401st 42nd anniversary history document

401st 42nd anniversary history document

PREFACE
The p u r p o s e o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n i s t o p r o v i d e a n u n c l a s s i f i e d
handy b o o k l e t on t h e h i s t o r y o f t h e 4 0 1 s t T a c t i c a l F i g h t e r
Wing.
I t i s p u b l i s h e d i n s u p p o r t o f P r o j e c t W a r r i o r , a broad
A i r F o r c e program d e s i g n e d t o enhance t h e w a r f i g h t i n g knowle d g e and s p i r i t o f a l l p e r s o n n e l . T h i s b o o k l e t i s by no means
a l l i n c l u s i v e , b u t it d o e s p r o v i d e a n i n s i g h t i n t o t h e w i n g ' s
proud h i s t o r y .
DANNER,
SR.,
ssgt;
USAF
MISSION STATEMENT
The 4 0 1 s t T a c t i c a l F i g h t e r Wing i s t h e p r i n c i p a l o p e r a t i n g
and h o s t u n i t of T o r r e j o n A i r Base.
Its mission i n support
of U.S. A i r Forces i n Europe i s t o develop and m a i n t a i n t h e
c a p a b i l i t y f o r implementing war p l a n s and a l e r t o r d e r s ; t o
d e v e l o p t e c h n i q u e s and t a c t i c s f o r a i r s u p e r i o r i t y and ground
a t t a c k o p e r a t i o n s ; t o m a i n t a i n s u p p o r t u n i t s and i n s t a l l a t i o n s i n r e a d i n e s s f o r s u p p o r t of wing combat o p e r a t i o n s ; t o
i n s u r e t h e s e c u r i t y o f t h e f o r c e s and i n s t a l l a t i o n s ; and t o
d e v e l o p m o b i l i t y p l a n s f o r quick deployment t o s u p p o r t war
p l a n s and o p e r a t i o n s .
iii
TABLE O F CONTENTS
PAGE
FOREWORD
......................
M I S S I O N STATEMENT
.................
ii
iii
T A B L E O F CONTENTS
...............1
401TFW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
...................8
H I S T O R I C A L CHRONOLOGY
HISTORY O F THE
WING I N S I G N I A
L I N E A G E DATA
. . . . . . 20
STATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1
AIRCRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
P R E V I O U S COMMANDERS
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
H I S T O R Y O F TORREJON A I R BASE . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 6
AWARDS.
C I T A T I O N S . AND WARTIME CAMPAIGNS
HISTORICAL CHRONOLOGY
DATE
-
EVENT
1 Apr 43
4 0 1 s t Bombardment Group (Heavy) a c t i v a t e d a t
E p h r a t a Army A i r Base, Washington. Assigned
squadrons i n c l u d e d t h e 6 1 2 t h , 6 1 3 t h , 6 1 4 t h ,
and 615th Bombardment Squadrons.
1 5 J u n 43
4 0 1 s t Bomb Group t r a n s f e r r e d t o Geiger F i e l d ,
Washington, f o r B-17 f a m i l i a r i z a t i o n t r a i n i n g .
19 O c t 43
Group deployed o v e r s e a s t o Deenethorpe, England.
Under t h e command of E i g h t h A i r F o r c e , t h e Group
saw combat a c t i o n i n World War I1 w h i l e f l y i n g a
v a r i e t y of m i s s i o n s a g a i n s t t a r g e t s i n Germany
and o t h e r o c c u p i e d a r e a s .
11 J a n 4 4
The 4 0 1 s t was awarded i t s f i r s t D i s t i n g u i s h e d
U n i t C i t a t i o n f o r an a t t a c k on a c r u c i a l enemy
t a r g e t i n t h e c i t y o f O s c h e r s l e b e n , Germany.
A second c i t a t i o n was e a r n e d , on 20 Feb 44, f o r
a s u c c e s s f u l r a i d on an a i r c r a f t assembly p l a n t
i n L e i p z i g , Germany.
28 Aug 45
Upon r e t u r n i n g t o t h e United S t a t e s i n May 1945,
t h e 4 0 1 s t Bomb Group was d e a c t i v a t e d a t Sioux
F a l l s Army A i r F i e l d , South Dakota.
26 J u n 47
The 4 0 1 s t Bomb Group was r e d e s i g n a t e d from a
"Heavy" t o a "Very Heavy" Bombardment Group and
a s s i g n e d t o r e s e r v e s t a t u s a t Brooks F i e l d , Texas.
1 May 5 1
The 4 0 1 s t was r e c a l l e d t o a c t i v e d u t y and tempora r i l y a s s i g n e d t o t h e S t r a t e g i c A i r Command. A
month l a t e r , t h e Group was a g a i n i n a c t i v a t e d .
8 Feb 54
When r e a c t i v a t e d , t h e Group was renamed t h e 4 0 1 s t
F i g h t e r Bomber Group and found a new home a t
A l e x a n d r i a AFB ( l a t e r England AFB) , L o u i s i a n a .
The r e d e s i g n a t i o n marked a h i s t o r i c s t a g e i n t h e
u n i t ' s 40 y e a r metamorphosis from a B-17 group t o
o n e o f t h e f o r e m o s t t a c t i c a l f i g h t e r wings i n t h e
U S A i r Force.
Jan-Feb
55
The 613th and 614th F i g h t e r Bomber Squadrons
p a r t i c i p a t e d i n Warner B r o t h e r s p r o d u c t i o n o f t h e
~ c ~ o n n e Sl tlo r y . Wing a i r c r e w s f l e w 125 s o r t i e s
u s i n g e i g h t a s s i g n e d F-84 a i r c r a f t .
DATE
EVENT
J u n 56
The 401st once a g a i n became a n F-86 u n i t .
The
o l d e r F-84s were a s s i g n e d t o a n A i r N a t i o n a l
.. Guard u n i t s t a t e s i d e .
30 J u n 5 7
H i s t o r i c c o n v e r s i o n t o F-100Ds began w i t h 5 7
a i r c r a f t a s s i g n e d from Bunker H i l l AFB, I n d i a n a .
25 Sep 57
4 0 1 s t F i g h t e r Bomber Wing a c t i v a t e d .
Mar 5 8
Four a i r c r e w s a s s i g n e d t o t h e 6 1 5 t h TFS s e t a
USAF r e c o r d when t h e y f l e w t h e i r F-100Ds, nons t o p , from Langley AFB, V i r g i n i a t o Chaumont AB,
France.
1 J u l 58
The wing was r e d e s i g n a t e d t h e 4 0 1 s t T a c t i c a l
F i g h t e r Wing. H i s t o r y and h o n o r s o f the 4 0 1 s t
Bomb Group were t e m p o r a r i l y bestowed. On t h e
same d a t e , t h e 615th TFS w a s a s s i g n e d t o t h e
wing and a c t i v a t e d .
The wing r e c e i v e d a n O u t s t a n d i n g U n i t Award f o r
exceptionally meritorious service.
Feb 64
4 0 1 s t t a c t i c a l squadrons assumed r o t a t i o n a l
d u t i e s a t C l a r k AB, P h i l i p p i n e s .
19 Nov 64
4 0 1 s t TFW assumed o p e r a t i o n a l c o n t r o l o v e r t h e
90th TFS and 5 3 1 s t TFS, England AFB, L o u i s i a n a .
27 Apr 66
4 0 1 s t TFW a s s i g n e d t o T o r r e j o n AB, Spain.
1 J u l 70
Conversion t o F-4E Phantom I1 a i r c r a f t .
1 3 J u l 71
A r e o r g a n i z a t i o n of the winq r e s u l t e d i n t h e 612th
and 614th T a c t i c a l F i g h t e r Squadrons b e i n g r e a s s i g n e d from S o u t h e a s t A s i a ; t h e 307th and 353rd
TFS were r e l o c a t e d s t a t e s i d e .
1 J u l 73
Conversion t o F-4C a i r c r a f t .
25 Aug 78
The wing made a n o t h e r a i r c r a f t c o n v e r s i o n , t h i s
t i m e t o F-4D Phantom 11s.
8-11 Sep 8 1
F i r s t S i t e A c t i v a t i o n Task F o r c e (SATAF) c o n f e r e n c e h e l d a t T o r r e j o n AB t o e v a l u a t e F-16 a c t i v a t i o n p l a n n i n g . The new F-16 F a l c o n was s c h e d u l e d
t o r e p l a c e t h e w i n g ' s a g i n g F-4Ds b e g i n n i n g i n
e a r l y 1983.
DATE
EVENT
5 Feb 8 3
The 4 0 1 s t TFW r e c e i v e d i t s f i r s t four F-16
Falcon a i r c r a f t .
I t marked t h e b e g i n n i n g of
t h e w i n g ' s h i s t o r i c c o n v e r s i o n t o a new g e n e r a tion fighter.
1 J a n 85
The 4 0 1 s t TFW was d e c l a r e d f u l l y o p e r a t i o n a l
i n i t s F-16 f i g h t e r commitment.
HISTORY 'OF THE 401 TFW
The 4 0 1 s t T a c t i c a l F i g h t e r Wing traces i t s proud h e r i t a g e t o
t h e 4 0 1 s t Bombardment Group (Heavy), a World War I1 combat
u n i t . Upon i t s a c t i v a t i o n a t E p h r a t a Army A i r Base, Washington,
o n 1 A p r i l 1943, the Group w a s comprised of t h e 6 1 2 t h , 613th,
6 1 4 t h and 6 1 5 t h Bombardment Squadrons ( ~ e a v y ) . With t h e a r r i v a l
of B-17G a i r c r a f t a t E p h r a t a AAB, t h e Group r e c e i v e d o r d e r s t o
t r a n s f e r t o G e i g e r F i e l d , Washington, on 1 5 J u n e 1943, f o r a i r c r a f t f a m i l i a r i z a t i o n t r a i n i n g . S h o r t l y t h e r e a f t e r (on 8 J u l y ) ,
t h e u n i t a g a i n t r a n s f e r r e d ; t h i s t i m e t o G r e a t F a l l s Army Air
B a s e , Montana.
T h e r e t h e Group r e c e i v e d advanced combat t r a i n ing.
The a i r e l e m e n t o f t h e Group e v e n t u a l l y deployed t o Deenethorpe,
England, v i a Newfoundland and S c o t l a n d , on 19 October 1943. Havi n g made t h e t r a n s a t l a n t i c voyage on t h e Queen Mary, t h e ground
e l e m e n t a r r i v e d on l o c a t i o n on 3 November 1943. A f t e r r e u n i t i n g
t h e f o r c e s and under t h e command o f E i g h t h A i r F o r c e , t h e Group
i m m e d i a t e l y began p r e p a r a t i o n s f o r combat m i s s i o n s . T h e i r f i r s t
combat a c t i o n was s e e n on 26 November 1943 when t h e 4 0 1 s t Bombardment Group B-17Gs f l e w a f u l l s t r e n g t h r a i d on Bremen, Germany.
The a i r c r e w s were f o r c e d t o employ r a d a r t e c h n i q u e s d u r i n g t h e
o p e r a t i o n s i n c e heavy o v e r c a s t p r e c l u d e d v i s u a l bombing o f t h e
target.
The Bremen r a i d was t h e f i r s t i n a series o f a t t a c k s
a g a i n s t t a r g e t s i n F r a n c e , Germany, H o l l a n d , and Luxembourg, composed p r i m a r i l y o f p o r t i n s t a l l a t i o n s , submarine p e n s , V - 1 and
V-2 r o c k e t s i t e s , f a c t o r i e s , power s t a t i o n s , a i r f i e l d s , o i l r e f i n e r i e s , and c o a s t a l gun b a t t e r i e s .
On 11 J a n u a r y 1 9 4 4 , t h e Group won i t s f i r s t D i s t i n g u i s h e d Unit
C i t a t i o n f o r i t s p a r t i n a major a t t a c k on O s c h e r s l e b e n , Germany,
n e a r B e r l i n . A second c i t a t i o n was e a r n e d f o r a r a i d on t h e
E r l a Maschinewerk a i r c r a f t assembly p l a n t i n L e i p z i g on
20 F e b r u a r y 1944. The Group, h a v i n g e n c o u n t e r e d heavy f l a k ,
p r e s s e d on t o d e l i v e r i t s bombs w i t h i n 1000 f e e t o f t h e aiming
p o i n t and b r o u g h t p l a n t o p e r a t i o n s t o a h a l t . A f t e r a l o n g
s e r i e s o f a t t a c k s on B e r l i n and t h e s u r r o u n d i n g a r e a , t h e Group
was d i v e r t e d t o bombing c o a s t a l gun b a t t e r i e s and r o a d and r a i l
choke p o i n t s i n the Normandy r e g i o n o f F r a n c e i n p r e p a r a t i o n f o r
t h e D-Day i n v a s i o n .
Combat a c t i v i t y on t h e day o f t h e i n v a s i o n
i n c l u d e d bombing o f f o r t i f i c a t i o n s w i t h i n 1000 y a r d s o f t h e landi n g b e a c h e s f i v e minutes b e f o r e t h e f i r s t t r o o p s waded a s h o r e .
During t h e n e x t s e v e r a l months, t h e 4 0 1 s t Bomb Group s u p p o r t e d
o p e r a t i o n s t o a i d t h e b r e a k t h r o u g h a t S a i n t Lo i n J u l y , t h e
S i e g e of B r e s t i n August, and a n a i r b o r n e a t t a c k on Holland i n
September, c o n c e n t r a t i n g on o i l r e s e r v e s i t e s . During t h e
B a t t l e o f t h e Bulge, December 1944 t o J a n u a r y 1945, t h e u n i t
f l e w m i s s i o n s a g a i n s t t r a n s p o r t a t i o n t a r g e t s and communications
c e n t e r s i n t h e b a t t l e area and s u p p o r t e d a n a i r b o r n e a t t a c k
a c r o s s t h e Rhine R i v e r i n March 1945. The f i n a l combat m i s s i o n
came on 20 A p r i l 1945 when 4 0 1 s t a i r c r e w s bombed Brandenburg
m a r s h a l l i n g y a r d . The 4 0 1 s t Bomb Group r e t u r n e d t o t h e United
S t a t e s on 30 May 1945 w i t h t h e ground e l e m e n t a g a i n t r a v e l i n g
by o c e a n l i n e r ; t h i s t i m e a b o a r d t h e Queen E l i z a b e t h . The
Group r e p o r t e d t o S i o u x F a l l s Army A i r F i e l d , South Dakota,
a n d began t r a i n i n g f o r c o n v e r s i o n t o B-29 a i r c r a f t . The r u s h
t o l a y down arms a f t e r V - J Day b r o u g h t a b o u t t h e d e a c t i v a t i o n
of t h e u n i t on 28 August 1945.
A f t e r World War 11, t h e 4 0 1 s t was r e d e s i g n a t e d t h e 4 0 1 s t Bombardment Group (Very Heavy), and a s s i g n e d t o r e s e r v e s t a t u s a t Brooks
F i e l d , Texas. The r e d e s i g n a t i o n and r e a c t i v a t i o n t o o k p l a c e on
26 J u n e 1947. The a c t i v e r e s e r v e 4 0 1 s t was f u r t h e r r e d e s i g n a t e d
t h e 4 0 1 s t Bombardment Group (Medium) a n d , a s a r e s e r v e u n i t , f l e w
AT-6, A T - 1 1 , B-26, B-29, and B-50 a i r c r a f t d u r i n g t h e e n s u i n g
t h r e e y e a r p e r i o d . While s t a t i o n e d i n Texas, t h e 4 0 1 s t f l e w
v a r i o u s t r a i n i n g e x e r c i s e s and e v e n t u a l l y became p a r t of t h e
S t r a t e g i c A i r Command (SAC) a f t e r b e i n g r e c a l l e d t o a c t i v e
s e r v i c e on 1 May 1951. A month l a t e r , on 2 5 J u n e , t h e 4 0 1 s t
Bomb G r o u p ' s s h o r t term a c t i v e s e r v i c e was t e m p o r a r i l y i n t e r r u p t e d
w i t h y e t a n o t h e r i n a c t i v a t i o n o r d e r . Upon r e a c t i v a t i o n on
8 F e b r u a r y 1954, t h e Group was renamed t h e 4 0 1 s t F i g h t e r Bomber
Group and found i t s e l f a t a new home -- ~ l e x a n d r i aAFB, ~ o u i s i a n a .
During i t s t e n u r e a t A l e x a n d r i a , t h e Group was a s s i g n e d t o t h e
3 6 6 t h F i g h t e r Bomber Wing (FBW), T a c t i c a l A i r Command (TAC) , and
e q u i p p e d w i t h F-86 a i r c r a f t .
F o r t h e f i r s t t h r e e y e a r s of i t s e x i s t e n c e w i t h t h e 366 FBW, t h e
4 0 1 s t , composed of t h e 6 1 2 t h , 613th and 614th Fighter-Bomber
Squadrons, t r a i n e d i n t a c t i c a l o p e r a t i o n s and p a r t i c i p a t e d i n
maneuvering d e m o n s t r a t i o n s i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s and Europe. A
y e a r a f t e r t h e u n i t a r r i v e d a t A l e x a n d r i a AFB, t h e Group t r a n s f e r r e d a l l a s s i g n e d F-86 a i r c r a f t t o McClellan AFB, C a l i f o r n i a ,
and began c o n v e r s i o n t o a n o l d e r model (F-84) f i g h t e r a i r c r a f t .
The F-84 b r o u g h t stardom t o t h e 4 0 1 s t when t h e 613th and 6 1 4 t h
bombers p a r t i c i p a t e d i n a Warner B r o t h e r s p r e s e n t a t i o n , "The
McConnell S t o r y " . From 10 J a n u a r y u n t i l 1 0 February 1955, t h e
6 1 3 t h and 614th FBSs f l e w a t o t a l o f 125 s o r t i e s u s i n g e i g h t
a s s i g n e d F-84 a i r c r a f t . The a i r c r a f t w e r e p a i n t e d b l u e w i t h
MIG-15 m a r k i n g s t o s i m u l a t e enemy a i r c r a f t d u r i n g t h e Korean
c o n f l i c t . Approximately 8 5 p e r c e n t o f a l l 4 0 1 s t p i l o t s p a r t i c i p a t e d i n t h e a e r i a l combat s c e n e s .
While s t a t i o n e d a t A l e x a n d r i a AFB, t h e 4 0 1 s t F i g h t e r Bomber
Group's primary m i s s i o n was p r o - i d i n g a t a c t i c a l squadron f o r
a s i x month deployment t o Europe, I n June 1956, t h e 4 0 1 s t
o n c e a g a i n became an F-86 u n i t w i t h t h e famous F-84 a i r c r a f t
Two y e a r s l a t e r ,
a s s i g n e d t o a n A i r N a t i o n a l Guard u n i t .
t h e Group t r a n s i t i o n e d t o more s o p h i s t i c a t e d F-100D f i g h t e r
a i r c r a f t . The h i s t o r i c c o n v e r s i o n began on 30 June 1957 w i t h
57 F-100s a s s i g n e d from Bunker H i l l AFB, I n d i a n a ,
Although t h e 4 0 1 s t F i g h t e r Bomber Wing was c o n s t i t u t e d on
23 March 1953, i t was n o t a c t i v a t e d u n t i l 25 September 1957.
R e d e s i g n a t i o n a s t h e 4 0 1 s t T a c t i c a l F i g h t e r Wing came on
1 J u l y 1958, w i t h t h e h i s t o r y and honors of a l l p r e v i o u s l y
r e l a t e d 4 0 1 TFW, a n o t h e r squadron, t h e 615 TFS, was a s s i g n e d
and a c t i v a t e d t h e same day. When t h e 4 0 1 s t was r e a s s i g n e d t o
England AFB ( p r e v i o u s l y A l e x a n d r i a AFB) i t became t h e s i s t e r
wing t o t h e 366th F i g h t e r Bomber Wing under t h e 834th A i r
D i v i s i o n , T a c t i c a l A i r Command (TAC)
.
-
From 1957
1 9 6 6 , t h e 401st p a r t i c i p a t e d i n v a r i o u s events
and d e m o n s t r a t i o n s w h i l e s t a t i o n e d a t England AFB. I n March
1958, f o u r a i r c r e w s o f t h e 615 FBS s e t a n A i r F o r c e p r e c e d e n t
when t h e y f l e w t h e i r F-100s non-stop from Langley AFB,
V i r g i n i a , t o Chaumont AB, France.
L a t e r i n t h e same month,
C a p t a i n H . P . P h i l l i p s l e d a f l i g h t of F-100Ds on t h e same
r o u t e i n a r e c o r d b r e a k i n g t i m e of seven h o u r s and t h i r t e e n
minutes.
For t h e p e r i o d 1 January t h r o u g h 3 1 December 1963, t h e wing
r e c e i v e d a n O u t s t a n d i n g U n i t Award f o r e x c e p t i o n a l l y m e r i t o r i o u s s e r v i c e i n " c o n t r i b u t i n g t o t h e s u c c e s s of many j o i n t
s e r v i c e e x e r c i s e s , North A t l a n t i c T r e a t y O r g a n i z a t i o n (NATO)
r o t a t i o n s and f i r e p o w e r d e m o n s t r a t i o n s . " I n February 1 9 6 4 ,
t h e t a c t i c a l u n i t s of t h e 4 0 1 s t assumed r o t a t i o n a l d u t i e s a t
C l a r k AB, P h i l i p p i n e s , and were t a s k e d t o perform combat
s t r i k e r o l e s a t Da Nang and Bien Hoa A i r Bases, Republic of
Vietnam; T a k h l i AB, T h i l a n d ; and Tainan AB, Taiwan. On
19 November, t h e wing assumed o p e r a t i o n a l c o n t r o l o v e r t h e
9 0 t h T a c t i c a l F i g h t e r Squadron a t England AFB and, e i g h t days
l a t e r , t h e 6 1 2 TFS moved t o Misawa AB, Japan.
The l a s t major
o r g a n i z a t i o n a l change of t h e y e a r came when t h e wing a c q u i r e d
a n o t h e r squadron, t h e 531 TFS, on 19 November 1964.
The wing e v e n t u a l l y s e t t l e d a t i t s p r e s e n t l o c a t i o n , T o r r e j o n
A i r Base, S p a i n , on 27 A p r i l 1966.
Concurrent w i t h t h e move,
t h e wing l o s t t h e 614th and 615th TFSs t o t h e 834th A i r
D i v i s i o n a t England AFB, and p i c k e d up t h e 307th and 353rd
TFSs.
S h o r t l y a f t e r i t s a r r i v a l a t T o r r e j o n AB, t h e wing
assumed h o s t u n i t d u t i e s and began r o t a t i n g f o r c e s t o o t h e r
European and Near E a s t e r n l o c a t i o n s on s p e c i a l weapons a l e r t
d u t y and i n s u p p o r t of NATO, USAF, and Spanish A i r Defense
Command e x e r c i s e s .
I n 1970, t h e wing c o n v e r t e d t o newer F-4E Phantom I1 a i r c r a f t
and, a y e a r l a t e r , e x p e r i e n c e d a n o t h e r major r e o r g a n i z a t i o n
when t h e 353rd and 307th TFSs were r e l o c a t e d s t a t e s i d e a t M y r t l e
Beach AFB; t h e wing, i n t u r n , r e g a i n e d t h e 612th and 614th TFSs
from d u t y a t Phan Rang AB, Vietnam.
The n u m e r i c a l r e a l i g n m e n t
r e s u l t e d i n t h e wing b e i n g a r r a n g e d a s it had been when f i r s t
a c t i v a t e d i n 1943, less t h e 615 TFS. During 1973, t h e wing
a g a i n changed a i r c r a f t , t h i s t i m e t o F-4C models. The change,
t o o l d e r but s t i l l highly capable a i r c r a f t , resulted i n t h e
wing f l y i n g F-4Cs u n t i l t h e changeover t o more advanced F-4Ds
i n 1978.
While i n S p a i n , t h e wing h a s i n t e n s i v e l y pursued t h e h i g h e s t
degree of r e a d i n e s s , given t h e extremely challenging responsib i l i t y o f b e i n g t h e o n l y o p e r a t i o n a l USAF a i r c r a f t a s s e t i n
E u r o p e ' s s o u t h e r n r e g i o n . Throughout i t s t e n u r e a t T o r r e j o n
AB, t h e 4 0 1 s t p a r t i c i p a t e d i n numerous r e g i o n a l e x e r c i s e s s u c h
as Shabaz, a CENT0 e x e r c i s e h e l d i n I r a n b e f o r e t h e r e v o l u t i o n ;
N a t i o n a l Week, a n a v a l e x e r c i s e c o n d u c t e d n e a r S i g o n e l l a ,
I t a l y ; Datex, a j o i n t French/US t r a i n i n g e x e r c i s e ; and many
o t h e r NATO s p o n s o r e d e v e n t s t h a t i n c l u d e d t h e i n t e n s i v e a n n u a l
D i s p l a y D e t e r m i n a t i o n series o f deployment e x e r c i s e s h e l d i n
t h e Mediterranean area.
I n addition, j o i n t t r a i n i n g with t h e
S p a n i s h A i r F o r c e h a s p r o v i d e d b o t h U.S. and ~ p a n i s ha i r c r e w s
w i t h e x c e l l e n t t r a i n i n g o p p o r t u n i t i e s and h e l p e d t o d e v e l o p
t h e h i g h d e g r e e o f f r i e n d s h i p and c o o p e r a t i o n enjoyed t o d a y .
I n e a r l y 1983, t h e 4 0 1 s t T a c t i c a l F i g h t e r Wing opened a new
and e x c i t i n g c h a p t e r i n i t s d i s t i n g u i s h e d h i s t o r y . The a c q u i s i t i o n o f advanced t e c h n o l o g y F-16 f i g h t e r a i r c r a f t , which r e p l a c e d t h e w i n g ' s v e n e r a b l e F-4D Phantom I I s , added new dimens i o n s and v e r s a t i l i t y t o t h e w i n g ' s m i s s i o n c a p a b i l i t y .
The
4 0 1 s t was d e c l a r e d f u l l y o p e r a t i o n a l i n i t s F-16 f i g h t e r
commitment on 1 J a n u a r y 1985.
During t h e f o r t y two y e a r s o f e x i s t e n c e , t h e 4 0 1 s t ~ a c t i c a l
F i g h t e r Wing changed names, a i r c r a f t , l o c a t i o n s , and m i s s i o n s ;
y e t , t h r o u g h o u t i t s h i s t o r y , o n e e l e m e n t has remained c o n s i s t e n t ; t h e people.
Never l e s s t h a n t o t a l l y d e d i c a t e d , h a r d
w o r k i n g , and v i g i l a n t , t h e members of t h e 4 0 1 s t T a c t i c a l F i g h t e r
Wing, and i t s p r e d e c e s s o r s , p r o v i d e d t h e d r i v i n g f o r c e b e h i n d
t h e u n i t ' s many achievements.
They b u i l t a proud past--and
a s s u r e a n e q u a l l y proud f u t u r e .
401st Tactical Fighter
APPROVAL:
9 September 1958
Azure, w i t h i n a d i m i n u t i v e b o r d e r a r q e n t a sheaf of
f o u r l a n c e s bend s i n i s t e r w i s e o f t h e l a s t , surmounted by a f e s s
chequy s a b l e and o f t h e second o v e r a l l a bend wavy v e r t , g u l e s ,
o r and o f t h e f i r s t e a c h f i m b r i a t e d s i l v e r .
BLAZON:
MOTTO:
CAELUM ARENA NOSTRA
-
The Sky i s Our Arena.
SIGNIFICANCE: Our emblem i s s y m b o l i c o f o u r Wing's p r i m a r y
mission.
The l i g h t b l u e background r e p r e s e n t s t h e s k y , o u r
primary t h e a t e r of operations.
The f o u r l a n c e s d e n o t e t h e
weapons s t a c k e d r e a d y f o r i n s t a n t u s e as needed. A b l a c k and
white checkerboard b a t t l e f i e l d , c r o s s i n g t h e lances i n a horiz o n t a l p o s i t i o n , i n d i c a t e s o u r Wing i s w i l l i n g t o go i n t o
b a t t l e anywhere i n t h e s k y .
The c o l o r s of the s q u a d r o n s ,
a t t a c h e d t o t h e Winq, form a b a n n e r which sweeps a c r o s s t h e
e n t i r e emblem, i n d i c a t i n g s u p p o r t t o t h e o v e r - a l l m i s s i o n .
The H q , 4 0 1 s t Fighter-Bomber Wing was c o n s t i t u t e d
23 Mar 53 (DAF L t r 322 (AFOMO 330h) 2 3 Mar 53)
I t was a c t i v a t e d 25 S e p 57 a t England AFB, A l e x a n d r i a , L o u i s i a n a .
It
w a s r e d e s i g n a t e d t h e H q , 4 0 1 s t T a c t i c a l F i g h t e r Wing, e f f e c t i v e 1 J u l 58 (DAF L t r AFOMO 788k, 1 5 Apr 5 8 . )
HISTORY:
.
APPROVAL:
1 5 September 1955
SQUADRON EMBLEM:
612th T a c t i c a l F i g h t e r
Squadron (TFS)
On a l i g h t s k y b l u e d i s c , w i t h i n a b o r d e r
A i r F o r c e b l u e , a f i g h t i n g American Bald E a g l e , d a r k brown,
wings h i q h l i g h t e d A i r Force yellow, e y e b a l l g r e e n , p u p i l b l a c k ,
w i t h w h i t e h i g h l i g h t , beak and f e e t A i r F o r c e y e l l o w , d e t a i l
d a r k brown, t a l o n s b l a c k , h i q h l i g h t s w h i t e , t o n g u e r e d , head
and t a i l f e a t h e r s w h i t e , o u t l i n e d b l a c k ; t h e e a g l e c a r r y i n g a
l a r g e r e d bomb i n h i s r i q h t t a l o n s , i n b a s e a c l o u d w h i t e .
SIGNIFICANCE: The 6 1 2 t h Fighter-Bomber Squadron emblem
d e p i c t s t h e American Bald E a q
. l e ,- t h e s y m b o l i c a l b i r d o f o u r
ati ion, which i s c o u r a q e o u s , s t r o n g and ~ o w e ruf l when p r o t e c t i n g , d e f e n d i n g , and overcoming h i s a d v e r s a r i e s .
Such q u a l i t i e s
a r e l i k e w i s e i n h e r e n t i n t h e members o f t h e 6 1 2 t h F i g h t e r Bomber Squadron.
The deep b l u e b o r d e r i s t h e s q u a d r o n ' s c o l o r ,
and by f o r m i n g a r i n g o r a n n u l e t around t h e sky, s y m b o l i z e s
t h e u n i t ' s c o o r d i n a t i o n , c o o p e r a t i o n , and u n i t y of p u r p o s e t o
f o r t r e s s and d e f e n d t h e s k i e s a g a i n s t a l l enemies. The r e d
bomb i s s y m b o l i c a l o f t h e powerful modern weapon t h e i r m i s s i o n
c h a r g e s them t o u s e when t h e t i m e i s o p p o r t u n e .
HISTORY:
The 6 1 2 t h Bomb Sq (H) w a s c o n s t i t u t e d 26 Mar 43 and
a u t h o r i z e d t o b e a c t i v a t e d on 1 A p r i l 1943, a t E p h r a t a , Washd a t e d 20 Mar 43,
i n g t o n , p e r AG 320.2 (3-19-43) OB-I-AFDPU-M,
l
r e d e s i g n a t e d a s t h e 612th Bomb Sq,
a c t i v a t e d 1 ~ p r i 1943;
Heavy, p e r AG 320.2 (7-31-43) PE-A-M-C,
d a t e d 20 Aug 43.
The 6 1 2 t h Bomb S q ( H ) was i n a c t i v a t e d 28 Aug 45, a t Sioux
F a l l s AAF, S.D., p e r AG 322 ( 2 Aug 45) OB-I-AFRPG-M,
dated
1 8 Aug 1945.
The 6 1 2 t h Bomb Sq, H , was r e d e s i g n a t e d a s t h e 612th Bomb Sq,
a l l o t t e d t o t h e Organized R e s e r v e s , and a u t h o r i z e d t o b e
a c t i v a t e d p e r AGAO-1-322 Org R e s (22 May 4 7 ) AFCOR (491e)-M,
d a t e d 27 May 1947; a c t i v a t e d 26 J u n e 1947.
VH,
The 6 1 2 t h Bomb Sq, VH, was r e d e s i g n a t e d t h e 612th Bombardment
Squadron, M , p e r L t r 322 (AFOOR 2 1 3 f ) , D/AF, 16 May 1949,
e f f e c t i v e 27 J u n e 19 4 9 .
The 6 1 2 t h Bombardment Squadron, Medium, w a s r e d e s i g n a t e d a s t h e
6 1 2 t h F i g h t e r Bomber Squadron e f f e c t i v e 2 4 November 1953; i t
was a c t i v a t e d on 8 February 1954. The 612th F i g h t e r Bomber
Squadron was r e d e s i g n a t e d t h e 612th T a c t i c a l F i g h t e r Squadron
on 1 J u l y 1958.
APPROVED:
22 F e b r u a r y 1 9 5 5
Squadron (TFS)
SQUADRON EMBLEM: On a d i s c A i r F o r c e y e l l o w , b o r d e r e d b l a c k ,
a c a r i c a t u r e d o c t o p u s , w i t h t e n t a c l e s , markings, and f a c e
f e a t u r e s , eyebals red; grasping with t h r e e of h i s t e n t a c l e s a
r o c k e t i n f l a m e d , and w i t h two o f h i s t e n t a c l e s t w i r l i n g
f l a s h e s of firepower, a l l proper.
SIGNIFICANCE: The o c t o p u s w i t h i t s t e n t a c l e s s y m b o l i z e s t h e
v a r s a t i l i t y o f a f i q h t e r bomber u n i t on b o t h q r o u n d s u p p o r t and
a i r superiority.
he r o c k e t d e n o t e s t h e s p e e d a t w h i c h f i r e power c a n b e b r o u g h t t o a n a g g r e s s o r i f h e s h o u l d come w i t h i n
reach of t h e tentacles.
The f i e r c e and r e s t l e s s n a t u r e of t h e
o c t o p u s f u r t h e r s y m b o l i z e s t h e v i g i l a n c e and a g g r e s s i v e n e s s
of the unit.
The c o l o r s b l a c k and y e l l o w w e r e s e l e c t e d t o
r e p r e s e n t r e a d i n e s s e i t h e r day o r n i g h t .
HISTORY:
The 613th Bomb Squadron, (Heavy), was c o n s t i t u t e d
20 Mar 4 3 and a c t i v a t e d 1 Apr 4 3 a t E p h r a t a , Washington. The
s q u a d r o n was l a t e r i n a c t i v a t e d on 2 8 Aug 4 5 .
designations are:
Subsequent r e -
613th Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy), 25 J u l 47. On
1 2 Aug 4 7 , t h e squadron was r e a c t i v a t e d i n t h e Reserves.
The 6 1 3 t h became i n a c t i v a t e d on 27 J u n 4 9 .
613th F i g h t e r Bomber Squadron, 24 November 1 9 5 3 .
was t h e n a c t i v a t e d on 8 Feb 54.
6 1 3 t h T a c t i c a l F i g h t e r Squadron, 1 J u l 58.
The squadron
APPROVED:
1 5 November 1943
Squadron (TFS)
AIRCRAFT MARKING: Over and t h r o u g h a medium b l u e d i s c , wide
b o r d e r l i g h t t u r q u o i s e b l u e , p i p e d w h i t e , a winged h o r s e s h o e
g o l d w i t h a l i g h t g r e e n a e r i a l bomb c r o s s i n g behind t h e s i n i s t e r h e e l and i n f r o n t o f t h e d e x t e r h e e l , a l l surmounted by
t h e f a c e and head of a r e d d e v i l , w i t h h i g h l i g h t and shadow,
a s p e r r e c o r d drawing.
SIGNIFICANCE: The emblem r e p r e s e n t s t h e "Lucky D e v i l s " ; t h e
r e d d e v i l s head i n c l o s e d i n a y e l l o w h o r s e s h o e w i t h wings
s y m b o l i z e s t h e squadron p e r s o n n e l ' s d a r i n g v e n t u r e s i n t o t h e
sky and r e t u r n i n g from a s u c c e s s f u l m i s s i o n . The bomb i s
r e p r e s e n t a t i v e of t h e d e s t r u c t i o n d e a l t t o t h e enemy.
HISTORY:
The 6 1 4 t h Bombardment Squadron ( H ) w a s c o n s t i t u t e d
a n d a u t h o r i z e d t o b e made a c t i v e a t E p h r a t a , w a s h i n g t o n , p u r s u a n t t o War Department l e t t e r , AG 320.2 (3-19-43) OB-I-AFDPUM I d a t e d 20 Mar 43.
The Squadron w a s made a c t i v e 1 Apr 43.
The 6 1 4 t h Bombardment Squadron ( H ) was i n a c t i v a t e d 2 8 Aug 45,
a t S i o u x F a l l s AAF, S.D., p e r AG 322 ( 2 Aug 45) OB-I-AFRPG-MI
d a t e d 1 8 Aug 45.
The 6 1 4 t h Bombardment Squadron, Heavy, was r e d e s i g n a t e d as
t h e 6 1 4 t h Bombardment Squadron, Very Heavy, a l l o t t e d t o t h e
O r g a n i z e d R e s e r v e s , a n d a u t h o r i z e d t o b e a c t i v a t e d p e r AGAO-I
322 Org Res (19 Sep 47) AFCOR-(596e)-MI d a t e d 26 Sep 47; a c t i v a t e d 6 Apr 4 8, a t Brooks AFB, San A n t o n i o , Texas.
The 6 1 4 t h Bombardment Squadron, Very Heavy, was a u t h o r i z e d t o
b e i n a c t i v a t e d p e r L t r 322 (AFOOR 2 1 4 f ) , D/AF, 1 7 May 1949,
e f f e c t i v e 27 J u n 49.
The 6 1 4 t h Bombardment Squadron, Very Heavy, was r e d e s i g n a t e d
a s t h e 6 1 4 t h Bombardment Squadron, Medium, e f f e c t i v e 27 Sun 49.
The 6 1 4 t h Bomb Sq, Medium, w a s r e d e s i g n a t e d a s t h e 614th
Fighter-Bomber Squadron e f f e c t i v e 24 November 1953 and a c t i v a t e d
8 F e b r u a r y 1954.
The 6 1 4 t h Fighter-Bomber Squadron was r e d e s i g n a t e d t h e 614th
T a c t i c a l F i g h t e r Squadron o n 1 J u l 58.
4 0 1 s t T a c t i c a l F i g h t e r Wing
LINEAGE DATA
Constituted
40 1st Bombardment Group (Heavy)
20 March 1 9 4 3
Activated
1 A p r i l 1943
Inactivated
28 August 1945
Redes i g n a t e d
4 0 1 s t Bombardment Group (Very Heavy)
A l l o t t e d t o t h e Reserves
Activated
26 J u n e 1947
Redesignated
4 0 1 s t Bombardment Group (Medium)
2 6 J u n e 1949
C a l l e d t o A c t i v e Duty
1 May 1 9 5 1 ( A s s i g n e d t o SAC)
Inactivated
25 J u n e 1 9 5 1
Redesignated
4 0 1 s t F i g h t e r Bomber Group
A
ctivated
8 F e b r u a r y 1954
Inactivated
25 September 1957
* 4 0 1 s t Bomb Group
- lineag
- e t r a n s f e r r e d t o t h e 401st Fighter
Bomber Wing
Constituted
4 0 1 s t F i g h t e r Bomber Wing
23 March 1953
Activated
25 September 1 9 57
Redes i g n a t e d
4 0 1 s t T a c t i c a l F i g h t e r Wing
1 July 1958
LINEAGE DATA
( 6 1 2 t h T a c t i c a l F i g h t e r Squadron)
Constituted
6 1 2 t h Bombardment Squadron (Heavy)
20 March 1 9 4 3
Activated
1 A p r i l 1943
Inactivated
2 8 A u g u s t 1945
Redesignated
6 1 2 t h Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy)
2 7 May 1947
A c t i v a t e d i n t h e Reserves
26 J u n e 1947
Redes ignated
6 1 2 t h Bombardment Squadron (Medium)
2 7 J u n e 1949
C a l l e d t o A c t i v e Duty
1 May 1 9 5 1
Inactivated
2
5
1
Redes i g n a t e d
6 1 2 t h F i g h t e r Bomber Squadron
24 November 1953
Activated
8 F e b r u a r y 1954
Redesignated
6 1 2 t h T a c t i c a l F i g h t e r Squadron
1 J u l y 1958
LINEAGE DATA
( 6 1 3 t h T a c t i c a l F i g h t e r Squadron)
Constituted
6 1 3 t h Bombardment Squadron (Heavy)
20 March 1 9 4 3
Activated
1 A p r i l 1943
Inactivated
28 A u g u s t 1945
Redes i g n a t e d
6 1 3 t h Bombardment S q u a d r o n (Very Heavy)
25 J u l y 1947
A c t i v a t e d i n t h e Reserves
1 2 A u g u s t 1947
Inactivated
27 J u n e 1949
Redesignated
6 1 3 t h F i g h t e r Bomber Squadron
24 November 1953
Activated
8 F e b r u a r y 1954
Redesignated
6 1 3 t h T a c t i c a l F i g h t e r Squadron
1 J u l y 1958
LINEAGE DATA
( 614t h
Tactical Fighter Squadron)
Constituted
614th Bombardment Squadron
2 0 March 1943
Activated
1 A p r i l 1943
Inactivated
2 8 August 1945
Redesignated
614th Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy)
26 September 1947
A c t i v a t e d i n t h e Reserves
6 A p r i l 1948
Inactivated
2 7 June 1949
Redesignated
6 1 4 t h F i g h t e r Bomber Squadron
24 November 1953
Activated
8 February 1954
Redesignated
614th T a c t i c a l F i g h t e r Squadron
1 J u l y 1958
4 0 1 s t T a c t i c a l F i g h t e r Wing
AWARDS, CITATIONS, AND WARTIME CAMPAIGNS
Awards
*Distinguished Unit C i t a t i o n
*Distinguished Unit C i t a t i o n
A i r F o r c e O u t s t a n d i n g U n i t Award
11 J a n u a r y 1944
20 F e b r u a r y 1944
1 J a n u a r y 1963
3 1 December 1963
-
Campaigns
A i r O f f e n s i v e Europe
4 J u l y 1942 5 J u n e 1944
C e n t r a l Europe
22 March 1945
11 May 194 5
Normandy
6 J u n e 1944 2 4 J u l y 1944
Rhineland
1 5 September 1944
2 1 March 1945
Northern France
2 5 J u l y 1944
1 4 September 1944
-
-
-
*Awards, c i t a t i o n s , and campaign c r e d i t s of t h e 4 0 1 s t Bomb
Group w e r e t e m p o r a r i l y bestowed upon t h e 4 0 1 s t T a c t i c a l F i g h t e r
4 0 1 s t T a c t i c a l F i g h t e r Wing
STATIONS
Station
Date
-
E p h r a t a Army A i r Base,
Washington
1 A p r i l 1943
-
1 5 J u n e 1943
G e i g e r F i e l d , Washington
1 5 J u n e 1943
-
8 J u l y 1943
G r e a t F a l l s Army A i r Base,
Montana
8 J u l y 1943
D e e n e t h o r p e , England
19 October 1943
S i o u x F a l l s A r m y A i r Base,
S o u t h Dakota
1
Brooks F i e l d , Texas
26 J u n e 1947
A l e x a n d r i a ( l a t e r England)
AFB, L o u i s i a n a
8 F e b r u a r y 1954
T o r r e j o n AB, S p a i n
27 A p r i l 1966
-
-
19 October 1943
-
30 May 1945
28 August 1945
-
27 June 1949
-
-
27 A p r i l 1966
present
6 1 2 t h T a c t i c a l F i g h t e r Squadron
E p h r a t a Army A i r B a s e (AAB)
Washington
,
1 A p r i l 1943
G e i g e r F i e l d , Washington
4 J u n e 1943
G r e a t F a l l s AAB, Montana
8 July
D e e n e t h o r p e , England
3 November 1943
S i o u x F a l l s AAF, South
Dakota
1
Brooks F i e l d , Texas
26 June 1947
Biggs AFB, Texas
27 J u n e 1949
A l e x a n d r i a ( L a t e r England)
AFB , L o u i s i a n a
8 F e b r u a r y 1954
M i s a w a AB, Japan
1 4 November 1965
-
-
19 October 1943
-
20 June 1945
2 8 August 1945
-
25 June 1951
-
27 A p r i l 1966
"Detachment 1, 612 TFS
Attached t o :
366 TFW; 35 TFW
Phan Rang AB, Vietnam
1 5 May 1966
~ t t a c h e dt o :
37 TFV
Phu C a t AB, Vietnam
8 J u n e 1967
35 TFW
Attached to:
Phan Rang AB, Vietnam
1 5 A p r i l 1969
T o r r e j o n AB, Spain
1 5 J u l y 1971
-
1 5 March 1971
613th T a c t i c a l F i g h t e r Squadron
E p h r a t a AAB, Washington
1 A p r i l 1943
G e i g e r F i e l d , Washington
4 June 1943
G r e a t F a l l s AAB, Montana
8 July
Deenethorpe, England
3 November 1943
S i o u x F a l l s AAF, South
Dakota
Brooks F i e l d , Texas
1
A l e x a n d r i a AFB, L o u i s i a n a
8 February 1954
T o r r e j o n AB, S p a i n
2 8 A p r i l 1966
-
-
19 October 1943
-
20 June 1945
28 August 1945
26 June 1947
614th T a c t i c a l F i a h t e r Sauadron
E p h r a t a AAB, Washington
1 A p r i l 1943
G e i g e r F i e l d , Washington
4 June 1943
G r e a t F a l l s AAB, Montana
8 July
Deenethorpe, England
3 November 1943
-
19 October 1943
-
20 June 1945
*As o t 1 J u l y 1966, t h e 6 1 2 t h T a c t i c a l F i g h t e r Squadron, stat i o n e d a t Misawa AB, J a p a n , became a "paper" o r g a n i z a t i o n manned
by o n e p e r s o n as a n a d d i t i o n a l d u t y . Detachment 1, 612 TFS,
which had been o r g a n i z e d a t Phan Rang AB, Vietnam, on 1 5 May
1966, became t h e de f a c t o squadron, and t h e commander of t h e
detachment became t h e de f a c t o commander of t h e 612 TFS.
-
S i o u x F a l l s AAF, S o u t h
Dakota
1
Brooks F i e l d , Texas
6 A p r i l 1948
A l e x a n d r i a AFB, L o u i s i a n a
8 F e b r u a r y 1954
Phan Rang AB, Vietnam
1 8 September 1966
T o r r e j o n AB, S p a i n
15 J u l y 1 9 7 1
28 August 1945
4 0 1 s t T a c t i c a l F i g h t e r Wing
AIRCRAFT
1943
1947
-
1955
-
1957
-
1947
1949
1950
1954
1970/71
1973
1979
1983
-
1945
1949
1949
1950
1951
1955, and 1956
-
1957
1956
1970/71
-
1973
1979
1983/84
present
* A i r c r a f t f l o w n b y t h e 4 0 1 s t Bomb Group a n d t h e 6 1 2 t h , 6 1 3 t h ,
a n d 6 1 4 t h Bomb S q u a d r o n s w h i l e a t t a c h e d t o o t h e r u n i t s i n
reserve s t a t u s .
b
4 0 1 s t T a c t i c a l F i g h t e r Wing
COMMANDERS
C o l o n e l N e i l B. H a r d i n g
C o l o n e l H a r o l d W. Bowman
C o l o n e l W i l l i a m T. S e a w e l l
L t C o l o n e l William N. Hensley
C o l o n e l Walter G . Benz
L t C o l o n e l R a l p h F. Newman
C o l o n e l C h e s t e r L. Van E t t e n
B r i g a d i e r G e n e r a l I v a n W. McElroy
C o l o n e l A l b e r t W. S c h i n z
C o l o n e l Niven K. C r a n f i l l
C o l o n e l R i c h a r d V. T r a v i s
C o l o n e l W i l l i a m P. McBride
C o l o n e l H a r o l d G. Shook
C o l o n e l C l a y t o n M. I s a a c s o n
B r i g a d i e r G e n e r a l S a n f o r d K. Moats
C o l o n e l Herndon F . W i l l i a m s
C o l o n e l James H . Hoag Jr.
C o l o n e l W i l b u r L. C r e e c h
C o l o n e l Tony M. G r e g e t
C o l o n e l R i c h a r d G. C o l l i n s
C o l o n e l C h a r l e s L. D o n n e l l y Jr.
C o l o n e l Benjamin R . B a t t l e
C o l o n e l Anthony T. Sheehan
C o l o n e l Kenneth W . N o r t h
C o l o n e l W i l f r e d L. Goodson
B r i g a d i e r G e n e r a l A l b e r t L. Logan
C o l o n e l J o h n C. F r y e r Jr.
1 A p r i l 1943
5 J u n e 1943
1 0 December 1 9 4 4
1 May 1 9 5 1
8 F e b r u a r y 1954
1 March 1956
2 J u n e 1956
1 5 A p r i l 1959
10 J u n e 1960
11 March 1962
1 5 March 1962
23 S e p t e m b e r 1964
1 4 J u n e 1965
7 May 1966
20 A p r i l 1967
2 November 196 8
8 J a n u a r y 1970
1 7 November 1970
19 J u l y 1 9 7 1
6 September 1972
1 November 1973
1 7 J u l y 1975
1 4 J u l y 1977
1 2 J u n e 1979
8 May 1 9 8 1
25 J a n u a r y 1982
29 J u n e 1984
HISTORY OF TORREJON A I R BASE
T o r r e j o n A i r Base, j u s t 15 m i l e s e a s t of s p a i n ' s c a p i t a l c i t y
o f Madrid, i s t h e home of t h e 4 0 1 s t T a c t i c a l F i g h t e r wing and
1 6 t h A i r F o r c e Headquarters.
The i n s t a l l a t i o n i s a Spanish A i r F o r c e b a s e ; a p o r t i o n of
t h e b a s e i s used by t h e U.S. A i r F o r c e under p r o v i s i o n s of t h e
T r e a t y o f F r i e n d s h i p and C o o p e r a t i o n , s i g n e d and r a t i f i e d by
o f f i c i a l s o f S p a i n and t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s .
C o n s t r u c t i o n of t h e $69 m i l l i o n i n s t a l l a t i o n , l o c a t e d a d j a c e n t
t o and named f o r t h e town of T o r r e j o n de Ardoz, began i n l a t e
September 1953, s h o r t l y a f t e r n e g o t i a t i o n s had been completed
o n t h e Mutual Defense A s s i s t a n c e Agreement. Work on t h e b a s e
c o n t i n u e d through 1957, under t h e s u p e r v i s i o n o f t h e U.S. Navy
Bureau o f Docks and Yards. F o r t h e most p a r t , Spanish l a b o r
and m a t e r i a l s were used i n t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f T o r r e j o n A i r
Base.
A f t e r c o n s t r u c t i o n of t h e b a s e i t s e l f was w e l l underway, 862
f a m i l y h o u s i n g u n i t s were begun a b o u t 20 m i l e s w e s t of T o r r e j o n .
The f i r s t u n i t s i n t h e a r e a , c a l l e d Royal Oaks, were o c c u p i e d
i n mid-1958, and c o n s t r u c t i o n was completed i n J u l y 1959.
A n o t h e r 67 u n i t s f o r f a m i l y h o u s i n g were b u i l t on t h e b a s e .
With i t s t 13,400 f o o t runway, T o r r e j o n was o r i g i n a l l y d e s i g n e d
t o s u p p o r t t h e S t r a t e g i c A i r Command's B-47 r o t a t i o n commitments,
a m i s s i o n which c o n t i n u e d u n t i l t h e B-47s were phased o u t of t h e
A i r F o r c e bomber i n v e n t o r y i n 1965.
I n A p r i l 1966, t h e 4 0 1 s t
T a c t i c a l F i g h t e r Wing, u n d e r i t s ' p a r e n t command--United S t a t e s
A i r F o r c e s i n Europe--assumed h o s t u n i t s t a t u s on t h e b a s e , w i t h
a n i n v e n t o r y o f t h r e e s q u a d r o n s o f F-100 Super S a b r e a i r c r a f t .
The wing i s now equipped w i t h F-16 F i g h t i n g Falcon a i r c r a f t .
T o r r e j o n A i r Base i s a l s o an i m p o r t a n t a i r t e r m i n a l , second
o n l y t o Rhein-Main A i r Base, Germany, and RAF M i l d e n h a l l , U . K . ,
i n t h e number o f p a s s e n g e r s p r o c e s s e d f o r f l i g h t each y e a r .
V a r i o u s M i l i t a r y A i r l i f t Command a i r c r a f t a l s o t r a n s i t t h e
b a s e c a r r y i n g c a r g o and p a s s e n g e r s a c r o s s t h e A t l a n t i c .
T o r r e j o n A i r Base s u p p o r t s a l a r g e p o p u l a t i o n . More t h a n 3,500
m i l i t a r y p e r s o n n e l a r e a s s i g n e d t o t h e i n s t a l l a t i o n , w h i l e some
700 c i v i l i a n s work f o r t h e U.S. A i r F o r c e and a s s o c i a t e d agenci e s o n t h e b a s e . The b a s e a l s o p r o v i d e s s e r v i c e s f o r t h e depende n t s o f t h o s e personnel.
S i n c e t h o s e y e a r s when t h e b a s e f i r s t went i n t o o p e r a t i o n ,
T o r r e j o n h a s grown somewhat, adding s e r v i c e s t o b e t t e r accomod a t e i t s ' p e r s o n n e l . A new bowling c e n t e r i s t h e l a t e s t a d d i t i o n , w h i l e s e r v i c e s i n o t h e r a r e a s have a l s o i n c r e a s e d ,
especially i n the quality-of-life area.
"F" DISTRIBUTION