3rd Wing turns 90

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher Gross
  • 3rd Wing Public Affiars
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  It was 90 years ago July 1 the U.S. Army Surveillance Group activated. Over the years, it has re-designated several times and eventually became the 3rd Wing.

"The fact that an organization in the Air Force has been around as long as it has, is amazing," said Joe Orr, historian for Elmendorf History Office.

The Army SG later became the 3rd Attack Group which was the first to be an organized attack group under the Army Air Service. They provided crucial air support during the 1920s.

In March 1943, the 3rd Bombardment Group made one of the most distinctive victories in its history by sinking 12 Japanese ships in the Bismarck Sea during World War II.

The 3rd Bombardment Wing activated shortly after the Air Force was established Sept. 18, 1947.

The 3rd Wing participated in every bombing sortie of the Korean War from the first bombing sortie to the last. After the Korean War, the 3rd Wing was on high nuclear alert with Japan and Korea for 10 years at the peak of the Cold War.

In the 1960s and 70s, the wing moved around quite a bit, first to England Air Force Base, La., then Bien Hoa Air Base, Vietnam, and Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, before locating at Clark Air Base, Philippines, to help establish democracy there.

The Mount Pinatubo eruption in June 1991 was one of the most defining times for the 3rd Wing, said Orr. After the eruption, thousands of people evacuated within days.

The 3rd Wing remained at Clark AB until Dec. 19, 1991, when it was moved to Elmendorf where it still remains today.

Today's 3rd Wing is still playing a major role in current Air Force operations with members constantly deployed around the world and five different types of aircraft that support the Pacific Air Forces command's objectives.