The unit has spent the majority of its operational career stationed in the Far East at bases in Japan, South Korea and Thailand since being activated in August 1948, apart from 17 months located in the USA. The wing has a distinguished lineage with successful operations during the Korean and Vietnam Wars where the unit became known as the 'MiG Killers'. The wing moved to Kunsan AB at end of the Vietnam War, flying the F-4D until re-equipping with the F-16A during the early 1980s and the F-16C subsequently. The unit was redesignated the 8th FW at the end of 1991.