<p>The unit was activated at Elmendorf AFB as the 57th Fighter Wing in April 1948 with a variety of fighter and support aircraft including the F-80, C-54 and C-82. It was redesignated 57th Fighter-Interceptor Wing in January 1950 and inactivated 12 months later when it was replaced by the 39th Air Depot Wing. The wing was redesignated 57th Fighter Weapons Wing and activated at Nellis AFB in October 1969, replacing the 4525th FWW as the flying component of the Tactical Fighter Weapons Center. The 57th operated all USAF tactical fighter and attack types including the A-7, A-10, F-4, F-5, F-15, F-16, F-100, F-105, F-111 and F-117, plus the T-38 and T-39. The wing has operated evaluation squadrons and detachments at other TAC bases including Hill, Luke and McClellan. Gained the USAF 'Thunderbirds' demonstration team in February 1974. The unit designation was changed to 57th Fighter Wing in October 1991, and 57th Wing in February 1993.
