308th Armament Systems Wing
Encyclopedia
The United States Air Force
's 308th Armament Systems Wing (308 ARSW) is a non-flying wing based at Eglin Air Force Base
, Florida
.
The mission of the 308th Armament Systems Wing is to enhance worldwide Air Force combat capability, effectiveness, aircrew survivability, and readiness through joint development, procurement, deployment and sustainment. This mission is executed by air combat test and training systems, expeditionary support equipment, munitions handling equipment and armament subsystems, Explosive Ordnance Disposal support equipment, and realistic Electronic Warfare threat simulators.
The 308 ARSW designs, develops, produces, fields, and sustains a family of air-to-ground and air-to-air munitions, enhancing warfighter capabilities (both U.S. and allies) in defeating a spectrum of enemy targets
The wing consists of over 400 highly qualified personnel trained in the development, test, acquisition, fielding, and operational support of systems such as the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), Small Diameter Bomb (SDB), Sensor Fuzed Weapon (SFW), Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser (WCMD) and a host of other specialized programs.
long-range bombers. Its first commander was Gen. Claire Chennault. The 308th was deactivated as a bomber group in 1946.
In 1951, the 308th was reactivated as a bombardment unit at Forbes Air Force Base
, Kansas, and initially equipped with B-29s. Those aircraft were then replaced with new B-47E Stratojet swept-wing medium jet bombers in 1954, capable of flying at high subsonic speeds and primarily designed for penetrating the airspace of the Soviet Union
. Also received KC-97 tankers. Over the next eight years, tie 308th conducted strategic bombardment training and air refueling to meet SAC's global commitments.
Deployed to bases in North Africa
three times, twice in detachment form and once as a unit Sidi Slimane Air Base Morocco
, August 21 – October 26, 1956). From November 1956 to March 1957, the wing tested the SAC alert plan by maintaining one-third of its bomber and tanker force on continuous alert.
The wing was broken up in mid July 1959, for unclear reasons. Part of the unit went to the 2nd Bomb Wing at Hunter AFB
, Georgia. The bulk of the wing moved to Plattsburgh AFB
, New York on July 15, 1959, where its aircraft were placed under the control of the 380th Bomb Wing. The wing was not operational as one formation from July 1959 to June 1961.
The Wing was redesignated and activated on November 20, 1961 as the 308th Strategic Missile Wing. In early 1962 the Air Force established 18 Titan II launch sites at SAC's Little Rock Air Force Base
, Arkansas. The 308th was reactivated, being organized on April 1, 1962. The wing became fully operational with eighteen sites in December 1963. It gained control over its first missile complex in August 1962 and became fully operational with 18 sites in December 1963. In October 1981, US President Ronald Reagan
announced that all Titan II sites would be deactivated by October 1, 1987, as part of a strategic modernization program. The wing completed deactivation on August 18, 1987.
On 23 November 2004 the Air to Ground Munitions Systems Wing was established at Eglin AFB, FL. It was tasked to design, develop, field and maintain a family of air-to-ground munitions that enhanced United States armed forces
strike capabilities. The wing was activated on 27 January 2005. On 3 May 2006 the AGMS Wing was consolidated with the 308th Wing, and the resulting formation was redesignated the 308 Armament Systems Wing on 15 May 2006.
Squadrons
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
's 308th Armament Systems Wing (308 ARSW) is a non-flying wing based at Eglin Air Force Base
Eglin Air Force Base
Eglin Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately 3 miles southwest of Valparaiso, Florida in Okaloosa County....
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
.
Overview
The wing was activated in 2004 to design, develop, field and maintain a family of air-to-ground munitions that enhance warfighter strike capabilities.The mission of the 308th Armament Systems Wing is to enhance worldwide Air Force combat capability, effectiveness, aircrew survivability, and readiness through joint development, procurement, deployment and sustainment. This mission is executed by air combat test and training systems, expeditionary support equipment, munitions handling equipment and armament subsystems, Explosive Ordnance Disposal support equipment, and realistic Electronic Warfare threat simulators.
The 308 ARSW designs, develops, produces, fields, and sustains a family of air-to-ground and air-to-air munitions, enhancing warfighter capabilities (both U.S. and allies) in defeating a spectrum of enemy targets
Units
The 308 ARSW is a critical component of the Air Armament Center, which covers the complete weapon-system life-cycle from concept through development, acquisition, experimental testing, procurement, operational testing and final employment in combat.The wing consists of over 400 highly qualified personnel trained in the development, test, acquisition, fielding, and operational support of systems such as the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), Small Diameter Bomb (SDB), Sensor Fuzed Weapon (SFW), Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser (WCMD) and a host of other specialized programs.
History
This unit was established as the 308th Heavy Bombardment Group, USAAF, as part of the 14th Air Force in China in 1942, using B-24 LiberatorB-24 Liberator
The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and a small number of early models were sold under the name LB-30, for Land Bomber...
long-range bombers. Its first commander was Gen. Claire Chennault. The 308th was deactivated as a bomber group in 1946.
- For additional lineage and history, see 308th Armament Systems Group308th Armament Systems GroupThe 308th Armament Systems Group is a unit of the United States Air Force 308th Armament Systems Wing, stationed at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.The unit's mission is to equipp warfighters with long range, precision attack capabilities....
In 1951, the 308th was reactivated as a bombardment unit at Forbes Air Force Base
Forbes Air Force Base
Forbes Field, previously Forbes Air Force Base, is a joint-use civil-military airport operated by the Topeka Airport Authority located approximately south of Topeka, Kansas....
, Kansas, and initially equipped with B-29s. Those aircraft were then replaced with new B-47E Stratojet swept-wing medium jet bombers in 1954, capable of flying at high subsonic speeds and primarily designed for penetrating the airspace of the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
. Also received KC-97 tankers. Over the next eight years, tie 308th conducted strategic bombardment training and air refueling to meet SAC's global commitments.
Deployed to bases in North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
three times, twice in detachment form and once as a unit Sidi Slimane Air Base Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
, August 21 – October 26, 1956). From November 1956 to March 1957, the wing tested the SAC alert plan by maintaining one-third of its bomber and tanker force on continuous alert.
The wing was broken up in mid July 1959, for unclear reasons. Part of the unit went to the 2nd Bomb Wing at Hunter AFB
Hunter Army Airfield
Hunter Army Airfield , located in Savannah, Georgia, United States, is a military airfield and subordinate installation to Fort Stewart.Hunter features a runway that is 11,375 feet long and an aircraft parking area that is more than 350 acres...
, Georgia. The bulk of the wing moved to Plattsburgh AFB
Plattsburgh Air Force Base
Plattsburgh Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force Strategic Air Command base covering 3,447 acres in the extreme northeast corner of New York, 20 miles south of the Canadian border...
, New York on July 15, 1959, where its aircraft were placed under the control of the 380th Bomb Wing. The wing was not operational as one formation from July 1959 to June 1961.
The Wing was redesignated and activated on November 20, 1961 as the 308th Strategic Missile Wing. In early 1962 the Air Force established 18 Titan II launch sites at SAC's Little Rock Air Force Base
Little Rock Air Force Base
Little Rock Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately northeast of Little Rock, Arkansas.-Overview:...
, Arkansas. The 308th was reactivated, being organized on April 1, 1962. The wing became fully operational with eighteen sites in December 1963. It gained control over its first missile complex in August 1962 and became fully operational with 18 sites in December 1963. In October 1981, US President Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
announced that all Titan II sites would be deactivated by October 1, 1987, as part of a strategic modernization program. The wing completed deactivation on August 18, 1987.
On 23 November 2004 the Air to Ground Munitions Systems Wing was established at Eglin AFB, FL. It was tasked to design, develop, field and maintain a family of air-to-ground munitions that enhanced United States armed forces
United States armed forces
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
strike capabilities. The wing was activated on 27 January 2005. On 3 May 2006 the AGMS Wing was consolidated with the 308th Wing, and the resulting formation was redesignated the 308 Armament Systems Wing on 15 May 2006.
Lineage
- Established as 308 Bombardment Wing, Medium, on 4 October 1951
- Activated on 10 October 1951
- Inactivated 25 June 1961
- Redesignated 308 Strategic Missile Wing (ICBM-Titan), and activated, on 29 November 1961
- Organized on 1 April 1962
- Inactivated 18 August 1987
Assignments
- 38th Air Division, 10 October 1951
- Attached to 21st Air Division, 10 October 1951-17 April 1952
- Attached to 5th Air Division, 21 August-c. 26 October 1956
- 820th Air Division, 15 July 1959-25 June 1961
- Strategic Air CommandStrategic Air CommandThe Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
, 29 November 1961 - 825th Air (later, 825 Strategic Aerospace) Division, 1 April 1962
- 42d Air Division42d Air DivisionThe 42d Air Division was a unit of the United States Air Force. It was established as the 42 Bombardment Wing on 8 February 1943. The wing first saw combat in September 1943. It was inactivated in 1991.-History:...
, 1 January 1970 - 17th Strategic Aerospace Division, 31 March 1970
- 12th Strategic Missile (later, 12 Air) Division, 30 June 1971
- 42d Air Division42d Air DivisionThe 42d Air Division was a unit of the United States Air Force. It was established as the 42 Bombardment Wing on 8 February 1943. The wing first saw combat in September 1943. It was inactivated in 1991.-History:...
, 1 April 1973 - 19th Air Division, 1 December 1982-18 August 1987
- Air Armament Center, 27 January 2005–present
Components
Groups- 308th Bombardment Group: 10 October 1951-16 June 1952 (not operational)
- 308th, 328th, 408th, 708th, 728th Armament Systems Groups (present)
Squadrons
- 303d Air Refueling Squadron303d Air Refueling SquadronThe 303d Air Refueling Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 19th Bombardment Wing, stationed at Homestead AFB, Florida. It was inactivated on 31 April 1961...
: attached 1 February 1956-15 July 1959 - 308th Air Refueling Squadron308th Air Refueling SquadronThe 308th Air Refueling Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 2d Bombardment Wing, stationed at Hunter AFB, Georgia...
: 8 July 1953-15 June 1959 (detached 1–21 June 1954, 5 January-4 March 1956, and 2 April-2 July 1958) - 373d Bombardment (later, 373d Strategic Missile) Squadron373d Strategic Missile SquadronThe 373d Strategic Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 308th Strategic Missile Wing, based at Little Rock AFB, Arkansas. It was inactivated on August 18, 1987. -History:...
: attached 10 October 1951-15 June 1952 (not operational, 10 October-5 November 1951), assigned 16 June 1952-25 June 1961 (not operational, 15 July 1959-25 June 1961); assigned 1 April 1962-18 August 1987 - 374th Bombardment (later, 374th Strategic Missile) Squadron374th Strategic Missile SquadronThe 374th Strategic Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 308th Strategic Missile Wing, stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas...
: attached 10 October 1951-15 June 1952 (not operational, 10 October-5 November 1951), assigned 16 June 1952-25 June 1961 (not operational, 15 July 1959-25 June 1961); assigned 1 September 1962-15 August 1986 - 375th Bombardment Squadron375th Bombardment SquadronThe 375th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 308th Bombardment Wing stationed at Plattsburgh Air Force Base, New York.-History:...
: attached 10 October 1951-15 June 1952 (not operational, 10 October-13 November 1951), assigned 16 June 1952-25 June 1961 (not operational, 15 July 1959-25 June 1961) - 425th Bombardment Squadron425th Bombardment SquadronThe 375th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 308th Bombardment Wing stationed at Plattsburgh Air Force Base, New York.-History:...
: 1 October 1958-25 June 1961 (not operational, 15 July 1959-25 June 1961).
Stations
- Forbes AFB, KS, October 10, 1951 – April 17, 1952
- Hunter AFBHunter Army AirfieldHunter Army Airfield , located in Savannah, Georgia, United States, is a military airfield and subordinate installation to Fort Stewart.Hunter features a runway that is 11,375 feet long and an aircraft parking area that is more than 350 acres...
, GA, April 17, 1952 – July 15, 1959 - Plattsburgh AFB, NY, July 15, 1959 – June 25, 1961
- others see above
Aircraft and Missiles
- Consolidated B-24 Liberator, 1942–1945
- Boeing B-29 Superfortress, 1946–1951, 1951–1952, 1952–1953
- Boeing B-47 Stratojet, 1953–1954, 1954–1959
- Boeing KC-97 Stratotanker, 1953–1959
- Titan II ICBM, 1963–1987