Since then, the wing has been stationed at George Air Force Base, California and Homestead Air Force Base, Florida, until finally coming to Aviano Air Base, Italy in April 1994. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brooke Moeder), U.S. Air Force Tech. Nov. 8, 2020 | By Jennifer-Leigh Oprihory. During his visit, Diaz toured the 56th and 57th Rescue Squadrons, the 31st Security Forces Squadron Combat Arms Training and Maintenance facility, 606th Air Control Squadron, the Comprehensive Operational Medicine for Battle Ready Airmen clinic and more. The Wings diverse mission sets are executed by Airmen that fly, maintain, and support two F-16CM Fighter Squadrons, two Combat Search and Rescue Squadrons with Pararescue Airmen and HH-60 Pave Hawks, USAFEs only Air Control Squadron, Agile Combat Support Squadrons, Medical Squadrons and numerous Wing Staff Agencies. Like driving the Batmobile into the future: Air Force uses JLTV in mission for 1st time, Trailblazer: First Marine general to lead Defense Intelligence Agency dies at 64, China denounces US Navy reconnaissance planes trip through Taiwan Strait, Reports of sexual assaults increased in Navy, Air Force and Marines in 2022; Army saw decline, New bill aims to expand mental health care for military families, K-Town Now features the latest news from the Kaiserslautern Military Community. Defense Superior Service Medal All Rights Reserved. It was the first Air Force organization to fully employ the Expeditionary Wing concept. AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy Brig. The operation, the largest airborne operation since 1989, constituted 62 missions, transporting 2,146 passengers and 2,433.7 tons of cargo. It was activated in 1954 as a Joint Military Group to provide command and control of USAF activities in Spain, being designated a NAF in 1956. 2023 Stars and Stripes. In late 2003, the wing's 603rd Air Control Squadron became the first unit from the wing to deploy to Iraq. He said he’s also proud of the wing’s battle against drinking and driving, citing a decline in incidents of driving under the influence from 22 at the same point last year to eight this year. The 31st Fighter Wing continued deploying forces in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Force, with more than one-third of the wing deploying to support operations each year from 2003 to 2007. [email protected] Twitter: @normanllamas. Katelyn Ramsey, 57th Rescue Squadron aviation resource management NCOIC, middle, and U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Francis Hallada, 57th Rescue Squadron commander, right, brief Third Air Force leadership at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Nov. 22, 2022. Heriberto Diaz, Third Air Force command chief, shoots a weapon during an immersion at the 31st Security Forces Squadron Combat Arms Training and Maintenance facility at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Nov. 22, 2022. Marcus Dunham, Aviano AB MXG and 510th FGS leadership immerse themselves with 56th RGS, Fuels management flight introduces new, innovative refueling capability to wing, The 31st FW celebrates Womens History Month, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. From March to September 2000, the 510th and 555th Fighter Squadrons conducted back-to-back deployments to Ahmad al-Jaber Air Base, Kuwait, in support of Operation Southern Watch. 7217th Air Base Group, at Ankara Air Station, 6917th Electronic Security Squadron, operating an, 6931st Electronic Security Squadron (SIGINT unit), 7116th Tactical Control Flight, at Torrejn Air Base, 39th Wing (later 39th Air Base Wing) (see 39th Tactical Group), 1989th Communications Wing, 1 October 1990 10 August 1992, 7602d Support Wing (later 3977th Support Wing, 3977th Support Group), 1 January 1 July 1960, 406th Tactical Fighter Training Group, 1 July 1970 15 July 1972, 3977th Support Group (see 7602d Support Wing, after 1960), Integrated Air Defense Systems Analysis Squadron, Geospatial Intelligence and Measurements and Signatures Intelligence Analysis Squadron, C4 Information Operations Analysis Squadron, This page was last edited on 21 March 2023, at 00:03. Colonel June 1, 2019, An official website of the United States government, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. The wide-ranging operational capabilities are brought by, Col Jeffrey S. Fewell is the Commander, 31st Medical Group, Aviano Air Base, Italy. The 16th AETF was inactivated in April 2008. It is stationed at Aviano Air Base, Italy, a NATO base run by the Italian air force. Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster Air Force Achievement Medal, EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION The wing assisted in the evacuation of nearly 6,500 pro-U.S . Headquarters, 16 AF moved to Aviano AB in August 1992. Brig. Gen. Daniel T. Lasica, outgoing commander of the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Prior to this assignment, Col. OConnor was the Chief, Force Application Division, Joint Staff, J8, Pentagon, Arlington, Va. Col. OConnor is a command pilot with more than 2,700 flying hours in the T-37, T-38, AT-38 and F-16C/D. 7. Operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya, The 1948 discontinuance and activation reflect a replacement of a Table of Distribution headquarters by a Table of Organization headquarters for the wing and do not change the wing lineage, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award w/ V Device, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/ Palm, "555th Fighter Squadron "Triple Nickel" Factsheet", "510th Fighter Squadron "Buzzards" Factsheet", "Chief Master Sergeant Jeremy L. Unterseher", "This Week in 31st Fighter Wing History: 308th Fighter Squadron deploys to Morocco", "This Week in 31st Fighter Wing History: F-100s serve in Vietnam", "Military Times Hall of Valor John P. Cerak", "Hurricane Andrew's Legacy: 'Like A Bomb' In Florida", "Operation Deliberate Force: Ten years on", "Honor the Fallen" Airman 1st Class Antoine Holt", UNSR 1973 United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 (2011), "US, Turkey finalizing details of anti-ISIL airstrikes", USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers1908 to Present, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=31st_Fighter_Wing&oldid=1105983707, 31st Operational Medical Readiness Squadron, 40th Air Division, 14 March 1951 (attached to, Ninth Air Force, 1 June 1962 (attached to: Air Force Atlantic Command, 24 October 9 November 1962 and 1 Air Division Provisional, 10 November-c. 30 November 1962), 836th Air Division, 1 August 1966 (attached to, Turner Field (later Turner Air Force Base), Georgia, 20 November 1947, George Air Force Base, California, 15 March 1959, Homestead Air Force Base, Florida, 31 May 1962 6 December 1966, Tuy Hoa Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, 16 December 1966 15 October 1970, Homestead Air Force Base, Florida, 15 October 1970 1 April 1994, Aviano Air Base, Italy, 1 April 1994present, This page was last edited on 22 August 2022, at 17:42. The 31st Operations Group ensures the combat readiness of two F-16CG squadrons, one HH-60G rescue squadron, one air control squadron, and one operational support squadron conducting and supporting worldwide air operations. The vision is to be ready and adaptive warriors, committed to Allies and Partners, who are devoted to our community and one another. The 31st FW maintains two F-16 fighter squadrons, the 555th Fighter Squadron and the 510th Fighter Squadron, capable of conducting offensive and defensive air combat operations. [4], At the end of the Cold War Sixteenth Air Force consisted of the following units:[3][5][6]. A F-16C Fighting Falcon of the 31st Fighter Wing landing upon returning from an air-strike against the Bosnian Serbs during Operation . Gen. Lance K. Landrum. Norman covers the U.S. military in Northern Italy and sometimes elsewhere for Stars and Stripes. When the shooting stopped, the 31st Fighter Group sat as the undisputed top scoring allied fighter group in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations and the fifth highest overall for the Army Air Forces with 570 confirmed aerial victories. 9. The Wing's focus areas are to defend and improve base infrastructure, further Agile Combat Employment (ACE) capabilities and invest in Wyvern Nation Airmen and families. Gen. Mike Worden, the outgoing commander of the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, says farewell to a long line of well-wishers after Worden gave up command of the wing Friday. (U.S. Air Force). 3. 31st Fighter Wing VCC Office at 0434-30-4114 or 0434-30-6173 during the office hours M-F from 7 am - 5 pm. June 2019 May 2021, Chief, Force Application Division, Joint Staff, J8, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. The 31st Fighter Wing is made up of four groups, each consisting of several squadrons. It has two squadrons of F-16Cs. It passed three major inspections with high marks and was heavily involved in four Air and Space Expeditionary Force rotations to Iraq. 6. Then, during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962, the 31st planned operational missions and participated in events that ultimately led to the removal of missiles from Cuba. Gen. Lance K. Landrum seems to be part of a trend. The 31st FW is the only U.S. fighter wing south of the Alps. [4], In August 1951 the 31st Wing became the first unit to receive the upgraded F-84G model of the Thunderjet. The wing also supports numerous other geographically separated units. [21], The wing pioneered the development of in flight refueling tactics. 10. The group sailed to home on 13 August 1945, one of the last units to depart Europe. Additionally, the 57th RQS provides personnel recovery, combat search and rescue, civil search and rescue and casualty evacuation subject matter experts. (Chad Trujillo/U.S. 606 likes, 5 comments - Aviano Air Base (@avianoairbase) on Instagram: "FAMILY | Aviano Air Base hosted a tour for the local Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JRO . July 2018 June 2019, Student, National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C. 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs. The 31st Fighter Wing leadership participated in the ceremony, AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy The 510th Fighter Squadron Buzzards trained alongside the Romanian air forces MiG-21s at Campia Turzii, Romania, March 28-31.This was the last opportunity for the 510th FS to fly with the MiG-21s before they are retired in mid-May.The squadron and Romanian air force flew. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brooke Moeder), An HH-60G Pave Hawk assigned to the 56th Rescue Squadron flies over Aviano Air Base, Italy, Nov. 21, 2022. On 1 April 1994, the 31st Fighter Wing inactivated at Homestead and subsequently activated at Aviano Air Base, Italy in place of the 401st Fighter Wing. The 57th RQS provides personnel recovery, combat search and rescue, civil search and rescue and casualty evacuation subject matter experts to fulfill USEUCOM, USAFRICOM and NATO security cooperation requirements. Ray, the 3rd Air Force Commander based at Ramstein, Germany, praised Seguins accomplishments during his tenure. Marcus Dunham, 31st Communications Squadron. Gen. Lance K. Landrum, the new commander of the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy, surveys his airmen after taking command on Friday, June 10, 2016. The 401st Tactical Fighter Wing, with three squadrons of F-100D Super Sabres, moved from the United States to Torrejon Air Base, Spain. Col. Vincent J. O'Connor is the Vice Commander, 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy. The 31st wing arrived at Tuy Hoa, and was assigned to the 7th Air Force, on Christmas Day 1966. Now hell be leading that team, and itll be a tough act to follow, according to Ray. In 1950 the wing transferred from Tactical Air Command to Strategic Air Command and was redesignated as the 31st Fighter-Escort Wing. The following April, the 307th squadron moved to Torrejon Air Base, Spain and in November 1966, the wing received orders to deploy to Tuy Hoa Air Base, Republic of Vietnam. Bailey returns to Aviano after previously serving as the commander of the 31st Operations Support Squadron, as well as an instructor pilot and chief of wing plans and programs from 2011 to 2013. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes), Brig. On 6 July 1952 the wing executed Operation Fox Peter One, the mass movement of the entire wing from Turner Field to Misawa Air Base, Japan using aerial refueling to fly non-stop from Turner to Travis Air Force Base, California, and from Travis to Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. The 39th Wing at Incirlik AB, Turkey, deployed a flying ambulance surgical team to Dhahran Air Base, Saudi Arabia in response to the Khobar Towers bombing. Landrum, who served with Seguin in a fighter squadron in Korea early in their careers, has already been an Aviano team member in different roles over the years. As the Numbered Air Forces Senior Enlisted Leader, Diaz advises the commander on issues affecting the readiness, organization, training, health, welfare, morale, development, and utilization of more than 30,000 Airmen. [15] It is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. Today the wing remains a major participant in support of Balkan air operations. They were the first complete American combat group in the European Theater of Operations and the first to engage in combat. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brooke Moeder), U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Col. OConnor received his commission from the Air Force ROTC program at the University of Notre Dame in 2001, and earned his wings at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, in 2003. In June 2018, the unit moved to Aviano AB, Italy, to join the 31st Operation Group / 31st Fighter Wing. . (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brooke Moeder), Mrs. Amanda France, Third Air Force commanders spouse, left, and U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Derek France, 3rd AF commander, prepares to fly in an HH-60G Pave Hawk assigned to the 56th Rescue Squadron at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Nov. 21, 2022. 2022 Spark Tank. The KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft provides the core aerial refueling capability for the U.S. Air Force and has excelled in this role for, U.S. Air Force Capt. Sixteenth Air Force aircraft participated in the raid on the Bosnian-Serb held airfield at Udbina in November 1994. Brig. Lasica assumed command from Brig. The 31st Maintenance Group maintains combat capability for 56 combat-coded F-16 C/D and HH-60 aircraft valued at $2.4B, and provides force infrastructure support for 1,600 military and civilian personnel, Col. Kevin Crofton is the the Commander, 31st Operations Group, 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy. from around the world. The information in this guide was obtained directly from Aviano Military Community agencies, organizations and dependent community members, to give you the most relevant, expert and up-to-date PCS guidance. This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency. Franklin is a command pilot with more than 3,100 hours, including time on four F-16 models and the B-1 and B-52 bombers. The 31st FW has the 57th Rescue Squadron thatleads, organizes, trains and equips Guardian Angel forces and combat support teams to conduct day and night personnel recovery operations in combat, as well as to provide combatant commanders with options to report, locate, recover and reintegrate isolated personnel. [17], On 8 February 1964, the 308th Fighter Squadron flew a non-stop mission from Homestead to Cigli Air Base, Turkey. The 31st Fighter Wing is the only United States fighter wing south of the Alps. He will command about 3,800 airmen and a force that's expected to grow. This strategic location makes the wing important for operations in NATO's southern region. Brig. February 2004 January 2005, student, F-16 pilot training, Springfield-Beckly Air National Guard Base, Ohio Number one in the Mediterranean theater of operations in terms of aerial victories, the group was involved in 15 WWII campaigns and earned two Distinguished Unit Citations. Sign up to receive a daily email of today's top military news stories from Stars and Stripes and top news outlets On 14 October 1942, the group was declared non-operational on prior to boarding ships bound for its next assignment. The 31st Fighter Wing first activated in 1947, but it traces its heritage to its World War II predecessor unit, the 31st Pursuit Group. Win the current fight and be ready to win the next fight. 2023 Stars and Stripes. When contacting the MPF's main line at DSN: 632-5404/Comm: 0434-30-5404 please choose from the following options: Commander's Support Staff = Option 2 For Customer Support = Option 3 For the Passport Office = Option 3 They reached the 100,000 combat sortie milestone in September 1969. 2022 Spark Tank. Aerial Achievement Medal OPERATIONS . During his visit, France toured the 56th and 57th Rescue Squadrons, the 31st SFS CATM facility, 606th Air Control Squadron, the Comprehensive Operational Medicine for Battle Ready Airmen clinic, and more. In June 1942, the 31st Pursuit Group was transferred to England without planes and began training in British Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vbs at Achem and High Ercall air bases. The 31st FW is the only U.S. fighter wing south of the Alps. In 2000, the wing began deployments in support of the Expeditionary Air Force. Brig. Franklin has experience with one of the Air Force’s newest fighters: the F/A-22. Born in California, hes a 1988 graduate of Humboldt State University and has been a journalist for 40 years. This detachment collected NATO data from AIRSOUTH/DEPCINCUSAFE-SOUTHERN AREA, a dual-hatted position, and provided the information to 16 AF. AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy Brig. Gen. Tad Clark, 31st Fighter Wing commander, right, and Third Air Force leadership, left, on 606th ACS equipment and capabilities at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Nov. 22, 2022. [17], The 31st received two new squadrons at that time, the 555th and 510th Fighter Squadrons, along with their Block-40F-16s. Gen. Daniel T. Lasica, outgoing commander of the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Captain Francis was captured and remained a POW until his release at the end of hostilities on 28 March 1973. The Agents An interesting twist to the Aviano program is that there can be four agents who actually contract the work to be done in the program. Sixteenth Air Force (16 AF)'s original ancestor was the Joint United States Military Group, Air Administration (Spain), which was established on 20 May 1954. 55 talking about this. In peacetime, the 31st FW prepares for its combat role by maintaining aircraft and personnel in a high state of readiness. 17 JUNE 2021 . They were both released and returned to the United States in March 1973. U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Joseph Faraone, 606th Air Control Squadron commander, middle-right, briefs U.S. Air Force Brig. The flight also led to the wing receiving the Tactical Air Command Outstanding Fighter Wing Award for 1964 for the second consecutive year.[17]. Lieutenant Colonel January 1, 2016 July 2014 July 2018, F-16 Instructor/Evaluator Pilot, Director of Operations, 31st Operations Support Squadron; Director of Operations, 555th Fighter Squadron; and Commander, 555th Fighter Squadron, Aviano AB, Italy Gen. Jason Bailey, incoming commander of the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy. In 1966, a year after SAC withdrew its B-47 alert force from Spain, the 16 AF was reassigned to U.S. Air Forces in Europe. EDUCATION The wing has had 10 commanders in Aviano since then, and it was time for No. The skies above Aviano Air Base hosted the 313th Gruppo Addestramento Acrobatico (Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team) April 26, 2023. 2010 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. With approximately 4,200 Active Duty military members, nearly 300 U.S. civilians and 700 Italian civilian employees, the wing conducts and supports air combat operations and maintains munitions for NATO. From June through December 2001, the fighter squadrons deployed combat search and rescue capabilities three times and helped enforce the no fly zone over Iraq. The mission of the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, is to deter through safe, secure, effective operations. As a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he . The Aviano First 31 PCS & Welcome Guide is a project of the 31st Community Action Board and is maintained by the Aviano Public Affairs office. During one of their first missions over Ploesti, Romania on 21 April 1944, the group earned their first Distinguished Unit Citation for covering the raids despite severe weather and as many as 50 enemy fighters defending the area. Gen. Jason E. Bailey is scheduled to take . Each F-16 has a tail markings in the squadron colors Green with the words "Triple Nickel" in white for the 555th FS and Purple with the words "Buzzards" in white for the 510th FS. Gen. Robert Yates. 2. The following units are subordinate to the Sixteenth Air Force.[1][2]. Bronze Star The 57th Rescue Squadron performed High-Altitude Low Opening (HALO) jump training over Aviano. He has flown over 750 combat hours in support of Operation FREEDOMS SENTINEL and NATOs RESOLUTE SUPPORT mission. Bailey takes over command from Brig. This includes the operation of six Aviano-based squadrons: the Civil Engineer Squadron, Colonel Jason M. Mitchell is the Commander, 31st Maintenance Group, Aviano Air Base, Italy. First Lieutenant October 3, 2003 He has more than 10 years of experience as an Army photojournalist and has served as a photojournalism instructor at the Defense Information School. An HH-53 of the United States Marine Corps picked him up after he evaded capture for six days. Accomplishments included getting six F-16s and 211 personnel to Incirlik Air Base in Turkey for action against targets in Syria and Iraq on less than a weeks notice. None of the first 11 commanders of the 31st Fighter Wing since it activated in Aviano in 1994 had ever served a full tour on base before assuming command of the only fighter wing in Europe south of the Alps. All Rights Reserved. 4. Norman covers the U.S. military in Northern Italy and sometimes elsewhere for Stars and Stripes. He served in both the 555th and 510th Fighter Squadrons during previous stints. The 31st FW has one assigned geographically separated unit, the 731st Munitions Squadron at Camp Darby, Italy. February 2002 August 2002, student, Introduction to Flight Training, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. He had held all the "right" jobs and knew success in his upcoming touras Aviano's 31st Fighter Wing (31 FW) Commander would provide a great shot for promotionto Brigadier General.
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