99th Air Base Wing

99th Air Base Wing. The 99th Air Base Wing is a United States Air Force unit assigned to Air Combat Command and serves as the host wing for Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. It provides comprehensive base operating support and mission-ready expeditionary Airmen to the Nellis mission complex, which includes the United States Air Force Warfare Center, the Air Force Weapons School, and the Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team. The wing ensures the operational readiness of one of the Air Force's most critical centers for advanced air combat training, testing, and tactics development.

History

The wing's origins trace back to its initial activation as the 99th Bombardment Wing on 19 July 1942, during World War II. It served in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, where its B-17 Flying Fortress and later B-24 Liberator groups participated in strategic bombing campaigns against Axis targets in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy. After the war, the unit was inactivated in 1945. It was briefly redesignated as the 99th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing under Strategic Air Command in the early 1950s. The current iteration was activated on 1 January 1966 at Nellis Air Force Base, assuming the host support mission. Since then, it has played a vital support role for major exercises like Red Flag and operations including the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021).

Organization

The 99th Air Base Wing is organized under a traditional group structure to manage its diverse support functions. The 99th Mission Support Group delivers essential services such as security, civil engineering, communications, logistics, and personnel support. The 99th Medical Group operates the Mike O'Callaghan Military Medical Center, providing comprehensive healthcare to the military community. The wing also includes the 99th Comptroller Squadron for financial management and the 99th Force Support Squadron for morale, welfare, and recreation activities. These groups and squadrons report directly to the Wing Commander, who oversees all installation support operations for the tenant units on the base.

Bases

The wing's primary and only current duty station is Nellis Air Force Base, located north of Las Vegas in Clark County, Nevada. Nellis serves as the "Home of the Fighter Pilot" and is the Air Force's premier air combat training and testing range complex. Historically, the wing was stationed at several other locations during its earlier combat and reconnaissance incarnations. These have included Key West Naval Air Station in Florida, Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington, and Turner Air Force Base in Georgia, prior to its permanent establishment at Nellis in 1966.

Aircraft

As an air base wing with a support mission, the 99th ABW does not operate a fleet of combat aircraft. Its historical bombardment groups flew iconic aircraft such as the B-17 Flying Fortress and the B-24 Liberator during World War II. In its brief tenure as a strategic reconnaissance unit, it was associated with aircraft like the RB-29 Superfortress and the RB-36 Peacemaker. Today, the wing's support mission enables the operations of hundreds of aircraft flown by tenant units at Nellis, including the F-35 Lightning II, F-22 Raptor, F-16 Fighting Falcon, A-10 Thunderbolt II, and the F-15 Eagle.

Emblem and heritage

The wing's emblem, approved in 1967, features a shield with a stylized Nevada state shape and a mailed fist holding lightning bolts, symbolizing strength and the wing's support for combat airpower. The unit's lineage and honors are inherited from its predecessor combat groups, including the 99th Bombardment Group and the 99th Reconnaissance Group. It proudly displays campaign streamers from the Mediterranean Theater of Operations and service streamers from World War II, the Gulf War, and the Global War on Terrorism. The wing also maintains the heritage of supporting award-winning units like the Thunderbirds and the United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron.

Category:United States Air Force wings Category:Air Combat Command