1st tac fighter wing

• Origins: The 1st Tactical Fighter Wing (1st TFW) traces its lineage to the 1st Pursuit Group, established in 1918, making it one of the oldest active fighter units in the U.S. Air Force. • Callsign "Fightin' First": The unit is often referred to as the "Fightin' First" due to its distinguished history and tradition of being the first in air combat. • F-15 Eagle Pioneers: The 1st TFW was the first operational unit to receive and fly the legendary F-15 Eagle in 1976, setting the standard for air superiority missions. • Langley AFB: The wing has been based at Langley Air Force Base (now Joint Base Langley–Eustis), Virginia, since 1975, serving as a key element of U.S. air defense. • Gulf War Service: During Operation Desert Storm in 1991, the 1st TFW deployed to Saudi Arabia and played a critical role in achieving air superiority, flying over 1,300 missions. • Air-to-Air Victories: Pilots from the 1st TFW scored confirmed kills against enemy aircraft during the Gulf War, maintaining the F-15's perfect air combat record. • Transition to F-22: The 1st TFW became the first operational wing to fly the F-22 Raptor in 2005, marking another milestone in advanced fighter integration. • Presidential Escort: The wing has provided air defense for the Washington D.C. area and regularly escorts Air Force One, ensuring the President's safety. • Redesignations: The unit has undergone several name changes, including 1st Fighter Wing, 1st Tactical Fighter Wing, and back to 1st Fighter Wing, reflecting changes in mission and technology. • Heritage and Honors: The 1st TFW boasts a lineage with 20+ campaign streamers and numerous unit citations for valor and excellence, embodying over a century of combat aviation history.