aviano wing commander
Third Air Force commander, command chief visit Aviano. “It’s about looking forward.” Franklin will be the one leading the Air Force’s only permanent fighter wing south of the Alps. It worked around the clock to launch 2,250 flying operations out of Aviano. 2023 Stars and Stripes. Walking With Wyverns. 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. This weeks Wyvern Warrior of the Week is U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Captain Francis was captured and remained a POW until his release at the end of hostilities on 28 March 1973. On 15 October 1970, the wing returned to Homestead without people or equipment as part of the United States force reduction in Vietnam. [4] Redesignated as the 31 Fighter Group shortly before entering the war, it amassed an impressive record. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations. And the highest possible nuclear inspection rating in 2015, according to the citation for an award he was issued. All Rights Reserved. 2:48. In one of them, pilots and aircraft from the wing set a record at Balad Air Base by flying 667 sorties in less than a month. The mission of the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, is to deter through safe, secure, effective operations. Landrum, who took command Friday from Maj. Gen. Barre R. Seguin in a ceremony officiated by Lt. Gen. Timothy R. Ray, showed off a bit of his language skills by delivering about a third of his speech in Italian. It trains, equips, plans, and provides weather, intelligence, standardization/evaluation, and command and control sustaining global flying operations. 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. [20] Originally assigned F-51 Mustangs, the wing began converting to Republic F-84 Thunderjets in August 1948. It passed three major inspections with high marks and was heavily involved in four Air and Space Expeditionary Force rotations to Iraq. Italian and American airmen attend a 31st Fighter Wing change-of-command ceremony Friday, June 10, 2016, at a hangar on Aviano Air Base, Italy. 3. 2023 Stars and Stripes. He was born in Guatemala and raised in Rhode Island. Gen. Daniel T. Lasica, outgoing commander of the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy. AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy Brig. Gen. Tad Clark, 31st Fighter Wing commander, at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Nov. 21, 2022. He will command about 3,800 airmen and a force that's expected to grow. The vision is to be ready and adaptive warriors, committed to Allies and Partners, who are devoted to our community and one another. [5] The Command Chief Master Sergeant is Chief Master Sergeant Jeremy L. An HH-53 of the United States Marine Corps picked him up after he evaded capture for six days. [21], The wing pioneered the development of in flight refueling tactics. From 24 March to 10 June 1999, the 31st AEW, the largest expeditionary wing in Air Force history flew nearly 9,000 combat sorties and accumulated almost 40,000hours of combat service over the skies of Kosovo, Serbia and the rest of the Balkans in support of NATO operations. Lt. Gen. Robert Bishop, commander of the 3rd Air Force, pointed out in his remarks how much the base had changed during Yates’ two years. Sixteenth Air Force aircraft participated in the raid on the Bosnian-Serb held airfield at Udbina in November 1994. 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. 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. EDUCATION . The 31st Force Support Squadron provides morale, welfare, and recreations support for Aviano Air Base members as well as other support structures such as Family support, Military Personnel, passport assistance, and education services. 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. Norman covers the U.S. military in Northern Italy and sometimes elsewhere for Stars and Stripes. 2008 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 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. On 10 April 2004, insurgents launched a mortar attack on Balad, killing Airman First Class Antoine Holt[33] and injuring two other 603rd members. from around the world. [4], In August 1951 the 31st Wing became the first unit to receive the upgraded F-84G model of the Thunderjet. After the U.S. force reduction in Vietnam, the wing switched to F-4s. The wing's support of Operation Iraqi Freedom began in late 2003. Brig. 2023 Stars and Stripes. The wing provided close air support and air interdiction for US and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) units in the central region of the country. On 1 December 2006, the Sixteenth Air Force was inactivated at Ramstein AB and simultaneously reconstituted as the Sixteenth Air Expeditionary Task Force at Izmir Air Base, Turkey. A new commander is taking charge of the 309th Aircraft Maintenance Group at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, on Monday as the organization shuffles leadership for the second time in less than a year. ( Chad Trujillo/U.S. The Frecce Tricolori aerobatic boasts 10 aircraft marking it as the largest aerobatic team in the world and are based out of Rivolto air force base, April 25, 1945, represents a fundamental date in the history of the Italian Republic. Washington DC: Government Printing Office, July 2019, (Change 1, 25 November 2019) Chapter One, The Army Profession, Ethic and Leadership pages 1-13 to 1-23, (Paragraphs 1-73 to through 1-132). [17], During the Berlin Crisis in October and November 1961, the wing deployed its 309th Fighter Squadron to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany to bolster the U.S. military forces in Europe. [email protected] Twitter: @normanllamas. Gen. Daniel T. Lasica, who will assume command of the 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force-Afghanistan, as well as concurrent leadership roles with NATO and Air Forces Central Command. The 401st FW moved from Spain to Aviano AB, Italy, in May 1992 and was re-designated as the 31st FW in April 1994. In peacetime, the 31st FW prepares for its combat role by maintaining aircraft and personnel in a high state of readiness. AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy — Brig. [17], In July 2015, the United States and Turkey reached agreement on Turkish support for actions against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Justin Berte, 56th Rescue Generation Squadron director of operations, washes the belly of an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter as part of an immersion tour at Aviano Air Base, Italy, March 14, 2023. June 2019 May 2021, Chief, Force Application Division, Joint Staff, J8, Pentagon, Washington, D.C., as a colonel, FLIGHT INFORMATION In 1995, 1h AF supported Operation Joint Endeavor, the NATO peacekeeping mission to the former Yugoslavia, through operations in Croatia, Hungary and Bosnia-Herzegovina. The years 1996 through 1998 saw continued high operations in 16 AF. The wide-ranging operational capabilities are brought by, Col Jeffrey S. Fewell is the Commander, 31st Medical Group, Aviano Air Base, Italy. Dec. 14, 2022 | 0:59. They received their second Distinguished Unit Citation in July 1944 following a mission to escort P-38s on a raid from Ukraine into Romania and Poland. [17], The 31st received two new squadrons at that time, the 555th and 510th Fighter Squadrons, along with their Block-40F-16s. Brig. As a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he . Franklin takes over command at Aviano from Brig. The 31st FW is the only U.S. fighter wing south of the Alps. Bailey takes over command from Brig. Major November 1, 2011 Brig. Kent has filled numerous roles at Stars and Stripes including: copy editor, news editor, desk editor, reporter/photographer, web editor and overseas sports editor. Every building at Homestead AFB received some damage, many buildings were destroyed. All Rights Reserved. “But today’s not about looking back,” he said. AMC Aviano Passenger Terminal. In June 2018, the unit moved to Aviano AB, Italy, to join the 31st Operation Group / 31st Fighter Wing. Air Force), Brig. The wing traces its lineage to its activation on 20 November 1947, first designated as the 31st Fighter Wing, and stationed at Turner Airfield, Georgia. Third Air Force exercises delegated authorities over assigned forces that include personnel management, General Courts Martial Convening Authority, and advising subordinate commands on requirements, programs and budget. In 1979 and 1980, the wing transferred its F-4Es to Air National Guard units and the Egyptian Air Force, and began operating F-4Ds.[17]. 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. The counteroffensive, however, was short-lived and by May 1943, the Germans surrendered in North Africa. [1], The commander of the 31st Fighter Wing is Brigadier General Tad D. It was the first Air Force organization to fully employ the Expeditionary Wing concept. Detachment 1, AFSOUTH, Naples, Italy. “It’s been a quick and fast ride and there was never a dull moment,” Yates said. Clark. It is stationed at Aviano Air Base, Italy, a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) base run by the Italian Air Force . 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 . (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brooke Moeder), U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Derek France, Third Air Force commander, and his spouse Mrs. Amanda France, pose for a photo before flying in an HH-60G Pave Hawk assigned to the 56th Rescue Squadron at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Nov. 21, 2022. That next assignment included participating in the invasion force that landed in North Africa on 8 November 1942, becoming the first American Air Force unit to see combat in theater. The wing began flying F-100s before the Cuban Missile Crisis and flew that aircraft into the Vietnam War. Under combat conditions, the squadron transferred $73 million in equipment and more than 100 personnel with 20 convoys. The 16th AETF was inactivated in April 2008. During the North Africa campaign, the group claimed 61 Luftwaffe aircraft destroyed. U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Derek France, Third Air Force commander, and other 3rd AF leadership had the opportunity to fly in an HH-60G and became familiar with the 56th RQS mission. 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. 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. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brooke Moeder), U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Joseph Faraone, 606th Air Control Squadron commander, middle-right, briefs U.S. Air Force Brig. U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Joseph Faraone, 606th Air Control Squadron commander, middle-right, briefs U.S. Air Force Brig. Air Force), Brig. On 15 October 1972, Captains James L. Hendrickson and Gary M. Rubus[27] of the 307th Tactical Fighter Squadron[28] shot down a MiG-21 northeast of Hanoi. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brooke Moeder), U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Adam Hawkins, 56th Rescue Squadron commander, briefs U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Derek France, Third Air Force commander, on the 56th RQS mission and capabilities at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Nov. 21, 2022. 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. The 31st remained active through the end of the war, not only flying bomber escort, but also photo reconnaissance and troop carrier escort and took part in Operation Dragoon, the invasion of Southern France. The group prepares fighter pilots, controllers, and support personnel to execute US and North Atlantic Treaty Organization war plans and contingency operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brooke Moeder), An official website of the United States government, U.S. Air Forces in Europe & Air Forces Africa, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil, By Senior Airman Jessica Blair, Senior Airman Brooke Moeder, Airman 1st Class Thomas Calopedis. Bailey takes over command from Brig. 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. Supporting this mission, 16 AF planned and executed combat air operations in southern Europe and portions of the Middle East and northern Africa as an air component or joint task force headquarters. Based at Aviano Air Base, Italy, hes been TDY to countries such as Afghanistan Iraq, Kosovo and Bosnia. 10-401 . BY ORDER OF THE COMMANDER 31ST FIGHTER WING (USAFE) AVIANO AIR BASE INSTRUCTION . This successful flight culminated in the 40th Air Division of the Strategic Air Command receiving the Mackay Trophy[23] in 1953. 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. 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. (Kent Harris / S&S), Senior Airman Benson Cogbill from the 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron takes down the name plate of the former commander of the 31st Fighter Wing from an F-16 parked in Hangar 1 to reveal the name of the new U.S. commander at Aviano Air Base: Brig. The 401st Tactical Fighter Wing, with three squadrons of F-100D Super Sabres, moved from the United States to Torrejon Air Base, Spain. Assigned under a joint task force, the 31st AEW, flew from Aviano and joined NATO allies in a 78-day air campaign against Serbia. During 1953, the wing, then known as the 31st Strategic Fighter Wing, deployed to Japan and Alaska to provide air defense in the northern Pacific. Gen. Jason E. Bailey is scheduled to take command of Avianos 31st Fighter Wing during a virtual ceremony Friday, wing officials said. During its time at Aviano AB, Sixteenth Air Force was the operational air force for USAF combat operations in the Balkans, supporting Operation Deny Flight, enforcing the U.N. ordered no-fly zone over Bosnia. From there they moved quickly from base to base throughout Algeria and Tunisia, engaging in ground attack missions and later escorting P-39s and A-20s on missions to attack German troop positions and convoys. Gen. Daniel T. Lasica, outgoing commander of the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Headquarters 16 AF formed the joint force air component command for Operation Silver Wake, the evacuation of Americans and allied noncombatants from Albania. 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. From April to August 1972, the 308th deployed to Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand to augment tactical air forces already deployed to that country, followed in July by the 307th TFS. This movement included the longest over-water flight attempted to that date and was the first trans-Pacific mass flight of jet aircraft. 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. 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 The 31st Fighter Wing first activated in 1947, but it traces its heritage to its World War II predecessor unit, the 31st Pursuit Group. January 2005 November 2007, F-16 Flight Lead, Electronic Combat Pilot, Cannon AFB, N.M. Your connection to everything Aviano. 2011 Master of Arts, American History, American Military University, Charles Town, W. Va. Two months later in November, the 31st Fighter Wing was organized as part of the test by the Air Force of the wing base organization system, which unified combat groups and their support organizations under a single wing, carrying the same number as the combat group. In that capacity, he commands all mission support and logistics functions for a base community of nearly 10,000. Gen. Jason Bailey, incoming commander of the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy. This brought about an immediate mission change as the Mustangs enjoyed a much longer range and were tasked to escort heavy bombers on long range missions into Romania, Bulgaria, Austria, France and Northern Italy. The group's lineage began with its activation at Selfridge Field Michigan, on 1 February 1940.
