Lineage. Established as 917 Troop Carrier Group, Heavy, and activated, on 28 Dec 1962. Organized in the Reserve on 17 Jan 1963. Redesignated: 917 Air Transport Group, Heavy on 1 Dec 1965; 917 Military Airlift Group on 1 Jan 1966; 917 Special Operations Group on 1 Apr 1972; 917 Tactical Fighter Group on 1 Oct 1973; 917 Tactical Fighter Wing on 1 Jul 1987; 917 Fighter Wing on 1 Feb 1992; 917 Wing on 1 Oct 1993.
Assignments. Continental Air Command, 28 Dec 1962; 435 Troop Carrier Wing, 17 Jan 1963; 442 Troop Carrier Wing, 1 Jul 1963; 512 Troop Carrier (later, 512 Air Transport; 512 Military Airlift) Wing, 5 Feb 1965; 446 Tactical Airlift Wing, 21 Apr 1971; 434 Special Operations (later, 434 Tactical Fighter) Wing, 25 Feb 1972; Tenth Air Force, 1 Jul 1987-.
Components. Groups. 917 Operations: 1 Aug 1992-. 926 Tactical Fighter (later, 926 Fighter): 1 Jul 1987-1 Aug 1992. Squadrons. 46 Tactical Fighter Training (later, 46 Fighter Training): 30 Sep 1983-1 Aug 1992. 47: 1 Oct 1973-1 Aug 1992. 78: 17 Jan 1963-1 Oct 1973.
Stations. Barksdale AFB, LA, 17 Jan 1963-.
Commanders. Lt Col William G. Paine, 17 Jan 1963; Maj Raymond L. Armour, 22 Aug 1966; Col William A. Willis, 19 Sep 1966; Col Edward J. Struewing Jr., 12 Oct 1968; Lt Col Lafate King, 18 Oct 1971; Col Charles E. Jones III, 25 May 1972; Lt Col Marc M. McClelland, by Mar 1974; Col Ralph D. Erwin, c. Jun 1976; Col Benjamin Voss, 18 Jun 1978; Col John J. Closner III, 10 Aug 1978; Col David R. Smith, 21 Aug 1983; Lt Col David E. Tanzi, 4 Aug 1986; Brig Gen William D. Tracy, 1 Jul 1987; Brig Gen William H. Lawson, 15 Jul 1994-.
Aircraft. C-124, 1963-1972; A-37, 1972-1980; A-10, 1980-; B-52, 1993-.
Operations. Flew worldwide airlift missions, 1963-1972. In Apr 1972 began training in A-37 aircraft to conduct special operations and close air support missions. Trained allied pilots in A-37 operations, 1972-1980. In Jun 1980 began training in A-10 aircraft to conduct close air support and battlefield interdiction. Provided A-10 fighter training for reserve pilots, 1981-1993 and 1996-. Deployed some personnel to support operations during the Gulf War, 1991. Periodically deployed A-10s and personnel to Italy to support NATO operations in the Balkans, 1993-1996. Began receiving B-52 aircraft in Dec 1993 and added mission to train for strategic bombardment operations.
Service Streamers. None.
Campaign Streamers. None.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.
Decorations. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Aug 1967-25 Oct 1968; 2 Jul 1993-1 Jul 1995; 1 Oct 1997-30 Sep 1999. Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Crosses with Palm: 1 Apr 1966-31 Mar 1972; 26-28 Oct 1972.
Lineage, Assignments, Components, Stations, and Honors through 2 Jul 2001.
Commanders, Aircraft, and Operations through Sep 1996.
Supersedes statement prepared 17 Apr 1990,
Emblem. Approved on 16 Nov 1989.
Prepared by Judy G. Endicott .