38th Combat Support Wing: Difference between revisions
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==== Ground Launched Cruise Missiles ==== |
==== Ground Launched Cruise Missiles ==== |
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In April 1985, the '''38th Tactical Missile Wing''', was activated at Wueschheim AB, West Germany. The wing was assigned to tactical missile operations, equipped with |
In April 1985, the '''38th Tactical Missile Wing''', was activated at Wueschheim AB, West Germany. The wing was assigned to tactical missile operations, equipped with Ground-Launched Cruise Missiles (GLCM) to counter [[Soviet]] intermediate-range [[ballistic missiles]] from 1986 – 1990. |
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Tthe GLCMs (and their strategic cousins, the Pershing IIs) had a destabilizing effect on the Soviet Union, as NATO's ability to stand firm and carry out the deployments in the face of nerve-wracking Soviet threats convinced the Kremlin that NATO could not be intimidated. |
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It was this realization that led to the opening of the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) talks and an INF treaty that eventually removed an entire class of nuclear arms from the superpower arsenals--a major step in the weakening and ultimate dissolution of the Soviet Union itself. |
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The [[Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty]] with the [[Soviet Union]] which went into effect on [[1 June]] [[1988]] and led to inactivation of the wing on [[22 August]] 1990. |
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==== Post Cold War ==== |
==== Post Cold War ==== |
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| 38th Combat Support Wing | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | 1940 — 2007 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | Air Force |
| Type | Support |
| Part of | United States Air Forces Europe |
| Garrison/HQ | Ramstein Air Base |
| Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Philippine Presidential Unit Citation |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Colonel Jack Brigs II |
The 38th Combat Support Wing (38 CSW) is an inactive wing of the United States Air Force. It's last assignment was at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
Mission
The mission of the 38 CSW was to enhance support to USAFE geographically separated units. This wing was inactivated in 2007.
History
Lineage
- Constituted as 38th Bombardment Group (Medium) on 20 Nov 1940
- Activated on 15 Jan 1941
- Redesignated 38th Bombardment Group (Light) in May 1946
- Established as 38th Bombardment Wing, Light on 10 Aug 1948
- Activated on 18 Aug 1948
- Inactivated on 1 Apr 1949
- Activated on 1 Jan 1953
- Redesignated: 38th Bombardment Wing, Tactical on 1 Oct 1955
- Redesignated: 38th Tactical Missile Wing on 18 Jun 1958
- Discontinued, and inactivated, on 25 Sep 1966
- Redesignated 38th Flying Training Wing on 22 Mar 1972
- Activated on 1 Aug 1972
- Inactivated on 30 Sep 1973
- Activated on 1 Dec 1973
- Inactivated on 1 Dec 1975
- Redesignated 38th Tactical Missile Wing on 4 Dec 1984
- Activated on 1 Apr 1985
- Inactivated on 22 Aug 1990
- Redesignated 38th Engineering Installation Wing on 1 Nov 1994
- Activated on 8 Nov 1994
- Inactivated on 3 Feb 2000
- Redesignated 38th Combat Support Wing on 19 Apr 2004
- Activated on 25 May 2004
- Inactivated on 1 May 2007
Major command
- Third Air Force (1941 - 1942)
- Fifth Air Force (1942 - 1945)
- Far East Air Forces (1945 - 1949)
- United States Air Forces in Europe (1953 - 1966)
- Air Training Command (1972 – 1975)
- Electronic Systems Center (1994 – 2000)
- United States Air Forces Europe (2004 – 2007)
Bases stationed
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Weapon Systems Operated
- A-26 Invader (1948 – 1949, 1953 – 1956)
- T-37 (1972 – 1975)
- T-38 Talon (1972 – 1975)
- MGM-1 Matador (1958 – 1962)
- MGM-13 Mace (1960 – 1966)
- BGM-109G Gryphon (1986 – 1990)
Operational History
World War II
The 38th Bombardment Group was constituted on 20 Nov 1940, and activated on 15 Jan 1941 at Langley AAF, Virginia. Origional operatonal squadrons of the group were the 69th, 70th and 71st Bomb Squadrons. The group trained with B-18, B-25C, and B-26A aircraft at Jackson Army Air Base in Mississippi for several months before recieving orders for shipment overseas.
The 38th Bomb Group was one of the first U.S. Army Air Force units to be deployed into the Pacific after Pearl Harbor. Their deployment to the South Pacific started in January 1942 and in May two squadrons of their B-26As (69th, 70th Bomb Squadrons) were the first medium bombers to fly from the mainland to Hawaii.
These two squadrons in Hawaii took part in the Battle of Midway as part of 7th Air Force. Four B-26A Marauders were modified to each carry a Navy Mark XIII aerial torpedo took off on June 4, 1942 in an attempt to attack Japanese carriers. The torpedo runs began at 800 feet altitude, the B-26s then dropping down to only ten feet above the water under heavy attack from Japanese fighters. Two of the Marauders were lost in this action, and the other two were heavily damaged. No hits were made on the Japanese carriers. They did not rejoin the group and eventually were reassigned.
The Air echelon of 71st Bomb Squadron arrived in Australia in Aug 1942. Three additional B-25C squadrons (405th, 822d, 823d) were assigned. The group was assigned to V Bomber Command, Fifth Air Force and the group operated from bases in Australia, New Guinea, and Biak, Sep 1942-Oct 1944, attacking Japanese airfields and shipping and supporting ground forces in New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago.
Maj Ralph Cheli was awarded the Medal of Honor for action on 18 Aug 1943: while leading the 405th squadron to attack a heavily defended airdrome on New Guinea, his plane was severely hit by enemy fire. Cheli remained in position and led the attack on the target before his bomber crashed into the sea.
The group was awarded a DUC for bombing and strafing Japanese troops and fortifications on Cape Gloucester, New Britain, Dec 1943, preparatory to the Allied invasion. Received another DUC for two missions over New Guinea, 16 and 17 Jun 1944, against Japanese airfields, merchant ships, and naval vessels.
Moved to the Moluccas in Oct 1944 and bombed airfields, ground installations, harbors, and shipping in the southern Philippines in support of the US invasion of Leyte. Struck a large enemy convoy in Ormoc Bay in Nov 1944 to prevent the landing of reinforcements, being awarded a DUC for the mission.
After moving to the Philippines in Jan 1945, supported US ground forces on Luzon, bombed industries on Formosa, and attacked shipping along the China coast. Stationed temporarily on Palawan in Jun 1945 for participation in the preinvasion bombing of Japanese installations on Borneo. Moved to Okinawa in Jul 1945 and conducted several attacks on industries, railways, and shipping in southern Japan.
Moved to Japan in Nov 1945 as part of Far East Air Forces. Redesignated 38th Bombardment Group (Light) in May 1946. Equipped with A-26 aircraft. The 38th assisted in the air defense of Japan and participated in tactical exercises from August 1948 – March 1949. Inactivated in the Far East on 1 Apr 1949.
Cold War
The 38th Tactical Bombardment Wing (38th TBW) was reactivated as part of the United States Air Forces in Europe on 1 January 1953, being assigned to Laon-Couvron Air Base, France. Upon activation, the wing absorbed the assets of the Air National Guard 126th Bomb Wing, which was inactivated and returned to the United States. The 38th's squadrons were designated the 71st, 405th, and 822nd Bomb Squadrons. The wing flew the Douglas B-26 Invader until 1955.
In April 1955 the 38th Bomb Wing converted to the Martin B-57 "Canberra". The B-57 was a replacement for aging Douglas B-26 "Invader", and with their arrival, the B-26's were returned to CONUS. Because English Electric was unable to meet the USAF delivery schedule, the design was licensed to Martin for US manufacture. A total of 49 B-57B and 8 2-seat B-57C models were deployed to Laon.
The mission of the B-57 was to provide a nuclear deterrent for NATO and to deliever nuclear weapons against pre-selected targets, day or night. The aircraft at Laon were painted a gloss black. An acrobatic team was organized and named the Blak Knights using five B-57's. The Black Knights performed at several air shows around Western Europe, including the 1957 Paris Air Show. The Black Knights were the only tactical bomber show team in the world.
In 1958, General De Gaulle announced that all nuclear weapons and delivery aircraft had to be removed from French soil by July 1958. Since NATO strategy had evolved into "massive nuclear retaliation" this meant all tactical fighter and bombing wings had to depart France.
The 38th TBW was inactivated at Laon on 18 June 1958 and redesignated as the 38th Tactical Missile Wing at Hahn Air Base West Germany, operating and maintaining the TM-67A "Matador" cruise missile. The wing was deactivated in September 1966.
Air Training Command
The 38th was reactivated and replaced the 3640th Pilot Training Wing at Laredo Air Force Base, Texas, on 1 August 1972 and performed pilot training until 28 August 1973. It then replaced the 3550th Pilot Training Wing at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia on 1 December 1973. The 38th performed pilot training until 21 November 1975. The 38th was replaced by 347th Tactical Fighter Wing and inactivated on 1 December 1975.
Ground Launched Cruise Missiles
In April 1985, the 38th Tactical Missile Wing, was activated at Wueschheim AB, West Germany. The wing was assigned to tactical missile operations, equipped with Ground-Launched Cruise Missiles (GLCM) to counter Soviet intermediate-range ballistic missiles from 1986 – 1990.
Tthe GLCMs (and their strategic cousins, the Pershing IIs) had a destabilizing effect on the Soviet Union, as NATO's ability to stand firm and carry out the deployments in the face of nerve-wracking Soviet threats convinced the Kremlin that NATO could not be intimidated.
It was this realization that led to the opening of the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) talks and an INF treaty that eventually removed an entire class of nuclear arms from the superpower arsenals--a major step in the weakening and ultimate dissolution of the Soviet Union itself.
The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty with the Soviet Union which went into effect on 1 June 1988 and led to inactivation of the wing on 22 August 1990.
Post Cold War
The 38th went on to serve as engineering wing from 8 November 1994 – 3 February 2000 at Tinker AFB, Oklaholma, to provide the Air Force with centralized management of worldwide engineering and installation (E&I) resources. The wing reorganized the Command and Control Systems Center and became the Communications Systems Center (CSC). CSC leaders created a new structure, which accommodated a more effective business-management approach to satisfying the communications-computer software requirements of our Air Force and DoD customers
The 38 EIW was inactivated in Febuary 2000 and downgraded to a group lefe. The transfer of EI responsibilities were assigned solely to the 38th Engineering Installation Group (38 EIG) collocated at Tinker.
The 38th Combat Support Wing was activated at Ramstein AB, Germany in 2004 to enhance support to USAFE geographically separated units. The wing was inactivated in 2007 and replaced by other units.