Lineage

Established as 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Wing on 10 Aug 1948. Activated on 18 Aug 1948. Inactivated on 25 Oct 1948. Redesignated 71st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Fighter, on 4 Nov 1954. Activated on 24 Jan 1955. Inactivated on 1 Jul 1957. Redesignated 71st Surveillance Wing (Ballistic Missile Early Warning System), and activated, on 6 Dec 1961. Organized on 1 Jan 1962. Redesignated 71st Missile Warning Wing on 1 Jan 1967. Inactivated on 30 Apr 1971. Redesignated 71st Flying Training Wing on 14 Apr 1972. Activated on 1 Nov 1972.

Assignments

1st Air Division, 18 Aug?25 Oct 1948 (attached to 32d Composite Wing, 24 Aug?25 Oct 1948). Fifteenth Air Force, 24 Jan 1955?1 Jul 1957. Air Defense Command, 6 Dec 1961; 9th Aerospace Defense Division, 1 Jan 1962; Fourteenth Aerospace Force, 1 Jul 1968?30 Apr 1971. Air Training Command, 1 Nov 1972; Nineteenth Air Force, 1 Jul 1993?.

Components

Group. 71st Tactical Reconnaissance (later, 71st Operations): 18 Aug? 25 Oct 1948 (detached); 15 Dec 1991?.

Squadrons. 5th: 16 Feb 1990?15 Dec 1991. 7th: 19 Jan 1990?15 Dec 1991. 8th: 1 Nov 1972?15 Dec 1991. 23d: attached 18?24 Aug 1948. 25th: 24 Jan 1955?1 Jul 1957; 1 Nov 1972?15 Dec 1991. 26th: 19 Jan 1990?15 Dec 1991. 82d: 24 Jan 1955?1 Jul 1957. 91st: 24 Jan 1955?1 Jul 1957.

Stations

Kadena, Okinawa, 18 Aug?25 Oct 1948. Larson AFB, WA, 24 Jan 1955? 1 Jul 1957. Ent AFB, CO, 1 Jan 1962; McGuire AFB, NJ, 21 Jul 1969? 30 Apr 1971. Vance AFB, OK, 1 Nov 1972?.

Commanders

Col Edwin M. Day, 18?24 Aug 1948; none (not manned), 25 Aug?25 Oct 1948. None (not manned), 24 Jan?11 Feb 1955; Col Charles F. McKenna III, 12 Feb 1955; Col Charles A. Gayle, 26 Mar?1 Jul 1957. None (not manned), 6?31 Dec 1961; Col Robert L. Harriger, c. 1962; Col Edwin Bishop, Jr., c. 1965; Col Russell G. Ogan, 15 Jul 1968; Col William A. Larsen, 1 Jul 1969; Col Lincoln D. Faurer, 31 Dec 1970?30 Apr 1971. Col John P. Rollston, 1 Nov 1972; Col Schuyler Bissell, 24 Sep 1973; Col George T. Kertesz, 15 Jul 1974; Col James P. Smothermon, 10 Apr 1975; Col Thomas J. Magner, 17 Aug 1976; Col David J. Pennington, 1 Aug 1978; Col Wilson C. Cooney, 9 Apr 1979; Col Giles D. Harlow, Jr., 11 Jun 1980; Col Donald A. Rigg, 16 Mar 1982; Col Ellwood P. Hinman III, 2 Mar 1984; Col William L. Thompson, 22 May 1986; Col Ronald G. Shamblin, 16 Jun 1987; Col Lloyd W. Newton, 2 May 1989; Col Donald F. Craigie, 22 May 1990; Col Samuel J. Bole, 7 Aug 1992?.

Aircraft

RB?17, 1948; RB?29, 1948. RF?84, 1955?1957; RBF?84, 1955?1956. T?41, 1972?1973; T?37, 1972?; T?38, 1972?.

Operations

Tactical group detached, but a single reconnaissance squadron was attached, 18?24 Aug 1948, to perform photographic reconnaissance. Wing not operational, 25 Aug?25 Oct 1948. Activated in Jan 1955 to perform strategic reconnaissance and test a technique for launching small RBF?84 aircraft from GRB?36 bombers, to extend the range of photographic reconnaissance and fighter escort. Tests ended in 1956, but wing continued strategic reconnaissance until inactivated in 1957. Activated in 1962 to operate and maintain the ballistic missile early warning system (BMEWS), including sites in Alaska, Greenland, and England. Also operated the sea-launched ballistic missile detection and warning system, supported the USAF "Spacetrack" system, and monitored the "over-the-horizon" radar system, 1969?1971. Replaced, and absorbed resources of the 3575th Pilot Training Wing in Nov 1972 and assumed control of Vance AFB, OK, and undergraduate pilot training for USAF, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, and allied countries. Supported Accelerated Co-Pilot Enrichment (ACE) program at numerous operating locations 1978?1991.

Honors

Service Streamers. None.

Campaign Streamers. None.

Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.

Decorations. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Jan 1962?15 Jul 1964; 1 Jun 1968? 31 May 1970; 1 Jan?31 Dec 1975; 1 Jan 77?30 Apr 1978; 1 May 1982?30 Apr 1984.

Bestowed Honors. Authorized to display honors earned by the 71st Operations Group prior to 18 Aug 1948.

Service Streamers. None.

Campaign Streamers. World War II: Antisubmarine, American Theater; Air Offensive, Japan; China Defensive; New Guinea; Bismarck Archipelago; Western Pacific; Leyte; Luzon; China Offensive.

Decorations. Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.

Emblem

Gules, in fess a stylized aircraft palewise Argent between two piles issuant from base of the like, each bearing a stylized aircraft palewise Azure, a chief arched of the last, all within a diminished bordure Or. Approved on 12 Sep 1994; replaced emblems approved on 2 Jan 1973 (KE 51230) and 22 Apr 1963 (K 14058).