32d Air Expeditionary Group
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32d Air Expeditionary Group
| 32d Air Operations Group | |
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| Active | 1941–1943, 1948-1949, 1957-1962, 1989-2006 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Decorations |  AF Outstanding Unit Award |
The 32d Air Expeditionary Group is a provisional unit of the United States Air Force (USAF). It is assigned to United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) to activate or inactivate at any time.[1] It was last active in December 2006 at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.[1]
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Contents
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Mission
To provide command and control of expeditionary units as directed by the commander, USAFE.
History
Sixth Air Force
The United States Army constituted the 32d Pursuit Group (Fighter) (32 PG) in late 1940. Shortly afterwards, on 1 January 1941, the Air Corps activated the group at Rio Hato Army Air Base, Panama.[2] For the most part, however, the 32 PG consisted only of cadres provided by other units in the Canal Zone.[3] Although located at Rio Hato, as a tactical organization it was located at Albrook Field, where all pursuit organizations in the Canal Zone were concentrated, and its squadrons had only an average of 4 to 6 officers assigned.[3] The group and its three assigned flying squadrons, the 51st, 52d, and 53d Pursuit Squadrons, had the mission of protecting the Panama Canal using obsolete Boeing P-26 Peashooters. On 9 December 1941, just after Pearl Harbor, the newly redesignated Caribbean Air Force moved the 32d Pursuit Group to France Field in the Panama Canal Zone.[2] The Air Corps equipped the 32d Pursuit Group with Curtiss P-36 Hawks to strengthen the defenses of the canal region.
On 15 May 1942, the US Army Air Forces redesignated the unit as the 32d Fighter Group (Twin Engine)[2] (32 FG) and provided it P-38 Lightnings. However, the group swapped these fighters for P-40 Warhawks to defend the Panama Canal Zone, subsequently being redesignated as the 32d Fighter Group (Single Engine) on 28 September 1942. During 1941 to 1943, the group trained in flying intercept and fighter sweeps over the area surrounding the Canal Zone. However, as the perceived threat to the Canal Zone diminished, the US Army Air Force disbanded the 32d Fighter Group at France Field on 1 November 1943.
Far East Air Forces
In August 1948, the USAF established the 32d Composite Wing, which was activated the same month at Kadena Field, Okinawa as part of the implementation of the Wing/Base reorganization (Hobson Plan) of the USAF replacing the 316th Bombardment Wing and various support elements.[4][5] In October, the wing also replaced the 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Wing,[4] which had become a paper unit attached to the wing[6] The wing had no operational group, but the 5th Reconnaissance Group's 23d Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Long Range, Photographic) and the 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group's 31st Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Long Range, Photographic) were attached directly to the wing for operations.[4][7] The wing mission was to provide the Thirteenth Air Force with photographic reconnaissance and search and rescue support.[4] The wing, along with its 23d and 31st Reconnaissance Squadrons, used B/FB-17 Flying Fortresses, RB-29 Superfortresses, and C-46 Commandos to accomplish this mission until the Air Force inactivated the wing in 1949[4] and replaced it as the host wing at Kadena with the 6332d Station Wing[8]
Air Defense Command
At the end of 1956, USAF reconstituted and redesignated the unit as the 32d Fighter Group (Air Defense), subsequently activating it at Minot AFB, ND as part of Air Defense Command (ADC) on 8 February 1957.[2] The group assumed USAF host responsibilities for the base and was assigned a medical unit[9] and three support squadrons to perform these duties.[10][11][12] On 1 April 1959, the 32d FG was reassigned from the 29th Air Division to the Minot Air Defense Sector, which was activated at Minot.[1] In November, the 433d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (FIS) moved to Minot from Ladd AFB, AK,[13] but the squadron was a paper unit, without aircraft or personnel.[14] It was not until 1960 that the first truly operational unit, the 5th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron moved to Minot, was assigned to the Group,[15] and began to train to become operational with F-106 Delta Darts.[15][16] By 1960 the first elements of Strategic Air Command (SAC)'s 4136th Strategic Wing (4136 SW) had activated at Minot.[17] The group managed the rapid expansion of facilities to support ADC and SAC at Minot[18] By 1961, however, Minot had become a larger facility than could be managed by a group, so the 32 FG was inactivated on 1 February 1961, replaced by the 32d Fighter Wing,[2] and its support components either inactivated[12] or reassigned[9][10][11] to the wing.
By 1961, the first B-52 Stratofortresses of the 4136 SW's 525th Bombardment Squadron[17] were arriving at Minot, and the expansion of the base required a full wing to operate it. As a result, USAF organized the wing, now redesignated the 32d Fighter Wing (Air Defense) at Minot in 1961 to replace the inactivating group.[4] The 5th FIS and some of the 32d FG support organizations were reassigned to the wing or its newly activated 32d Air Base Group.[4] By 1962, it was apparent that the primary mission of Minot was to Support SAC and USAF transferred the base to SAC[19] and discontinued the wing and its support elements,[4][17] while the 5th FIS was reassigned to Minot Air Defense Sector.[15]
Tactical Air Command
In April 1964, the Air Force activated the wing as the 32d Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) at George AFB, California, to be equipped with McDonnell-Douglas F-4C Phantom IIs.[4] The wing had four assigned tactical fighter squadrons, the 782nd, 783d, 784th, and 785th.[4][20] But, before it had become fully equipped and trained with the new fighters, the Air Force replaced the wing with the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, which returned to the US from Japan in July.[20][21] In anticipation of this replacement, three fighter-interceptor squadrons, the 68th, 431st, and 497th, were transferred to the 32 TFW shortly before its inactivation.[4] These squadrons were redesignated as tactical fighter squadrons and transferred to the 8th TFW when the 32 TFW was inactivated, while its original three squadrons inactivated with the wing.[20]
United States Air Forces in Europe
In 1989, the Netherlands government allowed the US Air Force squadron at Soesterberg Air Base[22] to be expanded to group status. Thus, on 16 November 1989, USAFE activated the recently redesignated 32d Tactical Fighter Group at Soesterberg. The group assumed command of the 32d Tactical Fighter Squadron, along with eight support squadrons, a medical clinic, and an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) flight.[23][24] After Senate ratification of the Intemediate Nuclear Forces Recuction Treaty, the group supported the Soviet verification team inspecting the recuctions at nearby Woensdrecht AB.[23] In 1990, the group supported Desert Storm both at its home base and at deployed locations.[25] Following the war, the group deployed personnel and eauipment to Incirlik AB, Turkey to support operations Proven Force and Provide Comfort, to support humanitarian efforts for refugees.</ref>Abstract, History of 32d Tac Fighter Group, Jan-Jun 1991 (accessed 13 Apr 2012)</ref>
In 1992, the group was reorganized as the 32d Fighter Group, losing two squadrons and the EOD flight, while most of its support squadrons were reduced to flights. With the end of the Cold War a major force draw-down occurred in Europe and USAF reduced its fighter force structure. As a result in July 1994, the 32d Tactical Fighter Group Moved to Ramstein AB and assumed a new mission.[1] It was replaced as USAF host unit at Soesterberg by the 632d Air Base Squadron[26]
Upon arrival at Ramstein USAF redesignarted the unit as the 32d Air Operations Group,[1] as part of the USAFE Theater Air and Space Operations Center, Kapaun Air Station, Germany.[1] The USAFE Theater Air and Space-operations Center is an operational echelon which functions to consolidate operational command and control of joint space forces, similar to the functioning of a traditional Air Operations Center, but is classed, by AF doctrine, as a "Functional AOC." The USAFE TASOC, supplies the Joint Functional Component Command for Space operations expertise to create space situational awareness and command and control space forces. All of these efforts are in continuous around-the-clock support of global and theater operations. It was last assigned to the USAFE Theater Air and Space-operations Center, Kapaun Air Station, Germany. It was inactivated on 1 December 2006 and replaced by the Third Air Force 603rd Air Operation Center.
Lineage
- Constituted as the 32d Pursuit Group (Fighter) on 22 November 1940
- Activated on 1 January 1941
- Redesignated as 32d Fighter Group (Twin Engine) on 15 May 1942
- Redesignated as 32d Fighter Group (Single Engine) on 28 September 1942
- Disbanded on 1 November 1943.
- Reconstituted and redesignated as 32d Fighter Group (Air Defense) on 11 December 1956
- Activated on 8 February 1957
- Discontinued and inactivated on 1 February 1961
- Consolidated with 32d Tactical Fighter Wing on 31 January 1984 as 32d Tactical Fighter Wing
- Constituted as the 32d Composite Wing on 10 August 1948
- Activated on 24 August 1948
- Inactivated on 1 April 1949
- Redesignated as 32d Fighter-Bomber Wing on 23 Mar 1953
- Redesignated as 32d Fighter Wing (Air Defense) and activated on 28 December 1960
- Organized on 1 February 1961
- Discontinued and inactivated on 1 July 1962
- Organized on 1 April 1964 prior to activation
- Redesignated as 32d Tactical Fighter Wing and activated on 6 April 1964
- Inactivated on 25 July 1964
- Consolidated with 32d Fighter Group (Air Defense) on 31 January 1984
Consolidated Unit[1]
- Redesignated: 32d Tactical Fighter Group on 1 November 1989
- Activated on 16 November 1989
- Redesignated 32d Fighter Group on 30 November 1991
- Redesignated as 32d Air Operations Group on 1 July 1994
- Redesignated as 32d Air and Space Operations Center on 1 November 2005
- Inactivated on 1 December 2006
- Redesignated as 32d Air Expeditionary Group and converted to provisional status on 8 March 2011
Assignments
- 12th Pursuit Wing 1 January 1941
- 26th Interceptor Command (later XXVI Interceptor Command, XXVI Fighter Command, 18 September 1942 – 1 November 1943
- 29th Air Division, 8 February 1957
- Minot Air Defense Sector 1 August 1960 – 1 February 1961
- 1st Air Division, 24 August 1948
- Thirteenth Air Force, 1 December 1948 - 1 April 1949
- Minot Air Defense Sector, 1 February 1961 – 1 July 1962
- 831st Air Division, 1 April 1964 – 23 July 1964
- Consolidated Unit[1]
- Seventeenth Air Force, 16 November 1989
- United States Air Forces in Europe, 1 July 1994
- USAFE Aerospace Operations Support Center (later USAFE Air & Space Operations Center) 1 October 2001
- Sixteenth Air Force, 1 November 2005 - 1 December 2006
- United States Air Forces in Europe to activate or inactivate at any time, 8 March 2011
Stations
- Rio Hato AAB, Panama, 1 January 1941
- France Field, Canal Zone, 9 December 1941 – 1 November 1943
- Minot AFB, ND, 8 February 1957 – 1 February 1961
- Kadena AB, Okinawa, 24 August 1948 – 1 April 1949
- Minot AFB, ND, 1 February 1961 - 1 July 1962
- George AFB, CA, 1 April – 23 July 1964
- Consolidated Unit[1]
- Soesterberg Air Base, Netherlands, 16 November 1989
- Ramstein Air Base, Germany, 1 July 1994 – 1 December 2006
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Aircraft
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Awards
- Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
- 1 July 1990 - 30 June 1991
- 30 September 1992 - 29 September 1994
- 1 June 1994 - 1 June 1996
- 1 September 1997 - 31 August 1999
- 1 October 1998 - 30 June 2000
- 30 June 2000 - 31 May 2002
- 1 June 2002 - 30 November 2003
- 1 January 2006 - 30 June 2006
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Factsheet, 32d Air Expeditionary Group (accessed 8 Apr 2012)
- ^ a b c d e f g h Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 85-86
- ^ a b Williams, p. 127
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Ravenstein, pp. 57-58
- ^ Abstract, History of 32d Comp Wing CY 1948 (accessed 12 Apr 2012)
- ^ Ravenstein, p. 111
- ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 122, 152
- ^ Abstract, History of 6322d Air Base Wing, Jan-Jul 1953 (accessed 12 Apr 2012)
- ^ a b Mueller, p. 421 (32d USAF Dispensary (later 32d USAF Hospital)
- ^ a b Mueller, p. 421 (32d Air Base Squadron)
- ^ a b Cornett & Johnson, p.136 (32d Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron)
- ^ a b Cornett & Johnson, p. 145 (32 Materiel Squadron)
- ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 535
- ^ Cornett & Johnson, p. 128
- ^ a b c Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 34
- ^ Cornett & Johnson, p.113
- ^ a b c Mueller, p.421
- ^ Mueller, p. 420 (construction of Semi Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) facilities, Capehart housing)
- ^ Mueller, p. 420
- ^ a b c Mueller, p. 192
- ^ Ravenstein, p. 21
- ^ The American portion of this Dutch base was called Camp New Amsterdam. Fletcher, p. 19
- ^ a b Abstract, History of 32d Tac Fighter Group Jul-Dec 1989 (accessed 13 Apr 2012)
- ^ Several of the support units had been assigned to the group while it was the USAF host at Minot AFB
- ^ Abstract, Contingency Historical Reports, 32d Tac Fighter Group Aug-Sep 1990 (accessed 13 Apr 2012)
- ^ Abstract, History of 32d Fighter Group Jan-Sep 1994 (accessed 13 Apr 2012)
- ^ Abstract, Historical Report of USAFE CY 1994 (accessed 13 Apr 2012)
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.
- Cornett, Lloyd H; Johnson, Mildred W (1980). A Handbook of Aerospace Defense Organization, 1946 - 1980. Peterson AFB, CO: Office of History, Aerospace Defense Center. http://www.usafpatches.com/pubs/handbookofadcorg.pdf.
- Fletcher, Harry R (1993). Air Force Bases , Vol. II, Air Bases Outside the United States of America. Washington, DC: Center for Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-53-6. http://www.afhso.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-100525-060.pdf.
- Hagedorn, Dan (1995). Alae Supra Canalem: Wings Over the Canal. New York, NY: Turner Publishing Co. ISBN 978-1563111532.
- Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-02-1. http://www.airforcehistory.hq.af.mil/Publications/fulltext/af_combat_units_wwii.pdf.
- Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. http://www.airforcehistory.hq.af.mil/Publications/fulltext/combat_sq_of_the_af_wwii.pdf.
- Mueller, Robert (1989). Air Force Bases, Vol. I, Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-53-6. http://www.afhso.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-100921-026.pdf.
- Ravenstein, Charles A.. Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947-1977. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-12-9. http://www.airforcehistory.hq.af.mil/Publications/fulltext/combat_wings.pdf.
- Williams, E. Kathleeen, (1945) Air Defense of the Panama Canal, 1 January 1939 to 7 December 1941, USAF Historical Study No 42
- USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers—1908 to present
- ArmyAirForces.com
- Air Force Historical Research Agency
External links
- Factsheet, 5th Flying Training Squadron (accessed 11 Apr 2012)
- Factsheet, 23d Bomb Squadron (accessed 11 Apr 2012)
- Slobberin Wolfhounds
- Factsheet, 53d Fighter Squadron (accessed 11 Apr 2012)
- Factsheet, 68th Fighter Squadron (accessed 11 Apr 2012)
- Factsheet, 433d Weapons Squadron (accessed 11 Apr 2012)
- Factsheet, 497th Combat Training Flight (accessed 11 Apr 2012)
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