332nd VFG
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing
The 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing is the most forward-deployed Air Force wing in Iraq. The wing has pioneered modern warfare tactics using advanced weapons systems such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon, A-10 II Thunderbolt and the MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft system for close-air support and traditional and non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
The Tuskegee Airmen from the 332nd Fighter Group in World War II are the lineal ancestors of the current 332nd Expeditionary Operations Group. The Tuskegee Airmen began their story in the 1940s in Tuskegee, Ala., when they became the subjects of a military experiment known as the Tuskegee Experience. The Tuskegee Institute, a small black college in Alabama, was charged with training African-Americans to be military pilots and part of the air crew, ground crew or operations support staff.
The United States Air Force's 332d Air Expeditionary Wing (332 AEW) was an Air Expeditionary unit was stationed at Joint Base Balad, Iraq until withdrawal from Iraq in December 2011.
The Global War on Terror and beyond
The 332d Air Expeditionary Group, “The Tip of the Spear,” was activated at Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait in November 1998, replacing the 4406th Operations Group (Provisional). But since then, its mission has evolved and grown to reflect the Aerospace Expeditionary Force (AEF) concept of a consolidated force in a forward location. The package previously included F-15Es and A-10s. That mix of aircraft, including HH-60 rescue helicopters, gave the 332d the ability to conduct any Operation Southern Watch mission.
The Group's personnel turned over almost completely every 120 days with a population of 1,400 people constantly rotating, a need existed for continuity to guide the base and its mission. The US compound at Al Jaber was a sandy “fortress” of less than a mile's circumference. Most people lived in dorms—Airmen doing 12 month rotations had their own rooms.
Beginning in 2001, the 332d Air Expeditionary Group participated in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The Group's F-15Es, F-16s and later A-10s played a critical role in the defeat of the Taliban and later provided key air support for the provisional government in Afghanistan.
From Kuwait, the wing relocated to Tallil Air Base, Iraq, and participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom, in 2003. In another strategic move, to better position airpower within the theater of operations, the 332 AEW stood up at Balad AB, Iraq, in February 2004. In June 2008, the base was officially renamed Joint Base Balad. The new name was indicative of the joint nature of operations by all branches of service at the base.
Near the end of 2011, the 332d Air Expeditionary Wing comprises nine groups, including four geographically separated units—the 407th, 447th, 438th Air Expeditionary Group and 506th Air Expeditionary Groups located respectively at Ali, Sather, Al Asad, and Kirkuk Air Bases. The wing operates two F-16 fighter squadrons, a Predator UAV squadron, a C-130 squadron, a combat search and rescue squadron (HH-60s), a MC-12 Liberty squadron, and a Control and Reporting Center.
At its peak strength, the 332 AEW consisted of over 8,000 personnel, including 1,800 Airmen of the 732d Air Expeditionary Group (732 AEG), which provides oversight for Airmen who are operationally assigned to U.S. Army units at over 60 forward operating locations throughout Iraq.
A sub unit of the 332 still exits as a Fighter Group
The 302d Fighter Squadron (302 FS) is part of the 477th Fighter Group at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. It operates the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor conducting an air
superiority mission.
I have the HONOR to have been a part of the history ,2008-2009 We during down time provided Security for the Air Field,and surrounding Areas. We where subject to indirect fire attacks Without losing a person. Some equipment received minor damage. on this Attack I was on the opposite side near the impact.
The Army Air Corps Unit of the 23rd (a World of War Planes unit)