455th Air Expeditionary Wing

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455th Air Expeditionary Wing
Combat "V" Device
Insignia
455th Air Expeditionary Wing emblem (approved 3 August 2017)[2]
Patch with 455th Strategic Missile Wing emblem (approved c. October 1963)[3]
Unofficial 455th Bombardment Group emblem[note 1][4]

The 455th Air Expeditionary Wing was a provisional

Camp Cunningham
.

The first predecessor of the

V-E Day
, it remained in Italy without its flight echelon until inactivating in September 1945.

The group was activated in the reserve in 1947. Apparently, it was not fully manned or equipped before inactivating in June 1949 and transferring most of its resources to another unit. It was redesignated the 445th Fighter-Day Group and activated in 1956, but did not become operational before inactivating in July 1957.

The wing's second predecessor was established in 1953, but not organized until November 1962 as the 455th Strategic Missile Wing an

group
and wing were consolidated in 1985. In 2001, the consolidated unit was converted to provisional status as the 455th Air Expeditionary Group. It was activated the following year.

Mission

The wing's mission was to provide fighter, rescue, transport, and other air force activities as part of U.S. operations during the

War in Afghanistan (2001-2021). Activated in 2002, the 455th had members deployed throughout the country supporting Operation Enduring Freedom
.

The

Kandahar Airfield
.

Units

The wing consists of five groups:

455th Expeditionary Operations Group. The group is responsible for all expeditionary flying and aeromedical evacuation operations for the wing. It oversees operations of a General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon close air support squadron, a Lockheed C-130 Hercules airlift squadron, a Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk/Guardian Angel rescue squadron,[clarification needed description of squadron below says it flies CH-47s] a Lockheed EC-130H Compass Call electronic combat squadron and an aeromedical evacuation flight. It also oversees support functions such as air traffic control, intelligence, weather, radar monitoring and landing systems, airfield management and command and control equipment at forward-operating bases.
83d Expeditionary Rescue Squadron (Boeing CH-47 Chinook)[5]
774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron (Lockheed C-130 Hercules)[6]
41st Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron (Lockheed EC-130H Compass Call)
Rotational Expeditionary Fighter Squadron (General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon)
555th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron April–October 2015[7]
421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron October 2015 – April 2016.[8]
457th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron April–October 2016.[8][9]
93d Expeditionary Fighter Squadron April–October 2016.[10]
79th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron October 2016 – April 2017.[11]
555th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron April–October 2017[12]
77th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron October 2017 – April 2018[12]
455th Expeditionary Mission Support Group. The group provides services in support of coalition forces throughout Afghanistan. It is composed of five squadrons[clarification needed six squadrons are listed] responsible for communications, civil engineer operations, force support, logistics readiness, and security forces.
455th Expeditionary Aerial Port Squadron
455th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron
455th Expeditionary Communications Squadron
455th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron
455th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron
455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron
455th Expeditionary Maintenance Group. The group provides combat-ready aircraft and munitions in support of coalition forces throughout Afghanistan. The group comprises two squadrons responsible for on- and off-aircraft maintenance and sortie generation of F-15E, F-16 and C-130 aircraft, as well as launch, recovery, and servicing support for military and commercial transient aircraft.
455th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron
455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron[13]
455th Expeditionary Medical Group. The group is the Air Force component for Task Force Med, which provides combat medical and combat medical support services to U.S. and coalition forces throughout Afghanistan. Along with the U.S. Army, the group staffs
Craig Joint Theater Hospital
at Bagram.
455th Expeditionary Medical Operations Squadron
455th Expeditionary Medical Support Squadron
Jalalabad Airfields.[14]

History

World War II

Training in the United States

The

Mitchel Field, New York to ferry their Liberators via the southern ferry route.[21] The ground echelon of group headquarters sailed on the SS William T. Barry.[22]

Combat operations

Consolidated B-24H-10-CF Liberator 42-64500, 743d Bomb Squadron. Lost on 11 June 1944

The air echelon of the group was delayed in Tunisia and was not entirely lodged at the 455th's combat station of

marshalling yards in Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, and Yugoslavia.[15]

On 2 April 1944, the group attacked a ball-bearing plant at

flak was encountered. The 740th claimed the destruction of seven of these fighters against the loss of one squadron Liberator. The 742d lost two Liberators in the attack but claimed the destruction of six enemy aircraft. Five crewmembers from one of the squadron's B-24s lost in the attack bailed out in territory controlled by Yugoslav Partisans and were able to evade German forces and returned to the squadron a month after the attack. The 743d Squadron claimed the destruction of nine fighters against the loss of two squadron Liberators.[23][note 2]

On 26 June 1944, the group, which was leading the

304th Bombardment Wing on the raid, encountered fighter opposition that was described as the strongest Fifteenth Air Force had encountered to date, and which destroyed several Liberators of the 455th Group. One 740th Liberator was lost on the raid, while the squadron claimed eleven enemy aircraft destroyed (two shared claims). Enemy fighters were able to separate the 741st Squadron from its fighter escort and intensified their attacks on the squadron. One 741st bomber was lost when a Luftwaffe fighter dove head-on into it. The Liberator continued on the bomb run and dropped its bombs on the target before crashing into the ground.[note 3] Other fighters continued their attacks to within 100 feet of the group's planes. On this mission, the 742d Squadron suffered its heaviest losses of the war, with six planes lost to enemy action. Only one of the squadron's Liberators that reached the target returned safely. The 743d Squadron put nine bombers over the target but was the only squadron of the group to bring all its planes home. The group pressed its attack on an oil refinery at Moosbierbaum, Austria, for which it received a second DUC.[15][24]

The group provided

Operation Grapeshot, the Spring 1945 offensive in Northern Italy.[15]

The group flew its last combat mission on 25 April 1945 against rail yards at

Bari Airfield in July 1945, where they serviced the aircraft assigned to headquarters, Fifteenth Air Force. Many of the group's remaining personnel were transferred to other units in the 304th Bombardment Wing for shipment back to the United States, while the group remained in Italy, serving as a replacement depot. The last of the air echelon departed Italy in July and the group was inactivated on 9 September 1945.[18][26]

The group lost 118 aircraft. It suffered 147 killed in action, 268 Missing in action, 179 prisoners of war, and 169 wounded in action. On the other hand, the group claimed the destruction of 119 enemy aircraft.[1]

Air Force reserve

The group was reactivated as a

443d Troop Carrier Wing, which was activated simultaneously.[16][30] The 743d Squadron was also inactivated and reserve flying operations at Sheppard came to an end.[16][17][18][19][15][31]

Tactical Air Command

The group was redesignated the 455th Fighter-Day Group and activated at

354th Fighter-Day Wing.[15][16][17][18][19]

Intercontinental ballistic missile wing

The wing's second predecessor was organized at

LGM-30B Minuteman I missiles through March 1964. The wing's first Minuteman missile arrived on 6 September 1963, and was placed three days later. The 150th, and final, missile was placed on 26 February 1964, and by late March[1] the wing became combat-ready.[citation needed
]

On 25 June 1968, the 455th was inactivated and transferred its assets to the

91st Strategic Missile Wing, which moved to Minot on paper from Glasgow Air Force Base, Montana. The three missile squadrons, however, were reassigned to the 91st Wing.[16][17][18][32]

On 31 January 1984, the 455th Fighter-Day Group and the 455th Strategic Missile Wing were consolidated into a single unit under the wing's designation.[2]

War in Afghanistan

Bagram Air Base

The 455th was converted to provisional status in December 2001 and redesignated the 455th Air Expeditionary Group after the

Bagram Air Base. In July 2002, the group was redesignated the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing with five assigned groups.[1]
Since then the wing has provided close air support, air mobility, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, combat search and rescue, electronic attack, aero medical evacuation, and combat support as the lead Air Force organization in Afghanistan. The wing consisted of about 1,600 airmen, based throughout Afghanistan.

The 455 AEW was awarded the

Meritorious Unit Award for all personnel assigned between 1 October 2006 and 30 September 2007,[33]
1 October 2008 through 30 September 2009, and 1 October 2010 through 30 September 2011.

Lineage

455th Fighter-Day Group
  • Constituted as the 455th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 May 1943
Activated on 1 June 1943
Redesignated 455th Bombardment Group, Heavy on 6 March 1944[34]
Inactivated on 9 September 1945
  • Redesignated 455th Bombardment Group, Very Heavy on 5 March 1947
Activated on 25 March 1947
Inactivated on 27 June 1949
Redesignated 455th Fighter-Day Group on 7 May 1956
Activated on 25 July 1956
Inactivated 1 July 1957
  • Consolidated with the 455th Strategic Missile Wing as the 455th Strategic Missile Wing on 31 January 1984[35]

455th Air Expeditionary Wing

  • Established as the 455th Fighter-Bomber Wing on 23 March 1953
  • Redesignated 455th Strategic Missile Wing (ICBM—Minuteman) and activated on 28 June 1962 (not organized)
Organized on 1 November 1962
Discontinued and inactivated on 25 June 1968
  • Consolidated with the 455th Fighter-Day Group on 31 January 1984
  • Converted to provisional status and redesignated 455th Air Expeditionary Group on 4 December 2001 and assigned to Air Combat Command to activate or inactivate as needed
  • Activated on 26 April 2002
  • Redesignated 455th Air Expeditionary Wing on 26 July 2002[2]

Assignments

9th Aerospace Expeditionary Task Force, 26 July 2002 – July 2021[2]

Stations

  • Alamogordo Army Air Field, New Mexico, 1 June 1943
  • Kearns Army Air Field, Utah, c. 6 September 1943
  • Langley Field, Virginia, c. 5 October – 2 December 1943
  • San Giovanni Airfield, Italy, 15 January 1944 – 9 September 1945
  • Hensley Field, Texas, 25 March 1947 – 27 June 1949
  • Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, South Carolina, 25 July 1956 – 1 July 1957
  • Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, 1 November 1962 – 25 June 1968
  • Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, 26 April 2002 – Jul 2021[2]

Components

Groups
  • 451st Air Expeditionary Group, 1 April 2014 – present[14]
  • 455th Expeditionary Operations Group, 26 July 2002 – present
  • 455th Expeditionary Logistics Group (later 455th Expeditionary Maintenance Group), c. 26 July 2002 – present
  • 455th Expeditionary Medical Group, c. 26 July 2002 – present
  • 455th Expeditionary Support Group (later 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Group), c. 26 July 2002 – present
  • 755th Expeditionary Mission Support Group (later 755th Air Expeditionary Group), 17 January 2006 – present
Squadrons
  • 740th Bombardment Squadron (later 740th Fighter-Day Squadron, 740th Strategic Missile Squadron): 1 June 1943 – 9 September 1945, 25 March 1947 – 27 June 1949, 25 July 1956 – 1 July 1957, 1 December 1962 – 25 June 1968[2]
  • 741st Bombardment Squadron (later 741st Fighter-Day Squadron, 741st Strategic Missile Squadron): 1 June 1943 – 9 September 1945, 26 June 1947 – 27 June 1949, 25 July 1956 – 1 July 1957, 1 December 1962 – 25 June 1968[2]
  • 742d Bombardment Squadron (later 742d Fighter-Day Squadron, 743d Strategic Missile Squadron): 1 June 1943 – 9 September 1945, 9 September 1947 – 27 June 1949, 25 July 1956 – 1 July 1957, 1 January 1963 – 25 June 1968[2]
  • 743d Bombardment Squadron: 1 June 1943 – 9 September 1945, 15 October 1947 – 27 June 1949[2]

Aircraft and missiles

Awards and campaigns

Award streamer Award Dates Notes
Distinguished Unit Citation
 2 April 1944 455th Bombardment Group, Steyr, Austria[15]
Distinguished Unit Citation 26 June 1944 455th Bombardment Group, Austria[15]
Combat "V" Device
 16 April 2002–15 September 2002 455th Air Expeditionary Wing[2]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device 16 September 2002–15 September 2003 455th Air Expeditionary Wing[2]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device 16 September 2003–30 September 2004 455th Air Expeditionary Wing[2]
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award
 1 October 2004–30 September 2005 455th Air Expeditionary Wing[2]
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award 1 October 2005–30 September 2006 455th Air Expeditionary Wing[2]
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award 1 October 2006–30 September 2007 455th Air Expeditionary Wing[2]
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award 1 October 2007–30 September 2008 455th Air Expeditionary Wing[2]
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award 1 October 2008–30 September 2009 455th Air Expeditionary Wing[2]
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award 1 October 2009–30 September 2010 455th Air Expeditionary Wing[2]
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award 1 October 2010–30 September 2011 455th Air Expeditionary Wing[2]
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award 1 October 2011–30 September 2012 455th Air Expeditionary Wing[2]
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award 1 July 2012–30 June 2013 455th Air Expeditionary Wing[2]
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award 1 July 2013–30 June 2014 455th Air Expeditionary Wing[2]
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award 1 October 2015–31 March 2017 455th Air Expeditionary Wing[2]
Campaign Streamer Campaign Dates Notes
Air Offensive, Europe 15 January 1944 – 5 June 1944 455th Bombardment Group[15]
Air Combat, EAME Theater 15 January 1944 – 11 May 1945 455th Bombardment Group[15]
Naples-Foggia 15 January 1944 – 21 January 1944 455th Bombardment Group[15]
Anzio 22 January 1944 – 24 May 1944 455th Bombardment Group[15]
Rome-Arno 22 January 1944 – 9 September 1944 455th Bombardment Group[15]
Central Europe 22 March 1944 – 21 May 1945 455th Bombardment Group[15]
Normandy 6 June 1944 – 24 July 1944 455th Bombardment Group[15]
Northern France 25 July 1944 – 14 September 1944 455th Bombardment Group[15]
Southern France 15 August 1944 – 14 September 1944 455th Bombardment Group[15]
North Apennines 10 September 1944 – 4 April 1945 455th Bombardment Group[15]
Rhineland 15 September 1944 – 21 March 1945 455th Bombardment Group[15]
Po Valley 3 April 1945 – 8 May 1945 455th Bombardment Group[15]
Consolidation I 26 April 2002 – 30 September 2006 455th Air Expeditionary Group (later 455th Air Expeditionary Wing)[2]
Consolidation II 1 November 2006 – 30 November 2006 455th Air Expeditionary Wing[2]
Consolidation III 1 December 2006 – 30 June 2011 455th Air Expeditionary Wing[2]

See also

References

Bibliography


Further reading


Notes

Explanatory notes
  1. ^ Maurer indicates the group had no official emblem, Maurer, Combat Units, p. 330. The "Vulgar Vulture" was used by each squadron in the group with the bomb rendered in the squadron color. Watkins, pp. 100–101.
  2. ^ The 741st Squadron did not to suffer any losses in this operation. This was at least in part because the squadron only put two Liberators over the target on the mission, while the other squadrons averaged ten. Asch, et al., pp. 61–69
  3. ^ The group report expressly mentions the crew of this plane continuing the attack. While the squadron history and DUC citation both mention the collision, neither discusses the continuation of the attack. Compare Asch, et al., p. 82 (group report) with p. 83 (squadron history) and p. 85 (DUC citation).
  4. ^ Although the 455th Wing had been established in 1953, it was never activated at Myrtle Beach. Ravenstein, p. 250.
Citations
  1. ^ a b c d e No byline (25 June 2009). "The Heritage of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing". 455 Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 26 September 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa Lacomia, John M. (22 August 2018). "Factsheet 455 Air Expeditionary Wing (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  3. ^ a b Ravenstein, p. 250
  4. ^ Watkins, pp. 100–101
  5. ^ Gonsier, SSGT Benjamin. (23 October 2017). "83rd ERQS conducts joint flight, prepares for transition to Chinooks". U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
  6. ^ Fratini, Capt Korey (2 October 2016). "One year later: TORQE 62 remembered". U.S. Air Forces Central Command Public Affairs. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
  7. ^ Cloys, TSG Robert (30 October 2015). "'Black Widows' arrive at Bagram for final F-16 deployment". Defense Visual Information Distribution System. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  8. ^
    AirForces Monthly. Stamford, Lincolnshire, England: Key Publishing Ltd
    . July 2016. p. 14.
  9. ^ Freeman, SRA Justyn M. (29 June 2016). "Providing airpower to Operation Freedom's Sentinel". U.S. Central Command Air Forces Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 18 November 2016. Retrieved 24 December 2016.
  10. ^ Fratini, Capt Korey (24 August 2016). "93rd EFS takes off into the night". U.S. Air Forces Central CommandPublic Affairs. Retrieved 24 December 2016.
  11. ^ Sweeney, A1C Destinee (1 November 2016). "Taking the 'roar' downrange". Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. Retrieved 25 April 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ a b Warnes, Alan (2 November 2017). "'Gamblers' F-16Cs Deployed to Afghanistan – Warnesy's World". Warnsey'rs World of Military Aviation. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  13. ^ "455th Expeditionary Maintenance Group". 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs. 7 April 2012. Archived from the original on 24 February 2013. Retrieved 24 December 2016.
  14. ^ a b c d e Robertson, Patsy (3 December 2009). "Factsheet 451 Air Expeditionary Group (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 26 December 2016.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v Maurer, Combat Units, p. 330
  16. ^ a b c d e f g Robertson, Patsy (28 May 2010). "Factsheet 740 Missile Squadron (AFGSC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  17. ^ a b c d e f Robertson, Patsy (28 May 2010). "Factsheet 741 Missile Squadron (AFGSC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g Robertson, Patsy (9 June 2010). "Factsheet 742 Missile Squadron (AFGSC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  19. ^ a b c d Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 731
  20. ^ Asch, et al., pp. 10–13
  21. ^ Asch, et al., p. 25
  22. ^ Asch, et al., p.32
  23. ^ Asch, et al., pp. 61–67
  24. ^ Asch, et al., pp. 82–85
  25. ^ Asch, et al., p. 156
  26. ^ Asch, et al., pp. 160–161
  27. ^ See Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 730–731 (listing no aircraft for any of the group's squadrons for the period 1947–1949)
  28. ^ "Abstract, Mission Project Closeup, Continental Air Command". Air Force History Index. 27 December 1961. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
  29. ^ Knaack, p. 25
  30. ^ Ravenstein, pp. 240–241
  31. ^ Mueller,pp.542–544 (listing organizations at Sheppard).
  32. ^ Ravenstein, pp. 125–128, 250
  33. ^ Tones, Capt Toni (18 February 2008). "455 AEW awarded Meritorious Unit Award". 455 Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 18 January 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
  34. ^ See AFHRA Factsheets for 740th, 741st and 742d Missile Squadrons.
  35. ^ Lineage information in Lacomia, AFHRA Factsheet 455 Air Expeditionary Wing, except as noted.

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

External links

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