377th Air Base Wing

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377th Air Base Wing
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm
Battle honoursVietnam War
Commanders
Current
commander		Colonel Jason Vattioni
Insignia
377th Air Base Wing emblem[note 2][2]
377th Combat Support Group emblem[note 3][3]

The 377th Air Base Wing is a

wing of the United States Air Force based at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. The wing has been the host unit at Kirtland since January 1993.[1] It was activated on 1 January 1993,[2] when Air Force Materiel Command assumed responsibility for operating the base from Air Mobility Command
.

The wing was first organized in 1966 as the 377th Combat Support Group at

Vietnamese Air Force
before inactivating.

The wing was activated in 1985 as the host organization at

United States Air Forces Europe implemented the Objective Wing organization, combining all functions at Ramstein under the 86th Wing
.

Units

The wing is made up of approximately 1,200 active-duty military, 591 federal civilians and 720 contractors assigned.[1] Its subordinate units are:

377th Mission Support Group[1]
  • 377th Contracting Squadron
  • 377th Communications Squadron
  • 377th Comptroller Squadron
  • 377th Civil Engineer Squadron
  • 377th Logistics Readiness Squadron
  • 377th Mission Support Squadron
  • 377th Force Support Squadron
377th Medical Group[1]
  • 377th Aerospace Medicine Squadron
  • 377th Dental Squadron
  • 377th Medical Operations Squadron
  • 377th Medical Support Squadron
377th Security Forces Group[1]
  • 377th Security Forces Squadron
  • 377th Weapons System Security Squadron
377th Maintenance Group[1]
  • 377th Maintenance Squadron
  • 898th Munitions Squadron
  • 377th Flight Test Missile Maintenance Squadron (Vandenberg Space Force Base, California)
  • 377th Test Support Squadron
  • 576th Flight Test Squadron (Vandenberg Space Force Base, California)

History

Vietnam War

Security Policemen at Tan Son Nhut Airport during the Tet Offensive

The wing was first activated at

33d Tactical Group was inactivated the previous year. It became responsible for operation and maintenance of USAF portion of Tan Son Nhut until it was inactivated in March 1973.[2]

In Vietnam, the group's responsibilities included housing numerous tenant organizations including

834th Air Division.[2]

In January 1972, the 377th expanded to become the 377th Air Base Wing and for the first time gained

McDonnell F-4 Phantom IIs of other organizations. It was replaced on 20 June 1972 by Detachment 1 of the wing headquarters, which continued the F-4 turn-around service and added LTV A-7 Corsair II turn-around service on 30 October 1972. The detachment continued operations through 11 February 1973.[2]

As the wing phased down for inactivation from February 1973, it transferred many assets to Republic of Vietnam Air Force.[2]

Ramstein Air Base

In June 1985 the wing was redesignated the 377th Combat Support Wing and reactivated at

United States Air Forces Europe implemented the Objective Wing organization and its functions were transferred to elements of the 86th Wing.[2]

Kirtland Air Force Base

The wing once again became the 377th Air Base Wing and was activated as the host wing at Kirtland Air Force Base on 1 January 1993, when Kirtland transferred from Air Mobility Command to Air Force Materiel Command.[5] The 377th Air Base Wing has since provided support to base operations to more than 100 associate units in more than 2000 buildings. To support this mission, the 377th Air Base Wing has the largest security forces squadron in the command. Additionally, members of the 377th are continually deployed to numerous locations, where they previously helped fight the Iraq War, and are still involved in the War in Afghanistan, and other requirements worldwide.

In November 2009 the wing, commanded by Colonel Michael S. Duvall, failed its nuclear surety inspection. Duvall was kept on as commander to fix the problem and the wing subsequently passed its re-inspection less than 90 days later.[6]

On 1 October 2015 the wing began reporting to Twentieth Air Force and Air Force Global Strike Command instead of Air Force Materiel Command.[7]

Mission today

The 377th Air Base Wing carries out nuclear, readiness, and support operations. It operates the airfield for Air Force operations, prepares personnel to deploy worldwide and keeps the base secure. it supports the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, the 58th Special Operations Wing, the 150th Special Operations Wing of the New Mexico Air National Guard and the U.S. Air Force Pararescue School.[1]

As Kirtland's host organization, the 377th Air Base Wing supports base operations. It ensures the people living and working on Kirtland have the necessary support to conduct their jobs and carry out missions. This includes facility maintenance, personnel support, security, utilities and medical care. The wing also supports more than 14,000 military retirees who live in central and northern New Mexico.[1]

In November 2022, the wing added the 377th Test and Evaluation Group, stationed at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. The new group will enable a systems and component approach to accomplish test launches, nuclear command and control software tests, and simulated electronic launch tests for operational

ICBM units.[4]

Lineage

  • Established as the 377th Combat Support Group, activated and organized on 8 April 1966
Redesignated 377th Air Base Wing on 17 January 1972
Inactivated on 28 March 1973
  • Redesignated 377th Combat Support Wing on 1 June 1985
Activated on 14 June 1985
Inactivated on 1 May 1991

Assignments

Components

Groups
  • 377th Civil Engineering Group (later 377th Civil Engineer Group): 14 June 1985 – 1 May 1991, 1 October 1995 – 1 October 2000
  • 377th Logistics Group (later 377th Maintenance Group): 1 January 1993 – 31 March 2006, 1 December 2011 – present
  • 377th Medical Group (see 377th USAF Dispensary)
  • 377th Security Police Group (later 377th Security Forces Group): 14 June 1985 – 1 May 1991, 15 August 2011 – present
  • 377th Support Group (later 377th Mission Support Group): 1 January 1993 – present
  • 377th Test and Evaluation Group, 2 November 2022 – present[4]
Operational Squadrons
Support Squadrons
  • 377th Air Police Squadron (later 377th Security Police Squadron): 8 April 1966 – 28 March 1973
  • 377th Armament and Electronics Maintenance Squadron: 8 April 1966 – 25 November 1966
  • 377th Civil Engineering Squadron: 8 April 1966 – 2 August 1972
  • 377th Field Maintenance Squadron (later 377th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 377th Field Maintenance Squadron): 8 April 1966 – 25 November 1966, 31 August 1971 – 28 May 1973
  • Field Maintenance Squadron, Provisional, 377th: attached 28 August 1972 – 1 October 1972
  • 377th Munitions Maintenance Squadron: 8 April 1966 – 30 November 1966
  • 377th Organizational Maintenance Squadron: 8 April 1966 – 18 September 1966, 1 October 1972 – 38 May 1973
  • Organizational Maintenance Squadron, Provisional, 377th: attached 28 August 1972 – 1 October 1972
  • 377th Services Squadron: 8 April 1966 – 2 August 1972
  • 377th Supply Squadron: 8 April 1966 – 28 March 1973
  • 377th Transportation Squadron: 8 April 1966 – 28 March 1973
  • 7000 Munitions Support Squadron: 14 June 1985 – 1988
Other
  • 377th USAF Dispensary (later 377th USAF Hospital, 377th Medical Group): 8 April 1966 – 28 March 1973, 1 January 1993 – present
  • Detachment 1, 377th Air Base Wing: 20 June 1972 – 11 February 1973
  • Operating Location A, 377th Air Base Wing: 14–20 June 1972

Stations

  • Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam: 8 April 1966 – 28 March 1973
  • Ramstein Air Base, Federal Republic of Germany: 14 June 1985 – 1 May 1991
  • Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico: since 1 January 1993[2]

Aircraft

References

Notes

Explanatory notes
  1. ^ Approved 31 July 1969. Ravenstein, p. 203
  2. ^ Approved 2 May 1995.
  3. ^ Approved 17 July 1967.
Citations
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Kirtland Air Force Base and the 377th Air Base Wing". 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs. 5 October 2015. Archived from the original on 12 April 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Haulman, Daniel (13 October 2015). "Factsheet 377 Air Base Wing (AFGSC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  3. ^ Ravenstein, p. 203
  4. ^ a b c Wakefield, Scott (9 November 2022). "ICBM mission enters new era with 377 TEG". 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  5. ^ "Abstract, History 377 Air Base Wing Jan–Sep 1993". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
  6. ^ Hoffman, Michael, "Two wings get F on nuclear inspection", Air Force Times 27 November 2009.
  7. ^ "377th ABW transfers to AF Global Strike Command". Twentieth Air Force Public Affairs. 5 October 2010. Retrieved 10 March 2016.

Bibliography

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

External links
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