35th TFW

• Origins in World War II: The 35th Fighter Wing traces its roots back to World War II, originally established as the 35th Fighter Group in 1940, flying P-39 Airacobras and later P-47 Thunderbolts in the Pacific Theater. • Korean War Service: Reactivated for the Korean War, the 35th Fighter-Interceptor Wing flew F-51 Mustangs and later F-80 Shooting Stars, providing ground support and air superiority missions. • Vietnam War Deployment: The 35th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) was deployed to Southeast Asia, operating out of Phan Rang Air Base from 1966 to 1971, flying the F-100 Super Sabre and supporting close air support and interdiction missions. • "Black Panthers" Heritage: The 35th TFW included the famous 8th Tactical Bombardment Squadron, known as the "Black Panthers," who flew iconic night missions during the Vietnam War. • Operation Ranch Hand: The 35th TFW supported defoliation missions, including Operation Ranch Hand, using modified C-123 Provider aircraft to spray Agent Orange over enemy territory. • Record-Setting Sorties: In Vietnam, the 35th TFW became one of the most active fighter wings, flying over 100,000 combat sorties and delivering more than 85,000 tons of ordnance. • Notable Aircraft: Over its history, the 35th TFW has operated a diverse range of aircraft, including the P-38 Lightning, F-51 Mustang, F-100 Super Sabre, F-4 Phantom II, F-111 Aardvark, and F-16 Fighting Falcon. • Cold War Reassignments: After Vietnam, the 35th TFW was reassigned to George Air Force Base in California, where it trained pilots and maintained readiness during the height of the Cold War. • Modern Role in the Pacific: Today, the 35th Fighter Wing is based at Misawa Air Base, Japan, flying F-16C/D Fighting Falcons as the only USAF fighter unit in the Pacific with a dedicated Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) mission. • Humanitarian and Disaster Relief: The 35th has also participated in humanitarian missions, such as providing disaster relief after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan, showcasing its versatility beyond combat operations.