432d Air Expeditionary Wing
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| 432d Air Expeditionary Wing | |
|---|---|
 432d Air Expeditionary Wing Insignia |
|
| Active | 1943 - present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Role | UAV Reconnaissance |
| Part of | Air Combat Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Creech Air Force Base, Nevada |
| Motto | VICTORIA PER SCIENTIAM-Victory through knowledge
alternate motto= If you can't lower Heaven, raise Hell |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
John G. Lorber Michael E. Ryan |
The 432d Air Expeditionary Wing (432 AEW) is the first United States Air Force wing dedicated to unmanned aircraft systems. The wing stood up May 1, 2007 at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada.[1] [2]
The 432 AEW has dual reporting responsibilities to Ninth Air Force and U.S. Air Forces Central at Shaw AFB, South Carolina, as well as to Twelfth Air Force and U.S. Air Forces Southern at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona[3].
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[edit] Mission
The 432d is the first wing totally dedicated to operating the RQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper, both of which are currently being used in Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom for intelligence surveillance reconnaissance and tactical missions, flown by pilots and sensor operators in the United States.[4]
[edit] Units
The wing includes six operational squadrons and a maintenance squadron. There are 440 aircrew members, about half of whom are pilots and the other half sensor operators. There are also 450 maintenance personnel, half of whom are contractors.[5][6]
- 98th Southern Range Support Squadron - Reactivated on July 29, 1995, at Nellis Air Force Base. The 98th Southern Ranges Support Squadron is responsible for the day-to-day support of Creech AFB, Point Bravo logistics site and the Nevada Test and Training Range southern ranges.
- 11th Reconnaissance Squadron
The 11th RS operates the MQ-1B remotely piloted aircraft, a medium-altitude multi-sensor armed reconnaissance platform. The 11th RS is the formal training unit that conducts all Predator aircrew initial qualification training as well as instructor upgrade training.
- 15th Reconnaissance Squadron - Reactivated on August 1, 1997, at Indian Springs under command of the 57th Operations Group. This unit conducts real time surveillance.
- 17th Reconnaissance Squadron - Reactivated on March 8, 2002, at Indian Springs under command of the 57th Operations Group. This unit conducts intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
- 30th Reconnaissance Squadron - Activated in August, 2005 and based at Tonopah Test Range Airport under command of the 57th Operations Group. The unit is a test operation.
- 19th Attack Squadron - to be established in 2006.
- 42d Attack Squadron - Reactivated on November 8, 2006. The 42d Attack Squadron will oversee the training of pilots and sensor operators assigned to the MQ-9.
- 432nd Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron
The 757th AMXS has 350 personnel maintaining RQ-1/MQ-1 Predator systems, including 28 remotely piloted aircraft, ground control stations, and Predator Primary Satellite Links. It generates 575 sorties annually for worldwide intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and strike capability for three reconnaissance squadrons and the 53rd Test and Evaluation Group.
- 99th Ground Combat Training Squadron
The 99th GCTS provides warrior skills training for all ACC security forces and combat support elements at Creech AFB. This squadron provides advanced ground combat weapons and tactics instruction that enhance the combat capabilities of U.S. Air Force ground forces essential to sortie generation who are confronted with a potential for combat during hostilities.
- Joint Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Center of Excellence
The Center of Excellence is designed to improve interoperability and use, and examines the use of sensors and intelligence collection assets to meet joint operational requirements of U.S. forces in any combat environment. The COE is an operationally focused organization concentrating on UAV systems technology, joint concepts, training, tactics, and procedural solutions to the warfighters’ needs.
The 432d AEW is authorized 160 Predator and 60 Reapers. As of May 2007, 6 Reapers and about 85 Predators have been delivered with half of the Predators deployed forward in the United States Central Command area of operations. The wing is expected to fly 12 combat air mission in Iraq and Afghanistan each day.[5]
[edit] History
[edit] Lineage
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[edit] Bases Assigned
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United States Air Force |
United States Army Air Forces |
[edit] World War II
The 432d Observation Group was activated on 22 February 1943. It served as the operational training unit (OTU) of the USAAF School of Applied Tactics at Keystone AAF. The group trained and provided reconnaissance to assist fighter, bombardment, and ground units with their training.
Aircraft included Bell P-39 Airacobra fighter and Aeronca L-3 Grasshopper light observation aircraft. The group was disbanded on 1 November 1943.[7]
[edit] Shaw AFB
On 23 March 1953, the 432d Tactical Reconnaissance Group was activated at Shaw AFB, South Carolina. The 432d's mission at Shaw AFB was to assume the reconnaissance training mission that was handled previously by the 363d TRW.[11]
The group initially conducted training with two squadrons (20th, 29th) flying the Republic RF-84F "Thunderflash" and two squadrons (41st, 43d) flying the Martin RB-57A "Canberra". In 1957, the group upgraded the 20th and 29th to the McDonnell RF-101C "Voodoo", and the 41st and 43d transitioned to the electronic warfare Douglas EB-66C Destroyer.[8]
When elevated to the 432d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing on 8 February 1958, the wing operated the USAF Advanced Flying Training School, Tactical Reconnaissance. With the elevation to wing status, the 432d TFW was realigned to a four squadron RF-101C wing (17th, 18th, 20th, 29th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadrons).[11][8]
In a budgetary move, the 432d TRW was deactivated on 8 April 1959. The RF-101C equipped 17th and 18th TRSs were deployed to NATO, being reassigned to the 66th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at Laon-Couvron Air Base, France and the 20th and 29th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadrons continued their training missions under the 363d TRW.[12] [8]
[edit] Southeast Asia
On 18 September 1966, the 432d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (TRW) was activated at Udon RTAFB Thailand as a McDonnell Douglas RF-4C Phantom II wing. At Udon, it became one of the most diversified units of its size in the Air Force.
The mission of the wing was to provide intelligence information about hostile forces through tactical reconnaissance and use its fighter elements to destroy the targets earmarked by the intelligence data provided. The wing had numerous missions in the support area. The 432d TRW accounted for more than 80 percent of all reconnaissance activity over North Vietnam.
In addition to the reconnaissance the 432d also had a tactical fighter squadron component, with two (13th, 555th) F-4C/D squadrons assigned. The squadrons flew strike missions over North Vietnam, and the pilots of the 13th TFS were credited with two MIGs kills.
In 1968, the 7th Airborne Command and Control Squadron (7th ACCS), flying specialized Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft, became part of the 432d. The squadron had been attached to the wing as a temporary duty unit from Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam. Another unit assigned was the 4th Special Operations Squadron (4th SOS) flying various (AC-47, AC-119) gunships that supported ground units.[8]
In the fall of 1970 the wing was phased down as part of the overall American withdrawal from the Vietnam War; however, in 1972 tactical fighter strength was augmented by deployed Tactical Air Command CONUS-based squadrons being attached to the 432d in response to the North Vietnamese invasion of South Vietnam. In addition, the 421st TFS was reassigned trom Takhli RTAFB. During Operation Linebacker, between May and October 1972, the 432d TRW had seven F-4 tactical fighter squadrons assigned or attached, (13th, 56th, 308th, 414th, 421st, 523d and 555th) making it the largest wing in the USAF. The CONUS-based squadrons returned to the United States in the fall of 1972.
As a result of the Paris Peace Accords of 1973 the numbers of USAF personnel and aircraft at Udon were reduced. The 421st TFS was deactivated in August and the 555th was reassigned to Luke AFB in 1974. By the spring of 1975, two operational squadrons remained, the 14th TRS (RF-4C) and the 13th TFS (F-4D/E).
Forces from the 432d participated in the SS Mayaguez action in May 1975, sinking two Khmer ships. An F-4E from the 432d likely was involved in the tragic friendly fire incident that downed a US CH-43 helicopter carrying a Combat Security Police squad from Koh Tang island. DoD films are not clear on the source of weapons fire due to increasing darkness and poor resolution of IR technology. What was clear from the film is that the helicopter flew into the incoming fire, some seconds after the aircraft had broken off supporting fire.
By 1975, the political climate between Washington and Bangkok had become very sour. The Royal Thai Government wanted the USAF out of Thailand by the end of the year. Palace Lightning was the plan under which the USAF would withdraw its aircraft and personnel from Thailand. [15]
The 423d TFW was inactivated on 23 December 1975. The 13th TFSs F-4E aircraft and some support personnel were reassigned to the 3rd TFW at Clark AB, Philippines and the F-4D aircraft and support personnel to the 18th TFW at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa. The 14th TRS was inactivated and the RF-4Cs were sent to Shaw AFB, South Carolina. The last USAF personnel departed Udon RTAFB on January 8, 1976.[8]
[edit] Post Vietnam era
The 432d was reactivated at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona on 1 July 1976 as the 423d Tactical Drone Group
The 432d performed photographic reconnaissance to support tactical air and surface forces with tactical drones. Used AQM-34L/M/V drones, DC-130 launch vehicles, and CH-3 recovery helicopters. The group conducted follow-on testing and evaluation of the AQM-34V model drone and the initial operational testing and evaluation and developmental testing and evaluation of the DC-130H "mother ship." The 432d also supported testing and evaluation of the BQM-34C drone at Hill AFB, Utah.
The group was inactivated in April 1979.[8]
In July 1984 the 432d was again reactivaed as the 432d Tactical Fighter Wing at Misawa AB, Japan. The 432d controlled two F-16 Fighting Falcon squadrons (13th Fighter Squadron, 14th Fighter Squadron) and a rescue squadron (39th RQS) flying the HH-53 "Super Jolly Green Giant" helicopter.
The 432d was replaced by the 35th Fighter Wing on 1 October 1994 at Misawa and again became inactive.[9]
[edit] Creech AFB
The wing was reactivated at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, on May 1, 2007 as the Air Force's first unmanned aircraft systems wing. It is currently commanded by Col. Chris Chambliss.[citation needed] It was renamed the 432d Air Expeditionary Wing in May, 2008.[16]
[edit] References
- ^ Whitney, Ryan. "Air Force stands up first unmanned aircraft systems wing", Air Force Link, 2007-05-03.
- ^ Rodgers, Keith. "Reactivation creates wing for remotely controlled planes", Las Vegas Review-Journal, p. 4B. Retrieved on 2007-05-02.
- ^ 432nd becomes Air Expeditionary Wing
- ^ First MQ-9 Reaper makes its home on Nevada flightline. Air Force Link. Retrieved on 2007-05-02.
- ^ a b Lisa Burgess. "Reactivated wing is first combat unit with UAVs", Stars and Stripes, 2007-05-03.
- ^ Creech AFB Factsheet.
- ^ a b c Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0892010924.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947-1977. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0912799129.
- ^ a b c Rogers, Brian (2005). United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978. Hinkley, England: Midland Publications. ISBN 1857801970.
- ^ USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers--1908 to present.
- ^ a b Shaw AFB Factsheet. GlobalSecurity.org.
- ^ McAuliffe, Jerome J. (2005). US Air Force in France 1950-1967. San Diego, California: Milspec Press, Chapter 13, Laon-Couvron Air Base. ISBN 0977037118.
- ^ Martin, Patrick (1994). Tail Code: The Complete History of USAF Tactical Aircraft Tail Code Markings. Schiffer Military Aviation History. ISBN 0887405134.
- ^ USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers--1908 to present.
- ^ Glasser, Jeffrey D. (1998). The Secret Vietnam War: The United States Air Force in Thailand, 1961-1975. McFarland & Company. ISBN 0786400846.
- ^ http://www.acc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123100994
[edit] See also
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