Misawa Air Base

1939

35th Fighter Group established

The 35th Fighter Group, whose lineage and honors the 35th Fighter Wing carries, traces its origin to December 22, 1939.

1948

35th Fighter Wing activated at Johnson Air Base, Japan

The 35th Fighter Wing was originally activated at Johnson Air Base, Japan, on August 18, 1948, taking command of the 35th Fighter Group and its mission on mainland Japan.

1950

Korean War combat operations begin

The wing was one of the first units to respond to the crisis in Korea, flying missions from mainland Japan to support the Pusan Perimeter; in July its fighter group and two fighter squadrons deployed to Korea, and in December the wing headquarters moved to South Korea and flew F-51 Mustang combat operations.

1957

Inactivation after Korea-era service

After returning to Japan in May 1951, the wing remained until its inactivation on October 1, 1957.

1966

Reactivated for Vietnam combat at Da Nang Air Base

The Air Force reactivated the wing for combat operations at Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam, in 1966; in October 1966 the wing relocated to Phan Rang Air Base.

1971

Inactivation during Vietnam drawdown; reactivation and Wild Weasel mission

The wing inactivated at Phan Rang in 1971 with the drawdown of U.S. forces in Vietnam, then reactivated the same year at George Air Force Base, California, beginning its long association with the Wild Weasel mission.

1990

Operation DESERT SHIELD / DESERT STORM

The 35th Tactical Fighter Wing (Provisional) activated at Shaikh Isa Air Base, Bahrain, in support of Operation DESERT SHIELD in 1990; during DESERT STORM its Wild Weasel aircrews helped shut down the Iraqi air defense system.

1992

Inactivation at George Air Force Base

Following a Base Realignment and Closure decision to close George Air Force Base, the wing phased down and inactivated on December 15, 1992.

1993

Activated at Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland

The 35th Wing activated at Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland, on May 31, 1993, flying F-15C air defense missions.

1994

Activated at Misawa Air Base, Japan

Sixteen months after activating at Keflavik, the 35th Fighter Wing inactivated there and activated the same day at Misawa Air Base, Japan, resuming Wild Weasel operations.