37th Tactical Fighter Wing

37th Tactical Fighter Wing. The 37th Tactical Fighter Wing was a combat unit of the United States Air Force with a distinguished history spanning multiple conflicts. Initially activated as a bombardment group during World War II, it was later redesignated and became a cornerstone of Tactical Air Command's fighter force during the Cold War. For nearly four decades, it was primarily stationed at George Air Force Base in California, operating advanced fighter aircraft like the F-100 Super Sabre and F-4 Phantom II.

History

The wing's origins trace back to its activation as the 37th Bombardment Group at Langley Field, Virginia, in early 1940, initially flying the B-18 Bolo. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the group transitioned to the B-26 Marauder and deployed to the Southwest Pacific Theater, where it conducted critical bombing missions from bases in New Guinea and the Philippines against Imperial Japanese Navy targets. Following Victory over Japan Day, the unit was inactivated in the Philippines in early 1946. It was reactivated under Strategic Air Command in 1953 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, as a fighter-bomber unit equipped with the F-84 Thunderjet, before moving to Clovis Air Force Base in New Mexico. In 1957, it relocated to its long-term home at George Air Force Base and was redesignated the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing under Tactical Air Command, where it became a key training and operational unit for successive generations of fighter pilots throughout the Vietnam War era and the subsequent Cold War.

Lineage and honors

The wing was constituted as the 37th Bombardment Group (Medium) on 20 November 1940 and activated on 15 January 1941. It was redesignated the 37th Bombardment Group, Medium, in 1944. Following post-war inactivation, it was redesignated the 37th Fighter-Bomber Wing in 1953 and activated under that name. It became the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing in 1957. Its final redesignation was to the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing (37 TFW) in 1985, before being inactivated on 30 September 1991. The wing earned campaign streamers for participation in major offensives including the Air Offensive, Japan, New Guinea, and the Luzon campaign. Its personnel were awarded the distinguished Air Force Outstanding Unit Award on multiple occasions for exceptional service.

Assignments and stations

Throughout its service, the wing reported to several major commands. Its initial assignment was to the Northeast Air District at Langley Field. During World War II, it operated under the Fifth Air Force within the Far East Air Forces. After reactivation, it was assigned to Strategic Air Command's 813th Air Division in Alaska, then later to the 816th Air Division at Clovis Air Force Base. Its most enduring assignment began in 1957 under Tactical Air Command, initially as part of the 831st Air Division and later reporting directly to Tactical Air Command headquarters. Its primary stations included Langley Field; Hunter Field, Georgia; Jackson Air Base, Australia; Nadzab Airfield, New Guinea; Eielson Air Force Base; Clovis Air Force Base (later Cannon Air Force Base); and finally George Air Force Base, where it was stationed for over thirty years.

Aircraft operated

The wing operated a diverse fleet of combat aircraft across its history. Its initial aircraft included the B-18 Bolo and A-20 Havoc. It saw extensive combat in the Pacific Ocean theater of World War II with the B-26 Marauder. During its fighter-bomber era, it flew the F-84 Thunderjet and the F-100 Super Sabre. As a primary tactical fighter unit, it was equipped with the F-105 Thunderchief and, most notably, the F-4 Phantom II, which it operated for many years. In its final years, the wing transitioned to the F-4G Wild Weasel variant, specializing in Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses missions, before its inactivation.

Commanders

Command of the wing was held by numerous notable officers. Early commanders during its bombardment group phase included Lieutenant Colonel F. M. Kennedy. During its reactivation in the 1950s, it was led by Colonel John D. Stevenson. At George Air Force Base, commanders such as Colonel Robin Olds, a famed World War II and Vietnam War fighter ace, and later Brigadier General James P. Mullins oversaw its transition and operations with the F-4 Phantom II. Its final commander was Colonel Michael C. Short, who presided over the wing's inactivation ceremonies in 1991.

Category:Military units and formations of the United States in the Vietnam War Category:Military units and formations of the United States Air Force in World War II