363rd Air Expeditionary Wing

363rd Air Expeditionary Wing
Unit name	363rd Air Expeditionary Wing
Dates	1943–1945; 1953–1956; 2002–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States
Type	Air Expeditionary Wing
Role	Air support
Command structure	United States Air Forces Central Command
Garrison	Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia
Battles	World War II, Global War on Terrorism
Decorations	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award

363rd Air Expeditionary Wing is a provisional United States Air Force unit assigned to United States Air Forces Central Command. It is stationed at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, providing critical air support and base operating support across the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The wing's history traces back to its initial activation as the 363rd Fighter Group during World War II. Its current mission focuses on enabling airpower projection and fostering security cooperation with regional partners.

History

The wing originated as the 363rd Fighter Group, activated on 1 March 1943 at Hamilton Field, California. Equipped with P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft, the group trained for combat before deploying to the European Theater of Operations in 1944. Under Ninth Air Force, it provided crucial close air support for Allied ground forces advancing across France and Germany, participating in campaigns like the Battle of the Bulge and the Western Allied invasion of Germany. Following Victory in Europe Day, the group returned to the United States and was inactivated at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, in 1945.

The unit was redesignated the 363rd Fighter-Day Wing and activated at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, South Carolina, in 1953 during the Cold War. Flying F-86 Sabre and later F-100 Super Sabre jets, it served as part of Tactical Air Command's air defense and deterrence posture. This incarnation was inactivated in 1956. The wing was reconstituted in the air expeditionary role in 2002 at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, to support Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, later relocating its headquarters to Prince Sultan Air Base.

Assignments

The wing's assignments have shifted with its changing missions. During World War II, it was directly assigned to Ninth Air Force. In the 1950s, it fell under the 839th Air Division of Tactical Air Command. In its modern expeditionary form, it is a gained unit operationally controlled by United States Air Forces Central Command, which is a component of U.S. Central Command. Its parent Major Command is Air Combat Command, which provides its personnel and equipment. This structure allows for flexible command and control in response to contingency operations across the Middle East.

Components

As an air expeditionary wing, its assigned groups and squadrons fluctuate based on the temporary duty cycle of the Air Expeditionary Force system. Historically, as the 363rd Fighter Group, its operational components were the 380th Fighter Squadron, 381st Fighter Squadron, and 382nd Fighter Squadron. In its 1950s fighter-wing guise, these same squadrons, then designated fighter-day squadrons, were assigned. Current components are typically temporary and can include various expeditionary operations support squadrons, expeditionary civil engineer squadrons, expeditionary security forces squadrons, and expeditionary medical groups, which provide the enabling capabilities for air operations at deployed locations.

Operations

The wing's World War II operations were extensive, providing fighter-bomber support for major Allied offensives. It conducted armed reconnaissance and strafing missions against German transportation networks, airfields, and armor during the Normandy campaign, Operation Cobra, and the Rhine crossing. In the modern era, it has been a key enabler for combat air patrols, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, and aerial refueling operations throughout the U.S. Central Command region. It supports ongoing operations aimed at promoting regional stability and countering threats from groups like ISIL.

Aircraft

Throughout its service, the wing has operated several iconic fighter aircraft. Initially, it flew the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt during World War II. In the 1950s, it transitioned to the North American F-86 Sabre and the North American F-100 Super Sabre. As an air expeditionary wing, it does not have permanently assigned aircraft; instead, it hosts and supports various transient and deployed aircraft from across the United States Air Force. These have included the F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, KC-135 Stratotanker, and F-22 Raptor, among others.

Emblem

The wing's approved heraldry features a shield blazoned with a bend Azure between a cloud formation and a spur rowel, all on an orange field. The bend represents the unit's fighter lineage and speed, while the cloud formation symbolizes the airpower mission. The spur rowel is a traditional cavalry symbol denoting the unit's historical role in providing close air support to ground forces, akin to modern air cavalry. The orange color alludes to the sun and the unit's original designation as a fighter group. The crest above the shield includes a cloud and a star, further emphasizing its aeronautical heritage.

Category:Air expeditionary wings of the United States Air Force Category:Military units and formations established in 1943