DOCSLIB.ORG

A Guideto Air Force Lineage and Honors

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
A Guideto Air Force Lineage and Honors A GUIDETO AIR FORCE LINEAGE AND HONORS CHARLES A RAVENSTEIN Research Division USAF Historical Research Center Maxwell Air Force Base 1984 Second Edition, Revised I A GUIDE TO AIR FORCE LINEAGE AND HONORS Char1 es A. Ravenstei n Research Division USAF Historical Research Center Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama Second Edition, Revi sed 1984 PREFACE A Guide to Air Force Lineage and Honors, in its second edition, draws on material from numerous Air Force publications and the experience of many Air Force historians. Or. Albert F. Simpson, the Air Force Historian from 1946 to 1969, and Dr. Maurer Maurer, his long-time assistant and editor of two books presenting lineage and honors histories of Air Force organiza- tions, * prepared many of the rules and guides that appear in the text. The author contributed others where none existed. This work combines these guides for those desiring to know more about Air Force unit and establishment history. Chapter One examines different types of units and establishments, the major differences between Air Force- control led (AFCON) and Major Command-control led (MAJCON) organizations, provisional organizations, and related matters. Chapter Two addresses lineage, describing what it is, why it is important, its sources, and Air Force lineage policy. Because lineage and honors histories employ terms that have had different meanings over time, Chapter Three reviews and defines these in some detail. Chapter Four describes the sources of honors data, and discusses how some unit honors are shared. Chapters Five and Six, the last two chapters, are addressed primarily to Air Force historians, - * --Air Force Combat Units of World War I1 (1961; reprint ed., Washington: USGPO, 1983), and Combat S uadrons of the Air Force, World War I1 (1969; reprint ed., Washmoh1982). iii although some topics, such as organization colors, are of general interest. Chapter Five considers the lineage and honors data required in Air Force unit histories: Chapter Six examines common errors found in unit h stories and offers guidance that field historians can follow to avoid them Appendix 1 presents a compilation of Table of Distribution (T/D) unit numbers used by the service between 1944 and 1982; Appendix 2 lists primary Air Force directives touching upon lineage and honors. Heartfelt thanks are owed Albert F. Simpson and Maurer Maurer, who guided my initial lineage and honors endeavors during the 1960s and early 1970s. A special debt is owed R. Cargill Hal , Chief of the Research Division, for his enthusiastic support and ed torial counsel. Finally, grateful thanks must go to Pauline Tubbs, the Research Division editorial assistant who provided the typing, proofreading, and editing that brought this manuscript to the printer. Comments and questions concerning this guide should be addressed to USAFHRC/RI, Maxwell AFB AL 36112. CHARLES A. RAVENSTEIN January 1984 Montgomery, A1 abama iv .. CONTENTS PREFACE ................................ iii LIST OF TABLES ............................ viii CHAPTER ONE . TYPES OF USAF ORGANIZATIONS............... 1 Units ............................. 1 Headquarters Units .................... 1 Squadron Units ( Including F1 ights) ............ 3 Miscellaneous Units .................... 3 Identification of Units .................. 3 Establishments ........................ 4 AFCON and MAJCON Organizations ................ 5 AFCON Organizational Actions ............... 6 AAF Base Units ...................... 8 MAJCON Organizational Actions ............... 10 "Conversion" of MAJCON Units to AFCON Units ........ 12 Provi sional Organi zat ions ................. 13 Identi fyi ng MAJCON/AFCON Units .............. 14 Non.Units ........................... 15 Named Activities ..................... 15 Alphabetically Designated Flights ............. 17 Detachments ........................ 18 Squadron Sections ..................... 20 Air Force Elements .................... 20 CHAPTER TWO . LINEAGE ......................... 23 What is Lineage? ....................... 23 Identifying Organizations ................... 24 Unit and Establishment Lineages ................ 26 Importance of Lineage ..................... 29 V Page USAF Policy Regarding Lineage ................. 32 Sources of Lineage Data in the Field ............. 37 G-Series Orders ...................... 37 Movement Orders ...................... 37 Operations P1 ans/Orders .................. 38 Understanding "Bestowed" Hi story ............... 38 CHAPTER THREE . LINEAGE LANGUAGE ................... 47 Accepted Language : Terms Def ined ............... 47 Unit/Establishrnent Lineage Terms ............... 62 Unacceptable Language ..................... 62 CHAPTER FOUR . UNIT HONORS ...................... 73 Service Streamers ....................... 73 Campaign Streamers ...................... 75 Arrowheads .......................... 79 Decorations .......................... 80 American Decorations ................... 80 Foreign Decorations. ................... 81 Sharing of Honors ....................... 83 Sharing Decorations .................... 83 Sharing Campaign Streamers ................ 86 Confusion of Unit and Non-Unit Honors ............. 90 Sources of Honors Data .................... 91 AFP900.2 ......................... 91 USAFHRC Publications ................... 91 DAF GB-Series Orders ................... 91 CHAPTER FIVE . PREPARING USAF LINEAGE AND HONORS HISTORIES ...... 93 What are L&H Histories?.................... 93 Completing the L&H Appendix in Unit Histories ......... 94 Unit Designation ..................... 94 vi Page Previous Designation ................... 94 Authority ......................... 95 Higher Headquarters .................... 97 Commander ......................... 100 Vice Commander ...................... 103 Units Newly Assigned During Period ............ 104 Assigned Units Lost .................... 106 Internal Reassignments .................. 106 Units Attached (for Operational Control ) ......... 107 Attached Units Lost .................... 108 Units Detached ...................... 109 Units Relieved from Detached Status ............ 110 Station .......................... 110 Aircraft Flown ...................... 112 Awards and Decorations .................. 113 Emblem., ........................ 114 CHAPTER SIX . REPORTING LINEAGE AND HONORS IN FIELD HISTORIES ..... 115 The Importance of Proper Unit Designation ........... 115 Erroneous Designations .................. 115 Improper Use of "Kedesignated" .............. 120 Reporting the Activity of Attached Components ......... 125 Reporting Units "Detached" or "Deployed" ........... 129 A "Components" Appendix in the Unit History .......... 131 Station Lists in the Unit History ............... 134 Listing Key Personnel in the Unit History ........... 137 Listing Weapon Systems in the Unit History .......... 140 Organization Colors ...................... 143 Squadron Colors ...................... 145 APPENDIX 1 .THE NUMBERING OF TABLE OF DISTRIBUTION (T/D) UNITS .... 149 Tabulation 1 .Air Force Base Units. 1944-1948 ........ 149 Tabulation 2 . Major Command-Controlled Units. 1948-1982 ... 151 APPENDIX 2 . REFERENCES TO AIR FORCE DIRECTIVES ............ 155 vii LIST OF TABLES Page 1 . USAFUnits ............................ 2 2 . Unit and Establ ishment Lineages .................. 30 3 . Terms Used in AFCON and MAJCON Unit Lineage ............ 63 4 . Terms Used in AFCON and MAJCON Establishment Lineage ....... 67 5 . Sample Wing Components List (900th TFW. 1 Oct-31 Dec 1971) .... 133 6 . Sample Station List (900th TFW. 1 Oct-31 Dec 1971) ........ 135 7 . Sample Key Personnel List (1000th TFW. 1 Oct-31 Dec 1980) ..... 141 8 . Sample Aircraft Weapon Systems List ................ 142 viii CHAPTER ONE TYPES OF USAF ORGANIZATIONS To function effectively, Air Force military and civilian personnel must understand the different kinds of organizations that comprise the service, and be able to identify and describe them. Units and establish- ments are the two bas c types of organizat ons found in the Air Force. --Units Over the years, different definitions of a un t have appeared in Ai r Force directives. Air Force Regulation (AFR) 26-2 "Organi zat ion Pol CY and Guidance'' (13 April 1978), states: Unit. A military organization constituted by directives issuemHQ USAF, or designated by a major command (MAJCOM) or separate operating agency (SOA). Units fall into three categories : headquarters, squadrons, and miscell aneous . Units such as bands, medical groups, hospitals, dispensaries, and schools are in the miscellaneous category. Such units do not have a headquarters nor do they normally have subordinate elements assigned to them. Military units have an officer designated as the commander. Civilians may be assigned to a unit in a supervisory capacity, including work di rection, but they may not assume the attri butes of military command. c Headauarters Units This type of unit serves as the headquarters of an establishment and is always identifiable by the word "headquarters" in its designation. Table 1, below, lists some representat ve headquarters units among a variety of past and present USAF organ zations. A variation of the 2 TABLE 1 - USAF Units Numerical / Generic Functional Geographical (type) (kind) (unit title) Headquarters Units HQ, United States Air Force HQ, AF (the) United States HQ, Air Force Systems Command HQ, Comand Air Force Systems HQ, Air Force Audit Agency HQ, Agency Air Force Audit HQ, Air Weather Service HQ, Service Air Weather HQ, Third Air Force
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Air & Space Power Journal, September-October 2012, Volume
    September–October 2012 Volume 26, No. 5 AFRP 10-1 Senior Leader Perspective Driving towards Success in the Air Force Cyber Mission ❙ 4 Leveraging Our Heritage to Shape Our Future Lt Gen David S. Fadok, USAF Dr. Richard A. Raines Features The Air Force’s Individual Mobilization Augmentee Program ❙ 12 Is the Current Organizational Structure Viable? Col Robin G. Sneed, USAFR Lt Col Robert A. Kilmer, PhD, USA, Retired An Evolution in Intelligence Doctrine ❙ 33 The Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Mission Type Order Capt Jaylan Michael Haley, USAF Joint Targeting and Air Support in Counterinsurgency ❙ 49 How to Move to Mission Command LTC Paul Darling, Alaska Army National Guard Building Partnership Capacity ❙ 65 Operation Harmattan and Beyond Col James H. Drape, USAF Departments 94 ❙ Ira C. Eaker Award Winners 95 ❙ Views An Airman’s Perspective on Mission Command . 95 Col Dale S. Shoupe, USAF, Retired Seeing It Coming: Revitalizing Future Studies in the US Air Force . 109 Col John F. Price Jr., USAF A Misapplied and Overextended Example: Gen J . N . Mattis’s Criticism of Effects-Based Operations . 118 Maj Dag Henriksen, PhD, Royal Norwegian Air Force Academy, US Air Force Research Institute 132 ❙ Historical Highlights Geopolitics versus Geologistics Lt. Col. Harry A. Sachaklian 146 ❙ Ricochets & Replies 154 ❙ Book Reviews Embry-Riddle at War: Aviation Training during World War II . 154 Stephen G. Craft Reviewer: R. Ray Ortensie A Fiery Peace in a Cold War: Bernard Schriever and the Ultimate Weapon . 157 Neil Sheehan Reviewer: Maj Thomas F. Menza, USAF, Retired Khobar Towers: Tragedy and Response . 160 Perry D. Jamieson Reviewer: CAPT Thomas B.
    [Show full text]
  • United States Air Force and Its Antecedents Published and Printed Unit Histories
    UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AND ITS ANTECEDENTS PUBLISHED AND PRINTED UNIT HISTORIES A BIBLIOGRAPHY EXPANDED & REVISED EDITION compiled by James T. Controvich January 2001 TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTERS User's Guide................................................................................................................................1 I. Named Commands .......................................................................................................................4 II. Numbered Air Forces ................................................................................................................ 20 III. Numbered Commands .............................................................................................................. 41 IV. Air Divisions ............................................................................................................................. 45 V. Wings ........................................................................................................................................ 49 VI. Groups ..................................................................................................................................... 69 VII. Squadrons..............................................................................................................................122 VIII. Aviation Engineers................................................................................................................ 179 IX. Womens Army Corps............................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Welcome to Kunsan Air Base
    Welcome to Kunsan Air Base "Home of the Wolf Pack" Dear Guest, Welcome to Wolf Pack Lodge, the newest AF Lodging facility in the ROK. Kunsan Air Base is home to the 8th Fighter Wing, also known as the "Wolf Pack," a nickname given during the command of Colonel Robin Olds in 1966. Our mission is; "Defend the Base, Accept Follow on Forces, and Take the Fight North," the warriors here do an amazing job ensuring mission success. Kunsan AB plays host to many personnel, in all branches of the service, in support of our numerous peninsula wide exercises each year. We are proud to serve all the war fighters who participate in these exercises and ensure our "Fight Tonight" capability. To ensure you have a great stay with us, I would ask that you report any problem with your room to our front desk staff immediately, so we can try to resolve the issue, and you can focus on your mission here. If any aspect of your stay is less than you would hope for, please call me at 782-1844 ext. 160, or just dial 160 from your room phone. You may also e-mail me at [email protected] , I will answer you as quickly as possible. We are required to enter each room at least every 72 hours, this is not meant to inconvenience you, but to make sure you are okay, and see if there is anything you need. If you will be working shift work while here and would like to set up a time that is best for you to receive housekeeping service, please dial 157 from your room phone, and the Housekeeping Manager would be happy to schedule your cleaning between 0800 and 1600.
    [Show full text]
  • B-57G Thailandthailand November 2010
    November 2010 Vol. 27 No. 3 The Magazine of the 13th Bomb Squadron Association OUR HERITAGE - 13th Aero Squadron 14 June 1917 http://www.13thbombsquadron.org/ Bottom Row Left to Right Forman; Unk; Kelly; Miller;Mathews; Tetreault; Scroggs; Brandon; Buttram, Jack; Dievert; Stroehl, Charlie; Allner, Walt; Unk; Brietski Second Row Chase; Howard;Unk; Unk; Kahen; Mertz; Unk; Judd; Diamond;Lamer; Eddie;Unk; Krough Third Row Golojuch; Griffin (1st Sgt.); Pope; Unk;Palm; Taddlock; Unk; Bell; Unk; Unk; Sahli;Leapold; Mr. Young;Beaslet, Tom; Long; Hedland; Hambleton; Williams; Unk; Reed On Aircraft Devalt; Pickles; Thompson B-57GB-57G ThailandThailand November 2010 President’s Corner A first-time Gathering of know any of these men, please contact and congratulate 13th Eagles occurred at them and then invite them to join our Association and Tampa, FL. on September come to the Washington, DC Reunion in May 2011. 18, 2010, when the men of the 13th Bomb Squadron The new 13th Bomb Squadron Association web site should (B-57G) met to celebrate their be available in Dec. at www.13thBombSquadron.net. departure to the Vietnam Our designer, FaverWebs, has done a terrific job over War exactly 40 years earlier. the last six months in helping us with the development These men continued the and structure of the site and adding suggestions and 13th Bomb Squadron fight constructive comments to get us on line. We must thank against the North Vietnamese Suzie Faver and her expert team headed by Sarah Adams and Viet Cong enemy that for all the help and hard work which brought the site to Bob Butterfield Grim Reapers had begun in fruition.
    [Show full text]
  • Air Base Defense Rethinking Army and Air Force Roles and Functions for More Information on This Publication, Visit
    C O R P O R A T I O N ALAN J. VICK, SEAN M. ZEIGLER, JULIA BRACKUP, JOHN SPEED MEYERS Air Base Defense Rethinking Army and Air Force Roles and Functions For more information on this publication, visit www.rand.org/t/RR4368 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available for this publication. ISBN: 978-1-9774-0500-5 Published by the RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, Calif. © Copyright 2020 RAND Corporation R® is a registered trademark. Limited Print and Electronic Distribution Rights This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. This representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for noncommercial use only. Unauthorized posting of this publication online is prohibited. Permission is given to duplicate this document for personal use only, as long as it is unaltered and complete. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of its research documents for commercial use. For information on reprint and linking permissions, please visit www.rand.org/pubs/permissions. The RAND Corporation is a research organization that develops solutions to public policy challenges to help make communities throughout the world safer and more secure, healthier and more prosperous. RAND is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and committed to the public interest. RAND’s publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors. Support RAND Make a tax-deductible charitable contribution at www.rand.org/giving/contribute www.rand.org Preface The growing cruise and ballistic missile threat to U.S. Air Force bases in Europe has led Headquarters U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • JASDF Surgeon General Visits PACAF Story and Photo by Generation Aircraft Pilots
    What’s INSIDE Preparing for disaster USS Hawaii participates Kick back with a concert “Midway” needs extras See page A-2 in submarine insertion See page B-1 See page B-5 See page A-4 July 20, 2018 www.issuu.com/navyregionhawaii www.hookelenews.com Volume 9 Issue 28 RIMPAC on target Courtesy Story our enemies out to sea naval training possible.” PCB items. Petroleum is also fi repower can do the same.” Former U.S. Navy vessels cleaned from tanks, piping U.S. 3rd Fleet Public Affairs The SINKEX featured live used in SINKEXs, referred and reservoirs. firing of surface-to-ship mis- to as hulks, are prepared in A U.S. Navy environmental, Live fire from aircraft, a siles by the Japan Ground strict compliance with regula- safety and health manager submarine and land assets Self-Defense Force and a Na- tions prescribed and enforced and a quality assurance su- participating in the Rim of val Strike Missile (NSM) from by the Environmental Pro- pervisor inspect the environ- the Pacifi c (RIMPAC) exercise a launcher on the back of a tection Agency (EPA) under a mental remediation conducted sank the decommissioned ex- Palletized Load System (PLS) general permit the U.S. Navy in preparation of a vessel’s use USS Racine (LST-1191) July 12 by the U.S. Army. holds pursuant to the Ma- in a SINKEX. in waters 15,000 feet deep 55 This marks the fi rst time a rine Protection, Research and Upon completion of the en- nautical miles north of Pacifi c land-based unit has partici- Sanctuaries Act.
    [Show full text]
  • The United States Air Forces in Europe
    An Air Force Major Air Command • . • The United States Air Forces in Europe ROOP airlifts and tactical airpower deployments bridging the Atlantic in record time with the Gen. Gabriel P. Disosway, T combat-ready forces shared top-line interest in the USAFE Commander in Chief since 1963, is a World War United States Air Forces in Europe ( USAFE ) during II veteran of the CBI air a year which focused attention on US capabilities for war and was shot down over rapid reinforcement of free-world defenses. China. He has served as Three major exercises, including Exercise Big Lift Commander, ATC's Flying of October-November 1963, brought troops and tacti- Training Air Force; with the cal aircraft from the US. Other intratheater maneuvers DoD's Weapons Systems demonstrated US Army-Air Force teamwork and capa- Evaluation Group; as TAC bilities of allied forces in NATO. Vice Commander; and as Extension of the in-flight range of tactical fighter USAFE Deputy Commander. rotations from the US and continued exchange of Army troops in Germany through Long Thrust air-mobility of Composite Air Strike Force (CASF) units to maneu- exercises were other operations in which USAFE had ver areas ranging from Germany to Iran and Norway. either direct or supporting roles. • Coordinated use of troop carrier aircraft in two At the end of June 1964, as the command continued simultaneous exercises under a new plan for single its day-by-day task of maintaining combat-ready management of theater airlift. strength for NATO defenses, the year's busy sequence Exercise Big Lift lived up to its name as USAFE of events had produced: support at bases in Germany and France helped the A record-breaking performance which established • Military Air Transport Service ( MATS ) move the en- Big Lift as the largest and fastest single deployment tire 2d Armored ("Hell on Wheels") Division from of troops in US military history.
    [Show full text]
  • General Robin Rand
    GENERAL ROBIN RAND Gen. Robin Rand is the Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, La. He is responsible for organizing, training, equipping all U.S. intercontinental ballistic missile and bomber forces. The command's mission is to provide combat-ready forces for nuclear deterrence and global strike operations. The command comprises more than 23,000 professionals operating at six wings that control the nation's inventory of Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles, B-2 and B-52 bomber aircraft. General Rand was commissioned in 1979 after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy. He's had multiple flying tours; served as an air liaison officer with the U.S. Army; and has had staff tours on the Joint Staff, Office of the Secretary of Defense, and Air Staff. General Rand's previous commands include the 36th Fighter Squadron, USAF Weapons School, 8th Fighter Wing, 56th Fighter Wing, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Balad Air Base, Iraq, 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern), and prior to this assignment, Air Education and Training Command. General Rand is a command pilot with more than 5,080 flying hours, including more than 470 combat hours. EDUCATION 1979 Bachelor of Science degree in aviation science, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. 1983 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 1986 Air Command and Staff College, by seminar 1988 Master of Science degree in aeronautical science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Fla. 1990 U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis AFB, Nev. 1998 Master of Arts degree in national security policy, Naval War College, Newport, R.I.
    [Show full text]
  • Pinnacle 19-1 Bio Book.Pdf
    BBIIOOGGRRAAPPHHIICCAALL DDAATTAA BBOOOOKK Pinnacle 19-1 25-29 March 2019 National Defense University SENIOR FELLOWS Admiral Sam J Locklear, US Navy (Ret) Admiral Locklear started as a Capstone, Keystone, Pinnacle Senior Fellow in 2019. He is President of SJL Global Insights LLC, a global consulting firm specializing in a wide range of security and defense issues and initiatives. Today he serves on the Board of Directors of the Fluor Corporation, Halo Maritime Defense Systems, Inc., the National Committee on U.S. China Relations, is a Senior Advisor to the Center for Climate and Security and New York University’s Center for Global Affairs, is a Senior Fellow at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, and is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees United States Naval Academy Alumni Association. He also occasionally consults for HII, Raytheon IDS, and Fairfax National Security Solutions. In 2015 he retired from the US Navy after serving with distinction for over 39 years, including 15 years of service as a Flag Officer. During his significant tenure Admiral Locklear lead at the highest levels serving as Commander U.S. Pacific Command, Commander U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa, and Commander of NATO’s Allied Joint Force Command. In 2013 Defense News ranked him eleventh out of the 100 most influential people in global defense issues. As Commander U.S. Pacific Command, the United States’ oldest and largest geographic unified combatant command, he commanded all U.S. military forces operating across more than half the globe. He accurately assessed the rapidly changing geopolitical environment of the Indo-Asia-Pacific, the most militarized area of the world, made significant advancements in how U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base Historical Brief
    Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base Historical Brief Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base is a Royal Thai Air Force facility, which is also being used as a civil airport. It is located near the city of Ubon Ratchathani, in the Ubon Ratchathani Province, about 250 miles northeast of Bangkok. During the Vietnam War it was a front-line base of the United States Air Force. The host wing at Ubon was the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, arriving in November 1966. Comprising the flying units were four F-4D "Phantom" tactical fighter squadrons. Also assigned to the wing was the 16th Special Operations Squadron, which flew AC-130 "Spectre" gunships. The 13th Bomb Squadron was assigned from September 1970 until April 1972, flying the B-57G The 13th flew mostly night interdiction missions against North Vietnamese truck traffic on the Ho Chi Minh trail. At the peak of operations in 1969, the units assigned to Ubon RTAFB were the following: Host Unit - 8th Tactical Fighter Wing • 16th Special Operations Squadron - 4 AC-130As, 1 AC-123K, 7 C-130As • 25th, 433rd, 435th Tactical Fighter Squadron - 70 RF-4Ds • Det 3, 38th Air Rescue And Recovery Squadron (ARRS) - 2 HH-43s, 12 O-2s • Tenant units at Ubon RTAFB included the 23rd Tactical Air Support Squadron flying the OV- 10. The 23rd's "Rustic FAC's" flew missions in support of ground forces, interdiction missions and armed convoy support. Another tenant, the 3rd Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group performed a vital support role in crash rescue, aircrew recovery and evacuation missions.
    [Show full text]
  • The Cold War and Beyond
    Contents Puge FOREWORD ...................... u 1947-56 ......................... 1 1957-66 ........................ 19 1967-76 ........................ 45 1977-86 ........................ 81 1987-97 ........................ 117 iii Foreword This chronology commemorates the golden anniversary of the establishment of the United States Air Force (USAF) as an independent service. Dedicated to the men and women of the USAF past, present, and future, it records significant events and achievements from 18 September 1947 through 9 April 1997. Since its establishment, the USAF has played a significant role in the events that have shaped modem history. Initially, the reassuring drone of USAF transports announced the aerial lifeline that broke the Berlin blockade, the Cold War’s first test of wills. In the tense decades that followed, the USAF deployed a strategic force of nuclear- capable intercontinental bombers and missiles that deterred open armed conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union. During the Cold War’s deadly flash points, USAF jets roared through the skies of Korea and Southeast Asia, wresting air superiority from their communist opponents and bringing air power to the support of friendly ground forces. In the great global competition for the hearts and minds of the Third World, hundreds of USAF humanitarian missions relieved victims of war, famine, and natural disaster. The Air Force performed similar disaster relief services on the home front. Over Grenada, Panama, and Libya, the USAF participated in key contingency actions that presaged post-Cold War operations. In the aftermath of the Cold War the USAF became deeply involved in constructing a new world order. As the Soviet Union disintegrated, USAF flights succored the populations of the newly independent states.
    [Show full text]
  • Sustaining the Pack: 8Th FW Powerpro Keeps Lights On, Aircraft Safe
    Peninsula - Wide U.S. Air Force Newspaper Volume 11, Issue 08 January 11, 2019 http://www.7af.pacaf.af.mil U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Zane Mammon, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron electical power production specalist, performs a routine check on a barrier arresting kit at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Dec. 19, 2018. Flightlines across the Air Force have several aircraft arresting systems to assist fighters in the event on an in- flight emergency. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stefan Alvarez) Sustaining the Pack: 8th FW PowerPro keeps lights on, aircraft safe By Senior Airman Stefan Alvarez Squadron at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. diesel generators capable of providing power for 8th Fighter Wing Two primary responsibilities of this team are to several days without needing to be refueled. maintain mission effectiveness and readiness “My team supports the mission in times of KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- From of emergency electrical power in the event the emergency,” said Master Sgt. Travis Rolstad, the largest bases to the most remote forward electrical grid goes down, and to ensure aircraft 8th Civil Engineer Squadron power production operating locations, electricity is key to everything can land safely in the event of an in-flight section chief. “We maintain and operate several the Air Force does. The holders of this key are emergency. emergency backup power systems across the base Electrical Power Production Airmen. One section of PowerPro is specifically dedicated that provide us with the means to operate
    [Show full text]