343d Composite Wing

A new chapter for the base began 1 October 1981 when the 343d Composite Wing replaced the 5010th as Eielson’s host unit. It's operational squadron was the 18th Tactical Fighter Squadron, flying the Fairchild-Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II

On 19 December 1991 the 3d Fighter Training Squadron was moved without personnel or equipment to Eielson from Clark Air Base, Philippines. The 3d administered the Cope Thunder program and flew Bell Helicopter UH-1N Hueys for range support.

On 8 June 1994 the 343d Composite Wing was redesignated the 343d Tactical Fighter Wing. On 1 July 1991, it was redesignated as the 343d Wing. Also that year, the 343d gained a second flying unit, the 11th Tactical Air Support Squadron, which flew O/A-10As.

Additional flying squadrons assigned to the new wing included the 25th Tactical Air Support Squadron flying the Cessna O-2A Skymaster and North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco.

The 25th TASS O-2s were distinguishable by orange panels on the nose, tail and wings. In July 1986, the O-2s were retired, and on 15 September 1989 the OV-10s were also retired and the squadron inactivated.

The 18th TFS realigned in 1991, transitioning to Block 40 F-16C/D Fighting Falcons.

On 20 August 1993, the 11th TASS inactivated, being replaced by the 355th FS from the 354th Fighter Wing.

The 3d FTS helicopters were reassigned to other bases on that same date and the unit was inactivated, being replaced by the 353d Fighter Training Squadron from the 354th FW.

Notable events during the 343d Wing's tenure were:

* 15 March 1981 - An RC-135S assigned to the 6th Strategic Wing crashed while attempting to land at Shemya. Six crewmembers died as result of the crash.

* 25 February 1985 - An RC-135 belonging to Eielson’s 6th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing crashed near Valdez, killing all three aboard. Exactly one month later, a 25th TASS pilot died while flying an Air Warrior mission in California.

* 25 October 1986 - The 168th Air Refueling Squadron of the Alaska Air National Guard activated at Eielson. Later elevated to Group status, the 168th flew KC-135 aircraft. As the only Arctic-based tanker group in PACAF, the 168th transfers more fuel than any other ANG refueling unit. It often participates in COPE THUNDER exercises. In 1994, the 168th boasted over 700 full and part time guardsmen. Although the 168th has only been active since 1986, KC-135s have been deploying to Eielson AFB from other bases for over 45 years.

* 17 June–28 June 1991 – Pacific Air Forces premier flying training exercise, COPE THUNDER, came to Eielson. The eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippine Islands prompted the move; the subsequent closing of Clark Air Base, COPE THUNDER's home since 1976, brought the exercise to Alaska permanently.

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