401st TFW

• Origins in WWII: The 401st began as the 401st Bombardment Group (Heavy), activated in 1943 and flying B-17 Flying Fortresses in the European Theater during World War II. • Distinguished Combat Record: The 401st Bomb Group flew 254 combat missions, dropping over 17,000 tons of bombs and earning two Distinguished Unit Citations. • High Survival Rate: Despite intense combat, the 401st had one of the lowest loss rates among all Eighth Air Force B-17 units in WWII. • Postwar Re-designation: After WWII, the unit was re-designated several times, eventually becoming the 401st Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) in 1957. • Cold War Role: The 401st TFW was stationed at England Air Force Base, Louisiana, and later Torrejon Air Base, Spain, playing a key role in NATO’s European defense. • Aircraft Evolution: Over its history, the 401st operated various aircraft, including the B-17, F-84F Thunderstreak, F-100 Super Sabre, and F-4 Phantom II, eventually transitioning to the F-16 Fighting Falcon. • Libya Deployment: In 1986, 401st TFW F-111s participated in Operation El Dorado Canyon, the U.S. air strike against Libya in response to terrorist attacks. • Gulf War Action: The 401st TFW (Provisional) was deployed to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey in 1991, flying F-16s in support of Operation Desert Storm missions over Iraq. • Base Transfers: The 401st has been stationed at several key locations, including the United Kingdom (Deenethorpe, WWII), Louisiana, Spain, and Turkey, reflecting its strategic global importance. • Legacy and Inactivation: The 401st TFW was inactivated in 1994 as part of post-Cold War force reductions, but its lineage and honors continue with the 401st Air Expeditionary Group.