404th Air Expeditionary Group

The 404th Air Expeditionary Group (404 AEG) is a provisional United States Air Force unit assigned to the United States Air Forces in Europe. It is attached to Seventeenth Air Force [Air Forces Africa], stationed at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

The 404 AEG may be activated or inactivated at any time. Last activated on 1 October 2008, it currently provides intertheater airlift in support of US Africa Command (USAFRICOM) taskings since 1 October 2008. The 404 AEG added, in provisional status, the 459th Expeditionary Air Medical Squadron.^[1]

The units history can be traced though several units beginning with the World War II 100th Fighter Wing, activated in England in late November 1943, and assigned to Ninth Air Force. The 100th FW controlled fighter groups in combat, April 1944 – May 1945. During the wing's move to the European continent, its assigned fighter groups were under the operational control of the IX Tactical Air Command. The wing regained control of the 363d Fighter Group upon arrival in France. Provided air defense for the Normandy landing areas, June through July 1944. Regained rest of tactical groups in mid-Aug, then controlled armed reconnaissance, interdictory, and air ground support missions of its assigned fighter groups. Provided air ground support and armored column escort in support of Patton's U.S. Third Army during its drive across France, north to Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge (December 1944 – January 1945) and across the Rhine. Moved to the U.S. August–September 1945, and inactivated on 7 November 1945.

The 704th Strategic Missile Wing activated on 1 July 1957 at Vandenberg AFB, California, but was not operational until mid-November 1957. Trained (SM-65 Atlas, PGM-19 Jupiter, PGM-17 Thor), November 1957 – April 1959. Not operational 6 April – 1 July 1959. The wing then redesignated as the 404th Tactical Missile Wing on 31 July 1985, but never activated in any capacity.

In the modern era, the Air Expeditionary unit has been activated and inactivated on several occasions by USAFE as part of the Global War on Terrorism (2003–2008)

History

Lineage

• Established as 100th Fighter Wing on 8 November 1943

Activated on 24 November 1943

Inactivated on 7 November 1945

Disestablished on 15 June 1983

• Reestablished, and consolidated (31 July 1985) with the 704th Strategic Missile Wing

Established on 20 May 1957

Activated on 1 July 1957

Redesignated 704th Strategic Missile Wing (ICBM) on 1 April 1958

Inactivated on 1 July 1959

• Redesignated: 404th Tactical Missile Wing on 31 July 1985 (Remained inactive)
• Redesignated: 404th Air Expeditionary Group and converted to provisional status on 24 March 2003

Activated on 16 June 2003; Inactivated on 8 July 2003

Activated on 27 August 2003; Inactivated on 19 September 2003

Activated on 27 May 2005; Inactivated on 22 June 2005

Activated on 28 June 2007; Inactivated on 30 July 2007

Activated on 14 March 2008; Inactivated on 30 April 2008

Activated on 21 August 2008; Inactivated on 15 September 2008

Activated on 1 October 2008.

Assignments

Units assigned

Groups

Squadrons

Stations

Known aircraft and missiles

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.

1. ^ http://www.17af.usafe.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123154123

• Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-89201-092-4.
• Johnson, David C. (1988), U.S. Army Air Forces Continental Airfields (ETO), D-Day to V-E Day; Research Division, USAF Historical Research Center, Maxwell AFB, Alabama.
• Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947–1977. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-12-9.
• 404th Air Expeditionary Group Factsheet
• 404th AEG gets new commander

External links

• United States Air Forces in Europe
• United States African Command