About this Unit
The 366th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW), known as the "Gunfighters," was first activated in 1953 and has played a significant role in U.S. Air Force history. During the Vietnam War, the wing operated out of Da Nang Air Base, flying F-4 Phantom II aircraft and earning distinction for its ground-attack and air superiority missions. The 366th TFW was instrumental in pioneering the use of gun pods on jet fighters, enhancing close air support capabilities. Over the decades, the wing has transitioned to new aircraft and missions, and today, as the 366th Fighter Wing at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, it continues its legacy of excellence in air combat operations.
Historical Facts
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Origins in World War II: The 366th Fighter Wing traces its lineage to the 366th Fighter Group, activated in 1943, which flew P-47 Thunderbolts during World War II in the European Theater, providing key close air support during the Normandy Invasion and the Battle of the Bulge.
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Reactivation and Cold War Role: The 366th was reactivated and redesignated as the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) in 1953, initially stationed at Alexandria Air Force Base (now England AFB), Louisiana, flying F-51 Mustangs and later F-84 Thunderjets and F-86 Sabres.
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“Gunfighters” Nickname: The 366th TFW earned the nickname “Gunfighters” in Vietnam when its F-4C/D Phantom IIs were uniquely outfitted with 20mm gun pods, giving them an edge in dogfights against MiG fighters.
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Vietnam War Deployments: The 366th TFW was deployed to Southeast Asia in 1966, initially at Phan Rang Air Base and then moved to Da Nang Air Base, becoming one of the most active USAF units in Vietnam.
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First USAF MiG Kill in Vietnam: On June 5, 1967, a 366th TFW crew scored the first USAF MiG kill using the F-4E’s internal gun, solidifying the importance of gun-armed fighters in aerial combat.
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Multiple Aircraft Types: Over its history, the 366th TFW flew a variety of aircraft including the F-84F Thunderstreak, F-100 Super Sabre, F-4 Phantom II, F-111 Aardvark, and later the F-15E Strike Eagle.
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Mountain Home AFB Assignment: The wing was transferred to Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, in 1972, where it remains today as one of the USAF’s premier combat wings.
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Operation Desert Storm: Elements of the 366th TFW participated in Operation Desert Storm (1991), deploying personnel and aircraft to support coalition operations in the liberation of Kuwait.
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Composite Wing Concept: In the 1990s, the 366th became the Air Force’s first “composite wing,” operating F-15E Strike Eagles, F-16 Fighting Falcons, B-1B Lancers, and KC-135 Stratotankers, providing a mix of fighter, bomber, and refueling capabilities.
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Modern Operations: The 366th, now known as the 366th Fighter Wing, continues to deploy worldwide, supporting combat operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other theaters, and remains at the forefront of USAF innovation in joint and coalition air combat tactics.
