ABOUT 7101 Air base Wing USAFE
- Origins: The 7101st Air Base Wing was activated in 1948 at Wiesbaden Air Base, Germany, playing a vital role in post-World War II Europe.
- Berlin Airlift Support: The wing supported the Berlin Airlift (1948-1949), providing critical logistical and operational support to sustain West Berlin during the Soviet blockade.
- Headquarters USAFE: Wiesbaden Air Base, under the 7101st, served as the headquarters for United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) for several decades.
- Cold War Hub: Throughout the Cold War, the 7101st Air Base Wing was a key logistical and administrative hub for U.S. air operations in Europe.
- Presidential Visits: The base and wing supported multiple visits by U.S. Presidents and NATO leaders, including President John F. Kennedy in 1963.
- Humanitarian Missions: The wing participated in various humanitarian airlifts and disaster response missions in Europe and Africa.
- Intelligence Operations: Wiesbaden became a center for intelligence gathering and electronic surveillance during the Cold War, with the wing providing critical support.
- Unit Redesignations: Over its history, the 7101st underwent several redesignations and organizational changes as USAFE's needs evolved.
- Deactivation: The 7101st Air Base Wing was inactivated in 1976 as part of a USAFE realignment, with many of its functions transferred to other units.
- Legacy: The legacy of the 7101st Air Base Wing endures in the continuing U.S. military presence at Wiesbaden, now home to U.S. Army Europe and Africa headquarters.