Phu Cat Air Base - History - 37th Tactical Fighter Wing

On 1 March 1967, the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing was organized at Phu Cat to become the host unit. The 37th TFW received its manpower and equipment from various units transferred from the United States and elsewhere, and tactical operations did not commence until mid-April when headquarters components became operational.

Its attached squadrons were:

• 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron: 15 April 1967 - 27 May 1969 (F-100D/F Tail Code: HE)
• Det 1, 612th Tactical Fighter Squadron: 8 June 1967 - 13 April 1969 (F-100D/F Tail Code: HS)

The 416th TFS was deployed from the 3d TFW at Bien Hoa AB, Det 1, 612th TFS from the 35th TFW at Phan Rang. On 15 April, the 37th TFW began combat operations with strikes by 416th TFS en route from Bien Hoa Air Base to their new home. On 8 June, Det 1., 612th TFS began operations, also after flying a mission en route from their former home at Phan Rang. By 28 February 1968, the F-100 squadrons of the 37th TFW completed 18,000 combat hours and 13,000 combat sorties without a major aircraft accident.

In the spring of 1968, these two squadrons were augmented to a total of four by two additional squadrons deployed from CONUS:

• 174th Tactical Fighter Squadron: 14 May 1968 - 11 May 1969 (Iowa Air National Guard) (F-100C Tail Code: HA)
• 355th Tactical Fighter Squadron: 3 February 1968 - 15 May 1969 (F-100D/F Tail Code: HP)

The 174th TFS consisted of federalized Air National Guard personnel and 22 F-100C aircraft from the 185th Tactical Fighter Group of the Iowa ANG at Sioux City MAP. The draw on assets to the 185th TFG was such that it was unable to continue operations CONUS.

The 355th TFS was a regular Air Force unit of the 354th TFW at Myrtle Beach AFB, South Carolina, 50% of whose personnel assets were composed of activated ANG members from the 119th TFS (New Jersey ANG) and 121st TFS (D.C. ANG). The 355th deployed TDY to Phu Cat on 14 May 1968, with 13 of its 30 pilots ANG members. The transfer became permanent on 26 June 1968, at which time all TDY members were offered the opportunity to volunteer for a full year's tour. All 13 ANG pilots volunteered, one of whom was killed in action a month later. By Christmas 1968, 87% of the squadron's support personnel were ANG members. Five of the ANG pilots also volunteered as Misty FACs. In all, air guard pilots were awarded 23 Silver Stars, 47 Distinguished Flying Crosses, and 46 Bronze Stars for valor while stationed at Phu Cat.