3rd Wing

3rd Wing. The 3rd Wing is a combat-ready United States Air Force unit operating under Pacific Air Forces and headquartered at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson in Alaska. As the primary Air Force component for U.S. Northern Command and Alaskan Command, it provides air defense for the state and projects airpower across the Indo-Pacific region. The wing's history spans major conflicts from the Korean War to modern-day operations, maintaining a continuous alert posture in one of the world's most strategic locations.

History

The wing was originally constituted as the 3rd Bombardment Wing in 1948, activating at Yokota Air Base in Japan as part of the post-World War II occupation forces. It saw extensive combat during the Korean War, with its B-26 Invader and later B-57 Canberra aircraft conducting night intruder and interdiction missions against Korean People's Army targets. Following the Korean Armistice Agreement, the wing transitioned through various designations and aircraft, including the F-102 Delta Dagger during the Cold War, and was inactivated in 1971. Reactivated in 1991 at Elmendorf Air Force Base, it absorbed resources from the inactivated 21st Wing and assumed the air defense mission for Alaska with F-15 Eagle and later F-22 Raptor fighters, playing a key role in Operation Noble Eagle after the September 11 attacks.

Organization

The 3rd Wing comprises several subordinate groups and squadrons that provide combat power and mission support. The 3rd Operations Group includes fighter squadrons flying the F-22 Raptor and C-12 Huron, along with an Air Operations Center for command and control. The 3rd Maintenance Group handles aircraft generation and sustainment for the wing's diverse fleet. Mission support functions are managed by the 673d Air Base Wing, a unique associate unit from Pacific Air Forces that shares installation management duties at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson with the United States Army's 11th Airborne Division. This structure ensures integrated operations with North American Aerospace Defense Command and Alaskan Command.

Aircraft

The wing's primary fighter aircraft is the F-22 Raptor, a fifth-generation stealth air superiority fighter operated by the 90th and 525th Fighter Squadrons for air defense and rapid deployment. It also flies the F-35 Lightning II, with the 356th Fighter Squadron transitioning to this advanced multirole aircraft. Support and mobility missions are conducted using the C-12 Huron for personnel transport and the C-17 Globemaster III for strategic airlift, the latter provided by the 517th Airlift Squadron. Aerial refueling is provided by the Alaska Air National Guard's 168th Air Refueling Wing flying the KC-135 Stratotanker, which is integral to long-range patrol and interception missions over the Arctic.

Bases

The wing's main operating base is Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson (JBER) in Anchorage, a combined installation shared with the United States Army. This strategic location provides unparalleled access to training ranges over the Gulf of Alaska and the Arctic Circle. The wing also maintains a forward operating location at Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks, which hosts the 356th Fighter Squadron and its F-35 Lightning II aircraft. Historically, the wing has been stationed at Yokota Air Base in Japan, Johnson Air Base also in Japan, and Kunsan Air Base in South Korea, reflecting its long-standing presence in the Pacific Theater.

Operations

The wing's foremost mission is aerospace control of Alaska, executing continuous alert duties for North American Aerospace Defense Command to identify and intercept unknown aircraft approaching U.S. and Canadian airspace. It regularly participates in major exercises like Red Flag – Alaska at Eielson Air Force Base and Cope Thunder to maintain high-intensity combat readiness with allies such as the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Canadian Air Force. The wing has deployed personnel and aircraft to support global operations including Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation Freedom's Sentinel, and theater security packages across the Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility, demonstrating its reach and flexibility.

Category:Military units and formations of the United States Air Force Category:Military in Alaska