The unit has changed aircraft several times over the years from the F-51D Mustang (flown until 1954) to the most current Block 50 F-16CM Fighting Falcon.

In October 1983, the 148th found itself transitioned back to the air defense role, and was renamed the 148th Fighter Interceptor Group.

Pilots from the 148th Fighter Wing flew combat air patrol missions over Washington DC and New York after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

[7] August 2015, the 148th deployed eight F-16s and over 120 personnel to Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska for RED FLAG-Alaska 15–3.

[8] During May/June 2014 the wing sent F-16s to Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria for the joint U.S.-Bulgarian Exercise Thracian Star.

[9] April 2016 saw the wing deploy 12 aircraft and about 300 airmen to Osan Air Base for nearly four months as part of a theater security package.

[10][9] During February 2018, the wing's F-16s were responsible for providing combat air patrols over Minneapolis during Super Bowl LII.

[16] At 2:42pm on February 12, 2023, an F-16C operated by the 148th Fighter Wing downed an unidentified object floating above Lake Huron with an AIM9x Sidewinder missile.