The unit was created as the 388th Fighter Day Wing at Clovis AFB, NM in November 1953 with F-86s before relocating to Etain/Rouvres AB, France in December 1954. The wing converted to F-100s, but was inactivated in December 1957 when it was replaced by the 49th FBW. The unit reformed as the 388th TFW at McConnell AFB in October 1962 with the F-100 assigned initially, and the F-105D operated from 1963. The wing was inactivated in February 1964 when it was replaced by the 23rd TFW. The 388th was reactivated at Korat RTAFB, Thailand in April 1966 with a mix of combat types including the F-105D. The wing converted to the F-4E in 1969 and added EB-66C/Es in 1970, F-105Gs in 1971, EC-130Es in 1972, A-7Ds in 1973, and AC-130Hs and F-4Ds in 1974. EC-121Rs were assigned briefly from the end of 1970 and into 1971. The wing ceased operations in November 1975 and moved to Hill AFB one month later, where it operated the F-4D. The 388th converted to the F-16A in January 1979, upgrading to the F-16C in May 1989. The wing was the winner of the Gunsmoke competition at Nellis AFB in 1983. Two squadrons deployed to Al Minhad AB, UAE for service with 388th TFW (Provisional) during Desert Storm. Designation had changed to 388th FW by October 1991.