The wing's mission is to provide, project, and sustain combat-ready aircraft in conventional and anti-radiation suppression of enemy air defenses, strategic attack, counter-air, air interdiction, joint maritime operations and combat search-and-rescue missions.
The 20th Fighter Wing was established on 20 July 1947 at Shaw Field, South Carolina and activated on 15 August. Upon its activation, the 20th commanded the functions of both the support groups as well as the flying 20th Fighter Group and the squadrons assigned to it. On 26 August 1948, the wing's 20th Airdrome Group was discontinued and its elements became realigned under the 20th Air Base Group.
On 15 December 1993, the flight line at RAF Upper Heyford was closed. The wing moved without personnel and equipment from the UK to South Carolina on 1 January 1994, inheriting the personnel and equipment of the 363d Fighter Wing.
Two F-16s from the wing collided during a training flight on 15 October 2009. One F-16, piloted by Captain Lee Bryant, was able to land safely at Shaw.[2] The other plane, piloted by Captain Nicholas Giglio, 32, apparently crashed into the ocean. Authorities believe that Giglio was killed instantly in the collision and did not eject.[3] An accident investigation board determined that the crash was caused by pilot error. The board stated that Giglio was flying too fast and was not paying adequate attention as he attempted to rejoin Bryant's aircraft for the return flight to Shaw.[4]
Unitsedit
The 20th Fighter Wing is composed of four groups each with specific functions.[citation needed] The Operations Group controls all flying and airfield operations. The Maintenance Group performs maintenance of aircraft, ground equipment and aircraft components. The Mission Support Group has a wide range of responsibilities,a few of its functions are Security, Civil Engineering, Communications, Personnel Management, Logistics, Services and Contracting support. While the Medical Group provides medical and dental care.
Ninth Air Force, 15 August 1947 – 26 August 1948, 24 August 1948
Fourteenth Air Force, 1 February 1949
Tactical Air Command, 1 August 1950
Ninth Air Force, 22 January 1951 (attached to: Tactical Air Division, Provisional, 25 April – 10 October 1951, Tactical Air Command after 6 November 1951)
Tactical Air Command, 1 December 1951 (attached to 49th Air Division after 12 February 1952)
20th Fighter Group (later 20 Fighter-Bomber Group, 20 Operations Group): 15 August 1947 – 26 August 1948, 14 August 1948 – 8 February 1955; 31 March 1992 – 1 January 1994; 1 January 1994 – present (detached 26 July-c. 17 December 1950 and 25 April – 10 October 1951)[1]
20th Maint, Mission Support Groups etc
Squadrons
42d Electronic Combat Squadron: assigned 1 July 1983 – 1 June 1985, attached 2 June 1985 – 24 January 1991, assigned 25 January 1991 – 1 July 1992.
55th Fighter-Bomber Squadron (later 55th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Squadron): attached 15 November 1952 – 7 February 1955, assigned 8 February 1955 – 31 March 1992
77th Fighter-Bomber Squadron (later 77th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 77th Fighter Squadron): attached 15 November 1952 – 7 February 1955, assigned 8 February 1955 – 31 March 1992
79th Fighter-Bomber Squadron (later 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 79th Fighter Squadron): attached 15 November 1952 – 7 February 1955, assigned 8 February 1955 – 31 March 1992[1]
Stationsedit
Shaw Field (later Shaw Air Force Base), South Carolina, 15 August 1947 – 26 August 1948, 24 August 1948 – 9 November 1951
Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, 9 November 1951 – 22 May 1952
RAF Wethersfield, England, 31 May 1952 – 1 April 1970
RAF Woodbridge, England, 1 October 1954 – 1 April 1970 (79th only)
RAF Upper Heyford, England, 1 April 1970 – 1 January 1994
Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, 1 January 1994 – present[1]
^Aircraft is North American P-51D-30-NA Mustang serial 44-74558 at Shaw Field. Note the postwar buzz number on the fuselage, and "20th Fighter Group" written on the tail cap.
^The experimental Table of Distribution 20th Fighter Wing was discontinued on this date. Ravenstein, p. 38.
^The permanent Table of Organization 20th Fighter Wing was activated on this date. Ravenstein, p. 38. The two wings were consolidated on 1 October 1984.
Citations
^ abcdefghijkRobertson, Patsy (13 February 2008). "Factsheet 20 Fighter Wing (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
^The Washington Post, "Plane Search Expands; Debris Seen in Atlantic", 17 October 2009.
^Collins, Jeffrey, "Missing F-16 pilot had no chance to eject", Military Times, 18 October 2009.
^Rolfsen, Bruce, "Report: Pilot error caused F-16s to collide", Military Times, 11 January 2010.
^20th AMXS reorganizes to increase agility, readiness
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency.
This article includes content from .
Gordon, Doug (March–April 2001). "Turbulent Times: The USAF's 20th TFW in the 1950s, Part Two - Super Sabres". Air Enthusiast (92): 2–8. ISSN 0143-5450.
Martin, Patrick (1994). Tail Code: The Complete History of USAF Tactical Aircraft Tail Code Markings. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Military Aviation History. ISBN0-88740-513-4.
Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II(PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN0-912799-02-1. LCCN 61060979. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II(PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
Mueller, Robert (1989). Air Force Bases, Vol. I, Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982(PDF). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN0-912799-53-6. Retrieved 17 December 2016.* Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947–1977. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN0-912799-12-9. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
Rogers, Brian. (2005). United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978. Hinkley, UK: Midland Publications. ISBN1-85780-197-0.
Shaw AFB Home Page
November 18, 2023
20th, fighter, wing, this, article, about, fighter, wing, organized, august, 1947, 1946, 1947, fighter, command, wing, united, states, force, host, unit, shaw, force, base, south, carolina, wing, assigned, combat, command, fifteenth, force, 78th, fighter, squa. This article is about the 20 Fighter Wing organized in August 1947 For the 20th Fighter Wing of 1946 1947 see VII Fighter Command The 20th Fighter Wing is a wing of the United States Air Force and the host unit at Shaw Air Force Base South Carolina The wing is assigned to Air Combat Command s Fifteenth Air Force 20th Fighter Wing78th Fighter Squadron F 16C Block 50P 92 3920Active1947 1948 1948 presentCountry United StatesBranch United States Air ForceRoleFighterPart ofAir Combat CommandGarrison HQShaw Air Force Base South CarolinaMotto s Victory by Valor 1 Engagements1991 Gulf War 1 DecorationsAir Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 CommandersCurrentcommanderColonel Kristoffer R SmithNotablecommandersMerrill McPeak 1 Insignia20th Fighter Wing emblem note 1 1 The wing s mission is to provide project and sustain combat ready aircraft in conventional and anti radiation suppression of enemy air defenses strategic attack counter air air interdiction joint maritime operations and combat search and rescue missions Contents 1 History 2 Units 3 Lineage 4 Assignments 5 Flying components 6 Stations 7 Aircraft operated 8 Awards 9 References 9 1 Notes 9 2 BibliographyHistory edit nbsp Group P 51D at Shaw note 2 The 20th Fighter Wing was established on 20 July 1947 at Shaw Field South Carolina and activated on 15 August Upon its activation the 20th commanded the functions of both the support groups as well as the flying 20th Fighter Group and the squadrons assigned to it On 26 August 1948 the wing s 20th Airdrome Group was discontinued and its elements became realigned under the 20th Air Base Group On 15 December 1993 the flight line at RAF Upper Heyford was closed The wing moved without personnel and equipment from the UK to South Carolina on 1 January 1994 inheriting the personnel and equipment of the 363d Fighter Wing Two F 16s from the wing collided during a training flight on 15 October 2009 One F 16 piloted by Captain Lee Bryant was able to land safely at Shaw 2 The other plane piloted by Captain Nicholas Giglio 32 apparently crashed into the ocean Authorities believe that Giglio was killed instantly in the collision and did not eject 3 An accident investigation board determined that the crash was caused by pilot error The board stated that Giglio was flying too fast and was not paying adequate attention as he attempted to rejoin Bryant s aircraft for the return flight to Shaw 4 Units editThe 20th Fighter Wing is composed of four groups each with specific functions citation needed The Operations Group controls all flying and airfield operations The Maintenance Group performs maintenance of aircraft ground equipment and aircraft components The Mission Support Group has a wide range of responsibilities a few of its functions are Security Civil Engineering Communications Personnel Management Logistics Services and Contracting support While the Medical Group provides medical and dental care 20th Operations Group55th Fighter Squadron 77th Fighter Squadron 79th Fighter Squadron 20th Operations Support Squadron dd 20th Maintenance Group55th Fighter Generation Squadron 5 77th Fighter Generation Squadron 79th Fighter Generation Squadron 20th Component Maintenance Squadron 20th Equipment Maintenance Squadron 20th Maintenance Operations Squadron dd 20th Mission Support Group20th Communications Squadron 20th Contracting Squadron 20th Security Forces Squadron 20th Force Support Squadron 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron 20th Civil Engineering Squadron 20 CES dd 20th Medical Group20th Health Care Operations Squadron 20th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron dd 20th Comptroller SquadronLineage editEstablished as the 20 Fighter Wing on 28 July 1947Organized on 15 August 1947 Discontinued on 26 August 1948 note 3 Activated on 24 August 1948 note 4 Redesignated 20 Fighter Bomber Wing on 20 January 1950 Redesignated 20 Tactical Fighter Wing on 8 July 1958 Redesignated 20 Fighter Wing on 1 October 1991 1 Assignments editNinth Air Force 15 August 1947 26 August 1948 24 August 1948 Fourteenth Air Force 1 February 1949 Tactical Air Command 1 August 1950 Ninth Air Force 22 January 1951 attached to Tactical Air Division Provisional 25 April 10 October 1951 Tactical Air Command after 6 November 1951 Tactical Air Command 1 December 1951 attached to 49th Air Division after 12 February 1952 United States Air Forces in Europe 31 May 1952 remained attached to 49th Air Division Third Air Force 5 June 1952 remained attached to 49th Air Division until 1 July 1956 Seventeenth Air Force 1 July 1961 Third Air Force 1 September 1963 1 January 1994 Ninth Air Force 1 January 1994 2009 Ninth Air Force 5 August 2009 2020 1 Fifteenth Air Force 2020 presentFlying components editGroup 20th Fighter Group later 20 Fighter Bomber Group 20 Operations Group 15 August 1947 26 August 1948 14 August 1948 8 February 1955 31 March 1992 1 January 1994 1 January 1994 present detached 26 July c 17 December 1950 and 25 April 10 October 1951 1 20th Maint Mission Support Groups etcSquadrons 42d Electronic Combat Squadron assigned 1 July 1983 1 June 1985 attached 2 June 1985 24 January 1991 assigned 25 January 1991 1 July 1992 55th Fighter Bomber Squadron later 55th Tactical Fighter Squadron 55th Fighter Squadron attached 15 November 1952 7 February 1955 assigned 8 February 1955 31 March 1992 77th Fighter Bomber Squadron later 77th Tactical Fighter Squadron 77th Fighter Squadron attached 15 November 1952 7 February 1955 assigned 8 February 1955 31 March 1992 79th Fighter Bomber Squadron later 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron 79th Fighter Squadron attached 15 November 1952 7 February 1955 assigned 8 February 1955 31 March 1992 1 Stations editShaw Field later Shaw Air Force Base South Carolina 15 August 1947 26 August 1948 24 August 1948 9 November 1951 Langley Air Force Base Virginia 9 November 1951 22 May 1952 RAF Wethersfield England 31 May 1952 1 April 1970 RAF Woodbridge England 1 October 1954 1 April 1970 79th only RAF Upper Heyford England 1 April 1970 1 January 1994 Shaw Air Force Base South Carolina 1 January 1994 present 1 Aircraft operated editRepublic F 84B D G Thunderjet 1948 1955 Republic F 84F Thunderstreak 1955 1957 North American F 100D Super Sabre 1957 1971 General Dynamics F 111 Aardvark 1970 1993 General Dynamics Grumman EF 111A Raven 1984 1992 General Dynamics F 16 Fighting Falcon 1994 present 1 Awards editAir Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 June 1999 31 May 2001 6 Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 June 2013 31 May 2014 7 Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 June 2014 31 May 2015 8 Air Force Meritorious Unit Award 1 June 2018 31 May 2020 9 References editNotes edit Explanatory notes Approved 31 October 1951 Aircraft is North American P 51D 30 NA Mustang serial 44 74558 at Shaw Field Note the postwar buzz number on the fuselage and 20th Fighter Group written on the tail cap The experimental Table of Distribution 20th Fighter Wing was discontinued on this date Ravenstein p 38 The permanent Table of Organization 20th Fighter Wing was activated on this date Ravenstein p 38 The two wings were consolidated on 1 October 1984 Citations a b c d e f g h i j k Robertson Patsy 13 February 2008 Factsheet 20 Fighter Wing ACC Air Force Historical Research Agency Retrieved 12 May 2017 The Washington Post Plane Search Expands Debris Seen in Atlantic 17 October 2009 Collins Jeffrey Missing F 16 pilot had no chance to eject Military Times 18 October 2009 Rolfsen Bruce Report Pilot error caused F 16s to collide Military Times 11 January 2010 20th AMXS reorganizes to increase agility readiness ACC order GA 010 2001 ACC order GA 015 2014 ACC order GA 157 2015 Air Combat Command Special Order GA 007 Bibliography edit nbsp This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency This article includes content from Shaw AFB Website s history page Gordon Doug March April 2001 Turbulent Times The USAF s 20th TFW in the 1950s Part Two Super Sabres Air Enthusiast 92 2 8 ISSN 0143 5450 Martin Patrick 1994 Tail Code The Complete History of USAF Tactical Aircraft Tail Code Markings Atglen PA Schiffer Military Aviation History ISBN 0 88740 513 4 Maurer Maurer ed 1983 1961 Air Force Combat Units of World War II PDF reprint ed Washington DC Office of Air Force History ISBN 0 912799 02 1 LCCN 61060979 Retrieved 17 December 2016 Maurer Maurer ed 1982 1969 Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II PDF reprint ed Washington DC Office of Air Force History ISBN 0 405 12194 6 LCCN 70605402 OCLC 72556 Retrieved 17 December 2016 Mueller Robert 1989 Air Force Bases Vol I Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982 PDF Washington DC Office of Air Force History ISBN 0 912799 53 6 Retrieved 17 December 2016 Ravenstein Charles A 1984 Air Force Combat Wings Lineage amp Honors Histories 1947 1977 Washington DC Office of Air Force History ISBN 0 912799 12 9 Retrieved 17 December 2016 Rogers Brian 2005 United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978 Hinkley UK Midland Publications ISBN 1 85780 197 0 USAAS USAAC USAAF USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers 1908 to present Shaw AFB Home Page Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 20th Fighter Wing amp oldid 1145973329, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
