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552nd Air Control Wing

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Article Genealogy
Parent: E-3 Sentry Hop 4
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552nd Air Control Wing
Unit name552nd Air Control Wing
Dates1943–present
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Air Force
TypeAirborne Command and Control
SizeWing
Command structureTwelfth Air Force / Air Combat Command
GarrisonTinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma
Motto"Guardians of the Upper Realm"
BattlesWorld War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom
DecorationsAir Force Outstanding Unit Award, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Aircraft transportBoeing E-3 Sentry

552nd Air Control Wing. The 552nd Air Control Wing is a premier United States Air Force unit specializing in airborne early warning and control (AEW&C). Operating the Boeing E-3 Sentry (AWACS), it provides critical battle management, command and control, and surveillance for NORAD, USNORTHCOM, and combatant commanders worldwide. Based at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, the wing's history traces back to World War II and it has been integral to every major United States conflict since the Korean War.

History

The wing's origins lie in the 552nd Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), activated in 1943 at Gowen Field, Idaho, flying the B-17 Flying Fortress during World War II. Redesignated as a tactical reconnaissance unit after the war, it later transitioned to the RF-80 Shooting Star and served with distinction in the Korean War, earning a Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation. In 1957, the unit was redesignated the 552nd Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing and began operating the EC-121 Warning Star, flying critical missions during the Vietnam War and the Cold War. The wing moved to Tinker Air Force Base in 1969 and transitioned to the new Boeing E-3 Sentry in 1977, becoming the Air Force's sole AWACS wing and participating in operations from Operation Desert Storm to the present day.

Organization

The wing is composed of several subordinate groups and squadrons. The 552nd Operations Group oversees all flying operations, including the 960th Airborne Air Control Squadron, 963rd Airborne Air Control Squadron, and the 966th Airborne Air Control Squadron. The 552nd Maintenance Group provides comprehensive maintenance and logistics support for the E-3 Sentry fleet. The 552nd Air Control Group manages the wing's extensive training and simulation programs, while specialized support functions are handled by the 72nd Air Base Wing at Tinker Air Force Base under a host-tenant agreement. The wing falls under the operational control of the Twelfth Air Force within Air Combat Command.

Aircraft

The wing's primary aircraft is the Boeing E-3 Sentry, a modified Boeing 707 airframe equipped with a large AN/APY-2 radar housed in a distinctive rotating dome. This advanced airborne warning and control system (AWACS) can detect, identify, and track aircraft and surface vehicles over vast distances, providing a comprehensive picture of the battlespace. The fleet has undergone several major upgrades, including the Block 40/45 modernization which integrated new mission computing systems, displays, and communications suites. Prior aircraft flown by the wing's lineage include the B-17 Flying Fortress, RF-80 Shooting Star, RB-26 Invader, RB-57 Canberra, and the EC-121 Warning Star.

Operations

The 552nd Air Control Wing maintains a constant alert posture for NORAD homeland defense missions. Its E-3 Sentry crews have been deployed continuously in support of major combat and contingency operations, providing indispensable command and control during Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The wing also supports NATO operations, exercises like Red Flag at Nellis Air Force Base, and joint training with allies. Its aircraft routinely operate in regions including USCENTCOM, USEUCOM, and USINDOPACOM areas of responsibility, enforcing no-fly zones and managing complex air operations.

Assignments

The wing has been assigned to several major commands throughout its history. It is currently under the Twelfth Air Force (Air Forces Southern) of Air Combat Command. Past assignments include the Fifteenth Air Force during World War II, the Fifth Air Force in the Korean War, and the Tactical Air Command during the Cold War. It was also operationally gained by the Strategic Air Command while flying the EC-121 Warning Star and has been directly tasked by the NORAD and USNORTHCOM for continental defense missions since the 1970s.

Bases

The wing's primary base since 1969 has been Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, where it shares the installation with the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex. Key previous home stations include Gowen Field, Idaho (activation); McChord Field, Washington; Itazuke Air Base, Japan (Korean War); and Otis Air Force Base, Massachusetts. During the Vietnam War, the wing's EC-121 Warning Star aircraft operated from forward locations such as Kadena Air Base, Okinawa and Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand.

Category:Military units and formations of the United States Air Force Category:Airborne early warning and control wings of the United States Air Force