Brig. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations. He served as F-22 project officer at Langley Air Force Base, Va., from 1993 to 1995. Brig. Sgt. The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft. Its mission was to execute aerospace operations through expeditionary force command and control in support of the U.S. European Command and NATO. Gen. Robert Yates, was stationed at Homestead Air Force Base, Fla., from 1986 to 1989 while it was home to the 31st. On 1 July 1957, the 16 AF was transferred to Strategic Air Command (SAC). Bailey will command the only permanently assigned Air Force fighter aircraft wing in NATOs southern region. The 31st Fighter Wing continued deploying forces in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Force, with more than one-third of the wing deploying to support operations each year from 2003 to 2007. Marcus Dunham, 31st Communications Squadron. July 2018 June 2019, Student, National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes), The lead F-16 at Aviano Air Base, Italy, now bears the name of the new commander of the 31st Fighter Wing, Brig. The 16th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force, consisting of the 16th and 31st Air Expeditionary Wings, activated in support of Operation Joint Guardian, and its air component, Operation Deliberate Guard, engaging air power for peace enforcement operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Simultaneously, the 555th deployed personnel and aircraft to Decimomannu Air Base, Sardinia while the runway at Aviano closed for repairs. He said he’s also proud of the wing’s battle against drinking and driving, citing a decline in incidents of driving under the influence from 22 at the same point last year to eight this year. 2010 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 606 likes, 5 comments - Aviano Air Base (@avianoairbase) on Instagram: "FAMILY | Aviano Air Base hosted a tour for the local Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JRO . As a result of this agreement, the United States Central Command announced in August that six Fighting Falcons of the 31st had deployed to Incirlik Air Base to begin operations against the Islamic State.[35]. During one of their first missions over Ploesti, Romania on 21 April 1944, the group earned their first Distinguished Unit Citation for covering the raids despite severe weather and as many as 50 enemy fighters defending the area. First Lieutenant October 3, 2003 [5] The Command Chief Master Sergeant is Chief Master Sergeant Jeremy L. 10. Aviano served as the launch point for insertion of airborne forces opening a second front in northern Iraq. Bailey is a 1995 Air Force Academy graduate who has also served overseas as the flight lead and flight commander of the 80th Fighter Squadron, Kunsan Air Base, South Korea; commander of the 455th Expeditionary Operations Group at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan; and commander of the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. Approximately 13,200 airmen, in addition to 32,000 airmen through Europe, deployed in support of the 78-day air campaign that led to Serbian withdrawal of forces from the province of Kosovo. And the highest possible nuclear inspection rating in 2015, according to the citation for an award he was issued. A year later, a massive search and rescue operation took place to extract USAF captain Scott O'Grady[30] of the 555th FS from behind enemy lines. Kent has filled numerous roles at Stars and Stripes including: copy editor, news editor, desk editor, reporter/photographer, web editor and overseas sports editor. The 31st Fighter Wing (31 FW) is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the United States Air Forces in Europe major command and the Third Air Force. June 2019 May 2021, Chief, Force Application Division, Joint Staff, J8, Pentagon, Washington, D.C., as a colonel, FLIGHT INFORMATION According to Dunham, they can be doing anything from fixing email issues to things as complex as. Supporting this mission, 16 AF planned and executed combat air operations in southern Europe and portions of the Middle East and northern Africa as an air component or joint task force headquarters. Since then, the wing has been stationed at George Air Force Base, California and Homestead Air Force Base, Florida, until finally coming to Aviano Air Base, Italy in April 1994. The 31st Fighter Wing is made up of four groups, each consisting of several squadrons. At the same time, the wing switched from flying North American F-100 Super Sabres to McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom IIs.[24]. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes), Brig. In the fall of 1995, 16 AF supported Operation Deliberate Force, the U.N.-sanctioned/NATO executed attacks on Bosnian-Serb forces. 724th Air Mobility Squadron. The Aviano First 31 PCS & Welcome Guide is a project of the 31st Community Action Board and is maintained by the Aviano Public Affairs office. They received their second Distinguished Unit Citation in July 1944 following a mission to escort P-38s on a raid from Ukraine into Romania and Poland. With approximately 4,200 active duty military members, nearly 300 U.S. civilians and 700 Italian civilian employees, the wing conducts and supports air combat operations, and maintains munitions for NATO. France is a command pilot with more than 2,900 hours in the F-15 Eagle, F-22 Raptor and F-16 Fighting Falcon. The 31st remained active through the end of the war, not only flying bomber escort, but also photo reconnaissance and troop carrier escort and took part in Operation Dragoon, the invasion of Southern France. AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy — Brig. The 401st Tactical Fighter Wing, with three squadrons of F-100D Super Sabres, moved from the United States to Torrejon Air Base, Spain. Brig. Gen. Tad Clark, 31st Fighter Wing commander, receive a mission brief at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Nov. 21, 2022. In 1995, 1h AF supported Operation Joint Endeavor, the NATO peacekeeping mission to the former Yugoslavia, through operations in Croatia, Hungary and Bosnia-Herzegovina. France and other Third Air Force leadership toured the 56th RQS and learned about the squadrons mission sets and capabilities. The 57th RQS provides personnel recovery, combat search and rescue, civil search and rescue and casualty evacuation subject matter experts to fulfill USEUCOM, USAFRICOM and NATO security cooperation requirements. 9. He has more than 10 years of experience as an Army photojournalist and has served as a photojournalism instructor at the Defense Information School. The 31st FW is the only U.S. fighter wing south of the Alps. 55 talking about this. In one of them, pilots and aircraft from the wing set a record at Balad Air Base by flying 667 sorties in less than a month. The Military Personnel Flight (MPF) provides support to the 31st Fighter Wing Aviano Air Base Mission, Airmen and their families. The wing earned two Outstanding Unit Awards, one with a combat "V" device, a Presidential Unit Citation, two Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Crosses with Palm and ten campaign streamers for action in Vietnam. The Agents An interesting twist to the Aviano program is that there can be four agents who actually contract the work to be done in the program. The wing sent the 308th Tactical Fighter Squadron to replace them in December on a permanent change of station. On 15 October 1970, the wing returned to Homestead without people or equipment as part of the United States force reduction in Vietnam. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brooke Moeder), U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. The Sixteenth Air Force (Air Forces Cyber) (16 AF) is a United States Air Force (USAF) organization responsible for information warfare, which encompasses intelligence gathering and analysis, surveillance, reconnaissance, cyber warfare and electronic warfare operations. He has had two previous overseas tours: as a pilot at Hahn Air Base in Germany from 1983 to 1986 and as deputy operations group commander at Kunsan Air Base in South Korea from 1999 to 2000. The organization was the first newly established Numbered Air Force (NAF) by the USAF after World War II. The clinic houses rehabilitation equipment, such as gait retraining software, anti-gravity treadmills for rehab, recovery modalities and a float pod for sensory deprivation. In peacetime, the 31st FW prepares for its combat role by maintaining aircraft and personnel in a high state of readiness. Col. Timothy P. Maxwell is the Commander of the 31st Mission Support Group, Aviano Air Base, Italy. AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy - The 510th Fighter Squadron "Buzzards" trained alongside the Romanian air force's MiG-21s at Campia Turzii, Romania, March 28-31.This was the last opportunity for the 510th FS to fly with the MiG-21s before they are retired in mid-May.The squadron and Romanian air force flew 16 hours ago 57th RQS jump training (U.S. Air Force). 2019 Master of Science, National Security Strategy, National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C. [17] From August through mid-October 1942 the group flew patrols and participated in operations over German controlled France including the Dieppe Raid on 19 Aug.. That day, 2nd Lt. Samuel Junkins became the first American operating in an American combat unit to shoot down a German aircraft operating over the British Isles.[18]. Like driving the Batmobile into the future: Air Force uses JLTV in mission for 1st time, Trailblazer: First Marine general to lead Defense Intelligence Agency dies at 64, China denounces US Navy reconnaissance planes trip through Taiwan Strait, Reports of sexual assaults increased in Navy, Air Force and Marines in 2022; Army saw decline, New bill aims to expand mental health care for military families, K-Town Now features the latest news from the Kaiserslautern Military Community. [21], The wing pioneered the development of in flight refueling tactics. The mission of the 31st Fighter Wing, is to deter through safe, secure, and effective operations. During his visit France flew in an HH-60G and toured different facilities across Aviano AB, learning about each mission set. During his visit, France toured the 56th and 57th Rescue Squadrons, the 31st SFS CATM facility, 606th Air Control Squadron, the Comprehensive Operational Medicine for Battle Ready Airmen clinic, and more. Italian and American airmen attend a 31st Fighter Wing change-of-command ceremony Friday, June 10, 2016, at a hangar on Aviano Air Base, Italy. Col. Vincent J. OConnor is the Vice Commander, 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy. This marked the first aerial victory for the wing in Vietnam and the first for the wing since the end of World War II. The 16th AETF was inactivated in April 2008. He has flown over 750 combat hours in support of Operation FREEDOMS SENTINEL and NATOs RESOLUTE SUPPORT mission. Sixteenth Air Force aircraft participated in the raid on the Bosnian-Serb held airfield at Udbina in November 1994. The wing assisted in the evacuation of nearly 6,500 pro-U.S. Kurds from northern Iraq. Number one in the Mediterranean theater of operations in terms of aerial victories, the group was involved in 15 WWII campaigns and earned two Distinguished Unit Citations. [7], The 31st Maintenance Group provides peacetime and combat maintenance and munitions control, and executive support for the 31st Fighter Wing, geographically separated units under the command and control of the wing, and units gained during advanced stages of readiness. He had held all the "right" jobs and knew success in his upcoming touras Aviano's 31st Fighter Wing (31 FW) Commander would provide a great shot for promotionto Brigadier General. Gen. Daniel T. Lasica, who will assume command of the 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force-Afghanistan, as well as concurrent leadership roles with NATO and Air Forces Central Command. This successful flight culminated in the 40th Air Division of the Strategic Air Command receiving the Mackay Trophy[23] in 1953. He was born in Guatemala and raised in Rhode Island. Gen. Tad Clark, 31st Fighter Wing commander, right, and Third Air Force leadership, left, on 606th ACS equipment and capabilities at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Nov. 22, 2022. They distinguished the unit by destroying seven enemy fighters attacking allied shipping during the invasion of Sicily and six more attacking the invasion force on the beaches of Salerno. 2:48. AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy Brig. Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters Win the current fight and be ready to win the next fight. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes). In June 1942, the 31st Pursuit Group was transferred to England without planes and began training in British Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vbs at Achem and High Ercall air bases. [3] Its main operating bases in Spain were used for SAC B-47 Stratojet rotational alert aircraft until April 1965. An example of an internal plan is the 31 FW PLAN 1002- 15, Operations Security Plan. In 1968 they helped defend installations against enemy forces during the Tet Offensive and the siege of Khe Sanh and were later singled out for their outstanding contribution during the extraction of friendly forces from Kham Duc. On 15 October 1972, Captains James L. Hendrickson and Gary M. Rubus[27] of the 307th Tactical Fighter Squadron[28] shot down a MiG-21 northeast of Hanoi. The 16 AF also operated SAC bases in Morocco from 1958 through 1963. U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Derek France, Third Air Force commander, and other 3rd AF leadership had the opportunity to fly in an HH-60G and became familiar with the 56th RQS mission. From August to December 2002, the 510th Fighter Squadron and 603rd Air Control Squadron returned to Southwest Asia. On 6 July 1952 the wing executed Operation Fox Peter One, the mass movement of the entire wing from Turner Field to Misawa Air Base, Japan using aerial refueling to fly non-stop from Turner to Travis Air Force Base, California, and from Travis to Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. Landrum becomes the 15th commander of the wing at Aviano and 44th since U.S. forces first came to the base in 1955. Unterseher.[6]. Born in California, hes a 1988 graduate of Humboldt State University and has been a journalist for 40 years. The 31st Fighter Group became the combat component of the new wing. The wing also supports numerous other geographically separated units. AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- Brig. Peacekeeping operations continued in the Balkans through the end of 2004, when the European Union assumed responsibility for the region. Sixteenth Air Force (16 AF)'s original ancestor was the Joint United States Military Group, Air Administration (Spain), which was established on 20 May 1954. Defense Superior Service Medal Gen. Craig Franklin is a newcomer to northern Italy, but he was a member of the 31st Fighter Wing long before the hundreds of airmen who stood in formation Friday. To avoid losing the wing's heritage and history as the highest scoring Army Air Force unit in the Mediterranean Theater in WWII, the impressive combat record in Vietnam and number of significant firsts they produced in the early years of the Air Force, the 31st was chosen to move rather than fade into obscurity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Thomas, An official website of the United States government, Italys Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team fly the skies of Aviano, Wyvern Warrior of the Week: Staff Sgt. It is stationed at Aviano Air Base, Italy, a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) base run by the Italian Air Force. Gen. Lance K. Landrum took command from Maj. Gen. Barre R. Seguin. Walking With Wyverns. Gen. Jason E. Bailey is scheduled to take . February 2004 January 2005, student, F-16 pilot training, Springfield-Beckly Air National Guard Base, Ohio Following the war, the 31st Fighter Group, as it was now called, activated at Giebelstadt Army Airfield, Germany as part of the US occupation forces, on 20 August 1946, where they flew Lockheed P-80 Shooting Stars, the first operational American jet fighter aircraft. Landrum, who took command Friday from Maj. Gen. Barre R. Seguin in a ceremony officiated by Lt. Gen. Timothy R. Ray, showed off a bit of his language skills by delivering about a third of his speech in Italian. [17], One of the highlights of the group's time in North Africa was the selection of the 308th Fighter Squadron to provide combat air patrols for the arrival of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill at the Casablanca conference in Morocco. Air Combat Command consolidated into and inactivated Twenty-Fourth Air Force and Twenty-Fifth Air Force capabilities into a new organization under a single commander, who will be responsible for providing information warfare capabilities to combatant commanders with the speed to match today's technological environment. Gen. Jason E. Bailey is scheduled to take . The flight also led to the wing receiving the Tactical Air Command Outstanding Fighter Wing Award for 1964 for the second consecutive year.[17]. The 31st FW also hosts the 56th Rescue Squadron providing a rapidly-deployable, worldwide combat rescue and reaction force response utilizing HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters. The 31st Tactical Fighter Training Wing won the 1982 Daedalian Maintenance Trophy Award for the best maintenance complex in the United States Air Force. As a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he . Their missions consisted mainly of sweeps over allied positions and escorting bombers attacking German positions. From 24 March to 10 June 1999, the 31st AEW, the largest expeditionary wing in Air Force history flew nearly 9,000 combat sorties and accumulated almost 40,000hours of combat service over the skies of Kosovo, Serbia and the rest of the Balkans in support of NATO operations. The group prepares fighter pilots, controllers, and support personnel to execute US and North Atlantic Treaty Organization war plans and contingency operations. 5. It is stationed at Aviano Air Base, Italy, a NATO base run by the Italian air force. Training became the wing's primary mission until 1985 when the wing received its next aircraft, the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, and resumed an air defense and air interdiction mission. It worked around the clock to launch 2,250 flying operations out of Aviano. This weeks Wyvern Warrior of the Week is U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. With approximately 4,200 active duty military members, nearly 300 U.S. civilians and 700 Italian civilian employees, the wing conducts and supports air combat operations, and maintains munitions for NATO. 4. The following April, the 307th squadron moved to Torrejon Air Base, Spain and in November 1966, the wing received orders to deploy to Tuy Hoa Air Base, Republic of Vietnam. The wing celebrates the heritage of its predecessor by flying its honors on the wing flag. The wing commander and the group commanders form a part of the management process, but it is more in the reviewing role than in day-to-day hands-on management. Gen. Tad Clark, 31st Fighter Wing commander, right, and Third Air Force leadership, left, on 606th ACS equipment and capabilities at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Nov. 22, 2022. 1. Additionally, the 57th RQS provides personnel recovery, combat search and rescue, civil search and rescue and casualty evacuation subject matter experts. 10-401 . Bailey will command the only permanently assigned Air Force fighter aircraft wing in NATOs southern region. June 2019 May 2021, Chief, Force Application Division, Joint Staff, J8, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. (U.S. Air Force). Gen. Lance K. Landrum took command from Maj. Gen. Barre R. Seguin. Based at Aviano Air Base, Italy, hes been TDY to countries such as Afghanistan Iraq, Kosovo and Bosnia. Col. Kevin Crofton is the the Commander, 31st Operations Group, 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy. Colonel June 1, 2019, An official website of the United States government, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. It supported approximately 11,000 Air Force and civilian members at two main operating bases, four support bases and other sites in Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Croatia, Kosovo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Hungary, Macedonia, Greece, Turkey and Israel; and conducted peacetime engagement throughout the region. 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs. . Aviano is seeing a reduction from its force of about 4,500 active-duty personnel as the Air Force looks to trim its ranks around the globe to free up money for new aircraft. As the operation came to an end on 31 March, so began Operation Unified Protector, with NATO taking the lead until the operation's conclusion 31 Oct of that year. The 56th RQS provides a rapidly-deployable, worldwide combat rescue and reaction force response utilizing HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters. The vision is to be ready and adaptive warriors, committed to Allies and Partners, who are devoted to our community and one another. On 24 August 1992 Hurricane Andrew swept across southern Florida, leaving extensive damage in its wake. Gen. Jason E. Bailey is scheduled to take command of Avianos 31st Fighter Wing during a virtual ceremony Friday, wing officials said. [19], As the Allied forces looked to Europe, the 31st once again rose to the challenge as they were the first US Army Air Forces unit in combat in Malta and Sicily and the first to land in Italy. That next assignment included participating in the invasion force that landed in North Africa on 8 November 1942, becoming the first American Air Force unit to see combat in theater. All Rights Reserved. With approximately 4,200 Active Duty military members, nearly 300 U.S. civilians and 700 Italian civilian employees, the wing conducts and supports air combat operations and maintains munitions for NATO. In 1950 the wing transferred from Tactical Air Command to Strategic Air Command and was redesignated as the 31st Fighter-Escort Wing. 31st Fighter Wing commander . This includes the operation of six Aviano-based squadrons: the Civil Engineer Squadron, Colonel Jason M. Mitchell is the Commander, 31st Maintenance Group, Aviano Air Base, Italy. Air Force), Brig. It later became a provisional Air Expeditionary Task Force under USAFE as part of the Global War on Terrorism. Brig. The wing accomplished much during Operation Allied Force as the two permanently assigned flying squadrons, the 510th and 555th, flew more than 2,400 combined sorties and more than 10,000 combat hours.[32]. Gen. Daniel T. Lasica, outgoing commander of the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Gen. Craig Franklin, 31st Fighter Wing commander, hosted an induction ceremony for 12 Italian community leaders into the Honorary Squadron Commander Program at the La Bella Vista Club here May 8. Gen. Tad D. Clark is the Commander, 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy. ( Chad Trujillo/U.S. As part of the most extensive restructuring since the Air Force became a separate service, Tactical Air Command was inactivated and Air Combat Command was activated and the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing was redesignated to its current name, the 31st Fighter Wing.[4]. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brooke Moeder), An HH-60G Pave Hawk assigned to the 56th Rescue Squadron flies over Aviano Air Base, Italy, Nov. 21, 2022. The 6,600-mile trip required eight in-flight refuelings and set a new record for the longest mass flight of jet aircraft to cross the Atlantic. Brig. Both use the tail code "AV" for AViano. The group sailed to home on 13 August 1945, one of the last units to depart Europe. Gen. Daniel T. Lasica, who will assume command of the 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force-Afghanistan, as well as concurrent leadership roles with NATO and Air Forces Central Command. Third Air Force exercises delegated authorities over assigned forces that include personnel management, General Courts Martial Convening Authority, and advising subordinate commands on requirements, programs and budget. The two squadrons supported Operation Enduring Freedom. Best nuclear assurance inspection grade in years, Ray said. Based at Aviano Air Base, Italy, hes been TDY to countries such as Afghanistan Iraq, Kosovo and Bosnia. In June 1972, Captains John Cerak and David B. Dingee of the 308th Tactical Fighter Squadron were shot down and captured by North Vietnamese forces and were confirmed as prisoners of war. . They also relocated their entire operation from Baghdad International Airport to Balad Air Base. In 1961, General David Wade was dispatched to Torrejn, where he took command of SAC's 16th Air Expeditionary Task Force. The 31st FW maintains two F-16 fighter squadrons, the 555th Fighter Squadron and the 510th Fighter Squadron, capable of conducting offensive and defensive air combat operations. In June 1965, the wing deployed the 307th Tactical Fighter Squadron to Bien Hoa Air Base, Republic of Vietnam. Up Next. All Rights Reserved. [4] The 31st Fighter Wing has acted as a key player in several significant engagements and operations during its long history, including several operations in Vietnam, the Balkans and Operation Odyssey Dawn.
