4th Tactical Fighter Group

The 4th Tactical Fighter Group traces its origins to World War II, initially activated as the 4th Fighter Group in 1942, composed largely of American volunteers from the Royal Air Force “Eagle Squadrons.” Renowned for flying P-47 Thunderbolts and later P-51 Mustangs, the group became one of the highest-scoring units in the European Theater, credited with over 1,000 enemy aircraft destroyed. During the Cold War, it was redesignated as the 4th Tactical Fighter Group, transitioning to jet aircraft such as the F-86 Sabre and later the F-4 Phantom II, and participated in major operations including the Korean and Vietnam Wars. The unit’s legacy of excellence continues today as the 4th Fighter Wing, based at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.