The mission of the unit is to maintain a state of readiness to deploy people and their assigned fighter aircraft (the F-16) wherever needed when notified of recall to active duty.

Wing people assigned to the 301st Fighter Wing repeatedly demonstrate their flying expertise and professionalism in Air Combat Command, Air Force Reserve Command and NATO exercises designed to emphasize that to retain the country's combat ready posture it must train as it plans to fight.

Ready Reservist assigned to the wing are required to attend unit training assemblies which are scheduled for one weekend each month, plus serve 15 days active duty each year to fulfill their reserve commitment.

The 301st Fighter Wing's P-47N aircraft flew very long range (VLR) escort missions of B-29 Superfortress bombardment groups against Japan.

Being the first wing to be equipped with the P-47N, the groups operated as a long-range escort for B-29 Superfortress bombers attacking the Japanese mainland all the way from Saipan to Japan and on many other long, overwater flights.

The atomic bombings of Japan led to the Japanese surrender before Eighth Air Force saw action in the Pacific theater.

Upon reactivation the wing was assigned the Republic F-105 Thunderchief, with the Carswell-based 457th Fighter Squadron using specially modified version of the F-105D called the "Thunderstick II".

Subsequent overseas deployments by the 301st Fighter Wing included Cigli Air Base, Turkey, in October 1982.

During Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, many wing people were recalled to active duty and served at various locations throughout the United States, Germany, England, and Southwest Asia.

Due to achieving the highest rating possible from the May 1994 Operational Readiness Inspection and supporting the Deny Flight mission, the 301st Fighter Wing was awarded as an Air Force outstanding unit for the period May 1992 to May 1994.

Elements of the 301st Fighter Wing deployed in October 2001 to the Middle East as part of a regularly scheduled Air Expeditionary Force rotation to enforce the no-fly zone over southern Iraq.