aviano wing commander

On 15 March 1959, the wing moved without people or equipment to George Air Force Base, California During the wing's time in California, it deployed units for four-month alert rotations to Moron Air Base, Spain and Aviano Air Base, Italy. 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. He got a short round of applause for it and a bit of envy from Seguin, whos leaving for a post with U.S. Africa Command in Stuttgart, Germany, after two years in Italy on his second tour at Aviano. Unit 6165 Box 215 . 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. The years 1996 through 1998 saw continued high operations in 16 AF. Lasica, who arrived at Aviano in June 2018, will now be responsible for the integration of air and space power in support of NATOs Resolute Support mission. [17] They flew from Gibraltar to Tafaraoui Airfield, Algeria, where they scored their first victories in the campaign shooting down three French fighters that were strafing the airfield just as the 31st arrived. AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy Brig. 55 talking about this. The 31st Fighter Wing leadership participated in the ceremony, AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy The 510th Fighter Squadron Buzzards trained alongside the Romanian air forces 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. Katelyn Ramsey, 57th Rescue Squadron aviation resource management NCOIC, middle, and U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Francis Hallada, 57th Rescue Squadron commander, right, brief Third Air Force leadership at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Nov. 22, 2022. EDUCATION [21], The wing pioneered the development of in flight refueling tactics. Second Lieutenant October 3, 2001 In June 1965, the wing deployed the 307th Tactical Fighter Squadron to Bien Hoa Air Base, Republic of Vietnam. [25][26] On 27 June 1972, Lt Col Farrell J. Sullivan and Captain Richard L. Francis of the 523d Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 405th Fighter Wing were shot down over Hanoi while flying an F-4E assigned to the 308th squadron while the 308th was on temporary duty at Udorn. He received his promotion to lieutenant general on 1 August 1963 and left Torrejn to assume command of SAC's Second Air Force with headquarters then at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, Louisiana. They included Nouasseur Air Base, Ben Guerir Air Base, and Rabat-Sale. On 1 July 1957, the 16 AF was transferred to Strategic Air Command (SAC). 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. Gen. Craig Franklin, right, takes the 31st Fighter Wing from Lt. Gen. Robert Bishop, the 3rd Air Force commander, during a change of command ceremony Friday at Aviano Air Base, Italy. “But today’s not about looking back,” he said. An example of an internal plan is the 31 FW PLAN 1002- 15, Operations Security Plan. Born in California, hes a 1988 graduate of Humboldt State University and has been a journalist for 40 years. August 2002 September 2003, student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Sheppard AFB, Texas Gen. Lance Landrum, whose next assignment. 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. On 11 October 2019, Sixteenth Air Force (16 AF) was reactivated as the new Information Warfare (IW) Numbered Air Force (NAF), following the merger of the Twenty-Fourth and Twenty-Fifth Air Forces. 2010 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters Norman covers the U.S. military in Northern Italy and sometimes elsewhere for Stars and Stripes. France is a command pilot with more than 2,900 hours in the F-15 Eagle, F-22 Raptor and F-16 Fighting Falcon. [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]. Lasica, who arrived at Aviano in June 2018, will now be responsible for the integration of air and space power in support of NATOs Resolute Support mission. Now hell be leading that team, and itll be a tough act to follow, according to Ray. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes), Rows of American airmen view a 31st Fighter Wing change-of-command ceremony Friday, June 10, 2016 at Aviano Air Base, Italy. 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. The 31st Fighter Wing was the first F-16 Falcon unit to fly combat missions utilizing night vision goggles, and wing aircraft provided close air support during Pope John Paul II's historic visit to Sarajevo. July 2018 June 2019, Student, National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C. 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. United States Naval War College, 1993 L101RB: ADP 6-22, Army Leadership, US Department of the Army. The wing provided close air support and air interdiction for US and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) units in the central region of the country. Gen. Lance K. Landrum, the new commander of the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy, surveys his airmen after taking command on Friday, June 10, 2016. 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. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes), Airmen offer their salutes to 31st Fighter Wing leadership during a change of command ceremony on Friday, June 10, 2016. Based at Aviano Air Base, Italy, hes been TDY to countries such as Afghanistan Iraq, Kosovo and Bosnia. Italian Air Force Col. Marco Schiattoni, 'Pagliano e Gori' Airport Commander, and Col. Vincent O'Connor, 31st FW Vice Commander, shares their thoughts on the importance of celebrating and . (Kent Harris / S&S). France and other Third Air Force leadership toured the 56th RQS and learned about the squadrons mission sets and capabilities. Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster Air Force Achievement Medal, EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION The 31st Fighter Wing is the only United States fighter wing south of the Alps. In 1985, the wing received its next aircraft, the F-16 and resumed an air defense mission.[17]. The unit then island-hopped across the rest of the Pacific with stops at Midway and Wake Islands, Eniwetok Atoll, Guam, Iwo Jima and Yokota Air Base, Japan.[22]. On 1 April 1994, the 31st Fighter Wing inactivated at Homestead and subsequently activated at Aviano Air Base, Italy in place of the 401st Fighter Wing. The 31st FW has one assigned geographically separated unit, the 731st Munitions Squadron at Camp Darby, Italy. Maj. Gen. Scott J. Zobrist was the first wing commander to have previously served in another capacity at Aviano. At the same time, the wing switched from flying North American F-100 Super Sabres to McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom IIs.[24]. The 31st Fighter Wing is made up of four groups, each consisting of several squadrons. [17], The 31st received two new squadrons at that time, the 555th and 510th Fighter Squadrons, along with their Block-40F-16s. First Lieutenant October 3, 2003 Born in California, hes a 1988 graduate of Humboldt State University and has been a journalist for 40 years. 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. 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. Assigned under a joint task force, the 31st AEW, flew from Aviano and joined NATO allies in a 78-day air campaign against Serbia. Up Next. AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy - This week's Wyvern Warrior of the Week is U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. 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]. 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. 1. Gen. Daniel T. Lasica, outgoing commander of the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy. In recognition of these achievements, the wing was awarded its second Outstanding Unit Award. Their missions consisted mainly of sweeps over allied positions and escorting bombers attacking German positions. As an encore, on 20 August 1953, Col Schilling led a flight of eight F-84s on a 10.5-hour non-stop flight from Turner Field to Nouasseur Air Base, French Morocco. WING PLAN DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT . 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. This strategic location makes the wing important for operations in NATO's southern region. The training is just one of the many requirements needed to ensure they are fit to fight to accomplish the mission at a moments notice. The flight also led to the wing receiving the Tactical Air Command Outstanding Fighter Wing Award for 1964 for the second consecutive year.[17]. When contacting the MPF's main line at DSN: 632-5404/Comm: 0434-30-5404 please choose from the following options: Commander's Support Staff = Option 2 For Customer Support = Option 3 For the Passport Office = Option 3 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. Kent has filled numerous roles at Stars and Stripes including: copy editor, news editor, desk editor, reporter/photographer, web editor and overseas sports editor. June 2019 May 2021, Chief, Force Application Division, Joint Staff, J8, Pentagon, Washington, D.C., as a colonel, FLIGHT INFORMATION llamas.norman@stripes.com Twitter: @normanllamas. Col. Kevin Crofton is the the Commander, 31st Operations Group, 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy. The 31st Force Support Squadron provides morale, welfare, and recreations support for Aviano Air Base members as well as other support structures such as Family support, Military Personnel, passport assistance, and education services. Gen. Jason E. Bailey is scheduled to take . In 2007, the 555th FS deployed to Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The sheer magnitude of this accomplishment was sufficient to name the 31st Fighter Escort Wing as the recipient of the first-ever Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. It was replaced at Ramstein by the Third Air Force. Additionally, the 57th RQS provides personnel recovery, combat search and rescue, civil search and rescue and casualty evacuation subject matter experts. (U.S. Air Force). Under combat conditions, the squadron transferred $73 million in equipment and more than 100 personnel with 20 convoys. The 39th Wing at Incirlik AB, Turkey, deployed a flying ambulance surgical team to Dhahran Air Base, Saudi Arabia in response to the Khobar Towers bombing. This brought about an immediate mission change as the Mustangs enjoyed a much longer range and were tasked to escort heavy bombers on long range missions into Romania, Bulgaria, Austria, France and Northern Italy. Gen. Jason Bailey, incoming commander of the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Dec. 14, 2022 | 0:59. Walking With Wyverns. [5] The Command Chief Master Sergeant is Chief Master Sergeant Jeremy L. He was born in Guatemala and raised in Rhode Island. 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. They were the first complete American combat group in the European Theater of Operations and the first to engage in combat. 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. Best nuclear assurance inspection grade in years, Ray said. He has more than 10 years of experience as an Army photojournalist and has served as a photojournalism instructor at the Defense Information School. 5. 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. 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. The KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft provides the core aerial refueling capability for the U.S. Air Force and has excelled in this role for, U.S. Air Force Capt. The 39th Air & Space Expeditionary Wing activated in support of Operation Northern Watch, engaging air power to enforce the no-fly zone over northern Iraq. 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. Gen. Tad Clark, 31st Fighter Wing commander, at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Nov. 21, 2022. The 31st Fighter Wing's embrace of dynamic force employmenta type of concept of operations that emphasizes quick deployments and multirole Airmenwill transform various aspects of how Airmen based out of Aviano Air Base, Italy, do business, its commander said during a virtual all-call on Nov. 6. Franklin has experience with one of the Air Force’s newest fighters: the F/A-22. “Welcome to the best job, I believe, in the world,” Yates told Franklin during a ceremony attended by Italian and American dignitaries. 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]. The vision is to be ready and adaptive warriors, committed to Allies and Partners, who are devoted to our community and one another. The Frecce Tricolori aerobatic boasts 10 aircraft marking it as the largest aerobatic team in the world and are based out of Rivolto air force base, April 25, 1945, represents a fundamental date in the history of the Italian Republic. During a major German counteroffensive in February 1943, the group was forced to evacuate their position at Thelepte, Tunisia, only a few miles from the advancing German Army, leaving most of their supplies behind. Gen. Lance K. Landrum. [1] The 31st FW maintains two F-16 fighter squadrons, the 555th Fighter Squadron[2] Website: . 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. 724th Air Mobility Squadron. From August to December 2002, the 510th Fighter Squadron and 603rd Air Control Squadron returned to Southwest Asia. They reached the 100,000 combat sortie milestone in September 1969. Every building at Homestead AFB received some damage, many buildings were destroyed. 4. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. 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 Your connection to everything Aviano. 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. This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency. Aviano served as the launch point for insertion of airborne forces opening a second front in northern Iraq. Sign up to receive a daily email of today's top military news stories from Stars and Stripes and top news outlets 2:01. (U.S. Air Force). 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. Sgt. Flight hours: more than 2,700 This weeks Wyvern Warrior of the Week is U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. The Wing's focus areas are to defend and improve base infrastructure, further Agile Combat Employment (ACE) capabilities and invest in Wyvern Nation Airmen and families. The wing traces its lineage to its activation on 20 November 1947, first designated as the 31st Fighter Wing, and stationed at Turner Airfield, Georgia. Gen. Jason E. Bailey is scheduled to take command of Avianos 31st Fighter Wing during a virtual ceremony Friday, wing officials said. Bailey takes over command from Brig. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brooke Moeder), Mrs. Amanda France, Third Air Force commanders spouse, left, and U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Derek France, 3rd AF commander, prepares to fly in an HH-60G Pave Hawk assigned to the 56th Rescue Squadron at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Nov. 21, 2022. The Sixteenth Air Force provides global intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, cyber and electronic warfare, and information operations, and serves as the Service Cryptologic Component responsible to the National Security Agency/Central Security Service and the Service Cyber Component to US Cyber Command. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brooke Moeder), U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. (Chad Trujillo/U.S. from around the world. It is stationed at Aviano Air Base, Italy, a NATO base run by the Italian air force. Gen. Craig Franklin. [9], The 31st Medical Group supports the readiness of 31st Fighter Wing and associated units throughout the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) southern region, ensuring the health of its community by providing patient-focused medical care from internal, Department of Defense and host nation resources. 7217th Air Base Group, at Ankara Air Station, 6917th Electronic Security Squadron, operating an, 6931st Electronic Security Squadron (SIGINT unit), 7116th Tactical Control Flight, at Torrejn Air Base, 39th Wing (later 39th Air Base Wing) (see 39th Tactical Group), 1989th Communications Wing, 1 October 1990 10 August 1992, 7602d Support Wing (later 3977th Support Wing, 3977th Support Group), 1 January 1 July 1960, 406th Tactical Fighter Training Group, 1 July 1970 15 July 1972, 3977th Support Group (see 7602d Support Wing, after 1960), Integrated Air Defense Systems Analysis Squadron, Geospatial Intelligence and Measurements and Signatures Intelligence Analysis Squadron, C4 Information Operations Analysis Squadron, This page was last edited on 21 March 2023, at 00:03. 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. Brig. From there they moved quickly from base to base throughout Algeria and Tunisia, engaging in ground attack missions and later escorting P-39s and A-20s on missions to attack German troop positions and convoys. 4. [15] It is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. [17], On 8 February 1964, the 308th Fighter Squadron flew a non-stop mission from Homestead to Cigli Air Base, Turkey. The Operations Group consists of seven squadrons that continually support operations and exercises across three Combatant Commands. He served in both the 555th and 510th Fighter Squadrons during previous stints. 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. The Wings diverse mission sets are executed by Airmen that fly, maintain, and support two F-16CM Fighter Squadrons, two Combat Search and Rescue Squadrons with Pararescue Airmen and HH-60 Pave Hawks, USAFEs only Air Control Squadron, Agile Combat Support Squadrons, Medical Squadrons and numerous Wing Staff Agencies. AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy Brig. llamas.norman@stripes.com Twitter: @normanllamas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brooke Moeder), U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Joseph Faraone, 606th Air Control Squadron commander, middle-right, briefs U.S. Air Force Brig. and the OSS Commander normally signs for unaffiliated aircrew. It is stationed at Aviano Air Base, Italy, a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) base run by the Italian Air Force. Anna Jongsma, 31st Operations Support Squadron main shop aircrew flight equipment NCOIC, right, gives flight gloves to U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Derek France, Third Air Force commander, before he flies in an HH-60G Pave Hawk assigned to the 56th Rescue Squadron at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Nov. 21, 2022. Brig. 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. During his visit, Diaz toured the 56th and 57th Rescue Squadrons, the 31st Security Forces Squadron Combat Arms Training and Maintenance facility, 606th Air Control Squadron, the Comprehensive Operational Medicine for Battle Ready Airmen clinic and more. 16 AF moved to Aviano AB in August 1992. Today marks the 78th Anniversary of the Liberation of Italy. Brig. Based at Aviano Air Base, Italy, hes been TDY to countries such as Afghanistan Iraq, Kosovo and Bosnia. [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. [17], In July 2015, the United States and Turkey reached agreement on Turkish support for actions against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. The Military Personnel Flight (MPF) provides support to the 31st Fighter Wing Aviano Air Base Mission, Airmen and their families. The clinic houses rehabilitation equipment, such as gait retraining software, anti-gravity treadmills for rehab, recovery modalities and a float pod for sensory deprivation. The mission of the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, is to deter through safe, secure, effective operations. 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. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brooke Moeder), U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Derek France, Third Air Force commander, shoots a weapon during an immersion at the 31st Security Forces Squadron Combat Arms Training and Maintenance facility at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Nov. 22, 2022. He was born in Guatemala and raised in Rhode Island. The wing's support of Operation Iraqi Freedom began in late 2003. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brooke Moeder), U.S. Air Force Tech. Gen. Lance K. Landrum took command from Maj. Gen. Barre R. Seguin. The 57th Rescue Squadron performed High-Altitude Low Opening (HALO) jump training over Aviano. Brig. 2023 Stars and Stripes. 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. The mission of the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, is to deter through safe, secure, effective operations. Brig. The group also responds to humanitarian and contingency logistics support requirements as directed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff through Headquarters United States Air Forces Europe (USAFE) to locations in Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia. The 56th RQS provides a rapidly-deployable, worldwide combat rescue and reaction force response utilizing HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters. [17], During the Berlin Crisis in October and November 1961, the wing deployed its 309th Fighter Squadron to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany to bolster the U.S. military forces in Europe. His last assignment was executive assistant to the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. It later became a provisional Air Expeditionary Task Force under USAFE as part of the Global War on Terrorism. [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. 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. Franklin takes over command at Aviano from Brig. 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. It is stationed at Aviano Air Base, Italy, a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) base run by the Italian Air Force . U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 465th Air Refueling Squadron conduct preflight checks during a total force training event at Aviano Air Base, Italy, March 2, 2023. [3] Its main operating bases in Spain were used for SAC B-47 Stratojet rotational alert aircraft until April 1965. Defense Superior Service Medal After the U.S. force reduction in Vietnam, the wing switched to F-4s. 9. 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. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brooke Moeder), U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Derek France, Third Air Force commander, right, greets U.S. Air Force Brig. 2022 Spark Tank. On 1 June 2006, the squadron relocated to RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom, from where it would have executed Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) missions in support of USAFE. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brooke Moeder), An official website of the United States government, U.S. Air Forces in Europe & Air Forces Africa, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil, By Senior Airman Jessica Blair, Senior Airman Brooke Moeder, Airman 1st Class Thomas Calopedis. February 2002 August 2002, student, Introduction to Flight Training, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. from around the world. Bailey will command the only permanently assigned Air Force fighter aircraft wing in NATOs southern region. Peacekeeping operations continued in the Balkans through the end of 2004, when the European Union assumed responsibility for the region. [11][12][13][14], The 31st Fighter Wing currently has two operational squadrons, the 555th and 510th Fighter Squadrons flying the F-16CG/DG. He served as F-22 project officer at Langley Air Force Base, Va., from 1993 to 1995.

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