33rd Fighter Wing

33rd Fighter Wing
Unit name	33rd Fighter Wing
Dates	1940–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Fighter Wing
Role	Air superiority, strike
Command structure	Air Combat Command
Garrison	Eglin Air Force Base
Motto	"Nomine Patriae" (In the Name of the Fatherland)
Battles	World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, Operation Allied Force, War in Afghanistan, Iraq War
Decorations	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Aircraft fighter	F-35 Lightning II

33rd Fighter Wing is a combat unit of the United States Air Force currently assigned to Air Combat Command and stationed at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. It operates the advanced F-35 Lightning II and is tasked with conducting air superiority, close air support, and precision strike missions. The wing has a distinguished history spanning multiple major conflicts and theaters of operation.

History

The unit was originally constituted as the 33rd Pursuit Group in 1940 and activated at Mitchel Field in New York. During World War II, it transitioned to fighter operations, flying P-40 Warhawk and later P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, providing crucial air support during the Allied invasion of Sicily and the Italian Campaign. Following the war, the unit was redesignated as the 33rd Fighter Wing and saw extensive combat during the Korean War, flying F-86 Sabre jets from bases in Japan and South Korea. In subsequent decades, it participated in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War where it deployed to Saudi Arabia, and later contingency operations including Operation Allied Force over the Balkans, the War in Afghanistan, and the Iraq War.

Organization

The wing is composed of several subordinate groups and squadrons. The 33rd Operations Group oversees all flying operations, including the 58th Fighter Squadron and the 60th Fighter Squadron, which are the primary F-35 operational units. The 33rd Maintenance Group provides comprehensive aircraft maintenance and armament support, while the 33rd Mission Support Group handles base infrastructure, security, and personnel services. The wing also includes the 33rd Medical Group, ensuring the health and readiness of all personnel. This structure is designed to support rapid deployment and sustained combat operations worldwide under the direction of United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa and other major commands.

Aircraft

Throughout its history, the wing has operated numerous iconic fighter aircraft. Its early inventory included propeller-driven fighters like the P-40 Warhawk and the P-47 Thunderbolt. In the jet age, it transitioned to the F-86 Sabre, the F-100 Super Sabre, the F-105 Thunderchief, and the F-4 Phantom II. During the late Cold War, it was equipped with the F-15 Eagle, a premier air superiority fighter. Today, it is exclusively equipped with the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II, a multirole stealth fighter that represents the forefront of United States tactical airpower. The wing's transition to the F-35 involved extensive training and integration efforts with the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps.

Operations

The wing's primary mission is to deploy, employ, and sustain the F-35A in combat. This includes conducting advanced air dominance, strategic attack, and reconnaissance missions. It plays a key role in developing tactics and procedures for the F-35 through its formal training unit mission. The wing regularly participates in major exercises such as Red Flag at Nellis Air Force Base and Green Flag to maintain high readiness. It has consistently deployed aircraft and personnel to forward locations in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and other global contingency operations, integrating seamlessly with North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies and partner nations in theaters like Europe and the Indo-Pacific.

Assignments

The wing has been assigned to various major commands throughout its service. Initially part of the United States Army Air Corps, it later fell under the United States Army Air Forces. Post-war, it was assigned to Tactical Air Command for many years. Following the Gulf War, it was realigned under Air Combat Command. It has also had operational control relationships with United States Air Forces in Europe and Pacific Air Forces during overseas deployments. Its current assignment to Air Combat Command places it under the purview of the Department of the Air Force for global force projection.

Bases

The wing has been stationed at numerous bases both within the United States and abroad. Its initial activation was at Mitchel Field. During World War II, it operated from various fields in North Africa and Italy, such as Tafaraoui Airfield and Pomigliano Airfield. Post-war bases have included Otis Air Force Base in Massachusetts, Elgin Air Force Base (later Eglin Air Force Base) in Florida, and Kadena Air Base in Okinawa. Since 2010, its primary home has been Eglin Air Force Base, a major installation within the Northwest Florida region that it shares with the 96th Test Wing and units of the United States Navy.

Category:United States Air Force wings Category:Fighter wings of the United States Air Force Category:Military units and formations in Florida