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Introduction
USAF Patch USAFE 48 TFW Tactical Fighter Wing F-111
The 48th Fighter Wing is one of the best known United States Air Forces in Europe formations of the Cold War and modern era. Known as the “Statue of Liberty Wing,” the 48th became closely associated with RAF Lakenheath in England and operated some of the USAF’s most important tactical fighter aircraft including the F-84 Thunderjet, F-86 Sabre, F-100 Super Sabre, F-4 Phantom II, F-111F Aardvark, F-15 Eagle and F-35A Lightning II.
The Wing traces its origins to the 48th Bombardment Group activated on 15 January 1941 before later becoming the 48th Fighter-Bomber Group during WWII. The modern USAFE unit was activated as the 48th Fighter Bomber Wing at Chaumont-Semoutiers Air Base France on 10 July 1952 on the redesignation of the 137th Fighter Bomber Wing.
F-84G Thunderjet Era – France 1952 to 1953
The newly activated 48th Fighter Bomber Wing was equipped with Republic F-84G Thunderjet fighter bombers and commanded the 492nd, 493rd and 494th Fighter Bomber Squadrons. Based at Chaumont AB France, the Wing supported NATO and USAFE operations throughout Europe during the early Cold War.
The Wing regularly participated in operational readiness exercises, tactical evaluations and joint training with the US Seventh Army while also deploying to Wheelus Air Base Libya for live bombing and gunnery exercises.
F-86 Sabre Era – Statue of Liberty Wing 1953 to 1956
In November 1953 the Wing transitioned to North American F-86F Sabre aircraft. During this period the Wing adopted the famous Statue of Liberty identity which became one of the most recognisable USAFE insignia designs of the Cold War.
Chaumont was located close to the workshops of Frédéric Bartholdi, designer of the Statue of Liberty, and the Wing incorporated the statue into its insignia. On 4 July 1954 the Mayor of Chaumont formally bestowed the honorary title:
“Statue de la Liberté Wing”
This title remains associated with the Wing today.
F-100 Super Sabre Era – Move to RAF Lakenheath 1956 to 1974
The Wing converted to North American F-100D Super Sabre aircraft in late 1956. On 8 July 1958 the Wing was redesignated the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing with its flying units becoming Tactical Fighter Squadrons.
As relations between France and the United States deteriorated during the late 1950s, French President Charles de Gaulle ordered NATO combat forces removed from France. Under Project Red Richard the 48th TFW redeployed from Chaumont AB France to RAF Lakenheath England on 15 January 1960.
RAF Lakenheath was transformed into a permanent USAFE tactical fighter base and would become synonymous with the 48th TFW throughout the Cold War.
During the Berlin Crisis and Cuban Missile Crisis RAF Lakenheath also supported SAC B-47 and B-52 deployments while the Wing continued NATO exercises and deployments across Europe including Turkey, Spain and Italy.
The Wing earned multiple Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards during this period.
F-4 Phantom II Era 1972 to 1977
In 1972 the Wing began replacing its F-100 Super Sabres with McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II fighters transferred from the 81st Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Bentwaters.
The last F-100 departed RAF Lakenheath in 1974, completing the Wing’s transition into a more advanced tactical strike force for NATO operations in Europe.
F-111F Aardvark Era 1977 to 1992
One of the most famous periods in the Wing’s history began in 1977 when the 48th TFW received General Dynamics F-111F Aardvark strike aircraft from Mountain Home AFB.
The Wing operated:
- 492nd Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 493rd Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 494th Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 495th Tactical Fighter Squadron
The F-111F gave the Wing a deep strike capability with advanced terrain-following radar and precision attack systems. The Wing undertook regular deployments and exercises across Europe and the Middle East including Italy, Greece, Turkey, Iran and Pakistan.
Operation El Dorado Canyon – Libya 1986
On 15 April 1986 F-111Fs of the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing conducted long-range combat strikes against Libya during Operation El Dorado Canyon in response to terrorist attacks linked to the Libyan government.
The mission demonstrated the F-111F’s long-range precision strike capability but the Wing lost one aircraft and crew during the operation. The Wing later received the US Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation.
Gulf War – Operation Desert Storm 1990 to 1991
The 48th TFW deployed to Taif Air Base Saudi Arabia during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
By December 1990 the Wing had deployed 66 F-111F aircraft and flew:
- 1,919 combat sorties
- 2,203 target hits
The F-111F became one of the most effective precision strike aircraft of the Gulf War.
Following the war the Wing reorganised under the Objective Wing structure creating:
- 48th Operations Group
- 48th Logistics Group
- 48th Medical Group
- 48th Support Group
The Wing was redesignated the 48th Fighter Wing on 1 October 1991.
F-15 Eagle Era 1992 to Present
In 1992 the Wing transitioned to McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft for the 492nd and 494th Fighter Squadrons while the 493rd Fighter Squadron later reactivated with F-15C/D air superiority fighters.
The Wing continued combat operations throughout:
- Iraq
- Bosnia
- Kosovo
- Afghanistan
- Libya
- Syria
The Wing supported:
- Operation Allied Force
- Operation Enduring Freedom
- Operation Iraqi Freedom
- Operation Odyssey Dawn
- Baltic Air Policing
- Icelandic Air Policing
The Wing also became USAFE’s lead Air Expeditionary Wing for many overseas operations.
F-35A Lightning II Era 2021 to Present
The 495th Fighter Squadron reactivated on 1 October 2021 as the 48th Fighter Wing’s first Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II squadron.
The first aircraft arrived at RAF Lakenheath in December 2021 marking the beginning of the next generation of USAFE tactical airpower at the base.
The Wing now operates both:
- F-15E Strike Eagle
- F-35A Lightning II
aircraft in support of NATO, USAFE and global expeditionary operations.
48th Operations Group
The 48th Operations Group was activated on 31 March 1992 to command the Wing’s operational flying squadrons and support units. The Group provides:
- flight operations
- intelligence
- weapons and tactics
- airfield management
- scheduling
- operational planning
The Group supports NATO, USEUCOM and USAFRICOM operations worldwide.
48th Maintenance and Support Units
Over the decades the 48th Fighter Wing developed a large support structure including:
- 48th Operations Support Squadron
- 48th Transportation Squadron
- 48th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
- 48th Equipment Maintenance Squadron
- 48th Munitions Squadron
- 48th Component Maintenance Squadron
- 48th Medical Group
- 48th Mission Support Group
These units maintained aircraft, engines, avionics, weapons systems, logistics, rescue operations and medical support for USAFE and NATO commitments.
The 48th Component Maintenance Squadron “Green Dragons” became particularly well known for supporting F-15 and HH-60 operations at RAF Lakenheath.
RAF Lakenheath and the 48th Fighter Wing
RAF Lakenheath became one of the most important USAFE fighter bases of the Cold War and modern era. From the F-100 Super Sabre and F-4 Phantom II to the F-111F Aardvark, F-15 Eagle and F-35A Lightning II, the base has continuously supported NATO airpower operations in Europe for more than sixty years.
The Wing remains one of the most operationally active USAF units in Europe.
Collecting 48th TFW and 48th FW Patches
48th TFW and 48th Fighter Wing patches are among the most collected USAFE insignia. Popular themes include:
- Statue of Liberty Wing insignia
- F-111F Aardvark units
- Liberty Wing Desert Storm patches
- F-15 Eagle squadron patches
- RAF Lakenheath deployment patches
- Operations Group and Maintenance Squadron insignia
- Medical and Rescue Squadron patches
- F-35A Lightning II transition patches
Original Cold War era 48 TFW patches from the F-100, F-4 and F-111 periods are especially sought after by USAFE and RAF Lakenheath collectors.