| 308th Armament Systems Wing | |
|---|---|
308th Armament Systems Wing emblem |
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| Active | 1943-Present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Garrison/HQ | Eglin AFB, Florida |
| Decorations | DUC AFOUA |
The United States Air Force's 308th Armament Systems Wing (308 ARSW) is a non-flying wing based at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.
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The wing was activated in 2004 to design, develop, field and maintain a family of air-to-ground munitions that enhance warfighter strike capabilities.
The mission of the 308th Armament Systems Wing is to enhance worldwide Air Force combat capability, effectiveness, aircrew survivability, and readiness through joint development, procurement, deployment and sustainment. This mission is executed by air combat test and training systems, expeditionary support equipment, munitions handling equipment and armament subsystems, Explosive Ordnance Disposal support equipment, and realistic Electronic Warfare threat simulators.
The 308 ARSW designs, develops, produces, fields, and sustains a family of air-to-ground and air-to-air munitions, enhancing warfighter capabilities (both U.S. and allies) in defeating a spectrum of enemy targets
The 308 ARSW is a critical component of the Air Armament Center, which covers the complete weapon-system life-cycle from concept through development, acquisition, experimental testing, procurement, operational testing and final employment in combat.
The wing consists of over 400 highly qualified personnel trained in the development, test, acquisition, fielding, and operational support of systems such as the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), Small Diameter Bomb (SDB), Sensor Fuzed Weapon (SFW), Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser (WCMD) and a host of other specialized programs.
This unit was established as the 308th Heavy Bombardment Group, USAAF, as part of the 14th Air Force in China in 1942, using B-24 Liberator long-range bombers. Its first commander was Gen. Claire Chennault. The 308th was deactivated as a bomber group in 1946.
In 1951, the 308th was reactivated as a bombardment unit at Forbes Air Force Base, Kansas, and initially equipped with B-29s. Those aircraft were then replaced with new B-47E Stratojet swept-wing medium jet bombers in 1954, capable of flying at high subsonic speeds and primarily designed for penetrating the airspace of the Soviet Union. Also received KC-97 tankers. Over the next eight years, tie 308th conducted strategic bombardment training and air refueling to meet SAC's global commitments.
Deployed to bases in North Africa three times, twice in detachment form and once as a unit Sidi Slimane Air Base Morocco, August 21 – October 26, 1956). From November 1956 to March 1957, the wing tested the SAC alert plan by maintaining one-third of its bomber and tanker force on continuous alert.
The wing was broken up in mid July 1959, for unclear reasons. Part of the unit went to the 2nd Bomb Wing at Hunter AFB, Georgia. The bulk of the wing moved to Plattsburgh AFB, New York on July 15, 1959, where its aircraft were placed under the control of the 380th Bomb Wing. The wing was not operational as one formation from July 1959 to June 1961.
The Wing was redesignated and activated on November 20, 1961 as the 308th Strategic Missile Wing. In early 1962 the Air Force established 18 Titan II launch sites at SAC's Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas. The 308th was reactivated, being organized on April 1, 1962. The wing became fully operational with eighteen sites in December 1963. It gained control over its first missile complex in August 1962 and became fully operational with 18 sites in December 1963. In October 1981, US President Ronald Reagan announced that all Titan II sites would be deactivated by October 1, 1987, as part of a strategic modernization program. The wing completed deactivation on August 18, 1987.
On 23 November 2004 the Air to Ground Munitions Systems Wing was established at Eglin AFB, FL. It was tasked to design, develop, field and maintain a family of air-to-ground munitions that enhanced United States armed forces strike capabilities. The wing was activated on 27 January 2005. On 3 May 2006 the AGMS Wing was consolidated with the 308th Wing, and the resulting formation was redesignated the 308 Armament Systems Wing on 15 May 2006.
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This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.
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