7272 Fighter Training wing, Wheelus Air Force Base, Libya

The 7272nd Fighter Training Wing was a United States Air Force unit stationed at Wheelus Air Force Base, Libya, during the 1950s and early 1960s. Established to provide advanced fighter weapons training, the wing utilized the favorable flying conditions and expansive ranges of North Africa to conduct gunnery and bombing exercises, particularly for F-100 Super Sabre pilots. Wheelus AFB became a key location for USAF tactical training in the Mediterranean theater, supporting both U.S. and NATO allies. The 7272nd contributed significantly to pilot proficiency during the early years of the Cold War before the eventual drawdown and closure of the base in 1970.