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== History ==
== History ==
===Lineage===
* Established as '''460 Bombardment Group (Heavy)''' on 19 May 1943
: Activated on 1 Jul 1943
: Redesignated '''460 Bombardment Group, Heavy''' c. 3 Sep 1944
: Inactivated on 26 Sep 1945
* Consolidated (31 Jan 1984) with the '''460 Tactical Reconnaissance Wing'', which was established, and activated, on 2 Feb 1966.
:: Organized on 18 Feb 1966
:: Inactivated on 31 Aug 1971
* Redesignated '''460 Tactical Reconnaissance Group''' on 19 Sep 1989
: Activated on 1 Oct 1989
: Inactivated on 1 Oct 1990
* Redesignated '''460 Air Base Wing''' on 26 Apr 2001
: Activated on 1 Oct 2001
: Redesignated '''460 Space Wing''' on 19 Aug 2004

===Assignments===
* II Bomber Command, 1 Jul 1943
* [[Second Air Force]], 6 Oct 1943
* [[I Bomber Command]], c. 29 Oct 1943
* [[55th Bombardment Wing (World War II)|55 Bombardment Wing]], c. 5 Feb 1944
* South Atlantic Division, [[Air Transport Command]], 15 Jun-26 Sep 1945
* [[Pacific Air Forces]], 2 Feb 1966
* [[2d Air Division]], 18 Feb 1966
* [[Seventh Air Force]], 1 Apr 1966-31 Aug 1971; 1 Oct 1989-1 Oct 1990
* [[Fourteenth Air Force]], 1 Oct 2001-Present

===Components===
'''Groups'''
* 460 Operations: 19 Aug 2004-Present

'''Squadrons'''
* [[12th Reconnaissance Squadron|12 Tactical Reconnaissance]]: 2 Sep 1966-31 Aug 1971
* [[15th Reconnaissance Squadron|15 Tactical Reconnaissance]]: 1 Oct 1989-1 Oct 1990
* [[16th Reconnaissance Squadron|16 Tactical Reconnaissance]]:18 Feb 1966-15 Mar 1970
* [[20th Special Operations Squadron|20 Tactical Reconnaissance]]: 18 Feb-18 Sep 1966
* 41 Tactical Reconnaissance: 18 Feb-18 Sep 1966
* [[45th Reconnaissance Squadron|45 Tactical Reconnaissance]]: attached 30 Mar-7 Jul 1966
* 360 Reconnaissance (later, 360 Tactical Electronic Warfare): 8 Apr 1966-31 Aug 1971
* 361 Reconnaissance (later, 361 Tactical Electronic Warfare): 8 Apr 1966-31 Aug 1971
* 362 Reconnaissance (later, 362 Tactical Electronic Warfare): 1 Feb 1967-31 Aug 1971
* 760 Bombardment: 1 Jul 1943-26 Sep 1945
* 761 Bombardment: 1 Jul 1943-26 Sep 1945
* 762 Bombardment: 1 Jul 1943-26 Sep 1945
* 763 Bombardment: 1 Jul 1943-26 Sep 1945
* 6460 Tactical Reconnaissance: 8 Jun-18 Sep 1966
* 6461 Tactical Reconnaissance: 29 Jul-18 Sep 1966.

===Stations===
* [[Holloman AFB|Alamogordo AAF]], [[New Mexico]], 1 Jul 1943
* [[Kearns Army Air Base|Kearns AAB]], [[Utah]], 31 Aug 1943
* [[Chatam Army Airfield|Chatham AAF]], [[Georgia (U.S. State)|Georgia]], 29 Oct 1943
* [[Camp Patrick Henry]], [[Virginia]], 4-13 Jan 1944 (Ground echelon)
* Spinazzola, [[Italy]], 11 Feb 1944-Jun 1945
* [[Waller Army Airfield|Waller Field]], [[Trinidad]], 15 Jun 1945
* [[Paramirim Field]], [[Natal, Brazil]], 30 Jun-26 Sep 1945
* [[Tan Son Nhut AB]], [[South Vietnam]], 18 Feb 1966-31 Aug 1971
* Taegu AB [[South Korea]], 1 Oct 1989-1 Oct 1990
* [[Buckley AFB]], [[Colorado]], 1 Oct 2001-Present

===Operations===
====World War II===
During [[World War II]], the 460th was known as the '''460th [[USAAF bombardment group|Bombardment Group]] (Heavy)''' and was assigned to the [[55th Bombardment Wing (World War II)|55th Bombardment Wing]] of [[Fifteenth Air Force]].[[Image:15th AF B-24 Liberator.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The 460th Bomb Group flew [[B-24 Liberator|B-24H Liberators]] with tails [[Unit identification aircraft markings|marked]] in yellow and black, affixed with a black square<ref name="Rosenkranz">{{cite web|title=The 15th US Army Air Force in July 1944| date= | author=Martin Rosenkranz | url=http://www.airpower.at/news03/0813_luftkrieg_ostmark/15USAF.htm| accessdate=2008-10-07}}</ref>]]
During [[World War II]], the 460th was known as the '''460th [[USAAF bombardment group|Bombardment Group]] (Heavy)''' and was assigned to the [[55th Bombardment Wing (World War II)|55th Bombardment Wing]] of [[Fifteenth Air Force]].[[Image:15th AF B-24 Liberator.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The 460th Bomb Group flew [[B-24 Liberator|B-24H Liberators]] with tails [[Unit identification aircraft markings|marked]] in yellow and black, affixed with a black square<ref name="Rosenkranz">{{cite web|title=The 15th US Army Air Force in July 1944| date= | author=Martin Rosenkranz | url=http://www.airpower.at/news03/0813_luftkrieg_ostmark/15USAF.htm| accessdate=2008-10-07}}</ref>]]
The group trained for heavy bombardment operations overseas at bases in [[Alamogordo AAF]] in [[New Mexico]] from July 1 to August 31 1943, at [[Kearns Army Air Base|Kearns AAB]] in [[Utah]], and [[Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport|Chatham AAF]] in [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]. The 460th moved to [[Spinazzola]], [[Italy]] in February 1944, and the entered combat on 19 March.<ref name="factsheet"/> <ref name="history">{{cite web|title=History of the 460th| date= | author= | url=http://www.buckley.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=4420| accessdate=2008-10-13}}</ref>
The group trained for heavy bombardment operations overseas at bases in [[Alamogordo AAF]] in [[New Mexico]] from July 1 to August 31 1943, at [[Kearns Army Air Base|Kearns AAB]] in [[Utah]], and [[Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport|Chatham AAF]] in [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]. The 460th moved to [[Spinazzola]], [[Italy]] in February 1944, and the entered combat on 19 March.<ref name="factsheet"/> <ref name="history">{{cite web|title=History of the 460th| date= | author= | url=http://www.buckley.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=4420| accessdate=2008-10-13}}</ref>
Line 48: Line 109:
The group flew its last World War II combat mission on 26 April 1945, then moved to Waller Field in [[Trinidad]] and finally Paramirim Field, Natal, [[Brazil]] in June 1945 to assist in moving redeployed personnel from [[Europe]] to the [[United States]]. The 460th Bombardment Group was deactivated on September 26, 1945.<ref name="history"/>
The group flew its last World War II combat mission on 26 April 1945, then moved to Waller Field in [[Trinidad]] and finally Paramirim Field, Natal, [[Brazil]] in June 1945 to assist in moving redeployed personnel from [[Europe]] to the [[United States]]. The 460th Bombardment Group was deactivated on September 26, 1945.<ref name="history"/>


=== Vietnam War ===
==== Vietnam War ====
[[Image:460trw.jpg|left|125px|460th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing Shield]]
[[Image:460trw.jpg|left|125px|460th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing Shield]]
The '''460th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing''' was reactivated at [[Tan Son Nhut Air Base]], South Vietnam on 2 February 1966 to control and administer tactical reconnaissance resources in Southeast Asia. Assigned and attached tactical reconnaissance and tactical electronic warfare squadrons and squadron-sized detachments flew day and night visual, photographic, radar, thermographic, and electronic reconnaissance missions to meet the combat needs of the [[2nd Air Division]] until April 1966 and for the [[7th Air Force]] thereafter. It then divided reconnaissance in Southeast Asia with another wing in September 1966.
The '''460th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing''' was reactivated at [[Tan Son Nhut Air Base]], South Vietnam on 2 February 1966 to control and administer tactical reconnaissance resources in Southeast Asia. Assigned and attached tactical reconnaissance and tactical electronic warfare squadrons and squadron-sized detachments flew day and night visual, photographic, radar, thermographic, and electronic reconnaissance missions to meet the combat needs of the [[2nd Air Division]] until April 1966 and for the [[7th Air Force]] thereafter. It then divided reconnaissance in Southeast Asia with another wing in September 1966.
Line 54: Line 115:
In October 1966, it assumed aircraft maintenance responsibility for all U.S. Air Force organizations using Tan Son Nhut AB. It continued its reconnaissance operations through August 1971 and was inactivated Aug. 31 that year.<ref name="history"/>[[Image:020509-o-9999j-0073.jpg|thumb|right|125px|The 460th Tactical Reconnaissance Group flew [[RF-4C]] Phantom IIs in 1990]]
In October 1966, it assumed aircraft maintenance responsibility for all U.S. Air Force organizations using Tan Son Nhut AB. It continued its reconnaissance operations through August 1971 and was inactivated Aug. 31 that year.<ref name="history"/>[[Image:020509-o-9999j-0073.jpg|thumb|right|125px|The 460th Tactical Reconnaissance Group flew [[RF-4C]] Phantom IIs in 1990]]


=== 1989 and 1990 ===
==== 1989 and 1990 ====
The 460th was redesignated as the '''460th Tactical Reconnaissance Group''' on September 19, 1989 and was activated on October 1 1989. The 460th spent a year operating out RF-4s out of [[Daegu Airport|Taegu AB]], [[South Korea]] in support of the [[Seventh Air Force]].<ref name="history"/>
The 460th was redesignated as the '''460th Tactical Reconnaissance Group''' on September 19, 1989 and was activated on October 1 1989. The 460th spent a year operating out RF-4s out of [[Daegu Airport|Taegu AB]], [[South Korea]] in support of the [[Seventh Air Force]].<ref name="history"/>


=== 2001 - 2004 ===
=== =2001 - 2004 ====
{{main|Buckley Air Force Base}}
{{main|Buckley Air Force Base}}
On October 1, 2001, the '''460th Air Base Wing''' was reactivated to assume full control of [[Buckley AFB]] in [[Aurora, Colorado]].
On October 1, 2001, the '''460th Air Base Wing''' was reactivated to assume full control of [[Buckley AFB]] in [[Aurora, Colorado]].
Line 65: Line 126:
A year later, control of Buckley AFB was transferred to the newly reactivated 460th Air Base Wing. Under the 460th's command, the base underwent an extensive modernization program to improve the base's support facilities. The 460th oversaw construction of one of the largest [[DeCA]] base commissary and [[AAFES]] base exchange complexes in the Air Force, as well as a fitness center, dorms, and other housing areas for Buckley Airmen.<ref name="Buckley AFB History">{{cite web|title=History of Buckley Air Force Base| date= | author= | url=http://www.buckley.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=4421| accessdate=2008-10-13}}</ref><ref name="history"/>
A year later, control of Buckley AFB was transferred to the newly reactivated 460th Air Base Wing. Under the 460th's command, the base underwent an extensive modernization program to improve the base's support facilities. The 460th oversaw construction of one of the largest [[DeCA]] base commissary and [[AAFES]] base exchange complexes in the Air Force, as well as a fitness center, dorms, and other housing areas for Buckley Airmen.<ref name="Buckley AFB History">{{cite web|title=History of Buckley Air Force Base| date= | author= | url=http://www.buckley.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=4421| accessdate=2008-10-13}}</ref><ref name="history"/>


=== 2004 - present ===
==== 2004 - present ====
On Aug. 19, 2004, the wing was redesignated as the '''460th Space Wing'''. The 460th SW, while retaining control of Buckley AFB, assumed command for several squdrons from the 21st Space Wing, which was also located at Buckley.<ref name="history"/> Today, the 460th delivers global infrared surveillance, tracking and missile warning for theater and homeland defense and provides combatant commanders with expeditionary warrior Airmen.<ref name="factsheet"/>
On Aug. 19, 2004, the wing was redesignated as the '''460th Space Wing'''. The 460th SW, while retaining control of Buckley AFB, assumed command for several squdrons from the 21st Space Wing, which was also located at Buckley.<ref name="history"/> Today, the 460th delivers global infrared surveillance, tracking and missile warning for theater and homeland defense and provides combatant commanders with expeditionary warrior Airmen.<ref name="factsheet"/>


Revision as of 22:21, 13 April 2009

460th Space Wing
Official emblem of the 460th Space Wing
Active19 August 2004
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Air Force
TypeSpace
RoleEarly warning and space defense
Part ofAir Force Space Command
Garrison/HQBuckley AFB
EquipmentGround radar and satellite telecom
Decorations DUC
PUC
AFOUA w/ V Device
File:GallantryCrossRibbon.jpg RVGC w/ Palm
Commanders
Current
commander		Col. David W. Ziegler

The 460th Space Wing is located at Buckley Air Force Base, east of Aurora, Colorado.[1]

Since the 460th was redesignated on 1 October, 2004, the wing has delivered global infrared surveillance, provided worldwide missile warning and tracking for homeland defense purposes, and provided expeditionary warrior Airmen to combatant commanders worldwide.[2]

Organization

The 460th Space Wing is directed by Air Force Space Command.[1] The wing is divided into three groups: the 460th Operations Group, the 460th Mission Support Group, and the 460th Medical Group.

The 460th Operations Group provides missile warning, missile defense, technical intelligence, satellite command and control, and robust aerospace communications. The Group operates the Defense Support Program satellites, providing continuous global surveillance, tracking, and targeting.[1]

The 460th Mission Support Group provides trained personnel to support the Air Expeditionary Forces and Homeland Defense. Specific capabilities include force protection, human resources management, contracting, an logistics. Since the 460th is the host unit at Buckley AFB, the 460th MSG also maintains the base's infrastructure and environmental controls.[1]

The 460th Medical Group supports military readiness to the Air Expeditionary Forces and Homeland Defense missions by ensuring base personnel are medically qualified for deployments. The medical group also provides quick-response services to the Air Expeditionary Forces and the Deptartment Homeland Security, as well as more traditional health care services such as optometry, wellness services and dental care.[1]

History

Lineage

  • Established as 460 Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943
Activated on 1 Jul 1943
Redesignated 460 Bombardment Group, Heavy c. 3 Sep 1944
Inactivated on 26 Sep 1945
  • Consolidated (31 Jan 1984) with the '460 Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, which was established, and activated, on 2 Feb 1966.
Organized on 18 Feb 1966
Inactivated on 31 Aug 1971
  • Redesignated 460 Tactical Reconnaissance Group on 19 Sep 1989
Activated on 1 Oct 1989
Inactivated on 1 Oct 1990
  • Redesignated 460 Air Base Wing on 26 Apr 2001
Activated on 1 Oct 2001
Redesignated 460 Space Wing on 19 Aug 2004

Assignments

Components

Groups

  • 460 Operations: 19 Aug 2004-Present

Squadrons

  • 12 Tactical Reconnaissance: 2 Sep 1966-31 Aug 1971
  • 15 Tactical Reconnaissance: 1 Oct 1989-1 Oct 1990
  • 16 Tactical Reconnaissance:18 Feb 1966-15 Mar 1970
  • 20 Tactical Reconnaissance: 18 Feb-18 Sep 1966
  • 41 Tactical Reconnaissance: 18 Feb-18 Sep 1966
  • 45 Tactical Reconnaissance: attached 30 Mar-7 Jul 1966
  • 360 Reconnaissance (later, 360 Tactical Electronic Warfare): 8 Apr 1966-31 Aug 1971
  • 361 Reconnaissance (later, 361 Tactical Electronic Warfare): 8 Apr 1966-31 Aug 1971
  • 362 Reconnaissance (later, 362 Tactical Electronic Warfare): 1 Feb 1967-31 Aug 1971
  • 760 Bombardment: 1 Jul 1943-26 Sep 1945
  • 761 Bombardment: 1 Jul 1943-26 Sep 1945
  • 762 Bombardment: 1 Jul 1943-26 Sep 1945
  • 763 Bombardment: 1 Jul 1943-26 Sep 1945
  • 6460 Tactical Reconnaissance: 8 Jun-18 Sep 1966
  • 6461 Tactical Reconnaissance: 29 Jul-18 Sep 1966.

Stations

Operations

=World War II

During World War II, the 460th was known as the 460th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and was assigned to the 55th Bombardment Wing of Fifteenth Air Force.

The 460th Bomb Group flew B-24H Liberators with tails marked in yellow and black, affixed with a black square[3]

The group trained for heavy bombardment operations overseas at bases in Alamogordo AAF in New Mexico from July 1 to August 31 1943, at Kearns AAB in Utah, and Chatham AAF in Georgia. The 460th moved to Spinazzola, Italy in February 1944, and the entered combat on 19 March.[1] [4]

The 460th bombed enemy marshalling yards, oil refineries and storage facilities, aircraft factories, industrial areas and other objectives in Italy, France, Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Austria, Rumania, Yugoslavia and Greece.

The group flew its last World War II combat mission on 26 April 1945, then moved to Waller Field in Trinidad and finally Paramirim Field, Natal, Brazil in June 1945 to assist in moving redeployed personnel from Europe to the United States. The 460th Bombardment Group was deactivated on September 26, 1945.[4]

Vietnam War

460th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing Shield
460th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing Shield

The 460th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing was reactivated at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam on 2 February 1966 to control and administer tactical reconnaissance resources in Southeast Asia. Assigned and attached tactical reconnaissance and tactical electronic warfare squadrons and squadron-sized detachments flew day and night visual, photographic, radar, thermographic, and electronic reconnaissance missions to meet the combat needs of the 2nd Air Division until April 1966 and for the 7th Air Force thereafter. It then divided reconnaissance in Southeast Asia with another wing in September 1966.

In October 1966, it assumed aircraft maintenance responsibility for all U.S. Air Force organizations using Tan Son Nhut AB. It continued its reconnaissance operations through August 1971 and was inactivated Aug. 31 that year.[4]

The 460th Tactical Reconnaissance Group flew RF-4C Phantom IIs in 1990

1989 and 1990

The 460th was redesignated as the 460th Tactical Reconnaissance Group on September 19, 1989 and was activated on October 1 1989. The 460th spent a year operating out RF-4s out of Taegu AB, South Korea in support of the Seventh Air Force.[4]

=2001 - 2004 =

Main article: Buckley Air Force Base

On October 1, 2001, the 460th Air Base Wing was reactivated to assume full control of Buckley AFB in Aurora, Colorado.

Buckley AFB was established as Buckley Field in 1942 by the Department of the Army to train armorers and bombardiers for B-24 Liberators and B-17 Flying Fortresses. After World War II, the field briefly became an auxiliary field of Lowry AFB before being transferred to the Colorado Air National Guard in 1946. In 1947, the field fell under control of the Department of the Navy for twelve years as Naval Air Station Denver before returning the base to the Colorado Air National Guard in 1959. The Colorado ANG would operate fighters at the base for the next 60 years. However, on October 1, 2000, the United States Air Force took control of the base and it was assigned the 821st Space Group to oversee its operations.[5]

A year later, control of Buckley AFB was transferred to the newly reactivated 460th Air Base Wing. Under the 460th's command, the base underwent an extensive modernization program to improve the base's support facilities. The 460th oversaw construction of one of the largest DeCA base commissary and AAFES base exchange complexes in the Air Force, as well as a fitness center, dorms, and other housing areas for Buckley Airmen.[5][4]

2004 - present

On Aug. 19, 2004, the wing was redesignated as the 460th Space Wing. The 460th SW, while retaining control of Buckley AFB, assumed command for several squdrons from the 21st Space Wing, which was also located at Buckley.[4] Today, the 460th delivers global infrared surveillance, tracking and missile warning for theater and homeland defense and provides combatant commanders with expeditionary warrior Airmen.[1]

Unit Decorations

During its relatively short active-duty time, the 460th has been awarded numerous times for its effort. The 460th has received the Distinguished Unit Citation, four Presidential Unit Citations, five Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards (2 with Combat "V" device). These esteemed decorations came from direct service in twenty-two different campaigns during WWII, Vietnam, the Cold War, and during operations in the support of the Global War on Terror.[4]

  • The 460th Heavy Bombardment Group earned a Distinguished Unit Citation for leading the 55th Bomb Wing through adverse weather and heavy enemy fire to attack an airfield and aircraft facilities in Zwolfaxing, Austria, on 26 Jul 1944. The group also flew some interdiction and support missions and supported the invasion of southern France in Aug 1944 by raiding submarine pens, marshalling yards and gun positions in the assault area. It struck bridges, viaducts, ammunition dumps, railroads and other targets to aid the advance of Allied forces in northern Italy.

Contact Information

460th Space Wing Public Affairs
510 S. Aspen St. (Stop 88)
Buckley AFB, CO 80011
Ph: 720-847-9431

References

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

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "460th Space Wing Factsheet". Retrieved 2008-10-08.
  2. ^ "Welcome to Buckley Air Force Base". Retrieved 2008-10-08.
  3. ^ Martin Rosenkranz. "The 15th US Army Air Force in July 1944". Retrieved 2008-10-07.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g "History of the 460th". Retrieved 2008-10-13.
  5. ^ a b "History of Buckley Air Force Base". Retrieved 2008-10-13.

See also

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=460th_Space_Wing&oldid=283659994"