On 24 September 1948 the 78th Fighter Wing was established at Hamilton Air Force Base, California by the Hobson Plan, with the 78th Fighter Group becoming a component of the wing, controlling its flying resources Redesignated the 78th Fighter-Interceptor Wing in January 1950 as part of Air Defense Command. The group's squadrons flew numerous interceptors for West Coast air defense. Inactivated on 6 February 1952 as part of a reorganization of ADC, its operational element was replaced by the 4702d Defense Wing. Its support elements were replaced at Hamilton by the 566th Air Base Group the same day. This group was redesignated the 566th Air Defense Group and assumed operational responsibilities at Hamilton on 16 February 1953. On 18 August 1955, the 566th Air Defense Group was replaced by a former element of the wing, the 78th Fighter Group. In 1956, it was decided to elevate the operational units at Hamilton back to a Wing level, and the wing was reactivated, with its operational squadrons still controlled by the 78th Fighter Group. The group component of the wing was considered to be a redundant level of organization by the late 1950s, and the 78th FIG was inactivated on 1 February 1961, with its flying units being directly assigned to the Wing. The 78th Fighter Wing was the host unit at Hamilton until it was inactivated at the end of December 1969 and its mission, equipment were transferred to the 1st Fighter Wing, which transferred to Hamilton on paper from Selfridge Air Force Base, Michigan.
Air Training Command
The 78th Flying Training Wing replaced and absorbed resources of the 3560th Pilot Training Wing at Webb Air Force Base, Texas, on 1 December 1972. Squadrons were 82d, 83d, 3389th Flying Training Sqdns. The wing performed pilot training for both USAF and allied officers. In 1977 the end of the Vietnam War meant a decrease in the need for Air Force pilots and Webb was closed. The 78th FTW was inactivated. In 1989 the Dutch government allowed USAF to upgrade its headquarters unit at Soesterberg AB from squadron to group status. The story goes that the USAF wanted to change the 32d into the 78th TFG but that the Dutch government didn't allow another number as not to stir up the people who were against the American presence in the Netherlands.
Robins AFB
Since its reactivation in 1994, the 78th Air Base Wing has provided host services and support for the Warner-Robins Air Logistics Center and its tenant organizations.
Lineage
Constituted as the 78th Fighter Wing on 24 September 1948
Air Force Sustainment Center, 1 October 2012 – Present
Components
Groups
78th Fighter Group: 16 November 1948 – 6 February 1952; 18 October 1956 – 1 February 1961
78th Air Base Group : 16 November 1948 – 6 February 1952; 18 October 1956 – 31 December 1969; 1 September 1972 – 30 September 1977; 1 October 1994 – present
78th Maintenance & Supply Group : 16 November 1948 – 6 February 1952; 8 July 1957 – 1 February 1961; 1 August 1998 – 19 September 2002
78th Station Medical Group : 16 November 1948 – 6 February 1952; 18 October 1956 – 31 December 1969; 1 October 1994 – present
Squadrons
82d Fighter-Interceptor : 1 December 1972 – 15 June 1976
83d Fighter-Interceptor : 1 February 1961 – 1 July 1963; 1 December 1972 – 30 September 1977
84th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron: 1 February 1961 – 31 December 1969
3389th Flying Training Squadron: 1 January 1974 – 30 September 1977.
Stations
Hamilton Air Force Base, California, 16 November 1948 – 6 November 1952
Hamilton Air Force Base, California, 18 October 1956 – 31 December 1969.
Webb Air Force Base, Texas, 1 December 1972 – 30 September 1977
