The 57 Fighter Wing replaced 57 Fighter Wing (Provisional) in Apr 1948. It operated Elmendorf AFB, AK, and several satellite bases, and provided air defense of Alaska, Apr 1948–Dec 1950. In addition, the wing provided intra-theater troop carrier and airlift support, 1948-1950, using several attached troop carrier squadrons. In Jan 1951, it was replaced by 39th Air Depot Wing. The Wing moved to Nevada and replaced the 4525th Fighter Weapons Wing at Nellis AFB, in Oct 1969. At Nellis, it trained tactical fighter aircrews, conducted operational tests and evaluations, demonstrated tactical fighter weapon systems, and developed fighter tactics and from Feb 1970 to Oct 1979 and operated Nellis AFB for all base tenants. The USAF Air Demonstration Squadron (the “Thunderbirds”) was assigned to the wing in Feb 1974 and has remained an integral part of the wing to present. The 57th assumed operational control of “RED FLAG” exercises in Oct 1979; developing realistic combat training operations featuring adversary tactics, dissimilar air combat training, and electronic warfare. It incorporated intelligence training after Mar 1980. In 1990 the aggressor mission transferred to 4440th TFTG and later to the 414th CTS. The wing added instruction in hunter/killer counter electronic warfare tactics until 1996. From 1992-1999, the wing operated detachments at Cannon AFB, NM, Ellsworth AFB, ND, and Barksdale AFB, LA that flew and tested the F-111, B-1, and B-52 respectively.
It added the 66th Rescue Squadron, equipped with HH-60 helicopters, on 1 Feb 1993 while the squadron was deployed in Southwest Asia. From 1991 to present, the 57th provided combat aircrew capabilities, operating the USAF Weapons and the USAF Combat Rescue Schools, developing techniques and procedures and conducting operational test and evaluation on all major aircraft in the AF inventory.
To learn more about the 57th Wing, click here for its fact sheet.