| 32d Air Operations Squadron | |
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Emblem of the 32d Air Operations Squadron |
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| Active | 1940-2005 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Role | Air Operations |
| Engagements | World War II |
The 32d Air Operations Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 32d Air Operations Group, based at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. It was deactivated on 1 November 2005.
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On a light turquoise blue disc, border light yellow orange, edged black, a caricatured, brown and white wolf's head, with mouth open and fangs bared, dripping saliva, proper, white facing to the dexter. (Approved 2 August 1945.)
The US Army Air Corps constituted the 32d Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor). Seven weeks later, on 1 February 1940, the squadron activated at Kelly Field, Texas. After completing this training, in November 1940, the 32d transferred to Langley Field in Virginia to join the 36th Pursuit Group. Once there, the 36th equipped the squadron with Curtiss P-36 Mohawk aircraft.
During its stay at Langley, the 32d Pursuit Squadron flew a number of Curtiss YP-37 aircraft for a short period. On 6 January 1941, the squadron transferred to Ponce Field, on the island of Puerto Rico as a reaction to the German presence in South America. In 1942, the German Navy began anti-shipping operations using submarines in the Caribbean. The subs sank several tankers in the harbor at San Nicholas, Aruba and even shelled an oil refinery on the island.
The 32d Fighter Squadron had the responsibility for tracking down "Wolfpacks". The so-called "Wolfpacks", three of more subs together in a mission known as search and destroy, this led to the famous name and insignia "Wolfhounds". On 10 May 1942, the AAF redesignated the squadron as the 32nd Fighter Squadron. In the fall of 1942, the Germans reduced their submarine activity in the Caribbean region to concentrate its activity on the North Atlantic convoy route and the approaches to northwest Africa. With the withdrawal of submarines from the Caribbean region the Antilles Air Task Force, which included the 32nd, concentrated its efforts as a striking force on its primary function of guarding against possible attacks on the Panama Canal.
In March 1944, the AAF moved the entire squadron to France Field in the Panama Canal Zone to replace the 52d Fighter Squadron. The squadron was placed under the 26th Fighter Command, whose task was to defend the Panama Canal and to perform reconnaissance missions.
With the termination of the War, the AAF inactivated many units. On 15 October 1946, the AAF inactivated the squadron.
In 1954, the Dutch government agreed, at the instigation of NATO, to accept the offer of the American government to deploy a squadron of American military planes in the Netherlands. The task of the squadron would be to provide a contribution to Dutch air defense, within the context of NATO. The 512th Fighter Day Squadron (FDS), stationed at Manston Airfield in Great Britain, was detailed by the Headquarters of the USAFE for transference to the Netherlands. Its new home base would be Soesterberg AB. The first group of American airmen, compromised quartermasters and air traffic controllers, arrived at Soesterberg on 6 October 1954.
In September 1955, the designation of the 512th was transferred to RAF Station Bentwaters in England. Its aircraft, personnel and equipment however stayed in the Netherlands and made up the newly activated 32d Fighter Day Squadron. The 32d was assigned to the 36th Fighter Wing at Bitburg Air Base in Germany. On 18 July 1958 the USAFE redesignated the unit as the 32d Tactical Fighter Squadron, as part of the 36th Tactical Fighter Wing.
In 1959, the 32d received the signature "Royal", the crown and wreath of the Dutch Royal Family (the House of Orange) were added to the emblem, giving it its unique look. This unique honor was granted in recognition of the unit's contribution to the defense of The Netherlands and graphically illustrates the 32d close ties with the Royal Netherlands Air Force.
On 1 November 1968, the USAF transferred the 32d Fighter Interceptor Squadron to the command of the Seventeenth Air Force stationed at Sembach Air Base in Germany. On 1 July 1969 the USAF redesignated the unit as the 32d Tactical Fighter Squadron and reqquipped the squadron with the McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom II. On 19 October 1977 the USAF decided that the 32d would receive the McDonnell-Douglas F-15 Eagle. In 1978 the Phantoms were flown to Ramstein AB in Germany were they were assigned to the 86th TFW.
In 1989, the Dutch government allowed USAF to upgrade its headquarters unit at Soesterberg AB from squadron to group status. The 32d Tactical Fighter Group was activated at Soesterberg on 16 November 1989 and took over functions of old 32 TFS headquarters element and support squadrons received responsibilities previously assigned to 32 TFS detachments.
During the Gulf War, after more than forty years, the Wolfhounds saw action again. Aircrew and ground support personnel were deployed, during the Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM, August 1990 until March 1991, at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. On 28 January 1991 one of the pilots killed an Iraqi MiG. After the War they continued their air activities in theatre as a part of Operation PROVIDE COMFORT from April 1991 until April 1993. Headquarters USAFE replaced the 32d Fighter Group on 1 July with the 632d Air Base Squadron; its duty was to complete the closure actions. The 32d Group's subordinate units were inactivated on 1 July and the group on 1 October 1994. On 19 April the group furled its colors in formal ceremonies attended by members of the Royal family and the American ambassador.
In the spring of 1994, HQ USAFE received permission from HQ USAF to use the 32d designation for the new 32d Air Operations Group. The 32d Tactical Fighter Squadron was redesigned the 32d Air Operations Squadron on 1 July 1994 following their departure from Soesterberg Air Base. The squadron assigned to the 32d Air Operations Group, formerly the 32d Fighter Group, which was also redesigned on 1 July 1994. Both the group and the squadron were assigned to Ramstein Air Base, Germany, under the USAFE Theater Air and Space-operations Center. The 32d Air Operations Squadron was inactivated on 1 November 2005.
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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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