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A history of Shaw AFB
PRESENT FOR DUTY:
A HISTORY OF SHAW AFB
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By Senior Airman Jacob Gutierrez
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. – The U.S. Air Force is celebrating a milestone 75th birthday later this year. The organized force has been a continuing presence in defending the freedoms and people of the United States since Sept.18, 1947. While this commemoration is underway, another significant anniversary occurred recently.
Shaw Air Force Base has been providing teams of resilient and ready forces for 80 years. That entire span of time has been possible thanks to the commitment and service of its airmen, as well as a successful partnership between Shaw and the local Sumter community.
“Shaw Air Force Base has always provided ready soldiers and airmen due to hard work and continuous investment with our allies, partners and communities,” said Col. Lawrence T. Sullivan, 20th Fighter Wing commander. “With the support of the American people and the Sumter community, we will continue to meet any challenge anytime, anywhere, by following the examples of those who came before us.”
Before the creation of the modern Air Force, a rural
South Carolina airfield was activated by the U.S. Army Air Corps on Aug.30, 1941. Known then as Shaw Field, military personnel began executing readiness missions that would see Shaw become a major player in subsequent historical American engagements.
From the very beginning, Shaw has concentrated on the
critical mission of delivering ready airmen and pilots to prepare and command lethal airframes in missions across the world.
During WWII, troops were sent to the Air Corps Basic Flying School at Shaw Field where they prepared to deploy in various aircraft, including the BT-13 Valiant and the AT-10 Wichita. From Shaw, they flew out to the front lines of multiple military offensives.
Near the conclusion of WWII in 1947, the 20th Fighter Wing was born, continuing Shaw’s legacy of supplying airpower, flying aircraft like the F-51 Mustang and F-84 Thunderjet.
Early in the 1950s, both the Korean and Cold War called the newly formed wing overseas and tested the power and capabilities of airmen with more advanced aircraft and evolved military strategy. These conflicts would cement the need for Shaw to continue its readiness mission stateside, accessioning the next wave of future combat airpower.
During the years that followed, the base saw the arrival and departure of many wings and groups. Some of the other assigned units include the 363rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, which flew aircraft like the F-101 Voodoo and the F-4 Phantom II. Later, it was redesignated the 363rd Tactical Fighter Wing, which brought the F-16 Fighting Falcon, continuing the legacy of the Wild Weasel mission.
The Wild Weasel mission exemplifies the innovation necessary for continuing mission success. F-16s at Shaw trained in the suppression of enemy air defenses, preparing to destroy
surface to air missiles and led the way for the rest of the fight. Wild Weasels live by the motto, “first in, last out,” which defines the identity of the wing and is why Shaw is referred to as Weasel Nation.
In the early 1990s, Shaw was actively engaged in another conflict, this time in the Middle East. Fighter squadrons assigned to the 363rd Tactical Fighter Wing were the first to deploy F-16s to Operation Desert Shield and continued to fly missions during Operation Desert Storm. This was another test of Shaw’s commitment to readiness and the beginning of an ongoing presence in this area of responsibility executing missions of national, regional and global importance.
In 1994, Shaw welcomed the return of its long overseas host unit, the 20th Fighter Wing. The end of the Cold War saw the reassignment of the wing and in the following decades saw it support an extensive list of critical American military engagements including, but not limited to, Operation Freedom’s Sentinel in Afghanistan and Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria.
Today, Shaw remains engaged in every region of the world across the full spectrum of military operations. Together, U.S. Army Central, 9th Air Force (Air Forces Central), 15th Air Force, the 25th Attack Group and the 20th Fighter Wing form an unmatched ability to train, deploy and employ combat power.
“We are committed to becoming more agile in our execution, more strategic with our resources and more resilient in our operations,” Sullivan said. “While the units and designations have changed, our dedication to our community and country remain steadfast.”
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