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401st TFW

U.S. Air Force•72 members

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About this Unit

401st TFW

U.S. Air Force

The 401st Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) was first activated in 1957 as part of the United States Air Force, initially stationed at England Air Force Base, Louisiana. It played a significant role during the Cold War, deploying to Europe and providing air defense and tactical fighter support for NATO, notably operating out of Torrejon Air Base, Spain, from 1966. The wing flew various aircraft over its history, including the F-100 Super Sabre, F-4 Phantom II, and F-16 Fighting Falcon, adapting to evolving combat requirements. The 401st TFW was inactivated in 1994, marking the end of its distinguished service in both peacetime and crisis operations.

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About this Unit

Historical Facts

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.

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401st TFW

U.S. Air Force•72 members

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About this Unit

401st TFW

U.S. Air Force

Unit members

Charles McIntire

U.S. Air Force Veteran · 1963 - 1967

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David Church

U.S. Air Force Veteran · 1976 - 1978

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David Rivera

U.S. Air Force · 1975 - 1977

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David Clark

U.S. Air Force Veteran

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About 401st TFW

About this Unit

Historical Facts

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.