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 For
over 70 years, the 33rd Fighter Wing has earned their title,
“Nomads.” During each of our country’s largest contingencies, the
unit would uproot and take the fight to different corners of the
world. Because of that constant flexibility during the better half
of the last century, one of the main themes for the historic unit is
change.
Throughout the different aircraft, mission and
locations, the one constant was being at the forefront of our global
reach. However in 2009, the wing would be faced with its biggest
change yet, a different mission set all together. They would no
longer be the warriors who wield the spear in war, instead they
would sharpen the spear and create the warfighter.
Newly
formed in 1941, the 33d Fighter Group began flying the P-39 "Aircobra."
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the group became part
of the defense forces along the eastern coast of the United States.
The fighter group was one of the most active American
fighter groups, taking part in Operation Torch in North Africa. It
was at this time the group swapped to the P-40 “Warhawk” while
participating in the Tunisian campaign.
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November 10, 1942 - U.S. Army Air Corps 33rd Fighter Group
Pilots with a P-40 Warhawk on the USS Chenango. The Army Air Corps
was replaced by the U.S. Air Force, a separate military service from
the Army, on September 18, 1947.
(Courtesy photo provided by U.S. Air Force)
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In one memorable engagement against the Luftwaffe on 15 January
1943, the Nomads destroyed almost every bomber that attacked their
airfield at Forward Operating Base Thelepte, Tunisia. For this
defense, the Nomads received a Distinguished Unit Citation.
The Nomads were active participants in the attack on Pantelleria,
and the invasions of Sicily and Italy. Its leading aces were its
Commander, Gen. William Momyer with eight aerial victories, and Maj.
Gen. Levi Chase, with 10—the top American “Ace” in Tunisia. Overall
the Nomads recorded 114.5 aerial victories during World War II.
As the war progressed, the fighter group transitioned yet again,
this time to the P-38 “Lightning” as they were positioned in China.
This new aircraft brought huge advances to the Army Air Force’s
airborne capability. The Lightning’s powerful engines, 50-caliber
machine guns and 20-mm cannon coupled with capable pilots drove
terror into the minds of axis aviators. They were so effective, it
was called, “der Gableschwanz Teufl.” German for “fork-tailed
devil.”
As the war came to an end, the group would return to
its original ground attack role, supporting from Burma. In November
of 1945 the unit returned to the United States and was inactivated.
Their next big aircraft changeover was to the F-4C Phantom II
upon the unit’s reactivation in 1965 as the 33rd Tactical Fighter
Wing. Again, huge advancements had been made increasing the
warfighter’s capabilities. This fighter aircraft was able to carry
twice the payload of a WWII-era bomber.
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Two F-4s taking off circa 1965, at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.
(Courtesy photo provided by U.S. Air Force)
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The United States Air Force activated the 58th, 59th and
60th Tactical Fighter Squadrons under the 33 TFW, newly
assigned to Eglin Air Force Base. Two years later, the 58th
TFS’s Gorillas deployed the F-4E for Operation CONSTANT
GUARD II. It was during this time that the 33 TFW would
begin a legacy and gain its notoriety in jet-fighter combat,
and the title “MiG Killers.”
While deployed to Udorn AB, Thailand, Maj. Phillip W.
Handley and his weapon systems officer, Lt John J.
Smallwood, from the 58 TFS recorded the first and only
supersonic gun kill in Vietnam when they shot down a MiG-19
on June 2, 1972, with a 300-round burst. After four missiles
had misfired, this gun kill against the highly maneuverable
MiG-19 dispelled the perception that American aviators had
lost their dog fighting skills.
The squadron downed
its second and last MiG in Vietnam on 12 August, 1972. Capt.
Lawrence G. Richard, U.S. Marine Corps, and Lt. Cmdr.
Michael J. Ettle, U.S. Navy, shot down a MiG-21 during a
target weather reconnaissance mission. Additionally, Capt.
Steve Ritchie, assigned to the 555th Tactical Fighter
Squadron, the only Air Force “Ace” during Vietnam, scored
three of his five MiG-21 kills using a 58th TFS F-4E.
By now, the Nomads had defined their purpose in military
aviation. Since the 33rd FW’s initial activation, it had
grown accustomed to transitioning between platforms, but on
the horizon was an aircraft that they would build their
foundation and legacy around—an aircraft designed and built
as an “air superiority fighter.” The F-15C Eagle would
become the cornerstone of lasting fame and success.
By U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Peter Thompson
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2017
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