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The 551 AEWC Wing provided critical surveillance data to Air Defense Command and Control computers and the North American Air Defense Combat Operations Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., for air defense evaluation and action. The data also enabled more versatile airborne control of interceptor missile and aircraft weapons systems.
The 551 AEWC Wing provided critical surveillance data to Air Defense Command and Control computers and the North American Air Defense Combat Operations Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., for air defense evaluation and action. The data also enabled more versatile airborne control of interceptor missile and aircraft weapons systems.


== Cold War period ==
==== Cold War period ====


During the Cold War period, the 551st provided surveillance support for major world events, including tracking over Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis and tracking Russian aircraft and naval vessels off Iceland and the East Coast of the United States.
During the Cold War period, the 551st provided surveillance support for major world events, including tracking over Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis and tracking Russian aircraft and naval vessels off Iceland and the East Coast of the United States.
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In its first 10 years, the wing flew continuous missions over the [[Atlantic Ocean]] 24 hours a day, seven days a week, compiling more than 350,000 flying hours. Among other honors awarded to the wing was the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for its significant performance.
In its first 10 years, the wing flew continuous missions over the [[Atlantic Ocean]] 24 hours a day, seven days a week, compiling more than 350,000 flying hours. Among other honors awarded to the wing was the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for its significant performance.


== Deactivation ==
==== Deactivation ====


The wing was deactivated Dec. 31, 1969, but the 551st has an active alumni corps that has maintained the wing’s camaraderie, spirit and dedication to the nation’s defense over the past 36 years.
The wing was deactivated Dec. 31, 1969, but the 551st has an active alumni corps that has maintained the wing’s camaraderie, spirit and dedication to the nation’s defense over the past 36 years.
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“The old 551st was the forerunner for the surveillance assets in service today, and we’re extremely proud of the work we accomplished in the unit,” said Floyd I. Shank, who served as an airborne radar operator in the 551st and now organizes alumni events for the wing. “We’re all excited about the new organization and we’re confident the 551st ELSW will continue the proud 551st tradition of excellence.”
“The old 551st was the forerunner for the surveillance assets in service today, and we’re extremely proud of the work we accomplished in the unit,” said Floyd I. Shank, who served as an airborne radar operator in the 551st and now organizes alumni events for the wing. “We’re all excited about the new organization and we’re confident the 551st ELSW will continue the proud 551st tradition of excellence.”


== Re-designation ==
==== Re-designation ====


The wing was re-designated April 18 when the Battle Management Systems Wing changed to the 551st Electronic Systems Wing. The 551st ELSW is now responsible for rapid development and fielding of airborne battle management command, control and communications systems in support of combatant commanders, special operations forces and worldwide allies.
The wing was re-designated April 18 when the Battle Management Systems Wing changed to the 551st Electronic Systems Wing. The 551st ELSW is now responsible for rapid development and fielding of airborne battle management command, control and communications systems in support of combatant commanders, special operations forces and worldwide allies.
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The 551st Electronic Systems Group, formerly the Airborne Warning and Control Systems Group, is responsible for all aspects of modernization and sustainment of the United States and international E-3 Sentry aircraft and airborne early warning and control fleets.
The 551st Electronic Systems Group, formerly the Airborne Warning and Control Systems Group, is responsible for all aspects of modernization and sustainment of the United States and international E-3 Sentry aircraft and airborne early warning and control fleets.


== Other similar units ==
==== Other similar units ====


The 751st Electronic Systems Group, formerly the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System Systems Group, is responsible for all aspects of the development, acquisition and sustainment of the Joint STARS system.
The 751st Electronic Systems Group, formerly the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System Systems Group, is responsible for all aspects of the development, acquisition and sustainment of the Joint STARS system.
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The 551 ELSW weather systems division acquires and fields terrestrial weather and strategic systems capability, then delivers decision-quality environmental information to Air Force and Army commanders to support global military operations in peace and war.
The 551 ELSW weather systems division acquires and fields terrestrial weather and strategic systems capability, then delivers decision-quality environmental information to Air Force and Army commanders to support global military operations in peace and war.

== References ==
{{User:NDCompuGeek/templates/Template:AFHRA}}
<references/>
* Maurer, Maurer. ''[http://www.airforcehistory.hq.af.mil/Publications/fulltext/af_combat_units_wwii.pdf Air Force Combat Units Of World War II]''. [[Maxwell Air Force Base]], Alabama: Office of Air Force History, 1983. ISBN 0-912799-02-1.
* Maurer, Maurer. ''[http://www.airforcehistory.hq.af.mil/Publications/fulltext/combat_sq_of_the_af_wwii.pdf Combat Squadrons of the Air Force: World War II]''. [[Maxwell Air Force Base]], Alabama: Office of Air Force History, 1982.
* Ravenstein, Charles A. ''[http://www.airforcehistory.hq.af.mil/Publications/fulltext/combat_wings.pdf Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories, 1947–1977]''. [[Maxwell Air Force Base]], [[Montgomery, Alabama]]: Office of Air Force History, 1984. ISBN 0-912799-12-9.


== External links ==
== External links ==
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{{USAF Material Command}}
{{USAF Material Command}}
{{US Air Force navbox}}
{{US Air Force navbox}}
{{Aerospace Defense Command}}


[[Category:Wings of the United States Air Force|Electronic 551]]
[[Category:Wings of the United States Air Force|Electronic 551]]

Revision as of 01:36, 6 June 2009

551st Electronic Systems Wing
551st Electronic Systems Wing emblem
Active1954-1969
1985-Present
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Air Force
TypeWing
RoleWork on AWACS, Joint STARS, MP-RTIP, Mission Planning, and weather systems
Part ofAir Force Materiel Command/Air Force Electronic Systems Center
Garrison/HQHanscom AFB, Massachusetts
Motto(s)To see is to be prepared
Decorations AFOUA
Commanders
Current
commander		Colonel. Dwyer L. Dennis

The 551st Electronic Systems Wing (551 ELSW) is a wing of the United States Air Force whose focus is on 'behind the scenes' electronic work. Located at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, they work on AWACS, Joint STARS, MP-RTIP, Mission Planning, and weather systems.

Now responsible for the development and sustainment of command and control systems, the 551st ELSW takes its designation from a wing that laid the foundation for modern-day airborne surveillance.

History

Lineage

Assignments

Components

Stations

Aircraft assigned

Operations

The 551st Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing, established and activated in 1954, was charged with tracking air and sea activity along the United States eastern seaboard.

The wing received its first airborne asset March 2, 1955, when an RC-121D landed at Otis Air Force Base. The plane was the first of many assigned to the 551st to patrol the skies over much of the Atlantic Ocean. The RC-121D was eventually upgraded to the EC-121H Warning Star in 1963.

The newer model supplanted the slower voice and manual Teletype data relay system previously employed by the RC-121D and instead provided instantaneous automated relay of air defense surveillance and early-warning information by data-link directly to ground-based communication facilities.

The 551 AEWC Wing provided critical surveillance data to Air Defense Command and Control computers and the North American Air Defense Combat Operations Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., for air defense evaluation and action. The data also enabled more versatile airborne control of interceptor missile and aircraft weapons systems.

Cold War period

During the Cold War period, the 551st provided surveillance support for major world events, including tracking over Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis and tracking Russian aircraft and naval vessels off Iceland and the East Coast of the United States.

The wing also provided surveillance over Johnston and Christmas islands during nuclear testing by the Atomic Energy Commission and performed a variety of surveillance services in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War.

In its first 10 years, the wing flew continuous missions over the Atlantic Ocean 24 hours a day, seven days a week, compiling more than 350,000 flying hours. Among other honors awarded to the wing was the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for its significant performance.

Deactivation

The wing was deactivated Dec. 31, 1969, but the 551st has an active alumni corps that has maintained the wing’s camaraderie, spirit and dedication to the nation’s defense over the past 36 years.

“The old 551st was the forerunner for the surveillance assets in service today, and we’re extremely proud of the work we accomplished in the unit,” said Floyd I. Shank, who served as an airborne radar operator in the 551st and now organizes alumni events for the wing. “We’re all excited about the new organization and we’re confident the 551st ELSW will continue the proud 551st tradition of excellence.”

Re-designation

The wing was re-designated April 18 when the Battle Management Systems Wing changed to the 551st Electronic Systems Wing. The 551st ELSW is now responsible for rapid development and fielding of airborne battle management command, control and communications systems in support of combatant commanders, special operations forces and worldwide allies.

The 551st Electronic Systems Group, formerly the Airborne Warning and Control Systems Group, is responsible for all aspects of modernization and sustainment of the United States and international E-3 Sentry aircraft and airborne early warning and control fleets.

Other similar units

The 751st Electronic Systems Group, formerly the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System Systems Group, is responsible for all aspects of the development, acquisition and sustainment of the Joint STARS system.

The 851st Electronic Systems Group, formerly the E-10/MP-RTIP Systems Group, is responsible for developing, acquiring, testing, sustaining and improving the $1.5 billion Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program. The group manages and coordinates support to all assigned programs from internal, functional and matrix organizations to provide the warfighter with an airborne combat system with onboard battle management that detects, tracks and targets cruise missiles and time sensitive targets for destruction by joint and coalition air, land and naval forces.

The 951st Electronic Systems Group, formerly the Mission Planning Systems Group, develops and supports a suite of mission planning systems that meet the needs of more than 40 Air Force aircraft and weapons systems. In addition, the Navy, Marines, Army, several government agencies, and 23 allied nations use these mission planning systems for daily operations.

The 551 ELSW weather systems division acquires and fields terrestrial weather and strategic systems capability, then delivers decision-quality environmental information to Air Force and Army commanders to support global military operations in peace and war.

References

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

External links

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