3rd Wing

Lineage

Established as 3d Bombardment Wing, Light, on 10 Aug 1948. Activated on 18 Aug 1948. Redesignated: 3d

Bombardment Wing, Tactical, on 1 Oct 1955; 3d Tactical Fighter Wing on 8 Jan 1964; 3d Wing on 19 Dec

1991.

Assignments

314th Air Division, 18 Aug 1948; Fifth Air Force, 1 Mar 1950; 41st Air Division, 1 Mar 1955; Fifth Air

Force, 1 Feb 1957; 41st Air Division, 10 Nov 1958; Twelfth Air Force, 8 Jan 1964 (attached to 4481st Air

Division, Provisional, 8 Jan–30 Jun 1964); 834th Air Division, 1 Jul 1964; 2d Air Division, 8 Nov 1965;

Seventh Air Force, 1 Apr 1966; Fifth Air Force, 15 Mar 1971; 314th Air Division, 15 Mar 1971; Thirteenth

Air Force, 16 Sep 1974; Eleventh Air Force, 19 Dec 1991–.

Components

Group. 3d Bombardment (later, 3d Operations): 18 Aug 1948–25 Oct 1957 (detached 20 Jul–30 Nov 1950); 19

Dec 1991–.

Squadrons. 1st Air Commando (later, 1st Special Operations): attached 21 Nov 1965–8 Mar 1966; assigned 15

Jan 1981–1 Mar 1983. 1st Test: 16 Sep 1974–1 Jan 1980 (detached 15 Mar 1979–1 Jan 1980). 3d Tactical

Electronic Warfare Training: 15 May 1976–1 Jan 1980. 3d Tactical Fighter: 15 Dec 1975–19 Dec 1991

(detached 15–16 Dec 1975). 7th Airborne Command and Control: 31 Mar–14 Aug 1975 (detached). 8th

Bombardment (later, 8th Attack): attached 13 Aug 1956–24 Oct 1957, assigned 25 Oct 1957–8 Jan 1964

(detached 1 Sep 1963–8 Jan 1964); assigned 15 Nov 1969–30 Sep 1970. 8th Tactical Reconnaissance: attached

18 Apr 1949–1 Apr 1950. 10th Fighter: 8 Apr 1966–17 Apr 1967. 13th Bombardment: attached 13 Aug

1956–24 Oct 1957, assigned 25 Oct 1957–8 Jan 1964 (detached 1 Sep 1963– 8 Jan 1964). 20th Operations: 16

Sep 1974–31 Mar 1975. 25th Tactical Fighter: 18–19 Dec 1975. 26th Tactical Fighter (later, 26th Tactical

Fighter Training; 26th Tactical Fighter Training Aggressor; 26th Aggressor): 16 Sep 1974–1 Oct 1988. 35th

Tactical Fighter: 15 Mar 1971–16 Sep 1974 (detached 1 Apr–12 Oct 1972). 36th Tactical Fighter: 15 May

1971–16 Sep 1974. 40th Fighter-Interceptor: attached 1 Dec 1961–31 May 1962. 44th Tactical Fighter:

attached 3 Apr–2 Jun 1972 and 28 Jul–8 Sep 1972. 67th Tactical Fighter: attached 2 Jun–28 Jul 1972 and 8

Sep–16 Oct 1972. 68th Tactical Fighter: 16 Sep 1974–30 Sep 1975. 80th Tactical Fighter: 15 Mar 1971–16

Sep 1974. 90th Bombardment (later, 90th Tactical Fighter; 90th Attack; 90th Tactical Fighter): attached 13

Aug 1956–24 Oct 1957, assigned 25 Oct 1957–8 Jan 1964 (detached 1 Sep 1963–8 Jan 1964); assigned 9 Jun

1964–19 Nov 1965 (detached 3 Feb–10 May 1965 and 3 Aug–19 Nov 1965); assigned 3 Feb 1966–31 Oct

1970; assigned 16 Sep 1974–29 May 1991. 307th Tactical Fighter: attached 21 Nov–6 Dec 1965. 308th

Tactical Fighter: 2 Dec 1965–25 Dec 1966 (detached 15 Nov–25 Dec 1966). 310th Attack:15–30 Nov 1969.

311th Attack: 15 Nov–15 Dec 1969. 416th Tactical Fighter: 16 Jun 1964–8 Nov 1965 (detached 14 Mar–21

Jul 1965); 16 Nov 1965– 15 Apr 1967 (detached 16 Nov 1965–15 Jun 1966). 421st Air Refueling: attached 21

Nov 1960–1 Jun 1962. 429th Tactical Fighter: attached c. 21 Nov–14 Dec 1965. 510th Tactical Fighter: 16

Mar 1964–15 Nov 1969 (detached 5 May–c. 20 Aug 1965). 531st Tactical Fighter: 16 Jun 1964– 19 Nov 1965

(detached 2 Nov 1964–18 Mar 1965); 7 Dec 1965–31 Jul 1970. 602d Fighter: attached 21 Nov 1965–8 Mar

1966. 604th Air Commando (later, 604th Special Operations): attached 15 Nov 1967–1 Mar 1970, assigned 1

Mar–30 Sep 1970. 731st Bombardment: attached 1 Dec 1950– 25 Jun 1951. 6091st Reconnaissance: attached

21 Nov 1960–c. 5 Jun 1962.

Stations

Yokota AB, Japan, 18 Aug 1948; Johnson AB, Japan, 1 Apr 1950; Yokota AB, Japan, 14 Aug 1950; Iwakuni

AB, Japan, 1 Dec 1950; Kunsan AB, South Korea, 22 Aug 1951; Johnson AB, Japan, 1 Oct 1954; Yokota AB,

Japan, 18 Nov 1960–8 Jan 1964; England AFB, LA, 8 Jan 1964–Nov 1965; Bien Hoa AB, South Vietnam, 8

Nov 1965; Kunsan AB, South Korea, 15 Mar 1971; Clark AB, Philippines, 16 Sep 1974–19 Dec 1991;

Elmendorf AFB, AK, 19 Dec 1991–.

Commanders

Col James R. Gunn, Jr., 18 Aug 1948; Col Gerry L. Mason, 16 Jun 1949; Lt Col Wilmer A. Hardesty, 17 Jun

1949; Col Robert W. Witty, 24 Jun 1949; Col Lawrence C. Coddington, 1 Apr 1950; Col Thomas B. Hall, c.

Jun 1950; Col Strother B. Hardwick, Jr., c. Jul 1950; Col Virgil L. Zoller, 14 Aug 1950; Col Donald L. Clark,

23 Aug 1950; Col Virgil L. Zoller, 1 Dec 1950; Col Nils O. Ohman, 24 Jul 1951; Col Marshall R. Gray, 4 Mar

1952; Col Eugene B. LeBailly, 14 Aug 1952; Col Roger E. Phelan, 12 Aug 1953; Col William H. Matthews, 2

Feb 1954; Col Edwin A. Doss, 22 Feb 1954; Col William B. Reed, 2 Apr 1954; Col Homer C. Munsan, 1 Aug

1954; Col Howard F. Bronson, Jr., 6 Aug 1954; Col Cecil P. Lessig, 10 Sep 1954; Col Anthony V. Grossetta, 1

Mar 1955; Col Edward R. Casey, 3 May 1955; Col Rufus H. Holloway, 9 Jun 1955; Col George Y. Jumper,

16 Aug 1955; Col Clarence L. Elder, 10 Jun 1958; Col James B. Tipton, 10 Jul 1958; Col Robert J. Ahern, 22

Jun 1959; Col Leo Hawel, Jr., 22 Jun 1961; Col Carl R. Norton, 28 Jun 1962; Col Francis E. Timlin, 1 Aug

1962; Col Charles S. Overstreet, Jr., 3 Sep 1963–8 Jan 1964 (additional duty); unkn, 9 Jan–18 Feb 1964; Col

Philip Brooks, 19 Feb 1964; Col Waring W. Wilson, 28 May 1965; Col Robert A. Ackerly, 19 Jul 1965; Col

Richard C. Catledge, 1 Nov 1966; Col George W. McLaughlin, 30 Sep 1967; Col Homer K. Hansen, 5 May

1968; Col Howard M. Lane, 1 Apr 1969; Col William E. Charlson, 11 Apr– 31 Oct 1970; none (not manned),

1 Nov 1970–14 Mar 1971; Col Abner M. Aust, Jr., 15 Mar 1971; Col Charles A. Watry, 17 Nov 1971; Col

Paul A. Kauttu, 5 Oct 1972; Col Harry W. Schurr, 19 Nov 1973; Col George L. Schulstad, 16 Sep 1974; Col

Lacy W. Breckenridge, 14 Mar 1975; Col Alfred M. Miller, Jr., 25 Mar 1975; Col James R. Brown, 13 Oct

1976; Col Thomas S. Swalm, 1 Aug 1978; Col Martin H. Mahrt, 20 Feb 1979; Col Thomas G. McInerney, 31

Mar 1979; Brig Gen John A. Corder, 6 Feb 1981; Col Willard R. MacFarlane, 5 Aug 1983; Col Charles F.

Luigs, 25 May 1985; Col Ronald W. Iverson, 27 Mar 1986; Col Frank D. Garza, 25 Feb 1988; Col Jeffrey R.

Grime, 26 Jan 1990; Col Bruce M. Freeman, 7 Aug 1991; Col Rodney P. Kelly, 19 Dec 1991–.

Aircraft

B–26, 1948–1950, 1950–1956; F–15, 1949; RF–80, 1949–1950; C–47, 1951; B–57, 1956–1963; RB–50,

1960–1961; KB–50, 1960–1962; C–130, 1961– 1962; F–102, 1961–1962; F–100, 1964–1970; F–5,

1965–1967; A–1, 1965– 1966; U–10, 1965–1966; C/AC/HC–47, 1965–1966; A–37, 1967–1970; F–4,

1971–1974, 1974–1991; T–33, 1974–1987; C–9, 1974–1975; CH–3, 1974– 1975; T–38, 1976–1980; F–5,

1977–1988; MC–130, 1980–1983; F–15, 1991–; C–12, 1992–; C–130, 1992–.

Operations

Trained as a bombardment and reconnaissance wing prior to Korean war. Performed reconnaissance and

interdiction combat missions from Iwakuni AB, Japan, at the beginning of the Korean War, 1–19 Jul 1950.

From 20 Jul to 1 Dec 1950 the tactical group and its squadrons served under operational control of another

organization. The wing assumed a supporting role, initially from Johnson AB, Japan, but later from Yokota

AB, Japan. Wing returned to Iwakuni AB on 1 Dec 1950, regained control of its combat units and performed

night intruder combat missions. Moved to South Korea in Aug 1951 and interdicted main supply routes in

western North Korea for the remainder of the war. After the Korean war, the wing participated successively in

bombardment, air defense, reconnaissance, and air refueling training. Its headquarters was non-operational 1

Sep 1963 to 8 Jan 1964. Moved to the United States without personnel or equipment in Jan 1964, then trained

and rotated its squadrons in detached status to Southeast Asia for combat duty. Moved in Nov 1965 to Bien

Hoa AB, South Vietnam, a forward operating base which frequently came under enemy mortar and rocket

fire.Missions included close air support, counterinsurgency, forward air control, interdiction, and

radar-controlled bombing. Supported numerous ground operations with strike missions against enemy

fortifications, supply areas, lines of communication and personnel, in addition to suppressing fire in landing

areas. During this time, wing also participated in combat evaluation of F–5 and A–37 aircraft. Unmanned and

unequipped on 31 Oct 1970, the wing remained active in a "paper" status until it moved to South Korea on 15

Mar 1971, to be manned and equipped with F–4 aircraft. In Sep 1974, moved without personnel or equipment

to Clark AB, Philippines, replacing the 405th Fighter Wing. Participated in frequent operational exercises and

evaluations. Between 5 Apr and 31 May 1975, wing used its facilities as a staging area for Operations Baby

Lift (evacuation of Vietnamese orphans from South Vietnam to the United States) and New Life (evacuation of

Vietnamese adults to the United States for resettlement). Performed fighter aggressor training operations using

T–38 and later F–5E aircraft from 1976 to 1988; deployed throughout Pacific Air Forces to provide dissimilar

aircraft combat training to US and allied fighter units. Deployed aircraft from the Philippines to Korea

annually to participate in multinational joint-service combined forces exercises, 1978–1991. With addition of

the F–4G "Wild Weasel" aircraft in 1979, the wing acquired dual role capabilities of air-to-air/ air-to-ground

and defense suppression/electronic countermeasures. Assignment of the 1st Special Operations Squadron,

equipped with MC–130 aircraft, provided the wing with an unconventional warfare capability, Jan 1981–Mar

1983. Operated UH–1N helicopters, 1988–1991, for drone recovery, VIP airlift, range support, Philippine air

defense site support, and medical evacuation. At the end of May 1991, the last F–4 aircraft departed the wing,

shortly before the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in Jun 1991. Wing was not operational from Jun 1991 until it

moved on paper to Elmendorf AFB on 19 Dec 1991, replacing the 21st Tactical Fighter Wing. Expanded the

air defense mission of Alaska with the F–15E aircraft to include deep interdiction and air-to-air capabilities.

Also added an airlift mission in Apr 1992.

Honors

Service Streamers. None.

Campaign Streamers. Korea: UN Defensive; 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. Vietnam: Vietnam Defensive; Vietnam Air; Vietnam Air Offensive; Vietnam

Air Offensive, Phase II; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase III; Vietnam Air/ Ground; Vietnam Air Offensive,

Phase IV; TET 69/Counteroffensive; Vietnam Summer–Fall, 1969; Vietnam Winter–Spring, 1970; Sanctuary

Counteroffensive; Southwest Monsoon. Southwest Asia: Defense of Saudi Arabia; Liberation and Defense of

Kuwait.

Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.

Decorations. Presidential Unit Citations (Vietnam): 8 Jun 1966–16 Apr 1967; 6 Mar 1968– 31 Jul 1969. Air

Force Outstanding Unit Awards with Combat "V" Device: 31 Jan–5 Mar 1968; 1 Aug 1969–20 Jan 1970; 21

Jan–31 Oct 1970. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Jun 1958–30 Jun 1960; 1 Jul 1960–31 Mar 1962; 1

May 1964–16 Jul 1965; 1 Jul 1972–31 Dec 1973; 1 May 1980–30 Apr 1982; 22 Mar–1 Apr 1986; 1 Jan

1989–1 Jun 1990. Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation: 27 Jun–31 Jul 1950. Republic of Vietnam

Gallantry Crosses with Palm: 25 Nov 1965–19 May 1969; 1 Apr 1966– 31 Oct 1970; 1 May–30 Sep 1970.

Bestowed Honors. Authorized to display honors earned by the 3d Operations Group prior to 18 Aug 1948.

Service Streamers. None.

Campaign Streamers. World War II: Antisubmarine, American Theater; East Indies; Air Offensive, Japan;

Papua; New Guinea; Bismarck Archipelago; Western Pacific; Leyte; Luzon; Southern Philippines.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Papua, 23 Jul 1942–23 Jan 1943; New Guinea, 17 Aug 1943.

Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.

Emblem

Per bend Vert and Sable a bend Azure fimbriated Or in sinister chief a prickly pear cactus of the like, all within a bordure Argent semi of nineteen crosses patee Black and fimbriated Yellow. Motto: NON SOLUM

ARMIS — Not by Arms Alone. Approved for 3d Group on 17 Jan 1922 and for 3d Wing on 22 Dec 1952 (KE

6707).

For explanatory

SITE NAVIGATION