top of page
The 31st Fighter Group in Vietnam
The 31st was one of several fighter wings that would be deployed to Southeast Asia in Vietnam. In 1957, the 31st was reassigned to the Tactical Air Command as the 31st Fighter-Bomber Wing as they were equipped with the new North American F-100 Super Saber at Turner AFB. During the next few years, the 31st would rotate her units to Alaska and Europe.
On 15 March 1959 the 31st was transferred to George AFB at Victorville, California where it absorbed the 413th FW (Day) and was re-designated at the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing. In May 1962, the 31st TFW would move to Homestead AFB in Southern Florida. Homestead would become home of the 31st till the 1990s.
On 15 March 1959 the 31st was transferred to George AFB at Victorville, California where it absorbed the 413th FW (Day) and was re-designated at the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing. In May 1962, the 31st TFW would move to Homestead AFB in Southern Florida. Homestead would become home of the 31st till the 1990s.
309th TFS F-100s refueling from a KC-135
In 1966, with the Vietnam War in motion and the needs of units for NATO, the 31st TFW temporarily lost the 307th TFS who was moved to Torrejon Air Base in Spain and joined the 401st TFW. Meanwhile, the 31st TFW and her 3 squadrons (the 306th coded- "SD", 308th coded- "SM", and 309th coded- "SS") were deployed to Tuy Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam on 16 December 1966. Their mission was to support the US troops on the ground as well as interdict enemy movement of troops and supplies in and out of the area.
In June of 1968, the 31st would receive two additional fighter squadrons under its command. The Air National Guard units of the 136th TFS from the state of New York (coded-"SG") and the 188th TFS from the state of New Mexico (coded-"SK"). These two F-100 units were deployed for one year and were rotated back to the US and replaced by two other F-100 squadrons from the 37th TFW that was transitioning to the F-4. In May 1969, these two squadrons, the 355th TFS (coded-"SP") and 416th TFS (coded-"SE").
In 1966, with the Vietnam War in motion and the needs of units for NATO, the 31st TFW temporarily lost the 307th TFS who was moved to Torrejon Air Base in Spain and joined the 401st TFW. Meanwhile, the 31st TFW and her 3 squadrons (the 306th coded- "SD", 308th coded- "SM", and 309th coded- "SS") were deployed to Tuy Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam on 16 December 1966. Their mission was to support the US troops on the ground as well as interdict enemy movement of troops and supplies in and out of the area.
In June of 1968, the 31st would receive two additional fighter squadrons under its command. The Air National Guard units of the 136th TFS from the state of New York (coded-"SG") and the 188th TFS from the state of New Mexico (coded-"SK"). These two F-100 units were deployed for one year and were rotated back to the US and replaced by two other F-100 squadrons from the 37th TFW that was transitioning to the F-4. In May 1969, these two squadrons, the 355th TFS (coded-"SP") and 416th TFS (coded-"SE").
F-100s of the 188th TFS of the New Mexico ANG assigned to the 31st TFW at Tuy Hoa, S. Vietnam
During their missions in Vietnam, the 31st flew their intended roles of CAS (Close Air Support) and interdiction, but also flew photo-recon missions, combat air patrols (CAP) for search & rescue missions (SAR), suppression of enemy air defense (Wild Weasel), and forward air control (FAC). The 31st became the most important "do-it-all" F-100 fighter wing in South Vietnam. The 31st TFW would participate in some of the most pivotal engagements in South Vietnam that would include the the Tet Offensive in 1968, the Siege of Khe Sanh of Feb-Apr 1968, and the withdraw of troops from the Battle of Kham Duc in May of 1968.
The 31st continued to function in their roles until it was deactivated on 15 October 1970 as part of the US withdraw from Vietnam. Then the next day the 31st TFW was reactivated back home at Homestead AFB without personnel and equipment. The 31st started flying their latest aircraft, the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom and began replacement training for squadrons still located in Southeast Asia.
During their missions in Vietnam, the 31st flew their intended roles of CAS (Close Air Support) and interdiction, but also flew photo-recon missions, combat air patrols (CAP) for search & rescue missions (SAR), suppression of enemy air defense (Wild Weasel), and forward air control (FAC). The 31st became the most important "do-it-all" F-100 fighter wing in South Vietnam. The 31st TFW would participate in some of the most pivotal engagements in South Vietnam that would include the the Tet Offensive in 1968, the Siege of Khe Sanh of Feb-Apr 1968, and the withdraw of troops from the Battle of Kham Duc in May of 1968.
The 31st continued to function in their roles until it was deactivated on 15 October 1970 as part of the US withdraw from Vietnam. Then the next day the 31st TFW was reactivated back home at Homestead AFB without personnel and equipment. The 31st started flying their latest aircraft, the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom and began replacement training for squadrons still located in Southeast Asia.
309th TFS, F-4E Phantom at Homestead AFB
In April 1976, the 31st TFW gained primary responsibility for air defense of southern Florida as well as acting as advisors for the Florida ANG units. Then in September of 1979 to September of 1980, the 31st lost about half of their F-4Es in Project "Peace Pharaoh" where their F-4Es were transferred to Egypt and replaced with the F-4D and started to train F-4 pilots as the 31st Tactical Training Wing.
In April 1976, the 31st TFW gained primary responsibility for air defense of southern Florida as well as acting as advisors for the Florida ANG units. Then in September of 1979 to September of 1980, the 31st lost about half of their F-4Es in Project "Peace Pharaoh" where their F-4Es were transferred to Egypt and replaced with the F-4D and started to train F-4 pilots as the 31st Tactical Training Wing.
bottom of page