35th Fighter Wing
The 35th Fighter Wing is an air combat unit of the United States Air Force and the host unit at Misawa Air Base, Japan. The wing is part of Pacific Air Forces (PACAF)'s Fifth Air Force.
| 35th Fighter Wing | |
|---|---|
Wing F-16CJs | |
| Active | 1948–1957; 1966–1971; 1971–1992; 1993–1994; 1994–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Role | Fighter |
| Part of | Pacific Air Forces |
| Garrison/HQ | Misawa Air Base |
| Motto(s) | Attack to Defend |
| Engagements | Korean War Vietnam War War in Iraq |
| Decorations | Presidential Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Col. Michael P. Richard |
| Notable commanders | Paul V. Hester Frank L. Gailer Jr. |
| Insignia | |
| 35th Fighter Wing emblem (approved 16 December 1953) | |
The wing was first activated in August 1948 at Johnson Air Base, Japan when PACAF implemented the wing base organization. It participated in the Korean War and later served in the air defense of Japan until inactivating in 1957.
In 1966, the wing was again activated and served in combat in the Vietnam War until inactivating in 1972 with the withdrawal of US forces from Southeast Asia. It was soon reactivated at George Air Force Base, California, where it served until inactivating in 1992. It was activated the following year in Iceland as an air defense unit. With the drawdown of US forces in Iceland, the 35th Wing was inactivated on 1 October 1994 at Keflavik, but redesignated, reassigned, and reactivated as the 35th Fighter Wing at Misawa Air Base the same day.