20th Tactical Fighter Wing

20th Fighter Wing
78th Fighter Squadron F-16C Block 50P 92-3920
Active	1947–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Tactical Fighter-Bomber
Part of	Air Combat Command
Garrison/HQ	Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina
Motto(s)	Victory by Valor
Engagements	World War II 1991 Gulf War Global War on Terrorism
Commanders
Current commander	Colonel CHARLES L. MOORE JR
Notable commanders	Ira C. Eaker Merrill McPeak
Insignia
20th Fighter Wing emblem

The 20th Fighter Wing (20 FW) is a wing of the United States Air Force and the host unit at Shaw Air Force Base South Carolina. The wing is assigned to Air Combat Command's Ninth Air Force.

The mission of the 20th FW is to provide, project and sustain combat-ready aircraft in conventional and anti-radiation suppression of enemy air defenses, strategic attack, counter-air, air interdiction, joint maritime operations and combat search-and-rescue missions.

The 20th Fighter Wing is composed of four groups each with specific functions. The Operations Group controls all flying and airfield operations. The Maintenance Group performs maintenance of aircraft, ground equipment and aircraft components. The Mission Support Group has a wide range of responsibilities,a few of its functions are Security, Civil Engineering, Communications, Personnel Management, Logistics, Services and Contracting support. While the Medical Group provides medical and dental care.

20th Operations Group (20 OG)

20th Maintenance Group (20 MXG)

20th Mission Support Group (20 MSG)

20th Medical Group (20 MDG)

Additionally, the 20th Comptroller Squadron (20 CPTS) reports directly to the wing commander.

The group's austere emblem, approved in 1934, features a nebula—the heraldic symbol for clouds

The 20th Fighter Group served during World War II in Europe from 1942 to 1945 (and before as the 20th Pursuit Group).

The 20th Fighter Wing was established on 20 July 1947 at Shaw Field, South Carolina and activated on 15 August. Upon its activation, the 20th FW commanded the functions of both the support groups as well as the flying 20th Fighter Group and the squadrons assigned to it. On 26 August 1948, the wing’s 20th Airdrome Group was discontinued with the 20th FW becoming the host unit at Shaw and its elements became realigned under the 20th Air Base Group.

At Shaw, the Wing trained to maintain proficiency as a tactical fighter unit. Its fighter group exchanged its P-51's in February 1948 for F-84B (later D) Thunderjets. The 20th provided P-51 training for Turkish officers, February – April 1948.