USAF 20th Tactical Fighter Wing History

Including the 77th Tactical Fighter Squadron and the 97th Tactical Fighter Squadron

The 20th Tactical Fighter Wing was one of the most important frontline fighter wings assigned to United States Air Forces in Europe during the Cold War. Operating from RAF Wethersfield and later RAF Upper Heyford in England, the Wing played a major NATO tactical strike and air defence role for more than four decades.

Originally activated during the Second World War, the 20th TFW became a permanent USAFE fighter wing in the United Kingdom during the early Cold War years. The Wing operated several important USAF combat aircraft including the F-84 Thunderjet, F-100 Super Sabre, F-111E Aardvark and EF-111A Raven. Throughout its history the Wing maintained constant operational readiness in support of NATO and Western European defence commitments.

The Wing became especially associated with the General Dynamics F-111E Aardvark during the 1970s and 1980s. Based at RAF Upper Heyford, the aircraft provided long-range tactical strike capability and formed a major part of NATO’s conventional and nuclear deterrent force in Europe. The Wing regularly deployed throughout Europe and the Middle East while participating in operational readiness inspections, NATO evaluations and multinational exercises.

During the Cold War the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing supported rapid-response operations against potential Warsaw Pact threats and frequently trained alongside allied NATO air forces. The Wing also operated the EF-111A Raven electronic warfare aircraft, providing advanced airborne electronic countermeasures and radar jamming capability during tactical operations.

Aircraft and personnel from the 20th TFW participated in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm during the Gulf War. F-111E and EF-111A aircraft conducted combat operations against Iraqi targets during coalition operations in the Middle East. The EF-111A Raven became especially recognised for its successful electronic warfare mission during the conflict.

RAF Upper Heyford became one of the best-known USAF bases in Europe during the F-111 era. The base housed hardened aircraft shelters, alert facilities and extensive Cold War infrastructure supporting frontline NATO operations. The Wing remained one of USAFE’s most combat-ready tactical fighter organisations until the end of the Cold War.

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union and reductions in American forces in Europe, the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing was inactivated at RAF Upper Heyford in 1993. Despite this, the Wing remains highly respected among USAFE historians, aviation enthusiasts and military insignia collectors.

20th TFW patches and memorabilia are especially collectible among Cold War aviation collectors. Popular themes include F-111E Aardvark squadron patches, EF-111A Raven insignia, RAF Upper Heyford deployment patches, NATO exercise patches and Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm memorabilia. Original Cold War era RAF Wethersfield and RAF Upper Heyford patches remain highly sought after by USAFE collectors worldwide.

20th TFW Maintenance and Support Units

Throughout the Cold War the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing maintained a large operational and support structure at RAF Wethersfield and RAF Upper Heyford. Key units included:

20th Combat Support Group
20th Field Maintenance Squadron
20th Organizational Maintenance Squadron
20th Avionics Maintenance Squadron
20th Equipment Maintenance Squadron
20th Supply Squadron
20th Transportation Squadron
20th Munitions Maintenance Squadron
20th Civil Engineering Squadron
20th Security Police Squadron
20th Medical Group

These units supported aircraft maintenance, avionics systems, weapons loading, logistics, airfield operations, medical services and NATO combat readiness missions throughout Europe.

The Wing became especially well known during the F-111E Aardvark and EF-111A Raven era at RAF Upper Heyford. Maintenance and support personnel played a critical role in sustaining around-the-clock tactical strike and electronic warfare operations during the Cold War.

RAF Upper Heyford and the 20th TFW

RAF Upper Heyford became one of the most important USAFE tactical strike bases in Europe during the Cold War. The base supported frontline NATO operations using F-111E Aardvark strike aircraft and EF-111A Raven electronic warfare aircraft.

The Wing regularly deployed across Europe and the Middle East while maintaining constant operational readiness against Warsaw Pact threats. RAF Upper Heyford also became internationally recognised during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Collecting 20th TFW Patches

20th TFW patches and insignia are highly collectible among USAFE and Cold War aviation collectors. Popular themes include:

F-111E Aardvark squadron patches
EF-111A Raven electronic warfare insignia
RAF Upper Heyford Wing patches
NATO tactical evaluation patches
Desert Shield and Desert Storm patches
Security Police Squadron insignia
Maintenance and Munitions Squadron patches
Operations Group and Support Group insignia
RAF Wethersfield Cold War patches

Original RAF Upper Heyford patches from the F-111 and EF-111 era remain especially desirable among USAFE and NATO aviation memorabilia collectors.