506th Air Expeditionary Group
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| 506th Air Expeditionary Group | |
|---|---|
| Image:506th Air Expeditionary Group.png 506th Air Expeditionary Group emblem |
|
| Active | 19xx-Present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Garrison/HQ | [[]], [[]] |
The United States Air Force's 506th Air Expeditionary Group is a unit located at [[]], [[]].
Contents |
[edit] Mission
The 506th Air Expeditionary Group's mission is to facilitate the reconstruction, operation, maintenance and base defense of Kirkuk Regional Air Base in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and other U.S. Central Command contingency plans.
[edit] History
The 506th AEG traces its history back to the 506th Fighter Group, Single Engine, which was established on Oct. 5, 1944 and activated on Oct. 21, 1944, at Lakeland Army Air Field, Fla. Flying the P-51 Mustang, the group trained in fighter formation flying, long range navigation and gunnery prior to deploying to Guam in March 1945. The group consisted of three squadrons: 457th, 458th and the 459th Fighter Squadrons.
The 506th served in the Western Pacific from March 1945 to December 1945. The group was stationed at North Field, Iwo Jima, from April 25, 1945 to Dec. 3, 1945. From March 23, 1945, to May 11, 1945, the group's air echelon operated from West Field, Tinian. From Tinian the air echelon flew combat patrol missions under the control of Air Defense Command, Saipan, from March 28, 1945 to April 28, 1945. The air echelon joined the ground echelon at Iwo Jima in May 1945.
From Iwo Jima, the 506th's squadrons attacked airfields, antiaircraft emplacements, shipping, barracks, radio and radar stations, railway cars, and other targets in the Bonin Islands and Japan. The group also provided air defense of Iwo Jima and escorted B-29s bombers in raids against Japan.
In December 1945 the group moved to Camp Anza, Calif., and was inactivated Dec. 16, 1945.
The 506th Strategic Fighter Wing was established Nov. 20, 1952, and activated Jan. 20, 1953, at Dow Air Force Base, Maine. It was redesignated three times - 506th Fighter-Day Wing, 506th Fighter-Bomber Wing and 506th Tactical Fighter Wing - between 1957 and 1959.
As a fighter wing, the 506th provided air defense from Dow AFB between 1953 and 1955 and from Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., starting in March 1955. The 506th flew the F-84 Thunderjet from 1953 to 1957. From August to November 1953, the 506th provided air defense of northern Japan while deployed to Misawa Air Base, Japan. The group started flying the F-100 Supersaber in 1957. From 1957 to 1958 the 506th participated in tactical exercises and rotated squadrons to Europe. It was inactivated April 1, 1959.
The 506th was redesignated the 506th Tactical Fighter Group on May 4, 1972 and activated in the Air Force Reserve on July 8, 1972 at Carswell Air Force Base, Texas. During that time, the 506th trained in F-105 Thunderchief fighter operations. The group was inactivated on March 25, 1973.
The 506th was redesignated the 506th Air Expeditionary Group and converted to provisional status on April 22, 2003, and assigned to Kirkuk AB. The group has been supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom ever since.
The 506th Air Expeditionary Group was assigned to Kirkuk Regional Air Base on April 23, 2003, nearly one month after Operation Iraqi Freedom started. At that time, the group flew A-10 Thunderbolts, which flew close air support and focused intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The last A-10 departed the base in the Spring of 2004.
[edit] Assignments
[edit] Major Command
- USCENTAF (???- ???)
- Air Force Reserves (???-???)
- Pacific Air Forces (???-???)
- Tactical Air Command (???-???)
- Strategic Air Command (20 Nov 1952-???)
[edit] Numbered Air Force
- [[]] ()
[edit] Air Division
- [[]] ()
[edit] Previous designations
- 506th Air Expeditionary Group (???-???)
- 506th Tactical Fighter Group (???-???)
- 506th Tactical Fighter Wing (???-???)
- 506th Fighter-Bomber Wing (???-???)
- 506th Fighter-Day Wing (???-???)
- 506th Strategic Fighter Wing (???-???)
[edit] Squadrons assigned
- ()
[edit] Bases stationed
- Kirkuk AB, Iraq (23 Apr 2003-Present)
- Carswell AFB, Texas (???-???)
- Misawa AB, Japan(???-???)
- Tinker AFB, Oklahoma (???-???)
- Dow AFB, Maine (???-???)
[edit] Aircraft & Missiles Operated
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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