. The tri-deputy system was formally approved in the following year and the 20th Transportation Squadron was officially realigned from the Combat Support Group to the Deputy Commander for Resources on 24 July, 1974.

It operated from RAF Greenham Common, England, 29 April 1976 – 17 August 1976.

The wing gained a fourth flying squadron on 1 July 1983, with the activation of the 42nd Electronic Combat Squadron. On February 1984, the first Grumman (General Dynamics) EF-111A Ravens of that squadron arrived at Upper Heyford. Parental responsibility over the 42nd by the 20th TFW was short-lived, however, and on 1 June 1985, operational control of the squadron shifted to the 66th Electronic Combat Wing at Sembach AB, West Germany.

In March 1986, the 66th Electronic Combat Wing detached the 42nd ECS to the 20th TFW to take part in Operation Eldorado Canyon, the raid on Libya. On 14 April 1986, 5 EF-111As and 20 F-111Es took off from RAF Upper Heyford as part of the attack force. They were used as an airborne reserve for the F-111Fs of the 48th TFW, RAF Lakenheath. Three EF-111s (two were spares and turned back) formed up with the 48th's F-111Fs and provided electronic defense during the attack on Tripoli. USAFE initiated the Project Power Hunter intelligence network in December 1987. The wing first tested the Durandal runway-buster bombs during Exercise Red Flag, in January and February 1988.

All three fighter squadrons deployed to Incirlik AB, Turkey for Weapons Training Deployment (WTD) on Konya Range from March to May 1989.

The 20th deployed aircraft and personnel to Southwest Asia and Turkey, providing tactical and electronic combat operations against Iraq from 17 January 1991 – 28 February 1991. It won the 1991 Gunsmoke tactical gunnery competition in the F-111 category. The wing was relieved of electronic combat mission on 1 July 1992.

Operation Desert Storm

The 20th TFW had aircraft deployed to Incirlik AB, Turkey for a Weapons Training Deployment in August 1990, when Iraq invaded Kuwait and Desert Shield started. As the start of the air campaign neared, the wing reinforced its presence as all US aircraft at Incirlik were incorporated into the 7440th Wing (Provisional), Operation Proven Force, for the duration of the war. The wing also deployed four 42nd ECS EF-111As and 80 personnel to Taif, Saudi Arabia, to support Operation Desert Storm. On 25 January 1991, the wing was once again up to four flying squadrons when the 42nd Electronic Combat Squadron was reassigned to the 20th from the 66th Electronic Combat Wing.

On 16 January 1991, a 42nd ECS EF-111A, operating from Taif, was credited with the first aerial kill of the war. It was attacked a by an Iraqi Mirage fighter while flying a night mission near the Saudi-Iraq border. To defeat the Iraqi fighter, the EF-111A descended to minimum altitude on its Terrain Following Radar (TFR). The Mirage slammed into the ground while trying to follow the EF-111A. On 17 January 1991, 20th TFW aircraft launched combat missions from both Turkey and Saudi Arabia and continued flying combat missions until the cease fire.

The F-111s flying from Turkey flew night missions throughout the war, using the TFR to penetrate the dense antiaircraft artillery (AAA) environment at altitudes around convert|200|ft|m for the first few nights. Crews who flew those first few terrifying nights said that the illumination from the AAA was so bright that they didn't need the TFR to avoid the ground. After the missile threat was suppressed, crews flew their attacks at altitudes around convert|20000|ft|m, above the range of most Iraqi AAA systems.

During the war, the F-111s attacked a range of targets, including power plants, petroleum refineries, airfields, nuclear-biological-chemical processing and storage facilities, and electronics sites throughout northern Iraq, using 500 and 2,000 pound conventional bombs, and CBU-87/89 cluster bombs. Wing EF-111As flew both day and night missions, providing direct and stand-off jamming for all coalition air forces. The skill and conspicuous bravery of wing aircrews was recognized in the award of numerous Silver Stars, Distinguished Flying Crosses, and Air Medals.

By the end of the conflict Saudi-based EF-111As had flown 219 combat missions, totaling 1,155 flying hours. The wing's 6 EF-111As based in Turkey flew 252 combat missions, totaling 704 hours, while the 23 F-111Es at Incirlik flew 456 combat missions, totaling 1,327 combat hours. When Desert Storm ended, the wing had deployed 458 personnel, flown 1,798 combat sorties without a loss, and dropped 4,714 tons of ordnance.

Post Cold War

The 20th Tactical Fighter Wing, along with the associated 55th, 77th, and 79th Tactical Fighter Squadrons were officially redesignated the 20th Fighter Wing and 55th, 77th, and 79th Fighter Squadrons on 1 October 1991. During October 1991, wing air and ground crews competed in Gunsmoke '91 at Nellis AFB, Nevada. On 23 October, the Gunsmoke team returned home with top honors and the F-111 Bombing trophy.

20th Fighter Wing aircrews participated in Green Flag '92 from 27 February - 13 April. This gave most of the wing's aircrew the opportunity to deliver GBU-12 laser-guided bombs in a near-combat environment. In May 1992, the 55th Fighter Squadron deployed to Aviano, Italy for Dragon Hammer '92. Wing aircrews competed in Excalibur '92 with the 55th FS finishing 8th out of 23 squadrons entered.

Approximately a year and a half after regaining the 42nd ECS, the wing lost it again when the 42nd was inactivated on 10 July 1992. The last EF-111A departed Upper Heyford in August 1992.

The wing celebrated the 75th anniversary of the 55th Fighter Squadron 7 - 9 August 1992. Then, from 4 - 7 February, additional celebrations were held for the 79th Fighter Squadron and in early March for the 77th Fighter Squadron.

The wing team deployed to Green Flag '93 at Nellis AFB, Nevada from 2 March - 2 April 1993. The first day-night Green Flag incorporated night low level operations and live weapons delivery. The 79th Fighter Squadron inactivated on 23 April 1993, with the last aircraft departing RAF Upper Heyford on 10 May.

On 4 June 1993, the 77th Fighter Squadron participated in Excalibur '93 taking first place by beating all other USAFE units, including F-15Es and F16s. The 55th Fighter Squadron participated in the Aalborg Airshow, Denmark, from 4 - 7 June 1993.

On 9 July 1993, the 77th Fighter Squadron inactivated. The last aircraft departed in August. The 55th Fighter Squadron deployed 6 aircraft to Incirlik AB, Turkey, for Dynamic Guard '93, from 20 September - 8 October 1993. This was the last operational deployment for the 20th Fighter Wing while at RAF Upper Heyford.

The last of the fighter squadrons, the 55th, inactivated on 15 October 1993. On 19 October 1993, aircraft 68-120 went to the Imperial War Museum at RAF Duxford where it is now on display alongside Happy Jack's Go Buggy, a 79th Fighter Squadron P-38 (68-120 is painted as The Chief - it was the wing's alternate flagship). The last of the wing's three aircraft departed Upper Heyford on 7 December 1993. The flagship of the 55th Fighter Squadron, aircraft 68055 Heartbreaker, departed first. It went to Robins AFB, Georgia, where it is now on display. The next aircraft, 68-061 The Last Roll of Me Dice, departed for the Davis Monthan AFB 'boneyard". Finally, aircraft 68-020 The Chief, flew to Hill AFB, Utah, where it is now on display at the Hill AFB Aerospace Museum.

In its last years at Upper Heyford, the F-111 finally showed that it was a mature system. The 20th's F-111Es had their best maintenance statistics in 13 years in 1992, and the best maintenance statistics in F-111 history in 1993. The fully mission capable (FMC) rate surged to 88.8%, while cost per flying hour dropped from $1,136 to just over $700. Also the wing scored an Excellent on its Nuclear Surety Inspections for 1991 and 1993.

On 15 December 1993, the flight line at RAF Upper Heyford was closed

It moved without personnel and equipment from England to South Carolina on 1 January 1994, inheriting the personnel and equipment of the 363 Fighter Wing. The 78th Fighter Squadron activated on that day to join the wing, after having last been assigned to the 81st Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Bentwaters, UK.

The squadron was inactivated once again on June 30, 2003, as part of the Air Force’s FY 2003 force structure changes, leaving Shaw with three F-16CJ squadrons.

The 20th provided forces in April 1999 for North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Operation Allied Force in the European theater. A Shaw pilot deployed to Aviano Air Base, Italy, during the conflict shot down an enemy MiG-29.

For 10 years, the 20th FW and its F-16CJ squadrons flew contingency rotations in support of Operations Northern and Southern Watch. In 1999 the wing sent elements to take part in the Air War Over Serbia (Yugoslavia).

The wing also flew combat air patrols in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. In February 2003, Shaw deployed approximately 1,300 servicemembers and 15 aircraft in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operations Northern and Southern Watch successfully culminated with the advent of hostilities in Iraq.

ee also

* Eighth Air Force
* Tactical Air Command
* United States Air Forces in Europe
* Air Combat Command
* Shaw Air Force Base
* RAF Wethersfield
* RAF Upper Heyford
* RAF Kings Cliffe

Decorations

* Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards [http://www.au.af.mil/au/afhra/rso/wings_groups_pages/0020fw.asp Air Force Historical Research Agency]
**1999-2001
**1997-1999
**1994
**1992-1994
**1990-1992
**1987-1989
**1981-1983
**1977-1979
**1973-1974
**1970-1972
**1968-1970
**1965-1966
**1963-1964
**1956-1957

References

"This article includes content from [http://www.shaw.af.mil/20fw/fwindex.asp Shaw AFB Website's history page] ."

* Freeman, Roger A. (1978) Airfields of the Eighth: Then and Now. After the Battle ISBN 0900913096
* Freeman, Roger A. (1994) UK Airfields of the Ninth: Then and Now. After the Battle ISBN 0900913800
* Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0892010924.
* Menard, David W. (1993). USAF Plus Fifteen - A Photo History 1947-1962. Schiffer Military Books ISBN 0887404839
* Martin, Patrick (1994). Tail Code: The Complete History of USAF Tactical Aircraft Tail Code Markings. Schiffer Military Aviation History. ISBN 0887405134.
* Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947-1977. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0912799129.
* Rogers, Brian (2005). United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978. Hinkley, England: Midland Publications. ISBN 1-85780-197-0.
* [http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/20thfg.php] 20th Fighter Group on www.littlefriends.co.uk
* [http://home.att.net/~jbaugher/usafserials.html] USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers--1908 to present
* [http://www.armyairforces.com] Army Air Forces.com

External links

* [http://www.shaw.af.mil/ Shaw AFB Home Page]