The unit was established at Naha AB, Okinawa in August 1948 as the 51st Fighter Wing, operating the F-61. They were redesignated 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing in February 1950 and moved to several bases in Japan, Okinawa and South Korea before inactivating in May 1971. The wing was reactivated as 51st Air Base Wing in November 1971 at Osan AB, replacing the 6314th Support Wing, and changed to 51st Composite Wing (Tactical) in September 1974 with the F-4E and the OV-10A. The unit was redesignated 51st TFW in January 1982 with squadrons located at Suwon, Taegu as well as wing headquarters at Osan. The unit converted to the F-16C during 1989 and the A-10A one year later. The designation was changed to the 51st Wing in 1992 but reverted to a Fighter Wing in October 1993.