The Jet Age and the Cold War Era

Compilation Courtesy of SSgt John DesHetler, 1st Fighter Wing History Office, Langley AFB, VA

The Jet Age

The 24 years following World War II were chaotic for the 1st Fighter Group. During this period, the group was assigned under the newly created 1st Fighter Wing, worked for three different numbered air forces, three regional air defense organizations, an air division, and four major commands. In addition, the Group made three permanent change of station moves. During the summer of 1947, the Army Air Force issued the "Wing-Base" plan, creating a self-sufficient wing at each base. As a result, on 15 August 1947, the 1st Fighter Wing was activated at March Field, California. The 1st Fighter Group, with the 27th, 71st, and 94th Fighter Squadrons, were assigned under the Wing and flew the Lockheed P-80 jet aircraft. In addition maintenance, supply, and support organizations fell under the Wing's control.

The Cold War Era

In January 1950, while stationed at George AFB, California, the 1st created its own aerial demonstration teame "Sabre Dancers." The team, composed of five pilots of the 27th, flew their most distinguished show on 22 April 1950, at Eglin AFB, Florida. The large audience included President Harry S. Truman, and a litany of political leaders. During the Korean War, the 1st served an air defense role while the Wing's elements split to opposite coasts. The 1st Fighter Interceptor Group Headquarters, 27th and 71st Fighter Interceptor Squadrons were assigned to the Eastern Air Defense Force, while the Wing headquarters and the 94th Fighter Interceptor Squadron served with the Western Air Defense Force. After the cease-fire, the Wing returned to a more traditional organization. With exception of the 27th, the Wing, Group, and most of its squadrons reunited at Selfridge, Michigan.

The 27th remained on the East Coast, flying the F-106 "Delta Dart" from Bangor, Maine. Meanwhile, the 94th and 71st transitioned from the F-86 to the F-102 "Delta Dagger."

In response to the Cuban Missile crisis, the Wing deployed personnel and aircraft to Patrick AFB, Florida, in October 1962. During their six-week stay at Patrick, the 1st flew 620 sorties maintaining an 80 percent mission capable rating.

During the Vietnam War, the Wing served as a transition unit for many pilots en route to or returning from Southeast Asia. As the decade came to a close, the units split again, serving across the nation: the 27th in Maine, the 71st in Montana, and the 94th in Michigan. In order to maintain the historic 1st Fighter Wing and provide a new combat training unit necessitated by the Vietnam War, Tactical Air Command inactivated the 15th Tactical Fighter Wing, and activated the 1st Tactical Fighter Wing at MacDill AFB, Florida, on 1 October 1970. The personnel and equipment formerly of the 15th now served under the 1st. The three flying squadrons of the 15th were assigned under the historic wing: the 45th, 46th, and 47th.

Completing the Wing's historic preservation, the commanders of the three squadrons participated in a shoot-out at the Avon Park Gunnery Range to determine which squadrons would receive the designations of the 27th, 71st, and 94th. The commander of the 47th marked the highest score, and chose the 94th; the 46th placed second, choosing the 27th, leaving the 45th with the squadron having the shortest history, the 71st. The hostilities in Vietnam brought upon the Wing a new mission. Directed to "conduct combat aircrew academic and flight training in the tactics, techniques, and operations of assigned aircrew and associate equipment." the Wing provided training in the F-4E "Phantom II" and the B-57 "Canberra." After training, most pilots continued onto service in Southeast Asia.

On 14 March 1974, the Air Force publicly announced plans to station the Air Force's first operational F-15 wing at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. Langley was chosen due to its heritage and ideal location for TAC's secondary air defense mission. After studying the heritage of its wings, TAC selected the 1st Fighter Wing as the unit to receive the first Eagle.

Therefore, the nation's most historic base and wing united to receive the Air Force's newest air weapon On 6 June 1975, Tactical Air Command directed Ninth Air Force to move the 1st Fighter Wing, and its associate squadrons, from MacDill to Langley AFB.