405th Air Expeditionary Wing

405th Air Expeditionary Wing
Emblem of the 405th Air Expeditionary Wing
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Garrison/HQ	Thumrait AB, Oman
Mascot(s)	NOVERE ET AGGREDI - "Deploy and Attack"
Commanders
Notable commanders	James Ferguson James E. Hill William T. Hobbins Chuck Horner Chuck Yeager

Air Force security forces from the 405th Air Expeditionary Wing listen to instruction during guard mount at an Operation Enduring Freedom location. A guard mount is conducted to brief security forces troops before a shift change.

555th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron McDonnell Douglas F-15A-8-MC Eagle 73-0092, Luke AFB, Arizona, 1975. Retired to AMARC as FH0003 Jul 8, 1991.

405th Fighter-Bomber Wing Republic F-84F-35-RE Thunderstreak 52-7043, Langley AFB, Virginia, 1955

The 405th Air Expeditionary Wing (405 AEW) is a provisional United States Air Force unit assigned to Air Combat Command. It may be activated or inactivated at any time.

Currently, it is believed that the 405 AEW is stationed at Thumrait AB, Oman. Its current mission and operational components are undetermined, however it appears to be a combat organization flying strategic bombers and support aircraft.

History

For additional history and lineage, see 405th Air Expeditionary Operations Group

Cold War

Tactical Air Command

Established on 1 December 1952 at Godman AFB, Kentucky. The 405th Fighter-Bomber Wing was an active-duty replacement for the Federalized New Jersey Air National Guard 108th Fighter-Bomber Wing which returned to state control after its activation during the Korean War. The wing's 405th Fighter-Bomber Group was a reactivation of the IX Fighter Command 405th Fighter Group, which had fought in the ETO during World War II.

When activated the group redesignated the NJ ANG 141st, 149th and 153d Strategic Fighter Squadrons as the 509th, 510th, and 511th Fighter-Bomber Squadrons in numerical order. Initially equipped with F-47Ds and F-47N Thunderbolts inherited from the Air National Guard, the 405th being the last active duty USAF Thunderbolt fighter Wing.

On 1 May 1953, the F-47s were withdrawn and sent to AMARC, and the 405th was reassigned to Langley AFB, Virginia due to the programmed closing of Godman AFB on 1 September. At Langley, the 405th replaced the provisional 4430th Air Base Wing and was re-equipped with Republic F-84F Thunderstreak jet aircraft. Also attached to the group was the 422d Bombardment Squadron with B-26 Invader light bombers (1 May – 20 December 1953) and the 429th Air Refueling Squadron (19 July 1954 – 8 October 1957) with KB-29 Superfortress tankers. Operations included gunnery and bombardment training, firepower demonstrations, weapons delivery training, and numerous tactical exercises, 1952–1958, plus air refueling, 1954-1958.

Pacific Air Forces

The wing was reassigned to Pacific Air Forces in April 1959, replacing the PACAF 6200th Air Base Wing at Clark AB, Philippines. This was part of a general buildup of USAF tactical forces in the Southwest Pacific, as Clark in the postwar era was largely a maintenance and supply depot, and the signing of a new Status of Forces agreement with the Philippine Government with regards to Clark AB.

Re-designated as the 405th Fighter Wing, the wing provided air defense and offensive fighter operations in the Philippines, Taiwan, and other Far Eastern points, April 1959-June 1962. Operated Clark AB and its satellite facilities, April 1959-March 1965 and December 1971-September 1974.

Provided air defense training for Royal Thai Air Force personnel, from a base in Thailand, November 1961-February 1966. From mid-1962 until the end of the conflict in Southeast Asia, frequently deployed assigned and attached components to bases in Southeast Asia for air defense and combat operations under operational control of other organizations. When not so involved, components trained in air defense and other tactical exercises in Taiwan and the Philippines.

During July-August 1972, provided extensive flood relief to Philippine areas inundated by monsoon rains. During February-March 1973, provided medical, logistical, and administrative support for former prisoners of war, on their way to the United States from North Vietnam. Replaced by 3d Tactical Fighter Wing in September 1974.

Tactical Training Wing

Reactivated in 1979 and equipped with the F-15B/D and F-5E squadrons of the 58th Tactical Training Wing and conducted Replacement Training Unit (RTU) operations. Later added the F-15E RTU mission and closed the F-5 school. Absorbed into the 58th TTW in 1991 and inactivated

Modern era

Reactivated as an Air Expeditionary Wing after the 9/11/2001 attacks as part of USCENTAF. Supporting operations on three fronts of Global War on Terrorism-- the Horn of Africa, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. B-1, KC-135, RJ-135 Aircraft, possibly others.

Lineage

• Established as 405th Fighter-Bomber Wing on 15 October 1952

Activated on 1 December 1952

Inactivated on 1 July 1958

• Redesignated 405th Fighter Wing on 11 March 1959

Activated on 9 April 1959

Inactivated on 16 September 1974

• Redesignated 405th Tactical Training Wing, and activated on 29 August 1979

Inactivated 1 October 1991

• Redesignated 405th Air Expeditionary Wing and converted to provisional status in September 2001

Assignments

• Ninth Air Force, 1 December 1952
• Tactical Air Command, 16 April 1953
• Ninth Air Force, 1 July 1956
• 836th Air Division, 8 October 1957-1 July 1958
• Thirteenth Air Force, 9 April 1959
• 6th Air Division, 1 August 1968
• Thirteenth Air Force, 15 December 1969-16 September 1974
• Twelfth Air Force, 29 August 1979-1 October 1991
• Air Combat Command to activate or inactivate any time after September 2001

Attached to: United States Central Command Air Forces (later United States Air Forces Central)

Components

• 1st Test: 30 April 1970-16 September 1974
• 8th Bombardment (later, 8th Special Operations; 8th Fighter): 18 November 1964-15 January 1968
• 13th Bombardment (later, 13th Fighter): 18 November 1964-15 January 1968
• 20th Operations: 31 December 1971-16 September 1974
• 64th Tactical Fighter: 10 June 1966-15 December 1969
• 90th Tactical Fighter: 15 December 1972-16 September 1974
• 425th Tactical Fighter Training: 29 August 1979-30 September 1991
• 426th Tactical Fighter Training: 1 January 1981-29 November 1990
• 461st Tactical Fighter Training: 29 August 1979-30 September 1991
• 508th Tactical Fighter Squadron: 8 October 1957-1 April 1958
• 509th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron: 8 October 1957-1 July 1958, 9 April 1959-24 July 1970
• 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron: 8 October 1957-1 July 1958, 9 April 1959-16 March 1964
• 511th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron: 8 October 1957-1 July 1958
• 523d Tactical Fighter: 8 October 1957-1 July 1958, 20 November 1965-31 August 1973
• 550th Tactical Fighter Training: 29 August 1979-30 September 1991
• 555th Tactical Fighter Training: 29 August 1979-30 September 1991
• 774th Tactical Airlift: 31 December 1971-15 September 1972
• Note: Numerous Temporary Duty (TDY) Squadrons Attached During Vietnam War.

Stations

• Godman AFB, Kentucky, 1 December 1952
• Langley AFB, Virginia, 16 April 1953-1 July 1958
• Clark AB, Philippines, 9 April 1959-16 September 1974
• Luke AFB, Arizona, 29 August 1979-1 October 1991
• Southwest Asia, 2001-TBD

Aircraft

• F-15E (1979–1991)
• C-9A (1972–1974)
• C-118 (1972)
• C-130 (1972)
• B-57 (1964–1968)

• F-4 (1965; 1967–1974)
• F-102 (1960–1970)
• F-86 (1959–1960)
• F-100 (1959–1967)

References

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

• Endicott, Judy G., USAF Active Flying, Space, and Missile Squadrons as of 1 October 1995. Office of Air Force History
• Ravenstein, Charles A., Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947-1977, Office of Air Force History, 1984