31st Fighter Wing
The long history of the 31st Fighter Wing continued after its participation in Vietnam when in April 1981 the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing became an F-4 Phantom training wing still located at their long time home of Homestead AFB. From that time the 31st (now known as the 31st Tactical Training Wing) continued their training for four years and in October the 31st began to transition from the F-4 Phantom to the new modern General Dynamics F-16A/B "Fighting Falcon."
_stbd_edited.png)
309th TFS, F-16 at Homestead AFB
As they transitioned into the F-16, the 31st TTW graduated their last F-4 class in May of 1988 and became a fully operational F-16 fighter wing regaining their Tactical Fighter Wing designation. Sadly though, with the wing's move from the F-4 to the F-16 also brought along the deactivation of the 306th TFS. In December of 1981, the 31st also changed its tail code to "HS."
​
The 31st enjoyed a long period of time before the next change occurred in October 1991 when the 31st TFW began to transition to the new F-16C/D. A year later in June, along with the reorganization of the USAF, the 31st became the 31st Fighter Wing under the new Air Combat Command. But later that year, on the 24th of August 1992, Hurricane Andrew made landfall in southern Florida and destroyed most of the Homestead AFB.
​
The F-16s of the 31st escaped the Hurricane by temporarily relocating to different fighter wings. Both the 307th and 308th Fighter Squadrons moved to Moody AFB, in Georgia and joined the 347th FW. Meanwhile the 309th FS moved from Homestead to Shaw AFB in South Carolina and joined the 363rd FW. After several promises from both Presidents' Bush and Clinton to clean up Homestead AFB, the long time home of the 31st was closed and realigned to the AF Reserves. Another sad day came on October 1st 1992, when the 307th, 308th, and 309th fighter squadrons, whom have been with the 31st since World War 2, were reassigned to their respective dispersal fields. Meanwhile 31st itself spent the next few years salvaging government property from Homestead AFB.
​
In April of 1994, the 31st Fighter Wing returned to Italy for the first time since World War II. The transfer was made without personnel and equipment and replaced the 401st FW at Aviano Airbase in Northern Italy. The 31st FW was given two combat squadrons of F-16C/Ds who were coming from Ramstein Airbase in Germany. The two squadrons also had a long history that dated back during World War II, and Vietnam, the 510th FS and the 555th FS.
​
The 510th Fighter Squadron, known as the "Buzzards," first served as a Dive-Bomber squadron flying A-24s (the USAAF designation of the SBD-Dauntless) when it was first activated in 1943. They then transferred from the A-24 and P-39 to the P-47 Thunderbolt and arrived at RAF Christchurch in England beginning combat operations in March of 1944.
A P47-C of the 510 FS at RAF Christchurch
F-16C 510th FS, 31st FW Present Day
The 510th then served in Vietnam flying F-100 Spersabers from Bien Hoa Air Base, S. Vietnam flying over 27,000 combat missions until they were deactivated in 1969. The 510th was again re-activated in England flying A-10s out of RAF Bentwaters and then Spangdahlem Airbase, Germany. The fighter squadron was then de-activated in Germany and re-activated in Italy with the 31st FW.
​
Along with the 510th, was the 555th Fighter Squadron known as the "Triple Nickel." The 555th's history began in WWII in November of 1942 as the 555th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) flying B-26s from bases in England, and eventually France and Belgium against the German Luftwaffe. After WWII the 555th was deactivated shortly after the end of WWII.
​
On 8 January 1964, the 555th was re-activated as the 555th TFS and was the first USAF squadron to receive the F-4 Phantom. They were then deployed to Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base and scored their first aerial victories against the NVAF in April of 1966, and within a week the squadron has scored 6 victories making the 555th the first "ace" squadron in Southeast Asia. Then in June of 1966 the fighter squadron joined the 8th TFW.
555th TFS, F-4 Udorn RTAFB during Vietnam War
The 555th would continue to serve with distinction during Vietnam as part of the 8th severing in several air campaigns that include Linebacker I and II. By the end of Vietnam the "Nickel" had 39 air-to-air victories credited and produced both USAF fighter ace of the war thus earning the motto: "World's Largest Distributor of MiG Parts." The 555th also earned 3 Presidential Unit Citations and 5 AF Outstanding Unit award.
​
The 555th then moved to Luke AFB, Arizona in 1974 after 9 years of combat operations in Southeast Asia and transitioned to the F-15 Eagle. Eventually in April of 1994, the 555th FS joined the 31st FW in Italy transitioning into the F-16C/D.
​
With the two new squadrons, the 31st FW return to Italy as part of the USAFE command placed upon the 31st a very large area of responsibility as its the only US fighter wing south of the Alps. The 31st FW served in several air operations in the Balkans in Op. Allied Force, enforced no-fly zones of Op. Northern and Southern Watch over Iraq as well as flying missions in Op. Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
​
To this day the 31st FW continues to fly their missions in the greatest tradition started by their forefathers in WWII as they continue to support their country and "Return with Honor."
​
F-16C from the 510th FS/31st FW at Aviano AB, Italy (thanks to the AAFG)
Tripel Nickel CO's F-16 at Aviano AB, Italy (thanks to the AAFG)
F-16C from the 555th FS / 31st FW at Aviano AB, Italy (thanks to the AAFG)
Triple Nickel's CO at Aviano AB, Italy (thanks to the AAFG)
555th FS CO's F-16 at Aviano AB, Italy (thanks to the AAFG)
31st FW CO's F-16 at Aviano AB, Italy (thanks to the AAFG)