23rd Wing
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| 23rd Wing | |
|---|---|
 www.moody.af.mil · Public domain · source | |
| Unit name | 23rd Wing |
| Caption | Emblem of the 23rd Wing |
| Dates | 1948–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Composite wing |
| Role | Air superiority, close air support, reconnaissance, airlift |
| Size | Wing |
| Garrison | Davis–Monthan Air Force Base |
| Nickname | "Flying Tigers" |
| Motto | "Hostile to Any Enemy" |
| Battles | World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom |
| Notable commanders | Gabriel P. Disosway, John P. Flynn, William F. McKee |
23rd Wing
The 23rd Wing is a composite United States Air Force wing assigned to Air Combat Command and stationed at Davis–Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. It executes missions including air superiority, close air support, reconnaissance, and combat search and rescue, supporting operations alongside units from Pacific Air Forces, US Central Command, Air Force Special Operations Command, and allied partners such as the Republic of China Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force. The wing traces lineage to units that fought in World War II, deployed during the Korean War and Vietnam War, and participated in post‑Cold War operations like the Gulf War.
Overview
The 23rd Wing operates a mix of fighter, attack, rescue, and tanker aircraft to provide flexible combat power for Air Combat Command and joint task forces under United States Central Command and United States Indo-Pacific Command. Its mission integrates aircrews, maintenance, intelligence, and logistics to support exercises like Red Flag, Cope Tiger, Rim of the Pacific Exercise, and contingency operations such as Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The wing's global posture links it with historical formations including those of the Chinese Nationalist Air Force, the Fourteenth Air Force, and the famed volunteer group commanded by Claire Chennault.
History
Originating from combat groups that served in the China‑Burma‑India theater during World War II, the wing inherits traditions associated with unit actions that engaged the Imperial Japanese Army and Imperial Japanese Navy air units. Postwar reorganizations placed elements into strategic and tactical roles during the Korean War and Cold War, with deployments to bases in Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand during the Vietnam War era. The wing restructured under the Objective Wing concept in the 1990s and participated in Operation Desert Storm, supporting coalition partners such as the United Kingdom, France, and Saudi Arabia. In the 21st century it adapted to asymmetric conflicts, performing combat search and rescue in Afghanistan and close air support in Iraq.
Units and Organization
The wing comprises multiple groups and squadrons, including operations, maintenance, mission support, and medical components. Key subordinate units have included fighter squadrons equipped historically with types flown by units such as the 1st Fighter Group (United States), rescue squadrons akin to those in Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service, and reconnaissance elements similar to 9th Reconnaissance Wing organizations. The wing coordinates with numbered air forces like Fifth Air Force and Seventh Air Force during forward deployments and integrates liaison with combatant commands including United States Southern Command and United States European Command for multinational exercises.
Aircraft and Equipment
Throughout its existence the wing employed a succession of aircraft: piston‑engine fighters derived from Republic P-47 Thunderbolt and Curtiss P-40 Warhawk lineages, jet fighters related to the F-4 Phantom II, multirole fighters with heritage to the F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-15 Eagle, attack variants inspired by the A‑10 Thunderbolt II and light attack turboprops comparable to the A‑29 Super Tucano, and tilt toward remotely piloted aircraft paralleling systems like the MQ-9 Reaper. Rotary‑wing rescue platforms reflect lineage with helicopters such as the HH-60 Pave Hawk and airlift tankers share sustainment roles with models echoing the HC-130 Hercules. Ground support equipment, avionics suites, and sensors mirror technologies fielded across commands including Air Force Materiel Command and research institutions like the Air Force Research Laboratory.
Operations and Deployments
The wing has executed air operations in major conflicts and peacetime missions, participating in strike, interdiction, air superiority, reconnaissance, and personnel recovery tasks. Its units deployed to theaters across Southeast Asia, Southwest Asia, the Western Pacific, and Europe for operations alongside coalition partners such as NATO members, Japan Self‑Defense Forces, and Republic of Korea Armed Forces. Notable engagements include support for Operation Rolling Thunder‑era logistics, combat sorties during Operation Desert Storm, search and rescue missions in Operation Unified Assistance‑type humanitarian responses, and expeditionary rotations to Al Udeid Air Base and Bagram Airfield.
Insignia and Traditions
The wing's insignia and patch imagery draw on the heritage of the "Flying Tigers" volunteer group associated with Claire Chennault and the American Volunteer Group, incorporating motifs that recall the China Burma India Theater and unit citations such as awards issued by Department of the Air Force authorities. Traditions include commemorations of unit anniversaries, ties with veterans' organizations including the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion, and participation in ceremonies alongside dignitaries from institutions like United States Congress delegations and state governors. Ceremonial observances often reference battle honors earned in campaigns recognized by the National Archives and reflected in the wing's official emblems and streamers.