432d Wing
Encyclopedia
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...
unit assigned to Air Combat Command
Air Combat Command
Air Combat Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. ACC is one of ten major commands , reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force ....
, stationed at Creech Air Force Base
Creech Air Force Base
Creech Air Force Base , formerly known as Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary Field, is a United States Air Force base located one mile north of the central business district of Indian Springs, in Clark County, Nevada, United States. It is about northwest of Las Vegas and northwest of Nellis Air...
, Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
. The group operates unmanned reconnaissance aircraft which provide real-time reconnaissance, surveillance, and precision attack against fixed and time-critical targets. The 432d Air Expeditionary Wing is a provisional unit assigned to Air Combat Command
Air Combat Command
Air Combat Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. ACC is one of ten major commands , reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force ....
and is the designation for components of the 432d Wing when deployed into combat areas as part of the Global War on Terror.
Overview
The 432d Wing is the first United States Air ForceUnited 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...
wing
Wing (air force unit)
Wing is a term used by different military aviation forces for a unit of command. The terms wing, group or Staffel are used for different-sized units from one country or service to another....
dedicated to unmanned aircraft
Unmanned aerial vehicle
An unmanned aerial vehicle , also known as a unmanned aircraft system , remotely piloted aircraft or unmanned aircraft, is a machine which functions either by the remote control of a navigator or pilot or autonomously, that is, as a self-directing entity...
systems. The wing stood up 1 May 2007 at Creech Air Force Base
Creech Air Force Base
Creech Air Force Base , formerly known as Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary Field, is a United States Air Force base located one mile north of the central business district of Indian Springs, in Clark County, Nevada, United States. It is about northwest of Las Vegas and northwest of Nellis Air...
, Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
. The wing has dual reporting responsibilities to Ninth Air Force
Ninth Air Force
The Ninth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command . It is headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina....
and U.S. Air Forces Central Command (USAFCENT) (as the 432d AEW) at Shaw AFB, South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, as well as to Twelfth Air Force and U.S. Air Forces Southern Command at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
.
The 432d is the first wing totally dedicated to operating the RQ-1 Predator
RQ-1 Predator
The General Atomics MQ-1 Predator is an unmanned aerial vehicle used primarily by the United States Air Force and Central Intelligence Agency...
and MQ-9 Reaper
MQ-9 Reaper
The General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper is an unmanned aerial vehicle , capable of remote controlled or autonomous flight operations, developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems for use by the United States Air Force, the United States Navy, the CIA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Royal...
, both of which are currently being used in Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom for intelligence surveillance reconnaissance and tactical missions, flown by pilots and sensor operators in the United States.
The 432d is authorized 160 Predator and 60 Reapers. As of May 2007, 6 Reapers and about 85 Predators have been delivered with half of the Predators deployed forward in the United States Central Command
United States Central Command
The United States Central Command is a theater-level Unified Combatant Command unit of the U.S. armed forces, established in 1983 under the operational control of the U.S. Secretary of Defense...
area of operations. The wing is expected to fly 12 combat air mission in Iraq and Afghanistan each day.
Units
The wing includes six operational squadrons and a maintenance squadron. There are 440 aircrew members, about half of whom are pilots and the other half sensor operators. There are also 450 maintenance personnel, half of whom are contractors.- 432d Operations Group432d Operations GroupThe 432d Operations Group is the flying component of the United States Air Force 432d Wing, stationed at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada.-Overview:...
- 432d Operations Support Squadron
- 11th Reconnaissance Squadron11th Reconnaissance SquadronThe US Air Force 11th Reconnaissance Squadron flies MQ-1 Predator UAV's and is currently stationed at Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, Nevada. The 11th oversees the training of pilots and sensor operators assigned to the MQ-1....
- 15th Reconnaissance Squadron15th Reconnaissance Squadron15th Reconnaissance Squadron flies MQ-1 Predator UAV's and is currently stationed at Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, Nevada. The 15th Reconnaissance Squadron is one of the first armed Remotely Piloted Aircraft squadrons. The squadron provides combatant commanders with persistent ISR,...
- 17th Reconnaissance Squadron17th Reconnaissance SquadronThe 17th Reconnaissance Squadron is a squadron of the United States Air Force. It is assigned to the 57th Operations Group, and stationed at Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, Nevada.-Overview:...
- 18th Reconnaissance Squadron18th Reconnaissance SquadronThe 18th Reconnaissance Squadron is a squadron of the United States Air Force. It is assigned to the 432d Operations Group, and stationed at Creech Air Force Base Nevada.-Mission:...
- 20th Reconnaissance Squadron20th Tactical Air Support SquadronThe 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron is the former name of the 20th Reconnaissance Squadron, a unit of the United States Air Force. It is currently assigned to the 432d Wing at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada. Its original term of service overlapped World War II, and it was inactivated in 1949...
- 42nd Attack Squadron
- 432d Maintenance Group
- 432d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
- The 432 AMXS has 350 personnel maintaining RQ-1/MQ-1 Predator systems, including 28 remotely piloted aircraft, ground control stations, and Predator Primary Satellite Links. It generates 575 sorties annually for worldwide intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and strike capability for three reconnaissance squadrons and the 53d Test and Evaluation Group53d Test and Evaluation GroupThe 53d Test and Evaluation Group is a group of the United States Air Force. It is a part of the 53d Wing, and is headquartered at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. The unit consists of seven squadrons, two detachments, and a named flight...
.
- 99th Ground Combat Training Squadron
- The 99 GCTS provides warrior skills training for all ACC security forces and combat support elements at Creech AFB. This squadron provides advanced ground combat weapons and tactics instruction that enhance the combat capabilities of U.S. Air Force ground forces essential to sortie generation who are confronted with a potential for combat during hostilities.
- 98th Southern Ranges Support Squadron
- Reactivated on 29 July 1995, at Nellis Air Force BaseNellis Air Force BaseNellis Air Force Base is a United States Air Force Base, located approximately northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada. It is under the jurisdiction of Air Combat Command .-Overview:...
, Nevada. The 98th Southern Ranges Support Squadron is responsible for the day-to-day support of Creech AFB, Point Bravo logistics site and the Nevada Test and Training RangeNevada Test and Training RangeThe Nevada Test and Training Range is a training facility of the United States Air Force located in the desert of southern Nevada in the United States. It is the largest of its kind in the US, and is operated by the USAF Warfare Center's 98th Range Wing...
southern ranges.
- Joint UAS Center of Excellence
- The Center of Excellence is designed to improve interoperability and use, and examines the use of sensors and intelligence collection assets to meet joint operational requirements of U.S. forces in any combat environment. The COE is an operationally focused organization concentrating on UAV systems technology, joint concepts, training, tactics, and procedural solutions to the warfighters’ needs.
World War II
The 432d Observation Group was activated on 22 February 1943. It served as the operational training unit (OTU) of the USAAF School of Applied Tactics at Keystone AAFKeystone Heights Airport
Keystone Heights Airport is a public airport located within the city limits of Keystone Heights, Florida.The airport is adjacent to Camp Blanding, the Florida National Guard Reservation and "Fly through History" Military Museum and Memorial Park...
, Florida. The group trained and provided reconnaissance to assist fighter, bombardment, and ground units with their training. Aircraft included Bell P-39 Airacobra fighter and Aeronca L-3 Grasshopper
Aeronca L-3
|-See also:-External links:* * *...
light observation aircraft. The group was disbanded on 1 November 1943.
Tactical Air Command
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
. The 432d's mission at Shaw AFB was to assume the reconnaissance training mission that was handled previously by the 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing.
The group initially conducted training with two squadrons (20th, 29th) flying the Republic RF-84F "Thunderflash" and two squadrons (41st, 43d) flying the Martin RB-57A "Canberra"
B-57 Canberra
The Martin B-57 Canberra was a United States-built, twin jet engine light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, which entered service with the United States Air Force in 1953. The B-57 was initially a version of the English Electric Canberra built under license. However, the Glenn L...
. In 1957, the group upgraded the 20th and 29th to the McDonnell RF-101C "Voodoo", and the 41st and 43d transitioned to the electronic warfare Douglas EB-66C Destroyer
B-66 Destroyer
|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Baugher, Joe. USAAC/USAAF/USAF Bomber Aircraft: Third Series of USAAC/USAAF/USAF Bombers, 2001. Retrieved: 27 July 2006....
.
When elevated to the 432d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing on 8 February 1958, the wing operated the USAF Advanced Flying Training School, Tactical Reconnaissance. With the elevation to wing status, the 432d TFW was realigned to a four squadron RF-101C wing (17th, 18th
18th Reconnaissance Squadron
The 18th Reconnaissance Squadron is a squadron of the United States Air Force. It is assigned to the 432d Operations Group, and stationed at Creech Air Force Base Nevada.-Mission:...
, 20th, 29th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadrons). From 8 February 1958 to 18 June 1959 the wing was supervised by the 837th Air Division
837th Air Division
The 837th Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Tactical Air Command, assigned to Ninth Air Force, being stationed at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina...
.
In a budgetary move, the 432d TRW was deactivated on 8 April 1959. The RF-101C equipped 17th and 18th TRSs were deployed to NATO, being reassigned to the 66th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at Laon-Couvron Air Base
Laon-Couvron Air Base
Laon-Couvron Air Base is a former French and United States Air Force base in France. It is located in the Aisne département of France, less than one mile southeast of the village of Couvron and 6 miles northwest of Laon; on the southwest side of the Autoroute des Anglais 1 Mile east of the...
, France and the 20th and 29th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadrons continued their training missions under the 363d TRW.
Vietnam War
Udon Thani International Airport
Udonthani International Airport is an airport located near the city of Udon Thani in Udon Thani Province in the northeast region of Thailand. It is approximately 280 miles northeast of Bangkok...
, Thailand as an McDonnell Douglas RF-4C Phantom II
F-4 Phantom II
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable,...
wing. At Udon, it became one of the most diversified units of its size in the Air Force.
The mission of the wing was to provide intelligence information about hostile forces through tactical reconnaissance and use its fighter elements to destroy the targets earmarked by the intelligence data provided. The wing had numerous missions in the support area. The 432d TRW accounted for more than 80 percent of all reconnaissance activity over North Vietnam.
In addition to the reconnaissance the 432d also had a tactical fighter squadron component, with two (13th
13th Fighter Squadron
The 13th Fighter Squadron is part of the 35th Fighter Wing at Misawa Air Base, Japan.-History:The 13th flew antisubmarine patrols in the Gulf of Mexico from, June–August 1942 and served as an operational and replacement training unit from, April 1942–October 1943...
, 555th
555th Fighter Squadron
The 555th Fighter Squadron is part of the 31st Operations Group at Aviano Air Base, Italy. It operates F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft conducting an air superiority mission.-Mission:...
) F-4C/D squadrons assigned. The squadrons flew strike missions over North Vietnam
North Vietnam
The Democratic Republic of Vietnam , was a communist state that ruled the northern half of Vietnam from 1954 until 1976 following the Geneva Conference and laid claim to all of Vietnam from 1945 to 1954 during the First Indochina War, during which they controlled pockets of territory throughout...
, and the pilots of the 13th TFS were credited with two MIGs kills.
In 1968, the 7th Airborne Command and Control Squadron
7th Airborne Command and Control Squadron
The 7th Expeditionary Airborne Command and Control Squadron is part of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. It operates the E-8 Joint STARS aircraft, conducting airborne command and control missions.-History:...
(7th ACCS), flying specialized Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft, became part of the 432d. The squadron had been attached to the wing as a temporary duty unit from Da Nang Air Base
Da Nang Air Base
Da Nang Air Base was a Republic of Vietnam Air Force facility. The United States used it as a major base during the Vietnam War , stationing Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine units there...
, South Vietnam
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
. Another unit assigned was the 4th Special Operations Squadron (4th SOS) flying various (AC-47
C-47 Skytrain
The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in operation to this day.-Design and...
, AC-119) gunships that supported ground units.
In the fall of 1970 the wing was phased down as part of the overall American withdrawal from the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
; however, in 1972 tactical fighter strength was augmented by deployed Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...
CONUS-based squadrons being attached to the 432d in response to the North Vietnamese invasion of South Vietnam. In addition, the 421st TFS
421st Fighter Squadron
The 421st Fighter Squadron is part of the 388th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. It operates the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft conducting air superiority missions.-Mission:...
was reassigned trom Takhli RTAFB. During Operation Linebacker
Operation Linebacker
Operation Linebacker was the title of a U.S. Seventh Air Force and U.S. Navy Task Force 77 aerial interdiction campaign conducted against the Democratic Republic of Vietnam from 9 May to 23 October 1972, during the Vietnam War....
, between May and October 1972, the 432d TRW had seven F-4 tactical fighter squadrons assigned or attached, (13th
13th Fighter Squadron
The 13th Fighter Squadron is part of the 35th Fighter Wing at Misawa Air Base, Japan.-History:The 13th flew antisubmarine patrols in the Gulf of Mexico from, June–August 1942 and served as an operational and replacement training unit from, April 1942–October 1943...
, 56th, 308th
308th Fighter Squadron
The 308th Fighter Squadron is part of the 56th Operations Group at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona.-Mission:The 308th FS , fly Block 42 F-16C/Ds, wearing the dark green and white checkerboard fin band onducting F-16 Fighting Falcon crew training for active duty USAF pilots.-World War II:Initially...
, 414th
414th Combat Training Squadron
The 414th Combat Training Squadron is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 57th Wing at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada....
, 421st
421st Fighter Squadron
The 421st Fighter Squadron is part of the 388th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. It operates the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft conducting air superiority missions.-Mission:...
, 523d and 555th
555th Fighter Squadron
The 555th Fighter Squadron is part of the 31st Operations Group at Aviano Air Base, Italy. It operates F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft conducting an air superiority mission.-Mission:...
) making it the largest wing in the USAF. The three Vietnam era Aces all came from the 432d – two from the 555th and one from the 13th. The CONUS-based squadrons returned to the United States in the fall of 1972.
As a result of the Paris Peace Accords
Paris Peace Accords
The Paris Peace Accords of 1973 intended to establish peace in Vietnam and an end to the Vietnam War, ended direct U.S. military involvement, and temporarily stopped the fighting between North and South Vietnam...
of 1973, the numbers of USAF personnel and aircraft at Udon were reduced. The 421st TFS was deactivated in August and the 555th was reassigned to Luke AFB in 1974. By the spring of 1975, two operational squadrons remained, the 14th TRS
14th Fighter Squadron
The 14th Fighter Squadron is part of the 35th Fighter Wing at Misawa Air Base, Japan. It operates the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft conducting air superiority missions.-History:...
(RF-4C) and the 13th TFS (F-4D/E).
Forces from the 432d participated in the SS Mayaguez action
Mayagüez incident
The Mayaguez incident between the Khmer Rouge and the United States from May 12–15, 1975, was the last official battle of the Vietnam War. The names of the Americans killed, as well as those of three Marines who were left behind on the island of Koh Tang after the battle and who were subsequently...
in May 1975, sinking two Cambodian Khmer Rouge ships. By 1975, the political climate between Washington and Bangkok had become sour and the Royal Thai Government wanted the USAF out of Thailand by the end of the year. Palace Lightning was the plan under which the USAF would withdraw its aircraft and personnel from Thailand.
The 423nd TFW was inactivated on 23 December 1975. The 13th TFSs F-4E aircraft and some support personnel were reassigned to the 3d TFW at Clark AB, Philippines and the F-4D aircraft and support personnel to the 18th TFW at Kadena Air Base
Kadena Air Base
, is a United States Air Force base in the towns of Kadena and Chatan and the city of Okinawa, in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Kadena Air Base is the hub of U.S. airpower in the Pacific, and home to the USAF's 18th Wing and a variety of associate units.-Units:The 18th Wing is the host unit at Kadena...
, Okinawa. The 14th TRS was inactivated and the RF-4Cs were sent to Shaw AFB, South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
. The last USAF personnel departed Udon RTAFB on 8 January 1976.
Tactical Drone Group
The 432d was reactivated at Davis-Monthan AFB, ArizonaArizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
on 1 July 1976 as the 423d Tactical Drone Group. The 432d performed photographic reconnaissance to support tactical air and surface forces with tactical drones. Used AQM-34L/M/V
Ryan Firebee
The Ryan Firebee was a series of target drones or unmanned aerial vehicles developed by the Ryan Aeronautical Company beginning in 1951. It was one of the first jet-propelled drones, and one of the most widely-used target drones ever built....
drones, DC-130 launch vehicles, and CH-3
H-3 Sea King
The Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King is a twin-engined anti-submarine warfare helicopter. It served with the United States Navy and other forces, and continues to serve in many countries around the world. The Sea King has been built under license in Italy and Japan, and in the United Kingdom as the...
recovery helicopters. The group conducted follow-on testing and evaluation of the AQM-34V model drone and the initial operational testing and evaluation and developmental testing and evaluation of the DC-130H "mother ship." The 432d also supported testing and evaluation of the BQM-34C drone at Hill AFB, Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
.
The group was inactivated in April 1979.
Pacific Air Forces
In July 1984 the 432d was again reactivated as the 432d Tactical Fighter Wing at Misawa AB, Japan. The 432d controlled two F-16 Fighting Falcon squadrons (13th Fighter Squadron, 14th Fighter Squadron) and a rescue squadron (39th RQS39th Rescue Squadron
The 39th Rescue Squadron is part of the 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida. It operates HC-130 Hercules aircraft conducting search and rescue missions.-History:...
) flying the HH-53 "Super Jolly Green Giant"
CH-53 Sea Stallion
The CH-53 Sea Stallion is the most common name for the Sikorsky S-65 family of heavy-lift transport helicopters. Originally developed for use by the United States Marine Corps, it is also in service with Germany, Iran, Israel, and Mexico...
helicopter.
The 432d was replaced by the 35th Fighter Wing
35th Fighter Wing
The 35th Fighter Wing is an air combat unit of the United States Air Force and the host unit at Misawa Air Base, Japan. The 35 FW is part of Pacific Air Forces Fifth Air Force.-Mission:...
on 1 October 1994 at Misawa and again became inactive.
Air Combat Command
The wing was reactivated at Creech Air Force BaseCreech Air Force Base
Creech Air Force Base , formerly known as Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary Field, is a United States Air Force base located one mile north of the central business district of Indian Springs, in Clark County, Nevada, United States. It is about northwest of Las Vegas and northwest of Nellis Air...
, Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
, on 1 May 2007 as the Air Force's first unmanned aircraft systems wing. It is currently commanded by Col Pete Gersten, USAF. It was renamed the 432d Air Expeditionary Wing in May, 2008.
In support of relief for the victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake
2010 Haiti earthquake
The 2010 Haiti earthquake was a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake, with an epicentre near the town of Léogâne, approximately west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital. The earthquake occurred at 16:53 local time on Tuesday, 12 January 2010.By 24 January, at least 52 aftershocks...
, on 27 January 2010 the wing began flying two RQ-1 Predator
RQ-1 Predator
The General Atomics MQ-1 Predator is an unmanned aerial vehicle used primarily by the United States Air Force and Central Intelligence Agency...
orbits over Port-au-Prince
Port-au-Prince
Port-au-Prince is the capital and largest city of the Caribbean nation of Haiti. The city's population was 704,776 as of the 2003 census, and was officially estimated to have reached 897,859 in 2009....
with six Predators from a training unit flying out of Rafael Hernández Airport
Rafael Hernández Airport
Rafael Hernández Airport is an airport located in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. It is named after the Puerto Rican composer Rafael Hernández Marín. The airport is the second international airport in Puerto Rico in the region of Porta del Sol, Puerto Rico's west coast.Rafael Hernandez Airport mainly...
, a civilian airport in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
, by a detachment of about 50 wing members.
Lineage
- Established as 432 Observation Group on 18 Feb 1943
- Activated on 22 Feb 1943
- Redesignated: 432 Reconnaissance Group on 2 Apr 1943
- Redesignated: 432 Tactical Reconnaissance Group on 11 Aug 1943
- Disestablished on 1 Nov 1943
- Reestablished on 14 Jan 1954
- Activated on 18 Mar 1954
- Inactivated on 8 Feb 1958
- Consolidated (31 Jan 1984) with the 432 Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, which was established on 23 Mar 1953
- Activated on 8 Feb 1958
- Inactivated on 18 Jun 1959
- Activated on 19 Aug 1966
- Organized on 18 Sep 1966, assuming personnel/aircraft/equipment of 6234th Tactical Fighter Wing
- Redesignated 432 Tactical Fighter Wing on 15 Nov 1974
- Inactivated on 23 Dec 1975
- Redesignated 432 Tactical Drone Group on 24 May 1976
- Activated on 1 Jul 1976
- Inactivated on 1 Apr 1979
- Redesignated 432 Tactical Fighter Wing on 5 Jun 1984
- Activated on 1 Jul 1984
- Redesignated 432 Fighter Wing on 31 May 1991
- Inactivated on 1 Oct 1994
- Redesignated 432 Air Expeditionary Group, and converted to a provisional status, on 16 Jan 2002.
- Returned to permanent status, and redesignated 432 Fighter Wing, on 16 Feb 2007
- Redesignated 432 Wing, and activated, on 1 May 2007
- Designated as 432d Air Expeditionary Wing in May 2008 and placed in provisional status when components are deployed into combat areas by Air Combat Command.
Assignments
- Air Support Department, Army Air Forces School of Applied Tactics, 22 Feb – 1 Nov 1943
- Ninth Air ForceNinth Air ForceThe Ninth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command . It is headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina....
, 18 Mar 1954
- Attached to: 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, 18 Mar 1954 – 30 Oct 1955
- Attached to: 6 Air Army [SAGEBRUSH], 31 Oct – 10 Dec 1955
- Attached to: 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, 10 Dec 1955 – 8 Feb 1958
- 837th Air Division837th Air DivisionThe 837th Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Tactical Air Command, assigned to Ninth Air Force, being stationed at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina...
, 8 Feb 1958 – 18 Jun 1959 - Pacific Air Forces, 19 Aug 1966
- Thirteenth Air ForceThirteenth Air ForceThe Thirteenth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Hickam Air Force Base on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. 13 AF has never been stationed in the continental United States...
, 18 Sep 1966
- 837th Air Division
- Attached to: Seventh Air ForceSeventh Air ForceThe Seventh Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea....
, 18 Sep 1966-c. 15 Aug 1973 - Attached to:United States Support Activities Group/Seventh Air Force, c. 15 Aug 1973 – 30 Jun 1975
- 17th Air Division, 1 Jul – 23 Dec 1975
- Twelfth Air Force, 1 Jul 1976
- Tactical Training, Davis-Monthan, 1 Aug 1978 – 1 Apr 1979
- Fifth Air ForceFifth Air ForceThe Fifth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Yokota Air Base, Japan....
, 1 Jul 1984 – 1 Oct 1994 - Pacific Air Forces to activate or inactivate at any time after 16 Jan 2002
- Twelfth Air Force, 1 May 2007 – present
- Air Combat CommandAir Combat CommandAir Combat Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. ACC is one of ten major commands , reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force ....
to activate or inactivate at any time after 1 Jun 2008 (432d AEW)
Components
- 432d Operations Group432d Operations GroupThe 432d Operations Group is the flying component of the United States Air Force 432d Wing, stationed at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada.-Overview:...
: 31 May 1991 – 1 Oct 1994. 1 May 2007 – present - 4411th Combat Crew Training Group: attached 8 Apr – 17 May 1959
- 3d Observation (later, 3 Tactical Reconnaissance) Squadron: attached 27 Mar – 1 Nov 1943
- 22nd Tactical Drone Squadron: 1 Jul 1976 – 1 Apr 1979
- 4th Tactical Fighter Squadron: attached 29–30 Oct 1972, assigned 31 Oct 1972 – 23 Dec 1975 (not operational, 7–23 Dec 1975)
- 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron: attached 21 Oct – 14 Nov 1967; assigned 15 Nov 1967 – 30 Jun 1975; 1 Jun 1985-31 May 1991
- 25th Tactical Fighter Squadron: 5 Jul 1974 – 18 Dec 1975
- 58th Tactical Fighter Squadron: attached 9 May – 14 Oct 1972
- 307th Tactical Fighter Squadron: attached c. 29 Jul – 28 Oct 1972
- 308th Tactical Fighter Squadron: attached c. 9 May-c. 29 Jul 1972
- 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron: 31 Oct 1972 – 23 Dec 1975 (detached 14–23 Dec 1975)
- 523d Tactical Fighter Squadron: attached 9 Apr – 25 Oct 1972
- 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron: attached 28–31 May 1968; assigned 1 Jun 1968 – 5 Jul 1974
- 11th Tactical Reconnaissance, Photographic-Jet (later, 11 Tactical Reconnaissance; 11 Tactical Drone) Squadron11th Reconnaissance SquadronThe US Air Force 11th Reconnaissance Squadron flies MQ-1 Predator UAV's and is currently stationed at Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, Nevada. The 11th oversees the training of pilots and sensor operators assigned to the MQ-1....
: 25 Oct 1966 – 10 Nov 1970; 1 Jul 1976-1 Apr 1979 - 14th Tactical Reconnaissance (later, 14 Tactical Fighter) Squadron: attached 28 Oct – 5 Nov 1967, assigned 6 Nov 1967 – 30 Jun 1975; 1 Jan 1987-31 May 1991
- 17th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Photographic-Jet17th Reconnaissance SquadronThe 17th Reconnaissance Squadron is a squadron of the United States Air Force. It is assigned to the 57th Operations Group, and stationed at Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, Nevada.-Overview:...
: attached 8 Jan – 7 Feb 1958, assigned 8 Feb 1958 – 10 May 1959 (detached 6 Sep – 9 Dec 1958) - 18th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Photographic-Jet18th Reconnaissance SquadronThe 18th Reconnaissance Squadron is a squadron of the United States Air Force. It is assigned to the 432d Operations Group, and stationed at Creech Air Force Base Nevada.-Mission:...
: attached 8 Jan – 7 Feb 1958, assigned 8 Feb 1958 – 1 Jun 1959. - 20th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Photographic-Jet (later, 20 Tactical Reconnaissance)20th Special Operations SquadronThe 20th Special Operations Squadron is part of the 27th Special Operations Wing at Cannon AFB, New Mexico. It operates CV-22 Osprey aircraft in support of special operations.-Mission:...
: 18 Mar 1954 – 18 May 1959 (detached 8 Apr – 17 May 1959); 18 Sep 1966 – 1 Nov 1967 - 29th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Photographic-Jet: 18 Mar 1954 – 18 May 1959 (detached 8 Apr – 17 May 1959)
- 41st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Night Photographic (later, 41 Tactical Reconnaissance, Photographic-Jet; 41 Tactical Reconnaissance; 41 Tactical Electronic Warfare) Squadron: 18 Mar 1954 – 8 Feb 1958 (detached 20 Oct-c. 6 Dec 1955 and 8 Jan – 8 Feb 1958); 18 Sep 1966 – 15 Aug 1967 (detached 8–15 Aug 1967)
- 43d Tactical Reconnaissance, Night Photographic (later, 43 Tactical Reconnaissance, Night Photographic-Jet) Squadron43d Electronic Combat SquadronThe 43d Electronic Combat Squadron is a component of the United States Air Force 355th Operations Group, stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona.-Overview:...
: 18 Mar 1954 – 8 Feb 1958 (detached 8 Jan – 8 Feb 1958); attached c. 1 Feb – 7 Apr 1959 - 6460th Tactical Reconnaissance (later, 6460 Tactical Electronic Warfare) Squadron; 18 Sep 1966 – 15 Aug 1967 (detached 8–15 Aug 1967)
- 6461st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Photographic-Jet: 18 Sep – 8 Nov 1966 (not operational, 25 Oct-8
- 7th Airborne Command and Control Squadron: 31 Oct 1968 – 30 Apr 1972 (detached entire period)
Stations
- Alachua Army Airfield, Florida, 22 February 1943
- Keystone Army Airfield, Florida, March-1 November 1943
- Shaw AFB, South CarolinaSouth CarolinaSouth Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, 18 Mar 1954 – 18 Jun 1959 - Udorn RTAFB, Thailand, 18 Sep 1966 – 23 Dec 1975
- Davis-Monthan AFB, ArizonaArizonaArizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, 1 Jul 1976 – 1 Apr 1979 - Misawa AB, Japan, 1 Jul 1984 – 1 Oct 1994
- Creech AFB, NevadaNevadaNevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
, 1 May 2007 – present
Aircraft
- A-20/DB-7 Havoc, 1943
- P-39 Aircobra, 1943
- RB-26B Invader, 1954–1956
- RB-57A Canberra, 1954–1956
- RF-80A Shooting Star, 1954–1955
- RF-84F Thunderstreak, 1955–1958
- RB-66C Destroyer, 1956–1959
- RF-101C Voodoo, 1957–1959; 1966–1967
- EB-66C Destroyer, 1966–1967
- F-4/RF-4C Phantom II, 1966–1975
- RC-47, 1966–1969; and AC-47, 1969–1970
- BQM-34Ryan FirebeeThe Ryan Firebee was a series of target drones or unmanned aerial vehicles developed by the Ryan Aeronautical Company beginning in 1951. It was one of the first jet-propelled drones, and one of the most widely-used target drones ever built....
(drone), 1976–1979 - DC-130 Hercules, 1976–1979
- RC-130 Hercules; 1976–1978;
- F-16 Falcon, 1985–1994.