The 3rd Wing, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, marked 100 years of service its formation in 1919 through today serving around the globe in defense. Formed in response to the Battle of Juarez during the Mexican Revolution, the Army Surveillance Group organized at Kelly Field, Texas, on 1 June 1919, was assigned to fly DeHavilland DH.4s patrolling the U.S.-Mexico border and monitoring unrest in northern Mexico.
Through the interwar period, the unit became the 3rd Attack Group; their work involved air experimentation and the building of the U.S. combat doctrine. The group initiated some techniques like dive bombing, skip-bombing, and parafrag attacks. These techniques were then adopted by bomber squadrons in the U.S. during World War II.
Immediately after the attacks at Pearl Harbor, 3rd started undertaking hazardous operations against Japan, showcasing their improvised fighting aptitude with less number of aircraft and supplies. In 1942, the group was re-designated as the 3rd Bombardment Group, becoming very exemplary in low-altitude strafing bombers. Innovative tactics made them win grand victories in the Battle of Bismarck Sea and the Battle of Rabaul.
The combat record of the 3rd during WWII was impressive: 41 continuous months of operations saw the destruction of 642 ships, more than 2,000 planes, and an estimated 41,000 enemy troops. These accomplishments came with great cost: 1,634 men and 174 aircraft were lost.
During the post-WWII era, the 3rd was recognized for its ingenuity and combat prowess. In Korea, the 3rd Bombardment Wing, Light, flew the war’s first bombing mission and destroyed 25 aircraft on the ground at Heijo Airfield. The unit scored the war’s first aerial victory when Sgt. Nyle Mickley shot down a North Korean YAK-3 fighter.
In 1964 the unit became the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing and moved to England Air Force Base, Louisiana, subsequently playing an extensive role during the Vietnam War. The 3rd flew over 200,000 combat sorties from several bases in Southeast Asia. They were also the only unit to combat test the F-5 Tiger, thus contributing a great deal to future development in the technologies applied to fighter aircraft.
After Vietnam, the 3rd went onto Clark Air Base, Philippines, and kicked off what became known today as Red Flag-Alaska, one of the most extensive and excellent international air combat exercises anywhere. That exercise has grown: today’s version features over 2,000 sorties and participants from multiple countries.
With the eruption of Mount Pinatubo and growing regional instability, in 1991, the 3rd moved to Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, and became the 3rd Wing. Today, its squadrons include the F-15 Eagles, F-15E Strike Eagles, C-130 Hercules, and E-3 Sentries. In 2007, the 3rd began transitioning to the F-22 Raptor and further solidified its position in offering tactical air dominance.
Today, the 3rd Wing provides the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command with the forces necessary to execute tactical air dominance, command and control platforms, and strategic airlift resources. Support is given to U.S. Northern Command through early airborne detection and interception of hostile forces. The 3rd Wing maintains deployment commitment and contributions to operations such as NORTHERN WATCH, SOUTHERN WATCH, ALLIED FORCE, and.
The heritage of the 3rd Wing reflects its century-long history of innovation, valor, and dedication in defense of the nation.