50th Space Wing - History

History

See 50th Operations Group for additional history and lineage

The 50th Fighter Wing was established on 16 May 1949 as part of the post-World War II United States Air Force Reserve in 1 June 1949. The wing was formed at Otis AFB, Massachusetts. The 50th Fighter Group was assigned to the newly-formed 50th Fighter Wing upon activation under the Hobson organization plan.

It trained in the Reserve between June 1949 and June 1951, being a corollary of the active-duty Air Defense Command 33d Fighter Wing. The wing was ordered to active service on 1 June 1951 due to the Korean War, and its personnel and equipment were reassigned as replacements to active-duty units. The 50th Fighter Wing was inactivated the next day, 2 June 1951.

On 1 January 1953, the 50th Fighter-Bomber Wing was reactivated as part of the active-duty Tactical Air Command. The group was reactivated following Secretary of State John Foster Dulles' promise to provide NATO with four additional tactical fighter wings to increase its defenses against the Soviet Union due to the outbreak of the Cold War. The 50th Fighter-Interceptor Group activated as the 50th Fighter-Bomber Group (later renamed 50th Operations Group) and became the wing's primary combat element. The group's squadrons were equipped with North American F-86F Sabres, and training commenced for operational proficiency. Once training levels for pilots and aircrews had reached operational levels, the 50th FBW began preparations for its move to West Germany. On 10 August 1953, the 50th FBW arrived at its new home, the newly-constructed Hahn Air Base.