377th Air Base Wing

377th Air Base Wing. The 377th Air Base Wing is a United States Air Force unit assigned to Air Force Global Strike Command and headquartered at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. It serves as the host wing for the installation, providing base operating support, security, and infrastructure for a diverse array of Department of Defense and federal mission partners. The wing's history traces back to its initial activation as the 377th Bombardment Group during World War II.

History

The wing originated as the 377th Bombardment Group, a B-26 Marauder unit activated on 1 November 1942 under Third Air Force. After training in the United States, the group deployed to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, becoming part of Twelfth Air Force. It conducted tactical bombing missions from bases in Algeria, Tunisia, Sardinia, and Corsica, targeting enemy airfields, rail networks, and troop concentrations in support of the Allied invasion of Sicily and the Italian Campaign. The group was inactivated in Italy on 25 April 1945. It was redesignated the 377th Fighter-Bomber Wing and activated during the Korean War era, flying F-86 Sabre and later F-100 Super Sabre aircraft, before another inactivation in 1955. The unit was revived as the 377th Combat Support Group at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in 1966 during the Vietnam War, providing critical installation support for operations throughout Southeast Asia. It earned the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm for its service. The wing assumed its current air base wing designation and mission at Kirtland Air Force Base in 1993.

Mission

The primary mission is to provide comprehensive installation support, ensuring Kirtland Air Force Base remains a ready and resilient platform for power projection. This encompasses all base operating support functions, including civil engineering, force support, logistics, communications, and security forces protection. The wing directly enables the research, development, testing, and evaluation missions of its host unit, the Air Force Research Laboratory, and other major tenants like the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. A critical component of its mission is supporting the Air Force Safety Center and the Air Force Inspection Agency, which are headquartered on the base. The wing also maintains emergency response capabilities and ensures continuity of operations for all assigned organizations.

Organization

The wing is organized under a traditional staff structure with a commander, vice commander, and a command chief master sergeant overseeing multiple groups. The 377th Mission Support Group delivers essential services such as personnel management, family support, contracting, and base communications. The 377th Security Forces Group provides integrated defense, law enforcement, and resource protection for the installation and its critical assets. The 377th Medical Group offers comprehensive healthcare to military personnel and their families through its clinic and supporting services. These groups are supported by staff directorates including the 377th Comptroller Squadron and the 377th Civil Engineer Squadron, which manage financial and infrastructure programs. The wing also maintains a direct reporting unit for explosive ordnance disposal support.

Bases and units

The wing is permanently stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which is one of the largest installations in the United States Air Force by land area. Key subordinate units include the 377th Security Forces Squadron, the 377th Force Support Squadron, and the 377th Logistics Readiness Squadron, all integral to daily base operations. While the wing itself is not an operational flying unit, it supports numerous flying missions conducted by tenant organizations such as the 58th Special Operations Wing and the 150th Special Operations Wing of the New Mexico Air National Guard. The wing's area of responsibility also includes geographically separated support sites associated with the Sandia National Laboratories and the Manzano Base weapons storage area.

Emblem and heritage

The wing's emblem, approved in 1994, incorporates symbols reflecting its rich lineage. The dominant sword represents strength and the unit's combat heritage from World War II and Vietnam, while the lightning bolt signifies the speed and power of its former fighter aircraft like the F-100 Super Sabre. The checkered pattern, derived from the 377th Bombardment Group's World War II tail marking, provides a direct link to its origins in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. The unit's motto, "Strength for the Fight," underscores its role in providing foundational support to warfighting commands. This heritage is honored through the wing's continued custody of campaign streamers from World War II, including participation in the Rome-Arno and Southern France campaigns, and its recognition with multiple Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards.

Category:United States Air Force wings Category:Military units and formations in New Mexico