347th Rescue Wing

347th Rescue Wing
Emblem of the 347th Rescue Wing
Active	1948–2006
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Special Operations

The 347th Rescue Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the Air Force Special Operations Command, stationed at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. It was inactivated on 1 October 2006.

Provided air defense of Japanese territory Aug 1948– Mar 1950. Reactivated in Jan 1968 at Yokota AB, performed air defense and reconnaissance missions over Japan and South Korea through early May 1971.

Reactivated in May 1971 at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, replacing the 67 TFW which moved in July 1971 to Bergstrom Air Force Base, Texas. Equipped with F-111F Aardvarks, the 347th had a short stay at Mountain Home, conducting F-111F training until October 1972, when the 366 TFW moved from Vietnam to Mountain Home. Upon its arrival, the 366th absorbed all the personnel and equipment of the 347th.

On 30 July 1973 the 347th Tactical Fighter Wing which was reactivated at Takhli RTFB, Thailand replacing the 474th TFW which returned to the United States. The wing retained two squadrons of F-111As of the 474th, and for a brief two-week period the 347th flew combat operations into Cambodia until 15 August, when the last wartime mission of the Vietnam Era was flown into Cambodia for final mission of Constant Guard. After the cease-fire, the wing was maintained in a combat-ready status for possible contingency

After the end of combat missions in Indochina, the 347th moved to Korat RTAFB, Thailand in 1974 after the closure of Taklhi and remained in Southeast Asia through May 1975 to undertake strike missions in the event of further contingency operations. Participated in numerous exercises and firepower demonstrations, and, during Jan–May 1975, flew sea surveillance missions. Participated in the recovery of the American merchantman SS Mayaguez from the Khmer Rouge in May 1975.

Replaced Det. 1, 363d Combat Support Group at Moody AFB and trained to become proficient in F-4E aircraft. Assumed responsibility for operating Moody AFB in Dec 1975. Thereafter, conducted frequent exercise deployments in the U.S. and overseas to maintain capabilities specializing in air-to-ground attack using precision-guided weapons. Transitioned to F-16A/B aircraft, 1988–1989, and oriented mission planning toward NATO requirements by conducting squadron-strength deployments to Europe.

Began upgrading to F-16C/D in Jan 1990 and in Aug 1990 became first operational TAC unit to employ the LANTIRN all-weather/night navigation and bombing system. Sent support personnel to Southwest Asia in Aug 1990, and in Jan 1991 deployed one fighter squadron to fly combat missions. Following the ceasefire, continued to support peace-keeping operations with periodic aircraft deployments to Saudi Arabia.