347th Rescue Wing

The useful life of the F-61 was extended due to the Air Force's problems in fielding a jet-powered night/all-weather fighter.

In Japan, the wing performed tactical fighter training missions, aerial reconnaissance, and contingency operations.

Its operational squadrons were the following: The 35th, 36th, and 80th TFS were equipped with the McDonnell-Douglas F-4C Phantom IIs and flew tactical fighter training missions.

The 556th TFS flew various electronic warfare and special operations sorties of a classified nature.

The 554th TRS B-57s were reassigned to the 363rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (TRW) at Shaw AFB, South Carolina.

The 347th TFW was reactivated on 15 May 1971 and equipped with factory-fresh General Dynamics F-111F Aardvarks, replacing the 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing as host unit at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho.

All three squadrons adopted the MO tail code under the common wing concept in June 1972.

On 30 July 1973 the 347th Tactical Fighter Wing was reactivated at Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB), Thailand, replacing the 474th Tactical Fighter Wing which returned to Nellis AFB, Nevada United States and inheriting two squadrons of 24 F-111As each.

Two F-111As aircraft sank and/or damaged several Khmer Rouge gunboats near Koh Tang Island during the engagement with Kymer forces.

Operational fighter squadrons at Moody were: The 347th TFW flew the McDonnell-Douglas F-4E until 1988, upgrading to the Block 15 General Dynamics F-16A/B.

With Homestead unusable for an extended period after the hurricane, on 20 November the squadrons were permanently assigned to the 347th TFW making it the largest F-16 wing in the USAF.

The 347th RQW was transferred from ACC to the Air Force Special Operations Command on 1 October 2003.

Thereafter, conducted frequent exercise deployments in the U.S. and overseas to maintain capabilities specializing in air-to-ground attack using precision-guided weapons.

Transitioned to F-16A/B aircraft, 1988–1989, and oriented mission planning toward NATO requirements by conducting squadron-strength deployments to Europe.

Began upgrading to F-16C/D in Jan 1990 and in Aug 1990 became first operational TAC unit to employ the LANTIRN all-weather/night navigation and bombing system.

Sent support personnel to Southwest Asia in Aug 1990, and in Jan 1991 deployed one fighter squadron to fly combat missions.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

347th Tactical Fighter Wing Emblem
Aircraft of the 347th Rescue Wing, about 2002. Shown are the HC-130P (top), T-6 Texan II (left), T-38C (right), and HH-60G (bottom).
Northrop F-61B-20-NO Black Widow Serial 43-8237 of the 68th Fighter (All Weather) Squadron flying over Japan, 1949. This was one of the last USAF active duty Black Widows.
General Dynamics F-111F 70-2394, 347th TFW, Mountain Home AFB, 16 September 1972. In 1986, this aircraft took part in the raid on Libya, Operation El Dorado Canyon.
General Dynamics F-111A Serial 67-081 of the 422d FWS taken at Nellis AFB Nevada in 1975 still showing its 347th TFW tail code (HG). It remained in USAF service with various wings until being retired to AMARC on 21 June 1991.
429 Tactical Fighter Squadron Korat RTAFB 1974.
McDonnell Douglas F-4E-39-MC Phantom Serial 68-0447 of the 70th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 1984. This aircraft was retired to AMARC in 1991.
Squadron COs' F-16As of the 347th TFW's 68th, 69th and 70th TFS in formation with the 347th wing flagship.