A composite organization, it provides air supremacy, surveillance, worldwide airlift, and agile combat support forces to project power and reach.

The Wing performed reconnaissance and interdiction combat missions from Iwakuni Air Base, Japan, at the beginning of the Korean War.

The mission of the 3rd Wing is to support and defend U.S. interests in the Asia Pacific region and around the world by providing units who are ready for worldwide air power projection and a base that is capable of meeting United States Pacific Command's theater staging and throughput requirements.

President Harry Truman authorized the US Air Force and Navy to support the rapidly retreating South Koreans.

The group switched to night missions in August 1950, flying its jet-black B-26s against North Korean convoys and other targets from its base at Iwakuni.

On 15 September 1950, General MacArthur conducted his surprise landing at Incheon, with the ensuing Battle of Inchon cutting off the North Koreans in the south and shifting the initiative to the United Nations forces.

Operations continued into 1951 as the defensive lines stabilized following the entry of the Chinese Communist People's Liberation Army into the conflict in late 1950.

[3] The 3rd Bombardment Group physically rejoined its parent wing when both moved to Kunsan Air Base (K-8), South Korea in August 1951.

At 9:31 pm, 27 July 1953, as midnight approached for the cease-fire to take effect, the 8th Bombardment Squadron bombed a troop concentration in North Korea.

The squadrons had flown 33,220 sorties, destroyed 31,026 vehicles, 337 locomotives, 2,920 boxcars, 116 bridges, and 529 buildings, and cut 918 roads and 841 rail lines.

While the group ceased to exist after 36 years of service, its proud heritage, in the form of its emblem and battle honors remained with the 3rd Bombardment Wing.

The 3rd BG stood by in Japan to strike strategic targets in China, North Korea and possibly even the Soviet Union should the crisis escalate out of control.

As the active duty USAF TAC bomb groups were re-equipped, their aircraft were transferred to the Air National Guard (ANG).

By 1959 the 3rd Bomb Wing was the last unit equipped with the B-57A, its primary mission being a SIOP (Single Integrated Operations Plan) to perform "Quick Strikes" against strategic targets on the mainland of Communist China, North Korea and the Eastern Soviet Union.

While at England, the wing was brought up to full strength and transitioned into flying primarily North American F-100D/F Super Sabres.

[3] The wing began deploying its units to South Vietnam on rotational duty while the others trained in their ground support role.

In November 1965, the wing moved to Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam as part of the major buildup of forces following President Johnson's decision to commit ground troops.

During May and June 1970, the wing participated in the Cambodian campaign aimed at depriving the enemy the use of its sanctuary bases and destroying its leadership.

Unmanned and unequipped, the wing remained active in a "paper" status until it moved to Kunsan Air Base, South Korea on 15 March 1971.

During this period, the wing received a short notice requirement to deploy 18 F-4Ds from the 35th Tactical Fighter Squadron in early April 1972 in support of Operation Linebacker.

[3] The air campaign was designed to stop the North Vietnamese 1972 Easter Offensive, launched on 30 March to conquer South Vietnam.

The 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing began preparing for the evacuation on 3 April 1975, by converting the base gym into a temporary orphan care center.

[3] On 15 May 1976, the wing gained the 3rd Tactical Electronic Warfare Training Squadron and began operating the Crow Valley Bombing and Gunnery Range.

In July the Pacific Air Forces initiated its Cope Thunder training exercises, for which the wing became responsible.

It October 1977, the 26th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron switched from the T-38 to the Northrop F-5E Tiger II, which served as an aggressor aircraft.

[3] The wing switched to an air superiority mission in January 1978, and on 30 July 1977, the 90th Tactical Fighter Squadron began equipping with the F-4G.

With the addition of the F-4G, the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing acquired the triple role capabilities of air sovereignty, air-to-ground and defense suppression/electronic countermeasures.

In an action symbolizing the transition from the Cold War to a broader worldwide responsibility, the 3rd Wing, on 29 April 1994, ended the last 24-hour air defense alert requirement at King Salmon Airport.

[3] The wing's mission shifted to providing trained and equipped forces for deployment throughout the Pacific Region, as reflected by the motto at the front gate "Top Cover and Global Engagement."

Only six months later the 90th Fighter Squadron deployed 8 F-15Es and 190 personnel to Aviano Air Base, Italy, in support of Operation Deny Flight/Joint Endeavor.