332d Air Expeditionary Wing
Encyclopedia
The United States Air Force
's 332d Air Expeditionary Wing (332 AEW) is an Air Expeditionary unit located at Joint Base Balad, Iraq
.
in the skies over Iraq. Additionally, the A-10 and F-16 aircraft perform close air support
missions as required. The C-130 contingent provides required airlift
within Iraq and to other US Central Command bases as necessary. The HH-60 Pave Hawks perform combat search and rescue
missions. Finally, the MQ-1 Predators and MC-12W Liberty aircraft provide tactical
surveillance and reconnaissance
within Iraq. Additionally, the unit operates the Air Force Theater Hospital and serves as the Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility.
The 332d Air Expeditionary Wing's heritage is tied to the famous 332d Fighter Group led by the Tuskegee Airmen in World War II.
Its mission and traditions are being carried out by the current generation of US Air Force airmen at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. With the rallying cry "Tuskegee Airmen...The Legend Continues," the wing has pioneered modern warfare tactics using advanced weapons systems such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon
, A-10 Thunderbolt II
, and the MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for close air support and traditional and non-traditional intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.
The 332d Air Expeditionary Wing’s lineage dates back to 4 July 1942, when it was first established as the 332d Fighter Group, at Tuskegee Army Airfield
, Alabama
, and became active on 13 October 1942.
Tuskegee was slated to train African-American pilots, mechanics and other support personnel who would eventually be assigned to the 332d. The first 5 cadets, out of a class of 13, graduated and earned their wings in 1942, (eventually, 992 pilots would follow in their footsteps) and were assigned to the 99th Fighter Squadron. The squadron deployed to French Morocco
, in April 1943, and flew P-40 Warhawk aircraft while serving under Twelfth Air Force.
By 1944, the 332d had three full squadrons of Tuskegee Airmen, and in May of that year, the 99th Fighter Squadron became the fourth squadron to join the group’s 100th, 301st
and 302d
Fighter Squadrons. The group’s commander was a former squadron commander and the most famous Tuskegee Airman, Colonel Benjamin O. Davis, Jr
. {A 2nd Lt Instructor for the 99th F.S. pilots was Daniel James, Jr.}. The 332d Fighter Group’s Tuskegee Airmen became the only African-American pilots in combat in the Army Air Forces during World War II. Immediately after the arrival of the 99FS, the group received a new mission—escorting B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator
bombers against strategic targets in southern and central Europe.
By the end of May 1944, the group transitioned from P-40s to P-47 Thunderbolt
fighters, and settled at Ramitelli Airfield, Italy as part of the Fifteenth Air Force
306th Fighter Wing
. During the Summer of 1944, the group began flying P-51 Mustang
s, which were much faster and more maneuverable—the Tuskegee Airmen proudly painted their aircraft tails crimson red to distinguish them from fighters of other groups.
With the P-51s, the group flew long-range bomber escort missions against targets such as oil refineries, airfields, and marshalling yards. As the war progressed, the 332 FG established an enviable combat record. Highlights of which occurred on 11 July 1944, when they shot down 18 enemy fighters in one day while flying a bomber escort mission; and on 24 March 1945, while escorting B-17s during a raid on a tank factory in Berlin, the 332 FG’s P-51s downed three German jet fighters. For their accomplishments, the group earned the Distinguished Unit Citation.
With the end of hostilities in Europe in May 1945, the 332d was reassigned to the 305th Bombardment Wing
, to prepare for a move to the Pacific Theater
and engage in combat against Japan. With the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
and the end of the war, this became unnecessary and the 332d eventually returned to the United States and was assigned to Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, where it inactivated on 19 October 1945. On 28 July 1947, the unit again activated, this time at the wing level, as the 332d Fighter Wing. Two years later, at Lockbourne Army Airfield, Ohio
, on 1 July 1949, the wing inactivated and remained dormant for the next 49 years. The Tuskegee Airmen can proudly claim a prestigious and honorable record of flying 1,578 missions, 15,533 sorties, achieving 109 aerial kills and 152 aircraft destroyed on the ground. During its existence, 66 of the unit's Airmen were killed in action and 32 became prisoners of war.
, Kuwait
in November 1998, replacing the 4406th Operations Group (Provisional). But since then, its mission has evolved and grown to reflect the Aerospace Expeditionary Force (AEF) concept of a consolidated force in a forward location. The package previously included F-15Es and A-10s. That mix of aircraft, including HH-60 rescue helicopters, gave the 332d the ability to conduct any Operation Southern Watch
mission.
The Group's population turned over almost completely every 120 days with a population of 1,400 people constantly rotating, a need existed for continuity to guide the base and its mission. The US compound at Al Jaber was a sandy “fortress” of less than a mile's circumference. Most people lived in dorms—Airmen doing 12 month rotations had their own rooms; the base had far more comforts than expected in a deployed location.
Beginning in 2001, the 332d Air Expeditionary Group participated in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The Group's F-15Es, F-16s and later A-10s played a critical role in the defeat of the Taliban and later provided key air support for the provisional government in Afghanistan.
From Kuwait, the wing relocated to Tallil Air Base, Iraq, and participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom, in 2003. In another strategic move, to better position airpower within the theater of operations, the 332 AEW stood up at Balad AB, Iraq, in February 2004. In June 2008, the base was officially renamed Joint Base Balad. The new name was indicative of the joint nature of operations by all branches of service at the base.
Today, the 332d Air Expeditionary Wing comprises nine groups, including four geographically separated units—the 407th
, 447th
, 438th Air Expeditionary Group
and 506th Air Expeditionary Group
s located respectively at Ali, Sather, Al Asad, and Kirkuk Air Bases. The wing operates two F-16 fighter squadrons, a Predator UAV squadron, a C-130 squadron, a combat search and rescue squadron (HH-60s), a MC-12 Liberty squadron, and a Control and Reporting Center.
The 332 AEW consists of over 8,000 personnel, including 1,800 Airmen of the 732d Air Expeditionary Group (732 AEG), which provides oversight for Airmen who are operationally assigned to U.S. Army units at over 60 forward operating locations throughout Iraq.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
's 332d Air Expeditionary Wing (332 AEW) is an Air Expeditionary unit located at Joint Base Balad, Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
.
Mission
The 332 AEW conducts a number of missions. The F-16 aircraft are responsible for maintaining air supremacyAir supremacy
Air supremacy is the complete dominance of the air power of one side's air forces over the other side's, during a military campaign. It is the most favorable state of control of the air...
in the skies over Iraq. Additionally, the A-10 and F-16 aircraft perform close air support
Close air support
In military tactics, close air support is defined as air action by fixed or rotary winged aircraft against hostile targets that are close to friendly forces, and which requires detailed integration of each air mission with fire and movement of these forces.The determining factor for CAS is...
missions as required. The C-130 contingent provides required airlift
Airlift (military)
An airlift is the organized delivery of supplies or personnel primarily via aircraft.Airlifting consists of two distinct types, strategic and tactical airlifting...
within Iraq and to other US Central Command bases as necessary. The HH-60 Pave Hawks perform combat search and rescue
Search and rescue
Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...
missions. Finally, the MQ-1 Predators and MC-12W Liberty aircraft provide tactical
Military tactics
Military tactics, the science and art of organizing an army or an air force, are the techniques for using weapons or military units in combination for engaging and defeating an enemy in battle. Changes in philosophy and technology over time have been reflected in changes to military tactics. In...
surveillance and reconnaissance
ISTAR
ISTAR stands for Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance. In its macroscopic sense, ISTAR is a practice that links several battlefield functions together to assist a combat force in employing its sensors and managing the information they gather.Information is collected on...
within Iraq. Additionally, the unit operates the Air Force Theater Hospital and serves as the Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility.
History
Its mission and traditions are being carried out by the current generation of US Air Force airmen at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. With the rallying cry "Tuskegee Airmen...The Legend Continues," the wing has pioneered modern warfare tactics using advanced weapons systems such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon
F-16 Fighting Falcon
The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multirole jet fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force . Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,400 aircraft have been built since...
, A-10 Thunderbolt II
A-10 Thunderbolt II
The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is an American single-seat, twin-engine, straight-wing jet aircraft developed by Fairchild-Republic in the early 1970s. The A-10 was designed for a United States Air Force requirement to provide close air support for ground forces by attacking tanks,...
, and the MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for close air support and traditional and non-traditional intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.
World War II heritage through 1949
Sharpe Field
Sharpe Field is a private use airport located six nautical miles northwest of the central business district of Tuskegee, a city in Macon County, Alabama, United States. This airport is privately owned by the Bradbury Family Partnership....
, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, and became active on 13 October 1942.
Tuskegee was slated to train African-American pilots, mechanics and other support personnel who would eventually be assigned to the 332d. The first 5 cadets, out of a class of 13, graduated and earned their wings in 1942, (eventually, 992 pilots would follow in their footsteps) and were assigned to the 99th Fighter Squadron. The squadron deployed to French Morocco
French Morocco
French Protectorate of Morocco was a French protectorate in Morocco, established by the Treaty of Fez. French Morocco did not include the north of the country, which was a Spanish protectorate...
, in April 1943, and flew P-40 Warhawk aircraft while serving under Twelfth Air Force.
By 1944, the 332d had three full squadrons of Tuskegee Airmen, and in May of that year, the 99th Fighter Squadron became the fourth squadron to join the group’s 100th, 301st
301st Fighter Squadron
The 301st Fighter Squadron is part of the 44th Fighter Group at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. It operates the F-22A Raptor conducting advanced fighter training as a reserve corollary unit to the 49th Fighter Wing.-World War II:...
and 302d
302d Fighter Squadron
The 302nd Fighter Squadron is part of the 477th Fighter Group at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. It operates the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor conducting an air superiority mission.-Mission:...
Fighter Squadrons. The group’s commander was a former squadron commander and the most famous Tuskegee Airman, Colonel Benjamin O. Davis, Jr
Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.
Benjamin Oliver Davis Jr. was an American born United States Air Force general and commander of the World War II Tuskegee Airmen....
. {A 2nd Lt Instructor for the 99th F.S. pilots was Daniel James, Jr.}. The 332d Fighter Group’s Tuskegee Airmen became the only African-American pilots in combat in the Army Air Forces during World War II. Immediately after the arrival of the 99FS, the group received a new mission—escorting B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator
B-24 Liberator
The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and a small number of early models were sold under the name LB-30, for Land Bomber...
bombers against strategic targets in southern and central Europe.
P-47 Thunderbolt
Republic Aviation's P-47 Thunderbolt, also known as the "Jug", was the largest, heaviest, and most expensive fighter aircraft in history to be powered by a single reciprocating engine. It was heavily armed with eight .50-caliber machine guns, four per wing. When fully loaded, the P-47 weighed up to...
fighters, and settled at Ramitelli Airfield, Italy as part of the Fifteenth Air Force
Fifteenth Air Force
The Fifteenth Expeditionary Mobility Task Force is one of two EMTFs assigned to the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command . It is headquartered at Travis Air Force Base, California....
306th Fighter Wing
306th Fighter Wing (World War II)
The 306th Fighter Wing was a World War II United States Army Air Force organization assigned to Fifteenth Air Force as an intermediate-level command and control organization...
. During the Summer of 1944, the group began flying P-51 Mustang
P-51 Mustang
The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II, the Korean War and in several other conflicts...
s, which were much faster and more maneuverable—the Tuskegee Airmen proudly painted their aircraft tails crimson red to distinguish them from fighters of other groups.
With the P-51s, the group flew long-range bomber escort missions against targets such as oil refineries, airfields, and marshalling yards. As the war progressed, the 332 FG established an enviable combat record. Highlights of which occurred on 11 July 1944, when they shot down 18 enemy fighters in one day while flying a bomber escort mission; and on 24 March 1945, while escorting B-17s during a raid on a tank factory in Berlin, the 332 FG’s P-51s downed three German jet fighters. For their accomplishments, the group earned the Distinguished Unit Citation.
With the end of hostilities in Europe in May 1945, the 332d was reassigned to the 305th Bombardment Wing
305th Air Division
The 305th Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Continental Air Command, assigned to Fourth Air Force, being stationed at McChord Air Force Base, California...
, to prepare for a move to the Pacific Theater
Pacific Ocean theater of World War II
The Pacific Ocean theatre was one of four major naval theatres of war of World War II, which pitted the forces of Japan against those of the United States, the British Commonwealth, the Netherlands and France....
and engage in combat against Japan. With the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
During the final stages of World War II in 1945, the United States conducted two atomic bombings against the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan, the first on August 6, 1945, and the second on August 9, 1945. These two events are the only use of nuclear weapons in war to date.For six months...
and the end of the war, this became unnecessary and the 332d eventually returned to the United States and was assigned to Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, where it inactivated on 19 October 1945. On 28 July 1947, the unit again activated, this time at the wing level, as the 332d Fighter Wing. Two years later, at Lockbourne Army Airfield, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, on 1 July 1949, the wing inactivated and remained dormant for the next 49 years. The Tuskegee Airmen can proudly claim a prestigious and honorable record of flying 1,578 missions, 15,533 sorties, achieving 109 aerial kills and 152 aircraft destroyed on the ground. During its existence, 66 of the unit's Airmen were killed in action and 32 became prisoners of war.
The Global War on Terror and beyond
The 332d Air Expeditionary Group, “The Tip of the Spear,” was activated at Ahmed Al Jaber Air BaseAhmed Al Jaber Air Base
Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base is a Kuwait Air Force installation with part designated for operations by the U.S. Air Force and its allies.Sitting 75 miles south of the Iraqi border, the base has supported active duty Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve A-10 and F-16 fighter units, along...
, Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
in November 1998, replacing the 4406th Operations Group (Provisional). But since then, its mission has evolved and grown to reflect the Aerospace Expeditionary Force (AEF) concept of a consolidated force in a forward location. The package previously included F-15Es and A-10s. That mix of aircraft, including HH-60 rescue helicopters, gave the 332d the ability to conduct any Operation Southern Watch
Operation Southern Watch
Operation Southern Watch was an operation conducted by Joint Task Force Southwest Asia with the mission of monitoring and controlling airspace south of the 32nd Parallel in Iraq, following the 1991 Gulf War until the 2003 invasion of Iraq.-Summary:Operation Southern Watch began on 27 August 1992...
mission.
The Group's population turned over almost completely every 120 days with a population of 1,400 people constantly rotating, a need existed for continuity to guide the base and its mission. The US compound at Al Jaber was a sandy “fortress” of less than a mile's circumference. Most people lived in dorms—Airmen doing 12 month rotations had their own rooms; the base had far more comforts than expected in a deployed location.
Beginning in 2001, the 332d Air Expeditionary Group participated in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The Group's F-15Es, F-16s and later A-10s played a critical role in the defeat of the Taliban and later provided key air support for the provisional government in Afghanistan.
From Kuwait, the wing relocated to Tallil Air Base, Iraq, and participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom, in 2003. In another strategic move, to better position airpower within the theater of operations, the 332 AEW stood up at Balad AB, Iraq, in February 2004. In June 2008, the base was officially renamed Joint Base Balad. The new name was indicative of the joint nature of operations by all branches of service at the base.
Today, the 332d Air Expeditionary Wing comprises nine groups, including four geographically separated units—the 407th
407th Air Expeditionary Group
The 407th Air Expeditionary Group is a provisional United States Air Force unit assigned to the United States Air Forces Central 321st Air Expeditionary Wing. It is stationed at Ali Air Base, Iraq...
, 447th
447th Air Expeditionary Group
The 447th Air Expeditionary Group is a provisional United States Air Force unit assigned to the Air Combat Command United States Air Forces Central.The unit presently is stationed at Sather Air Base on Baghdad International Airport in Iraq....
, 438th Air Expeditionary Group
438th Air Expeditionary Group
The United States Air Force's 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group is assigned to the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing of USAFCENT and is stationed at Kabul, Afghanistan....
and 506th Air Expeditionary Group
506th Air Expeditionary Group
The 506th Air Expeditionary Group is a provisional United States Air Force unit. The group is assigned to the United States Air Forces Central 332d Air Expeditionary Wing, stationed at Joint Base Balad, Iraq....
s located respectively at Ali, Sather, Al Asad, and Kirkuk Air Bases. The wing operates two F-16 fighter squadrons, a Predator UAV squadron, a C-130 squadron, a combat search and rescue squadron (HH-60s), a MC-12 Liberty squadron, and a Control and Reporting Center.
The 332 AEW consists of over 8,000 personnel, including 1,800 Airmen of the 732d Air Expeditionary Group (732 AEG), which provides oversight for Airmen who are operationally assigned to U.S. Army units at over 60 forward operating locations throughout Iraq.
Lineage
- Established as 332d Fighter Wing on 28 July 1947.
- Organized on 15 August 1947.
- Inactivated on 1 July 1949.
- Redesignated 332d Air Expeditionary Wing, and converted to provisional status, on 19 November 1998.
- Activated 12 August 2002.
Numbered Air Force
- Ninth Air ForceNinth Air ForceThe Ninth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command . It is headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina....
/9th Aerospace Expeditionary Task Force (15 August 1947 – 1 July 1949; since 12 August 2002)
Previous designations
- 332d Air Expeditionary Wing (August 2002–Present)
- 332d Fighter Wing (28 July 1947 – 1 July 1949)
Groups
- 332d Expeditionary Operations Group
- 332d Expeditionary Maintenance Group
- 332d Expeditionary Mission Support Group
- 332d Expeditionary Medical Group
- 332d Expeditionary Security Forces Group
- 732d Air Expeditionary Group732nd Air Expeditionary GroupThe 732d Air Expeditionary Group provided oversight and advocacy for roughly 1,100 Air Force personnel spread across four squadrons who were tactically assigned to U.S. Army and Marine units throughout Iraq. These Airmen include security forces, civil engineers, lawyers, interrogators, military...
- 407th Air Expeditionary Group407th Air Expeditionary GroupThe 407th Air Expeditionary Group is a provisional United States Air Force unit assigned to the United States Air Forces Central 321st Air Expeditionary Wing. It is stationed at Ali Air Base, Iraq...
- 438th Air Expeditionary Group438th Air Expeditionary GroupThe United States Air Force's 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group is assigned to the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing of USAFCENT and is stationed at Kabul, Afghanistan....
- 447th Air Expeditionary Group447th Air Expeditionary GroupThe 447th Air Expeditionary Group is a provisional United States Air Force unit assigned to the Air Combat Command United States Air Forces Central.The unit presently is stationed at Sather Air Base on Baghdad International Airport in Iraq....
- 506th Air Expeditionary Group506th Air Expeditionary GroupThe 506th Air Expeditionary Group is a provisional United States Air Force unit. The group is assigned to the United States Air Forces Central 332d Air Expeditionary Wing, stationed at Joint Base Balad, Iraq....
Squadrons
- 99th Fighter Squadron, (15 August 1947 – 1 July 1949)
- 100th Fighter Squadron, (15 August 1947 – 1 July 1949)
- 301st Fighter Squadron301st Fighter SquadronThe 301st Fighter Squadron is part of the 44th Fighter Group at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. It operates the F-22A Raptor conducting advanced fighter training as a reserve corollary unit to the 49th Fighter Wing.-World War II:...
, (15 August 1947 – 1 July 1949) - 302d Fighter Squadron302d Fighter SquadronThe 302nd Fighter Squadron is part of the 477th Fighter Group at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. It operates the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor conducting an air superiority mission.-Mission:...
, (15 August 1947 – 1 July 1949) - 332nd Expeditionary Communications Squadron
Bases stationed
- Joint Base Balad, Iraq (2003–Present)
- Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait (1998–2003)
- Lockborne AFB, Ohio (15 August 1947 – 1 July 1949)
Commanders
- Major Edward S. Gleed, 15 August 1947 – 22 August 1947
- Colonel Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.Benjamin Oliver Davis Jr. was an American born United States Air Force general and commander of the World War II Tuskegee Airmen....
, 22 August 1947 – 1 July 1949 - Colonel Salvatore A. Angelella, 12 August 2002 – 5 February 2003
- Colonel Noel T. Jones, 15 February 2003 – 20 June 2003
- Colonel John O. Griffin, 20 June 2003 – 3 September 2003
- Brigadier General Marke F. Gibson, 3 September 2003 – 26 April 2004
- Brigadier General Floyd C. Williams, 26 April 2004 – 23 June 2004
- Brigadier General Blair E. Hansen, 23 June 2004 – 29 June 2005
- Brigadier General Frank GorencFrank GorencLieutenant General Frank "Gork" Gorenc is Commander, Third Air Force, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. As the U.S. Air Forces in Europe component numbered air force for U.S...
, 29 June 2005 – 5 July 2006 - Brigadier General Robin Rand, 5 July 2006 – 4 July 2007
- Brigadier General Burton M. FieldBurton M. Field-Background:General Field was commissioned in 1979 after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy. He has commanded the 421st Fighter Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, Utah; the USAF Weapons School at Nellis AFB, Nev.; the 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea; and the 1st Fighter Wing...
, 4 July 2007 – 4 July 2008 - Brigadier General Brian T. Bishop, 4 July 2008 – 9 July 2009
- Brigadier General Craig A. Franklin, since 9 July 2009
Aircraft operated
- MQ-1A ( since 2003)
- A-10AA-10 Thunderbolt IIThe Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is an American single-seat, twin-engine, straight-wing jet aircraft developed by Fairchild-Republic in the early 1970s. The A-10 was designed for a United States Air Force requirement to provide close air support for ground forces by attacking tanks,...
( since 2007) - OA-10 Thunderbolt II (1995, 1999 and 2001–2002)
- HH-60 ( since 2003)
- F-16 ( since 2003)
- C-130 HerculesC-130 HerculesThe Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
( since 2003) - P-39 (1943–1944)
- P-40 (1943–1944)
- P-47 (1947–1949)
- P-51 (1944–1945)
See also
- 332d Fighter Group – the famed World War II fighter group also known as the "Tuskegee AirmenTuskegee AirmenThe Tuskegee Airmen is the popular name of a group of African American pilots who fought in World War II. Formally, they were the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group of the U.S. Army Air Corps....
"
Bestowed Honors
- World War Two American Theater Service Streamer
- World War Two Europe, Africe, Mediterranean Theater Streamers
-
- Rome-Arno
- Normandy
- Northern France
- Southern France
- North Apennines
- Rhineland
- Central Europe
- Po Valley
- Air Combat EAME Theater
Decorations
Distinguished Unit Citation Germany, 24 March 1945
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Kuwait, 1 June 2000 – 31 May 2002
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Iraq, 16 September 2002 – 15 September 2003
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award Iraq, 1 May 2005 – 31 January 2007- Air Force Meritorious Unit Award Iraq, 1 February 2007 – 31 January 2008
- Air Force Meritorious Unit Award Iraq, 1 February 2008 – 31 January 2009
- Air Force Meritorious Unit Award Iraq, 1 June 2009 – 31 May 2010