355th Wing
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| 355th Wing | |
|---|---|
 United States Air Force · Public domain · source | |
| Unit name | 355th Wing |
| Caption | Emblem of the unit |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Wing |
| Role | Fighter, reconnaissance, air superiority |
| Garrison | Davis–Monthan Air Force Base |
| Nickname | "Fighting 355th" |
| Notable commanders | General Robin Rand, Colonel John C. Hackett |
| Battles | Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom |
355th Wing The 355th Wing is a major operational wing of the United States Air Force with a mission combining fighter, reconnaissance, and air superiority roles. Stationed at Davis–Monthan Air Force Base, the wing integrates combat, intelligence, and support elements to project power across multiple theaters. It traces lineage through a series of redesignations and deployments dating to World War II and maintains affiliations with Air Combat Command and other combatant organizations.
Overview
The wing serves as an operational and administrative headquarters for several groups and squadrons, providing command for fighter units equipped with advanced platforms such as the A-10 Thunderbolt II and remotely piloted systems. It executes training, readiness, and contingency operations supporting combatant commanders like the United States Central Command and United States Northern Command. The unit coordinates with installations such as Eielson Air Force Base, Luke Air Force Base, and allied partners including Royal Air Force Lakenheath and Kadena Air Base to sustain power projection and joint interoperability.
History
Constituted during World War II, the unit's predecessor organizations participated in campaigns across the European Theater of Operations and later in the Pacific Theater of Operations. Postwar reorganizations placed the wing under commands including Tactical Air Command and later Air Combat Command following the Goldwater–Nichols Act era restructurings. During the Vietnam War, attached squadrons conducted close air support and interdiction missions in coordination with the United States Army and Republic of Vietnam Air Force. In the 1990s the wing deployed assets to Operation Desert Storm and supported enforcement of No-fly zones over Iraq with expeditionary rotations to bases such as Prince Sultan Air Base and Al Udeid Air Base. After 11 September 2001, the wing provided persistent support to Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom through strike, reconnaissance, and forward operating capabilities.
Organization
The wing is organized into operational groups, a maintenance group, a mission support group, a medical group, and tenant units. Operational components have included fighter squadrons, reconnaissance squadrons, and training squadrons with historical associations to units such as the 354th Fighter Squadron and 357th Fighter Squadron. Maintenance elements work closely with the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command units for depot-level maintenance and surge capacity. The wing's command relationships span higher headquarters like Ninth Air Force and liaison with unified combatant commands including United States Indo-Pacific Command.
Operations and Deployments
The wing has mounted expeditionary operations across multiple theaters, deploying to forward operating locations including Al Dhafra Air Base, Incirlik Air Base, and Bagram Airfield. It executed close air support, combat search and rescue, and forward air control missions in partnership with units from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Nellis Air Force Base, and Kadena Air Base. During Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, forces coordinated with coalition partners such as the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Air Force, and contingents from NATO to provide precision strike, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. Humanitarian and disaster relief tasks have involved coordination with agencies like United States Agency for International Development and Federal Emergency Management Agency during domestic contingencies.
Aircraft and Equipment
Historically equipped with types ranging from P-51 Mustang and P-47 Thunderbolt in World War II to jet-era platforms like the F-84 Thunderjet, F-4 Phantom II, and F-15 Eagle, the wing has transitioned through successive generations of combat aircraft. Contemporary equipment includes the A-10 Thunderbolt II for close air support and remotely piloted aircraft such as the MQ-9 Reaper for intelligence, surveillance, and strike roles. Support and special mission aircraft associated with the wing have included variants of the C-130 Hercules for theater airlift and the HH-60 Pave Hawk for personnel recovery missions. Ground systems encompass advanced targeting pods, electronic warfare suites, and mission planning systems integrated with Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System feeds.
Honors and Emblems
The wing and its predecessor units have earned campaign streamers and decorations for service in major conflicts, including citations for actions during World War II, the Vietnam War, and Gulf War operations. Unit awards include commendations from Department of the Air Force authorities and theater-specific honors coordinated with combatant commands. The emblem incorporates heraldic elements symbolizing air superiority, close air support, and surveillance capabilities, reflecting historical ties to squadrons decorated for combat performance in engagements such as the Battle of the Bulge and operations over North Vietnam.
Notable Personnel and Incidents
Notable personnel associated with the wing include commanders and aces who later served in senior positions within Air Combat Command and joint staffs, as well as pilots awarded decorations such as the Silver Star and Distinguished Flying Cross. Incidents in the wing's history have encompassed combat losses during Vietnam War operations, peacetime accidents involving legacy aircraft during training sorties over ranges like the Nellis Range Complex, and high-profile search and rescue responses during contingency operations. The wing's personnel have participated in multinational exercises including Red Flag, Cope Thunder, and Operation Northern Watch to refine tactics and strengthen coalition interoperability.