Originally, back to 1951, Wing 7 was located at SATTAHIP district, CHONBURI province. In 1978, the Thai government released the strategic security policy for the southern part of Thailand. Therefore, The Royal Thai Air Force made a decision and selected The SURATTHANI area to be the main Air Force Base in 1981. The airfield and all facilities were constructed followed by moving some part of the personnel and assets from Wing 53, PRACHUAB-KEERIKAN province and the moving Wing 7 from SATTAHIP to SURATTHANI in 1982 and changing the name to Wing 71. According to these events, Wing 71 was established, with the foundation day of 15 February 1982. At the beginning, the aircraft bed down at Wing 71 was a fleet of OV-10. Subsequently, due to the Royal Thai Air Force policy, F-5E/F from Wing 1, NAKHONRAT-CHASEEMA province and F-5 A/B and RF-5A from Wing 23, UDORNTHANI province were relocated to Wing 71 instead of OV-10 in 1991 and 1998 respectively. In 199, Wing 7 was designated to be the
MAIN AIR FORCE BASE OF THE SOUTH and consequently changed the name to Wing 7.