 As the host unit at Langley Air Force Base, Va., the 1st Fighter Wing operates and maintains one of the largest fighter bases in the Air Force's Air Combat Command. ACC's mission is to provide the world's best combat air forces delivering rapid, decisive air power anytime, anywhere. |
The wing's primary mission is to work as a team to be ready to deploy, deter and win, setting the standard in air supremacy. To accomplish its mission, the men and women of the 1st Fighter Wing are broken out into four groups: the 1st Operations Group, the 1st Logistics Group, the 1st Support Group and the 1st Medical Group. These groups are further broken down into 21 squadrons, including with 54 primary assigned F-15Cs: the
Three F-15 fighter squadrons
To accomplish its dynamic and challenging mission, the wing flies the Air Force's air superiority fighter, the F-15 Eagle, which entered Air Force operational service at Langley in January 1976. Fully operational in December 1976, the wing is now equipped with 66 assigned F-15s.
The 1st FW has a long and distinguished history. Known as the 1st Pursuit Organization and Training Center in World War I, the unit recorded the first confirmed aerial victory of the war April 14, 1918, as Lt. Douglas Campbell of the 94th FS downed a German Pfalz D-3. The 1st Pursuit Group ended the war with 202 confirmed kills.
The wing continued its distinguished history by becoming the first operational F-15 wing in the Air Force in 1976.
 In 1999, the wing's 74th Air Control Squadron participated in
Operation Allied Force when it deployed to Hungary to monitor and control air traffic.
More recently the 1st First Fighter has supported both Operation Southern Watch in
Southwest Asia and Operation Northern Watch in Turkey. |
| During a normal day's flying operation at Langley, the wing will launch about 90 fighter training missions in air-to-air combat, aerial gunnery and air defense intercepts. Most flying operations are conducted in dedicated air space over the Atlantic Ocean off the Virginia and North Carolina coasts. |
 The 27th Fighter Squadron is the oldest fighter squadron in the U.S. Air Force. As one of three fighter squadrons of the 1st Fighter Wing, the 27th is tasked to provide air superiority for United States or allied forces by engaging and destroying enemy forces, equipment, defenses or installations for global deployment. The unit is equipped with the F-15 Eagle, an advanced air-superiority fighter. |
The redesignated 27th Tactical Fighter Squadron was assigned to MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., July 2, 1971, as part of the reorganized 1st Tactical Fighter Wing. While at MacDill, the 27th trained aircrews in the F-4E Phantom II. In June 1975, the 27th Tactical Fighter Squadron was moved to Langley Air Force Base, Va., becoming the first operational squadron to fly the F-15 Eagle air superiority fighter in 1976. The unit was redesignated the 27th Fighter Squadron Sept.1, 1991.
| The 27th FS has deployed worldwide to support the 1st FW, flying approximately 25 sorties each day to train in air-to-air combat, aerial gunnery and air defense intercept missions. |
 The 71st Fighter Squadron is one of three fighter squadrons assigned to the 1st Fighter Wing. Its mission is to maintain a combat-ready force able to conduct air-superiority operations anywhere in the world for the United States and its allies. |
In 1975, the 71st moved to its current home with the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley Air Force Base, Va., where it was equipped with the F-15 Eagle air superiority fighter in 1976.
| In a normal flying day, the 71st Fighter Squadron will launch approximately 25 sorties to fly training missions in air-to-air combat, aerial gunnery, and air defense intercepts. |