78th Air Base Wing

78th Air Base Wing

A guard dog from 78th Security Forces Squadron while participating in a training scenario.
Active 1948–1952, 1956–1969, 1972–1977, 1994–present
Country United States
Branch Air Force
Role Base support
Part of Air Force Material Command
Warner Robins Air Logistics Center
Garrison/HQ Robins Air Force Base
Motto Above the Foe
Decorations Distinguished Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Commanders
Current
commander		 Colonel Jeffrey R. King
Insignia
78th Air Base Wing emblem (Approved 26 December 1995)[1][note 1]

The 78th Air Base Wing (78 ABW) is a wing of the United States Air Force stationed at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. The 78th ABW acts as the host unit at Robins.

Units

78th Civil Engineer Group (78 CEG)

Communications Directorate (78ABW/SC)

78th Mission Support Group (78 MSG)

78th Medical Group (78 MDG)

78th Operations Support Squadron (78 OSS)

78th Contracting and Comptroller Squadron (78 CCS)

History

For additional history and lineage, see 78th Fighter Group

Air Defense Command

84th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron F-89[note 2]
84th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron F-101s[note 3]
84th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron F-106[note 4]
83d Fighter-Interceptor SquadronF-1042[note 5]

On 24 September 1948 the 78th Fighter Wing was established at Hamilton Air Force Base, California by the Hobson Plan, with the 78th Fighter Group becoming a component of the wing, controlling its flying resources

Redesignated the 78th Fighter-Interceptor Wing in January 1950 as part of Air Defense Command. The group's squadrons (82d, 83d, 84th FIS) flew numerous interceptors for West Coast air defense. Inactivated on 6 February 1952 as part of a reorganization of ADC, its operational element was replaced by the 4702d Defense Wing. Its support elements were replaced at Hamilton by the 566th Air Base Group the same day. This group was redesignated the 566th Air Defense Group and assumed operational responsibilities at Hamilton on 16 February 1953. On 18 August 1955, the 566th Air Defense Group was replaced by a former element of the wing, the 78th Fighter Group (Air Defense).

In 1956, it was decided to elevate the operational units at Hamilton back to a Wing level, and the wing was reactivated, with its operational squadrons still controlled by the 78th Fighter Group. The group component of the wing was considered to be a redundant level of organization by the late 1950s, and the 78th FIG was inactivated on 1 February 1961, with its flying units being directly assigned to the Wing.

The 78th Fighter Wing was the host unit at Hamilton until it was inactivated at the end of December 1969 and its mission, equipment were transferred to the 1st Fighter Wing, which transferred to Hamilton on paper from Selfridge Air Force Base, Michigan.[1][2]

Air Training Command

The 78th Flying Training Wing replaced and absorbed resources of the 3560th Pilot Training Wing at Webb Air Force Base, Texas, on 1 December 1972. Squadrons were 82d, 83d, 3389th Flying Training Sqdns. The wing performed pilot training for both USAF and allied officers.

In 1977 the end of the Vietnam War meant a decrease in the need for Air Force pilots and Webb was closed. The 78th FTW was inactivated.

In 1989 the Dutch government allowed USAF to upgrade its headquarters unit at Soesterberg AB from squadron to group status. The story goes that the USAF wanted to change the 32d into the 78th TFG but that the Dutch government didn't allow another number as not to stir up the people who were against the American presence in the Netherlands.

Robins AFB

Since its reactivation in 1994, the 78th Air Base Wing has provided host services and support for the Warner-Robins Air Logistics Center and its tenant organizations.

Lineage

Activated on 16 November 1948
Redesignated 78th Fighter-Interceptor Wing on 20 January 1950
Inactivated on 6 February 1952
Activated on 18 October 1956
Inactivated on 31 December 1969
Activated on 1 December 1972
Inactivated on 30 September 1977
Activated on 1 October 1994[1]

Assignments

Attached to Western Air Defense Force, 10 November 1949 – 31 July 1950

Components

Groups

Squadrons

Stations

Aircraft Operated

See also

References

Notes

  1. ↑ This emblem is a slight variation on that approved for the wing on 19 March 1958 and for the 78th Fighter Group on 26 September 1942. Ravenstein, p. 115.
  2. ↑ Aircraft is Northrop F-89C-5-NO Scorpion 50-746 preparing for takeoff on a training mission. Stationed at Hamilton AFB, 1952.
  3. ↑ McDonnell F-101B-95-MC Voodoo serial 57-370 is identifiable. Taken at Hamilton AFB in May 1968.
  4. ↑ Aircraft is Convair F-106A-90-CO Delta Dart serial 57-2504. This aircraft served in ADC and ADTAC for many years until being retired in 1988, then being expended as a QF-106 drone on 2 August 1993.
  5. ↑ Visible Lockheed F-104A Starfighters are serials 56-781 and 58-769. Taken at Hamilton AFB in 1958.

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 Kane, Robert B. (February 4, 2010). "Factsheet 78 Air Base Wing (AFMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  2. ↑ Robertson, Patsy (February 6, 2015). "Factsheet 1 Fighter Wing (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved August 1, 2015.

Bibliography

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.

External links

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