aviano wing commander aviano wing commander

An official website of the United States government, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. Each F-16 has a tail markings in the squadron colors Green with the words "Triple Nickel" in white for the 555th FS and Purple with the words "Buzzards" in white for the 510th FS. 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. 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 . Gen. Daniel T. Lasica, who will assume command of the 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force-Afghanistan, as well as concurrent leadership roles with NATO and Air Forces Central Command. ( Chad Trujillo/U.S. When contacting the MPF's main line at DSN: 632-5404/Comm: 0434-30-5404 please choose from the following options: Commander's Support Staff = Option 2 For Customer Support = Option 3 For the Passport Office = Option 3 During operational F-16 tours both stateside and overseas, Col. OConnor has served as a Squadron Commander, Director of Operations, Chief of Wing Standardization and Evaluation, Flight Commander, F-16 Flight Examiner, and F-16 Instructor Pilot. Sign up to receive a daily email of today's top military news stories from Stars and Stripes and top news outlets Heriberto Diaz, Third Air Force command chief, waves from an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter assigned to the 56th Rescue Squadron at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Nov. 22, 2022. Website: . In 1961, General David Wade was dispatched to Torrejn, where he took command of SAC's 16th Air Expeditionary Task Force. 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. 2022 Spark Tank. The 31st Maintenance Group maintains combat capability for 56 combat-coded F-16 C/D and HH-60 aircraft valued at $2.4B, and provides force infrastructure support for 1,600 military and civilian personnel, Col. Kevin Crofton is the the Commander, 31st Operations Group, 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy. Sgt. It supported approximately 11,000 Air Force and civilian members at two main operating bases, four support bases and other sites in Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Croatia, Kosovo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Hungary, Macedonia, Greece, Turkey and Israel; and conducted peacetime engagement throughout the region. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes). July 2014 July 2018, F-16 Instructor/Evaluator Pilot, Director of Operations, 31st Operations Support Squadron; Director of Operations, 555th Fighter Squadron; and Commander, 555th Fighter Squadron, Aviano AB, Italy Anna Jongsma, 31st Operations Support Squadron main shop aircrew flight equipment NCOIC, right, gives flight gloves to U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Derek France, Third Air Force commander, before he flies in an HH-60G Pave Hawk assigned to the 56th Rescue Squadron at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Nov. 21, 2022. Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38, AT-38, and F-16C/D, MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS from around the world. Gen. Daniel T. Lasica, outgoing commander of the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy. During 1953, the wing, then known as the 31st Strategic Fighter Wing, deployed to Japan and Alaska to provide air defense in the northern Pacific. Lt. Col Sullivan was classified as missing in action and following the war, was reclassified as killed in action. Gen. Craig Franklin, 31st Fighter Wing commander, hosted an induction ceremony for 12 Italian community leaders into the Honorary Squadron Commander Program at the La Bella Vista Club here May 8. Walking With Wyverns. and the OSS Commander normally signs for unaffiliated aircrew. Lasica assumed command from Brig. Gen. Daniel T. Lasica, outgoing commander of the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy. from around the world. This detachment collected NATO data from AIRSOUTH/DEPCINCUSAFE-SOUTHERN AREA, a dual-hatted position, and provided the information to 16 AF. The wide-ranging operational capabilities are brought by, Col Jeffrey S. Fewell is the Commander, 31st Medical Group, Aviano Air Base, Italy. 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. The official website for the Aviano Air Base. OPERATIONS . At the same time, the wing switched from flying North American F-100 Super Sabres to McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom IIs.[24]. Beginning in March 1999, the 16th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force grew to 10 air expeditionary wings and 480 Air Force aircraft in 10 countries supporting Operation Allied Force, NATO's air campaign in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia. WING PLAN DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT . Unit 6165 Box 215 . The 31st FW is the only U.S. fighter wing south of the Alps. Gen. Jason Bailey, incoming commander of the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy. different sources and are all signed by the Wing Commander for authority. from around the world. According to Dunham, they can be doing anything from fixing email issues to things as complex as. 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. Their missions consisted mainly of sweeps over allied positions and escorting bombers attacking German positions. 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. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes), Lt. Gen. Timothy R. Ray offers the symbol of leadership for the 31st Fighter wing to Brig. The flight also led to the wing receiving the Tactical Air Command Outstanding Fighter Wing Award for 1964 for the second consecutive year.[17]. 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. Tech. Gen. Craig Franklin. Third Air Force commander, command chief visit Aviano. AMC Aviano Passenger Terminal. Gen. Robert Yates, was stationed at Homestead Air Force Base, Fla., from 1986 to 1989 while it was home to the 31st. 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. Since the beginning of combat operations in Iraq, forces from the wing have been on regular combat rotations into the region. Commander: Lt Gen Kevin B. Kennedy Jr. Vice Commander: Maj Gen David M. Gaedecke: Deputy Commander: . In that capacity, he commands all mission support and logistics functions for a base community of nearly 10,000. 17 JUNE 2021 . The 31st Fighter Wing is the only United States fighter wing south of the Alps. “It’s about looking forward.” Franklin will be the one leading the Air Force’s only permanent fighter wing south of the Alps. Clark. conducted in 31 FW aircraft, while the 31st Operations Group Commander (31 OG/CC) has the primary responsibility for oversight of the program. 2008 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. This strategic location makes the wing important for operations in NATO's southern region. The 31st Fighter Wing continued deploying forces in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Force, with more than one-third of the wing deploying to support operations each year from 2003 to 2007. Now, three of the last four have. On 24 August 1992 Hurricane Andrew swept across southern Florida, leaving extensive damage in its wake. While at Al Jaber, the squadrons flew more than 400 combat sorties. The Wing's focus areas are to defend and improve base infrastructure, further Agile Combat Employment (ACE) capabilities and invest in Wyvern Nation Airmen and families. Major November 1, 2011 [25][26] On 27 June 1972, Lt Col Farrell J. Sullivan and Captain Richard L. Francis of the 523d Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 405th Fighter Wing were shot down over Hanoi while flying an F-4E assigned to the 308th squadron while the 308th was on temporary duty at Udorn. Gen. Daniel T. Lasica, who will assume command of the 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force-Afghanistan, as well as concurrent leadership roles with NATO and Air Forces Central Command. Operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya, The 1948 discontinuance and activation reflect a replacement of a Table of Distribution headquarters by a Table of Organization headquarters for the wing and do not change the wing lineage, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award w/ V Device, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/ Palm, "555th Fighter Squadron "Triple Nickel" Factsheet", "510th Fighter Squadron "Buzzards" Factsheet", "Chief Master Sergeant Jeremy L. Unterseher", "This Week in 31st Fighter Wing History: 308th Fighter Squadron deploys to Morocco", "This Week in 31st Fighter Wing History: F-100s serve in Vietnam", "Military Times Hall of Valor John P. Cerak", "Hurricane Andrew's Legacy: 'Like A Bomb' In Florida", "Operation Deliberate Force: Ten years on", "Honor the Fallen" Airman 1st Class Antoine Holt", UNSR 1973 United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 (2011), "US, Turkey finalizing details of anti-ISIL airstrikes", USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers1908 to Present, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=31st_Fighter_Wing&oldid=1105983707, 31st Operational Medical Readiness Squadron, 40th Air Division, 14 March 1951 (attached to, Ninth Air Force, 1 June 1962 (attached to: Air Force Atlantic Command, 24 October 9 November 1962 and 1 Air Division Provisional, 10 November-c. 30 November 1962), 836th Air Division, 1 August 1966 (attached to, Turner Field (later Turner Air Force Base), Georgia, 20 November 1947, George Air Force Base, California, 15 March 1959, Homestead Air Force Base, Florida, 31 May 1962 6 December 1966, Tuy Hoa Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, 16 December 1966 15 October 1970, Homestead Air Force Base, Florida, 15 October 1970 1 April 1994, Aviano Air Base, Italy, 1 April 1994present, This page was last edited on 22 August 2022, at 17:42. Accomplishments included getting six F-16s and 211 personnel to Incirlik Air Base in Turkey for action against targets in Syria and Iraq on less than a weeks notice. In 1950 the wing transferred from Tactical Air Command to Strategic Air Command and was redesignated as the 31st Fighter-Escort Wing. 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. It has two squadrons of F-16Cs. APO AE 09604. [8], The 31st Mission Support Group's goal is to provide infrastructure and service to support a premiere combat capability and quality of life to the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano community and multiple geographically separated units. Sign up to receive a daily email of today's top military news stories from Stars and Stripes and top news outlets Wing scheduling (31 OSS/OSOS) is designated as the orientation flight In recognition of these achievements, the wing was awarded its second Outstanding Unit Award. Hurricane Andrew severely damaged the base in 1992, leading to its closure and the transfer of the wing to Aviano in 1994. Nov. 8, 2020 | By Jennifer-Leigh Oprihory. In 2005, Sixteenth Air Force moved to Ramstein AB, Germany to become USAFE's new Warfighting Headquarters. In 1985, the wing received its next aircraft, the F-16 and resumed an air defense mission.[17]. The unit employs medical resources and preventive initiatives to ensure airmen remain mission ready to support the Expeditionary Air Force, US and NATO objectives worldwide. Norman covers the U.S. military in Northern Italy and sometimes elsewhere for Stars and Stripes. Detachment 1, AFSOUTH, Naples, Italy. 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. Ray, the 3rd Air Force Commander based at Ramstein, Germany, praised Seguins accomplishments during his tenure. The wing immediately become involved with events in Bosnia, part of the former communist country of Yugoslavia, in May 1994 as part of Operation Deny Flight. 7. 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. Based at Aviano Air Base, Italy, hes been TDY to countries such as Afghanistan Iraq, Kosovo and Bosnia. In 1966, a year after SAC withdrew its B-47 alert force from Spain, the 16 AF was reassigned to U.S. Air Forces in Europe. 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. 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. Second Lieutenant October 3, 2001 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. The 401st Tactical Fighter Wing, with three squadrons of F-100D Super Sabres, moved from the United States to Torrejon Air Base, Spain. [31], In 1999, USAFE activated the 31st Air Expeditionary Wing-NOBLE ANVIL (31st AEW) at Aviano for Operation Allied Force, the NATO operation to stop Serbian atrocities in the Province of Kosovo. 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. Marcus Dunham, Aviano AB MXG and 510th FGS leadership immerse themselves with 56th RGS, Fuels management flight introduces new, innovative refueling capability to wing, The 31st FW celebrates Womens History Month, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. Gen. Tad D. Clark is the Commander, 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy. Landrum becomes the 15th commander of the wing at Aviano and 44th since U.S. forces first came to the base in 1955. 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. He will command about 3,800 airmen and a force that's expected to grow. The wing earned two Outstanding Unit Awards, one with a combat "V" device, a Presidential Unit Citation, two Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Crosses with Palm and ten campaign streamers for action in Vietnam. 2001 Bachelor of Arts, History and English, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Ind. 4. January 2005 November 2007, F-16 Flight Lead, Electronic Combat Pilot, Cannon AFB, N.M. This movement included the longest over-water flight attempted to that date and was the first trans-Pacific mass flight of jet aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brooke Moeder), An HH-60G Pave Hawk assigned to the 56th Rescue Squadron flies over Aviano Air Base, Italy, Nov. 21, 2022. During his visit, France toured the 56th and 57th Rescue Squadrons, the 31st SFS CATM facility, 606th Air Control Squadron, the Comprehensive Operational Medicine for Battle Ready Airmen clinic, and more. [4], At the end of the Cold War Sixteenth Air Force consisted of the following units:[3][5][6]. It later became a provisional Air Expeditionary Task Force under USAFE as part of the Global War on Terrorism. The group sailed to home on 13 August 1945, one of the last units to depart Europe. The two squadrons supported Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force) AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy Brig. AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy Brig. 3. (U.S. Air Force). It trains, equips, plans, and provides weather, intelligence, standardization/evaluation, and command and control sustaining global flying operations. Born in California, hes a 1988 graduate of Humboldt State University and has been a journalist for 40 years. [34] The wing hosted four flying units and more than 1,350 personnel during the 15-day operation, 1731 March.