31st Fighter Wing, US Air Force

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31ST FIGHTER WING, US AIR FORCE

History: Established as 31 Fighter Wing on 6 November 1947. Organized on 20 November 1947. Redesignated as: 31 Fighter-Bomber Wing on 20 January 1950; 31 Fighter-Escort Wing on 16 July 1950; 31 Strategic Fighter Wing on 20 January 1953; 31 Fighter-Bomber Wing on 1 April 1957; 31 Tactical Fighter Wing on 1 July 1958; 31 Tactical Training Wing on 30 March 1981; 31 Tactical Fighter Wing on 1 October 1985; 31 Fighter Wing on 1 October 1991. Trained to achieve tactical proficiency, 1947-1950. From December 1950 through July 1951, all tactical and most support components deployed to England. Thereafter, deployed to provide air defense in Japan, Juyl-October 1952 and November 1953-February 1954. Earned an outstanding unit award for making the first massed jet fighter crossing of the Pacific Ocean, in July 1952. Rotated tactical components to Alaska, 1956-1957, and to Europe, 1958-1959. Became non-operational in March 1959, moved to George AFB, CA, and absorbed personnel and equipment of inactivated units. Reassigned to Homestead AFB, FL, in May 1962 and subsequently stood air defense alert during the Cuban Missile Crisis, October-November 1962. Maintained tactical proficiency by participating in exercises, firepower demonstrations, and by rotating tactical components overseas. Moved to Southeast Asia in December 1966 and conducted combat operations, 16 December 1966-September 1970. Controlled interdiction strikes, conducted visual and photo reconnaissance, rescue combat air patrols, and suppressed enemy antiaircraft artillery. Conducted air operations against enemy forces during the TET Offensive and the Siege of Khe Sanh, February-April 1968. Flew close air support missions during the extraction of friendly troops from Kham Duc on 12 May 1968. Gained forward air control mission in May 1968. Returned to Homestead AFB, FL, without personnel or equipment on 15 October 1970 and absorbed new personnel and equipment. Conducted F-4 replacement training from 1 July 1971 and rotated components to Southeast Asia, April 1972-June 1973. Assumed primary responsibility for air defense in southern Florida on 1 Apr 1976 and advised Air National Guard (ANG) fighter units on operational matters. In Sep 1979-Sep 1980, transferred nearly half of its F-4E aircraft to Egypt (Project PEACE PHAROAH) and the remainder to the ANG, and re-equipped with F-4D aircraft. Continued to operate as an F-4 combat crew training unit but relinquished its Florida air defense commitment in October 1983. Began transitioning into F-16 aircraft in June 1985 and reduced F–4 training operations as its flying squadrons completed turnover; the last F-4 training class graduated in May 1988. Subsequently became a fully operational F-16 wing and maintained readiness for worldwide deployment carrying either conventional or nuclear weapons. On 24 August 1992, much of Homestead AFB’s physical plant was destroyed or severely damaged by Hurricane Andrew. Subsequently, the wing’s fighter squadrons moved to other bases, and, in November 1992, were assigned to other wings. Other wing elements worked to clean up and salvage government property at Homestead. Moved to Italy in April 1994 without personnel and equipment; replaced the 401 Fighter Wing as host wing at Aviano AB. From May 1994-December 2004, participated in the following major Balkan operations: DENY FLIGHT, May 1994-August 1995; DELIBERATE FORCE, August-September 1995; DENY FLIGHT, September-December 1995; DECISIVE EDGE, December 1995-December 1996; DELIBERATE GUARD, December 1996-June 1998; DELIBERATE FORGE, June 1998-June 1999; ALLIED FORCE, combat, March-June 1999; and JOINT GUARDIAN/DELIBERATE FORGE, June 1999-December 2003. Its squadrons deployed personnel and equipment to support operations in Southwest Asia, April 1991-November 1995. In 2000 the wing gained a Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) mission, along with additional F-16s. Supported OPERATIONS NORTHERN WATCH, March-May 2002 and SOUTHERN WATCH, August-December 2002; OPERATIONS ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM, 2003-2010. Played a major role in the United Nations’ response to the crisis in Libya, known as Operation ODYSSEY DAWN, by enforcing a no-fly zone over Libya, 17-31 March 2011.


Coat of arms (crest) of the 31st Fighter Wing, US Air Force
Official blazon
English blazon wanted

Origin/meaning

The Emblem was approved on 13 December 1951; newest rendition approved on 25 September 2007.

Literature: Image from Wikimedia Commons. Information from https://www.afhra.af.mil/


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