320th Air Expeditionary Wing: Difference between revisions

320th Air Expeditionary Wing
320th Air Expeditionary Wing
Active	1942-1989, 2002 ?-Present ?
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Garrison/HQ	Southwest Asia.
Motto(s)	Strength through Awareness

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Revision as of 23:24, 22 November 2007

The United States Air Force's 320th Air Expeditionary Wing is an airlift wing located in Southwest Asia.

The 320th AEW moved American military power closer to the fights in Afghanistan and Iraq by transporting eight divisions -- around 80,000 troops -- hauling some 47,000 tons of cargo, flying 17,000 sorties and logging 40,000 flying hours all while simultaneously supporting operations in 12 countries.

The task of developing a comprehensive listing of AEW units present in Southwest Asia and other combat areas is particularly difficult as the events of 11 September 2001 and the Global War on Terrorism has made such an effort significantly difficult. The USAF seeks to improve operational security (OPSEC) and to deceive potential enemies as to the extent of American operations, therefore a listing of which units deploying where and when is unavailable.

History

Lineage

Bases Assigned

MacDill Field, FL 23 Jun 1942
Drane Field, FL 8-28 Aug 1942
Hethel, England 12 Sep 1942 114
La Senia, Algeria c. 2 Dec 1942
Tafaraoui, Algeria 28 Jan 1943
Montesquieu, Algeria Apr 1943
Massicault, Tunisia 29 Jun 1943
El Bathan, Tunisia 28 Jul 1943
Sardinia 1 Nov 1943
Corsica c. 18 Sep 1944
Dijon/Longvic, France 11 Nov 1944
Dole/Tavaux, France 1 Apr 1945
Herzogenaurach, Germany 18 Jun 1945
Clastres, France c. Oct-Nov 1945
March AFB, California December 1, 1952 - Feburary 1, 1963
Mather AFB, California Feburary 1, 1963 - September 1, 1989

Major Aircrat Types Operated

Martin B-26 Marauder (1942-1945)
Boeing B-29 Superfortress (1952-1953)
Boeing B-47 Stratojet (1953-1960)
Boeing B-52 Stratofortress (1963-1989)
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker (1963-1989)

World War II

Constituted as 320th Bombardment Group (Medium) on 19 Jun 1942 and activated on 23 Jun. Trained with B-26 aircraft. Most of the group moved to North Africa via England, Aug-Dec 1942; crews flew their planes over the South Atlantic route and arrived in North Africa, Dec 1942-Jan 1943.

Began combat with Twelfth AF in Apr 1943 and operated from bases in Algeria, Tunisia, Sardinia, and Corsica until Nov 1944. During the period Apr-Jul 1943, flew missions against enemy shipping in the approaches to Tunisia, attacked installations in Sardinia, participated in the reduction of Pantelleria, and supported the invasion of Sicily. Then bombed marshalling yards, bridges, airdromes, road junctions, viaducts, harbors, fuel dumps, defense positions, and other targets in Italy. Supported forces at Salerno and knocked out targets to aid the seizure of Naples and the crossing of the Volturno River. Flew missions to Anzio and Cassino and engaged in interdictory operations in central Italy in preparation for the advance toward Rome.

Received the French Croix de Guerre with Palm for action in preparation for and in support of Allied offensive operations in central Italy, Apr-Jun 1944. Received a DUC for a mission on 12 May 1944 when, in the face of an intense antiaircraft barrage, the group bombed enemy troop concentrations near Fondi in support of Fifth Army's advance toward Rome. From Jun to Nov 1944 operations included interdictory missions in the Po Valley, support for the invasion of Southern France, and attacks on enemy communications in northern Italy.

Moved to France in Nov 1944 and bombed bridges, rail lines, gun positions, barracks, supply points, ammunition dumps, and other targets in France and Germany until V-E Day. Received a DUC for operations on 15 Mar 1945 when the group bombed pillboxes, trenches, weapon pits, and roads within the Siegfried Line to enable a breakthrough by Seventh Army. Moved to Germany in Jun 1945 and participated in the disarmament program. Returned to the US, Nov-Dec.

Inactivated on 4 Dec 1945.

Cold War

Replaced the 106th Bombardment Wing, (Medium) (ANG) in Dec 1952. Conducted global bombardment training and air refueling operations to meet SAC commitments, 1952-1960. This wing was employed for training reservists to backfill rotating B-29 combat crews serving in Korea. While the reservists were undergoing training they were paid on the lesser reserve pay scale. Trained B-47 cadre for 96th Bombardment Wing, Medium, Dec 1953-Jan 1955. Deployed as a wing to Brize Norton RAF Station, England, 5 June-4 September 1954, and Andersen AFB, Guam, 5 October 1956-11 January 1957.

Replaced 4134th Strategic Wing in Feb 1963. Performed global bombardment training and air refueling operations to meet SAC commitments, Feb 1963-1965 and later. Entire wing drastically reduced Feb-Jul 1965, Dec 1965-Mar 1966, and Jun 1972-Oct 1973, when all aircraft, crews, and most support personnel loaned to other SAC units for operations in Southeast Asia. During the latter period, trained T-29 pilots for Fifteenth Air Force.

Inactivated 1 September 1989

Major Command

Air Combat Command/USCENTAF (???-Present)
Strategic Air Command ((1 Dec 1952-30 September 1989)

Unit Chronology

Changed equipment in: 1953 to B-47s, YRB-47s, KC-97s.
Changed equipment in: 1954 to B-47s, KC-97s.
Reassigned to: Department of the Air Force on 16 September 1960.
Reassigned to: Strategic Air Command on 15 November 1962
Moved to: Mather AFB, CA, on 1 February 1963.
Changed equipment in: 1963 to B-52s, KC-135s
Reassigned to: Fifteenth Air Force, 14th Strategic Aerospace Division on 1 February 1963.
Reassigned to: Fifteenth Air Force, 18th Strategic Aerospace Division on 1 July 1965.
Reassigned to: Fifteenth Air Force, 47th Air Division on 2 July 1966.
Reassigned to: Fifteenth Air Force, 14th Strategic Aerospace Division on 31 March 1970.
Reassigned to: Second Air Force, 47th Air Division on 30 June 1971.
Reassigned to: Fifteenth Air Force, 14th Air Division on 1 October 1972.
Changed equipment in: 1972 to B-52s, KC-135s, T-29s.
Reassigned to: 47th Air Division on 1 October 1982
Reassigned to: Fifteenth Air Force 15 July 1998
Inactivated on: 30 September 1989

Air Division

References

Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0892010924.
Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947-1977. Maxwell

External links

This United States Air Force article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Infobox Military Unit
 |unit_name=320th Air Expeditionary Wing
+|image=
-|image= [[Image:320th Air Expeditionary Wing.png|200px]]
 |caption= 320th Air Expeditionary Wing emblem
-|dates= [[19xx]]-Present
+|dates= 1942-1989, 2002 ?-Present ?
 |country= [[United States]]
 |allegiance=
@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 |command_structure=
 |current_commander=
-|garrison= [[Eskan Village]], [[Saudi Arabia]]
+|garrison= Southwest Asia.
 |ceremonial_chief=
 |colonel_of_the_regiment=
@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
 }}
-The [[United States Air Force]]'s '''320th Air Expeditionary Wing''' is a unit located at [[Eskan Village]], [[Saudi Arabia]].
+The [[United States Air Force]]'s '''320th Air Expeditionary Wing''' is an airlift wing located in Southwest Asia.
+The 320th AEW moved American military power closer to the fights in Afghanistan and Iraq by transporting eight divisions -- around 80,000 troops -- hauling some 47,000 tons of cargo, flying 17,000 sorties and logging 40,000 flying hours all while simultaneously supporting operations in 12 countries.
-==Mission==
+The task of developing a comprehensive listing of AEW units present in Southwest Asia and other combat areas is particularly difficult as the events of 11 September 2001 and the Global War on Terrorism has made such an effort significantly difficult. The USAF seeks to improve operational security (OPSEC) and to deceive potential enemies as to the extent of American operations, therefore a listing of which units deploying where and when is unavailable.
 ==History==
-Replaced the 106th Bombardment Wing, (Medium) (ANG) in Dec 1952. Conducted global bombardment training and air refueling operations to meet SAC commitments, 1952-1960. This wing was employed for training reservists to backfill rotating B-29 combat crews serving in Korea. While the reservists were undergoing training they were paid on the lesser reserve pay scale. Trained B-47 cadre for 96th Bombardment Wing, Medium, Dec 1953-Jan 1955. Deployed as a wing to Brize Norton RAF Station, England, 5 June-4 September 1954, and Andersen AFB, Guam, 5 October 1956-11 January 1957. Replaced 4134th Strategic Wing in Feb 1963. Performed global bombardment training and air refueling operations to meet SAC commitments, Feb 1963-1965 and later. Entire wing drastically reduced Feb-Jul 1965, Dec 1965-Mar 1966, and Jun 1972-Oct 1973, when all aircraft, crews, and most support personnel loaned to other SAC units for operations in Southeast Asia. During the latter period, trained T-29 pilots for Fifteenth Air Force.
-==Assignments==
+=== Lineage ===
+=== Bases Assigned ===
+* MacDill Field, FL 23 Jun 1942
+* Drane Field, FL 8-28 Aug 1942
+* Hethel, England 12 Sep 1942 114
+* La Senia, Algeria c. 2 Dec 1942
+* Tafaraoui, Algeria 28 Jan 1943
+* Montesquieu, Algeria Apr 1943
+* Massicault, Tunisia 29 Jun 1943
+* El Bathan, Tunisia 28 Jul 1943
+* Sardinia 1 Nov 1943
+* Corsica c. 18 Sep 1944
+* Dijon/Longvic, France 11 Nov 1944
+* Dole/Tavaux, France 1 Apr 1945
+* Herzogenaurach, Germany 18 Jun 1945
+* Clastres, France c. Oct-Nov 1945
+* March AFB, California December 1, 1952 - Feburary 1, 1963
+* Mather AFB, California Feburary 1, 1963 - September 1, 1989
+=== Major Aircrat Types Operated ===
+* Martin B-26 Marauder (1942-1945)
+* Boeing B-29 Superfortress (1952-1953)
+* Boeing B-47 Stratojet (1953-1960)
+* Boeing B-52 Stratofortress (1963-1989)
+* Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker (1963-1989)
+=== World War II ===
+Constituted as 320th Bombardment Group (Medium) on 19 Jun 1942 and activated on 23 Jun. Trained with B-26 aircraft. Most of the group moved to North Africa via England, Aug-Dec 1942; crews flew their planes over the South Atlantic route and arrived in North Africa, Dec 1942-Jan 1943.
+Began combat with Twelfth AF in Apr 1943 and operated from bases in Algeria, Tunisia, Sardinia, and Corsica until Nov 1944. During the period Apr-Jul 1943, flew missions against enemy shipping in the approaches to Tunisia, attacked installations in Sardinia, participated in the reduction of Pantelleria, and supported the invasion of Sicily. Then bombed marshalling yards, bridges, airdromes, road junctions, viaducts, harbors, fuel dumps, defense positions, and other targets in Italy. Supported forces at Salerno and knocked out targets to aid the seizure of Naples and the crossing of the Volturno River. Flew missions to Anzio and Cassino and engaged in interdictory operations in central Italy in preparation for the advance toward Rome.
+Received the French Croix de Guerre with Palm for action in preparation for and in support of Allied offensive operations in central Italy, Apr-Jun 1944. Received a DUC for a mission on 12 May 1944 when, in the face of an intense antiaircraft barrage, the group bombed enemy troop concentrations near Fondi in support of Fifth Army's advance toward Rome. From Jun to Nov 1944 operations included interdictory missions in the Po Valley, support for the invasion of Southern France, and attacks on enemy communications in northern Italy.
+Moved to France in Nov 1944 and bombed bridges, rail lines, gun positions, barracks, supply points, ammunition dumps, and other targets in France and Germany until V-E Day. Received a DUC for operations on 15 Mar 1945 when the group bombed pillboxes, trenches, weapon pits, and roads within the Siegfried Line to enable a breakthrough by Seventh Army. Moved to Germany in Jun 1945 and participated in the disarmament program. Returned to the US, Nov-Dec.
+Inactivated on 4 Dec 1945.
+=== Cold War ===
+Replaced the 106th Bombardment Wing, (Medium) (ANG) in Dec 1952. Conducted global bombardment training and air refueling operations to meet SAC commitments, 1952-1960. This wing was employed for training reservists to backfill rotating B-29 combat crews serving in Korea. While the reservists were undergoing training they were paid on the lesser reserve pay scale. Trained B-47 cadre for 96th Bombardment Wing, Medium, Dec 1953-Jan 1955. Deployed as a wing to Brize Norton RAF Station, England, 5 June-4 September 1954, and Andersen AFB, Guam, 5 October 1956-11 January 1957.
+Replaced 4134th Strategic Wing in Feb 1963. Performed global bombardment training and air refueling operations to meet SAC commitments, Feb 1963-1965 and later. Entire wing drastically reduced Feb-Jul 1965, Dec 1965-Mar 1966, and Jun 1972-Oct 1973, when all aircraft, crews, and most support personnel loaned to other SAC units for operations in Southeast Asia. During the latter period, trained T-29 pilots for Fifteenth Air Force.
+Inactivated 1 September 1989
-* Assigned to: Fifteenth Air Force, 12th Air Division. (Attached to the 7th Air Division from 3 June to 4 September 1954). (Attached to the 3rd Air Division from 5 October 1956 to 11 January 1957).
 ===Major Command===
 *[[Air Combat Command]]/[[USCENTAF]] (???-Present)
 *[[Strategic Air Command]] (([[1 Dec]] [[1952]]-[[30 September]] [[1989]])
-===Numbered Air Force===
-*[[15th Air Force]]
-*[[2d Air Force]]
-*[[15th Air Force]]
 ===Unit Chronology===
@@ Line 73: / Line 109: @@
 *[[14th Air Division|14th Strategic Aerospace Division]]
 *[[12th Air Division]]
-==Previous designations==
-*320th Air Expeditionary Wing
-*320th Bombardment Wing, Heavy (???-???)
-*320th Bombardment Wing, Medium (???-???)
-==Squadrons assigned==
-==Bases stationed==
-*[[Eskan Village]], [[Saudi Arabia]] (???-Present?)
-*[[Mather AFB]], [[California]] (1963-1989)
-*[[March AFB]], [[California]] (1952-1960)
-==Aircraft flown<REF>Rarenstein, C. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings: Lineage and Honors Histories 1947-1977. ISBN 0-912799-12-9</REF>==
-*[[C-131 Samaritan|T-29]] (1973)
-*[[KC-135 Stratotanker|KC-135]] (1963-1989)
-*[[B-52 Stratofortress|B-52]] (1963-1989)
-*[[B-47 Stratojet|B-47]] (1953-1960)
-*[[B-47 Stratojet|RB-47]] (1953-1954)
-*[[KC-97 Stratotanker|KC-97]] (1952-1960)
-*[[B-29 Superfortress|B-29]] (1952-1953)
 ==References==
-<references/>
+* Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0892010924.
+* Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947-1977. Maxwell
 ==External links==
 [[Category:Wings of the United States Air Force|Air Expeditionary 0320]]