406th Air Expeditionary Wing
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| 406th Air Expeditionary Wing | |
|---|---|
| Image:406th Air Expeditionary Wing.png 406th Air Expeditionary Wing emblem |
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| Active | 200x-Present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Garrison/HQ | Diyarbakir, Turkey |
| Motto | ASCENDE ET DEFENDE - "Rise and Defend" |
The United States Air Force's 406th Air Expeditionary Wing is an Air Expeditionary unit located at Diyarbakir, Turkey.
Contents |
[edit] Mission
[edit] History
On 12 July 1972, USAFE inactivated the group and replaced it with the newly reactivated and redesignated 406th Tactical Fighter Training Wing (TFTW). Later in September 1972, the wing became responsible for the operation of the USAFE Tactical Employment School. For the next few years, the wing continued to provide training for F-4 units from throughout Europe. Higher headquarters recognized the effectiveness of this training by twice honoring the 406th with the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA).
On 31 May 1976, the wing became responsible for the operation of the USAFE Instructor Pilot School. During November the wing began to provide training for F-5 and OV-10 aircraft in addition to the F-4s. Also during November of that same year, a detachment of KC-135 aircraft belonging to SAC arrived on base, and their maintenance became the wing’s responsibility. In 1977, another facet was added to the wing’s training operations when it conducted the first Dissimilar Air Combat Tactics (DACT) training missions with USAF and U.S. Navy aircraft on 12 September of that year.
In 1979, two significant events took place, which had an effect on the wing’s operation. The first was the closing of the Instructor Pilot School in July, due to broad changes in USAFE’s mission and budget restraints. The second event took place in February when the 406th began to implement the Production Oriented Maintenance Organization (POMO) concept. Headquarters USAF designed POMO to establish a maintenance management system which would enhance sortie production by improving the utilization of maintenance personnel.
On 1 January 1980, the support mission expanded when the 406th assumed responsibility for various functional areas in support of the four USAF tropo-scatter radar sites at Humosa, Mencora, Soller, and Inoges. The wing provided this support in cooperation with the 401 TFW assigned to Torrejon AB. Foremost among the accomplishments of the 406 TFTW during 1981 was the preparation and planning for reception of the F-16 Weapons Training Detachments which began in 1982. The 512 TFS of the 86 TFW at Ramstein AB, Germany, recorded its first F-16C fighter deployment to the Bardenas Reales Range on 3 April 1986. This represented the initial use of the C-model F-16 aircraft at the range since the newer F-16s were introduced to the European theater.
On 15 October 1986, heavy rainfall resulted in flash floods across the base causing heavy damage to facilities and base homes. As much as 15 inches of water and mud flooded into many facilities, causing nearly $1 million of damage. Assigned base personnel as well as temporarily assigned weapons training detachment personnel joined in the massive clean-up effort, and fortunately no injuries occurred. In a show of strength and comradeship in overcoming obstacles, Zaragoza also earned the prestigious USAFE Base Appearance Award during that same month.
For the rest of the 1980s, the 406th continued to provide support for USAFE crew training and range training exercises. August 1990 ushered in a period of intense activity, as the 406th and Zaragoza provided major air and ground support for Operation DESERT SHIELD, conducted in response to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait. Thousands of military personnel and tons of equipment passed through Zaragoza enroute to the crisis in the Middle East. The base and the wing continued to act as a major aerial port providing support during and after Operation DESERT STORM.
Although its involvement in support of DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM had demanded much of its attention, the 406th faced a drawdown of its operations the following year. Subject to the same provisions requiring the removal of other units from Spain, the 406th began efforts to end its operations and return Zaragoza to the Spanish Government in 1992. The use of the training range ended in December 1991, followed by the turnover of base operations to the Spanish in April 1992. Finally, on 15 June 1992, the 406th and its subordinates inactivated ending its 20 years of fighter training in Spain.
[edit] Assignments
[edit] Major Command
- Air Combat Command/US Central Command (200x-Present)
- United States Air Forces in Europe (1952-1958;1972-1992)
[edit] Numbered Air Force
[edit] Previous designations
- 406th Air Expeditionary Wing (200x-Present)
- 406th Tactical Fighter Training Wing (1972-1994)
- 406th Fighter-Interceptor Wing (1954-1958)
- 406th Fighter-Bomber Wing (1952-1954)
[edit] Squadrons assigned
- 512th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (1956-1958)
- 513th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (1956-1958)
- 514th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (1956-1958)
[edit] Bases stationed
- Diyarbakir, Turkey (200x-Present)[1]
- Zaragoza AB, Spain (1972-1994)
- RAF Manston, United Kingdom (1952-1958)
[edit] Aircraft Operated
[edit] References
- Ravenstein, Charles A., Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947-1977, Office of Air Force History, 1984
- Endicott, Judy G., USAF Active Flying, Space, and Missile Squadrons as of 1 October 1995. Office of Air Force History
- Butler, William, FIFTY YEARS ON NATO’S SOUTHERN FLANK: A HISTORY OF SIXTEENTH AIR FORCE 1954 – 2004
[edit] External links
- []
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