474th Tactical Fighter Wing

• World War II Origins: The 474th Tactical Fighter Wing traces its heritage back to the 474th Fighter Group, which was activated in 1943 and flew P-38 Lightnings in the European Theater during World War II. • Reactivation during the Cold War: The wing was reactivated as the 474th Fighter-Bomber Wing in 1952 at Misawa Air Base, Japan, to bolster American air power in the Pacific during the early Cold War years. • Move to Nellis AFB: In 1968, the 474th TFW was relocated to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, where it became a key unit for tactical fighter operations and training. • First to Operate the F-111A: The 474th was the first operational wing to receive and fly the revolutionary General Dynamics F-111A Aardvark, a swing-wing fighter-bomber, in 1968. • Combat in Vietnam: In 1972, the 474th deployed its F-111As to Southeast Asia as part of Operation Linebacker II, conducting night bombing missions over North Vietnam with significant success and minimal losses. • Innovative Tactics: The wing developed and refined new low-level, all-weather bombing tactics using the advanced avionics and terrain-following radar of the F-111A. • “Vark” Nickname: The F-111A aircraft flown by the 474th earned the affectionate nickname “Vark” (short for Aardvark) due to its distinctive nose and terrain-hugging capabilities. • Aircraft Losses and Survival Stories: Several F-111As from the 474th were shot down or lost due to mechanical failure during Vietnam operations, but the crews’ survival stories—thanks to the aircraft’s escape capsule system—became legendary. • Transition to A-7D Corsair II: In the late 1970s, the wing transitioned to the LTV A-7D Corsair II, focusing on close air support and ground attack missions. • Inactivation and Legacy: The 474th Tactical Fighter Wing was inactivated in 1989 as part of a broader U.S. Air Force reorganization, but its legacy endures in the innovative tactics and operational excellence it demonstrated over decades.