Lineage

Established as 78th Fighter Wing on 24 Sep 1948. Activated on 16 Nov 1948. Redesignated 78th Fighter-Interceptor Wing on 20 Jan 1950. Inactivated on 6 Feb 1952. Redesignated 78th Fighter Wing (Air Defense) on 14 Sep 1956. Activated on 18Oct 1956. Inactivated on 31 Dec 1969. Redesignated 78th Flying Training Wing on 14 Apr 1972. Activated on 1 Dec 1972. Inactivated on 30 Sep 1977. Redesignated 78th Air Base Wing on 16 Sep 1994. Activated on 1 Oct 1994.

Assignments

Fourth Air Force, 16 Nov 1948 (attached to Western Air Defense Force, 10 Nov 1949?31 Jul 1950); Western Air Defense Force, 1 Aug 1950?6 Feb 1952. 28th Air Division, 18 Oct 1956; San Francisco Air Defense Sector, 1 Jul 1960; 28th Air Division, 1 Aug 1963; 26th Air Division, 1 Apr 1966; 27th Air Division, 15 Sep 1969; Tenth Air Force, 19 Nov?31 Dec 1969. Air Training Command, 1 Dec 1972?30 Sep 1977. Warner Robins Air Logistics Center,1 Oct 1994?.

Components

Group. 78th: 16 Nov 1948?6 Feb 1952; 18 Oct 1956?1 Feb 1961.

Squadrons. 82d: 1 Dec 1972?15 Jun 1976. 83d: 1 Feb 1961?1 Jul 1963; 1 Dec 1972?30 Sep 1977. 84th: 1 Feb 1961?31 Dec 1969. 498th: 30 Sep 1968. 3389th: 1 Jan 1974?30 Sep 1977.

Stations

Hamilton AFB, CA, 16 Nov 1948?6 Feb 1952. Hamilton AFB, CA, 18 Oct 1956?31 Dec 1969. Webb AFB, TX, 1 Dec 1972?30 Sep 1977. Robins AFB, GA, 1 Oct 1994?.

Commanders

Col George L. Usher, 16 Nov 1948; Col George H. Steel, 1 Apr 1950; Col Brian O?Neill, 12 Mar 1951; Col James W. Andrew, 1 Jul 1951?6 Feb 1952. Col Wilton H. Earle, 18 Oct 1956; Col George F. Ceuleers, 27 Jul 1957; Col Benjamin B. Cassiday, Jr., 16 Jul 1960; Col Harvey E. Henderson, 28 Jul 1960; Col William F. Barns, 12 May 1962; Col William S. Harrell, 1 Jul 1962; Col William C. Miller, 15 Jul 1964; Col Charles D. Chitty, Jr., 30 Jul 1964; Col Harry W. Shoup, 23 Jun 1965; Col Donald H. Lynch, 17 Jun 1968?1969. Brig Gen Stanley M. Umstead, Jr., 1 Dec 1972; Col Robert G. Liotta, 21 Aug 1973; Col Robert A. Owens, 19 Jul 1974; Col Harry A. Spannaus, 8 Jun 1976?30 Sep 1977.

Aircraft

F?51, 1949?1952; F?84, 1949?1952; F?89, 1951?1952. F?86, 1956?1958; F?89, 1956?1959; F?102, 1957?1960; F?104, 1958?1960; F?101, 1959? 1960, 1960?1968; F?106, 1959?1960, 1968?1969. T?37, 1972?1977; T?38, 1972?1977; T?41, 1972?1973.

Operations

Air defense of the Pacific coastal area, 1949?1952, and again in 1956?1969. Pilot training for both USAF and allied officers, 1972?1977.

Honors

Service Streamers. None.

Campaign Streamers. None.

Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.

Decorations. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award: 1 Jul 1968?30 Jun 1969.

Bestowed Honors. Authorized to display the honors earned by the 78th Fighter Group prior to 16 Nov 1948.

Service Streamers. None.

Campaign Streamers. World War II: Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe; Air Combat EAME Theater.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Holland, 17?23 Sep 1944; Czechoslovakia, 16 Apr 1945.

Emblem

Per pale indented Azure and Gules in chief five chain lengths fesswise conjoined in fess, all within a diminished bordure of the like. Motto: ABOVE THE FOE. Approved for 78th Group on 26 Sep 1942 and for 78th Wing on 19 Mar 1958 (K 10210).