With the departure of the 97th Bombardment Wing, the Eielson Air Force Base Wing (Base Complement) was formed on 1 April 1948. On 20 April 1948, it was designated the 5010th Air Base Wing, and would be the host unit at the base until 1964.[1]
Construction boomed at Eielson AFB during the wing's tenure in the 1950s. Many of the facilities still in use today were built at that time – Amber Hall, the Thunderdome, Base Exchange, Commissary, Gymnasium, Theater, Base Chapel, some of the schools and many of the dormitories, just to name a few.
The quick response of the 5010th Combat Support Group to the Chena River flood (12–21 August 1967), and the subsequent help provided to Fairbanks and other communities led to the 5010th’s third Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. The AFOUA was awarded on 17 November 1967.
On 1 October 1981, the 343rd Wing, as the 343d Composite Wing, replaced the 5010th Combat Support Group[3] absorbing its personnel and equipment, as Eielson's host unit.[4]
Lineage
Designated Eielson AFB Wing and organized on 20 April 1948
Redesignated Eielson Bombardment Wing in 1948
Redesignated 5010th Wing c. 20 September 1948
Redesignated 5010th Composite Wing on 4 June 1949
Redesignated 5010th Air Base Wing c. 8 October 1954
Redesignated 5010th Combat Support Group on 1 January 1965
Airdrome Group, Eielson AFB Wing (later Airdrome Gp, Eielson Bombardment Wing, 5010th Air Base Group), 20 April 1948 – 1 January 1964
Station Medical Group, Eielson AFB Wing (later Station Medical Group, Eielson Bombardment Wing, 5010th Station Medical Group, 5010th Medical Group, 5010th Medical Squadron, 5010th Medical Group, 5010th Medical Squadron, 5010th USAF Infirmary, 5010th USAF Hospital, 20 April 1948 – 1 February 1971
5010th Civil Engineering Group, 1 July 1960 – 1 January 1964
5010th Maintenance & Supply Group, 1 January 1951 – 1 February 1953[5]
5010th Maintenance & Supply Group, 1 July 1960 – 1 January 1964[5]
Squadrons
Holding Squadron, Provisional, 5010th Air Base Wing, 20 September 1957 – 15 January 1958