485th Air Expeditionary Wing
Encyclopedia
The 485th Air Expeditionary Wing (485 AEW) is a provisional United States Air Force
unit assigned to the Air Combat Command
. As a provisional unit, the 485 AEW may be inactivated or activated at any time by Air Combat Command.
The wing was last known to be active during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, located at Tabuk Regional Airport
, Saudi Arabia, in 2003.
A B-24 Liberator
Fifteenth Air Force
heavy bomb group during World War II, the 485th Bombardment Group returned to the United States in May 1945, being converted into a B-29 Superfortress
Very Heavy bombardment group, undergoing training by Second Air Force
when the war ended in August 1945. The group remained at its stage-3 training base, Smoky Hill AAF, Kansas after the war.
In the postwar era, the 485th Bombardment Group was one of the original ten USAAF bombardment groups assigned to Strategic Air Command
on 21 March 1946. The group was inactivated on 4 August 1946 at Smoky Hill Army Airfield, Kansas
due to the Air Force's policy of retaining only low-numbered groups on active duty after the war. It's B-29 aircraft, personnel and equipment being activated as the senior 97th Bombardment Group
in an administrative redesignation.
During the 1980s, the 485th was reactivated as a GLCM Cruise Missile wing in Belgium. Inactivated as a result of the INF treaty in 1989,
; Eglin AFB, Florida, as well as the West Virginia Air National Guard
, Tennessee Air National Guard
, Missouri Air National Guard
, Kentucky Air National Guard
, Oklahoma Air National Guard
, Delaware Air National Guard
, and the Air Force Reserve.
By 3 May 2003, the C-130 portion of the wing had flown 1199 missions, 3354 sorties, 7451 hours, hauled 9382 tons of cargo and 8800 passengers, and boasted a mission capable rate
average greater than 90 percent. When the F-15s completed flight operations 17 April they had compiled 581 sorties, flown more than 4000 hours and maintained a mission capable rate greater than 83 percent.
The wing was disbanded in early May 2003 with the last members returning to the United States in September of that year.
for training in B-24 Liberator
s. Primarily trained in Nebraska and received deployment orders for the Mediterranean Theater of Operations
(MTO) in March 1944.
Deployed to Southern Italy in April 1944; entered combat in May 1944, being assigned to Fifteenth Air Force
. Engaged in very long range strategic bombing missions to enemy military, industrial and transportation targets in Italy
, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary
, Romania, and Yugoslavia
, bombing marshalling yards, oil refineries, airdrome installations, heavy industry, and other strategic objectives.
Received a DUC for combating intense fighter opposition and attacking an oil refinery at Vienna on 26 June 1944. Also carried out some support and interdiction operations. Struck bridges, harbors, and troop concentrations in August 1944 to aid the invasion of Southern France. Hit communications lines and other targets during March and April 1945 to support the advance of British Eighth Army in northern Italy.
Returned to the United States in May 1945, being programmed for deployment to the Pacific Theater of Operations
(PTO) as a B-29 Superfortress
Very Heavy Bombardment Group. Many combat veterans of MTO demobilized upon arrival in the United States, and a small cadre of personnel reformed at Sioux Falls Army Airfield, South Dakota at the end of May. Reassigned to Second Air Force
for training in Iowa. Retained on active duty after Japanese capitulation and assigned to Continental Air Forces, being stationed at Smoky Hill Army Airfield, Kansas
in September.
Transferred to Strategic Air Command
in March 1946. Personnel shortages and budget reductions led to squadron inactivation in August 1946, equipment and personnel reassigned to other SAC units
, Belgium. The wing was activated in 1984 and inactivated in 1989 with the withdrawal of American forces from Florennes. Their installations are now being used by the TLP
, which trains NATO airforces in Composite Air Operations (COMAO). This unit will move to Albacete
in Spain in the summer of 2009 at which time the former 485th MW buildings will be transferred to Belgium.
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 the 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 ....
. As a provisional unit, the 485 AEW may be inactivated or activated at any time by Air Combat Command.
The wing was last known to be active during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, located at Tabuk Regional Airport
Tabuk Regional Airport
Tabuk Regional Airport or King Faisal Airbase is a military and civilian airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.-Military use:The Royal Saudi Air Force keeps much of its F-15 fighter jets at Tabuk.-Airlines and destinations:-Accidents and incidents:...
, Saudi Arabia, in 2003.
A B-24 Liberator
B-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...
Fifteenth Air Force
Fifteenth Air Force
The Fifteenth Expeditionary Mobility Task Force is one of two EMTFs assigned to the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command . It is headquartered at Travis Air Force Base, California....
heavy bomb group during World War II, the 485th Bombardment Group returned to the United States in May 1945, being converted into a B-29 Superfortress
B-29 Superfortress
The B-29 Superfortress is a four-engine propeller-driven heavy bomber designed by Boeing that was flown primarily by the United States Air Forces in late-World War II and through the Korean War. The B-29 was one of the largest aircraft to see service during World War II...
Very Heavy bombardment group, undergoing training by Second Air Force
Second Air Force
The Second Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Air Education and Training Command . It is headquartered at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi....
when the war ended in August 1945. The group remained at its stage-3 training base, Smoky Hill AAF, Kansas after the war.
In the postwar era, the 485th Bombardment Group was one of the original ten USAAF bombardment groups assigned to Strategic Air Command
Strategic Air Command
The 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...
on 21 March 1946. The group was inactivated on 4 August 1946 at Smoky Hill Army Airfield, Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
due to the Air Force's policy of retaining only low-numbered groups on active duty after the war. It's B-29 aircraft, personnel and equipment being activated as the senior 97th Bombardment Group
97th Operations Group
The 97th Operations Group is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the Air Mobility Command 97th Air Mobility Wing. It is stationed at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma...
in an administrative redesignation.
During the 1980s, the 485th was reactivated as a GLCM Cruise Missile wing in Belgium. Inactivated as a result of the INF treaty in 1989,
Overview
When activated in 2003, the 485 AEW was a composite wing of 24 F-15C “Eagles” fighter aircraft and 46 C-130H Hercules cargo aircraft and more than 3500 personnel from 82 different locations. The C-130s assembled represent one of the largest combat groupings ever. The wing was composed of aircraft and personnel from Langley AFB, VirginiaVirginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
; Eglin AFB, Florida, as well as the West Virginia Air National Guard
West Virginia Air National Guard
The West Virginia Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of West Virginia. It is, along with the West Virginia Army National Guard, an element of the West Virginia National Guard...
, Tennessee Air National Guard
Tennessee Air National Guard
The Tennessee Air National Guard is the independent air arm of the Tennessee National Guard. Along with the Tennessee Army National Guard, it comprises the National Guard of the U.S...
, Missouri Air National Guard
Missouri Air National Guard
The Missouri Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of Missouri. It is, along with the Missouri Army National Guard, an element of the Missouri National Guard...
, Kentucky Air National Guard
Kentucky Air National Guard
The Kentucky Air National Guard is a subordinate air force unit of the United States National Guard. It is located in the state of Kentucky. It is considered a part of the United States Air Force, as well as its state mission.-People:...
, Oklahoma Air National Guard
Oklahoma Air National Guard
The Oklahoma Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It is, along with the Oklahoma Army National Guard, an element of the Oklahoma National Guard. It is considered a part of the United States Air Force, as well as of the state...
, Delaware Air National Guard
Delaware Air National Guard
The Delaware Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of Delaware. It is, along with the Delaware Army National Guard, an element of the Delaware National Guard...
, and the Air Force Reserve.
By 3 May 2003, the C-130 portion of the wing had flown 1199 missions, 3354 sorties, 7451 hours, hauled 9382 tons of cargo and 8800 passengers, and boasted a mission capable rate
Availability
In telecommunications and reliability theory, the term availability has the following meanings:* The degree to which a system, subsystem, or equipment is in a specified operable and committable state at the start of a mission, when the mission is called for at an unknown, i.e., a random, time...
average greater than 90 percent. When the F-15s completed flight operations 17 April they had compiled 581 sorties, flown more than 4000 hours and maintained a mission capable rate greater than 83 percent.
The wing was disbanded in early May 2003 with the last members returning to the United States in September of that year.
World War II
Constituted as 485th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 September 1943 and activated on 20 September. Assigned to II Bomber CommandII Bomber Command
The II Bomber Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to Second Air Force, based at Fort George Wright, Washington. It was inactivated on 6 October 1943....
for training in B-24 Liberator
B-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...
s. Primarily trained in Nebraska and received deployment orders for the Mediterranean Theater of Operations
Mediterranean Theater of Operations
The Mediterranean Theater of Operations, United States Army was originally called North African Theater of Operations and is an American term for the conflict that took place between the Allies and Axis Powers in North Africa and Italy during World War II...
(MTO) in March 1944.
Deployed to Southern Italy in April 1944; entered combat in May 1944, being assigned to Fifteenth Air Force
Fifteenth Air Force
The Fifteenth Expeditionary Mobility Task Force is one of two EMTFs assigned to the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command . It is headquartered at Travis Air Force Base, California....
. Engaged in very long range strategic bombing missions to enemy military, industrial and transportation targets in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
, Romania, and Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
, bombing marshalling yards, oil refineries, airdrome installations, heavy industry, and other strategic objectives.
Received a DUC for combating intense fighter opposition and attacking an oil refinery at Vienna on 26 June 1944. Also carried out some support and interdiction operations. Struck bridges, harbors, and troop concentrations in August 1944 to aid the invasion of Southern France. Hit communications lines and other targets during March and April 1945 to support the advance of British Eighth Army in northern Italy.
Returned to the United States in May 1945, being programmed for deployment to the Pacific Theater of Operations
Pacific Theater of Operations
The Pacific Theater of Operations was the World War II area of military activity in the Pacific Ocean and the countries bordering it, a geographic scope that reflected the operational and administrative command structures of the American forces during that period...
(PTO) as a B-29 Superfortress
B-29 Superfortress
The B-29 Superfortress is a four-engine propeller-driven heavy bomber designed by Boeing that was flown primarily by the United States Air Forces in late-World War II and through the Korean War. The B-29 was one of the largest aircraft to see service during World War II...
Very Heavy Bombardment Group. Many combat veterans of MTO demobilized upon arrival in the United States, and a small cadre of personnel reformed at Sioux Falls Army Airfield, South Dakota at the end of May. Reassigned to Second Air Force
Second Air Force
The Second Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Air Education and Training Command . It is headquartered at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi....
for training in Iowa. Retained on active duty after Japanese capitulation and assigned to Continental Air Forces, being stationed at Smoky Hill Army Airfield, Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
in September.
Transferred to Strategic Air Command
Strategic Air Command
The 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...
in March 1946. Personnel shortages and budget reductions led to squadron inactivation in August 1946, equipment and personnel reassigned to other SAC units
Cold War
The 485th Tactical Missile Wing operated the Air Force's Ground Launched Cruise Missile base in Florennes Air BaseFlorennes Air Base
Florennes Air Base is a Belgian Air Component military airfield located in Florennes, a municipality of Belgium. It is home to the 2nd Tactical Wing, operating F-16 Fighting Falcons. It also used to be the home to the Tactical Leadership Programme , a joint training program formed by 10 NATO members...
, Belgium. The wing was activated in 1984 and inactivated in 1989 with the withdrawal of American forces from Florennes. Their installations are now being used by the TLP
TLP
TLP refers to:*TLP , reaggea band*Tactical Leadership Programme, a military training unit situated in Albacete, Spain.*Traded Life Policies, the trading, largely in Britain, of second-hand life assurance....
, which trains NATO airforces in Composite Air Operations (COMAO). This unit will move to Albacete
Albacete
Albacete is a city and municipality in southeastern Spain, 258 km southeast of Madrid, the capital of the province of Albacete in the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha. The municipality had a population of c. 169,700 in 2009....
in Spain in the summer of 2009 at which time the former 485th MW buildings will be transferred to Belgium.
Lineage
- Constituted as 485th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 September 1943
- Activated on 20 September 1943
- Redesignated 485th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) on 1 August 1945
- Inactivated on 4 August 1946, aircraft/personnel/equipment redesignated 97th Bombardment Group
- Redesignated: 485th Tactical Missile Wing in 1984
- Activated on: 1 August 1984
- Inactivated: 30 September 1989
- Redesignated: 485th Air Expeditionary Wing and converted to provisional status, 2003.
- Activation/Inactivation dates TBD
Assignments
- Second Air ForceSecond Air ForceThe Second Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Air Education and Training Command . It is headquartered at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi....
, 20 September 1943 – 11 March 1944 - 55th Bomardment Wing55th Bombardment Wing (World War II)The 55th Bombardment Wing was a World War II United States Army Air Force organization assigned to Fifteenth Air Force as an intermediate-level command and control organization...
, April 1944-15 May 1945 - Army Service ForcesArmy Service ForcesThe Army Service Forces were one of the three autonomous components of the Army of the United States during World War II, the others being the Army Air Forces and Army Ground Forces. They were created on February 28, 1942 by Executive Order Number 9082 "Reorganizing the Army and the War Department"...
, 30 May–1 August 1945 - Second Air ForceSecond Air ForceThe Second Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Air Education and Training Command . It is headquartered at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi....
, 1 August 1945 – 21 March 1946
- 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...
, 21 March–4 August 1946 - Seventeenth Air ForceSeventeenth Air ForceSeventeenth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force located at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. The command served the United States Air Forces in Europe during its years of active service...
, 1984–1989 - Allocated to 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 ....
for activation or inactivation, 2003
- Attached to: United States Central Command Air ForcesUnited States Central Command Air ForcesUnited States Air Forces Central is a unit of the United States Air Force headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina...
, 2003
Components
- 71st Tactical Missile Squadron: 1 August 1984 to 30 April 1989 (48 missiles)
- 485th Tactical Missile Maintenance Squadron: 1 August 1984 to 30 April 1989
- 506th Bombardment Squadron506th Bombardment SquadronThe 506th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 44th Bombardment Wing, stationed at Chennault Air Force Base, Louisiana. It was inactivated on 15 June 1960-History:...
: 7 March–4 August 1946 - 828th Bombardment Squadron828th Bombardment SquadronThe 829th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 485th Bombardment Group stationed at Smoky Hill Army Airfield, Kansas.-History:...
: 20 September 1943 – 4 August 1946 - 829th Bombardment Squadron829th Bombardment SquadronThe 829th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 485th Bombardment Group stationed at Smoky Hill Army Airfield, Kansas.-History:...
: 20 September 1943 – 4 August 1946 - 830th Bombardment Squadron830th Bombardment SquadronThe 830th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 509th Bombardment Wing stationed at Pease Air Force Base, New Hampshire.-History:...
: 20 September 1943 – 6 May 1946 - 831st Bombardment Squadron831st Bombardment SquadronThe 831st Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 485th Bombardment Group, based at Sioux City AAB, Iowa...
: 1 October 1943 – 20 August 1945
Stations
- Fairmont AAFFairmont Army AirfieldFairmont State Airfield is a public use airport located three nautical miles south of the central business district of Fairmont, in Fillmore County, Nebraska, United States. It is owned by the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics. The airport serves the general aviation community, with no scheduled...
, NebraskaNebraskaNebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
, 20 September 1943 – 11 March 1944 - Venosa Airfield, Italy, April 1944-15 May 1945
- Sioux Falls AAFSioux Falls Regional AirportSioux Falls Regional Airport , also known as Joe Foss Field, is a joint civil and military use airport located three nautical miles northwest of the central business district of Sioux Falls, a city in Minnehaha County, South Dakota, United States...
, South DakotaSouth DakotaSouth Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
, 30 May 1945 - Sioux City AABSioux Gateway Airport-History:The construction of Sioux City Army Air Base began in March 1942, about three months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Opened on 5 July 1942, it became a major training center during World War II for crew members of B-24 Liberators and B-17 Flying Fortresses...
, IowaIowaIowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, 24 July 1945 - Smoky Hill AAFSalina Municipal AirportSalina Municipal Airport is a public-use airport located three nautical miles southwest of the central business district of Salina, a city in Saline County, Kansas, United States. It is owned by the Salina Airport Authority....
, KansasKansasKansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
, 8 September 1945 – 4 August 1946.
- Florennes Air BaseFlorennes Air BaseFlorennes Air Base is a Belgian Air Component military airfield located in Florennes, a municipality of Belgium. It is home to the 2nd Tactical Wing, operating F-16 Fighting Falcons. It also used to be the home to the Tactical Leadership Programme , a joint training program formed by 10 NATO members...
, Belgium 4 August 1984 – 30 September 1989
- BGM-109G Missile site located at: 50°13′34"N 004°39′01"E
- Tabuk Regional AirportTabuk Regional AirportTabuk Regional Airport or King Faisal Airbase is a military and civilian airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.-Military use:The Royal Saudi Air Force keeps much of its F-15 fighter jets at Tabuk.-Airlines and destinations:-Accidents and incidents:...
, Saudi Arabia, 2003
- Tabuk Regional Airport
Aircraft flown
- B-24 LiberatorB-24 LiberatorThe 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...
(1943–1946) - BGM-109G Ground Launched Cruise Missile, 1984–1989
- F-15 EagleF-15 EagleThe McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter designed by McDonnell Douglas to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. It is considered among the most successful modern fighters with over 100 aerial combat victories with no losses in dogfights...
(2003) - C-130 HerculesC-130 HerculesThe Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
(2003) - C-5 GalaxyC-5 GalaxyThe Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is a large military transport aircraft built by Lockheed. It provides the United States Air Force with a heavy intercontinental-range strategic airlift capability, one that can carry outsize and oversize cargos, including all air-certifiable cargo. The Galaxy has many...
(2003)
See also
- List of BGM-109G GLCM Units
External links
- (Page 10) "130thAW mobilizations at highest level since Desert Storm", Capt. David P. Lester, Mountaineer Defender-Magazine of the West Virginia National Guard
- 485th Wing Story
- "166th AW part of Herculean gathering of C-130s in Operation Iraqi Freedom", Capt. David P. Lester, Delaware Air National Guard
- Globalsecurity.org: Florennes, Belgium
- 485th Tactical Missile Wing Alumni Association