455th Air Expeditionary Wing

455th Air Expeditionary Wing
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Emblem
Active	Since 2001
Country	United States
Branch	U.S. Air Force
Type	Air Expeditionary
Role	Combat & Combat Support
Part of	U.S. Air Forces Central Command (USAFCENT)
Garrison/HQ	Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan
Nickname(s)	Vulgar Vultures (World War II)
Motto	Be A Force Multiplier!
Commanders
Current commander	Brig. Gen. Dave Julazadeh

The 455th Air Expeditionary Wing (455 AEW) is a provisional United States Air Force USAFCENT unit located to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. It is one of two AEWs in Afghanistan. Most of the wing personnel are located at the Air Force Village known as Camp Cunningham.

The wing's primary mission is to support the Global War on Terrorism by providing aerial support for U.S. and Coalition forces on the ground. Activated in 2001, the 455th has members deployed throughout the country supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

The 455 AEW commander reports to the United States Air Forces Central (USAFCENT) Commander in Southwest Asia. The commander is supported by a wing staff and oversees five Air Force groups located at Bagram and one at Kandahar Airfield. The five groups are the 455th Expeditionary Operations Group, the 455th Expeditionary Maintenance Group, the 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Group, 455th Expeditionary Medical Group, and the 455th Expeditionary Base Defense Group. It also oversees the 451st Air Expeditionary Group at Kandahar Airfield.

During the Cold War, the Strategic Air Command 455th Strategic Missile Wing was an LGM-30 Minuteman ICBM wing. During World War II, the wing's predecessor unit, the 455th Bombardment Group was a B-24 Liberator heavy bombardment organization, assigned to Fifteenth Air Force in Italy.

Units

The wing consists of five groups:

• 455th Expeditionary Operations Group

The operations group is responsible for all expeditionary flying and aeromedical evacuation operations for the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing. The group oversees the day-to-day operations of one F-15E fighter squadron, one active-duty F-16 squadron, one MC-12 squadron, one National Guard C-130 airlift squadron, and a Navy EA-6B squadron. The EOG also has administrative control over an active-duty EC-130 electronic combat squadron. In addition, the operations group oversees a range of support functions such as airfield management and operations for both Bagram and Kabul, air traffic control, intelligence, weather, and a medical clinic that serves the wing.

• 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Group
  • 455th Expeditionary Aerial Port Squadron
  • 455th Expeditionary Civil Engineering Squadron
  • 455th Expeditionary Communications Squadron
  • 455th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron
  • 455th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron
  • 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron

The group provides a wide range of services for the air component commander in support of coalition forces throughout Afghanistan. The group comprises five squadrons responsible for engineering, construction, personnel accountability, manpower resources, services for laundry, billeting, morale and welfare, communications, airfield management, fuels, vehicle maintenance, logistics planning, passenger terminal operations and air terminal operations.

• 455th Expeditionary Maintenance Group
  • 455th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron
  • 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron

The group provides combat-ready aircraft and munitions to the air component commander in support of coalition forces throughout Afghanistan. The group comprises two squadrons responsible for on- and off-aircraft maintenance and sortie generation of F-15E, F-16 and C-130 aircraft, as well as launch, recovery, and servicing support for military and commercial transient aircraft.

• 455th Expeditionary Medical Group
  • 455th Expeditionary Medical Operations Squadron
  • 455th Expeditionary Medical Support Squadron

The group is the Air Force component for Task Force Med, which provides combat medical and combat medical support services to U.S. and coalition forces throughout Afghanistan. Along with the U.S. Army, the 455 EMDG staffs Craig Joint Theater Hospital at Bagram.

• 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Group
  • 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron
  • 755th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron

Formed in 2012, The group is responsible for providing a safe operating environment. The 755th ESFS partners with U.S. Army, coalition, and Afghan security forces and is responsible for external base defense, ensuring airfield safety throughout the base security zone. The 455th ESFS joins forces with U.S. Army, Republic of Korea and contract security forces. It is responsible for perimeter security, entry control and internal security.

Aircraft operated

• A-10A (2002–2009)
• EA-6B (since 2003)
• EC-130H Compass Call (since 2003)
• F-15E (since 2007)
• F-16C (since 2009)
• HH-60 (since 2003)
• C-130J-30 (since 2008)
• C-130H (since 2003)
• MQ-1A (since 2003)
• MC-12W (since 2009)

History

World War II

Consolidated B-24H-10-CF Liberator 42-64500, 743d Bomb Squadron. Lost on 11 Jun 1944

Constituted as the 455th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 May 1943. Activated on 1 June 1943. Activated as a Consolidated B-24 Liberator heavy bombardment unit; assigned to II Bomber Command for training. Primarily trained in New Mexico and Utah received deployment orders for the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO) in November 1943. Moved to Langley Field, Virginia where the group flew long-range convoy escort missions over the Mid-Atlantic, October–November 1943 while station in Italy was being constructed.

They departed Langley in December 1943 and flew to Tunisia by way of Florida, Trinidad, British Guiana, Brazil and Morocco, arriving in January 1944. They remained in Tunisia until completion of their airfield at San Giovanni, Italy, about five miles west of Cerignola and 20 miles southeast of Foggia. The group moved to San Giovanni in February 1944 and flew its first combat mission (Anzio) on 16 February 1944 as part of the 304th Bombardment Wing, Fifteenth Air Force.

Engaged in very long range strategic bombing missions to enemy military, industrial and transportation targets in Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, and Yugoslavia, bombing railroad marshalling yards, oil refineries, airdrome installations, heavy industry, and other strategic objectives.

Received a Distinguished Unit Citation for a mission on 2 April 1944 when the group contributed to Fifteenth AF’s campaign against enemy industry by attacking a ball-bearing plant at Steyr. They lost 4 of 40 aircraft—40 comrades, including a bomber that crashed near Sveta Trojica (now Slovenia). In addition to successful target damage, they were credited with 27 enemy aircraft destroyed and 17 probables. It was their first heavy loss in two months of combat.

Although meeting severe fighter opposition and losing several of its bombers on 26 June 1944, the group proceeded to attack an oil refinery at Moosbierbaum, receiving another DUC for this performance. Thirty-six planes took off with only 26 returning. Six of the ten losses were from a single squadron. Several of those crews were on their 50th mission.

The figure for combined causes includes causes such as collisions, ditchings, and crashes attributable to As time passed, the fighter opposition decreased but the Germans concentrated their anti-aircraft guns around the fewer remaining targets, so the threat from flak remained intense.

In addition to strategic missions in the Balkans, the group bombed troop concentrations, bridges, marshalling yards, and airdromes during the fall of 1944 to hamper the enemy’s withdrawal from the region. The group also supported ground forces at Anzio and Cassino in March 1944; knocked out gun positions in preparation for the invasion of Southern France in August 1944; and assisted the final Allied drive through Italy in April 1945 by hitting such targets as bridges, gun positions, and troop concentrations. The group flew its last mission (Linz, Austria) 15 months later on 25 April 1945. The mission scheduled for the following day was canceled and the group began preparations to return home.

The group lost 118 aircraft, 31 directly to fighters, 36 directly to flak, and 51 from all other causes combined. They suffered 147 illed in action, 268 Missing in action, 179 prisoners of war, and 169 wounded in action. On the other hand, the group is credited with 119 enemy aircraft destroyed and another 78 probables. Only about 40% of the original crews returned.

Remained in Italy after the German Capitulation in May, although unit personnel were demobilized throughout the summer of 1945. Group was inactivated in Italy on 9 September 1945.

Cold War

Emblem of the 455th Strategic Missile Wing (SAC)

Redesignated 455th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy). Allotted to the reserve. Activated in the US on 25 March 1947 as B-29 Superfortress unit. Inactivated on 27 June 1949. Unclear if group was ever equipped or manned.

Assigned to Tactical Air Command. 455th Fighter-Day Wing established in 1953 but never activated. 455th Fighter-Day Group activated with assigned fighter squadrons and assigned to 342d Fighter Day Wing at Myrtle Beach AFB, South Carolina on 25 July 1956 but never manned or equipped. Inactivated on 18 November 1956 along with 342d FDW with all assets being absorbed into 354th Fighter-Day Wing activated that date.

Reassigned to Strategic Air Command as the 455th Strategic Missile Wing and prepared for operational capability with LGM-30B Minuteman I ICBMs from 1 November 1962 to March 1964 at Minot AFB, North Dakota. The component 740th Strategic Missile Squadron was also activated on 1 November. During the following 2 months, the 741st and 742nd Strategic Missile Squadrons administratively came into existence.

The first Minuteman missile arrived on 6 September 1963, and was replaced three days later. The 150th, and final missile was replaced on 26 February 1964, and by late March the wing became combat ready. The 455th SMW maintained combat readiness.

To preserve the continuity of units with distinguished histories, on 25 June 1968, the 455th SMW was redesignated as the 91st Strategic Missile Wing in-place without movement of personnel and was inactivated. The 91st had senior organizational roots dating from World War II and had gained recent fame as a B-52 wing operating over Vietnam. The operational strategic missile squadrons, however, were not redesignated but simply assigned to the 91st SMW.

On 31 January 1984, the 455th Fighter-Bomber Group and the 455th Strategic Missile Wing were consolidated into a single unit under the wing's designation.

War in Afghanistan

The 455th was converted to provisional status in December 2001 and redesignated the 455th Air Expeditionary Group for the Global War on Terrorism. It was activated on 26 April 2002 at Bagram Air Base. In July 2002, the group was redesignated the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing with five assigned groups. Since then the wing has provided close air support, air mobility, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, combat search and rescue, electronic attack, aero medical evacuation, and combat support as the lead Air Force organization in Afghanistan.

The 455 AEW was awarded the Meritorious Unit Award for all personnel assigned between 1 October 2006 and 30 September 2007, 1 October 2008 through 30 September 2009, and 1 October 2010 through 30 September 2011.

Commanders

• Maj Gen Darryl Roberson
• Brig Gen Dave Julazadeh

Lineage

455th Fighter-Day Group

• Constituted as the 455th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 May 1943

Activated on 1 June 1943

Inactivated on 9 September 1945

• Redesignated 455th Bombardment Group, Very Heavy

Activated on 25 March 1947

Inactivated on 27 June 1949

Redesignated 455th Fighter-Day Group

Activated on 25 July 1956

Inactivated 1 July 1957

• Consolidated with the 455th Strategic Missile Wing as the 455th Strategic Missile Wing on 31 January 1984

455th Air Expeditionary Wing

• Established as the 455th Fighter-Bomber Wing on 23 March 1953
• Redesignated 455th Strategic Missile Wing (ICBM—Minuteman) and activated on 28 June 1962 (not organized)

Organized on 1 November 1962.

Discontinued and inactivated on 25 June 1968

• Consolidated with the 455th Fighter-Day Group on 31 January 1984
• Converted to provisional status and redesignated 455th Air Expeditionary Group in December 2001 and assigned to Air Combat Command to activate or inactivate as needed
• Activated on 26 Apr 2002
• Redesignated 455th Air Expeditionary Wing on 26 Jul 2002

Assignments

• Fourth Air Force, 1 June 1943
• Second Air Force, 6 September 1943
• First Air Force, c. 5 October – 2 December 1943
• 304th Bombardment Wing: 25 January 1944 – 9 September 1945
• 309th Bombardment Wing (later 309th Air Division), 25 March 1947 – 27 June 1949
• Ninth Air Force, 25 July 1956 – 1 July 1956 (attached to 342d Fighter-Day Wing until 18 November 1956, then to 354th Fighter-Day Wing
• 810th Strategic Aerospace Division, 1 November 1962 – 25 June 1968
• Air Combat Command (attached to United States Air Forces Central Command)

Stations

• Alamogordo Army Air Field, New Mexico, 1 June 1943
• Kearns Army Air Field, Utah, c. 6 September 1943;
• Langley Field, Virginia, c. 5 October – 2 December 1943
• San Giovanni Airfield, Italy, 15 January 1944 – 9 September 1945
• Hensley Field, Texas, 25 March 1947 – 27 June 1949
• Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, South Carolina, 25 July 1956 – 1 July 1957
• Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, 1 November 1962 – 25 June 1968
• Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, 26 April 2002 – present

Components

• 740th Bombardment Squadron (later Fighter-Day Squadron, Strategic Missile Squadron): 1943–1945; 1947–1949; 1956; 1962–1968
• 741st Bombardment Squadron (later Fighter-Day Squadron, Strategic Missile Squadron): 1943–1945; 1947–1949; 1956; 1962–1968
• 742d Bombardment Squadron (later Fighter-Day Squadron, later Strategic Missile Squadron): 1943–1945; 1947–1949; 1956; 1962–1968
• 743d Bombardment Squadron: 1943–1945; 1947–1949

Aircraft and Missiles Assigned

• B-24 Liberator, 1943–1945
• B-29 Superfortress, 1947–1949
• LGM-30B Minuteman I (1962–1968)

Awards

Award streamer	Award	Dates	Notes
	Distinguished Unit Citation	2 April 1944	455th Bombardment Group, Steyr, Austria
	Distinguished Unit Citation	26 June 1944	455th Bombardment Group, Austria
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device	16 April 2002-15 September 2002	455th Air Expeditionary Wing
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device	16 September 2002-15 September 2003	455th Air Expeditionary Wing
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device	16 September 2003-30 September 2004	455th Air Expeditionary Wing
	Air Force Meritorious Unit Award	1 October 2004-30 September 2005	455th Air Expeditionary Wing
	Air Force Meritorious Unit Award	1 October 2004-30 September 2005	455th Air Expeditionary Wing
	Air Force Meritorious Unit Award	1 October 2005-30 September 2006	455th Air Expeditionary Wing
	Air Force Meritorious Unit Award	1 October 2006-30 September 2007	455th Air Expeditionary Wing
	Air Force Meritorious Unit Award	1 October 2007-30 September 2008	455th Air Expeditionary Wing
	Air Force Meritorious Unit Award	1 October 2008-30 September 2009	455th Air Expeditionary Wing
	Air Force Meritorious Unit Award	1 October 2009-30 September 2010	455th Air Expeditionary Wing
	Air Force Meritorious Unit Award	1 October 2010-30 September 2011	455th Air Expeditionary Wing
	Air Force Meritorious Unit Award	1 October 2011-30 September 2012	455th Air Expeditionary Wing
	Air Force Meritorious Unit Award	1 July 2012-30 June 2013	455th Air Expeditionary Wing
	Air Force Meritorious Unit Award	1 July 2013-30 June 2014	455th Air Expeditionary Wing

References

Bibliography

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.

• World Airpower Journal. (1992). US Air Force Air Power Directory. Aerospace Publishing: London, UK. ISBN 1-880588-01-3

External links

• 455th AEW Official factsheet
• 455th SMW – StrategicAirCommand.com
• Minot AFB Minuteman Missile Site Coordinates
• Minot AFB – Globalsecurity.org