During the North Africa campaign, the group claimed 61 Luftwaffe aircraft destroyed. In June 1965, the wing deployed the 307th Tactical Fighter Squadron to Bien Hoa Air Base, Republic of Vietnam. They also relocated their entire operation from Baghdad International Airport to Balad Air Base. Captain Francis was captured and remained a POW until his release at the end of hostilities on 28 March 1973. Aviano served as the launch point for insertion of airborne forces opening a second front in northern Iraq. The official website for the Aviano Air Base. 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. [3] Its main operating bases in Spain were used for SAC B-47 Stratojet rotational alert aircraft until April 1965. Nov. 8, 2020 | By Jennifer-Leigh Oprihory. In June 2018, the unit moved to Aviano AB, Italy, to join the 31st Operation Group / 31st Fighter Wing. Brig. [20] Originally assigned F-51 Mustangs, the wing began converting to Republic F-84 Thunderjets in August 1948. It worked around the clock to launch 2,250 flying operations out of Aviano. This movement included the longest over-water flight attempted to that date and was the first trans-Pacific mass flight of jet aircraft. An official website of the United States government, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. 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. He is responsible for four squadrons, providing a full spectrum of healthcare operations, supporting a population of approximately 8,400 beneficiaries, including 1,300 Personal Reliability Program, Arming Use of, An official website of the United States government, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. Michael Wayne Morris, a maintainer at Aviano Air Base, Italy, died Jan. 12, 2021 from the coronavirus, his friends and family said in Facebook posts. 9 to say goodbye on Friday. The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft. January 1944 brought the Allied landing at Anzio with the 31st the sole provider of air cover for the invasion and beachhead.[17]. Bailey will command the only permanently assigned Air Force fighter aircraft wing in NATOs southern region. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes), Lt. Gen. Timothy R. Ray offers the symbol of leadership for the 31st Fighter wing to Brig. Bailey to take command of Aviano's 31st Fighter Wing Headquarters 16 AF formed the joint force air component command for Operation Silver Wake, the evacuation of Americans and allied noncombatants from Albania. Sign up to receive a daily email of today's top military news stories from Stars and Stripes and top news outlets In 1968 they helped defend installations against enemy forces during the Tet Offensive and the siege of Khe Sanh and were later singled out for their outstanding contribution during the extraction of friendly forces from Kham Duc. Bailey takes over command from 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. The 57th Rescue Squadron performed High-Altitude Low Opening (HALO) jump training over Aviano. 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. 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. Air Force), Brig. 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. This is the official Facebook page of the 31st Fighter Wing commander at Aviano Air Base,. An official website of the United States government Here's how you know Official websites use .mil . In recognition of these achievements, the wing was awarded its second Outstanding Unit Award. different sources and are all signed by the Wing Commander for authority. July 2011 July 2014, F-16 Instructor/Evaluator Pilot, Executive Officer to the Seventh Air Force Commander, Chief of Wing Standardization and Evaluation, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy Brig. [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. 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. The experiment proved successful and the Air Force adopted it on a permanent basis in the summer of 1948, making the wing its basic combat unit. conducted in 31 FW aircraft, while the 31st Operations Group Commander (31 OG/CC) has the primary responsibility for oversight of the program. (Chad Trujillo/U.S. Kent has filled numerous roles at Stars and Stripes including: copy editor, news editor, desk editor, reporter/photographer, web editor and overseas sports editor. From June through December 2001, the fighter squadrons deployed combat search and rescue capabilities three times and helped enforce the no fly zone over Iraq. 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. and the OSS Commander normally signs for unaffiliated aircrew. On 30 March 1981, the wing assumed a larger responsibility for training all F-4 aircrews. 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. Prior to this assignment, Col. OConnor was the Chief, Force Application Division, Joint Staff, J8, Pentagon, Arlington, Va. Col. OConnor is a command pilot with more than 2,700 flying hours in the T-37, T-38, AT-38 and F-16C/D. Supporting this mission, 16 AF planned and executed combat air operations in southern Europe and portions of the Middle East and northern Africa as an air component or joint task force headquarters. The skies above Aviano Air Base hosted the 313th Gruppo Addestramento Acrobatico (Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team) April 26, 2023. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes), The lead F-16 at Aviano Air Base, Italy, now bears the name of the new commander of the 31st Fighter Wing, Brig. 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. [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. From April to August 1972, the 308th deployed to Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand to augment tactical air forces already deployed to that country, followed in July by the 307th TFS. Bailey returns to Aviano after previously serving as the commander of the 31st Operations Support Squadron, as well as an instructor pilot and chief of wing plans and programs from 2011 to 2013. (Chad Trujillo/U.S. It was replaced at Ramstein by the Third Air Force. Hurricane Andrew severely damaged the base in 1992, leading to its closure and the transfer of the wing to Aviano in 1994. In peacetime, the 31st FW prepares for its combat role by maintaining aircraft and personnel in a high state of readiness. When the shooting stopped, the 31st Fighter Group sat as the undisputed top scoring allied fighter group in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations and the fifth highest overall for the Army Air Forces with 570 confirmed aerial victories. Today marks the 78th Anniversary of the Liberation of Italy. In 1957, 16 AF was realigned under Strategic Air Command (SAC) to provide command and control of SAC bases and B-47 Stratojet rotational units assigned and deployed to Spain and Morocco. 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. [4] Redesignated as the 31 Fighter Group shortly before entering the war, it amassed an impressive record. 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. Headquarters, 16 AF moved to Aviano AB in August 1992. At the same time, the wing switched from flying North American F-100 Super Sabres to McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom IIs.[24]. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brooke Moeder), U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Derek France, Third Air Force commander, left, and U.S. Air Force Brig. [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. 6. [1] The 31st FW maintains two F-16 fighter squadrons, the 555th Fighter Squadron[2] Born in California, hes a 1988 graduate of Humboldt State University and has been a journalist for 40 years. February 2004 January 2005, student, F-16 pilot training, Springfield-Beckly Air National Guard Base, Ohio 4. He served in both the 555th and 510th Fighter Squadrons during previous stints. [16], Throughout the wing's history, the 31st Fighter Wing and its predecessor group have flown several aircraft, including P-35, P-39, P-40 and P-51 aircraft in World War II, F-80 aircraft for a short period from 1946 to 1947, and then P-80s, F-51s and F-84s after World War II. This weeks Wyvern Warrior Team of the Week is the 31st Munitions Gun Combat Armament Support Team.This team is responsible for 54 M61A1 gun systems and 11 Universal Ammunition Loading Systems that are valued at $67M. It passed three major inspections with high marks and was heavily involved in four Air and Space Expeditionary Force rotations to Iraq. Number one in the Mediterranean theater of operations in terms of aerial victories, the group was involved in 15 WWII campaigns and earned two Distinguished Unit Citations. 31st Fighter Wing commander . The 16th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force, consisting of the 16th and 31st Air Expeditionary Wings, activated in support of Operation Joint Guardian, and its air component, Operation Deliberate Guard, engaging air power for peace enforcement operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina. 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. 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. On 15 October 1972, Captains James L. Hendrickson and Gary M. Rubus[27] of the 307th Tactical Fighter Squadron[28] shot down a MiG-21 northeast of Hanoi. He was born in Guatemala and raised in Rhode Island. The group's lineage began with its activation at Selfridge Field Michigan, on 1 February 1940. The 401st Tactical Fighter Wing, with three squadrons of F-100D Super Sabres, moved from the United States to Torrejon Air Base, Spain. The Military Personnel Flight (MPF) provides support to the 31st Fighter Wing Aviano Air Base Mission, Airmen and their families. August 2002 September 2003, student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Sheppard AFB, Texas Now Playing. First Lieutenant October 3, 2003 Unterseher.[6]. Franklin is a command pilot with more than 3,100 hours, including time on four F-16 models and the B-1 and B-52 bombers. From March to September 2000, the 510th and 555th Fighter Squadrons conducted back-to-back deployments to Ahmad al-Jaber Air Base, Kuwait, in support of Operation Southern Watch. Then, during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962, the 31st planned operational missions and participated in events that ultimately led to the removal of missiles from Cuba. He has had two previous overseas tours: as a pilot at Hahn Air Base in Germany from 1983 to 1986 and as deputy operations group commander at Kunsan Air Base in South Korea from 1999 to 2000. (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. A new commander is taking charge of the 309th Aircraft Maintenance Group at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, on Monday as the organization shuffles leadership for the second time in less than a year. This 606th ACS unit is comprised of more than 400 Airmen from 25 diverse Air Force specialty codes and $173M of rapidly deployable equipment including two TPS-75 radars, long-haul communications equipment, generators, tactical vehicles and a computer-based information system providing a real-time battlespace picture. The 31st FW also hosts the 56th Rescue Squadron providing a rapidly-deployable, worldwide combat rescue and reaction force response utilizing HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters. Brig. This marked the first aerial victory for the wing in Vietnam and the first for the wing since the end of World War II. General Michael E. Ryan is Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. As Chief, he serves as the senior uniformed Air Force officer responsible for the organization, training and equipage of 700,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas. The wing's support of Operation Iraqi Freedom began in late 2003. Aviano Air Base on Instagram: "FAMILY | Aviano Air Base hosted a tour In March 2011, the 31st played a major role in the United Nations' response to the crisis in Libya, known as Operation Odyssey Dawn, in enforcing a no-fly zone over Libya. (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. This detachment collected NATO data from AIRSOUTH/DEPCINCUSAFE-SOUTHERN AREA, a dual-hatted position, and provided the information to 16 AF. 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. The 16th AETF was inactivated in April 2008. Wyvern Warrior of the Week: Victor Villareal 03.20.2023. Norman covers the U.S. military in Northern Italy and sometimes elsewhere for Stars and Stripes. Second Lieutenant October 3, 2001 They reached the 100,000 combat sortie milestone in September 1969. Lt. Gen. Robert Bishop, commander of the 3rd Air Force, pointed out in his remarks how much the base had changed during Yates’ two years. Two months later in November, the 31st Fighter Wing was organized as part of the test by the Air Force of the wing base organization system, which unified combat groups and their support organizations under a single wing, carrying the same number as the combat group. Aviano welcomes new wing command | Stars and Stripes Gen. Lance K. Landrum during a change of command ceremony Friday, June 10, 2016, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. 2022 Spark Tank. The information in this guide was obtained directly from Aviano Military Community agencies, organizations and dependent community members, to give you the most relevant, expert and up-to-date PCS guidance. On 24 August 1992 Hurricane Andrew swept across southern Florida, leaving extensive damage in its wake. Orientation flight coordinators will track and manage the orientation flight program for their areas of responsibility. Colonel June 1, 2019, An official website of the United States government, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. Gen. Lance K. Landrum seems to be part of a trend. News - AF Rating: Command Pilot Both use the tail code "AV" for AViano. Gen. Tad D. Clark is the Commander, 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy. 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. Air Force), Brig. 2:29. [7], The 31st Maintenance Group provides peacetime and combat maintenance and munitions control, and executive support for the 31st Fighter Wing, geographically separated units under the command and control of the wing, and units gained during advanced stages of readiness. PDF By Order of The Commander Aviano Air Base Instruction 31st Fighter Wing Gen. Daniel T. Lasica took command of the 31st Fighter Wing in a ceremony on Thursday. Sixteenth Air Force - Wikipedia 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. 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. 3. Brig. Sixteenth Air Force aircraft participated in the raid on the Bosnian-Serb held airfield at Udbina in November 1994. The squadrons were assigned to other wings and the 31st began inactivation proceedings. [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]. The following units are subordinate to the Sixteenth Air Force.[1][2]. 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. More. 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 . An example of an internal plan is the 31 FW PLAN 1002- 15, Operations Security Plan. WWW 11-30-22. It is stationed at Aviano Air Base, Italy, a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) base run by the Italian Air Force . Following the war, the 31st Fighter Group, as it was now called, activated at Giebelstadt Army Airfield, Germany as part of the US occupation forces, on 20 August 1946, where they flew Lockheed P-80 Shooting Stars, the first operational American jet fighter aircraft. Under combat conditions, the squadron transferred $73 million in equipment and more than 100 personnel with 20 convoys. Italian community leaders gain insight into Aviano Air Base mission A F-16C Fighting Falcon of the 31st Fighter Wing landing upon returning from an air-strike against the Bosnian Serbs during Operation . Aviano Air Base Home Page The wide-ranging operational capabilities are brought by COLONEL JEFFREY S. FEWELL In 1995, 1h AF supported Operation Joint Endeavor, the NATO peacekeeping mission to the former Yugoslavia, through operations in Croatia, Hungary and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Program Management Office in expanding Aviano Air Base project 724th Air Mobility Squadron. 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. 2008 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. Win the current fight and be ready to win the next fight. 2:01. New Aviano commander a 31st Fighter Wing veteran In 1950 the wing transferred from Tactical Air Command to Strategic Air Command and was redesignated as the 31st Fighter-Escort Wing. Clark. 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs. While leaving Aviano is certainly bittersweet, the sweet part is having the Landrums join the team, Seguin said. Landrum, who served with Seguin in a fighter squadron in Korea early in their careers, has already been an Aviano team member in different roles over the years. [30], In August and September, Operation Deliberate Force began and the 31st conducted air strikes against Bosnian Serbs conducting ethnic purges among the Muslim population of the country. Major November 1, 2011 Col. Kevin Crofton is the the Commander, 31st Operations Group, 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy. 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. They distinguished the unit by destroying seven enemy fighters attacking allied shipping during the invasion of Sicily and six more attacking the invasion force on the beaches of Salerno. It is stationed at Aviano Air Base, Italy, a NATO base run by the Italian air force. Italian and American airmen attend a 31st Fighter Wing change-of-command ceremony Friday, June 10, 2016, at a hangar on Aviano Air Base, Italy.

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