58th Tactical Fighter Wing

• World War II Origins: The 58th Tactical Fighter Wing traces its lineage to the 58th Fighter Group, established in 1942, which fought in the Pacific Theater during World War II. • Papuan Campaign: During WWII, the 58th Fighter Group provided critical air support in the Papuan campaign in New Guinea, helping to halt Japanese advances. • Airfield Construction: Pilots and ground crews were often required to help build and improve primitive airfields in the jungles of the Southwest Pacific. • Post-War Inactivation and Reactivation: After WWII, the unit was inactivated and reactivated several times, reflecting shifting defense priorities during the Cold War. • Vietnam War Reactivation: The 58th Tactical Fighter Wing was reactivated in 1969 at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, as the U.S. ramped up pilot training during the Vietnam War. • F-4 Phantom II Training: The wing became a key training unit for F-4 Phantom II pilots and weapons systems officers, instructing thousands who served in Southeast Asia. • Transition to F-16 and F-15: In the late 1970s and 1980s, the wing shifted to training pilots on the F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-15 Eagle, two of the most advanced fighters of their era. • Gulf War Role: During the 1990-1991 Gulf War, 58th TFW-trained pilots played a significant role, flying hundreds of combat missions over Iraq and Kuwait. • Move to Kirtland AFB: In 1994, the wing relocated from Luke AFB to Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, and was redesignated as the 58th Special Operations Wing. • Legacy of Excellence: The unit's history is marked by adaptability, having trained pilots for multiple aircraft and combat roles, and continues today as a premier training wing for special operations and search and rescue missions.