66th Electronic Combat Wing

66th Air Base Wing
Secretary Widnall arrives at Hanscom AFB
Active	1953-1970: 1985-1992; 1994-2010
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Air base support
Part of	Air Force Materiel Command
Motto(s)	Omnia Conspicimus Latin We Observe All
Decorations	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Insignia
66th Air Base Wing emblem (approved 18 March 1986)
Patch with 66th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing emblem (approved 26 May 1953)

The 66th Air Base Wing is an inactive United States Air Force it was last active in September 2010 at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, where it had served as the host organization since 1994. It was replaced at Hanscom by the smaller 66th Air Base Group.

The wing was first activated in January 1953 at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina as the 66th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, replacing an Air National Guard wing that had been called into federal service for the Korean War. After re-equipping and completing training, the wing moved to Europe, where it provided tactical reconnaissance coverage for United States Air Forces Europe and NATO from bases in Germany, France and the United Kingdom until inactivating in 1970.

The wing was reactivated in 1985 as the 66th Electronic Combat Wing. During Operation Desert Storm it deployed forces to Southwest Asia that conducted combat electronic warfare missions. In addition to its flying mission, the wing supported a number of geographically separated units in Europe. It was inactivated in 1992 when one of its squadrons was reassigned and the other inactivated. Its support mission was transferred to another wing.

The wing was first activated on 1 January 1953 at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, where it replaced the 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, a Tennessee Air National Guard unit that had been mobilized for the Korean War that was being returned to National Guard service. The wing completed its training and preparation for overseas service, which included the conversion of the 303d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron from North American RF-51 Mustangs to Lockheed RF-80A Shooting Stars. The wing departed Shaw in June 1953.