Gene Watson

33rd Fighter Wing

U.S. Air Force

The 33rd Fighter Wing is a United States Air Force unit based at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. It serves as the primary training unit for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, providing instruction to both Air Force and international partner pilots. Additionally, the wing is responsible for conducting operational testing and evaluation of the F-35 aircraft. The 33rd Fighter Wing plays a critical role in ensuring the readiness and effectiveness of the U.S. military's most advanced fighter aircraft.

The 36th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) was activated at Bitburg Air Base, Germany, in 1952 as part of the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) during the early years of the Cold War. Tasked with NATO defense responsibilities, the wing operated a variety of fighter aircraft over the years, including the F-86 Sabre, F-100 Super Sabre, F-105 Thunderchief, and most notably the F-15 Eagle from the 1970s onward. The 36th TFW played a key role in maintaining air superiority and deterrence in Western Europe, participating in numerous training exercises and NATO operations. The wing remained at Bitburg until 1994, when it was inactivated following the end of the Cold War, and the base was returned to German control.