1951 - 1975

Wings of the VNAF

23rd Tactical Wing
The 23rd Tactical Wing was activated at Bien Hoa AB in June 1964. Two observation squadrons and two fighter squadron, still equipped with Douglas A-1 Skyraiders, were part of this wing. It was part of the 3rd Air Division. Aircraft belonging to this wing were easily recognizable with their elaborate yellow and black checkerboard fuselage bands. This fuselage band could be found on Cessna O-1 Bird Dogs, Douglas A-1 Skyraiders and Northrop F-5A Freedom Fighters.

33rd Tactical Wing
The 33rd Tactical Wing was activated at Tan Son Nhut AB on 4 January 1964. The 33rd served the 5th Air Division's reconnaissance, (V.I.P.) transport and medical evacuation needs.

41st Tactical Wing
The 41st tactical Wing was activated at Da Nang AB in January 1964. This wing consisted of the 1st Air Division's observation, transport, reconnaissance and gunship squadrons.

43rd Tactical Wing
The 43rd Tactical Wing was activated at Bien Hoa AB, date unknown. It was the 3rd Air Division's helicopter wing.

51st Tactical Wing
The 51st Tactical Wing was part of the 1st Air Division (Da Nang AB) and consisted of six helicopter squadrons. Activation date is not known.

53rd Tactical Wing
The activation date of this wing is not known. It consisted of two gunship squadrons and two transport squadrons and was part of the 5th Air Division at Tan Son Nhut AB.

61st Tactical Wing
The 61st Tactical Wing was part of the 1st Air Division (Da Nang AB) and consisted of four fighter squadrons. Activation date is not known.

62nd Tactical Wing
This wing was activated in December 1962 as Air Base 62 at Pleiku AB. It became the 62nd Tactical Wing in March 1964 and moved to Nha Trang AB in January 1965 when it replaced the 12th Tactical Wing. The 62nd TW served the 2nd Air Division's needs for observation, helicopter and gunship duties.

63rd Tactical Wing
The 63rd Tactical Wing was activated at Bien Hoa AB at an unknown date. It was part of the 3rd Air Division and consisted of F-5A Freedom Fighter squadrons only.

64th Tactical Wing
The 64th Tactical Wing was part of the 4th Air Division at Binh Thuy AB. Activation date is unknown.

72nd Tactical Wing
The 72nd Tactical Wing was part of the 6th Air Division and was activated at Pleiku AB in early 1965.

74th Tactical Wing
Activated at Can Tho AB on 1. April 1964 the wing later moved to Binh Thuy AB. It was the 4th Air Division's observation and fighter wing.

82nd Tactical Wing
The 82nd Tactical Wing was activated at Phu Cat AB, date unknown. It was part of the 6th Air Division.

83rd Tactical Wing / 83rd Special Operations Group
The 83rd SOG (Special Operations Group) is somewhat of a mystery. It is not part of a wing, nor of an Air Division. It seemed to be under direct VNAF headquarters control. Their aircraft had no national markings. This unit was used for covert or clandistine missions over North Vietnam. President Thieu ordered the disbandment of the 83rd SOG in january 1968 because he feared General Ky would use the unit in a coup attempt. The 522. FS (which was at that time an integral part of the 83rd) was assigned to the 23rd TW at Bien Hoa AB and it's pilots were dispersed over various other fighter squadrons. When the 83rd SOG was disbanded, it's helicopter element was redesignated 219. Helicopter Squadron.

84th Tactical Wing
The 84th Tactical Wing was activated at Soc Trang AB, date unknown. It later moved to Binh Thuy AB and was aprt of the 4th Air Division.

92nd Tactical Wing
This wing was activated at Prang Rang AB, date unknown. It was the 2nd Air Division's fighter and medevac wing.

Air Training Center (ATC)
The Air Training Center was located at Nha Trang AB throughout the exsistance of the VNAF. It was activated in 1955 and consisted of the 918th and 920th Traning Squadrons, the first stationed at Nha Trang AB, the latter at Prang Rang AB. The 918th Air Training Squadron operated Cessna U-17As and the 920th Air Training Squadron operated Cessna T-37A Tweety Birds and Bell UH-1H Hueys.