Luke Field/Air Force Base and 56th Fighter Wing Heritage Pamphlet ...
Luke Field/Air Force Base and 56th Fighter Wing Heritage Pamphlet ...
Luke Field/Air Force Base and 56th Fighter Wing Heritage Pamphlet ...
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<strong>Luke</strong> <strong>Field</strong>/<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong><br />
<strong>Heritage</strong> <strong>Pamphlet</strong><br />
1940 - 2012<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> History Office<br />
Prepared by Mr. Rick Griset<br />
As of 14 September 2012
2<br />
Blazon<br />
Tenne on a chevron azure fimbriated or two lightning flashes<br />
chevronwise of the last.<br />
Motto<br />
CAVE TONITRUM (Beware of the Thunderbolt)<br />
Significance<br />
The orange background was the color of the Army <strong>Air</strong> Corps <strong>and</strong><br />
represents the <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> Group's World War II service. The<br />
chevron, representing support, is blue to signify the wing's flights<br />
in support of the nation's quest for peace. The lightning bolts are<br />
symbolic of speed, aggressiveness, <strong>and</strong> the capability to strike<br />
immediately in any direction.<br />
"Cave Tonitrum," Beware of the Thunderbolt!
3<br />
Table of Contents<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Emblem, Blazon, Motto, <strong>and</strong> Significance 2<br />
Table of Contents 3<br />
History of the <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> 6<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>er, <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> 7<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> Group World War II Chronology 10<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Chronology 14<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Lineage 47<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Honors/Streamers/Decorations 48<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Primary <strong>Air</strong>craft 56<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Comm<strong>and</strong>ers 57<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Operations 60<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Comptroller Squadron 61<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Operations Group 64<br />
- <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> Group Aces 66<br />
- <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> Group Operations 72<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Operations Support Squadron 73<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Training Squadron 75<br />
21st <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron 81<br />
62d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron 86<br />
308th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron 94<br />
309th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron 102
4<br />
310th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron 110<br />
425th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron 116<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Maintenance Group 121<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Maintenance Operations Squadron 126<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>craft Maintenance Squadron 129<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Component Maintenance Squadron 133<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Equipment Maintenance Squadron 139<br />
7<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>craft Maintenance Squadron 146<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Mission Support Group 148<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Civil Engineer Squadron 157<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Contracting Squadron 163<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Communications Squadron 166<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Support Squadron 169<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Logistics Readiness Squadron 175<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Security <strong>Force</strong>s Squadron 182<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Medical Group 188<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Medical Operations Squadron 193<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Aerospace Medicine Squadron 195<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Dental Squadron 198<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Medical Support Squadron 200<br />
History of <strong>Luke</strong> AFB 202<br />
<strong>Luke</strong> <strong>Field</strong>/AFB Chronology 203<br />
<strong>Luke</strong> <strong>Field</strong>/AFB Comm<strong>and</strong>ers 226
5<br />
<strong>Luke</strong> <strong>Field</strong>/AFB Primary <strong>Air</strong>craft 231<br />
<strong>Luke</strong> AFB Student Production 1941 – FY11 232<br />
F-16 Flying Hour Programs FY83 – FY11 233<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Organization 235<br />
2d Lt Frank <strong>Luke</strong>, Jr.<br />
In September 1918, <strong>Luke</strong> made aviation history in World War I when he wreaked havoc<br />
on the aerial fleets of Germany. During an 18-day period, of which <strong>Luke</strong> only flew<br />
8 days, he destroyed 18 enemy aircraft. Because he targeted the most dangerous prey,<br />
the heavily defended observation balloons, he became known as the “Arizona Balloon<br />
Buster.” He was the first aviator awarded the Medal of Honor. On June 6, 1941,<br />
Litchfield Park <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong> (AB) was redesignated <strong>Luke</strong> <strong>Field</strong> in his honor <strong>and</strong> memory.
6<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> History<br />
The <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>, one of the most highly decorated aviation units in history, traced<br />
its heritage to the <strong>56th</strong> Pursuit Group which first activated on 15 January 1941 at<br />
Savannah AB, Georgia. The unit was redesignated a fighter group <strong>and</strong> equipped with the<br />
P-47 Thunderbolt when it was reassigned to Engl<strong>and</strong>. The <strong>56th</strong> flew its first combat<br />
missions of World War II on 13 April 1943. During its two-year involvement in the air<br />
war in Europe, the group damaged or destroyed 1,598.5 enemy aircraft. What seemed<br />
incredible was that the <strong>56th</strong> posted that record while losing only 25 fighters in aerial<br />
combat. The group also produced 40 fighter aces.*<br />
After World War II, the <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> Group was assigned at Selfridge <strong>Field</strong>, Michigan.<br />
On 15 August 1947, the <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> was activated with the <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> Group as<br />
a subordinate unit. The wing's mission was air defense. The unit wrote another chapter<br />
in aviation history when on 14 July 1948 its F-80 Shooting Stars made the first ever westto-east<br />
crossing of the Atlantic by military jets. The flight was a month after the Soviets<br />
set up their blockade of Berlin, <strong>and</strong> put the Soviets on notice that this nation had the<br />
capability to deploy a large package of military aircraft across the Atlantic in minimum<br />
time. The wing was inactivated on 1 January 1964.<br />
On 16 March 1967, the <strong>56th</strong> activated as <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong> Comm<strong>and</strong>o <strong>Wing</strong> in Southeast Asia,<br />
<strong>and</strong> redesignated as <strong>56th</strong> Special Operations <strong>Wing</strong> on 1 August 1968. While there, the<br />
<strong>56th</strong> supported <strong>and</strong> conducted combat operations against opposing armed enemy forces.<br />
Renamed the <strong>56th</strong> Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>, the wing was reassigned to MacDill <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong><br />
<strong>Base</strong> (AFB), Florida, on 1 June 1975 <strong>and</strong> conducted combat aircrew training in the F-4<br />
<strong>and</strong> later fighter training in the F-16. When the military downsized in the early 1990’s,<br />
one step removed the fighter aircraft from MacDill. However, the renamed <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong><br />
<strong>Wing</strong> would remain part of the active fighter force. On 1 April 1994, the <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong><br />
<strong>Wing</strong> was reassigned to <strong>Luke</strong> AFB.<br />
Today, the <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>, a unit which historically has proven to have some of the<br />
world’s greatest fighter pilots, continues the mission that has been identified with <strong>Luke</strong><br />
AFB since 1941: "Training the world’s greatest F-16 fighter pilots <strong>and</strong> maintainers<br />
while deploying mission ready warfighters."<br />
NOTE: * There is more below about the <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> Group which today is the<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Operations Group.
7<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Comm<strong>and</strong>er<br />
BRIGADIER GENERAL MICHAEL D. ROTHSTEIN<br />
Brig. Gen. Michael D. Rothstein is the Comm<strong>and</strong>er, <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>, <strong>Luke</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong><br />
<strong>Base</strong>, Arizona. The wing's mission is to train the world’s greatest F-16 pilots <strong>and</strong><br />
maintainers while deploying mission-ready warfighters. As part of <strong>Air</strong> Education <strong>and</strong><br />
Training Comm<strong>and</strong>, <strong>and</strong> home to 138 F-16 aircraft <strong>and</strong> 24 squadrons, the <strong>56th</strong> is the<br />
largest fighter wing in the U.S. <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>and</strong> graduates more than 300 F-16 pilots <strong>and</strong><br />
500 crew chiefs annually. The wing oversees the Gila Bend <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Auxiliary <strong>Field</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> is steward of the Barry M. Goldwater Range, a military training range spanning more<br />
than 1.7 million acres of Sonoran desert.
8<br />
General Rothstein was commissioned in 1988 as a distinguished graduate of the U.S. <strong>Air</strong><br />
<strong>Force</strong> Academy. An F-16 pilot with more than 2,500 hours, he has previously<br />
comm<strong>and</strong>ed the 57th Operations Support Squadron at Nellis AFB, Nevada, <strong>and</strong> the<br />
609th <strong>Air</strong> Operations Group at Shaw AFB, South Carolina. He also served as the<br />
Director of Operations <strong>and</strong> Plans, U.S. <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong>s Central at Shaw AFB, <strong>and</strong> Chief,<br />
Activities Synchronization, International Security Assistance <strong>Force</strong> Joint Comm<strong>and</strong> in<br />
Kabul, Afghanistan. Prior to his current assignment, General Rothstein was the<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>er, 35th <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>, Misawa <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Japan, a combat-ready F-16CJ fighter<br />
wing with nearly 3,100 personnel <strong>and</strong> forces <strong>and</strong> facilities worth over $2 billion. He was<br />
responsible for a 13,000-person installation supporting eight associate units representing<br />
three U.S. military services (<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong>, Army, <strong>and</strong> Navy) <strong>and</strong> the Japan <strong>Air</strong> Self Defense<br />
<strong>Force</strong>.<br />
EDUCATION<br />
1988 Distinguished graduate, bachelor's degree in political science, U.S. <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong><br />
Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado<br />
1995 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Alabama<br />
1995 USAF Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis AFB, Nevada<br />
1999 Master of Military Arts <strong>and</strong> Sciences degree, Comm<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> General Staff College,<br />
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas<br />
2006 Master of Strategic Studies degree, <strong>Air</strong> War College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama<br />
ASSIGNMENTS<br />
1. August 1988 - January 1990, student, Euro-NATO joint jet pilot training, Sheppard<br />
AFB, Texas<br />
2. January 1990 - August 1990, student, F-16 replacement training, 72nd <strong>Fighter</strong><br />
Squadron, MacDill AFB, Florida<br />
3. September 1990 - February 1992, F-16 pilot, 80th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron, Kunsan AB,<br />
South Korea<br />
4. March 1992 - June 1995, F-16 instructor pilot, 13th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron, Misawa AB,<br />
Japan<br />
5. July 1995 - December 1995, student, U.S. <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Weapons School, Nellis AFB,<br />
Nevada<br />
6. January 1996 - May 1998, Chief, Weapons <strong>and</strong> Tactics, 69th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron, <strong>and</strong><br />
Chief, F-16 Weapons <strong>and</strong> Tactics, 347th <strong>Wing</strong>, Moody AFB, Georgia<br />
7. June 1998 - June 1999, student, Comm<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> General Staff College, Fort<br />
Leavenworth, Kansas<br />
8. June 1999 - January 2002, Chief, Advanced Programs Branch, then Assistant Chief,<br />
Operations <strong>and</strong> Training Division, U.S. <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong>s in Europe, Ramstein AB,<br />
Germany<br />
9. April 2002 - April 2004, assistant operations officer, 421st <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron, <strong>and</strong><br />
operations officer, 34th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah<br />
10. April 2004 - November 2005, Comm<strong>and</strong>er, 57th Operations Support Squadron, Nellis<br />
AFB, Nevada
9<br />
11. December 2005 - May 2007, student, then special assistant to the Comm<strong>and</strong>ant, <strong>Air</strong><br />
War College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama<br />
12. May 2007 - March 2008, Comm<strong>and</strong>er, 609th <strong>Air</strong> Operations Group, <strong>and</strong> Director of<br />
Operations, U.S. Central Comm<strong>and</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong>s, Shaw AFB, South Carolina<br />
13. March 2008 - May 2009, Director, Operations <strong>and</strong> Plans, 9th <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>and</strong> U.S. <strong>Air</strong><br />
<strong>Force</strong>s Central, Shaw AFB, South Carolina<br />
14. June 2009 - June 2010, Chief, Activities Synchronization, International Security<br />
Assistance <strong>Force</strong> Joint Comm<strong>and</strong>, Kabul, Afghanistan<br />
15. August 2010 - September 2012, Comm<strong>and</strong>er, 35th <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>, Misawa AB, Japan<br />
16. September 2012 – present, Comm<strong>and</strong>er, <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>, <strong>Luke</strong> AFB, Arizona<br />
FLIGHT INFORMATION<br />
Rating: Comm<strong>and</strong> pilot<br />
Flight hours: More than 2,500<br />
<strong>Air</strong>craft flown: F-16C Block 30/40/50, T-38 <strong>and</strong> T-37<br />
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS<br />
Legion of Merit<br />
Bronze Star Medal<br />
Defense Meritorious Service Medal<br />
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters<br />
Aerial Achievement Medal<br />
Joint Service Commendation Medal<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster<br />
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION<br />
Second Lieutenant June 1, 1988<br />
First Lieutenant June 1, 1990<br />
Captain June 1, 1992<br />
Major August 1, 1998<br />
Lieutenant Colonel May 1, 2001<br />
Colonel December 1, 2006<br />
Brigadier General August 2, 2012<br />
(Current as of September 2012)
10<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> Group Chronology<br />
15 January 1941 <strong>56th</strong> Pursuit Group (Interceptor) activated <strong>and</strong> assigned at<br />
Savannah AB, Georgia, equipped with Seversky P-35, <strong>and</strong> Curtis<br />
P-36 Hawk aircraft.<br />
26 May 1941 Group moved to Charlotte Army <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, North Carolina, <strong>and</strong><br />
switched to Bell P-39 <strong>Air</strong>acobra <strong>and</strong> Curtis P-40 Warhawk<br />
aircraft.<br />
15 May 1942 Unit redesignated <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> Group (FG).<br />
June 1942<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> Group reequipped with Republic P-47B<br />
Thunderbolt.<br />
13 November 1942 The first <strong>56th</strong> pilots break sound barrier when P-47s dove from<br />
35,000 feet <strong>and</strong> reached speed of 725 miles per hour.<br />
6 January 1943 All the Group personnel boarded the Queen Elizabeth for passage<br />
to Engl<strong>and</strong> from the New York port of Embarkation.<br />
12 January 1943 <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> Group reassigned to Kings Cliffe, Engl<strong>and</strong>, <strong>and</strong><br />
joined air war in Europe.<br />
5 April 1943 Moved to a permanent location at Horsham St Faith (Norfolk),<br />
Engl<strong>and</strong>, after extensive combat training elsewhere, as part of the<br />
VIII <strong>Fighter</strong> Comm<strong>and</strong>.<br />
8 April 1943 Unit reached operational status.<br />
13 April 1943 <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> Group aircraft flew first combat missions of World<br />
War II, fighter sweeps over occupied France.<br />
12 June 1943, Capt Walter V. Cook, 62d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron, recorded the <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong><br />
Group's first aerial victory against a Foch-Wulf 190 near Blankenberghe, Beljium. Cook<br />
flew Little Cookie, his P-47C, Tail No. 41-6343. Pictured with his Crew Chief
11<br />
12 August 1943 First time belly tanks used on the wing's P-47s, but lacked the<br />
range to escort bombers deep into Germany.<br />
19 August 1943 Capt Gerald W. Johnson was first <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> Group ace.<br />
25 November 1943 Group's first fighter-bomber mission, fifty P-47s dropped<br />
500-pound bombs on an airdrome facility in France.<br />
8 May 1944 Captain Robert S. Johnson of the 61st <strong>and</strong> 62d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadrons<br />
surpassed the World War I record of Captain Eddie<br />
Rickenbacker, when he shot down two enemy aircraft in one day<br />
<strong>and</strong> raised his total to 27.
12<br />
6 June 1944 During D-Day Invasion, group flew 142 protective cover <strong>and</strong> airto-ground<br />
sorties.<br />
5 July 1944 Lt Col Francis S. Gabreski shot down his 28th aircraft to become<br />
the top ace in the European Theater of Operations, but was shot<br />
down <strong>and</strong> captured two weeks later.<br />
Lt Col Gabreski shakes h<strong>and</strong>s with his Crew Chief, SSgt Ralph Safford,<br />
while his Assistant Crew Chief, Schacki, looks on.<br />
7 July 1944 Capt Fred Christensen, Jr., of the 62d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron, set new<br />
record when he destroyed six enemy aircraft during single<br />
engagement.<br />
1 November 1944 1st Lt Walter R. Groce, of 63d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron was first pilot in<br />
the group to take part in shooting down a jet fighter
13<br />
13 April 1945 Group fighters attacked German airdrome <strong>and</strong> destroyed or damaged 190<br />
of the enemy <strong>Air</strong>craft parked there.<br />
21 April 1945 The last group combat mission flown over Munich. During its 2-year<br />
involvement in World War II, <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> Group destroyed 667 enemy<br />
aircraft in aerial combat, destroyed another 324 on the ground, probable<br />
kills totaled 58, <strong>and</strong> another 543 were damaged. <strong>56th</strong> posted that record<br />
of 1592 aircraft damaged/destroyed while losing only 25 fighters in<br />
aerial combat. Unit produced 40 aces.<br />
11 October 1945 The entire group returned to the United States aboard the Queen Mary.<br />
18 October 1945 <strong>56th</strong> inactivated at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey.<br />
1 May 1946 <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> Group activated at Selfridge <strong>Field</strong>, Michigan.<br />
Maj Lucian A. Dade, Jr., 62d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron,<br />
flew this P-47D-25 with a bubble canopy during June 1944.<br />
Shown is Tail Number 42-26417, painted with the D-Day paint scheme.<br />
Dade later comm<strong>and</strong>ed the <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> Group. He also comm<strong>and</strong>ed <strong>Luke</strong>'s<br />
3600th Maintenance <strong>and</strong> Supply Group in the mid-1950s.
14<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Chronology<br />
15 August 1947 <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> activated at Selfridge <strong>Field</strong>, <strong>and</strong> assumed<br />
comm<strong>and</strong> jurisdiction over <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> Group. Other<br />
subordinate groups activated as the <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>drome Group,<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Maintenance <strong>and</strong> Supply Group, <strong>and</strong> the <strong>56th</strong> Station<br />
Medical Group.<br />
14 July 1948 Sixteen <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Lockheed P (later, F)-80 Shooting<br />
Star jets flew first west-to-east crossing of Atlantic by military<br />
jets in 13 days. The mission named Fox Able One proved to the<br />
Soviets USAF's ability to deploy large fighter contingents long<br />
distances in short time.<br />
A <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star<br />
being loaded with munitions in 1949.<br />
1 December 1948 The wing was reassigned from Strategic <strong>Air</strong> Comm<strong>and</strong> to<br />
Continental <strong>Air</strong> Comm<strong>and</strong>'s Tenth <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong>.<br />
25 April 1950 <strong>Wing</strong> began conversion from F-80s to North American F-86<br />
Sabrejet.<br />
6 February 1952 <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> Group inactivated at<br />
Selfridge AFB.<br />
18 August 1955 <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> Group activated at O'Hare International <strong>Air</strong>port,<br />
Chicago, Illinois.<br />
1 October 1959 <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> Group reassigned to K. I. Sawyer AFB, Michigan.<br />
1 February 1961 <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> activated at K. I. Sawyer AFB.<br />
1 January 1964 <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> inactivated.
15<br />
16 March 1967 <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> activated <strong>and</strong> redesignated as the <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong><br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>o <strong>Wing</strong>.<br />
8 April 1967 <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong> Comm<strong>and</strong>o <strong>Wing</strong> assigned to Nakhon Phanom Royal<br />
Thai AFB, Thail<strong>and</strong>.<br />
Douglas A-1E Skyraider aircraft of the 1st <strong>and</strong> 602d Special Operations Squadrons,<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Special Operations <strong>Wing</strong>, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai AFB, Thail<strong>and</strong>.<br />
1 August 1968 <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong> Comm<strong>and</strong>o <strong>Wing</strong> redesignated <strong>56th</strong> Special Operations<br />
<strong>Wing</strong>.<br />
May 1975<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Special Operations <strong>Wing</strong> involved in rescue of crew of<br />
merchant ship, Mayaguez, after it was seized by Cambodian<br />
pirates.<br />
30 June 1975 <strong>56th</strong> Special Operations <strong>Wing</strong> redesignated as the <strong>56th</strong> Tactical<br />
<strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>, reassigned to MacDill AFB, Florida, <strong>and</strong><br />
conducted McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II training.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Tactical Training <strong>Wing</strong> McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II aircraft<br />
Tail Number 65-0674 on the ramp at MacDill AFB, Florida.
16<br />
22 October 1979 First Lockheed F-16A/B Fighting Falcon, Tail No. 78-0100,<br />
delivered to wing as it converted from F-4 to F-16.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Tactical Training <strong>Wing</strong> Flagship Tail No. 78-0056<br />
1 October 1981 Unit redesignated a tactical training wing.<br />
27 June 1988 <strong>Wing</strong> received its first F-16C.<br />
30 July 1991 Congress approved the closure of MacDill AFB.<br />
1 October 1991 <strong>56th</strong> redesignated a <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>.<br />
1 June 1992 <strong>Wing</strong> became a unit of ACC.<br />
25 February 1993 <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>'s 63d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron reassigned without<br />
personnel or equipment to 58th <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> at <strong>Luke</strong> AFB.<br />
14 May 1993 <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>'s 62d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron inactivated.<br />
19 August 1993 <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>'s 61st <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron inactivated.
17<br />
4 January 1994 <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> transferred all assets to 6th <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>.<br />
All <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> units except wing inactivated.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> remained assigned at MacDill AFB without<br />
personnel/equipment.<br />
28 February 1994 USAF announced <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> to be reassigned to <strong>Luke</strong> to<br />
take over host unit responsibilities from the 58th <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong><br />
effective 1 April 1994.<br />
Col James E. Brechwald, Vice Comm<strong>and</strong>er, unfurls the<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Flag for the first time at <strong>Luke</strong> AFB on 1 April 1994<br />
1 April 1994 58th <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> redesignated a special operations wing <strong>and</strong><br />
reassigned to Kirtl<strong>and</strong> AFB, New Mexico. Most 58-numbered<br />
units inactivated as did the 311th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron <strong>and</strong><br />
314th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron. <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> moved from MacDill<br />
to <strong>Luke</strong> <strong>and</strong> assumed assets/mission of 58th <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>.<br />
308th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron moved from Moody AFB, GA, to <strong>Luke</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> assigned to <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>. All 56-numbered groups <strong>and</strong><br />
squadrons, including four new medical squadrons, activated <strong>and</strong><br />
assigned to <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> as were the 61st <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron<br />
<strong>and</strong> 309th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron. Additionally, the 62d <strong>Fighter</strong><br />
Squadron, 63d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron, 310th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron,<br />
425th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron, 461st <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron, <strong>and</strong><br />
550th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron were reassigned from 58th <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong><br />
to <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>.
18<br />
10 May 1994 Anti-encroachment meeting at <strong>Luke</strong> chaired by member of<br />
Governor's Save <strong>Luke</strong> AFB Committee concluded that<br />
unchecked development could not continue because of area's lack<br />
of water.<br />
1 August 1994 USAF moved to ensure continued availability of water for <strong>Luke</strong><br />
by locating environmental law attorney at base to represent <strong>Luke</strong><br />
in on-going water rights adjudication process.<br />
5 August 1994 461st <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron inactivated as part of plan to reassign the<br />
McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle program to Seymour<br />
Johnson AFB, North Carolina.<br />
24 August 1994 Mission Ready Technician Program to provide mission ready<br />
crew chiefs to F-16 units USAF-wide implemented in wing.<br />
21 September 1994 Capt Sharon Preszler graduated becoming the first female <strong>Air</strong><br />
<strong>Force</strong> F-16 pilot.<br />
1 October 1994 <strong>56th</strong> Support Squadron inactivated. Maintenance of Goldwater<br />
Range assumed by civilian contractor.<br />
1 January 1995 311th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron activated to conduct foreign training.<br />
Unit had provided foreign training under 58th <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
had inactivated on 1 April 1994.<br />
31 March 1995 550th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron inactivated ending all F-15 training at<br />
<strong>Luke</strong>. Since program began in 1974, 3,303 students trained in<br />
F-15A/B/C/D, <strong>and</strong> 495 pilots <strong>and</strong> 402 weapons systems officers<br />
trained in F-15E for total of 4,200 graduates.<br />
19 April 1995 <strong>Luke</strong> acted as staging area for local rescue team which assisted in<br />
Oklahoma City bombing disaster.
19<br />
1 July 1995 LANTIRN confidence check area used to calibrate avionics prior<br />
to flying to range for mission moved to west to accommodate<br />
Mountain Vista Ranch <strong>and</strong> Sun City Gr<strong>and</strong>e.<br />
13 July 1995 Arizona Senate Bill 1062 became law <strong>and</strong> required sellers of<br />
dwellings in high noise zones around military airports to disclose<br />
that fact to potential buyers.<br />
24 August 1995 City of Glendale annexed <strong>Luke</strong> AFB as part of efforts to protect<br />
base from encroachment.<br />
9 September 1995 Members of <strong>56th</strong> Medical Group provided medical assistance for<br />
victims of AMTRAK train derailment west of <strong>Luke</strong>.<br />
1 October 1995 Intricate chain of comm<strong>and</strong> caused reassignment of Mission<br />
Ready Technician Program to 82d Training <strong>Wing</strong>, Sheppard<br />
AFB, Texas. Program became tenant at <strong>Luke</strong>.<br />
1 December 1995 311th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron inactivated. Its foreign training mission<br />
<strong>and</strong> most its jets transferred to 162d <strong>Fighter</strong> Group (<strong>Air</strong> National<br />
Guard) in Tucson.<br />
22 March 1996 1995 <strong>Air</strong> Installation Compatible Use Zone (AICUZ) study<br />
released <strong>and</strong> delineated smaller noise print than previous studies.<br />
1 May 1996 House Bill 2355 became law <strong>and</strong> required state real estate<br />
department to prepare noise maps allowing potential home<br />
buyers to determine if prospective dwellings located in high noise<br />
areas.<br />
16 May 1996 Last Peace Carvin II F-16A/B jets left <strong>Luke</strong> as part of plan to<br />
upgrade program to Block 42 F-16C/D jets.<br />
25 June 1996 Terrorist attack on facility in Saudi Arabia killed 19 Americans<br />
<strong>and</strong> injured 250 more. Among injured were three men from<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>.<br />
8 August 1996 21st <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron activated to conduct F-16 training for<br />
Taiwan AF.<br />
11 September 1996 President Bill Clinton visited <strong>Luke</strong> during area stop. Was first<br />
such visit since 14 November 1974 when President Gerald Ford<br />
visited base to preside over acceptance ceremony for first F-15.
20<br />
6 December 1996 First Block 20 F-16A/B jets, Tail Nos. 93-0705 <strong>and</strong> 93-0825<br />
l<strong>and</strong>ed for 21st <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron 's use in Taiwan AF training<br />
program. The A-model, Tail No. 93-0705, piloted by the<br />
squadron Director of Operations, Lt Col John R. Swarsbrook,<br />
l<strong>and</strong>ed first. Maj Mike A. Hanson piloted the B-model.<br />
January 1997<br />
Arizona agreed to sell USAF 81,000 acres of state l<strong>and</strong> on range<br />
for $10 million. State initially wanted $40 million.<br />
27 January 1997 It was reported wing to train more basic course students to offset<br />
losses of pilots separating/retiring early. Other added taskings<br />
included training in night vision goggles, Forward <strong>Air</strong> Controller<br />
(<strong>Air</strong>borne), Block 52 F-16C/D ground training, <strong>and</strong> enhanced<br />
Maverick training.<br />
February 1997<br />
1995 AICUZ study noise print revised when it was noted that<br />
improper throttle settings used to compute noise zones. Revised<br />
noise print reduced high noise zones around base by 2,739 acres.<br />
28 February 1997 Taiwan AF F-16 program graduated its first class when four men<br />
in Class 97 CCTW completed conversion course.<br />
1 July 1997 <strong>56th</strong> Security Police Squadron redesignated security forces sq.<br />
Sonoran Pronghorn Antelope<br />
27 August 1997 US Fish <strong>and</strong> Wildlife Service issued opinion that air operations<br />
on Goldwater Range not likely to jeopardize continued existence<br />
of Sonoran pronghorn antelope. Environmentalist group’s charge<br />
that air-to-ground missions jeopardized existence of that<br />
endangered species prompted US Fish <strong>and</strong> Wildlife Service<br />
opinion.<br />
26 September 1997 City of Surprise signed Arizona League of Cities <strong>and</strong> Towns<br />
resolution for development of strategic plan to preserve state's<br />
military airports.<br />
29 October 1997 First Forward <strong>Air</strong> Controller (<strong>Air</strong>borne) class, 98 AFG, <strong>and</strong> its<br />
four students completed training with 310th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron.
21<br />
30 November 1997 <strong>Wing</strong>'s mission capable (MC) rate for F-16 dropped below major<br />
comm<strong>and</strong> st<strong>and</strong>ard for the first time since August 1984, <strong>and</strong> was<br />
prelude to parts-supply problems which affected wing into 1999.<br />
January 1998<br />
Gila Bend AICUZ study completed due to increased operations at<br />
field <strong>and</strong> to provide guidance in l<strong>and</strong> planning in area.<br />
7 February 1998 Chronic parts shortfall resulted in Saturday flying to ensure<br />
programmed fighter training completed on time.<br />
12 February 1998 It was reported that Arizona House Bill 2515 which sought to<br />
constrict fly zones around military airports was killed in<br />
committee.<br />
18 March 1998 A Southwest <strong>Air</strong>lines Boeing 737 reported low fuel <strong>and</strong> diverted<br />
to <strong>Luke</strong> where it l<strong>and</strong>ed safely.<br />
8 April 1998 It was reported El Mirage planned zoning changes that could<br />
have allowed residential development 1.5 miles from base's<br />
accident potential zones.<br />
29 May 1998 Longtime USAF supporter Senator Barry M. Goldwater<br />
succumbed at age 89.<br />
Capt Barry M. Goldwater, when a World War II Instructor Pilot at <strong>Luke</strong> <strong>Field</strong>
22<br />
2 June 1998 425th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron began another upgrade for Peace<br />
Carvin II Program from Block 42 to Block 52 jets with the arrival<br />
of Tail Nos. 94-0276 (D-model) <strong>and</strong> 94-0266 (C-model).<br />
15 July 1998 ASU West study put economic impact of base at $1.9 billion<br />
annually.<br />
30 July 1998 US Senators John McCain <strong>and</strong> Jon Kyl (Rep, Arizona) attached<br />
amendment to Defense Appropriations Bill for USAF to lease<br />
640-acre parcel north of base from Phoenix for $1 annually to<br />
prevent Surprise from seizing l<strong>and</strong> for development. USAF<br />
downsizing so service did not enter into lease.<br />
24 August 1998 El Mirage gave tentative OK for projects in base's high noise<br />
zones including 1,000 Hancock homes, 600 Broad L<strong>and</strong><br />
Properties units, <strong>and</strong> 708 Parque Verde structures.<br />
28 September 1998 310th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron mobile training team began night vision<br />
goggles training for <strong>Air</strong> National Guard pilots.<br />
2 October 1998 <strong>Wing</strong> submitted draft LEIS under L<strong>and</strong> Withdrawal Act to<br />
Congress requesting Goldwater Range be withdrawn from public<br />
use indefinitely rather than for 15 years.<br />
October 1998 Engine parts shortfalls saw wing with 39 holes in February 1998.<br />
In April wing started getting parts <strong>and</strong> by end of October turned<br />
39 holes into first spare engine in five years.<br />
14 October 1998 Westside leaders explored 17,000-acre agricultural buffer zone<br />
around <strong>Luke</strong> to protect it from encroachment.<br />
19 November 1998 56TRS graduated first Block 52 class (ground training) when six<br />
men in Class 99 AJX completed training.<br />
18 February 1999 Engine summit held at <strong>Luke</strong> to look at problem areas in 220/E<br />
engine. Summit recommended more funds for fixes to 220/E<br />
engine on AETC F-16s <strong>and</strong> USAF F-15s, <strong>and</strong> GE F110 engine<br />
that powered most F-16s.<br />
27 March 1999 <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> leadership joined USAF leadership in naming<br />
engine problems as cause of recent aircraft losses at <strong>Luke</strong>.
23<br />
27 March 1999 Jet losses caused renewed calls for establishment of 17,000 acre<br />
agricultural zone around base to protect it from encroachment.<br />
27 April 1999 <strong>Wing</strong> leadership addressed media after sixth jet loss in six<br />
months <strong>and</strong> noted four of losses due to engine problems.<br />
30 April 1999 <strong>Wing</strong> posted 62.6 MC rate, lowest F-16 MC rate ever for a <strong>Luke</strong><br />
unit. Driving factors were engines <strong>and</strong> grounding of fleet for<br />
safety inspections.<br />
17 May 1999 HB 2579 creating agricultural district around <strong>Luke</strong> signed into<br />
law but not funded.<br />
31 May 1999 It was reported US Senator John McCain withdrew his<br />
amendment designed to withdraw range from public use from<br />
Military Funding Bill because of pressure by environmentalists<br />
<strong>and</strong> Indians.<br />
11 June 1999 Augmentor separation problem that caused two jet losses<br />
resolved. Fix included performing multiple technical orders on<br />
augmentors for cracks in welds. Permanent fix was installing<br />
seamless augmentors in engines.<br />
26 June 1999 Environmentalist group sued USAF <strong>and</strong> other federal agencies<br />
charging their actions not ensuring recovery of endangered<br />
Sonoran pronghorn antelope on range.<br />
26 June 1999 <strong>Wing</strong> submitted LEIS to Congress for renewal of range<br />
withdrawal.<br />
30 June 1999 Blade tip curling that caused loss of jet resolved. Fix included<br />
more inspections <strong>and</strong> installing 4,000 cycle low pressure turbines<br />
with improved materials not prone to curling. New turbines had<br />
faulty blade outer air seals (BOAS). Fix was installing new<br />
BOAS.<br />
30 June 1999 Series of F-16 losses prompted President Bill Clinton, US<br />
Senator John McCain, <strong>and</strong> acting USAF Secretary F. Whitten<br />
Peters to call for Congress to allocate more funds for engines <strong>and</strong><br />
spare parts.<br />
1 July 1999 Phoenix/Surprise dispute over 640 acres in base's fly zone<br />
resolved by l<strong>and</strong> swap. Surprise traded Phoenix 926 acres north<br />
of base which Phoenix planned to keep as agricultural zoning.<br />
Phoenix gave Surprise 640-acre parcel, but with deed restrictions<br />
to ensure compatible development with base's operations.<br />
20 September 1999 <strong>Wing</strong> lost seventh jet in 11 months. Loss not traced to recent<br />
trends as was due to electrical problems. Loss of seven jets<br />
extraordinary in modern times, but paled when compared to<br />
1940s when <strong>Luke</strong> had over 400 crashes in a year. Worst period<br />
was September 1943 when had 58 major accidents.
24<br />
5 October 1999 Congress approved withdrawal of Goldwater Range from public<br />
use for 25-year period. USAF/Navy took over range<br />
management from Bureau of L<strong>and</strong> Management (BLM). Cabeza<br />
Prieta Wilderness Area that made up third of range not<br />
withdrawn. No effect on training as memor<strong>and</strong>um of<br />
underst<strong>and</strong>ing with Department of Interior still allowed over<br />
flights of area. Approval required compilation of Integrated<br />
Natural Resources Management Plan <strong>and</strong> Integrated Cultural<br />
Resources Management Plan.<br />
31 December 1999 On-going shortage of pilots due to early separations/retirements,<br />
resulted in plan to implement Associate F-16 Instructor Pilot<br />
Program designed to reassign some wing Instructor Pilots to<br />
operational units to alleviate pilot shortages, <strong>and</strong> augment wing's<br />
dwindling Instructor Pilot force with active Guard, Reserve <strong>and</strong><br />
traditional Reserve Instructor Pilots.<br />
4 January 2000 Mission of 21st <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron changed from providing F-16<br />
qualification training for Taiwan AF pilots to providing<br />
proficiency training for pilots already qualified in jet.<br />
25 January 2000 First Associate Instructor Pilot Program sortie flown with the<br />
62d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron.<br />
February 2000<br />
<strong>Wing</strong> conducted first deployment in support of Expeditionary<br />
Aerospace <strong>Force</strong> (EAF). Sent 75 personnel to Middle East. EAF<br />
was asset management concept designed to protect US interests<br />
in world hot spots by ensuring US presence in those areas.<br />
3 March 2000 301st <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron activated to implement associate<br />
Instructor Pilot program. Unit assigned to 944th <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>,<br />
but under operational control of <strong>56th</strong> Operations Group.<br />
8 March 2000 <strong>Luke</strong> produced 50,000th fighter training graduate since 1941 as<br />
1st Lt Joshua G. Padgett completed basic course with 62d <strong>Fighter</strong><br />
Squadron.<br />
17 April 2000 Senate Bill 1415 became law. It amended previous legislation,<br />
<strong>and</strong> required attorney general to review m<strong>and</strong>atory reports from<br />
cities for compatible l<strong>and</strong> use planning. Gave attorney general<br />
authority to penalize cities for non-compliance.<br />
25 May 2000 Surprise officials' objections to developer's plan resulted in<br />
dropping 700 homes from project <strong>and</strong> no homes planned in high<br />
noise zones.<br />
22 July 2000 Parts shortfall resulted in Saturday flying to meet programmed<br />
flying training requirements.<br />
5 August 2000 Parts shortages caused Saturday flying to meet training schedule.
25<br />
20 September 2000 Northern departures with live ordnance terminated due to<br />
proposed building of two new schools. Live ordnance missions<br />
restricted to departures to south.<br />
20 September 2000 Encroachment concerns arose over proposed 10,000-home<br />
development near White Tanks Mountains <strong>and</strong> under an<br />
entry/departure control point for base's air traffic.<br />
20 October 2000 AETC officials named <strong>Luke</strong> on short list for possible beddown of<br />
joint strike fighter.<br />
28 November 2000 US Senator John McCain warned next round of base closures<br />
could name <strong>Luke</strong> to close because of encroachment.<br />
9 December 2000 Continuing pilot losses resulted in reassignment of 944th <strong>Fighter</strong><br />
<strong>Wing</strong> from ACC to AETC <strong>and</strong> unit joining <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>;<br />
Kelly AFB, Texas; Springfield <strong>Air</strong> National Guard <strong>Base</strong>, Ohio;<br />
<strong>and</strong> 162FW in Tucson in providing F-16 qualification training.<br />
23 January 2001 Local l<strong>and</strong>owner, neighbor, <strong>and</strong> longtime <strong>Luke</strong> supporter, Mrs<br />
Edith Denny, succumbed at age 90. She was daughter of Paul<br />
<strong>and</strong> Florence Litchfield who arrived in area in 1916 <strong>and</strong> were<br />
major economic force in West Valley.<br />
13 February 2001 Federal judge ruled for AF biological assessment <strong>and</strong><br />
Environmental Impact Statement in suit over antelope filed by<br />
environmentalist group (see 26 June 1999 entry); however, suit<br />
not dismissed against other defendants. No impact on fighter<br />
training.<br />
4 May 2001 House Bill 1120 signed into law <strong>and</strong> provided funding for<br />
agricultural district around <strong>Luke</strong> (see entry for 17 May 1999).<br />
18 May 2001 El Mirage Mayor Roy Delgado pledged support for <strong>Luke</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
promised not to build homes south of Peoria Ave that encroached<br />
on base.<br />
13 June 2001 <strong>Wing</strong> headquarters moved from bldg S-11 at main gate to bldg<br />
452 near flightline in a move to enhance force protection.
26<br />
1 July 2001 Senate Bill 1525 became law. Directed compatible development<br />
in areas affected by state's military airports. Law also extended<br />
base's southern accident potential zone from 15,000 to 30,000<br />
feet.<br />
10 July 2001 Phoenix/Tempe dispute on flight safety hazards at Sky Harbor<br />
<strong>Air</strong>port due to proposed new football stadium resulted in<br />
resurrection of question of regional airport at Casa Gr<strong>and</strong>e.<br />
Governor's Regional <strong>Air</strong>port Advisory Committee on 18 May<br />
1993 had voted against such a proposal <strong>and</strong> named Williams<br />
AFB as a reliever airport. Regional airport at Casa Gr<strong>and</strong>e could<br />
have impacted <strong>Luke</strong>'s access to range.<br />
20 July 2001 State Attorney General's opinion on SB 1525 determined it did<br />
not apply to school districts (see 1 July 2001 entry). Resulted in<br />
state school facilities board decision to exp<strong>and</strong> three schools in<br />
base's noise/accident zones. Board, however, planned to move<br />
location of two new schools out of zones.<br />
26 August 2001 Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told US senators he wanted<br />
a round of base closures to save money. US Senator John<br />
McCain noted more personnel planned for state's bases <strong>and</strong> said<br />
that, "…bodes well for <strong>Luke</strong> <strong>and</strong> Davis-Monthan."<br />
Pentagon After the 9-11 Attack.<br />
11 September 2001 Terrorist attacks in New York <strong>and</strong> Washington, District of<br />
Columbia resulted in highest level of force protection at <strong>Luke</strong>,<br />
launching of 27 combat air patrol missions over Phoenix<br />
Metroplex, <strong>and</strong> deployment of 65 personnel (as of 31 December<br />
2001) in support of war on terrorism.<br />
27 October 2001 The media reported that Defense Department planned to ask<br />
Congress for relief from environmental requirements for military<br />
ranges, because those requirements were adversely impacting<br />
training <strong>and</strong> readiness.<br />
6 November 2001 <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong>/Navy assumed management of Goldwater Range from<br />
BLM.
27<br />
13 November 2001 944th <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> began F-16 qualification training.<br />
6 December 2001 <strong>Wing</strong>/Tohono O'odham Nation signed memo of underst<strong>and</strong>ing on<br />
continued over flights of reservation as required by executive<br />
order.<br />
7 December 2001 State’s fiscal shortfalls resulted in funding cuts for <strong>Luke</strong><br />
agricultural preservation district under SB 1120. (see entry 4 May<br />
2001).<br />
14 December 2001 Media reported Congress OKs round of base closures in 2005.<br />
December 2001<br />
Ocotillo Manor base housing vacated in preparation for<br />
demolition <strong>and</strong> construction of new housing complex.<br />
15 January 2002 308th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron joined 310th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron in<br />
providing night vision goggles training to satisfy combat air<br />
forces' request that all F-16 pilots be qualified in the device.<br />
24 January 2002 El Mirage started building in 75 decibel area three miles north of<br />
base's runways.<br />
February 2002<br />
Congressional staffers alerted to negative effects of regional<br />
airspace systems plan. Effects included actions by local airports<br />
that would impact military training routes/operating areas, close<br />
LANTIRN confidence check route, affect access to range, affect<br />
simulated flameout pattern, restrict use of Gladden/Baghdad<br />
during inclement weather, <strong>and</strong> increase air traffic controller<br />
workloads. Commercial/general aviation growth resulted in loss<br />
of 290 <strong>Luke</strong> flying hours in August 2001.<br />
23 March 2002 US Senator John McCain met area leadership <strong>and</strong> charged all to<br />
reach consensus on actions to resolve developments impacting<br />
base's southern corridor to range. He stressed local action <strong>and</strong><br />
did not indicate federal government becoming involved.<br />
17 April 2002 State criticized in media for spending $31 million on yet-to-bebuilt<br />
football stadium, but only $0.5 million to protect asset with<br />
$1.9 billion annual economic impact, <strong>Luke</strong> AFB.<br />
29 April 2002 <strong>Luke</strong> first base removed from Superfund List. List designed to<br />
locate/sanitize sites where past practices resulted in generation of<br />
hazardous waste. All 33 sites found on base sanitized.<br />
6 May 2002 Governor signed SB 1393 which rectified shortcomings in<br />
SB 1525 (see entry for 01 July 2001) by exp<strong>and</strong>ing definitions of<br />
political subdivisions to include schools as prohibited from<br />
construction in military airport noise/accident zones.<br />
8 May 2002 <strong>Wing</strong> leadership told Goodyear City Council if southern air<br />
corridors at <strong>Luke</strong> threatened <strong>and</strong> stifle operations <strong>and</strong> efficiency<br />
at base, then <strong>Luke</strong> could be targeted for closure.
28<br />
9 May 2002 Massive 14,000-home development called Verrado launched on<br />
8,800 acres near White Tanks Mountains in Buckeye <strong>and</strong><br />
southwest of base.<br />
13 May 2002 <strong>Air</strong> encroachment in growing Phoenix metro area <strong>and</strong> its negative<br />
effects on a high-value asset, <strong>Luke</strong> AFB, was brought to attention<br />
of general public in front page article in area's major daily.<br />
14 May 2002 Glendale-commissioned McGuire study revealed military had<br />
$5.6 billion annual economic impact on state. <strong>Luke</strong>'s impact was<br />
$1.4 billion <strong>and</strong> lower than previously thought due to survey<br />
guidelines.<br />
5 June 2002 Robsen communities reduced Goodyear development in <strong>Luke</strong>'s<br />
noise zone from 204 to 145 homes. Goodyear used 1995 noise<br />
print instead of 1988 noise contours in zoning property. Now<br />
city wanted no homes built in noise zone.<br />
7 June 2002 944th <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> graduated its first class from F-16<br />
qualification training. Class 02-AB had six students. All<br />
944th <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> students received ground training with<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Training Squadron <strong>and</strong>, therefore, were counted in<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> student production totals.<br />
11 June 2002 Undersecretary Defense Installations/Environment Raymond F.<br />
Dubois, Jr., asked Congress for relief from environmental laws<br />
for military.<br />
17 June 2002 Plight of Duncan Farms located in southern APZ featured in area<br />
media. Farm toured 20,000 visitors annually since 1992, but<br />
2001 expansion of APZ <strong>and</strong> shift of most base operations to<br />
south affected safety of farm <strong>and</strong> its visitors.<br />
24 June 2002 Goodyear approved actions to request right-of-way use of state<br />
l<strong>and</strong> easements south of base to protect <strong>Luke</strong> by developing noise<br />
abatement <strong>and</strong> accident mitigation corridor.<br />
June 2002<br />
An environmental assessment required when wing shifted most<br />
operations to the south revealed shift had no significant impact<br />
on environment.<br />
12 August 2002 <strong>Wing</strong> leadership briefed on plan to build cargo airport nine miles<br />
west of Gila Bend. Facility would impact <strong>Luke</strong>’s access to range<br />
<strong>and</strong> commercial air routes to San Diego <strong>and</strong> LA. <strong>Luke</strong> opposed<br />
the facility <strong>and</strong> Gila Bend government did not support it.<br />
13 August 2002 Pentagon began working with National Governors Association to<br />
develop laws governing state-wide military compatible l<strong>and</strong> uses.
29<br />
21 August 2002 The (Representative) Bob Stump (Rep Arizona) National<br />
Defense Authorization Act's Cooperative Buffer Zone<br />
Acquisition Program implemented <strong>and</strong> allowed military to enter<br />
discussions on encroachment near military bases, <strong>and</strong> to acquire<br />
property near bases to limit incompatible development or<br />
preserve habitat where environmental restrictions affected<br />
training.<br />
26 August 2002 Fund raising began for 5,000-student Catholic university as part<br />
of Verrado planned community in Buckeye (see entry 9 May<br />
2002).<br />
30 August 2002 Surprise OK'd 318-acre development called Litchfield Manor,<br />
partly in base's high noise zone. City explained had to OK<br />
project as area zoned prior to 2001 when smaller 1995 noise print<br />
used rather than larger 1988 print m<strong>and</strong>ated by state law.<br />
14 September 2002 West Valley/<strong>Luke</strong> Regional L<strong>and</strong> Use Open House held to get<br />
inputs from various publics on l<strong>and</strong> use near <strong>Luke</strong>. Comments<br />
from attendees to be included in Arizona Military <strong>Air</strong>ports<br />
Regional Compatibility Project report in attempt to merge<br />
general plans of 10 cities <strong>and</strong> desires of l<strong>and</strong> owners.<br />
19 September 2002 Duncan Farms located in southern APZ agreed to stop student<br />
tours of farm (see entry 17 June 2002).<br />
26 September 2002 <strong>Wing</strong> leadership noted RJ Springer Homes building 1,000 homes<br />
on one acre lots near <strong>Luke</strong> Aux <strong>Field</strong> #1 where 13,000 operations<br />
conducted annually.<br />
27 September 2002 <strong>Wing</strong> reached initial operating capability under new st<strong>and</strong>ard<br />
wing structure. Major change was returning to specialization<br />
with jets <strong>and</strong> technicians reassigned from operations group to<br />
logistics group which was redesignated a maintenance group.<br />
11 October 2002 US Senate approved $13 million for l<strong>and</strong> acquisition near <strong>Luke</strong>.<br />
17 October 2002 Phoenix area's lack of water seen as affecting unchecked<br />
development; however, Buckeye annexed 35,000 acres which<br />
included Hassayampa River watershed, the richest aquifer in<br />
state, <strong>and</strong> had plans for a community of up to 80,000 homes.<br />
26 October 2002 National Governors Association Center for Best Practices said<br />
Arizona a leader in using legislation to protect military airports.<br />
6 December 2002 It was learned that Veterans Administration <strong>and</strong> Federal Housing<br />
Administration home loan guidelines did not deny loans for<br />
homes in high noise areas.<br />
7 December 2002 Surprise dedicated monument on former site of <strong>Luke</strong>'s Aux<br />
<strong>Field</strong> #3 to pilots who trained at base in World War II.
30<br />
14 December 2002 Some 100,000 active duty, retiree <strong>and</strong> dependents in Arizona<br />
faced possible identity theft resulting from theft of records <strong>and</strong><br />
equipment during burglary at Phoenix TriWest HMO.<br />
31 December 2002 Engine/spare parts problems that resulted in low MC rates since<br />
June 2000 eased <strong>and</strong> resulted in wing exceeding MC rate<br />
st<strong>and</strong>ard from September through December 2002.<br />
11 February 2003 A 186-person <strong>Air</strong> National Guard contingent arrived at <strong>Luke</strong> to<br />
augment base's security forces.<br />
11 February 2003 It was reported Goodyear to purchase Duncan Farms for<br />
$3.5 million (see entry 17 June 2002).<br />
27 February 2003 <strong>Wing</strong> leadership named city of Surprise development plans as<br />
greatest threat to continued operation of <strong>Luke</strong> AFB.<br />
12 March 2003 Stop Loss implemented to ensure units had sufficient personnel<br />
to conduct mission. Affected 680 wing personnel who had<br />
approved retirement/separation dates.<br />
20 March 2003 Operation IRAQI FREEDOM began.<br />
22 March 2003 Arizona Dept of Commerce released Western Maricopa/<strong>Luke</strong><br />
AFB Regional Compatibility Plan. Plan sought to meld l<strong>and</strong> use<br />
desires of military, government officials <strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong>owners in areas<br />
affected by base's operations.<br />
4 April 2003 <strong>Wing</strong> officials criticized regional compatibility plan for shifting<br />
from looking for compatible use of l<strong>and</strong> near base to<br />
compensating l<strong>and</strong>owners for loss of use (see 22 March 2003<br />
entry).<br />
8 April 2003 <strong>Fighter</strong> Country Coalition sent letter to Intermodal Group<br />
opposing group’s plan to build airport at Gila Bend. Said facility<br />
would jeopardize military mission in Arizona (see entry for<br />
12 August 2002).<br />
22 April 2003 Gila Bend Town Council approved Resolution 03-10 which<br />
enhanced military use of Gila Bend AFAF <strong>and</strong>, therefore,<br />
stopped Intermodal Group <strong>Air</strong>port (see entry 12 August 2002).<br />
25 April 2003 Peoria to spend $25,000 to motivate area cities to raise over<br />
$100,000 to hire firm to lobby Congress for funds to buy l<strong>and</strong><br />
around <strong>Luke</strong>.<br />
1 May 2003 President Bush announced end to large scale operations in<br />
support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.<br />
8 May 2003 Talks began with Glendale for building of public training facility<br />
in base’s southern corridor. Seen as compatible use.<br />
10 May 2003 Surprise passed ordnance directing real estate offices display<br />
maps of <strong>Luke</strong>’s noise zones.
31<br />
16 May 2003 Dysart School District projected to grow from 9,000 to over<br />
16,000 in 2007 <strong>and</strong> require eight new schools.<br />
20 May 2003 Surprise mayor wins re-election on platform to protect <strong>Luke</strong>.<br />
22 May 2003 Goodyear had 3,718 acres in southern departure corridor; planned<br />
99 percent of l<strong>and</strong> for compatible use with <strong>Luke</strong>’s mission.<br />
22 May 2003 Two days after re-election on platform on saving <strong>Luke</strong>, Surprise<br />
mayor voted to OK 1,300 homes in base’s high noise zone.<br />
23 May 2003 County had flood plain on approach to Aux #1 <strong>and</strong> planned flood<br />
basins in southern APZ; seen as compatible l<strong>and</strong> use.<br />
27 May 2003 US Senator John McCain/Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano<br />
criticized Surprise mayor for actions seen as detrimental to<br />
national defense <strong>and</strong> illegal (see entry for 22 May 2003).<br />
27 May 2003 It was reported Buckeye residents OK’d annexing of Douglas<br />
Ranch where town planned 80,000-home community.<br />
27 May 2003 Governor’s Military Facilities Task <strong>Force</strong> established by<br />
executive order to demonstrate to DoD state ready to enhance<br />
<strong>and</strong> maintain military presence in Arizona.<br />
10 June 2003 F-16 crash traced to manufacturing defects in engine turbine<br />
blade. <strong>Force</strong>d st<strong>and</strong> down of 70 percent of <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong><br />
jets. Problem affected all F-16/F-15 users of F100 engine.<br />
13 June 2003 Arizona attorney general defined gr<strong>and</strong>fathering in SB 1525 (see<br />
entry 1 July 2001) as development plan/zoning approved before<br />
2001.<br />
16 June 2003 <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> formed Community Initiatives Team to work<br />
encroachment by improving communication with cities <strong>and</strong><br />
stakeholders.<br />
16 June 2003 In an about face, Surprise voted to rezone Kenly Farms II from<br />
residential to commercial.<br />
18 June 2003 Surprise reacted to criticisms by noting that El Mirage approved<br />
10 times more dwellings than county <strong>and</strong> other towns near base.<br />
20 June 2003 Retired US Representative Bob Stump succumbed at age 76. He<br />
headed House Armed Services Committee until retiring last year.<br />
Media said he was factor in <strong>Luke</strong>'s surviving past base closures.
32<br />
11 July 2003 A rebuilt Ocotillo Manor base housing complex south of<br />
Glendale Ave opened for occupancy with 95 new units.<br />
12 July 2003 Surprise changed policy <strong>and</strong> began to restrict residential<br />
development near base.<br />
24 July 2003 Work began on joint l<strong>and</strong> use study for Aux #1. Study to use<br />
F-16 noise profiles <strong>and</strong> suggest compatible l<strong>and</strong> uses.<br />
31 July 2003 Stop Loss ended (see entry 12 March 2003)<br />
15 August 2003 It was reported base housing to convert to civilian contract in<br />
2005 <strong>and</strong> housing to be reduced from 874 units to 425.<br />
1 September 2003 CSAF directed <strong>56th</strong> Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels flight<br />
moved to <strong>56th</strong> Equipment Maintenance Squadron in move<br />
designed to place sortie support units under one maintenance unit<br />
comm<strong>and</strong>er.<br />
30 September 2003 <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> attained full operational capability in new<br />
combat wing structure (see entry 27 September 2002).<br />
30 September 2003 <strong>Wing</strong> ended FY03 with average MC rate of 83.4, despite safety<br />
st<strong>and</strong> downs due to engine problems.<br />
1 October 2003 <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> blue suiter positions for back shop support to 21/425th<br />
<strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron converted to 119 <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> civilian positions.<br />
8 October 2003 US Navy DC-9 experienced in-flight emergency <strong>and</strong> made safe<br />
l<strong>and</strong>ing at nearest haven, <strong>Luke</strong> AFB.
33<br />
14 October 2003 Fish <strong>and</strong> Wildlife declared DART tow targets on Cabeza Prieta<br />
as habitat thereby negating need for <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> to retrieve<br />
targets.<br />
17 October 2003 <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> received its first Block 32 F-16, Tail No.<br />
86-0296, from the 944th <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> as a backfill jet.<br />
13 November 2003 It was reported US Customs Service conducted three weeks of<br />
tests of Predator unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on Goldwater<br />
Range to determine feasibility of using UAV for surveillance<br />
along the US/Mexican border south of Gila Bend.<br />
15 November 2003 L<strong>and</strong>owners value l<strong>and</strong> near base at $60,000 per acre.<br />
20 November 2003 Surprise planned to annex Aux #1 to control lot splitting.<br />
November 2003 2003 AICUZ released because of change in noise zones resulting<br />
from shifting of operations from north to the south.<br />
4 November 2003 Congress allocated $14.3 million for l<strong>and</strong> acquisition near base.<br />
5 December 2003 It was reported that DoD received Congressional approval to<br />
begin <strong>Base</strong> Realignment And Closure Commission (BRAC)<br />
process.<br />
17 December 2003 Senator John McCain noted Congress approved $14.3 million for<br />
<strong>Luke</strong> l<strong>and</strong> acquisition. Warned area leaders that federal<br />
government alone could not protect <strong>Luke</strong>. He asked that state,<br />
county, local governments step up <strong>and</strong> raise funds for l<strong>and</strong><br />
acquisition around base.<br />
17 December 2003 <strong>Wing</strong> official noted success of graduated density concept that<br />
allowed low density development near noise zones <strong>and</strong> increased<br />
densities away from those areas. Plan favored by local towns <strong>and</strong><br />
DoD planned to possibly use it at all installations.<br />
17 December 2003 City of Surprise praised for turning from anti-<strong>Luke</strong> to pro-<strong>Luke</strong><br />
decisions on l<strong>and</strong> use.<br />
31 December 2003 <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> deployed 645 men <strong>and</strong> women to locations<br />
throughout world in support of humanitarian/peacekeeping<br />
operations.<br />
31 December 2003 Captive breeding program began for Sonoran pronghorn antelope<br />
with construction of large pen in Cabeza Prieta Wildlife Refuge.<br />
Program attempted to save endangered local herd from<br />
extinction.<br />
31 December 2003 House Bill 2605 going through legislative process; was designed<br />
to protect all state’s military installations.<br />
31 December 2003 <strong>Wing</strong> encroachment officials worked to place 26 new schools<br />
near <strong>Luke</strong> in least hazardous locations.
34<br />
31 December 2003 Arizona Public Service cooperated with base by ensuring new<br />
power poles to service growing communities near <strong>Luke</strong> did not<br />
affect flight paths or communications.<br />
31 December 2003 City of Surprise to annex near Aux #1 to prevent lot splitting <strong>and</strong><br />
protect field from encroachment.<br />
31 December 2003 County against Phase IV of Patton Place Estates near Aux #1 for<br />
safety reasons.<br />
31 December 2003 Natural gas storage facility planned near <strong>Luke</strong> was seen as threat<br />
to health <strong>and</strong> safety of base personnel.<br />
31 December 2003 It was reported that 221 individuals died in 2003 attempting to<br />
cross Sonoran Desert from Mexico to US.<br />
18 January 2004 It was reported property owners near Aux #1 formed group called<br />
Arizona Coalition to Protect Property Rights.<br />
3 February 2004 <strong>Force</strong> Shaping program implemented to reduce manning in-line<br />
with Congressionally-directed personnel ceilings.<br />
3 March 2004 Governor formed permanent Military Affairs Commission to deal<br />
with preservation/growth of military installations in state.<br />
19 March 2004 Pinal County officials denied zoning for La Osa Ranch north of<br />
Tucson which would have negatively impacted access to range.<br />
31 March 2004 First stakeholders’ meeting held to explain l<strong>and</strong> purchase<br />
program.<br />
5 April 2004 Falcon Star began <strong>and</strong> was designed to increase service life of<br />
jets through improvements to fuselage <strong>and</strong> structural<br />
components.<br />
19 April 2004 Governor signed HB 2141 which provided same protection for<br />
Aux #1 rest of state’s military airports enjoyed.<br />
23 April 2004 Governor signed HB 2134 which prohibited construction of<br />
natural gas storage facility near <strong>Luke</strong> (see entry 31 December<br />
2003).<br />
26 April 2004 Governor signed HB 2662 requiring state real estate maps depict<br />
military training routes.<br />
17 May 2004 Governor signed HB 2140 which established a funding stream to<br />
buy easements/property that encroached on base.<br />
18 May 2004 A 30-member contingent of civilian contract workers began<br />
augmenting <strong>Luke</strong>’s security forces to enhance force protection.<br />
May 2004<br />
JLUS for Aux #1 completed.<br />
6 July 2004 USAF senior leader postulated half F-16 fleet could be retired<br />
due to base closures <strong>and</strong> to save money for other programs.
35<br />
14 July 2004 First purchase of 143 of 273 acres for force protection near<br />
munitions storage area completed for $950,000.<br />
15 July 2004 Maintenance of 21st <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron jets converted from blue<br />
suiter to civilian contract.<br />
1 October 2004 Manpower office reassigned from wing to <strong>56th</strong> Mission Support<br />
Group in move to align specialties with similar functions.<br />
1 October 2004 A test that reassigned <strong>56th</strong> Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels to<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Equipment Maintenance Squadron to determine any benefits<br />
to sortie generation ended with no significant results (see entry<br />
1 September 2003). Fuels to be returned to <strong>56th</strong> Logistics<br />
Readiness Squadron.<br />
7 October 2004 Group of West Valley leaders met with DoD officials to stress<br />
area’s support for continued existence of <strong>Luke</strong> AFB.<br />
12 October 2004 City of Surprise announced city l<strong>and</strong> near Aux #1 to be rezoned<br />
for airport preservation.<br />
12 October 2004 Goldwater Range Task <strong>Force</strong> met by Congressional directive find<br />
ways endangered species on range <strong>and</strong> military use of facility<br />
could co-exist.<br />
1 November 2004 186-person Army Guard contingent defederalized <strong>and</strong> relieved<br />
from <strong>Luke</strong> security augmentee duties (see entry 11 February<br />
2003).<br />
1 November 2004 Augmentee Duty Program (READY) began drawing personnel<br />
from various specialties to augment base security forces.<br />
20 November 2004 LANTIRN confidence check flight path to calibrate instruments<br />
prior to LANTIRN mission moved for second time (see entry<br />
1 July 1995) due to planned developments.<br />
30 November 2004 <strong>56th</strong> Medical Group announced planned major reduction in<br />
medical services as directed by higher headquarters.<br />
8 December 2004 Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano met with DoD official to<br />
stress area’s support for continued existence of <strong>Luke</strong>.<br />
9 December 2004 <strong>Wing</strong> officials noted range closed 37 times in 2004 so Border<br />
Patrol could remove groups that w<strong>and</strong>ered onto range.<br />
28 December 2004 It was announced that an endangered species on range, the<br />
pronghorn antelope, was rebounding from near extinction as its<br />
numbers increased from less than two dozen to some 58 animals.<br />
31 December 2004 <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> deployed 401 personnel worldwide in support<br />
of humanitarian <strong>and</strong> peacekeeping operations.
36<br />
31 December 2004 <strong>Wing</strong> leadership outlined <strong>Luke</strong>'s requirements as facility from<br />
which to take off <strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong> (<strong>Luke</strong> AFB), access to range,<br />
continued use of Aux #1 <strong>and</strong> Gila Bend where 12,000 <strong>and</strong> 45,000<br />
operations, respectively, conducted annually (loss of two sites<br />
would move those operations to <strong>Luke</strong> <strong>and</strong> quadruple base's noise<br />
zones), <strong>and</strong> continued use of Baghdad/Gladden <strong>Air</strong>space.<br />
December 2004<br />
Congressed passed the Readiness/Environmental Protection<br />
Initiative (REPI) which provided the military with funds to<br />
purchase l<strong>and</strong> to stem incompatible l<strong>and</strong> use.<br />
25 February 2005 It was reported 244 acres near munitions storage area purchased<br />
for $3 million from SunCor (see 14 July 2004 entry).<br />
February 2005<br />
Joint L<strong>and</strong> Use Study completed on Gila Bend <strong>and</strong> Goldwater<br />
Range.<br />
7 March 2005 Range task force (see entry 12 October 2004) reported to<br />
Congress on coexistence of antelope on range <strong>and</strong> air operations<br />
thru continued captive breeding <strong>and</strong> forage enhancement<br />
programs.<br />
8 March 2005 Surprise voters OK Prop 300 rezoning 106-acre Kenly Farms II<br />
from residential to commercial.<br />
11 March 2005 Expeditionary Thunderbolt Training implemented to give<br />
deploying personnel look at combat scenarios they might face at<br />
deployed sites.<br />
2 April 2005 308th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron jets were the first wing F-16s to fly<br />
dissimilar air combat missions against the F-22 Raptor during<br />
deployment to Tyndall AFB, Florida.<br />
4 April 2005 It was reported one acre Phoenix l<strong>and</strong> in MSA procured for $15,<br />
400 which completed l<strong>and</strong> purchases in MSA area.<br />
7 April 2005 Phoenix mayor issued proclamation that 920 acres north of base<br />
to be zoned for compatible use with base’s mission.<br />
3 May 2005 Border Patrol began flying three-to-four nightly helicopter<br />
missions from Gila Bend AFAF over range to detect<br />
undocumented aliens.<br />
9 May 2005 Goodyear/Pebble Creek dispute over 145 homes in high noise<br />
zone resolved by moving building site to new location of<br />
increased density. Settlement of dispute resulted in all 3,783<br />
acres in southern departure corridor being zoned for compatible<br />
use.<br />
13 May 2005 BRAC announced <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> to lose 37 jets as well as<br />
278 slots.
37<br />
25 May 2005 Contingent from Polish AF visited base after Pol<strong>and</strong> bought 48<br />
F-16s.<br />
25 June 2005 Wildfires contained after burning 58,000 acres on range.<br />
6 July 2005 <strong>Wing</strong>’s fleet grew by three jets when Republic of Singapore AF<br />
unit at Cannon AFB, NM, inactivated <strong>and</strong> sent three jets to<br />
425th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron.<br />
15 July 2005 Over 70 near misses since 2000 prompted wing to call for<br />
creation of special airspace rule.<br />
29 August 2005 President George W. Bush visited base. It was third visit by a<br />
sitting US President. President Gerald Ford visited on<br />
14 November 1974 <strong>and</strong> President Bill Clinton on 11 September<br />
1996.<br />
4 September 2005 The first 54 of a contingent of 93 people from wing deployed to<br />
Gulf Coast to aid in relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina which<br />
damaged 95 percent of facilities at Keesler AFB.<br />
15 September 2005 President Bush endorsed BRAC commission’s recommendations<br />
for base closures <strong>and</strong> realignments. <strong>Wing</strong> to lose 22 jets as well<br />
as 425 positions. However, which jets the wing was to lose was<br />
to be decided on by wing officials.<br />
15 September 2005 Common Configuration Implementation Program (CCIP) began;<br />
designed to upgrade selected systems on Block 42 jets to Block<br />
52 capabilities.<br />
21 September 2005 <strong>56th</strong> Medical Group contingent deployed to Dominica <strong>and</strong><br />
treated 3,000.<br />
23 September 2005 <strong>Base</strong>’s two main gates closed indefinitely for force protection <strong>and</strong><br />
due to personnel shortfalls caused by hurricane relief <strong>and</strong><br />
Southwest Asia deployments.<br />
28 September 2005 Services terminated at <strong>56th</strong> Medical Group ambulatory<br />
procedures unit <strong>and</strong> operating rooms.<br />
29 September 2005 Services terminated at <strong>56th</strong> Medical Group extended hours clinic<br />
<strong>and</strong> podiatry.<br />
19 October 2005 Women’s Health Clinic closed.<br />
8 November 2005 BRAC commission’s recommendations passed into law by<br />
Congress.<br />
14 November 2005 First basic course air-to-ground exercise held at Gila Bend<br />
utilizing bare-base environment for students to gain experience in<br />
flying/fighting from undeveloped sites.
38<br />
31 December 2005 <strong>Wing</strong> deployed some 644 personnel to various locations<br />
throughout the world to assist in peacekeeping/humanitarian<br />
efforts.<br />
31 December 2005 <strong>Wing</strong> official stated Wittman resident’s suit to challenge<br />
HB 2141 protecting Aux #1 would be defeated in court for the<br />
second time.<br />
31 December 2005 Mobile training teams from 310th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron train 46 in<br />
Forward <strong>Air</strong> Controller (<strong>Air</strong>borne) course.<br />
31 December 2005 Lease for 700 acres at Aux #1 up for renewal <strong>and</strong> state wanted<br />
price increase from $35,000 to $140,000 annually for 10 years.<br />
Negotiations resulted in price lowered to $70,000 annually for<br />
savings of $700,000.<br />
11 January 2006 USAF announced cuts in aerial fleet to gain funds for F/A-22.<br />
3 February 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review released <strong>and</strong> stressed leaner,<br />
meaner force to include cuts in personnel to fund recapitalization<br />
of new weapons systems.<br />
17 March 2006 H<strong>and</strong>s-on cell phone use while driving outlawed at <strong>Luke</strong>.<br />
ca. March 2006<br />
Environmental Impact Statement completed on integrated natural<br />
resource management plan for range.<br />
9 May 2006 Site activation task force for BRAC-directed 944th <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong><br />
realignment held at <strong>Luke</strong>.<br />
22 May 2006 Expeditionary Thunderbolt Training (see entry 11 March 2005)<br />
designed to give deploying members training in possible<br />
scenarios they might face at deployed sites moved to Gila Bend<br />
to take advantage of bare base/desert environment.<br />
29 May 2006 Some 180 sorties over the Baghdad-Gladden Area <strong>and</strong> Aux #1<br />
cancelled over a four-day period when glider meet at Pleasant<br />
Valley <strong>Air</strong>port posed what base officials felt was safety hazard to<br />
F-16 pilots flying in areas.<br />
1 June 2006 Enlisted Club terminated evening dining <strong>and</strong> administrative<br />
functions. Those services available for all ranks at Officers’<br />
Club.<br />
July 2006<br />
<strong>Wing</strong> formed AF Smart Operations 21 Team to find ways to<br />
work smarter <strong>and</strong> reduce non-value added functions.<br />
15 August 2006 First 944th <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> jet, F-16C 86-0273, left <strong>Luke</strong> under<br />
BRAC directive that unit was to lose all 17 of its F-16s <strong>and</strong> some<br />
480 personnel authorizations.<br />
23 August 2006 CSAF directed 40,000 personnel cut to gain funds for weapons<br />
systems recapitalization.
39<br />
2 September 2006 Sixteen-member team which included nine people from<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Medical Group deployed to Guatemala where treated 7,500,<br />
<strong>and</strong> give out more than 14,000 prescriptions.<br />
14 September 2006 Mark Grace Thunderbolt <strong>Field</strong> officially dedicated. The new<br />
baseball field in Fowler Park was a $300,000 project funded by<br />
Summit Builders, the Arizona Diamondbacks, <strong>and</strong> former D-back<br />
player, Mark Grace.<br />
30 September 2006 <strong>Wing</strong> deployed 647 men <strong>and</strong> women from 41 specialties to<br />
numerous locations within the nation <strong>and</strong> foreign sites to support<br />
humanitarian <strong>and</strong> peacekeeping operations.<br />
31 October 2006 Class 06 C2L with two students in Transition course was last<br />
class trained by 944th <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>.<br />
4 October 2006 USAF announced new F-35 joint strike fighter to be based at<br />
Eglin AFB, FL for flight/maintenance training.<br />
7 November 2006 Prop 207 designed to restrict zoning or face litigation passed by<br />
voters.<br />
November 2006<br />
Environmentalist group filed intent to sue US Fish <strong>and</strong> Wildlife<br />
Service <strong>and</strong> wing for delisting Bald eagle on range from<br />
endangered species list.<br />
25 November 2006 It was announced base housing to be privatized on 1 January<br />
2006 (see entry 15 August 2003).<br />
27 November 2006 Construction began on Litchfield Park overpass to ease<br />
congestion <strong>and</strong> aid force protection.<br />
31 December 2006 BRAC decisions resulted in <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> losing 425<br />
personnel authorizations, retirement of 22 jets. Decision made<br />
that all jets to be retired were Block 25 models (see entry<br />
15 September 2005).<br />
31 December 2006 <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> official sees plans for 300 percent increase in<br />
local airports.<br />
31 December 2006 <strong>Wing</strong> briefings to general aviation pilots accompanied by<br />
decrease in near misses. Request for special airspace traffic rule<br />
at FAA in Washington, District of Columbia.<br />
31 December 2006 Purchase price of 634 acres in south accident potential zone 2 of<br />
a staggering $87,000 an acre or $55 million resulted in deletion<br />
of property from any acquisition attempts.<br />
31 December 2006 L<strong>and</strong>owners' price for sale of property 400 percent above Corps<br />
of Engineers offers. Led to condemnation actions which owners<br />
favored as could get higher price through arbitration.<br />
31 December 2006 Some $l8.8 million of $27 million Congress appropriated for l<strong>and</strong><br />
purchase were obligated.
40<br />
25 January 2007 10,000-acre site near Gila Bend approved for Volkswagen test<br />
track; seen as compatible l<strong>and</strong> use with air operations at Gila<br />
Bend.<br />
6 February 2007 <strong>Base</strong> Housing transferred to civilian firm under privatization<br />
program (see entry 15 September 2005).<br />
12 February 2007 Last three 944th <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> F-16s left <strong>Luke</strong> AFB in<br />
preparation for inactivation of 302d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron.<br />
27 February 2007 USAF leadership signed the record of decision on integrated<br />
natural resources management plan which was compiled by<br />
direction of the Congress (see entry for 5 October 1999).<br />
10 March 2007 In-line with BRAC decisions, the 944th <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>’s<br />
944th Maintenance Group <strong>and</strong> 302d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron were<br />
inactivated.<br />
14 March 2007 Navy officials sign record of decision on Integrated Natural<br />
Resources Management Plan (see entry for 5 October 1999).<br />
6 May 2007 <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> leadership signed the final Integrated Natural<br />
Resources Management Plan (see 5 October 1999 entry).<br />
12 April 2007 <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> initially to lose 37 jets under BRAC, but<br />
Change 06-01 directed 944th <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> lose 15 jets <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> 22 (see entry 13 May 2005).<br />
22 June 2007 Giant Voice public address system activated at <strong>Luke</strong> AFB.<br />
1 August 2007 Public Affairs <strong>and</strong> multimedia merged to increase utility of<br />
scarce personnel assets.<br />
17 August 2007 It was reported USAF leadership to direct reorganization to<br />
global wing structure where jets <strong>and</strong> technicians reassigned from<br />
maintenance complex to Operations Group.<br />
30 September 2007 <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> FY07 budget reduced by $67 million when<br />
costs for aviation gas <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong>-wide consolidated <strong>and</strong> paid for<br />
by office in the <strong>Air</strong> Staff.<br />
30 September 2007 <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> deployed 465 men <strong>and</strong> women during FY07 to<br />
national <strong>and</strong> international sites to support peacekeeping <strong>and</strong><br />
humanitarian operations.<br />
30 September 2007 All but $800,000 of $13 million appended to FY03 MILCON<br />
program was obligated to purchase l<strong>and</strong>/easements.<br />
1 October 2007 Information technicians moved from offices <strong>and</strong> consolidated<br />
mostly at group level to increase utility of those personnel.<br />
1 October 2007 <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> FY08 budget reduced by $147 million when<br />
costs for parts <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong>-wide consolidated <strong>and</strong> paid for by office<br />
in <strong>Air</strong> Staff.
41<br />
1 October 2007 Life support/survival equipment technicians moved from fighter<br />
squadrons <strong>and</strong> consolidated at 56 OSS to increase their utility.<br />
22 October 2007 Thirty F/A-18 Hornets from Marine Corps <strong>Air</strong> Station Miramar<br />
deployed to <strong>Luke</strong> as part of a move to protect the aircraft from<br />
fires raging throughout southern California.<br />
14 November 2007 First <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> jet reassigned under BRAC was F-16D,<br />
Tail No. 83-1175 to 162FW, Tucson <strong>Air</strong>port.<br />
18 December 2007 Lightning Street on base renamed Gillespie Drive for<br />
MSgt R<strong>and</strong>y J. Gillespie of the <strong>56th</strong> Logistics Readiness<br />
Squadron who was killed on 9 July 2007 in combat while TDY to<br />
Afghanistan.<br />
31 December 2007 Some $6 million of $14.3 million appended to FY04 MILCON<br />
program for purchase l<strong>and</strong>/easements remained unobligated.<br />
9 January 2008 Army agreed to second antelope captive breeding pen near Yuma<br />
Proving Grounds (see entry 31 December 2003).<br />
28 January 2008 Overpass over Glendale Ave opened to traffic <strong>and</strong> dedicated to<br />
Major Troy Gilbert who lost his life in Iraq on 27 November<br />
2006.<br />
15 February 2008 <strong>Wing</strong> leadership announced 63d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron to inactivate in<br />
2009 to comply with BRAC directives on F-16 realignment at<br />
<strong>Luke</strong> (see 15 September 2005 entry).<br />
26 February 2008 63d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron Class 08 ALL <strong>and</strong> its four members first to<br />
complete F-22 Raptor Lead-in Course.<br />
28 February 2008 It was announced that plan to merge <strong>56th</strong> Services Squadron <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>56th</strong> Mission Support Squadron nearing approval.<br />
10 March 2008 BRAC directive moving LANTIRN pods/personnel to Hill AFB,<br />
Utah, completed.<br />
10 March 2008 BRAC directive moving positions to Eglin AFB, Florida, for<br />
F-35 st<strong>and</strong>-up completed.<br />
10 March 2008 BRAC directive moving Logistics Readiness Squadron positions<br />
to Langley AFB, Virginia, for regional supply squadron<br />
completed.<br />
20 March 2008 Attorney general opinion on HB 2141 required development<br />
plan/zoning be approved by 31 December 2004 for<br />
developments near Aux #1. Opinion advantageous for <strong>Luke</strong> as<br />
would halt incompatible development around Aux #1.<br />
31 March 2008 <strong>Force</strong> Shaping ended after separating 766 <strong>Luke</strong> personnel since it<br />
started (see entry 3 February 2004).
42<br />
12 May 2008 CSAF directed reorganization to global wing structure with<br />
inactivation of <strong>56th</strong> <strong>and</strong> 7<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>craft Maintenance Squadron<br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>56th</strong> Maintenance Operations Squadron with <strong>Air</strong>craft<br />
Maintenance Units realigned to fighter squadrons, movement of<br />
Logistics Readiness Squadron from Mission Support Group to<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Maintenance Group <strong>and</strong> redesignation of <strong>56th</strong> Maintenance<br />
Group as Materiel Group.<br />
26 May 2008 <strong>56th</strong> Comptroller Squadron lost 12 authorizations due to transfer<br />
of military pay <strong>and</strong> travel pay functions to <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Financial<br />
Services Center at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota.<br />
30 May 2008 It was reported Volunteers to the <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Program<br />
implemented where members of Arizona Civil <strong>Air</strong> Patrol<br />
provided manpower assistance to <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> in noncombat<br />
roles.<br />
5 June 2008 Sec AF Michael Wynne <strong>and</strong> CSAF Gen Moseley asked to resign<br />
over nuclear incidents.<br />
6 June 2008 It was announced 944th <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>’s 301st <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron<br />
to be reassigned to Holloman AFB, New Mexico. Unit provided<br />
support for 944th <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Instructor Pilots augmenting<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Instructor Pilots under Associate Instructor<br />
Pilot Program (see entry 31 December 1999). 69th <strong>Fighter</strong><br />
Squadron to take over 301st <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron mission.<br />
13 June 2008 Last CCIP Block 42 F-16 scheduled for Block 52 upgrades left<br />
<strong>Luke</strong> (see entry 15 September 2005).<br />
27 June 2008 Acting Secretary of the AF Donley directed delay in<br />
reorganization to global wing structure (see entry for 12 May<br />
2008).<br />
30 June 2008 Program to purchase/lease l<strong>and</strong>/easements to protect base’s<br />
access to range completed.<br />
14 July 2008 Thirty-four of wing’s Block 42 jets found to have cracks in<br />
bulkhead which provided structural rigidity to jets. Flying <strong>and</strong><br />
class sizes reduced while repairs on-going.<br />
25 July 2008 Study released by governor’s office puts <strong>Luke</strong> annual economic<br />
impact at $2.17B.<br />
28 July 2008 Four French AF Rafale jets made first deployment ever to this<br />
nation <strong>and</strong> <strong>Luke</strong> AFB for a 10-day practice session prior to<br />
participating in a Red Flag exercise.<br />
27 August 2008 New CSAF Gen Norton A. Schwartz directed reorganization to<br />
Global <strong>Wing</strong> be halted. (See entry for 12 May 2008.)
43<br />
30 September 2008 State sued Maricopa County for failure to enforce law on<br />
compatible l<strong>and</strong> use near Aux #1 <strong>and</strong> county sued state over<br />
property rights near Aux #1.<br />
30 September 2008 <strong>Luke</strong> deployed 684 personnel during FY08 in support of<br />
humanitarian <strong>and</strong> peace-keeping operations throughout the world.<br />
7 October 2008 Three-day site survey began to determine feasibility of basing<br />
F-35 at <strong>Luke</strong>; decision expected in 2011.<br />
6 November 2008 Last of 77 jets to receive CCIP upgrades returned from Hill AFB<br />
(see entry 15 September 2005).<br />
24 November 2008 310th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron which had traditionally provided<br />
LANTIRN, Forward <strong>Air</strong> Controller (<strong>Air</strong>borne) <strong>and</strong> night vision<br />
goggles training started instruction in basic course.<br />
9 December 2008 State <strong>and</strong> municipal officials met with SecAF <strong>and</strong> CSAF to stress<br />
area’s continued support for existence of <strong>Luke</strong> <strong>and</strong> to press for<br />
basing of F-35 at the installation.<br />
10 December 2008 West Valley <strong>and</strong> state leaders travelled to Pentagon to urge<br />
USAF leaders to base F-35 at <strong>Luke</strong>.<br />
5 January 2009 US Marine Corps Bulk Fuels Company Charlie moved to <strong>Luke</strong> to<br />
ease transportation problems <strong>and</strong> because of high street crime at<br />
old location.<br />
10 February 2009 Superior Court judges rules in favor of state <strong>and</strong> directed county<br />
to stop issuing building permits which were resulting in<br />
incompatible development near Aux #1.<br />
17 February 2009 107th <strong>Air</strong> Control Squadron moved to <strong>Luke</strong> from downtown<br />
Phoenix in move to ease transportation problems.<br />
26 February 2009 <strong>56th</strong> Services Squadron assumed mission <strong>and</strong> assets of<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Mission Support Squadron <strong>and</strong> was redesignated <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Force</strong><br />
Support Squadron while <strong>56th</strong> Mission Support Squadron was<br />
inactivated.<br />
March 2009<br />
El Mirage officials travel to Washington, District of Columbia to<br />
request stimulus money <strong>and</strong> complain basing F-35 at <strong>Luke</strong> would<br />
negatively impact town.<br />
3 April 2009 <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> notified won AF Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Award for<br />
period 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2008.<br />
3-13 May 2009 AETC conducted Unit Compliance Inspection <strong>and</strong> evaluated<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> an overall “Excellent.”<br />
26 June 2009 USAF announced a force structure change that was to reduce<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> F-16 fleet by another 28 jets.
44<br />
30 September 2009 63d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron inactivated in-line with BRAC realignment<br />
of <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> F-16 fleet.<br />
9 October 2009 <strong>Base</strong> holds a memorial service for Staff Sergeant Shawn Rankin,<br />
a <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>craft Maintenance Squadron crew chief.<br />
22 October 2009 The 62d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron lost aircraft, Tail No. 84-1328, due to<br />
an engine flameout near Wickenburg, Arizona.<br />
January 2010<br />
AETC published the Combined <strong>Wing</strong>man Syllabus, which<br />
restructured three courses <strong>and</strong> syllabi into one syllabus.<br />
1 February 2010 The 301st <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron (AFRC) inactivated, <strong>and</strong> the<br />
69th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron (AFRC) activated <strong>and</strong> joined the<br />
944th <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> (AFRC).<br />
4 February 2010 Officials representing the state of Arizona <strong>and</strong> Maricopa County<br />
signed an agreement to restrict building within the 65 decibel<br />
range of all military airports, including <strong>Luke</strong> AFB.<br />
22 February 2010 Mr. Gabriel Aguilera ran the Lightning Gate in a stolen car. His<br />
passenger subsequently died after <strong>56th</strong> Security <strong>Force</strong>s Squadron<br />
airmen stopped the car.<br />
22-26 February 2010 <strong>Wing</strong> leadership attended public meetings on how the<br />
Environmental Impact Statement process would work.<br />
22 March 2010 General Neubauer <strong>and</strong> Chairman Ned Norris, Jr. of the Tohono<br />
O’odham Nation signed the new 5-year Memor<strong>and</strong>um of<br />
Underst<strong>and</strong>ing covering the Sells Military Operations Area.<br />
24 May 2010 Ms. Wendy Frost, the School Registrar for the <strong>56th</strong> Training<br />
Squadron died in a automobile accident.<br />
29 July 2010 The <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> announced <strong>Luke</strong> AFB as the preferred alternate<br />
location for F-35 pilot training. The announcement also included<br />
the movement of two F-16 squadrons to Holloman AFB, New<br />
Mexico. The first squadron would move in October 2011.<br />
20 September 2010 Brig Gen Jerry D. Harris, Jr., assumed comm<strong>and</strong> of the<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> from Brig Gen Kurt F. Neubauer.<br />
30 September 2010 The 61st <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron inactivated.<br />
15 December 2010 In answer to Lt Col Timothy W. Trimmell's, 7<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>craft<br />
Maintenance Squadron Comm<strong>and</strong>er, challenge to launch all of<br />
their aircraft, the 310th <strong>Air</strong>craft Maintenance Unit launched 22 of<br />
26 F-16s.<br />
13 January 2011 62d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron <strong>and</strong> 62d <strong>Air</strong>craft Maintenance Unit<br />
deployed four aircraft to Eglin AFB, Florida, to keep 33d <strong>Fighter</strong><br />
<strong>Wing</strong> pilots current <strong>and</strong> develop that wing's operational<br />
procedures.
45<br />
15-29 January 2011 310th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron deployed to Tyndall AFB, for <strong>Air</strong>-to-<strong>Air</strong><br />
live fire exercise Combat Archer.<br />
3 February 2011 The 308th <strong>Air</strong>craft Maintenance Unit launched all 26 aircraft in<br />
response to Lt Col Trimmell's challenge.<br />
8-27 February 2011 425th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron participated in Combat Archer.<br />
16 February 2011 Lt Col Brian I. Elliott, <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Inspector General sent<br />
first e-mail about October 2011 Unit Compliance Inspection.<br />
February 2011<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Component Maintenance Squadron's Hydrazine plant went<br />
operational for first time in over 2 years.<br />
6-23 April 2011 62d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron took part in Combat Archer during its<br />
deployment to Tyndall AFB.<br />
19 April 2011 Pause lifted for inaccurate engine noise data in the F-35A<br />
Training Draft Environmental Impact Statement.<br />
27 April 2011 Lt Col Frank D. Bryant, Jr., <strong>56th</strong> Operations Group, was killed in<br />
action in Afghanistan.<br />
1 May 2011 United States forces killed Osama bin Laden.<br />
5 May 2011 United States Fish <strong>and</strong> Wildlife Service announced its final ruling<br />
on plan to reestablish Sonoran pronghorn as a nonessential<br />
experimental population.<br />
20 May 2011 Ms. Kathleen I. Ferguson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> (Installations) signed the Barry M. Goldwater Range<br />
Environmental Impact Statement Record of Decision which<br />
finalized six of ten proposals.<br />
13 June 2011 Gen Edward A. Rice, Jr., Comm<strong>and</strong>er, <strong>Air</strong> Education <strong>and</strong><br />
Training Comm<strong>and</strong>, briefed <strong>and</strong> the Secretary of the <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> Chief of Staff of the <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> approved delaying the move<br />
of the first F-16 squadron to Holloman AFB until April 2013.<br />
Delays were due to needed time for Environmental Analysis, lack<br />
of funding, <strong>and</strong> time to design <strong>and</strong> renovate/construct facilities.<br />
17 June 2011 Col Robert E. Webb took over as the Vice Comm<strong>and</strong>er from<br />
Col Jeffrey R. Weed.<br />
17 June 2011 Col Yol<strong>and</strong>a D. Bledsoe assumed comm<strong>and</strong> of <strong>56th</strong> Medical<br />
Group.<br />
24 August 2011 The populous of the city of El Mirage, Arizona, elected pro-<strong>Luke</strong><br />
Mayor <strong>and</strong> city council.<br />
18 September 2011 <strong>56th</strong> Security <strong>Force</strong>s Squadron personnel found two people dead<br />
in the base Post Office.<br />
17-24 October 2011 AETC Inspector General conducted a Unit Compliance<br />
Inspection of the <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> <strong>and</strong> rated the wing Excellent.
46<br />
13-17 February 2012 Col Robert E. Webb, Vice Comm<strong>and</strong>er, led wing team in<br />
attending Public Hearings in F-35 Environmental Impact<br />
Statement process.<br />
17 April 2011 Headquarters <strong>Air</strong> Education <strong>and</strong> Training Comm<strong>and</strong> awarded the<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> its 21st <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Award for<br />
the period 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011.<br />
4 May 2012 The base fitness center was renamed the Bryant Fitness Center in<br />
honor of Lt Col Frank Bryant Jr. who was killed in Afghanistan<br />
on 27 April 2011.<br />
13 June 2012 The <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> released to the public the F-35A Training Final<br />
Environmental Impact Statement.<br />
29 June 2012 Col John T. Hanna assumed comm<strong>and</strong> of <strong>56th</strong> Operations Group.<br />
9 July 2012 Col Nathan C. Mooney assumed comm<strong>and</strong> of <strong>56th</strong> Mission<br />
Support Group.<br />
10 July 2012 Col Victor H. Mora assumed comm<strong>and</strong> of <strong>56th</strong> Maintenance<br />
Group.<br />
12 July 2012 Nineteenth <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> inactivated. Thereafter, the <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong><br />
<strong>Wing</strong> reported directly to <strong>Air</strong> Education <strong>and</strong> Training Comm<strong>and</strong>.<br />
1 August 2012 The <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> announced the F-35 Training Record of Decision.<br />
<strong>Luke</strong> AFB would receive 72 F-35A aircraft making up three<br />
squadrons.<br />
The Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II.<br />
12 September 2012 Brig Gen Michael D. Rothstein assumed comm<strong>and</strong> of the<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>.
47<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Lineage<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> activated as<br />
parent unit of <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong><br />
Group on 15 August<br />
1947. 1<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong>-<br />
Interceptor <strong>Wing</strong> on<br />
20 January 1950<br />
Inactivated on 6 February 1952.<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong><br />
(<strong>Air</strong> Defense) <strong>and</strong><br />
activated on 28 December<br />
1960. 2<br />
Organized on 1 February 1961.<br />
Discontinued, <strong>and</strong> inactivated on<br />
1 January 1964. 3<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong> Comm<strong>and</strong>o <strong>Wing</strong> <strong>and</strong> activated on 16 March 1967.<br />
Organized on 8 April 1967. 4<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> Special Operations <strong>Wing</strong> on 1 August 1968.<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> on 30 June 1975. 5<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> Tactical Training <strong>Wing</strong> on 1 October 1981.<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> on 1 October 1991. 6<br />
1<br />
GO-77, 20 August 1947<br />
2<br />
AFOMO 536m, 28 December 1960 <strong>and</strong> ADC GO #192, 28 December 1960<br />
3<br />
AFOMO 90n, 16 September 1963<br />
4<br />
PACAF SO G-41, 8 March 1967<br />
5<br />
TAC SO GA-12, 10 June 1975<br />
6<br />
TAC SO GB-100, 27 September 1991
48<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Honors * 7<br />
Service Streamers.<br />
World War II American Theater *<br />
Campaign Streamers.<br />
World War II European-African-Middle Eastern Theater *<br />
<strong>Air</strong> Combat [1941-1945]<br />
<strong>Air</strong> Offensive Europe [1942-1944]<br />
Norm<strong>and</strong>y [1944]<br />
Northern France [1944]<br />
Rhinel<strong>and</strong> [1944-1945]<br />
Ardennes-Alsace [1944-1945]<br />
Central Europe [1945]<br />
Vietnam<br />
Vietnam <strong>Air</strong> Offensive, Phase II [1967-1968]<br />
Vietnam <strong>Air</strong> Offensive, Phase III [1968] 8<br />
Vietnam <strong>Air</strong> Offensive, Phase IV [1968-1969]<br />
Tet 1969 Counteroffensive [1969]<br />
Vietnam Summer/Fall 1969 [1969]<br />
Vietnam Winter/Spring 1970 [1969-1970] 9<br />
Sanctuary Counteroffensive [1970]<br />
Southwest Monsoon [1970] 10<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>o Hunt V [1970-1971] 11<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>o Hunt VI [1971] 12<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>o Hunt VII [1971-1972] 13<br />
Vietnam Cease Fire [1972-1973] 14<br />
7<br />
* NOTE: The <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> Group's honors for 15 January 1941-18 October 1945,<br />
1 May 1946-14 August 1947, <strong>and</strong> 18 August 1955-1 February 1961 are temporarily<br />
bestowed upon the <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>. The group was active, but not a component of the<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> during these periods. The history of the <strong>56th</strong> Group between 15 August 1947<br />
<strong>and</strong> 6 February 1952 is a permanent part of the wing's history, since the group was a<br />
component of the wing. The bestowal means, that the wing may display as its own, the<br />
group's service <strong>and</strong> campaign streamers <strong>and</strong> the two Distinguished Unit Citations.<br />
8<br />
PACAF SO G-184, 30 July 1969<br />
9<br />
PACAF SO G-352, 14 June 1971<br />
10<br />
PACAF SO GB-0019, 31 January 1974<br />
11<br />
PACAF SO GB-0022, 31 January 1974<br />
12<br />
PACAF SO GB-0025, 31 January 1974<br />
13<br />
PACAF SO GB-0027, 31 January 1974
49<br />
Decorations.<br />
Distinguished Unit Citations *<br />
European Theater of Operations, 20 February-9 March 1944;<br />
Holl<strong>and</strong>, 18 September 1944.<br />
Presidential Unit Citations<br />
Southeast Asia 1 November 1968-1 May 1969 15<br />
Southeast Asia 1 October 1969-30 April 1970 16<br />
Southeast Asia 1 April 1972-22 February 1973.<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Award<br />
1 December 1970-30 November 1971 with Combat "V" Device 17<br />
1 December 1971-29 February 1972 with Combat "V" Device 18<br />
23 February 1973-28 February 1974 with Combat "V" Device 19<br />
24 January 1975-2 May 1975 with Combat "V" Device 20<br />
1 January 1977-1 January 1979 21<br />
1 July 1980-31 May 1982 22<br />
1 June 1984-31 May 1986 23<br />
1 May 1987-30 April 1989 24<br />
1 May 1989-30 April 1990 25<br />
1 May 1990-30 April 1991 26<br />
1 July 1994-30 June 1996 27<br />
1 July 1996-30 June 1998 28<br />
1 July 1998-30 June 2000 29<br />
14<br />
PACAF SO GB-0187, 15 July 1974<br />
15<br />
DAF SO GB-552/1970<br />
16<br />
DAF SO GB-352/1971<br />
17<br />
DAF SO GB-667, 28 September 1972<br />
18<br />
DAF SO GB-553/1973<br />
19<br />
DAF SO GB-600/1975<br />
20<br />
DAF SO GB-623, 10 August 1976<br />
21<br />
DAF SO GB-719, 30 November 1979<br />
22<br />
DAF SO GB-117, 22 February 1983<br />
23<br />
DAF SO GB-275/1987<br />
24<br />
TAC SO GA-053, 29 August 1989<br />
25<br />
TAC SO GA-048, 16 August 1990<br />
26<br />
TAC SO GA-069/1991<br />
27<br />
AETC SO GA-18/1996<br />
28<br />
AETC SO GA-12/1998
50<br />
Decorations. (Continued)<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Award (Continued)<br />
1 July 2001-30 June 2003 30<br />
1 June [July] 2003-30 June 2005 31<br />
1 July 2005-30 June 2006 32<br />
1 July 2006-30 June 2007 33<br />
1 July 2007-30 June 2008 34<br />
1 July 2008-30 June 2009 35<br />
1 July 2009-30 June 2010 36<br />
1 July 2010-30 June 2011 37<br />
Special Honors.<br />
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, 6 April 1967-28 January 1973<br />
PAST AND PRESENT UNITS ASSIGNED<br />
Currently Assigned Units<br />
Time Frame Assigned<br />
Squadrons<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Comptroller Squadron 1 April 1994 38<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Operations Group 1 April 1994 39<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Logistics Group<br />
later, <strong>56th</strong> Maintenance Group 1 April 1994 40<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Support Group<br />
later <strong>56th</strong> Mission Support Group 1 April 1994 41<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Medical Group 1 April 1994 42<br />
29<br />
AETC SO GA-9/2000<br />
30<br />
AETC SO GA-55/2004<br />
31<br />
AETC SO GA-0052/2006<br />
32<br />
AETC SO GA-045/2007<br />
33<br />
AETC SO G-054/2008<br />
34<br />
AETC SO G-071/2009<br />
35<br />
AETC SO G-025/2010<br />
36<br />
AETC SO G-086/2011<br />
37<br />
AETC SO G-171/17 April 2012<br />
38<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
39<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
40<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
41<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
42<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994
51<br />
Previously Assigned Units<br />
Time Frame Assigned<br />
Groups<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> Group<br />
later, <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong>-Interceptor Group 15 August 1947-6 February 1952.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Operations Group 1 November 1991-4 January 1994.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>drome Group 15 August 1947-1 August 1948.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong> Group 1 August 1948-6 February 1952.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong> Group<br />
later, <strong>56th</strong> Combat Support Group 1 February 1961-1 January 1964.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Combat Support Group<br />
later, <strong>56th</strong> Support Group 8 April 1967-4 January 1994. 43<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Maintenance <strong>and</strong> Supply Group 15 August 1947-1 August 1948.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Maintenance <strong>and</strong> Supply Group 1 August 1948-6 February 1952.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Logistics Group 1 November 1991-4 January 1994 44<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Station Medical Group 15 August 1947-1 August 1948.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Station Medical Group<br />
later, <strong>56th</strong> Medical Group 1 August 1948-6 February 1952.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> USAF Hospital 1 February 1961-1 January 1964.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> USAF Dispensary<br />
later, <strong>56th</strong> USAF Hospital 45 8 April 1967 46 -30 June 1975.<br />
USAF Regional Hospital, MacDill<br />
later, <strong>56th</strong> Medical Group 30 June 1975-4 January 1994. 47<br />
Squadrons.<br />
1st <strong>Air</strong> Comm<strong>and</strong>o Squadron, <strong>Fighter</strong><br />
later, 1st Special Operations Squadron<br />
20 December 1967 48 -15 December 1972.<br />
13th Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Training Squadron 15 January 1976-1 July 1982.<br />
18th Special Operations Squadron 25 August 1971-31 December 1972.<br />
21st Helicopter Squadron<br />
later, 21 Special Operations Squadron 27 November 1967-30 June 1975.<br />
43<br />
PACAF SO G-41, 8 March 1967; ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993<br />
44<br />
ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993<br />
45<br />
NOTE: Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> Tactical Hospital <strong>and</strong> activated in 1987 as a subordinate of<br />
the USAF Regional Hospital, MacDill. Regional Hospital became <strong>56th</strong> Medical Group.<br />
46<br />
PACAF SO G-41, 8 March 1967<br />
47<br />
TAC SO GA-12, 10 June 1975; ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993<br />
48<br />
PACAF SO G-212, 21 November 1967
52<br />
Previously Assigned Units (Continued) Time Frame Assigned<br />
22d Special Operations Squadron 25 October 1968-30 September 1970.<br />
23d Tactical <strong>Air</strong> Support Squadron 15 March 1972-30 June 1975.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Armament <strong>and</strong> Electronics Maintenance Squadron<br />
later, <strong>56th</strong> Avionics Maintenance Squadron 8 April 1967-15 July 1974. 49<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Avionics Maintenance Squadron<br />
later, <strong>56th</strong> Component Repair Squadron 30 June 1975 50 -1 November 1991.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Comptroller Squadron 15 August 1988-4 January 1994. 51<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Consolidated <strong>Air</strong>craft Maintenance Squadron<br />
1 February 1961 52 -1 January 1964;<br />
15 July 1974 53 -30 June 1975;<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Field</strong> Maintenance Squadron 8 April 1967 54 -15 July 1974.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Field</strong> Maintenance Squadron<br />
later, <strong>56th</strong> Equipment Maintenance Squadron<br />
30 July 1975 55 -1 November 1991.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Munitions Maintenance Squadron 1 December 1973-15 July 1974 56<br />
30 June 1975 57 -1 November 1977<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Organizational Maintenance Squadron 3 July 1972-15 July 1974 58<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Organizational Maintenance Squadron<br />
later, <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>craft Generation Squadron<br />
30 June 1975 59 -1 November 1991<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Supply Squadron 1 April 1963-1 January 1964;<br />
8 April 1967 60 -28 February 1975;<br />
30 June 1975 61 -1 November 1991<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Tactical Training Squadron 1 October 1979-1 November 1991<br />
49<br />
PACAF SO G-41, 8 March 1967; PACAF SO GA-20, 17 June 1974<br />
50<br />
TAC SO GA-12, 10 June 1975<br />
51<br />
ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993<br />
52<br />
ADC GO #192, 28 December 1960<br />
53<br />
PACAF SO GA-20, 17 June 1974<br />
54<br />
PACAF SO G-41, 8 March 1967<br />
55<br />
TAC SO GA-12, 10 June 1975<br />
56<br />
PACAF SO GA-20, 17 June 1974<br />
57<br />
TAC SO GA-12, 10 June 1975<br />
58<br />
PACAF SO GA-20, 17 June 1974<br />
59<br />
TAC SO GA-12, 10 June 1975<br />
60<br />
PACAF SO G-41, 8 March 1967<br />
61<br />
TAC SO GA-12, 10 June 1975
53<br />
Previously Assigned Units (Continued) Time Frame Assigned<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Transportation Squadron 1 April 1963-1 January 1964;<br />
8 April 1967-bef 30 September 1973;<br />
30 June 1975 62 -1 November 1991<br />
61st Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron<br />
later, 61st Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Training Squadron<br />
30 June 1975 63 -1 November 1991.<br />
62d <strong>Fighter</strong> Interceptor Squadron 1 February 1961 64 -16 December 1963.<br />
62d Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron<br />
later, 62d Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Training Squadron<br />
30 June 1975 65 -1 November 1991.<br />
63d Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron<br />
later, 63d Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Training Squadron<br />
30 June 1975 66 -1 November 1991.<br />
72d Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Training Squadron 1 July 1982-1 November 1991.<br />
361st Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 1 September 1972-30 June 1974 67<br />
4<strong>56th</strong> Munitions Maintenance Squadron 1 December 1967-1 December 1973<br />
554th Reconnaissance Squadron 15 December 1970-30 September 1972.<br />
602d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron, Comm<strong>and</strong>o<br />
later, 602d Special Operations Squadron<br />
8 April 1967 68 -31 December 1970.<br />
606th <strong>Air</strong> Comm<strong>and</strong>o Squadron<br />
later, 606th Special Operations Squadron 8 April 1967 69 -15 June 1971.<br />
609th <strong>Air</strong> Comm<strong>and</strong>o Squadron<br />
later, 609th Special Operations Squadron<br />
15 September 1967 70 -1 December 1969.<br />
44<strong>56th</strong> Avionics Maintenance Squadron<br />
later, 44<strong>56th</strong> Component Repair Squadron bef 8 April 1977-Unknown 71<br />
62<br />
TAC SO GA-12, 10 June 1975<br />
63<br />
TAC SO GA-12, 10 June 1975<br />
64<br />
ADC GO #192, 28 December 1960<br />
65<br />
TAC SO GA-12, 10 June 1975<br />
66<br />
TAC SO GA-12, 10 June 1975<br />
67<br />
PACAF SO G-159, 31 August 1972<br />
68<br />
PACAF SO G-41, 8 March 1967<br />
69<br />
PACAF SO G-41, 8 March 1967<br />
70<br />
PACAF SO G-141, ca. 15 September 1967<br />
71<br />
TAC SO GA-31, 8 April 1977
54<br />
Previously Assigned Units (Continued) Time Frame Assigned<br />
44<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Field</strong> Maintenance Squadron<br />
later, 44<strong>56th</strong> Equipment Maintenance Squadron<br />
bef 8 April 1977-Unknown 72<br />
44<strong>56th</strong> Organizational Maintenance Squadron<br />
later, 44<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>craft Generation Squadron bef 8 April 1977-Unknown 73<br />
15 January 1983-1 April 1994<br />
4501st Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Replacement Squadron 30 June 1975 74 -15 January 1976<br />
Detachment 1, <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong> Comm<strong>and</strong>o <strong>Wing</strong><br />
later, Detachment 1, <strong>56th</strong> Special Operations <strong>Wing</strong><br />
ca. 15 October 1967-1 February 1974<br />
Detachment 2, <strong>56th</strong> Special Operations <strong>Wing</strong><br />
15 October 1969-12 December 1969<br />
Detachment 3, <strong>56th</strong> Special Operations <strong>Wing</strong><br />
15 October 1969-12 December 1969<br />
Operating Location AA, <strong>56th</strong> Special Operations <strong>Wing</strong><br />
12 December 1969-15 December 1970<br />
88th <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong> Squadron attached 1 February 1952-6 February 1952<br />
97th <strong>Fighter</strong>-Interceptor Squadron attached 1 December 1950-20 May 1951.<br />
464th Signal Heavy Construction Company (Aviation)<br />
attached ca. 1 February 1948-May 1949<br />
468th Signal Heavy Construction Company (Aviation)<br />
attached ca. October 1948-ca. 23 May 1949<br />
Company B, 838th Engineer Aviation Battalion<br />
attached ca. 20 May 1948-ca. October 1948<br />
4301st <strong>Base</strong> Service Squadron<br />
later 2476th <strong>Base</strong> Service Squadron<br />
later 4655th <strong>Base</strong> Service Squadron<br />
1 August 1948-1 December 1948;<br />
attached 20 September 1950-14 February 1951<br />
4684th <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong> Squadron<br />
later, 88th <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong> Squadron 21 December 1951 75 -5 February 1952<br />
72<br />
TAC SO GA-31, 8 April 1977<br />
73<br />
TAC SO GA-31, 8 April 1977<br />
74<br />
TAC SO GA-12, 10 June 1975<br />
75<br />
EADF GO 120, n.d.; 4684 AB Sq GO 1, 21 December 1951; 88 AB Sq GO-1,<br />
1 February 1952
55<br />
Assignments. Fifteenth <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong>, 15 August 1947 76 ; Strategic <strong>Air</strong> Comm<strong>and</strong>, 1 October<br />
1947 77 ; Tenth <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong>, 1 December 1948 (attached to 26th <strong>Air</strong> Division [Defense],<br />
10 December 1949-19 February 1950; 30th <strong>Air</strong> Division [Defense], 20 February 1950-);<br />
Eastern <strong>Air</strong> Defense <strong>Force</strong>, 1 September 1950-6 February 1952 (remained attached to<br />
30th <strong>Air</strong> Division [Defense] to 6 February 1952). <strong>Air</strong> Defense Comm<strong>and</strong>, 28 December<br />
1960; Sault Sainte Marie <strong>Air</strong> Defense Sector, 1 February 1961; Duluth <strong>Air</strong> Defense<br />
Sector, 1 October 1963-1 January 1964. Pacific <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong>s, 16 March 1967; Thirteenth<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong>, 8 April 1967 (attached to Seventh <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong>, 8 April 1967-26 February 1974;<br />
United States Support Activities Group/Seventh <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong>, 27 February 1974-30 June<br />
1975); Ninth <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong>, 30 June 1975; Nineteenth <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong>, 1 April 1994-. 78<br />
Stations. Selfridge <strong>Field</strong> (later, <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>), Michigan, 15 August 1947-6 February<br />
1952. K.I. Sawyer <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Michigan, 1 February 1961-1 January 1964. Nakhon<br />
Phanom Royal Thai <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Thail<strong>and</strong>, 8 April 1967-30 June 1975; MacDill <strong>Air</strong><br />
<strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Florida, 30 June 1975; <strong>Luke</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Arizona, 1 April 1994-. 79<br />
Emblem. Emblem approved 19 April 1967<br />
Four North American F-86A Sabres of the 62d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron,<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>, flew over Chicago in February 1951. Top to bottom<br />
Tail Numbers were 53-1243, 53-1288, 53-1264, <strong>and</strong> 53-1262.<br />
76<br />
15 AF GO-77, 20 August 1947<br />
77<br />
SAC GO-93, 12 September 1947<br />
78<br />
AETC MO MO-2, 25 March 1994<br />
79<br />
AETC MO MO-2, 25 March 1994
56<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> <strong>Air</strong>craft<br />
<strong>Air</strong>craft. [Ordered By First Use]<br />
Post War <strong>and</strong> Korean War<br />
Lockheed P (later, F)-80 Shooting Star 1947-1950<br />
North American F-86 Sabre 1950-1952<br />
Republic F-47 Thunderbolt 1951-1952<br />
North American F-51 Mustang 1951-1952<br />
Lockheed F-94 Starfire 1951-1952<br />
<strong>Air</strong> Defense<br />
McDonnell F-101 Voodoo 1961-1963<br />
Viet Nam War<br />
De Havill<strong>and</strong> U-6 Beaver 1967<br />
Douglas A-26 Invader 1967-1969<br />
Helio U-10 Super Courier 1967-1969<br />
Douglas A-1 Skyraider 1967-1972<br />
North American RT-28 Trojan 1967-1972<br />
North American T-28 Trojan 1967-1973<br />
Fairchild C-123 Provider 1967-1971<br />
Fairchild UC-123 Provider 1968-1971<br />
Douglas C-47 Skytrain 1969-1972<br />
Beech QU-22 1970-1972<br />
Fairchild AC-119K Stinger 1971-1972<br />
Douglas EC-47 Skytrain 1972-1974<br />
North American OV-10 Bronco 1972-1975<br />
Cessna O-1 Bird Dog 1973<br />
Post Viet Nam War<br />
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II 1975-1982<br />
Lockheed F-16 Fighting Falcon<br />
1980-Present<br />
McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1994-1995<br />
Helicopters<br />
Sikorsky CH-3 Jolly Green Giant 1967-1972<br />
Sikorsky CH-53 Super Jolly Green Giant 1970-1975<br />
Sikorsky H-34 Choctaw 1972<br />
Bell UH-1P Iroquois 1975-1987
57<br />
<strong>Wing</strong> Comm<strong>and</strong>ers<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> [15 August 1947-20 January 1950]<br />
Col William T. Hudnell 15 August 1947 (Major General)<br />
Lt Col David T. McKnight June 1949<br />
Col James R. Gunn, Jr 23 August 49-20 January 1950<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> Interceptor <strong>Wing</strong> [20 January 1950-6 February 1952]<br />
Col James R. Gunn, Jr 20 January 1950<br />
Col George S. Brown 15 August 1951-February 1952<br />
(General-CJCS)<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> (<strong>Air</strong> Defense) [1 February 1961 – 1 January 1964<br />
Col James F. Reed 1 February 1961<br />
Col John M. Konosky 16 May 1963 80 –1 January 1964<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong> Comm<strong>and</strong>o <strong>Wing</strong> [16 March 1967 – 1 August 1968]<br />
None (not manned)<br />
16 March-1967<br />
Col Harry C. Aderholt 8 April 1967 81 (Brigadier General)<br />
Col Rol<strong>and</strong> K. McCoskrie 19 November 1967-1 August 1968 82<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Special Operations <strong>Wing</strong> [1 August 1968 – 30 June 1975]<br />
Col Rol<strong>and</strong> K. McCoskrie 1 August 1968<br />
Col Edwin J. White, Jr November 1968 (Brigadier General)<br />
Col Patrick M. Fallon May 1969 (KIA, 4 July 1969)<br />
Col Edwin J. White, Jr June 1969 (Brigadier General)<br />
Col Samuel E. Crosby, Jr October 1969<br />
Col Edward J. Walsh, Jr August 1970<br />
Col Jack A. Robinson July 1971<br />
Col Norbert L. Simon July 1972<br />
Col Robert E. Wayne December 1972<br />
Col William B. Owens July 1973<br />
Col Ralph H. Bowersox September 1973<br />
Col Charles F. Wood September 1973<br />
Col Perry J. Dahl July 1974 [Ace]<br />
Col Harry A. Goodall February 1975-30 June 1975.<br />
(Lieutenant General)<br />
80<br />
56 FW SO G-20, 16 May 1963<br />
81<br />
56 CSG SO G-08, 29 May 1967<br />
82<br />
56 CSG SO G-16, 19 November 1967
58<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> [30 June 1975-1 October 1981]<br />
Col Gerald J. Carey July 1975 (Major General)<br />
Col Ernest A. Bedke August 1975 (Major General)<br />
Col Charles J. Cunningham November 1977 (Lieutenant General)<br />
Col Henry D. Canterbury July 1979-1 October 1981.<br />
(Major General)<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Tactical Training <strong>Wing</strong> [1 October 1981-1 October 1991]<br />
Col Henry Viccellio, Jr January 1982 (General-AFMC)<br />
Col Ronald R. Fogleman May 1983 (General-CSAF)<br />
Col Jimmy L. Cash August 1984 (Brigadier General)<br />
Col Joseph W. Ralston February 1986 (General-USEUCOM)<br />
Col James L. Jamerson February 1987<br />
(General-DCINC USEUCOM)<br />
Brig Gen Ben Nelson, Jr January 1989-1 October 1991<br />
Col William T. Hudnell,<br />
The First Comm<strong>and</strong>er of the <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>
59<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> [1 October 1991-.]<br />
Brig Gen Ben Nelson, Jr 1 October 1991<br />
Col (later, Brig Gen) Marvin R. Esmond September 1992 (Lieutenant General)<br />
Col Charles T. Ohlinger III 19 August 1993-4 January 1994 83<br />
Active without Personnel or Equipment 4 January 1994<br />
Brig Gen Stephen B. Plummer 1 April 1994 84 (Lieutenant General)<br />
Brig Gen (later,<br />
Maj Gen) Marvin R. Esmond 14 April 1995 85 (Lieutenant General)<br />
Col (later, Brig Gen) Carrol H. Ch<strong>and</strong>ler 2 April 1996 86 (General-VCSAF)<br />
Brig Gen John L. Barry 17 July 1998 87 (Major General)<br />
Col (later, Brig Gen) Stephen T. Sargeant 15 February 2000 88 (Major General)<br />
Col (later, Brig Gen) Philip M. Breedlove 17 June 2002 89 (General-USAFE)<br />
Col (later, Brig Gen) Robin R<strong>and</strong> 8 June 2004 90 (Lieutenant General)<br />
Col (later, Brig Gen) Noel T. Jones 13 June 2006 91 (Lieutenant General)<br />
Brig Gen Kurt F. Neubauer 9 July 2008 92 (Major General)<br />
Brig Gen Jerry D. Harris, Jr. 20 September 2010 93<br />
Brig Gen Michael D. Rothstein<br />
12 September 2012 – Present.<br />
<strong>Luke</strong> 1<br />
83<br />
9 AF SO G-41, 26 July 1993<br />
84<br />
[58 FW SO SO-GA-001, 24 June 1993]<br />
85<br />
19 AF SO G-002, 6 April 1995<br />
86<br />
19 AF SO G-007, 26 March 1996<br />
87<br />
56 MSS SO SO-GR-002, 17 July 1998<br />
88<br />
19 AF SO G-00-002, 14 February 2000<br />
89<br />
19 AF SO 56 MSS G-3, 13 June 2002<br />
90<br />
19 AF SO 56 MSS G-1-2004, 7 May 2004<br />
91<br />
56 FW SO MSG-06-02, 13 June 2006<br />
92<br />
56 MSG SO G-033, 3 July 2008<br />
93<br />
56 MSG SO G-032, 15 September 2010
60<br />
Operations. The wing supported exercises, operations, <strong>and</strong> training programs of<br />
Strategic <strong>Air</strong> Comm<strong>and</strong>, 1947-1948. It pioneered the first west-to-east jet fighter<br />
transatlantic crossing along the northern air route in July1948 <strong>and</strong> provided air defense<br />
for a large portion of the northeastern United States, December 1948-February 1952. The<br />
<strong>56th</strong> provided air defense in the Michigan area, 1961-1963. It performed combat in<br />
Southeast Asia, April 1967-August 1973, <strong>and</strong> combat support until June 1975, employing<br />
a wide variety of aircraft to meet specialized missions. Those missions included<br />
interdiction, psychological warfare, close air support, search <strong>and</strong> rescue, forward air<br />
control, training Thai <strong>and</strong> Laotian air forces, <strong>and</strong> helicopter escort for cl<strong>and</strong>estine<br />
insertion <strong>and</strong> extraction of personnel in Laos <strong>and</strong> North Vietnam. Provided close air<br />
support during the sieges of Khe Sanh, February-April 1968, <strong>and</strong> Lima Site 85, January-<br />
March 1968. <strong>Wing</strong> elements participated in the Son Tay Prison raid on 21 November<br />
1970 <strong>and</strong> continued combat in Vietnam until mid-January 1973, in Laos until<br />
22 February 1973, <strong>and</strong> in Cambodia until 15 August 1973. The <strong>56th</strong> assisted in the<br />
evacuations of Phnom Penh on 11 April 1975 <strong>and</strong> Saigon, 29-30 April 1975. Provided<br />
forward air control <strong>and</strong> helicopter insertion/extraction support during the SS Mayaguez<br />
rescue operation on 15 May 1975. Upon return to the United States on 30 June 1975, it<br />
absorbed resources of the 1st Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> <strong>and</strong> operated MacDill AFB <strong>and</strong><br />
nearby Avon Park Range, Florida. The wing conducted F-4D/E replacement training for<br />
pilots, weapon systems officers, <strong>and</strong> maintenance personnel, July 1975-July 1982. It was<br />
equipped with UH-1P helicopters, 1976-1987, to support Avon Range logistics needs,<br />
search <strong>and</strong> rescue efforts, <strong>and</strong> humanitarian missions. With conversion to F-16A/B<br />
aircraft in 1980-1982, the <strong>56th</strong> became the designated unit for transitioning USAF <strong>and</strong><br />
select allied nation pilots into the new fighter, while continuing to augment NORAD's air<br />
defense forces in the southeastern US. The wing provided logistic support to US Central<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong> beginning in 1983 <strong>and</strong> to US Special Operations Comm<strong>and</strong> after 1986. It<br />
upgraded to F-16C/D aircraft in 1988-1990, providing support personnel <strong>and</strong> equipment<br />
to units in Southwest Asia, August1990-March 1991. Beginning in 1994, the wing<br />
primarily provided combat crew training to US <strong>and</strong> Allied services.<br />
Sikorsky CH-53 Super Jolly Green Giant Tail No. 68-10933, 21st Special Operations<br />
Squadron, <strong>56th</strong> Special Operations <strong>Wing</strong> offloads troops in Southwest Asia. On 31 May<br />
1975, this helicopter crashed during the Mayaguez Incident killing all 23 <strong>Air</strong>men aboard.
61<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Comptroller Squadron<br />
Lineage.<br />
Constituted <strong>56th</strong> Finance Disbursing Unit,<br />
<strong>Fighter</strong>, Jet, on 14 June 1948.<br />
Activated on 1 August 1948.<br />
Inactivated on 1 November 1949.<br />
Disb<strong>and</strong>ed on 9 August 1950.<br />
Reconstituted, redesignated <strong>56th</strong><br />
Comptroller Squadron, <strong>and</strong><br />
activated, on 15 August 1988.<br />
Inactivated on 4 January 1994. 94<br />
Activated on 1 April 1994. 95<br />
Honors.<br />
Decorations.<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Award<br />
1 May 1987-30 April 1989 96<br />
1 May 1989-30 April 1990 97<br />
1 May 1990-30 April 1991 98<br />
1 July 1994-30 June 1996 99<br />
1 July 1996-30 June 1998 100<br />
1 July 1998-30 June 2000 101<br />
1 July 2001-30 June 2003 102<br />
1 June [July] 2003-30 June 2005 103<br />
1 July 2005-30 June 2006 104<br />
94<br />
ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993<br />
95<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
96<br />
TAC SO GA-053, 29 August 1989<br />
97<br />
TAC SO GA-048, 16 August 1990<br />
98<br />
TAC SO GA-069/1991<br />
99<br />
AETC SO GA-18/1996<br />
100<br />
AETC SO GA-12/1998<br />
101<br />
AETC SO GA-9/2000<br />
102<br />
AETC SO GA-55/2004<br />
103<br />
AETC SO GA-0052/2006<br />
104<br />
AETC SO GA-045/2007
62<br />
Decorations. (Continued)<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Awards (Continued)<br />
1 July 2006-30 June 2007 105<br />
1 July 2007-30 June 2008 106<br />
1 July 2008-30 June 2009 107<br />
1 July 2009-30 June 2010 108<br />
1 July 2010-30 June 2011 109<br />
Assignments. Unknown 14 June 1947-31 July 1948. <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong> Group, 1 August<br />
1948-1 November 1949; <strong>56th</strong> Tactical Training (later, 56 <strong>Fighter</strong>) <strong>Wing</strong>, 15 August<br />
1988--4 January 1994 110 ; 1 April 1994-. 111<br />
Stations. Selfridge <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Michigan, 1 August 1948–1 November 1949.<br />
MacDill <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Florida, 15 August 1988–4 January 1994. 112 <strong>Luke</strong> AFB, AZ,<br />
1 April 1994–. 113<br />
<strong>Air</strong>craft. None.<br />
Emblem. Approved on 22 June 1989. Changed <strong>and</strong> approved on 28 August 2001.<br />
Blazon. On a disc Azure, beneath a moneybag Argent, b<strong>and</strong>ed <strong>and</strong> charged with a dollar<br />
sign Sable, emitting two lightning flashes chevronwise Or, a demi-coyote statant Proper,<br />
langued Gules, armed <strong>and</strong> eyed of the second, all within a narrow border Black.<br />
Attached above the disc, a Blue scroll edged with a narrow Black border <strong>and</strong><br />
inscribed "56TH COMPTROLLER SQ" in Yellow letters.<br />
Attached below the disc, a Blue scroll edged with a narrow Black border <strong>and</strong><br />
inscribed "" in Yellow letters.<br />
Official Motto. Coyotes<br />
105<br />
AETC SO G-054/2008<br />
106<br />
AETC SO G-071/2009<br />
107<br />
AETC SO G-025/2010<br />
108<br />
AETC SO G-086/2011<br />
109<br />
AETC SO G-171/17 April 2012<br />
110<br />
ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993<br />
111<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
112<br />
ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993<br />
113<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994
63<br />
Significance. Ultramarine blue <strong>and</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> yellow are the <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> colors. Blue<br />
alludes to the sky, the primary theater of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> operations. Yellow refers to the sun<br />
<strong>and</strong> the excellence required of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> personnel. The coyote signifies the adaptability<br />
of the unit to overcome restraints <strong>and</strong> adverse conditions to accomplish the mission, just<br />
as the coyote adapts to its surroundings to survive. The moneybag reflects the fiscal<br />
responsibilities or the unit. The lightning flashes st<strong>and</strong> for the unit’s quick <strong>and</strong> flawless<br />
execution of the mission.<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>ers.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Finance Disbursing Unit, <strong>Fighter</strong>, Jet [1 August 1948-1 November 1949]<br />
Unknown<br />
Unknown<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Comptroller Squadron [15 August 1988-4 January 1994; 1 April 1994-.]<br />
Unknown 15 August 1988<br />
Maj Joseph J. Waters 13 September 1988 114<br />
Maj Clinton T. Johnson 4 October 1989<br />
Maj Richard B. Weathers 14 February 1992-4 January 1994<br />
Maj Eugene Dacus 1 April 1994 115<br />
Maj Etoya B. Hearon 15 August 1994 116<br />
Maj Janet A. Young 25 November 1996 117<br />
Lt Col Robert M. Smith 30 July 1998 118<br />
Lt Col Michael R. Shaw 11 July 2000 119<br />
Maj Roy C. Russell 16 July 2002 120<br />
Lt Col Kent I. Meredith 1 July 2004 121<br />
Lt Col Vernett Smith 20 June 2007 122<br />
Maj (later Lt Col) Quy H. Nguyen 20 July 2009 123<br />
Maj Jessi Rozman 7 July 2011 124<br />
114<br />
56 CSG SO G-95, 13 September 1988<br />
115<br />
58 MSS SO GB-002, 21 January 1993<br />
116<br />
56 MSS SO GB-002, 31 August 1994<br />
117<br />
56 CPTS SO G-2, 22 November 1996<br />
118<br />
SO 001, 30 July 1998<br />
119<br />
56 CPTS SO G-001, 5 August 2000<br />
120<br />
56 MSS SO 56 CPTS G-1, 16 July 2002<br />
121<br />
56 MSS SO 56CPTS G-1 2004, 29 July 2004<br />
122<br />
56 MSG SO MSG-07-06, 5 June 2007<br />
123<br />
56 FSS SO G-041, 16 July 2009<br />
124<br />
56 FSS SO G-021, 7 July 2011
64<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Operations Group<br />
Col John T. Hanna<br />
Lineage.<br />
Established as <strong>56th</strong> Pursuit Group (Interceptor) on 20 November 1940.<br />
Activated on 15 January 1941.<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> Group on 15 May 1942.<br />
Inactivated on 18 October 1945.<br />
Activated on 1 May 1946.<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong>-Interceptor Group on 20 January 1950.<br />
Inactivated on 6 February 1952.<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> Group (<strong>Air</strong> Defense) on 20 June 1955.<br />
Activated on 18 August 1955.<br />
Discontinued, <strong>and</strong> inactivated, on 1 February 1961. 125<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Group on 31 July 1985.<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> Operations Group on 28 October 1991.<br />
Activated on 1 November 1991.<br />
Inactivated on 4 January 1994.<br />
Activated on 1 April 1994. 126<br />
Honors.<br />
Service Streamers.<br />
World War II American Theater<br />
125<br />
AFOMO 536m, 28 December 1960<br />
126<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994
65<br />
Campaign Streamers.<br />
World War II European-African-Middle Eastern Theater<br />
<strong>Air</strong> Offensive Europe [1942-1944]<br />
Norm<strong>and</strong>y [1944]<br />
Northern France [1944]<br />
Rhinel<strong>and</strong> [1944-1945]<br />
Ardennes-Alsace [1944-1945]<br />
Central Europe [1945]<br />
<strong>Air</strong> Combat [1941-1945]<br />
Decorations.<br />
Distinguished Unit Citations<br />
European Theater of Operations, 20 February-9 March 1944;<br />
Holl<strong>and</strong>, 18 September 1944.<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Awards<br />
1 July 1994-30 June 1996 127<br />
1 July 1996-30 June 1998 128<br />
1 July 1998-30 June 2000 129<br />
1 July 2001-30 June 2003 130<br />
1 June [July] 2003-30 June 2005 131<br />
1 July 2005-30 June 2006 132<br />
1 July 2006-30 June 2007 133<br />
1 July 2007-30 June 2008 134<br />
1 July 2008-30 June 2009 135<br />
1 July 2009-30 June 2010 136<br />
1 July 2010-30 June 2011 137<br />
127<br />
AETC SO GA-18/1996<br />
128<br />
AETC SO GA-12/1998<br />
129<br />
AETC SO GA-9/2000<br />
130<br />
AETC SO GA-55/2004<br />
131<br />
AETC SO GA-0052/2006<br />
132<br />
AETC SO GA-045/2007<br />
133<br />
AETC SO G-054/2008<br />
134<br />
AETC SO G-071/2009<br />
135<br />
AETC SO G-025/2010<br />
136<br />
AETC SO G-086/2011<br />
137<br />
AETC SO G-171/17 April 2012
66<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> Group Aces<br />
Name<br />
Aerial Victories<br />
In 56 FG Lifetime Total<br />
1. Lt Col Francis S. Gabreski 28 34.5 POW 20 July 1944<br />
2. Capt Robert S. Johnson 27 27<br />
3. Col David C. Schilling 22.5 22.5<br />
4. Capt Fred J. Christensen, Jr. 21.5 21.5<br />
5. Maj Walker M. Mahurin 19.5 24.25 Evaded 27 March 1944;<br />
POW 13 May 1952<br />
6. Maj Gerald W. Johnson 15.5 16.5 POW 27 March 1944 (Lieutenant General)<br />
7. Col Hubert A. Zemke 15.25 17.75 POW 30 October 1944<br />
8. Capt Joe H. Powers 14.5 14.5<br />
9. Capt Felix D. Williamson 13 13<br />
10. Maj Leroy A. Schreiber 12 12 KIA 15 April 1944<br />
11. Maj James C. Stewart 11.5 11.83<br />
12. Maj Paul A. Conger 11.5 11.5<br />
13. Capt Michael J. Quirk 11 11 POW 9 September 1944<br />
14. Sq Ldr Michael Gladych 10 10<br />
15. 1st Lt Robert J. Rankin 10 10<br />
16. 1st Lt Stanley B. Morrill 9 9 Killed aircraft accident 29 March 1944<br />
17. Maj George E. Bostwick 8 8<br />
18. Maj Michael J. Jackson 8 8<br />
19. 1st Lt Glen D. Schiltz, Jr. 8 8<br />
20. 2d Lt Billy G. Edens 7 7 POW 9 September 1944<br />
21. 1st Lt Robert J. Keen 7 7<br />
22. 2d Lt Frank W. Klibbe 7 7<br />
23. Capt Robert A. Lamb 7 7<br />
24. Maj Leslie C. Smith 7 7<br />
25. 1st Lt John H. Truluck, Jr. 7 7<br />
26. Capt Mark L. Moseley 6.5 6.5<br />
27. Capt James R. Carter 6 6<br />
28. Capt Walter V. Cook 6 6<br />
29. 1st Lt George F. Hall 6 6<br />
30. Capt Cameron M. Hart 6 6<br />
31. Capt Joseph H. Bennett 5.5 8.5<br />
32. 1st Lt Frank E. McCauley 5.5 5.5<br />
33. 1st Lt Donovan F. Smith 5.5 5.5 (Lieutenant General)<br />
34. Capt John W. Vogt, Jr. 5 8 (General-USAFE)<br />
35. Maj Harold E. Comstock 5 5<br />
36. 1st Lt Joseph L. Egan, Jr. 5 5 KIA 19 July 1944<br />
37. 2d Lt Steven Gerick 5 5<br />
38. 2d Lt Joe W. Icard 5 5 KIA 8 March 1944<br />
39. Flt Off Evan D. McMinn 5 5 KIA 6 June 1944<br />
40. Capt Eugene W. O'Neill, Jr. 5 5
67<br />
Group – 667 Total Aerial Victory Credits. 138<br />
- Group Staff – 39.75 Aerial Victory Credits of the Group's total.<br />
PAST AND PRESENT UNITS ASSIGNED<br />
Currently Assigned Units<br />
Time Frame Assigned<br />
Squadrons<br />
21st <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron 8 August 1996<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Operations Support Squadron 1 April 1994. 139<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Training Squadron 1 April 1994. 140<br />
62th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron 1 April 1994. 141<br />
308th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron 1 April 1994. 142<br />
309th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron 1 April 1994. 143<br />
310th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron 1 April 1994. 144<br />
425th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron 1 April 1994. 145<br />
Previously Assigned Units<br />
Time Frame Assigned<br />
Squadrons<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Materiel Squadron Unknown-1 February 1961.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Operations Support Squadron 1 November 1991-4 January 1994.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Tactical Training Squadron<br />
later, <strong>56th</strong> Training Squadron 1 November 1991-20 July 1993.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> USAF Infirmary<br />
later, <strong>56th</strong> USAF Dispensary<br />
later, <strong>56th</strong> USAF Hospital 18 August 1955-1 February 1961.<br />
61st Pursuit Squadron<br />
later, 61st <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron 15 January 1941-18 October 1945.<br />
61st <strong>Fighter</strong>-Interceptor Squadron<br />
later, 61st <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron 1 May 1946-6 February 1952;<br />
1 November 1991-12 August 1993;<br />
1 April 1994-30 September 2010. 146<br />
138<br />
SOURCE: AF Historical Research Agency<br />
139<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
140<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
141<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994 <strong>and</strong> AETC SO G-40, 20 April 1994<br />
142<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
143<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
144<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994 <strong>and</strong> AETC SO G-40, 20 April 1994<br />
145<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994 <strong>and</strong> AETC SO G-40, 20 April 1994<br />
146<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994; AETC SO G-10-42, 13 August 2010
68<br />
Previously Assigned Units (Continued) Time Frame Assigned<br />
62d Pursuit Squadron<br />
later, 62d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron 15 January 1941-18 October 1945;<br />
62d <strong>Fighter</strong>-Interceptor Squadron<br />
later, 62d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron 1 May 1946-6 February 1952.<br />
(detached ca. 28 December 1946-ca. 10 April<br />
1947; <strong>and</strong> ca. 28 July 1950-6 February 1952);<br />
18 August 1955-1 February 1961.<br />
(detached 1 August-30 September 1959);<br />
1 November 1991-14 May 1993.<br />
63d Pursuit Squadron<br />
later, 63d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron 15 January 1941-18 October 1945.<br />
63d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron<br />
later, 63d <strong>Fighter</strong>-Interceptor Squadron<br />
later, 63d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron 1 May 1946-6 February 1952;<br />
18 August 1955-8 January 1958;<br />
1 November 1991-25 February 1993; 147<br />
1 April 1994-30 September 2009. 148<br />
71st <strong>Air</strong> Control Squadron 1 May 1992-1 October 1993. 149<br />
72d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron 1 November 1991-19 June 1992.<br />
97th <strong>Fighter</strong>-Interceptor Squadron Unknown-20 May 1951 150<br />
136th <strong>Fighter</strong>-Interceptor Squadron attached 21 July 1951-6 February 1952. 151<br />
172d <strong>Fighter</strong>-Interceptor Squadron attached 1 May 1951 152 --6 February 1952.<br />
311st <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron 1 January 1995-1 December 1995. 153<br />
461st <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron 1 April 1994-5 August 1994. 154<br />
550th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron 1 April 1994-31 March 1995. 155<br />
11th Crash-Rescue Boat Flight attached 14 July 1951-Unknown 156<br />
147<br />
TAC SO G-12, 1 November 1991; ACC MO-1, 23 February 1993<br />
148<br />
AETC SO G-40, 20 April 1994; ACC MO-1, 23 February 1993<br />
149<br />
ACC MO-10, 26 July 1993<br />
150<br />
EADF GO #64, 8 May 1951<br />
151<br />
EADF GO 81, 16 July 1951 <strong>and</strong> 56 FIW GO 23, 20 July 1951<br />
152<br />
EADC GO #58, 25 April 1951<br />
153<br />
AETC SO G-12, 27 December 1994; AETC SO G-4, 20 November 1995<br />
154<br />
AETC SO G-40, 20 April 1994; AETC SO G-52, 29 July 1994<br />
155<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994 <strong>and</strong> AETC SO G-40, 20 April 1994; AETC SO<br />
G-23, 15 February 1995<br />
156<br />
56 FIW GO 22, 14 July 1951
69<br />
Assignments. Southeast <strong>Air</strong> District (later, Third <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong>), 15 January 1941 (attached<br />
to 17th Bombardment <strong>Wing</strong> [Light], 15 January-16 May 1941; III Interceptor Comm<strong>and</strong>,<br />
ca. 17 June-1 October 1941); III Interceptor Comm<strong>and</strong>, 2 October 1941; I Interceptor<br />
(later, I <strong>Fighter</strong>) Comm<strong>and</strong>, 15 January 1942; New York <strong>Air</strong> Defense <strong>Wing</strong>, 11 August<br />
1942; VIII <strong>Fighter</strong> Comm<strong>and</strong>, ca. 12 January 1943; 4 <strong>Air</strong> Defense (later, 65th <strong>Fighter</strong>)<br />
<strong>Wing</strong>, 4 July 1943; 66th <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>, 28 August-October 1945. Fifteenth <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong>,<br />
1 May 1946 (attached to 65th Combat <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>, Very Long Range, Provisional,<br />
January-14 August 1947); <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> (later, <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong>-Interceptor) <strong>Wing</strong>, 15 August<br />
1947-6 February 1952. 4706th <strong>Air</strong> Defense <strong>Wing</strong>, 18 August 1955; 37th <strong>Air</strong> Division,<br />
8 February 1956; 30th <strong>Air</strong> Division, 1 April 1959; Sault Sainte Marie <strong>Air</strong> Defense Sector,<br />
1 April 1960-1 February 1961 (attached to 30th <strong>Air</strong> Division, 1 April-14 June 1960).<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>, 1 November 1991-4 January 1994. <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>, 1 April<br />
1994-. 157<br />
Stations. Savannah <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Georgia, 15 January 1941; Charlotte Army <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, North<br />
Carolina, 26 May 1941; Charleston, South Carolina, ca. 10 December 1941; Teaneck<br />
Armory, New Jersey, 17 January 1942; Bridgeport, Connecticut, 6 July- December 1942;<br />
Kings Cliffe, Engl<strong>and</strong>, 12 January 1943; Horsham St Faith, Engl<strong>and</strong>, 5 April 1943;<br />
Halesworth, Engl<strong>and</strong>, 9 July 1943; Boxted, Engl<strong>and</strong>, 19 April 1944; Little Walden,<br />
Engl<strong>and</strong>, ca. 15 September-11 October 1945; Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, 16-18 October<br />
1945. Selfridge <strong>Field</strong> (later, <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>), Michigan, 1 March 1946-6 February 1952.<br />
O'Hare International <strong>Air</strong>port, Illinois, 18 August 1955; K. I. Sawyer <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>,<br />
Michigan, 1 October 1959-1 February 1961. MacDill <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Florida,<br />
1 November 1991-4 January 1994. <strong>Luke</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Arizona, 1 April 1994-. 158<br />
<strong>Air</strong>craft. [Ordered By First Use]<br />
Seversky P-35 1941.<br />
Curtis P-36 Hawk 1941.<br />
Bell P-39 <strong>Air</strong>acobra 1941-1942.<br />
Curtis P-40 Warhawk 1941-1942.<br />
Republic P-47 Thunderbolt 1942, 1943-1945.<br />
Republic P (later, F)-47 Thunderbolt 1946-1947, 1951-1952.<br />
North American P (later, F)-51 Lightning 1946-1947, 1951-1952.<br />
Lockheed P (later, F)-80 Shooting Star 1947-1950.<br />
North American F-86 Sabre 1950-1952, 1955-1959.<br />
Lockheed F-94 Starfire 1951-1952.<br />
McDonnell F-101 Voodoo 1959-1961.<br />
Lockheed F-16 Fighting Falcon 1991-1993, 1994-.<br />
McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1994-1995.<br />
Emblem. [Group will use the wing emblem with group designation in the scroll.]<br />
157<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
158<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994
70<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>ers.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Pursuit Group (Interceptor) [15 January 1941-15 May1942]<br />
Unknown 15 January-May 1941<br />
Lt Col David D. Graves May 1941-15 May 1942.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> Group [15 May 1942-18 October 1945; 1 May 1946-20 January 1950]<br />
Lt Col David D. Graves May 1941<br />
Col John C. Crosswaithe ca. 1 July 1942<br />
Col Hubert A. Zemke 16 September 1942 [Ace]<br />
Col Robert B. L<strong>and</strong>ry 30 October 1943 (Major General)<br />
Lt Col David C. Schilling 11 January 1944 [Ace]<br />
Col Hubert A. Zemke 19 January 1944 [Ace]<br />
Col David C. Schilling 12 August 1944 [Ace]<br />
Lt Col Lucian A. Dade, Jr. 27 January 1945<br />
Lt Col Donald D. Renwick ca. 31 August 1945-ca. October 1945.<br />
Col David C. Schilling 1 May 1946 [Ace]<br />
Lt Col Thomas D. DeJarnette 14 July 1948<br />
Lt Col David C. Schilling August 1948 [Ace]<br />
Lt Col William D. Ritchie by January 1949<br />
Lt Col Irwin H. Dregne by May 1949 [Ace]<br />
Maj Ralph A. Johnson 15 September 1949<br />
Col Francis S. Gabreski<br />
5 October 1949-20 January 1950. [Ace]<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong>-Interceptor Group [20 January 1950-6 February 1952]<br />
Col Francis S. Gabreski 20 January 1950 [Ace]<br />
Lt Col George L. Jones May 1951 [Ace]<br />
Col Ernest J. White, Jr. May 1951 159 (Brigadier General)<br />
Unknown 1 February 1952-6 February 1952.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> Group (<strong>Air</strong> Defense) [18 August 1955-1 February 1961]<br />
Unknown<br />
18 August 1955-unknown<br />
Col John R. Murphy bef April-15 July 1957<br />
(Lieutenant General)<br />
Unknown 16 July 1957-3 November 1957<br />
Col Leo C. Moon 4 November 1957<br />
Lt Col Bacchus B. Byrd, Jr. 15 August 1959<br />
Lt Col Russell C. Jackson ca. September 1959<br />
Col Phillip N. Loring 1 October 1959<br />
Col James W. Holt 19 November 1960<br />
Col James F. Reed ca. 13 January-1 February 1961.<br />
159<br />
1 February 1952 Bio & 575 ABG L&H
71<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Operations Group [1 November 1991-4 January 1994; 1 April 1994-.]<br />
Col Patrick T. Sakole 1 November 1991<br />
Col John L. Barry 3 August 1992 (Major General)<br />
Col Vincent J. Santillo 2 August 1993<br />
Lt Col Ralph B. Brown December 1993-4 January 1994.<br />
Col Bron A. Burke 1 April 1994 160<br />
Col Stanley Gorenc 13 June 1994 161 (Major General)<br />
Col Gilmary M. Hostage III 30 June 1995 162 (General, ACC)<br />
Col Irvin M. Hardin 9 May 1997 163<br />
Col William C. Louisell 7 May 1999 164<br />
Col Robert P. Steel 26 May 2000 165 (Major General)<br />
Col Steven R.F. Searcy 4 January 2002 166<br />
Col Walter E. Wright III 2 July 2003 167<br />
Col Timothy W. Strawther 13 June 2005 168<br />
Col Robert P. Givens 1 June 2007 169 (Brigadier General)<br />
Col George P. Schaub 30 June 2008 170<br />
Col Douglas R. Miller 25 June 2010 171<br />
Col John T. Hanna 29 June 2012-. 172<br />
160<br />
[58 MSS SO SO-G-67, 11 June 1992]<br />
161<br />
56 OSS SO SO-GC-001, 20 June 1994<br />
162<br />
56 FW SO SO GC-002, 22 June 1995<br />
163<br />
56 OSS SO SO-GC-002, 8 May 1997<br />
164<br />
56 OG SO GC-002, 12 July 1999<br />
165<br />
56 OG SO GS-001, 22 May 2000<br />
166<br />
56 OSS SO GC-002, 17 December 2001<br />
167<br />
56 OG SO 56OG GS-1, 2 June 2003<br />
168<br />
56 FW SO 56OG-G-2005-11, 9 June 2005<br />
169<br />
56 OG SO G-2007-006, 1 June 2007<br />
170<br />
56 OG SO G-028, 16 July 2008<br />
171<br />
56 MSG SO G-017, 24 June 2010<br />
172<br />
56 MSG SO G-017, 26 June 2012
72<br />
Operations. The <strong>56th</strong> Pursuit Group trained with available aircraft, participated in<br />
maneuvers, served as an air defense organization, <strong>and</strong> functioned as an operational<br />
training unit until June 1942. It received P-47s in June <strong>and</strong> began training for combat,<br />
moved to Engl<strong>and</strong>, December 1942-January 1943, <strong>and</strong> was assigned to Eighth <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong>.<br />
As the first US P-47 fighter group to enter combat in the European Theater of Operations<br />
(ETO), the <strong>56th</strong> entered combat with a fighter sweep in the area of St Omer, France, on<br />
13 April 1943. During the next two years it destroyed more enemy aircraft in aerial<br />
combat than any other fighter group of Eighth <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong>, flying combat missions over<br />
France, the Low Countries, <strong>and</strong> Germany to escort bombers that attacked industrial<br />
establishments, V-weapon sites, submarine pens, <strong>and</strong> other targets on the Continent. It<br />
also strafed <strong>and</strong> dive-bombed airfields, troops, <strong>and</strong> supply points; attacked the enemy's<br />
communications; <strong>and</strong> flew counter-air <strong>and</strong> interdictory missions during the invasion of<br />
Norm<strong>and</strong>y in June 1944. The <strong>56th</strong> supported the Allied forces for the breakthrough at<br />
St. Lo in July, the Battle of the Bulge, December 1944-January 1945, <strong>and</strong> helped to<br />
defend the Remagen bridgehead against air attacks in March 1945. It was awarded its<br />
first Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC) for aggressiveness in seeking out <strong>and</strong> destroying<br />
enemy aircraft <strong>and</strong> for attacking enemy air bases, 20 February-9 March 1944, <strong>and</strong> a<br />
second DUC for strikes against antiaircraft positions while supporting the airborne attack<br />
on Holl<strong>and</strong> in September 1944. From May 1946, the group trained to maintain<br />
proficiency as a mobile strike force; including bomber escort missions until transferred<br />
from Strategic <strong>Air</strong> Comm<strong>and</strong> to Continental <strong>Air</strong> Comm<strong>and</strong> on 1 December 1948. The<br />
group added an air defense mission in the northeastern US in April 1949, <strong>and</strong> continued<br />
through February 1952. It replaced the 501st <strong>Air</strong> Defense Group at O'Hare International<br />
<strong>Air</strong>port, Chicago, Illinois on 18 August 1955, assuming its air defense mission <strong>and</strong><br />
operation of base facilities there. Moving without personnel or equipment to<br />
K. I. Sawyer AFB, Michigan on 1 October 1959, the group absorbed the resources of the<br />
473d <strong>Fighter</strong> Group. As part of the <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>, the group conducted F-16<br />
transition training, November 1991-August 1993. It phased down at MacDill AFB, mid-<br />
1992 to inactivation. The <strong>56th</strong> Operations Group replaced the 58th Operations Group on<br />
1 April 1994. It conducted F-15E Strike Eagle combat crew training, April 1994-March<br />
1995 <strong>and</strong> combat crew training for U.S. <strong>and</strong> Allied services with the F-16.<br />
Lt Col Francis S. Gabreski, 61st <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron, talks with his Crew Chief,<br />
S/Sgt Ralph Safford <strong>and</strong> Assistant Crew Chief, Schacki.
73<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Operations Support Squadron<br />
Lineage.<br />
Constituted as the <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>drome<br />
Squadron on 25 January 1943.<br />
Activated on 1 February 1943.<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>drome Squadron<br />
(Special) on 16 April 1943.<br />
Disb<strong>and</strong>ed on 1 April 1944.<br />
Reconstituted, <strong>and</strong> redesignated<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Operations Support Squadron,<br />
on 28 October 1991.<br />
Activated on 1 November 1991.<br />
Inactivated on 4 January 1994.<br />
Activated on 1 April 1994. 173<br />
Honors.<br />
Service Streamers.<br />
World War II American Theater<br />
Decorations.<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Awards<br />
1 July 1994-30 June 1996 174<br />
1 July 1996-30 June 1998 175<br />
1 July 1998-30 June 2000 176<br />
1 July 2001-30 June 2003 177<br />
1 June [July] 2003-30 June 2005 178<br />
1 July 2005-30 June 2006 179<br />
1 July 2006-30 June 2007 180<br />
1 July 2007-30 June 2008 181<br />
1 July 2008-30 June 2009 182<br />
173<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
174<br />
AETC SO GA-18/1996<br />
175<br />
AETC SO GA-12/1998<br />
176<br />
AETC SO GA-9/2000<br />
177<br />
AETC SO GA-55/2004<br />
178<br />
AETC SO GA-0052/2006<br />
179<br />
AETC SO GA-045/2007<br />
180<br />
AETC SO G-054/2008<br />
181<br />
AETC SO G-071/2009
74<br />
Decorations. (Continued)<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Awards (Continued)<br />
1 July 2009-30 June 2010 183<br />
1 July 2010-30 June 2011 184<br />
Squadron – No Total Aerial Victory Credits. 185<br />
Squadron Aces: None.<br />
Assignments. Second <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong>, 1 February 1943-1 April 1944. <strong>56th</strong> Operations Group,<br />
1 November 1991-20 July 1993. <strong>56th</strong> Operations Group, 1 April 1994-. 186<br />
Stations. Gr<strong>and</strong> Isl<strong>and</strong> Army <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Nebraska, 1 February 1943; Pocatello Army <strong>Air</strong><br />
<strong>Base</strong>, Idaho, 25 March 1943; Camp Williams, Wisconsin, 3 April 1943; Gr<strong>and</strong> Isl<strong>and</strong><br />
Army <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Nebraska, 2 May 1943-1 April 1944. MacDill <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Florida,<br />
1 November 1991-4 January 1994. <strong>Luke</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Arizona, 1 April 1994-. 187<br />
<strong>Air</strong>craft. None.<br />
Emblem. Approved on 2 October 2001.<br />
Blazon. On a disc Azure, a starburst of nine points in nombril sinister rotated to dexter<br />
Or, surmounted by an eagle volant issuing from sinister chief Yellow, head feathers<br />
Argent, eyed Sable, legged Gold Brown, armed <strong>and</strong> langued Gules. Issuing from dexter<br />
base, a wizard in natural colors habited of the sixth <strong>and</strong> extending his dexter h<strong>and</strong> toward<br />
the eagle, all within a narrow border Scarlet.<br />
Attached above the disc, a White scroll edged with a narrow Red border <strong>and</strong><br />
inscribed “56TH OPERATIONS SPT SQ” in Red letters.<br />
Attached below the disc a White scroll edged with a narrow Red border <strong>and</strong><br />
inscribed with "WIZARDS" in Red letters.<br />
Official Motto. Wizards.<br />
Significance. Ultramarine blue <strong>and</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> yellow are the <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> colors. Blue<br />
alludes to the sky, the primary theater of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> operations. Yellow refers to the sun<br />
<strong>and</strong> the excellence required of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> personnel. The golden radiance joining the<br />
wizard <strong>and</strong> the eagle is indicative of the myriad missions the unit performs <strong>and</strong> is a<br />
shining example for others to follow. The eagle’s outstretched wing signifies the unit’s<br />
far-reaching impact. The wizard embodies the wisdom <strong>and</strong> skill of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> leadership.<br />
182<br />
AETC SO G-025/2010<br />
183<br />
AETC SO G-086/2011<br />
184<br />
AETC SO G-171/17 April 2012<br />
185<br />
SOURCE: AF Historical Research Agency<br />
186<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
187<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994
75<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>ers.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>drome Squadron [1 February 1943-16 April 1943]<br />
Unknown<br />
Unknown<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>drome Squadron (Special) [16 April 1943-1 April 1944]<br />
Unknown<br />
Unknown<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Operations Support Squadron [1 November 1991-4 January 1994;<br />
1 April 1994-.<br />
Unknown<br />
Unknown<br />
Lt Col Richard M. Sayers, Jr. ca. 1 November 1991-August 1993<br />
Lt Col William T. Edwards August 1993-4 January 1994.<br />
Lt Col Thomas K. Mascot 1 April 1994 188<br />
Lt Col Robert M. Parker 4 August 1994 189<br />
Lt Col Bennett M. Bitler 29 August 1996 190<br />
Lt Col Khristian D. Skinner 1 July 1998 191<br />
Lt Col Charles W. Johnson 5 April 2000 192<br />
Lt Col David L. Orr 10 July 2001 193<br />
Lt Col Jeffrey M. Arkell 13 June 2002 194<br />
Lt Col Brian M. Schaaf 15 January 2004 195<br />
Lt Col David J. Julazadeh 13 May 2005 196<br />
Lt Col Matthew B. Willis 25 April 2008 197<br />
Lt Col William Jones 2 March 2009 198<br />
Lt Col John W. Bosone 6 May 2011-. 199<br />
188<br />
[58 OSS SO SO-TC-133, 30 April 1993]<br />
189<br />
56 FW SO SO-G 002, 11 August 1994<br />
190<br />
56 FW SO SO-G 003, ca. 30 August 1996<br />
191<br />
56 FW SO SO-GC 002, 29 June 1998<br />
192<br />
56 OSS SO GC-002, 24 March 2000<br />
193<br />
56 OSS SO GC-006, 2 July 2001<br />
194<br />
56 OSS SO GC-003, 5 June 2002<br />
195<br />
309 FS SO 56 OSS - G - 2004 - 1, 15 January 2004<br />
196<br />
56 OSS SO 56 OG-G-2005-09, 12 May 2005<br />
197<br />
56 OSS SO G-2007-001, 5 March 2007<br />
198<br />
56 MSG SO G-021, 27 February 2009<br />
199<br />
56 MSG SO G-009, 5 May 2011
76<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Training Squadron<br />
Lineage.<br />
Constituted <strong>56th</strong> Pursuit Squadron<br />
(Interceptor) on 20 November<br />
1940.<br />
Activated on 15 January 1941.<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron on<br />
15 May 1942.<br />
Disb<strong>and</strong>ed on 1 May 1944.<br />
Reconstituted, <strong>and</strong> redesignated<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong>-Interceptor Squadron,<br />
on 14 November 1952.<br />
Activated on 27 November 1952.<br />
Discontinued on 1 March 1960.<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> Tactical Training<br />
Squadron on 25 September 1979. 200<br />
Activated on 1 October 1979. 201<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> Training Squadron on 1 November 1991. 202<br />
Inactivated on 20 July 1993. 203<br />
Activated on 1 April 1994. 204<br />
Honors.<br />
Service Streamers.<br />
World War II American Theater<br />
Campaign Streamers.<br />
World War II Asiatic-Pacific Theater<br />
<strong>Air</strong> Combat 7 December 1941 - 2 September 1945<br />
Decorations.<br />
200<br />
TAC SO GA-105, 26 September 1979<br />
201<br />
TAC SO GA-105, 26 September 1979<br />
202<br />
TAC SO G-12, 1 November 1991<br />
203<br />
ACC SO GB-93, 29 June 1993<br />
204<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994
77<br />
Distinguished Unit Citations<br />
Alaska, [June]-4 November 1942<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Awards<br />
1 July 1980-31 May 1982 205<br />
1 June 1984-31 May 1986 206<br />
1 May 1987-30 April 1989 207<br />
1 May 1989-30 April 1990 208<br />
1 May 1990-30 April 1991 209<br />
1 July 1994-30 June 1996 210<br />
1 July 1996-30 June 1998 211<br />
1 July 1998-30 June 2000 212<br />
1 July 2001-30 June 2003 213<br />
1 June [July] 2003-30 June 2005 214<br />
1 July 2005-30 June 2006 215<br />
1 July 2006-30 June 2007 216<br />
1 July 2007-30 June 2008 217<br />
1 July 2008-30 June 2009 218<br />
1 July 2009-30 June 2010 219<br />
1 July 2010-30 June 2011 220<br />
Squadron – 1 Total Aerial Victory Credits. 221<br />
205<br />
DAF SO GB-117, 22 February 1983<br />
Squadron Aces: None.<br />
206<br />
DAF SO GB-275/1987<br />
207<br />
TAC SO GA-053, 29 August 1989<br />
208<br />
TAC SO GA-048, 16 August 1990<br />
209<br />
TAC SO GA-069/1991<br />
210<br />
AETC SO GA-18/1996<br />
211<br />
AETC SO GA-12/1998<br />
212<br />
AETC SO GA-9/2000<br />
213<br />
AETC SO GA-55/2004<br />
214<br />
AETC SO GA-0052/2006<br />
215<br />
AETC SO GA-045/2007<br />
216<br />
AETC SO G-054/2008<br />
217<br />
AETC SO G-071/2009<br />
218<br />
AETC SO G-025/2010<br />
219<br />
AETC SO G-086/2011<br />
220<br />
AETC SO G-171/17 April 2012<br />
221<br />
SOURCE: AF Historical Research Agency
78<br />
Assignments. 54th Pursuit (later, <strong>Fighter</strong>) Group, 15 January 1941-1 May 1944.<br />
4708th Defense <strong>Wing</strong>, 27 November 1952; 575th <strong>Air</strong> Defense Group, 16 February 1953;<br />
4706th <strong>Air</strong> Defense <strong>Wing</strong>, 18 August 1955; 58th <strong>Air</strong> Division, 1 March 1956; 30th <strong>Air</strong><br />
Division, 1 September 1958; Detroit <strong>Air</strong> Defense Sector, 1 April 1959-1 March 1960.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> (later, Tactical Training; <strong>Fighter</strong>) <strong>Wing</strong>, 1 October 1979;<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Operations Group, 1 November 1991-20 July 1993. <strong>56th</strong> Operations Group,<br />
1 April 1994-. 222<br />
Stations. Hamilton <strong>Field</strong>, California, 15 January 1941; Snohomish County <strong>Air</strong>port (later,<br />
Paine <strong>Field</strong>), Washington, 22 June 1941; Harding <strong>Field</strong>, Louisiana, 31 January 1942<br />
(detachment operated from Santa Ana, California, 28 May-12 June 1942; Nome, Alaska,<br />
20 June-20 October 1942; Anchorage, Alaska, 23 October-21 December 1942); Bartow<br />
Army <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Field</strong>, Florida, 11 May 1943-1 May 1944. Selfridge <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Michigan,<br />
27 November 1952; Wright-Patterson <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Ohio, 18 August 1955-1 March<br />
1960. MacDill <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Florida, 1 October 1979-20 July 1993. <strong>Luke</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong><br />
<strong>Base</strong>, Arizona, 1 April 1994-. 223<br />
<strong>Air</strong>craft.<br />
Curtis P-40 Warhawk 1941<br />
Bell P-39 <strong>Air</strong>acobra 1941-1943<br />
North American P-51 Lightning 1943-1944<br />
North American F-51 Lightning 1952-1953<br />
North American F-86 Sabre 1953-1958<br />
Lockheed F-104 Starfighter 1958-1960<br />
Emblem. Approved on 9 March 2001.<br />
Blazon. On a disc Gules, in horizontal flight two flight symbols fesswise in bend Sable,<br />
each emitting a contrail to sinister chief Or, issuant from base a mountainous terrain earth<br />
colored Proper surmounting a bezant, all within a diminished bordure Yellow.<br />
Attached above the disc, a Blue scroll edged with a narrow Yellow border <strong>and</strong><br />
inscribed "56TH TRAINING SQ" in Yellow letters.<br />
Attached below the disc, a Blue scroll edged with a narrow Yellow border <strong>and</strong><br />
inscribed "FIGHTER ACADEMICS" in Yellow letters.<br />
Official Motto. <strong>Fighter</strong> Academics.<br />
Significance. Ultramarine blue <strong>and</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> yellow are the <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> colors. Blue<br />
alludes to the sky, the primary theater of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> operations. Yellow refers to the sun<br />
<strong>and</strong> the excellence required of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> personnel. The escarpment refers to the location<br />
of the unit. The rising sun signifies the unit's role in training student pilots to qualified<br />
status in major weapons systems. The deltas show the high level of training provided by<br />
the unit.<br />
222<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
223<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994
79<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>ers.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) 15 January 1941-15 May 1942]<br />
2d Lt Patrick R. Arnold 15 January 1941<br />
2d Lt Samuel H. Marret 24 January 1941<br />
1st Lt (later, Capt) Robert B. Richard 30 April 1941<br />
Maj Charles M. McCorkle 24 March 1942-15 May 1942.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron [15 May 1942-1 May 1944]<br />
Maj Charles M. McCorkle 15 May 1942 [Ace]<br />
1st Lt James K. Dowling 12 June 1942<br />
Capt William P. Litton 1 February 1943<br />
Capt (later, Maj) William H. Merriam 16 February 1943<br />
Maj James G. Curl<br />
4 October 1943-Unknown<br />
Unknown 26 January 1944-1 May 1944.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong>-Interceptor Squadron [27 November 1952-1 March 1960]<br />
Maj Frank O. Lux (acting) 27 November 1952<br />
Lt Col Richard D. Creighton by 1 January 1953 [Ace]<br />
Maj Frank O. Lux<br />
by 30 June 1954-Unknown<br />
Unknown 1 July 1954-30 March 1958<br />
Lt Col Alston L. Brown by 31 March 1958<br />
Maj Sylvester H. Hendricks (acting) 11 December 1958<br />
Lt Col Charles E. Rigney<br />
by 30 June 1959-Unknown<br />
Unknown 1 July 1959-1 May 1960.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Tactical Training Squadron [1 October 1979-1 November 1991]<br />
Lt Col David W. Spring 1 October 1979 224<br />
Lt Col Paul H. Burbage III 15 March 1980<br />
Maj John D. Holmquist 19 May 1980<br />
Lt Col Charles E. Cotton 30 June 1980<br />
Lt Col Bruce V. Huneke 2 August 1982<br />
Lt Col James C. Kobriger 24 January 1983 225<br />
Lt Col David H. Brooks 1 April 1983 226<br />
Lt Col Ralph T. Hood 4 October 1984 227<br />
Lt Col R<strong>and</strong>all H. Wiseman 19 December 1986 228<br />
Lt Col Jon E. Wilson 20 December 1988<br />
Lt Col Rodney L. Bates 7 September 1990-1 November 1991.<br />
224<br />
56 CSG SO G-49, 1 October 1979<br />
225<br />
56 CSG SO G-2, 24 January 1983<br />
226<br />
56 CSG SO G-10, 1 April 1983<br />
227<br />
56 CSG SO G-30, 4 October 1984<br />
228<br />
56 CSG SO G-10, 18 December 1986
80<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Training Squadron [1 November 1991-20 July 1993; 1 April 1994-.]<br />
Lt Col Rodney L. Bates 1 November 1991<br />
Lt Col William Stringer 17 January 1992<br />
Lt Col Stanley Sutterfield<br />
August 1992-Unknown.<br />
Lt Col Ronald H. Heyden 1 April 1994 229<br />
Lt Col David M. Burnett 6 May 1994 230<br />
Lt Col John C. Vignetti 19 June 1995<br />
Lt Col John R. Swarsbrook 15 July 1997 231<br />
Lt Col William Gonzalez, Jr. 9 July 1999 232<br />
Lt Col R<strong>and</strong>y A. O'Connor 19 December 2000 233<br />
Lt Col Jack D. Patterson, Jr. 18 January 2002 234<br />
Lt Col Robert P. Egan 28 March 2003 235<br />
Lt Col Richard A. Forster 7 January 2005 236<br />
Lt Col Brian D. Neumann 16 June 2006 237<br />
Lt Col Doyle C. Turner 16 May 2008 238<br />
Lt Col Charles J. DeLapp 14 May 2010 239<br />
Lt Col Matthew Liljenstolpe 13 July 2012-. 240<br />
229<br />
[58 MSS SO SO-G-60, 7 May 1992]<br />
230<br />
56 TRS SO SO-GF-001, 18 April 1994<br />
231<br />
56 TRS SO SO-TS-001, ca. 12 July 1997, <strong>and</strong><br />
56 TRS SO SO-GF-001, ca. 18 November 1997<br />
232<br />
56 TRS SO SO-GF-005, 30 June 1999<br />
233<br />
56 TRS SO SO-GF-001, 19 December 2000<br />
234<br />
56 TRS SO SO-GF-005, 16 January 2002<br />
235<br />
56 TRS SO 56 TRS G-1, 11 March 2003<br />
236<br />
56 TRS SO 56 OG-G-2005-03, 6 January 2005<br />
237<br />
56 TRS SO 56OG-G2006-11, 9 June 1006<br />
238<br />
56 TRS SO G-020, 15 May 2008<br />
239<br />
56 MSG SO G-005, 14 May 2010<br />
240<br />
56 FW SO G-026, 3 July 2012
81<br />
21st <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron<br />
Lineage.<br />
Constituted as 21st <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron,<br />
Single Engine, on 5 October 1944.<br />
Activated on 15 October 1944.<br />
Inactivated on 15 October 1946.<br />
Redesignated as 21st <strong>Fighter</strong>-Day<br />
Squadron on 26 August 1954.<br />
Activated on 11 November 1954.<br />
Redesignated as 21st Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong><br />
Squadron on 1 July 1958.<br />
Inactivated on 15 March 1959.<br />
Redesignated 21st Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong><br />
Training Squadron on 27 October 1972.<br />
Activated on 1 December 1972.<br />
Redesignated 21st Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron on 9 October 1980.<br />
Redesignated 21st Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Training Squadron on 1 July 1983.<br />
Inactivated on 28 June 1991.<br />
Redesignated 21st <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron, <strong>and</strong> activated, on 1 November 1991.<br />
Inactivated on 31 December 1993.<br />
Activated on 8 August 1996. 241<br />
Honors.<br />
Campaign Streamers.<br />
World War II Asiatic-Pacific Theater:<br />
<strong>Air</strong> Offensive, Japan [1942-1945]<br />
Eastern M<strong>and</strong>ates [1943-1944]<br />
Western Pacific [1944-1945]<br />
Ryukyus [1945]<br />
China Offensive [1945]<br />
241<br />
AETC SO G-96-25, 7 August 1996
82<br />
Decorations.<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Awards<br />
2 February 1976-31 March 1977<br />
1 June 1985-31 May 1987<br />
1 March 1990-28 June 1991<br />
1 January 1992-31 December 1993<br />
8 August 1996-30 June 1998 242<br />
1 July 1998-30 June 2000 243<br />
1 July 2001-30 June 2003 244<br />
1 June [July] 2003-30 June 2005 245<br />
1 July 2005-30 June 2006 246<br />
1 July 2006-30 June 2007 247<br />
1 July 2007-30 June 2008 248<br />
1 July 2008-30 June 2009 249<br />
1 July 2009-30 June 2010 250<br />
1 July 2010-30 June 2011 251<br />
Squadron – 3 Total Aerial Victory Credits. 252<br />
1 Squadron Ace:<br />
Name<br />
Aerial Victories<br />
In Sq Lifetime Total<br />
2d Lt I.B. Jack Donaldson 3 5<br />
Assignments. 413d <strong>Fighter</strong> Group, 15 October 1944-15 October 1946. 413d <strong>Fighter</strong>-<br />
Day Group, 11 November 1954; 413d <strong>Fighter</strong>-Day (later, 413d Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong>) <strong>Wing</strong>,<br />
8 October 1957-15 March 1959 (attached to Sixteenth <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong>, 14-15 March 1959).<br />
35th Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> (later, 35th Tactical Training; 35th Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong>) <strong>Wing</strong>,<br />
1 December 1972-28 June 1991. 507th <strong>Air</strong> Control <strong>Wing</strong>, 1 November 1991;<br />
363d Operations Group, 1 May 1992-31 December 1993. <strong>56th</strong> Operations Group,<br />
8 August 1996-.<br />
242<br />
AETC SO GA-12/1998<br />
243<br />
AETC SO GA-9/2000<br />
244<br />
AETC SO GA-55/2004<br />
245<br />
AETC SO GA-0052/2006<br />
246<br />
AETC SO GA-045/2007<br />
247<br />
AETC SO G-054/2008<br />
248<br />
AETC SO G-071/2009<br />
249<br />
AETC SO G-025/2010<br />
250<br />
AETC SO G-086/2011<br />
251<br />
AETC SO G-171/17 April 2012<br />
252<br />
SOURCE: AF Historical Research Agency
83<br />
Stations. Seymour-Johnson <strong>Field</strong>, North Carolina, 15 October 1944; Bluethenthal <strong>Field</strong>,<br />
North Carolina, 9 November 1944-7 April 1945; Ie Shima <strong>Air</strong>fields, Ryukyu Isl<strong>and</strong>s,<br />
Japan, 19 May 1945; Kadena <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Okinawa, Japan, 21 November 1945; Yontan,<br />
Okinawa, Japan, 29 January-15 October 1946. George <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, California,<br />
11 November 1954-10 March 1959; Moron <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Spain, 11 March 1959-15 March<br />
1959. George <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, California, 1 December 1972-28 June 1991. Shaw <strong>Air</strong><br />
<strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, South Carolina, 1 November 1991-31 December 1993. <strong>Luke</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong><br />
<strong>Base</strong>, Arizona, 8 August 1996-.<br />
<strong>Air</strong>craft.<br />
Republic P-47 Thunderbolt 1944-1946<br />
North American F-86 Sabre 1954-1956<br />
North American F-100 Super Sabre 1956-1959<br />
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II 1972-1981<br />
Fairchild Republic OA-10 Thunderbolt II 1991-1993<br />
Lockheed F-16 Fighting Falcon 1981-1991, 1996-.<br />
Emblem. Approved on 18 March 2008<br />
Blazon. On a disc Sable, two playing cards totaling the number twenty one, a king of<br />
spades tilted to dexter <strong>and</strong> a ace of hearts tilted to sinister all Proper, emitting from<br />
behind the king a contrail arcing below to base <strong>and</strong> terminating in a delta, point to sinister<br />
Gules.<br />
Attached above the disc a Black scroll edged with a narrow Red border <strong>and</strong> inscribed<br />
"GAMBLERS" in Red letters.<br />
Attached below the disc a Black scroll edged with a narrow Red border <strong>and</strong><br />
inscribed "21 ST FIGHTER SQUADRON" in Red letters.<br />
Official Motto. Gamblers<br />
Significance. Ultramarine blue <strong>and</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> yellow are the <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> colors. Blue<br />
alludes to the sky, the primary theater of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> operations. Yellow refers to the sun<br />
<strong>and</strong> the excellence required of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> personnel. The emblem purposed for the unit is<br />
deeply rooted in the traditions <strong>and</strong> the history of the Taiwanese people. The Unit has<br />
been operating in defense of the people since 1934. The cards totaling 21 signify<br />
perfection <strong>and</strong> the pursuit of victory in any endeavor. Specifically, the king of spades<br />
representing the Taiwanese people, the ace of hearts, the heart of a nation, <strong>and</strong> the arrow<br />
absolute integrity.
84<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>ers.<br />
21st <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron, Single Engine [15 October 1944-15 October 1946]<br />
Unknown 15 October 1944-11 October 1945<br />
Lt Col William B. Whisonant 12 October 1945<br />
Capt Francis J. Vetort 13 October 1945<br />
1 Lt Robert W. Faas 1 April 1946-Unknown<br />
Capt Samuel H. Henton Unknown-26 September 1946<br />
Capt Louis A. Guin<br />
26 September 1946-Unknown.<br />
21st <strong>Fighter</strong>-Day Squadron [11 November 1954-1 July 1958]<br />
Maj Stephen L. Bettinger 11 November 1954-Unknown. [Ace]<br />
21st Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron [1 July 1958-15 March 1959]<br />
Unknown 1 July 1958-15 March 1959.<br />
21st Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Training Squadron [1 December 1972-9 October 1980]<br />
Col Roger L. Sprague 1 December 1972<br />
Lt Col William E. Whitten ca. 1 March 1973<br />
Lt Col D. L. Wagner 17 April 1975<br />
Lt Col Paul Marsh 2 May 1977<br />
Lt Col Wallace L. Mekkers 5 July 1979-Unknown.<br />
21st Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron [9 October 1980-1 July 1983]<br />
Unknown ca. 1980-1 July 1983.<br />
21st Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Training Squadron [1 July 1983-28 June 1991]<br />
Unknown 1 July 1983<br />
Lt Col Dick E. Willis 12 November 1987<br />
Lt Col Mark D. Gilson 26 July 1989<br />
Lt Col David M. McLaughlin 9 November 1990-28 June 1991.<br />
21st <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron [1 November 1991-31 December 1993;<br />
8 August 1996-.]<br />
Lt Col Bobby G. Smith 1 November 1991<br />
Lt Col John A. Neubauer 1 October-31 December 1993.<br />
Lt Col James R. Mitchell 8 August 1996<br />
Lt Col Dean A. Profitt III 2 April 1998 253<br />
Lt Col Walter E. Grace III 18 June 1999 254<br />
Lt Col Mark J. Warner 19 December 2000 255<br />
Lt Col Walter G. Farrar III 18 July 2002 256<br />
253<br />
21 FS SO SO-GZ-003, 30 March 1998<br />
254<br />
21 FS SO SO-GZ-004, ca. 15 June 1999<br />
255<br />
21 FS SO SO-GZ-003, 18 December 2000
85<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>ers. (Continued)<br />
Lt Col Christopher Roeder 4 December 2003 257<br />
Lt Col Thomas G. Abbot 8 June 2005 258<br />
Lt Col Dennis J. Malfer 28 April 2006 259<br />
Lt Col James G. Sturgeon 20 September 2007 260<br />
Lt Col William D. Bowman 15 June 2009 261<br />
Lt Col Sean C. Routier 24 June 2011-. 262<br />
In 1998, Lt Col James R. "Rusty" Mitchell, Comm<strong>and</strong>er, 21st <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron, led a<br />
2-ship in his Flagship, Tail No. 93-0711, followed by his Director of Operations,<br />
Maj Paul A. "Shadow" Mrazik in Tail No. 93-0721<br />
256<br />
21 FS SO SO-GZ-001, 18 July 2002<br />
257<br />
21 FS SO SO-GZ-001, 5 December 2003<br />
258<br />
21 FS SO 56OG-G-2005-10, 13 May 2005<br />
259<br />
21 FS SO 56OG-G-2006-06, 20 April 2006<br />
260<br />
21 FS SO G-2007-009, 23 August 2007<br />
261<br />
56 MSG SO G-033, 10 June 2009<br />
262<br />
56 MSG SO G-015, 22 June 2011
86<br />
62d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron<br />
Lineage.<br />
Constituted as 62d Pursuit Squadron<br />
(Interceptor) on 20 November<br />
1940.<br />
Activated on 15 January 1941.<br />
Redesignated 62d Pursuit Squadron<br />
(Interceptor) (Twin Engine) on<br />
31 January 1942.<br />
Redesignated 62d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron (Twin<br />
Engine) on 15 May 1942.<br />
Redesignated 62d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron on<br />
1 June 1942.<br />
Redesignated 62d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron,<br />
Single Engine, on 28 February<br />
1944.<br />
Inactivated on 18 October 1945.<br />
Activated on 1 May 1946.<br />
Redesignated 62d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron, Jet Propelled, on 24 April 1947.<br />
Redesignated 62d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron, Jet, on 14 June 1948.<br />
Redesignated 62d <strong>Fighter</strong>-Interceptor Squadron on 20 January 1950.<br />
Inactivated on 30 April 1971.<br />
Redesignated 62d <strong>Fighter</strong>-Interceptor Training Squadron on 15 August 1974.<br />
Activated on 1 September 1974.<br />
Redesignated 62d Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron on 30 June 1975.<br />
Redesignated 62d Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Training Squadron on 1 January 1981.<br />
Redesignated 62d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron on 1 November 1991. 263<br />
Inactivated on 14 May 1993. 264<br />
Activated on 18 March 1994. 265<br />
263<br />
TAC SO G-12, 1 November 1991<br />
264<br />
ACC SO GB-73, 11 May 1993<br />
265<br />
AETC SO G-29, 14 March 1994
87<br />
Honors.<br />
Service Streamers.<br />
World War II American Theater<br />
Campaign Streamers.<br />
World War II European-African-Middle Eastern Theater<br />
<strong>Air</strong> Combat [1941-1945]<br />
<strong>Air</strong> Offensive Europe [1942-1944]<br />
Norm<strong>and</strong>y [1944]<br />
Northern France [1944]<br />
Rhinel<strong>and</strong> [1944-1945]<br />
Ardennes-Alsace [1944-1945]<br />
Central Europe [1945]<br />
Decorations.<br />
Distinguished Unit Citations<br />
European Theater of Operations, 20 February-9 March 1944;<br />
Holl<strong>and</strong>, 18 September 1944.<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Awards<br />
1 June 1967-31 December 1968<br />
1 January 1977-1 January 1979 266<br />
1 July 1980-31 May 1982 267<br />
1 June 1984-31 May 1986 268<br />
1 May 1987-30 April 1989 269<br />
1 May 1989-30 April 1990 270<br />
1 May 1990-30 April 1991 271<br />
18 March 1994-31 March 1994<br />
1 July 1994-30 June 1996 272<br />
1 July 1996-30 June 1998 273<br />
1 July 1998-30 June 2000 274<br />
1 July 2001-30 June 2003 275<br />
266<br />
DAF SO GB-719, 30 November 1979<br />
267<br />
DAF SO GB-117, 22 February 1983<br />
268<br />
DAF SO GB-275/1987<br />
269<br />
TAC SO GA-053, 29 August 1989<br />
270<br />
TAC SO GA-048, 16 August 1990<br />
271<br />
TAC SO GA-069/1991<br />
272<br />
AETC SO GA-18/1996<br />
273<br />
AETC SO GA-12/1998<br />
274<br />
AETC SO GA-9/2000<br />
275<br />
AETC SO GA-55/2004
88<br />
Decorations. (Continued)<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Awards (Continued)<br />
1 June [July] 2003-30 June 2005 276<br />
1 July 2005-30 June 2006 277<br />
1 July 2006-30 June 2007 278<br />
1 July 2007-30 June 2008 279<br />
1 July 2008-30 June 2009 280<br />
1 July 2009-30 June 2010 281<br />
1 July 2010-30 June 2011 282<br />
Squadron – 220 Total Aerial Victory Credits. 283<br />
12 Squadron Aces:<br />
Name<br />
Aerial Victories<br />
In Sq Lifetime Total<br />
Maj George E. Bostwick 5 8<br />
Capt Fred J. Christensen, Jr. 21.5 21.5<br />
Capt Walter V. Cook 6 6<br />
2d Lt Billy G. Edens 7 7 POW 9 September 1944<br />
2d Lt Joe W. Icard 5 5 KIA 8 March 1944<br />
Maj Michael J. Jackson 8 8<br />
1st Lt Stanley B. Morrill 9 9 Killed Acft accident 29 March 1944<br />
Capt Mark L. Moseley 6.5 6.5<br />
Capt Eugene W. O'Neill, Jr. 5 5<br />
Capt Michael J. Quirk 11 11 POW 9 September 1944<br />
Maj Leroy A. Schreiber 10 12 KIA 15 April 1944<br />
Capt Felix D. Williamson 13 13<br />
Capt Fred J. Christensen, Jr.<br />
276<br />
AETC SO GA-0052/2006<br />
277<br />
AETC SO GA-045/2007<br />
278<br />
AETC SO G-054/2008<br />
279<br />
AETC SO G-071/2009<br />
280<br />
AETC SO G-025/2010<br />
281<br />
AETC SO G-086/2011<br />
282<br />
AETC SO G-171/17 April 2012<br />
283<br />
SOURCE: AF Historical Research Agency
89<br />
Assignments. <strong>56th</strong> Pursuit (later, <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong>) Group, 15 January 1941-18 October<br />
1945. <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> (later, <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong>-Interceptor) Group, 1 May 1946 (attached to<br />
Alaskan Provisional <strong>Wing</strong>, ca. 28 December 1946-ca. 10 April 1947; 30 <strong>Air</strong> Division, ca.<br />
28 July 1950-30 April 1951; 142d <strong>Fighter</strong>-Interceptor Group, 1 May 1951-5 February<br />
1952); 4706th Defense <strong>Wing</strong>, 6 February 1952; 501 <strong>Air</strong> Defense Group, 16 February<br />
1953; <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> Group, 18 August 1955 (attached to 473d <strong>Fighter</strong> Group,<br />
1 August-30 September 1959); <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>, 1 February 1961 284 ; Duluth <strong>Air</strong><br />
Defense Sector, 16 December 1963; 29 <strong>Air</strong> Division, 1 April 1966; 34th <strong>Air</strong> Division,<br />
15 September 1969; 29th <strong>Air</strong> Division, 14 November 1969; 23d <strong>Air</strong> Division,<br />
19 November 1969-30 April 1971. <strong>Air</strong> Defense Weapons Center, 1 September 1974;<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> (later, <strong>56th</strong> Tactical Training; <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong>) <strong>Wing</strong>, 30 June 1975;<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Operations Group, 1 November 1991-14 May 1993. 58th Operations Group,<br />
18 March 1994 285 ; <strong>56th</strong> Operations Group, 1 April 1994-. 286<br />
Stations. Savannah <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Georgia, 15 January 1941; Charlotte Army <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, North<br />
Carolina, 26 May 1941 (deployed at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, October-November<br />
1941); Wilmington Municipal <strong>Air</strong>port, North Carolina, 10 December 1941; Bendix<br />
<strong>Air</strong>port, New Jersey, 17 January 1942; Newark Municipal <strong>Air</strong>port, New Jersey, 31 May<br />
1942; Bradley <strong>Field</strong>, Connecticut, 23 July-27 December 1942; Kings Cliffe, Engl<strong>and</strong>,<br />
12 January 1943; Horsham St Faith, Engl<strong>and</strong>, 5 April 1943; Halesworth, Engl<strong>and</strong>, 9 July<br />
1943; Boxted, Engl<strong>and</strong>, 19 April 1944; Debden, Engl<strong>and</strong>, 15 September-11 October<br />
1945; Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, 16-18 October 1945. Selfridge <strong>Field</strong> (later, <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong><br />
<strong>Base</strong>), Michigan, 1 May 1946 (deployed at Ladd <strong>Field</strong>, Alaska, 28 December<br />
1946-10 April 1947; Oscoda <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Michigan, 1 April-6 June 1949); O'Hare<br />
<strong>Field</strong>-Chicago International <strong>Air</strong>port (later, O'Hare International <strong>Air</strong>port), Illinois,<br />
4 August 1950 (deployed at K. I. Sawyer <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Michigan, 1 August<br />
1959-30 September 1959); K. I. Sawyer <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Michigan, 1 October<br />
1959-30 April 1971. Tyndall <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Florida, 1 September 1974; MacDill <strong>Air</strong><br />
<strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Florida, 30 June 1975 287 -14 May 1993. <strong>Luke</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Arizona,<br />
18 March 1994-. 288<br />
284<br />
AFOMO 536m, 28 December 1960<br />
285<br />
AETC SO G-29, 14 March 1994<br />
286<br />
AETC SO G-40, 20 April 1994<br />
287<br />
ADC MO 3, 13 June 1975<br />
288<br />
AETC SO G-29, 14 March 1994
90<br />
<strong>Air</strong>craft.<br />
SeverskyP-35 1941<br />
Curtis P-36 Hawk 1941<br />
Bell P-39 <strong>Air</strong>acobra 1941-1942<br />
Curtis P-40 Warhawk 1941-1942<br />
Republic P-47 Thunderbolt 1942-1945, <strong>and</strong> 1946<br />
North American P-51 Lightning 1946-1947<br />
Lockheed P (later, F)-80 Shooting Star 1947-1950<br />
North American F-86 Sabre 1950-1959<br />
McDonnell F-101 Voodoo 1959-1971<br />
Convair F-106 Delta Dart 1974-1975<br />
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II 1974-1980<br />
Lockheed F-16 Fighting Falcon 1980-1993; 1994-.<br />
Emblem. Originally approved on 18 June 1943; newest rendition approved on 18 July<br />
1995.<br />
Blazon. Argent, a caricature bulldog affronte in a boxing stance Or, jowls Pink, wearing<br />
a jersey Azure charged with two mullets of the first, shorts Gules, shoes of the fourth,<br />
each charged on the toe with a mullet White, a scan barry Gules <strong>and</strong> White, an aviator's<br />
helmet Brown with goggles Celeste, <strong>and</strong> boxing gloves Red, each charged with a lighting<br />
flash White, all above a cast shadow Light Blue; all within a diminished bordure Blue.<br />
Attached below the disc a White scroll edged with a narrow Blue border <strong>and</strong> inscribed<br />
"62d FIGHTER SQ" in Blue letters.<br />
Official Motto. None.<br />
Significance. Blue <strong>and</strong> yellow are the <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the<br />
primary theater of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> operations. Yellow refers to the sun <strong>and</strong> the excellence<br />
required of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> personnel. The bulldog represents the tenacity <strong>and</strong> aggressiveness<br />
of a fighter squadron, qualities further emphasized by the stance of the subject. The<br />
gloved fists symbolize a clean fighter, while the lightning suggests the squadron's striking<br />
power. His expression shows that he is obviously a "tough customer", hard to h<strong>and</strong>le in a<br />
fight, not easily discouraged, <strong>and</strong> unafraid.
91<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>ers.<br />
62d Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) [15 January 1941-31 January 1942]<br />
Unknown 15 January 1941-20 January 1941<br />
Capt Dixon M. Allison 21 January 1941<br />
1 Lt Norton H. Van Sicklen III 13 February 1941<br />
2 Lt James L. Orr 10 May 1941<br />
2 Lt Albert O. Waldon 26 May 1941<br />
2 Lt John M. Davis 28 May 1941<br />
1 Lt Raymond W. Worsham, Jr. 2 June 1941<br />
Capt David D. Terry, Jr. 6 June 1941-31 January 1942<br />
62d Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (Twin Engine) [31 January 1942-15 May 1942]<br />
Capt David D. Terry, Jr. 31 January 1942-15 May 1942<br />
62d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron (Twin Engine) [15 May 1942-1 June 1942]<br />
Capt David D. Terry, Jr. 15 May 1942-1 June 1942<br />
62d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron [1 June 1942-28 February 1944]<br />
Capt David D. Terry, Jr. 1 June 1942<br />
Maj David C. Schilling ca. July 1942 [Ace]<br />
Maj Horace C. Craig 21 August 1943<br />
Maj Leroy A. Schreiber 9 February 1944-28 February 1944<br />
[Ace]<br />
62d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron, Single Engine [28 February 1944-18 October 1945]<br />
Maj Leroy A. Schreiber 28 February 1944 [Ace]<br />
Lt Col Lucian A. Dade Jr. 16 April 1944<br />
Capt Michael J. Quirk 13 August 1944 [Ace]<br />
Maj Leslie C. Smith 11 September 1944 [Ace]<br />
Maj Felix D. Williamson 26 January 1945-ca. 18 October 1945<br />
[Ace]<br />
62d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron, Single Engine [1 May 1946-24 April 1947]<br />
Unknown 1 May 1946-4 May 1946<br />
Maj Paul A. Conger 5 May 1946 [Ace]<br />
Lt Col Gerald W. Johnson 23 July 1946-24 April 1947<br />
[Ace](Lieutenant General)<br />
62d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron, Jet Propelled [24 April 1947-14 June 1948]<br />
Lt Col Gerald W. Johnson 24 April 1947<br />
[Ace](Lieutenant General)<br />
Lt Col William D. Dunham<br />
ca. 3 May 1947- Unknown<br />
[Ace](Brigadier General)<br />
Unknown (possibly Maj John C. McClure) August 1947-14 June 1948
92<br />
62d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron, Jet [14 June 1948-20 January 1950]<br />
Unknown (possibly Maj John C. McClure) 14 June 1948<br />
Maj Edward S. Popek by December 1948 [Ace]<br />
Capt Franklyn E. Moffitt ca. June 1949<br />
Maj Ralph A. Johnson July 1949<br />
Maj Henry H. Kirby, Jr. 15 September 1949<br />
Maj George L. Abel ca. 10 October 1949<br />
Maj Henry H. Kirby, Jr. ca. December 1949<br />
Maj Edwin L. Heller January 1950-20 January 1950 [Ace]<br />
62d <strong>Fighter</strong>-Interceptor Squadron [20 January 1950-30 April 1971]<br />
Maj Edwin L. Heller January 1950 [Ace]<br />
Lt Col Charles E. Parsons, Jr. 3 April 1950<br />
Maj Harold M. Wilson ca. September 1951<br />
Maj Carl A. Rymer 1 October 1951<br />
Lt Col Frank Q. O'Conner by 17 March 1952<br />
Maj Richard C. Garrett<br />
24 December 1952-Unknown<br />
Maj Edward J. Mason 8 September 1953<br />
Maj Charles W. Jackson 28 October 1953<br />
Lt Col Lloyd H. Stinson 24 October 1955<br />
Maj Kenneth E. Daniels ca. 8 November 1957<br />
Maj Roy W. King 21 September 1958<br />
Lt Col Edward P. McNeff 1 August 1959 (Major General)<br />
Maj Joe H. Joiner ca. 1 April 1961<br />
Capt Cecil P. Roberts by 30 April 1961<br />
Lt Col Samuel D. Berman June 1961<br />
Col Amos W. Waage 1 May 1964<br />
Lt Col Austin O. Davis 30 November 1965<br />
Lt Col Arby J. Thompson 29 August 1967<br />
Col Carl D. Peterson 5 May 1969 (Major General)<br />
Lt Col Cecil G. Foster by June 1970-30 April 1971<br />
62d <strong>Fighter</strong>-Interceptor Training Squadron [1 September 1974-30 June 1975]<br />
Col William J. Breckner, Jr. 1 September 1974 (Major General)<br />
Maj Charles E. Masuga 29 June 1975-30 June 1975<br />
62d Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron [30 June 1975-1 January 1981]<br />
Lt Col Henry M. Yochum III 30 June 1975<br />
Lt Col Lawrence P. Farrell, Jr. 7 March 1977 (Lieutenant General)<br />
Lt Col Michael P. Blaisdell 28 June 1978<br />
Lt Col Robert W. Undorf 4 May 1979-1 January 1981
93<br />
62d Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Training Squadron [1 January 1981-1 November 1991]<br />
Lt Col Robert W. Undorf 1 January 1981<br />
Lt Col James V. Williford 14 August 1981<br />
Lt Col George A. Suro 25 March 1983<br />
Lt Col Royce G. W. Woodell 1 March 1985<br />
Lt Col William R. Stroud February 1987<br />
Lt Col Billy S. Clack 10 February 1989<br />
Lt Col Robert F. Umbarger 10 February 1991--1 November 1991<br />
62d <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron [1 November 1991-14 May 1993;<br />
18 March 1994-.]<br />
Lt Col Robert F. Umbarger 10 February 1991<br />
Lt Col Stephen E. Bozarth 10 July 1992-14 May 1993<br />
Lt Col Michael E. Roznovsky 18 March 1994 289<br />
Lt Col William A. Hewitt 9 November 1995 290<br />
Lt Col Arthur W. May 4 June 1996 291<br />
Lt Col Robin M. Kesterson 19 June 1998 292<br />
Lt Col Michael E. B. France 24 June 2000 293<br />
Lt Col Marcel P. Schmidt 17 August 2001 294<br />
Lt Col Mark M. Lankford 7 July 2003 295<br />
Lt Col Gerald F. Lanagan 21 January 2005 296<br />
Lt Col Pablo A. Sanchez 23 May 2007 297<br />
Lt Col Bob G. Battema 17 November 2008 298<br />
Lt Col Brian A. Jackson 30 July 2010 299<br />
Lt Col Shamsher Mann 10 August 2012 300 -.<br />
289<br />
58 MSS SO SO-GAI-02, 14 March 1994<br />
290<br />
56 MSS SO SO-GAI-07, 8 January 1996<br />
291<br />
56 MSS SO SO-GAI-08, 22 May 1996<br />
292<br />
56 MSS SO SO-GAI-02, 1 June 1998<br />
293<br />
56 MSS SO SO-GAI-01, 6 January 2000<br />
294<br />
56 MSS SO SO-GAI-02, ca. 9 August 2011<br />
295<br />
62 FS SO 62 FS-GAI-2003-02, 1 July 2003<br />
296<br />
62 FS SO 56 OG-G-2005-07, 10 March 2005<br />
297<br />
62 FS SO G-2007-004, ca. 23 May 2007<br />
298<br />
56 MSG SO G-12, 18 November 2008<br />
299<br />
56 MSG SO G-029, 6 August 2010<br />
300<br />
56 FW SO G-030, 16 July 2012
94<br />
308th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron<br />
Lineage.<br />
Constituted as 308th Pursuit Squadron<br />
(Interceptor) on 21 January 1942.<br />
Activated on 30 January 1942.<br />
Redesignated 308th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron on<br />
25 May 1942.<br />
Redesignated 308th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron,<br />
Single Engine, on 20 August 1943.<br />
Inactivated on 7 November 1945.<br />
Activated on 20 August 1946.<br />
Redesignated 308th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron, Jet,<br />
on 15 June 1948.<br />
Redesignated 308th <strong>Fighter</strong>-Bomber Squadron<br />
on 20 January 1950.<br />
Redesignated 308th <strong>Fighter</strong>-Escort Squadron on<br />
16 July 1950.<br />
Redesignated 308th Strategic <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron on 20 January 1953.<br />
Redesignated 308th <strong>Fighter</strong>-Bomber Squadron on 1 April 1957.<br />
Redesignated 308th Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron on 1 July 1958.<br />
Redesignated 308th Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Training Squadron on 9 October 1980.<br />
Redesignated 308th Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron on 1 October 1986.<br />
Redesignated 308th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron on 1 November 1991. 301<br />
Honors<br />
Campaign Streamers.<br />
World War II European-African-Middle Eastern Theater:<br />
<strong>Air</strong> Offensive, Europe [1942–1944]<br />
Algeria-French Morocco with Arrowhead [1942]<br />
Tunisia [1942-1943]<br />
Sicily [1942-1943]<br />
Naples-Foggia [1943-1944]<br />
Anzio [1944]<br />
Rome-Arno [1944]<br />
Norm<strong>and</strong>y [1944]<br />
Northern France [1944]<br />
Southern France [1944]<br />
North Apennines [1944-1945]<br />
Rhinel<strong>and</strong> [1944-1945]<br />
Central Europe [1945]<br />
Po Valley [1945]<br />
<strong>Air</strong> Combat [1941–1945]<br />
301<br />
TAC SO G-12, 1 November 1991
95<br />
Vietnam:<br />
Vietnam Defensive [1965-1966]<br />
Vietnam <strong>Air</strong> [1966]<br />
Vietnam <strong>Air</strong> Offensive [1966-1967]<br />
Vietnam <strong>Air</strong> Offensive, Phase II [1967-1968]<br />
Vietnam <strong>Air</strong> Offensive, Phase III [1968]<br />
Vietnam <strong>Air</strong>/Ground [1968]<br />
Vietnam <strong>Air</strong> Offensive, Phase IV [1968-1969]<br />
Tet 1969 Counteroffensive [1969]<br />
Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969 [1969]<br />
Vietnam Winter-Spring 1970 [1969-1970]<br />
Sanctuary Counteroffensive [1970]<br />
Southwest Monsoon [1970]<br />
Vietnam Cease Fire [1972-1973]<br />
Decorations.<br />
Distinguished Unit Citations<br />
Rumania, 21 April 1944<br />
Pol<strong>and</strong>, 25 July 1944<br />
Presidential Unit Citations<br />
Southeast Asia, 8 June 1966–16 April 1967<br />
Southeast Asia, 1 May–31 December 1968<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Awards<br />
17 December 1966–30 April 1968 with Combat “V” Device<br />
18 December 1972–27 January 1973 with Combat “V” Device<br />
4–16 July 1952<br />
1 March–30 November 1962<br />
23 February 1991–22 February 1993<br />
1 July 1994-30 June 1996 302<br />
1 July 1996-30 June 1998 303<br />
1 July 1998-30 June 2000 304<br />
1 July 2001-30 June 2003 305<br />
1 June [July] 2003-30 June 2005 306<br />
1 July 2005-30 June 2006 307<br />
1 July 2006-30 June 2007 308<br />
302<br />
AETC SO GA-18/1996<br />
303<br />
AETC SO GA-12/1998<br />
304<br />
AETC SO GA-9/2000<br />
305<br />
AETC SO GA-55/2004<br />
306<br />
AETC SO GA-0052/2006<br />
307<br />
AETC SO GA-045/2007
96<br />
Decorations. (Continued)<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Awards (Continued)<br />
1 July 2007-30 June 2008 309<br />
1 July 2008-30 June 2009 310<br />
1 July 2009-30 June 2010 311<br />
1 July 2010-30 June 2011 312<br />
Special Honors.<br />
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm,<br />
16 December 1966–15 October 1970<br />
Squadron – 184.5 Total Aerial Victory Credits. 313<br />
12 Squadron Aces:<br />
Name<br />
Aerial Victories<br />
In Sq Lifetime Total<br />
Capt Royal N. Baker 3 16.5 (Lieutenant General)<br />
Col William A. Daniel 314 2 5<br />
315<br />
Capt William J. Dillard 2 6<br />
Major Harry W. Dorris 5.25 5.25<br />
Capt Robert J. Goebel 11 11<br />
Capt Walter J. Goehausen, Jr. 10 10<br />
Maj Frank A. Hill 2 7<br />
1st Lt Richard F. Hurd 6 6<br />
Capt Lel<strong>and</strong> P. Moll<strong>and</strong> 11 11 (KIA, May 1951, Korea)<br />
Capt Jack R. Smith 5 5<br />
1st Lt Frederick O. Trafton, Jr. 5 5 (POW, 23 April 1944)<br />
Capt John J. Voll 21 21<br />
Assignments. 31st Pursuit (later, 31st <strong>Fighter</strong>) Group, 30 January 1942–7 November<br />
1945. 31st <strong>Fighter</strong> (later, 31st <strong>Fighter</strong>-Bomber; 31 <strong>Fighter</strong>-Escort) Group, 20 August<br />
1946 (attached to 31st <strong>Fighter</strong>-Escort <strong>Wing</strong>, 27 July 1951–15 June 1952); 31st <strong>Fighter</strong>-<br />
Escort (later, 31st Strategic <strong>Fighter</strong>; 31st <strong>Fighter</strong>-Bomber; 31st Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong>) <strong>Wing</strong>,<br />
16 June 1952 (attached to Alaskan <strong>Air</strong> Comm<strong>and</strong>, 5 December 1956–7 January 1957;<br />
Unknown, 15-21 August 1958, 22 August 1958–19 January 1959, 11 July–ca. December<br />
1959, 7 Mar–ca. 19 July 1961; 18th Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>, 13 March–30 April 1963;<br />
308<br />
AETC SO G-054/2008<br />
309<br />
AETC SO G-071/2009<br />
310<br />
AETC SO G-025/2010<br />
311<br />
AETC SO G-086/2011<br />
312<br />
AETC SO G-171/17 April 2012<br />
313<br />
SOURCE: AF Historical Research Agency<br />
314<br />
NOTE: Became an ace while in the squadron.<br />
315<br />
NOTE: Became an ace while in the squadron.
97<br />
Unknown, 1 May–3 July 1963; 7231st Combat Support Group, 9 Feb–5 May 1964 <strong>and</strong><br />
9 March–8 July 1965); 3d Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>, 2 December 1965 (attached to<br />
31st Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>, 15 November–25 December 1966); 31st Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong><br />
<strong>Wing</strong>, 25 December 1966; 4403d <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>, 5 October 1970; 31st Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong><br />
<strong>Wing</strong>, 30 October 1970 (attached to 432d Tactical Reconnaissance <strong>Wing</strong>, 28 April<br />
1972-29 July 1972; 8th Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>, 11 December 1972–11 June 1973);<br />
31st Operations Group, 1 November 1991 (attached to 347th Operations Group, ca.<br />
11 September–19 November 1992); 347th Operations Group, 20 November 1992;<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Operations Group, 1 April 1994–. 316<br />
Stations. Baer <strong>Field</strong>, Indiana, 30 January 1942; New Orleans AB, Louisiana,<br />
6 February-19 May 1942; Atcham, Engl<strong>and</strong>, ca. 10 June 1942; Kenley, Engl<strong>and</strong>,<br />
1 August 1942; Westhampnett, Engl<strong>and</strong>, 25 August–23 October 1942; Tafaraoui,<br />
Algeria, 8 November 1942 (operated from Casablanca, French Morocco, 10–31 January<br />
1943); Thelepte, Tunisia, 6 February 1943; Tebessa, Algeria, 17 February 1943;<br />
Canrobert, Algeria, 21 February 1943; Kalaa Djerda, Tunisia, 25 February 1943;<br />
Thelepte, Tunisia, 11 March 1943; Djilma, Tunisia, 7 April 1943; Le Sers, Tunisia,<br />
12 April 1943; Korba, Tunisia, 20 May 1943; Gozo, ca. 30 June 1943; Ponte Olivo,<br />
Sicily, 14 July 1943; Agrigento, Sicily, 19 July 1943; Termini, Sicily, ca. 2 August 1943;<br />
Milazzo, Sicily, 2 September 1943; Montecorvino, Italy, 20 September 1943;<br />
Pomigliano, Italy, 14 October 1943; Castel Volturno, Italy, 14 January 1944; San Severo,<br />
Italy, 2 April 1944; Mondolfo, Italy, 3 March 1945; Triolo, Italy, 14 July–5 August 1945;<br />
Drew <strong>Field</strong>, Florida, August–7 November 1945. Giebelstadt, Germany, 20 August 1946;<br />
Kitzingen, Germany, ca. 30 September 1946–25 June 1947; Langley <strong>Field</strong>, Virginia,<br />
25 June 1947; Turner <strong>Field</strong> (later, <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>), Georgia, 4 September 1947 (deployed<br />
at Manston Royal <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Station, Engl<strong>and</strong>, 26 December 1950–25 July 1951; Misawa<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Japan, 20 July–16 October 1952; Chitose <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Japan, 7 November<br />
1953-9 February 1954; Eielson <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Alaska, 5 December 1956–7 January<br />
1957; Hahn <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Germany, 15 August–21 August 1958; Aviano <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Italy,<br />
22 August 1958-19 January 1959); George <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, California, 15 March 1959<br />
(deployed at Moron <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Spain, 11 July–ca. December 1959; Aviano <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong>,<br />
Italy, 7 March-ca. 19 July 1961); Homestead, <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Florida, 1 October<br />
1962-ca. 5 December 1965 (deployed at Kadena <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Okinawa, 13 March–30 April<br />
1963; Itazuke <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Japan, 1 May–3 July 1963; Cigli <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Turkey,<br />
9 February-5 May 1964 <strong>and</strong> 9 March–8 July 1965); Bien Hoa <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, South Vietnam,<br />
ca. 7 December 1965; Tuy Hoa <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, South Vietnam, 15 November<br />
1966-30 September 1970; Engl<strong>and</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Louisiana, 5 October 1970;<br />
Homestead <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Florida, 30 October 1970 (deployed at Udorn Royal Thai <strong>Air</strong><br />
<strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Thail<strong>and</strong>, 28 April 1972-29 July 1972; Ubon Royal Thai <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>,<br />
Thail<strong>and</strong>, 11 December 1972-11 June 1973; operated from Moody <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>,<br />
Georgia, ca. 11–30 September 1992); Moody <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Georgia, 1 October 1992;<br />
<strong>Luke</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Arizona, 1 April 1994–. 317<br />
316<br />
AETC MO MO-2, 25 March 1994<br />
317<br />
AETC MO-2, 25 March 1994
98<br />
<strong>Air</strong>craft.<br />
Curtis P-40 Warhawk 1942<br />
Bell P-39 <strong>Air</strong>acobra 1942<br />
Supermarine Spitfire 1942–1943<br />
North American P-51 Lightning 1943–1945<br />
Lockheed P (later, F)-80 Shooting Star 1946–1947<br />
North American P-51 Lightning 1947–1949<br />
Republic F-84 Thunderjet 1948–1957<br />
North American F-100 Super Sabre 1957–1970<br />
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II 1970–1986<br />
Lockheed F-16 Fighting Falcon 1986–.<br />
Emblem. Originally approved on 10 January 1962; newest rendition approved on<br />
18 July 1995.<br />
Blazon. Checky Argent <strong>and</strong> Vert, on an arrowhead point to base throughout Silver Gray<br />
fimbriated Sable, a dexter cubit arm vambraced fesswise issuant from sinister Argent<br />
grasping a sword point to base of the like, hilt of the second <strong>and</strong> piercing a cloud issuing<br />
from base White; all within a diminished bordure Or.<br />
Attached above the disc a White scroll edged with a narrow Yellow border <strong>and</strong><br />
inscribed "308th FIGHTER SQ" in Yellow letters.<br />
Attached below the disc a White scroll edged with a narrow Yellow border <strong>and</strong><br />
inscribed "EMERALD KNIGHTS" in Yellow letters.<br />
Official Motto. Emerald Knights<br />
Significance. Yellow is an <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> color <strong>and</strong> refers to the sun <strong>and</strong> the excellence<br />
required of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> personnel. The checky field suggests the field of battle. The<br />
arrowhead denotes the aircraft of the squadron in association with the field of battle. The<br />
arm in armor, grasping a sword, symbolizes the unit's ability to defend the peace. The<br />
sword piercing the cloud st<strong>and</strong>s for the sky, the unit's theater of operation.
99<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>ers.<br />
308th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) [30 January 1942 - 25 May 1942]<br />
Maj Fred M. Dean 30 January 1942-25 May 1942<br />
(Lieutenant General)<br />
308th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron [25 May 1942-20 August 1943]<br />
Maj Fred M. Dean 25 May 1942 (Lieutenant General)<br />
Maj Delwin B. Avery 1 September 1942<br />
Capt Frank A. Hill 10 February 1943<br />
Maj Delwin B. Avery 4 March 1943<br />
Capt Thomas B. Fleming May 1943<br />
Maj John H. Paulk 8 July 1943-20 August 1943<br />
308th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron, Single Engine [20 August 1943-7 November 1945;<br />
20 August 1946-15 June 1948]<br />
Maj John H. Paulk 20 August 1943<br />
Maj Walter J. Overend 14 October 1943<br />
Lt Col James G. Thorsen 18 February 1944<br />
Maj Harry W. Dorris 24 June 1944 [Ace]<br />
Maj Lel<strong>and</strong> P. Moll<strong>and</strong> 28 July 1944 [Ace]<br />
Maj Frank A. Wagner 4 December 1944<br />
Lt Col James G. Thorsen<br />
2 February 1945-Unknown<br />
Unknown 20 August 1946<br />
Lt Col Shannon Christian October 1947-15 June 1948<br />
308th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron, Jet [15 June 1948-20 January 1950]<br />
Lt Col Shannon Christian 15 June 1948<br />
Maj Ray M. Hilliard July 1948-20 January 1950<br />
308th <strong>Fighter</strong>-Bomber Squadron [20 January 1950-16 July 1950]<br />
Maj Ray M. Hilliard 20 January 1950-16 July 1950<br />
308th <strong>Fighter</strong>-Escort Squadron [16 July 1950-20 January 1953]<br />
Maj Ray M. Hilliard 16 July 1950<br />
Lt Col Jerrold M. Vivian 15 August 1952-20 January 1953<br />
308th Strategic <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron [20 January 1953-1 April 1957]<br />
Lt Col Jerrold M. Vivian 20 January 1953<br />
Lt Col Frank W. Klibbe September 1953 [Ace]<br />
Maj John W. Santry 17 January 1955<br />
Maj John E. Pitts, Jr. July 1956-1 April 1957
100<br />
308th <strong>Fighter</strong>-Bomber Squadron [1 April 1957-1 July 1958]<br />
Maj John E. Pitts, Jr. 1 April 1957 (Brigadier General)<br />
Maj Donald N. St<strong>and</strong>field 24 September 1957-1 July 1958<br />
308th Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron [1 July 1958-9 October 1980]<br />
Maj Donald N. St<strong>and</strong>field 1 July 1958<br />
Maj Robinson Risner 15 March 1959<br />
[Ace](Brigadier General)<br />
Maj John B. Butler 15 July 1960<br />
Lt Col Virgil K. Meroney 31 August 1960 [Ace]<br />
Maj William Peters 17 December 1961<br />
Maj Louie E. Lovitt 28 April 1962<br />
Lt Col Alfred N. King 14 August 1962<br />
Lt Col Durward B. Russell, Jr. 22 September 1964<br />
Lt Col Alan E. Wockenfuss ca. June 1966<br />
Lt Col Hubert N. Skidmore ca. 1967<br />
Lt Col Jack M. Smith ca. 19 March 1968<br />
Lt Col Thomas G. Ferrara 1968<br />
Lt Col James Rodeen 30 June 1969<br />
Lt Col Willliam J. Hosmer 30 August 1969<br />
Lt Col Henry Buttelman 28 March 1970 [Ace]<br />
Lt Col David L. Robb 6 July 1970-ca. 15 October 1970<br />
Unknown ca. 15 October 1970-30 October 1970<br />
Lt Col George L. Schulstad 30 October 1970 (Brigadier General)<br />
Lt Col Benjamin F. Ingram, Jr. 19 February 1971<br />
Lt Col Robert F. Johnston II 3 October 1971<br />
Lt Col Thomas E. Colvin 1 September 1972<br />
Lt Col Steve Braswell 10 November 1972<br />
Lt Col Abner Prophett 1 March 1973<br />
Lt Col Henry D. Canterbury 23 July 1973 (Major General)<br />
Lt Col James D. Terry 31 January 1975<br />
Lt Col Earnest L. Coleman 27 July 1976<br />
Lt Col Wilbur E. Roberts 6 June 1977<br />
Lt Col Marcus F. Cooper, Jr. 22 June 1978<br />
Lt Col Timothy F. McConnell 6 February 1980-9 October 1980<br />
308th Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Training Squadron [9 October 1980-1 October 1986]<br />
Lt Col Timothy F. McConnell 9 October 1980<br />
Lt Col Lester D. Alford 10 August 1981<br />
Lt Col Kenneth A. Frey 13 April 1983<br />
Lt Col James P. Soden 18 November 1983<br />
Lt Col Max R. Hix 27 December 1985-1 October 1986
101<br />
308th Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron [1 October 1986-1 November 1991]<br />
Lt Col Max R. Hix 1 October 1986<br />
Lt Col Douglas M. Hosmer 30 October 1986<br />
Lt Col Robert R. Scott 25 October 1987<br />
Lt Col Michael B. Larkin 28 April 1989<br />
Lt Col Phillip B. Straley 16 June 1989-1 November 1991.<br />
308th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron [1 November 1991-.]<br />
Lt Col Phillip B. Straley 1 November 1991<br />
Lt Col Fred Van Valkenburg 10 July 1992 (Brigadier General)<br />
Lt Col Ricardo M. Cazessus 25 June 1993<br />
Lt Col Kevin W. Smith 1 April 1994 318<br />
Lt Col William C. Coutts 17 March 1995 319<br />
Lt Col Lawrence L. Wells 11 July 1996 320 (Major General)<br />
Lt Col Timothy P. Orwell 11 July 1997 321<br />
Lt Col James M. Smothermon 1 December 1997 322<br />
Lt Col Michael C. Barton 13 December 1999 323<br />
Lt Col Samuel C. Johnston 19 January 2001 324<br />
Lt Col John M. Sieverling 29 January 2002 325<br />
Lt Col David E. Ellis 9 July 2003 326<br />
Lt Col Kenneth E. Lacy 24 June 2005 327<br />
Lt Col Jeffrey C. Schroeder 16 May 2007 328<br />
Lt Col Jeffrey R. Jenssen 14 May 2009 329<br />
Lt Col Christopher Colcord 2 June 2011-. 330<br />
318<br />
[311 FS SO SO=GF-001, 25 March 1994]<br />
319<br />
308 FS SO SO-GF-005, 15 March 1995<br />
320<br />
308 FS SO SO-GF-002, 13 June 1996<br />
321<br />
308 FS SO G-003, 9 July 1997<br />
322<br />
308 FS SO GL-002, ca. 2 December 1997<br />
323<br />
308 FS SO GF-002, 9 December 1999<br />
324<br />
308 FS SO GL-001, 9 January 2001<br />
325<br />
56 FW SO GL-1, 28 January 2002<br />
326<br />
56 FW SO 308FS-GL-03-4, 9 July 2003<br />
327<br />
56 FW SO 56OG-G-2005-12, 24 June 2005<br />
328<br />
308 FS SO G-2007-005, ca. 21 May 2007<br />
329<br />
308 FS SO G-035, 12 June 2009<br />
330<br />
308 FS SO G-012, 2 June 2011
102<br />
309th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron<br />
Lineage.<br />
Constituted as 309th Pursuit Squadron<br />
(Interceptor) on 21 January 1942.<br />
Activated on 30 January 1942.<br />
Redesignated 309th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron on<br />
15 May 1942.<br />
Redesignated 309th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron,<br />
Single Engine, on 20 August 1943.<br />
Inactivated on 7 November 1945.<br />
Activated on 20 August 1946.<br />
Redesignated 309th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron, Jet,<br />
on 15 June 1948.<br />
Redesignated 309th <strong>Fighter</strong>-Bomber Squadron<br />
on 20 January 1950.<br />
Redesignated 309th <strong>Fighter</strong>-Escort Squadron on 16 July 1950.<br />
Redesignated 309th Strategic <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron on 20 January 1953.<br />
Redesignated 309th <strong>Fighter</strong>-Bomber Squadron on 1 April 1957.<br />
Redesignated 309th Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron on 1 July 1958.<br />
Redesignated 309th Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Training Squadron on 1 July 1982.<br />
Redesignated 309th Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron on 1 October 1986.<br />
Redesignated 309th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron on 1 November 1991. 331<br />
Inactivated on 31 December 1993.<br />
Activated on 1 April 1994. 332<br />
309th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron Supermarine Spitfire Mk V<br />
331<br />
TAC SO G-12, 1 November 1991<br />
332<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994
103<br />
Honors.<br />
Campaign Streamers.<br />
World War II European-African-Middle Eastern Theater:<br />
<strong>Air</strong> Offensive, Europe [1942–1944]<br />
Algeria-French Morocco with Arrowhead [1942]<br />
Tunisia [1942-1943]<br />
Sicily with Arrowhead [1942-1943]<br />
Naples-Foggia [1943-1944]<br />
Anzio [1944]<br />
Rome-Arno [1944]<br />
Norm<strong>and</strong>y [1944]<br />
Northern France [1944]<br />
Southern France [1944]<br />
North Apennines [1944-1945]<br />
Rhinel<strong>and</strong> [1944-1945]<br />
Central Europe [1945]<br />
Po Valley [1945]<br />
<strong>Air</strong> Combat [1941–1945]<br />
Vietnam:<br />
Vietnam <strong>Air</strong> Offensive [1966-1967]<br />
Vietnam <strong>Air</strong> Offensive, Phase II [1967-1968]<br />
Vietnam <strong>Air</strong> Offensive, Phase III [1968]<br />
Vietnam <strong>Air</strong>/Ground [1968]<br />
Vietnam <strong>Air</strong> Offensive, Phase IV [1968-1969]<br />
TET 69/Counteroffensive [1969]<br />
Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969 [1969]<br />
Vietnam Winter-Spring 1970 [1969-1970]<br />
Sanctuary Counteroffensive [1970]<br />
Southwest Monsoon [1970]<br />
Distinguished Unit Citations,<br />
Rumania, 21 April 1944<br />
Pol<strong>and</strong>, 25 July 1945<br />
Presidential Unit Citation<br />
Vietnam, 1 May-31 December 1968.
104<br />
Decorations.<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Award<br />
1 June–16 December 1966 with Combat "V" Device<br />
17 December 1966–30 April 1968 with Combat "V" Device<br />
4 July 1952–16 July 1952<br />
1 March 1962–30 November 1962<br />
1 July 1994-30 June 1996 333<br />
1 July 1996-30 June 1998 334<br />
1 July 1998-30 June 2000 335<br />
1 July 2001-30 June 2003 336<br />
1 June [July] 2003-30 June 2005 337<br />
1 July 2005-30 June 2006 338<br />
1 July 2006-30 June 2007 339<br />
1 July 2007-30 June 2008 340<br />
1 July 2008-30 June 2009 341<br />
1 July 2009-30 June 2010 342<br />
1 July 2010-30 June 2011 343<br />
Special Honors.<br />
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm,<br />
[16 December] 1966–October 1970.<br />
309th Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron's North American F-100D-60-NA Super Sabres<br />
Serials 56-2927 & 56-2952 on ramp at Tuy Hoa AB South Vietnam, April 1970.<br />
333<br />
AETC SO GA-18/1996<br />
334<br />
AETC SO GA-12/1998<br />
335<br />
AETC SO GA-9/2000<br />
336<br />
AETC SO GA-55/2004<br />
337<br />
AETC SO GA-0052/2006<br />
338<br />
AETC SO GA-045/2007<br />
339<br />
AETC SO G-054/2008<br />
340<br />
AETC SO G-071/2009<br />
341<br />
AETC SO G-025/2010<br />
342<br />
AETC SO G-086/2011<br />
343<br />
AETC SO G-171/17 April 2012
105<br />
Squadron – 173.75 Total Aerial Victory Credits. 15 Squadron Aces:<br />
Name<br />
Aerial Victories<br />
In Sq Lifetime Total<br />
1st Lt John M. Ainlay 8 8<br />
Capt Samuel J. Brown 5.5 15.5<br />
Capt George T. Buck, Jr. 344 3 6<br />
Capt Frederick J. Dorsch, Jr. 8.5 8.5 (KIA, 29 October 1944)<br />
1st Lt Richard D. Faxon 5 5<br />
1st Lt Raymond F. Harmeyer 6 6<br />
Maj Frank A. Hill 5 7<br />
Capt George G. Loving, Jr. 5 5 (Lieutenant General)<br />
Capt Murray D. McLaughlin 7 7<br />
Capt Carl W. Payne 5 5<br />
Capt Dale E. Shafer 4 7<br />
1st Lt Robert D Thompson 5.25 5.25<br />
Lt Col Harrison R. Thyng 5 10 (Brigadier General)<br />
Maj Victor E. Warford 8 8<br />
Capt David C. Wilhelm 5 5<br />
SOURCE: AF Historical Research Agency<br />
Assignments. 31st Pursuit (later, 31st <strong>Fighter</strong>) Group, 30 January 1942-7 November<br />
1945. 31st <strong>Fighter</strong> (later, 31st <strong>Fighter</strong>-Bomber; 31st <strong>Fighter</strong>-Escort) Group, 20 August<br />
1946 (attached to 31st <strong>Fighter</strong>-Escort <strong>Wing</strong>, 27 July 1951-15 June 1952); 31st <strong>Fighter</strong>-<br />
Escort (later, 31st Strategic <strong>Fighter</strong>; 31st <strong>Fighter</strong>-Bomber; 31st Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong>) <strong>Wing</strong>,<br />
16 June 1952 (attached to Alaskan <strong>Air</strong> Comm<strong>and</strong>, 5 January -9 February 1957;<br />
Unknown, 9 July-15 November 1960 <strong>and</strong> 9 October-26 November 1961; 18th Tactical<br />
<strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>, 17 July -22 December 1962 <strong>and</strong> 26 September-30 December 1963;<br />
7231st Combat Support Group, 5 August-27 November 1964 <strong>and</strong> 18 January -31 March<br />
1966; 41st Combat Support Group, 1-24 April 1966); 4403d Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>,<br />
9 October 1970; 31st Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> (later, 31st Tactical Training; 31st Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong>;<br />
31st <strong>Fighter</strong>) <strong>Wing</strong>, 30 October 1970; 31st Operations Group, 1 November 1991<br />
(attached to 363d Operations Group, 28 August-19 November 1992); 363d Operations<br />
Group, 20 November 1992-31 December 1993. <strong>56th</strong> Operations Group, 1 April 1994-. 345<br />
Stations. Baer <strong>Field</strong>, Indiana, 30 January 1942; New Orleans <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Louisiana,<br />
6 February-19 May 1942; High Ercall, Engl<strong>and</strong>, ca. 12 June 1942; Westhampnett,<br />
Engl<strong>and</strong>, 1 August-23 October 1942; Tafaraoui, Algeria, 8 November 1942; La Senia,<br />
Algeria, 14 November 1942; Thelepte, Tunisia, 6 February 1943; Tebessa, Algeria,<br />
17 February 1943; Youks-les-Bain, Algeria, 22 February 1943; Kalaa Djerda, Tunisia,<br />
26 February 1943; Thelepte, Tunisia, 11 March 1943; Djilma, Tunisia, 7 April 1943;<br />
Le Sers, Tunisia, 12 April 1943; Korba, Tunisia, 17 May 1943; Gozo, 3 July 1943; Ponte<br />
Olivo, Sicily, 13 July 1943; Agrigento, Sicily, 21 July 1943; Termini, Sicily, 5 August<br />
344<br />
NOTE: Became an ace while in the squadron.<br />
345<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994
106<br />
1943; Milazzo, Sicily, 5 September 1943; Montecorvino, Italy, 21 September 1943;<br />
Pomigliano, Italy, 14 October 1943; Castel Volturno, Italy, ca. 19 January 1944; San<br />
Severo, Italy, 4 April 1944; Mondolfo, Italy, 4 March 1945; Triolo, Italy,<br />
15 July-5 August 1945; Drew <strong>Field</strong>, Florida, August-7 November 1945. Giebelstadt,<br />
Germany, 20 August 1946; Kitzingen, Germany, ca. 30 September 1946-25 June 1947;<br />
Langley <strong>Field</strong>, Virginia, 25 June 1947; Turner <strong>Field</strong> (later <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>), Georgia,<br />
4 September 1947 (deployed at Manston Royal <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Station, Engl<strong>and</strong>, 26 December<br />
1950-25 July 1951; Misawa <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Japan, 20 July-16 October 1952 <strong>and</strong> 7 November<br />
1953-9 February 1954; Eielson <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Alaska, 5 January-9 February 1957);<br />
George <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, California, 15 March 1959 (deployed at Aviano <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Italy,<br />
9 July-15 November 1960; Spangdahlem <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Germany, 9 October-26 November<br />
1961); Homestead <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Florida, 1 June 1962-13 December 1966; (deployed at<br />
Kadena <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Japan, 7 July-22 December 1962; Itazuke <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Japan,<br />
26 September-31 December 1963; Cigli <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Turkey, 5 August-27 November 1964<br />
<strong>and</strong> 18 January-24 April 1966); Tuy Hoa <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, South Vietnam, 16 December<br />
1966-October 1970; Engl<strong>and</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Louisiana, ca. 9 October 1970; Homestead<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Florida, 30 October 1970 (operated from Shaw <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, South<br />
Carolina, 23 August-30 September 1992); Shaw <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, South Carolina,<br />
1 October 1992-31 December 1993. <strong>Luke</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Arizona, 1 April 1994-. 346<br />
<strong>Air</strong>craft.<br />
Curtis P-40 Warhawk 1942<br />
Bell P-39 <strong>Air</strong>acobra 1942<br />
Supermarine Spitfire 1942-1943<br />
North American P-51 Lightning 1943-1945, <strong>and</strong> 1947-1948<br />
Lockheed P (later, F)-80 Shooting Star 1946-1947<br />
Republic F-84 Thunderjet 1948-1957<br />
North American F-100 Super Sabre 1957-1970<br />
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II 1970-1986<br />
Lockheed F-16 Fighting Falcon 1986-1993, <strong>and</strong> 1994-.<br />
Emblem. Originally approved on 27 November 1944; newest rendition approved on<br />
18 July 1995.<br />
Blazon. Azure blended per pale Celeste to sinister, Donald Duck in animated anger<br />
Proper garbed in a flight jacket <strong>and</strong> P-3 crash helmet Light Blue <strong>and</strong> Argent grasping in<br />
dexter h<strong>and</strong> a board bendwise sinister with a nail in the end Proper <strong>and</strong> in sinister h<strong>and</strong> a<br />
lightning flash bendwise above his head Or, above a demi-globe issuant from base,<br />
Celeste grid lined of the first l<strong>and</strong> masses Brown <strong>and</strong> below in chief a mullet of eight<br />
Argent; in dexter the constellation, Ursa Major in mullets of four White; all within a<br />
diminished bordure of the first.<br />
Attached below the disc a White scroll edged with a narrow Blue border <strong>and</strong><br />
inscribed "309th FIGHTER SQ" in Blue letters.<br />
346<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994
107<br />
Official Motto. None.<br />
Significance. Blue <strong>and</strong> yellow are the <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the<br />
primary theater of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> operations. Yellow refers to the sun <strong>and</strong> the excellence<br />
required of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> personnel. The disc is blended dark to light blue indicating the<br />
unit's day <strong>and</strong> night defense capabilities. The single star <strong>and</strong> constellation depict the<br />
squadron's pioneering efforts in the establishment of celestial navigation as a viable <strong>and</strong><br />
integral method of navigation for fighter units. Donald Duck in flight gear grasping a<br />
lightning bolt <strong>and</strong> board with nail, symbolizes the lineage of the unit as a fighter<br />
squadron <strong>and</strong> its defense <strong>and</strong> striking capabilities through in-flight refueling. It also<br />
implies the squadron's participation in two historic long range ocean crossings.<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>ers.<br />
309th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) [30 January 1942-15 May 1942]<br />
Maj Harrison R. Thyng 30 January 1942-15 May 1942<br />
[Ace](Major General)<br />
309th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron [15 May 1942-20 August 1943]<br />
Maj Harrison R. Thyng 15 May 1942 [Ace](Major General)<br />
Maj Frank A. Hill 12 May 1943 [Ace]<br />
Maj Carl W. Payne 13 July 1943–20 August 1943. [Ace]<br />
309th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron, Single Engine [20 August 1943-7 November 1945;<br />
20 August 1946 – 15 June 1948]<br />
Maj Carl W. Payne 20 August 1943 [Ace]<br />
Capt Robert E. McCarthy, Jr. 14 October 1943<br />
Maj Garth B. Jared 9 November 1943<br />
Maj John M. Meader 18 April 1944<br />
Lt Col Victor E. Warford 22 May 1944 [Ace]<br />
Maj George T. Buck, Jr. 12 October 1944 [Ace]<br />
Maj Simon H. Johnson, Jr. 16 February 1945<br />
Maj Julius D. Shivers<br />
9 May 1945-Unknown<br />
Unknown, 20 August 1946<br />
Lt Col Robert W. Stevens October 1947-15 June 1948.<br />
309th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron, Jet [15 June 1948-20 January 1950]<br />
Lt Col Robert W. Stevens 15 June 1948<br />
Maj Arthur D. Thomas November 1948-20 January 1950.<br />
309th <strong>Fighter</strong>-Bomber Squadron [20 January 1950-16 July 1950]<br />
Maj Arthur D. Thomas 20 January 1950<br />
Maj William R. Young ca. 1950.
108<br />
309th <strong>Fighter</strong>-Escort Squadron [16 July 1950-20 January 1953]<br />
Maj William R. Young ca. 1950<br />
Maj Don V. Booty April 1951<br />
Lt Col Charles W. Lenfest January 1952-20 January 1953<br />
[Ace](Brigadier General)<br />
309th Strategic <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron [20 January 1953-1 April 1957]<br />
Lt Col Charles W. Lenfest 20 January 1953<br />
[Ace](Brigadier General)<br />
Lt Col Hayden C. Curry June 1953<br />
Maj Adrian E. Drew January 1955<br />
Capt David W. Williams October 1955<br />
Maj Donald W. Maggert April 1956 - 1 April 1957.<br />
309th <strong>Fighter</strong>-Bomber Squadron [1 April 1957-1 July 1958]<br />
Maj Donald W. Maggert 1 April 1957<br />
Maj James E. Bean 11 October 1957<br />
Maj Arthur H. Johnson, Jr. 25 April 1958 - 1 July 1958.<br />
309th Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron [1 July 1958-1 July 1982]<br />
Maj Arthur H. Johnson, Jr. 1 July 1958<br />
Lt Col Louis R. Vogt 15 March 1959<br />
Maj John B. Butler 1959<br />
Maj Herbert L. Prevost 1960<br />
Lt Col Garth L. Reynolds 13 December 1961<br />
Maj Aubrey C. Edinburgh 1 April 1963<br />
Lt Col Garth L. Reynolds 9 September 1963<br />
Lt Col Tom L. DeGraffenried 8 June 1964-5 November 1965<br />
Lt Col Carlos O. Beasley 1965<br />
Lt Col Freddie L. Poston<br />
ca. 7 January 1966 (Lieutenant General)<br />
Lt Col Daniel J. Sheehan, Jr. 1 November 1967<br />
Lt Col David S. Renshaw 1968<br />
Lt Col Lawrence W. Whitford, Jr. 6 February 1969<br />
Lt Col Ronald A. Berdoy 26 September 1969<br />
Lt Col Clarence D. Glenn 24 August-ca. 15 October 1970<br />
Lt Col Charles W. Hetherington 30 October 1970<br />
Lt Col Donald V. MacKellar 10 May 1972<br />
Lt Col Steve Braswell 10 March 1973<br />
Lt Col Donald A. Elliott 24 May 1974<br />
Lt Col Edward S. Joiner 9 September 1975<br />
Lt Col Ralph E. Beekman 31 December 1977<br />
Lt Col Michael G. Major 26 November 1979<br />
Lt Col Travis E. Harrell 3 April 1981 - 1 July 1982.<br />
(Brigadier General)
109<br />
309th Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Training Squadron [1 July 1982-1 October 1986]<br />
Lt Col Travis E. Harrell 1 July 1982 (Brigadier General)<br />
Lt Col Thomas R. Lanum 13 July 1982<br />
Lt Col William D. Ray 24 July 1984<br />
Lt Col David L. Haas 12 June 1986 - 1 October 1986<br />
309th Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron [1 October 1986-1 November 1991]<br />
Lt Col David L. Haas, 1 October 1986<br />
Lt Col Robert D. O'Dell, 7 June 1988<br />
Lt Col Thomas B. Poole, 29 December 1989 - 1 November 1991<br />
309th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron [1 November 1991–31 December 1993; 1 April 1994-.]<br />
Lt Col Thomas B. Poole 1 November 1991<br />
Lt Col Thomas A. Gilkey July 1992-31 December 1993<br />
Lt Col Charles B. Oltman 1 April 1994 347<br />
Lt Col R<strong>and</strong>y S. Wenzel 13 July 1995 348<br />
Lt Col William D. McConnell 31 January 1997 349<br />
Lt Col Philip A. Oppenheimer 1 February 1999 350<br />
Lt Col Christopher P. Bisgrove 25 February 2000 351<br />
Lt Col Neal R. Carbaugh 1 October 2001 352<br />
Lt Col Roy D. McMickel 19 March 2003 353<br />
Lt Col Keith S. Miller 23 March 2004 354<br />
Lt Col Peter F. Davey 12 May 2006 355<br />
Lt Col Peter Bilodeau 23 May 2008 356<br />
Lt Col Daniel T. Lasica 21 May 2010 357<br />
Lt Col Stephane Wolfgeher 24 May 2012-. 358<br />
347<br />
58 MSS SO SO-GAJ-01, 25 March 1994<br />
348<br />
56 FW SO SO-GAJ-01, 12 July 1995<br />
349<br />
309 FS SO SO-GJ-02, 16 January 1997<br />
350<br />
309 FS SO SO-GJ-02, ca. 26 January 1999<br />
351<br />
309 FS SO SO-GJ-01, ca. 28 February 2000<br />
352<br />
309 FS SO SO GJ-001, 1 October 2001<br />
353<br />
309 FS SO 309FS GS-1, 10 March 2003<br />
354<br />
309 FS SO 56 OSS-6-2004-3, 17 March 2004<br />
355<br />
309 FS SO 56OG-G2006-05, 4 May 2006<br />
356<br />
309 FS SO G-018, 22 May 2008<br />
357<br />
56 MSG SO G-006, 19 May 2010<br />
358<br />
56 MSG SO G-004, 9 April 2012
110<br />
310th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron<br />
Lineage.<br />
Constituted as 310th Pursuit Squadron<br />
(Interceptor) on 21 January 1942.<br />
Activated on 9 February 1942.<br />
Redesignated 310th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron on<br />
15 May 1942.<br />
Redesignated 310th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron,<br />
Single Engine, on 20 August 1943.<br />
Inactivated on 20 February 1946.<br />
Redesignated 310th <strong>Fighter</strong>-Bomber<br />
Squadron on 25 June 1952.<br />
Activated on 10 July 1952.<br />
Redesignated 310th Tactical Missile<br />
Squadron on 15 July 1958.<br />
Discontinued, <strong>and</strong> inactivated, on 25 March 1962.<br />
Redesignated 310th Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Training Squadron on 11 December 1969.<br />
Activated on 15 December 1969.<br />
Redesignated as 310th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron on 1 November 1991. 359<br />
Honors.<br />
Service Streamers.<br />
World War II American Theater.<br />
Campaign Streamers.<br />
World War II Asiatic-Pacific Theater<br />
<strong>Air</strong> Offensive, Japan [1942–1945]<br />
New Guinea [1943-1944]<br />
Bismarck Archipelago [1943-1944]<br />
Western Pacific [1944-1945]<br />
Leyte [1944-1945]<br />
Luzon [1944-1945]<br />
Southern Philippines [1945]<br />
Ryukyus [1945]<br />
China Offensive [1945]<br />
Korean<br />
Korea, Summer-Fall [1952]<br />
Third Korean Winter [1952-1953]<br />
Korea, Summer 1953 [1953]<br />
359<br />
TAC SO G-12, 1 November 1991
111<br />
Decorations.<br />
Distinguished Unit Citations<br />
Philippine Isl<strong>and</strong>s, 26 December 1944;<br />
Korea, 1 May-27 July 1953.<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Awards<br />
[15]-31 December 1969<br />
1 January 1971-31 December 1972<br />
1 January 1975-31 December 1976 360<br />
1 January 1978-31 December 1979 361<br />
1 August 1982-31 May 1984;<br />
1 June 1986-31 May 1988 362<br />
1 June 1989-31 May 1991 363<br />
1 June 1990-31 May 1992<br />
1 June 1991-31 May 1992 364<br />
1 June 1992-31 May 1993<br />
1 June 1992-31 March 1994<br />
1 June 1994-31 May 1995<br />
1 June 1995-30 June 1996 365<br />
1 July 1996-30 June 1998 366<br />
1 July 1998-30 June 2000 367<br />
1 July 2001-30 June 2003 368<br />
1 June [July] 2003-30 June 2005 369<br />
1 July 2005-30 June 2006 370<br />
1 July 2006-30 June 2007 371<br />
1 July 2007-30 June 2008 372<br />
360<br />
DAF SO GB-118, 1 March 1978<br />
361<br />
DAF SO GB-022, 19 January 1981<br />
362<br />
TAC SO GA-074, 7 December 1988<br />
363<br />
TAC SO GA-020, 15 January 1992<br />
364<br />
ACC SO GA-002, 16 June 1992<br />
365<br />
AETC, SO GA-18/1996<br />
366<br />
AETC SO GA-12/1998<br />
367<br />
AETC SO GA-9/2000<br />
368<br />
AETC SO GA-55/2004<br />
369<br />
AETC SO GA-0052/2006<br />
370<br />
AETC SO GA-045/2007<br />
371<br />
AETC SO G-054/2008<br />
372<br />
AETC SO G-071/2009
112<br />
Decorations. (Continued)<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Awards (Continued)<br />
1 July 2008-30 June 2009 373<br />
1 July 2009-30 June 2010 374<br />
1 July 2010-30 June 2011 375<br />
Special Honors.<br />
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation (WWII).<br />
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation: 10 July 1952-31 March 1953.<br />
Squadron – 2 Total Aerial Victory Credits. 376<br />
Squadron Aces: None.<br />
Assignments. 58th Pursuit (later, 58th <strong>Fighter</strong>) Group, 9 February 1942; Fifth <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong>,<br />
27 January-20 February 1946. 58th <strong>Fighter</strong>-Bomber Group, 10 July 1952 (attached to<br />
58th <strong>Fighter</strong>-Bomber <strong>Wing</strong>, 1 March-7 November 1957); 58th <strong>Fighter</strong>-Bomber <strong>Wing</strong>,<br />
8 November 1957; 314th <strong>Air</strong> Division, 1 July 1958; 58th Tactical Missile Group, 15 July<br />
1958-25 March 1962. 58th Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Training (later, 58th Tactical Training) <strong>Wing</strong>,<br />
15 December 1969; 58th Operations Group, 1 October 1991 377 ; <strong>56th</strong> Operations Group,<br />
1 April 1994-. 378<br />
Stations. Harding <strong>Field</strong>, Louisiana, 9 February 1942; Dale Mabry <strong>Field</strong>, Florida,<br />
4 March 1942; Richmond Army <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Virginia, 16 October 1942; Philadelphia Muni<br />
<strong>Air</strong>port, Pennsylvania, 24 October 1942; Bradley <strong>Field</strong>, Connecticut, 5 March 1943;<br />
Hillsgrove, Rhode Isl<strong>and</strong>, 28 April 1943; Grenier <strong>Field</strong>, New Hampshire, 16 September-<br />
22 October 1943; Brisbane, Australia, ca. 23 November 1943; Dobodura, New Guinea,<br />
28 December 1943; Saidor, New Guinea, ca. 2 April 1944; Noemfoor, 6 September 1944;<br />
San Roque, Leyte, 18 November 1944; San Jose, Mindoro, 22 December 1944;<br />
Mangaldan, Luzon, 6 April 1945; Porac, Luzon, 18 April 1945; Okinawa, 9 July 1945;<br />
Japan, 26 October 1945; Fort William McKinley, Luzon, 28 December 1945-20 February<br />
1946. Taegu <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, South Korea, 10 July 1952; Osan-Ni (later, Osan) <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, South<br />
Korea, 19 March 1955-25 March 1962. <strong>Luke</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Arizona, 15 December<br />
1969-.<br />
373<br />
AETC SO G-025/2010<br />
374<br />
AETC SO G-086/2011<br />
375<br />
AETC SO G-171/17 April 2012<br />
376<br />
SOURCE: AF Historical Research Agency<br />
377<br />
TAC SO GB-3, 1 October 1991<br />
378<br />
AETC SO G-40, 20 April 1994
113<br />
<strong>Air</strong>craft <strong>and</strong> Missiles.<br />
Bell P-39 <strong>Air</strong>acobra 1942<br />
Curtis P-40 Warhawk 1942-1943<br />
Republic P-47 Thunderbolt 1943-1945<br />
Republic F-84 Thunderjet 1952-1954;<br />
North American F-86 Sabre 1954-1958;<br />
Martin MGM-1 Matador Missile 1958-1962.<br />
Ling-Temco-Vought A-7 Corsair II 1969-1971;<br />
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II 1971-1982;<br />
Lockheed F-16 Fighting Falcon 1982-.<br />
Emblem. Originally approved on 9 October 1943; newest rendition approved on 20 July<br />
1995.<br />
Blazon. Celeste, two lightning flashes saltirewise in bend sinister Tenne edged Or<br />
surmounted by a human skull Argent garnished Sable wearing a top hat of the last<br />
garnished of the fourth supported by a bow tie of the second garnished Yellow all above<br />
a pair of dice White with spots Black; all within a diminished inner bordure Light Blue<br />
<strong>and</strong> outer bordure Yellow.<br />
Attached below the disc a Blue scroll edged with a narrow Yellow border <strong>and</strong><br />
inscribed "310th FIGHTER SQ" in Yellow letters.<br />
Official Motto. None.<br />
Significance. Blue <strong>and</strong> yellow are the <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the<br />
primary theater of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> operations. Yellow refers to the sun <strong>and</strong> the excellence<br />
required of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> personnel. The skull represents death <strong>and</strong> the possibility that the<br />
unit may be called to defend the peace at any time. The dice symbolize that the squadron<br />
will win, with a natural seven, in its gamble with death. The lightning bolts denote the<br />
weapons systems employed by the squadron.<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>ers.<br />
310th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) [30 January 1942-15 May 1942]<br />
Maj James D. Mayden 9 February 1942<br />
310th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron [15 May 1942-20 August 1943]<br />
Maj James D. Mayden 15 May 1942<br />
Maj Lewis W. Chick, Jr. September 1942 [Ace]<br />
1 Lt Harry M. Odren 24 October 1942<br />
1 Lt Howard A. Tuman 1 November 1942<br />
Capt Joseph T. Klemovich 10 December 1942<br />
Capt Robert R. Bonebrake May 1943<br />
Maj Jack McClure, Jr. 1 July 1943
114<br />
310th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron, Single Engine [20 August 1943-20 February 1946]<br />
Maj Jack McClure, Jr. 1 July 1943<br />
Maj Howard A. Tuman 27 April 1944<br />
Capt Don V. Booty August 1945-February 1946<br />
310th <strong>Fighter</strong>-Bomber Squadron [10 July 1952-15 July 1958]<br />
Lt Col Don V. Booty 10 July 1952<br />
Lt Col John E. Gaffney December 1952<br />
Lt Col Minar M. Dervage April 1953<br />
Lt Col James R. Wilson 28 March 1955<br />
Lt Col Carmel M. Shook ca. June 1956<br />
Lt Col Jake L. Wilk, Jr. ca. December 1956<br />
Maj Clayton E. Davis 1957 [Ace]<br />
Lt Col Gerald W. Rooney August 1957<br />
2 Lt Richard J. Kirnberger 15 June 1958<br />
none (not manned) 1 July 1958-15 July 1958<br />
310th Tactical Missile Squadron [15 July 1958-25 March 1962]<br />
none (not manned) 15 July 1958-May 1959<br />
Maj James T. Morrison ca. June 1959<br />
Lt Col Enos L. Commons ca. January 1960<br />
Maj Marcus F. Tinsley December 1961-25 March 1962<br />
310th Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Training Squadron [15 December 1969-1 November 1991]<br />
Unknown 15 December 1969-31 January 1970<br />
Lt Col Robert M. Bond 1 February 1970 (Lieutenant General)<br />
Lt Col Max L. Templin III October 1970<br />
Lt Col Phillip D. Snyder September 1971<br />
Lt Col Jimmy L. Goode 2 April 1973<br />
Lt Col William P. Bristol 22 July 1974 379<br />
Lt Col Robert K. Simm 14 August 1974 380<br />
Lt Col Richard O. Bennett October 1975<br />
Lt Col Richard M. Hirth 1 January 1977<br />
Lt Col Clarence E. Fox 17 February 1978 381<br />
Lt Col Robert B. Hinckley 14 February 1980<br />
Lt Col Thomas M. Kennedy, Jr. 14 August 1981 382<br />
Lt Col Alan A. Lavoy 21 September 1981 383<br />
379<br />
310 TFTS SO G-1, 22 July 1974<br />
380<br />
58 CSG 141937Z AUG 74 MSG<br />
381<br />
58 CSG SO G-5, 17 February 1978<br />
382<br />
832 CSG SO G-37, 14 August 1981<br />
383<br />
832 CSG SO G-54, 2 October 1981
115<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>ers. (Continued)<br />
Lt Col Richard P. High 1 July 1982 384<br />
Lt Col Michael W. Loden 3 August 1984 385<br />
Lt Col John B. Gibbs 20 June 1986 386<br />
Lt Col John E. Chambers 17 June 1988 387<br />
Lt Col James W. Kimmel 1 December 1989-1 November 1991 388<br />
310th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron [1 November 1991-.]<br />
Lt Col James W. Kimmel November 1991<br />
Lt Col Jon A. Wegner 2 December 1991 389<br />
Lt Col Scott C. Harrison 22 October 1993 390<br />
Lt Col James M. Daniels 8 December 1995 391<br />
Lt Col Charles R. Greenwood 8 May 1997 392<br />
Lt Col Mark B. Topper 5 June 1998 393<br />
Lt Col Paul E. Smith 16 June 2000 394<br />
Lt Col Jeffrey R. McDaniels 6 June 2002 395 (Brigadier General)<br />
Lt Col Patrick McKenzie 9 April 2004 396<br />
Lt Col Scott L. Gierat 21 April 2006 397<br />
Lt Col James D. McCune 24 April 2008 398<br />
Lt Col Todd A. Murphey 28 May 2010 399<br />
Lt Col Jon S. Wheeler, Jr. 15 June 2012 400<br />
384<br />
832 CSG SO G-41, 23 June 1982<br />
385<br />
832 CSG SO G-022, 27 July 1984<br />
386<br />
832 CSG SO G-36, 11 June 1986<br />
387<br />
832 CSG SO SO-G-47, 16 June 1988<br />
388<br />
832 MSS SO G-7, 30 November 1989<br />
389<br />
58 MSS SO SO-G-38, 2 December 1991<br />
390<br />
310 FS SO SO-G-02, 19 October 1993<br />
391<br />
310 FS SO SOGX-001, 12 December 1995<br />
392<br />
310 FS SO SOGX-002, 7 May 1997<br />
393<br />
310 FS SO SOGX-007, 1 June 1998<br />
394<br />
310 FS SO SOGX-002, 16 June 2000<br />
395<br />
310 FS SO SOGX-003, 4 June 2002<br />
396<br />
310 FS SO 56 OSS - G - 2004 - 4, 9 April 2004<br />
397<br />
310 FS, 56OG-G2006-04, 18 April 2006<br />
398<br />
310 FS, G-012, 17 April 2008<br />
399<br />
56 MSG, G-004, 4 May 2010<br />
400<br />
56 MSG SO G-012, 15 June 2012
116<br />
425th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron<br />
Lineage.<br />
Constituted as 425th Night <strong>Fighter</strong><br />
Squadron on 23 November 1943.<br />
Activated on 1 December 1943.<br />
Inactivated on 25 August 1947.<br />
Redesignated 425th Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong><br />
Training Squadron on<br />
22 August 1969.<br />
Activated on 15 October 1969.<br />
Inactivated on 1 September 1989. 401<br />
Redesignated as 425th <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron<br />
on 1 December 1992.<br />
Activated on 30 December 1992. 402<br />
Honors.<br />
Campaign Streamers.<br />
World War II European-African-Middle Eastern Theater<br />
Norm<strong>and</strong>y [1944]<br />
Northern France [1944]<br />
Rhinel<strong>and</strong> [1944-1945]<br />
Ardennes-Alsace [1944-1945]<br />
Central Europe [1945]<br />
<strong>Air</strong> Combat [1941-1945]<br />
Decorations.<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Awards<br />
15 October-31 December 1969<br />
1 January 1971-31 December 1972<br />
1 January 1975-31 December 1976 403<br />
1 January 1978-31 December 1979 404<br />
1 August 1982-31 May 1984<br />
30 December 1992-31 March 1994<br />
1 July 1994-30 June 1996 405<br />
401<br />
TAC SO GB-45, 23 August 1989<br />
402<br />
ACC SO GB-27, 14 December 1992<br />
403<br />
DAF SO GB-118, 1 March 1978<br />
404<br />
DAF SO GB-022, 19 January 1981<br />
405<br />
AETC SO GA-18/1996
117<br />
Decorations. (Continued)<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Awards (Continued)<br />
1 July 1996-30 June 1998 406<br />
1 July 1998-30 June 2000 407<br />
1 July 2001-30 June 2003 408<br />
1 June [July] 2003-30 June 2005 409<br />
1 July 2005-30 June 2006 410<br />
1 July 2006-30 June 2007 411<br />
1 July 2007-30 June 2008 412<br />
1 July 2008-30 June 2009 413<br />
1 July 2009-30 June 2010 414<br />
1 July 2010-30 June 2011 415<br />
Special Honors.<br />
Citation in the Order of the Day, Belgian Army: 6 June-30 September 1944.<br />
Squadron – 20 Total Aerial Victory Credits. 416<br />
Squadron Aces: None.<br />
Assignments. 481st Night <strong>Fighter</strong> Operational Training Group, 1 December 1943; Ninth<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong>, 23 May 1944; IX <strong>Air</strong> Defense Comm<strong>and</strong>, 10 June 1944; 471st <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>,<br />
20 June 1944; IX <strong>Air</strong> Defense Comm<strong>and</strong>, 6 August 1944; XIX Tactical <strong>Air</strong> Comm<strong>and</strong>,<br />
7 October 1944; Ninth <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong>, 7 July 1945; Fourth <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong>, 9 September 1945; <strong>Air</strong><br />
Defense Comm<strong>and</strong>, 21 March 1946; Fourth <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong>, 31 July 1946-25 August 1947.<br />
58th Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Training (later, 58th Tactical Training) <strong>Wing</strong>, 15 October 1969;<br />
405th Tactical Training <strong>Wing</strong>, 29 August 1979 417 -1 September 1989. 58th Operations<br />
Group, 30 December 1992; <strong>56th</strong> Operations Group, 1 April 1994-. 418<br />
406<br />
AETC SO GA-12/1998<br />
407<br />
AETC SO GA-9/2000<br />
408<br />
AETC SO GA-55/2004<br />
409<br />
AETC SO GA-0052/2006<br />
410<br />
AETC SO GA-045/2007<br />
411<br />
AETC SO G-054/2008<br />
412<br />
AETC SO G-071/2009<br />
413<br />
AETC SO G-025/2010<br />
414<br />
AETC SO G-086/2011<br />
415<br />
AETC SO G-171/17 April 2012<br />
416<br />
SOURCE: AF Historical Research Agency<br />
417<br />
TAC SO GA-95, 20 August 1979<br />
418<br />
AETC SO G-40, 20 April 1994
118<br />
Stations. Orl<strong>and</strong>o <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Florida, 1 December 1943; Hammer <strong>Field</strong>, California,<br />
30 January 1944; Visalia Muni <strong>Air</strong>port, California, 25 February-1 May 1944; Chormy<br />
Down, Engl<strong>and</strong>, 26 May 1944; Scorton, Engl<strong>and</strong>, 12 June 1944; Stoneman Park,<br />
Engl<strong>and</strong>, 12 August 1944; Vannes, France, 18 August 1944; Le Moustoiris, France,<br />
1 September 1944; Coulommiers, France, 11 September 1944; Prosnes, France,<br />
13 October 1944; Etain, France, 9 November 1944; Frankfurt, Germany, 12 April 1945;<br />
Furth, Germany, 2 May 1945; Crepy-en-Laommis, France, 5 July 1945; St Victoret,<br />
France, 18-24 August 1945; Lemoore Army <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Field</strong>, California, 9 September 1945;<br />
Camp Pinedale, California, 23 October 1945; March <strong>Field</strong>, California, 8 March 1946;<br />
McChord <strong>Field</strong>, Washington, 1 September 1946-25 August 1947. Williams <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong><br />
<strong>Base</strong>, Arizona, 15 October 1969-1 September 1989. <strong>Luke</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Arizona,<br />
30 December 1992-.<br />
<strong>Air</strong>craft.<br />
Northrop YP-61 Black Widow 1944<br />
Douglas A-20 Havoc 1944<br />
Douglas P-70 Nighthawk 1944<br />
Northrop P-61 Black Widow 1944-1946, 1946-1947<br />
Northrop F-5 Freedom <strong>Fighter</strong> 1969-1989<br />
Lockheed F-16 Fighting Falcon 1983-.<br />
Emblem. Approved on 7 January 1993; replaced emblems approved on 11 June 1970<br />
<strong>and</strong> 4 May 1945.<br />
Blazon. Gules, a target viewfinder throughout Sable, surmounted by a " black widow"<br />
spider in base of the last garnished of the first between two lightning flashes chevronwise<br />
Argent, all within a diminished border Black.<br />
Attached below the disc, a White scroll edged with a narrow Black border <strong>and</strong><br />
inscribed "425th FTR SQ".<br />
Official Motto. None.<br />
Significance. On a red globe is a fighter pilot's gunsight. A Black Widow spider is<br />
superimposed over the gunsight. On either side of the spider is a white lightning bolt.<br />
The red globe is consistent with Singaporean national colors, acknowledging their<br />
role in the reactivation of this squadron. The unit mission is to support Peace Carvin II<br />
(Foreign Military Sales), selling F·16s <strong>and</strong> training to the Republic of Singapore. The<br />
gunsight reflects the tools of the fighter pilot's trade. It also symbolizes the web of the<br />
Black Widow spider. · The Black Widow spider maintains historical continuity with<br />
the squadron's original mission as a P·61 Black Widow Night <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron in<br />
World War II. The lightning bolts on either side of the spider symbolize the striking<br />
power of modern tactical fighters.
119<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>ers.<br />
425th Night <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron [1 December 1943- 25 August 1947]<br />
Unknown 1 December 1943-9 December 1943<br />
Lt Col Leon G. Lewis 10 December 1943<br />
Maj Russell Glasser<br />
10 February 1945 (temporary)<br />
Capt McDonald<br />
7 May 1945 (temporary)<br />
Lt Col Leon G. Lewis<br />
ca. June 1945-Unknown<br />
Unknown Unknown-31 August 1946<br />
Lt Col George Laven, Jr. 1 September 1946<br />
Lt Col Charles W. Howe November 1946<br />
Capt A. K. McDonald<br />
January 1947 (temporary)<br />
Lt Col Charles W. Howe<br />
March 1947-Unknown<br />
425 Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> Training Squadron [15 October 1969-1 September 1989]<br />
Lt Col Herman O. Thomson<br />
15 October 1969 (Lieutenant General)<br />
Lt Col Roy L. Holbrook ca. July 1970<br />
Lt Col John H. Gale, Jr. by July 1971<br />
Lt Col George C. Forstnee by July 1974<br />
Lt Col Conrad L. Bavousett by July 1975<br />
Lt Col Tom E. Stewart 17 December 1975 419<br />
Lt Col Charles D. Bozzuto 13 January 1978 420<br />
Lt Col Kenneth J. Monroe 1 February 1980 421<br />
Lt Col Philip W. Nuber 30 December 1980 (Major General)<br />
Lt Col Francis N. Markette 19 June 1982<br />
Col John M. Vickery 4 October 1982 422<br />
Col Edward T. Boswell 16 January 1984 423<br />
Lt Col Richard K. Willis 6 December 1985 424<br />
Lt Col James E. Anderson 22 June 1987 425<br />
Lt Col Steven R. Cheal<strong>and</strong>er 11 July 1988-1 September 1989. 426<br />
419<br />
58 CSG 190013Z DEC 75 MSG<br />
420<br />
425 TFTS SO G-1, 13 January 1978<br />
421<br />
425 TFTS SO G-7, 1 February 1980<br />
422<br />
425 TFTS SO G-8, 4 October 1982<br />
423<br />
425 TFTS SO G-02, 16 January 1984<br />
424<br />
832 CSG SO G-10, 5 December 1985<br />
425<br />
832 CSG SO G-51, 19 June 1987<br />
426<br />
832 CSG SO SO-G-67, 1 September 1988
120<br />
425 <strong>Fighter</strong> Squadron [30 December 1992-.]<br />
Lt Col Wayne E. Hughes 30 December 1992 427<br />
Lt Col Michael L. Hauser 20 June 1994 428<br />
Lt Col Jack I. Gregory Jr. 3 July 1996 429<br />
Lt Col Jeffrey E. Stambaugh 10 July 1998 430<br />
Lt Col Daniel G. Saville 2 March 2000 431<br />
Lt Col Paul H. McGillicuddy 1 November 2001 432 (Brigadier General)<br />
Lt Col John D. Roosa<br />
433<br />
25 June 2002<br />
Lt Col Barre R. Sequin 17 May 2004 434<br />
Lt Col Lynn I. Scheel 22 May 2006 435<br />
Lt Col Stephen J. Granger 25 April 2008 436<br />
Lt Col Michael J. Dean 7 May 2010 437<br />
Lt Col Kevin S. Cruikshank 4 May 2012-. 438<br />
First two Block 52 F-16s, Tail Nos. 94-0276 (D-model) <strong>and</strong> 94-0266 (C-model),<br />
arrived on 2 June 1998 for the Peace Carvin II Program<br />
with the Republic of Singapore <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong>.<br />
427<br />
58 OG SO SO-GC-1, 29 December 1992<br />
428<br />
425 FS SO SO-GAH-001, 17 June 1994<br />
429<br />
425 FS SO SO-GAH-002, 13 June 1996<br />
430<br />
425 FS SO GAH-001, 10 July 1998<br />
431<br />
425 FS SO GAH-001, 2 March 2000<br />
432<br />
425 FS SO GAH-002, 1 November 2001<br />
433<br />
[No SO], 25 June 2002<br />
434<br />
425 FS SO 56-OSS-G-2004-06, 17 May 2004<br />
435<br />
425 FS, 56 OG-G20006-09, 1 May 2006<br />
436<br />
425 FS, G-009, 4 April 2008<br />
437<br />
56 MSG, G-003, 30 April 2010<br />
438<br />
56 MSG SO G-008, 23 April 2012
121<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Maintenance Group<br />
Col Victor H. Mora<br />
Lineage.<br />
Established as <strong>56th</strong> Maintenance <strong>and</strong> Supply Group on 28 July 1947.<br />
Organized on 15 August 1947.<br />
Discontinued on 1 August 1948.<br />
Consolidated (19 September 1995) with the <strong>56th</strong> Maintenance <strong>and</strong> Supply Group, which<br />
was established on 14 June 1948.<br />
Activated on 1 August 1948.<br />
Inactivated on 6 February 1952.<br />
Disestablished on 27 September 1984.<br />
Reestablished, <strong>and</strong> redesignated <strong>56th</strong> Logistics Group, on 28 October 1991.<br />
Activated 1 November 1991.<br />
Inactivated on 4 January 1994 439<br />
Activated 1 April 1994. 440<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> Maintenance Group on 27 September 2002. 441<br />
439<br />
ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993<br />
440<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
441<br />
AETC SO G-02-20, 23 June 2002
122<br />
Honors.<br />
Decorations.<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Award<br />
1 July 1994-30 June 1996 442<br />
1 July 1996-30 June 1998 443<br />
1 July 1998-30 June 2000 444<br />
1 July 2001-30 June 2003 445<br />
1 June [July] 2003-30 June 2005 446<br />
1 July 2005-30 June 2006 447<br />
1 July 2006-30 June 2007 448<br />
1 July 2007-30 June 2008 449<br />
1 July 2008-30 June 2009 450<br />
1 July 2009-30 June 2010 451<br />
1 July 2010-30 June 2011 452<br />
PAST AND PRESENT UNITS ASSIGNED<br />
Currently Assigned Units<br />
Time Frame Assigned<br />
Squadrons<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>craft Maintenance Squadron 27 September 2002-.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Component Repair Squadron<br />
later, <strong>56th</strong> Component Maintenance Squadron 1 April 1994-. 453<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Equipment Maintenance Squadron 1 April 1994-. 454<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Logistics Support Squadron<br />
later, <strong>56th</strong> Maintenance Operations Squadron 1 April 1994-. 455<br />
7<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>craft Maintenance Squadron 27 September 2002-.<br />
442<br />
AETC SO GA-18/1996<br />
443<br />
AETC SO GA-12/1998<br />
444<br />
AETC SO GA-9/2000<br />
445<br />
AETC SO GA-55/2004<br />
446<br />
AETC SO GA-0052/2006<br />
447<br />
AETC SO GA-045/2007<br />
448<br />
AETC SO G-054/2008<br />
449<br />
AETC SO G-071/2009<br />
450<br />
AETC SO G-025/2010<br />
451<br />
AETC SO G-086/2011<br />
452<br />
AETC SO G-171/17 April 2012<br />
453<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
454<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
455<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994
123<br />
Previously Assigned Units (Continued) Time Frame Assigned<br />
Squadrons<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Contracting Squadron 1 November 1991-4 January 1994. 456<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Logistics Support Squadron 1 November 1991-30 September 1993.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Maintenance Squadron 1 November 1991-4 January 1994. 457<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Supply Squadron 28 July 1947-1 August 1948<br />
1 August 1948-6 February 1952;<br />
1 November 1991-4 January 1994 458 ;<br />
1 April 1994-1 August 2002. 459<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Motor Vehicle Squadron, <strong>Fighter</strong>, Jet,<br />
later, <strong>56th</strong> Motor Vehicle Squadron 1 August 1948-6 February 1952.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Transportation Squadron 1 November 1991-4 January 1994 460 ;<br />
1 April 1994-1 August 2002. 461<br />
Assignments. <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>, 15 August 1947-1 August 1948. <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> (later<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong>-Interceptor) <strong>Wing</strong>, 1 August 1948-6 February 1952. <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>,<br />
1 November 1991-4 January 1994. <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>, 1 April 1994-. 462<br />
Stations. Selfridge <strong>Field</strong> (later, AFB) 15 August 1947-6 February 1952. MacDiIl AFB,<br />
FL, 1 November 1991-4 January 1994. <strong>Luke</strong> AFB, AZ, 1 April 1994-. 463<br />
Emblem. [Group will use the wing emblem with group designation in the scroll.]<br />
Emblem approved 19 April 1967. [Source: 1967 Emblem Approval Letter.]<br />
Blazon. [Group will use the wing emblem with group designation in the scroll.] Tenne<br />
on a chevron azure fimbriated or two lightning flashes chevronwise of the last. [Source:<br />
1967 Emblem Approval Letter.].<br />
456<br />
ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993<br />
457<br />
ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993<br />
458<br />
ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993<br />
459<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994; AETC SO G-02-20, 23 June 2002<br />
460<br />
ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993<br />
461<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994; AETC SO G-02-20, 23 June 2002<br />
462<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
463<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994
124<br />
Motto. [Group will use the wing emblem with group designation in the scroll.]<br />
Cave Tonitrum (Beware of the Thunderbolt). [Source: 1967 Emblem Approval Letter.]<br />
Significance. [Group will use the wing emblem with group designation in the scroll.]<br />
The emblem is symbolic of the <strong>Wing</strong>. The heraldic chevron, represents support <strong>and</strong><br />
signifies the <strong>Wing</strong>'s support of our nation's quest for peace. The blue of the chevron<br />
represents the sky, the primary theater of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> operations. The lightning bolt<br />
symbolizes speed <strong>and</strong> aggressiveness with which the unit performs. The color of the<br />
shield represents the <strong>Air</strong> Corps <strong>and</strong> commemorates the service of the <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> Group,<br />
whose honors <strong>and</strong> history the <strong>Wing</strong> inherits. The emblem bears the <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> colors of<br />
golden yellow <strong>and</strong> ultramarine blue. [Source: 1967 Emblem Approval Letter.]<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>ers.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Maintenance <strong>and</strong> Supply Group [15 August 1947-1 August 1948]<br />
Unknown<br />
Unknown<br />
Lt Col David K. Lyster, Jr. 31 August 1947<br />
Lt Col Paul E. Hoeper<br />
bef 20 April 1948-Unknown.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Maintenance <strong>and</strong> Supply Group [1 August 1948-6 February 1952]<br />
Unknown<br />
Unknown<br />
Maj Francis M. Baker bef 30 June 1949<br />
Maj Morris Farber bef 30 November 1949<br />
Lt Col Robert F. Baldwin 1 December 1949<br />
Lt Col Roger W. Taylor bef 31 March 1950<br />
Lt Col Morris Farber bef 31 May 1950<br />
Lt Col Ernest J. White, Jr. 23 August 1950 (Brigadier General)<br />
Col Matt G. Carpenter<br />
May 1951-Unknown.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Logistics Group [1 November 1991-4 January 1994;<br />
1 April 1994-27 September 2002]<br />
Col Clarence T. Lowry 1 November 1991<br />
Col William E. Rupright August 1992-4 January 1994<br />
Col Elizabeth A. Harrell 1 April 1994 464 (Major General)<br />
Lt Col (later, Col) John D. Ladieu 17 October 1994 465<br />
Lt Col Jeffery C. Davis 1 October 1995 466<br />
Col Hugh C. Robinson 15 December 1995 467<br />
464<br />
[58 LG SO GK-001, 24 June 1993]<br />
465<br />
56 LSS SO SO-G-01, 26 January 1995<br />
466<br />
56 LSS SO GK-1, 4 October 1995<br />
467<br />
56 LSS SO SO-GK-2, 14 December 1995
125<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>ers. (Continued)<br />
Lt Col (later, Col) Ron Lee 29 May 1998 468<br />
Col Francis M. Bruno 25 April 2000 469 (Brigadier General)<br />
Col Arthur B. Cameron III 19 October 2001 470 -27 September 2002<br />
(Brigadier General)<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Maintenance Group [27 September 2002-.]<br />
Col Arthur B. Cameron III<br />
27 September 2002 (Brigadier General)<br />
Col John P. Harris 2 July 2003 471<br />
Lt Col Geoffery S. Parkhurst 22 May 2006 472<br />
Col Algene Fryer 6 July 2006 473<br />
Col Geoffery S. Parkhurst 29 August 2008 474<br />
Col Deborah J. Liddick 23 July 2010 475<br />
Col Victor H. Mora 10 July 2012-. 476<br />
310th <strong>Air</strong>craft Maintenance Unit Load Crew from the<br />
7<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>craft Maintenance Squadron loads an AIM-9 Missile.<br />
468<br />
56 FS SO GK-02, 28 May 1998<br />
469<br />
56 LG SO SO-GK-3, 10 April 2000<br />
470<br />
56 LG SO SO-GK-01, 4 October 2001<br />
471<br />
56 MOS SO 56 MOS-G-2003-02, 1 July 2003<br />
472<br />
56 MOS SO 56 MOS-G-01, 10 May 2006<br />
473<br />
56 MOS SO 56 MOS-G-04, 13 June 2006<br />
474<br />
56 MXG SO 56 MOS-G-06, 2 February 2007<br />
475<br />
56 MSG SO G-026, 22 July 2010<br />
476<br />
56 MSG SO G-025, 10 July 2012
126<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Maintenance Operations Squadron<br />
Lineage.<br />
Constituted as the <strong>56th</strong> Station<br />
Complement Squadron on 15 May 1943.<br />
Activated on 20 May 1943.<br />
Inactivated on 21 November 1945.<br />
Disb<strong>and</strong>ed on 8 October 1948.<br />
Reconstituted, <strong>and</strong> redesignated<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Logistics Support Squadron,<br />
on 28 October 1991.<br />
Activated 1 November 1991.<br />
Inactivated on 30 September 1993.<br />
Activated on 1 April 1994. 477<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> Maintenance<br />
Operations Squadron on 27 September 2002. 478<br />
Honors.<br />
Service Streamers.<br />
World War II European-African-Middle Eastern Theater<br />
Decorations.<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Award:<br />
1 July 1994-30 June 1996 479<br />
1 July 1996-30 June 1998 480<br />
1 July 1998-30 June 2000 481<br />
1 July 2001-30 June 2003 482<br />
1 June [July] 2003-30 June 2005 483<br />
1 July 2005-30 June 2006 484<br />
1 July 2006-30 June 2007 485<br />
1 July 2007-30 June 2008 486<br />
477<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
478<br />
AETC SO G-02-20, 23 June 2002<br />
479<br />
AETC SO GA-18/1996<br />
480<br />
AETC SO GA-12/1998<br />
481<br />
AETC SO GA-9/2000<br />
482<br />
AETC SO GA-55/2004<br />
483<br />
AETC SO GA-0052/2006<br />
484<br />
AETC SO GA-045/2007<br />
485<br />
AETC SO G-054/2008<br />
486<br />
AETC SO G-071/2009
127<br />
Decorations. (Continued)<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Award (Continued)<br />
1 July 2008-30 June 2009 487<br />
1 July 2009-30 June 2010 488<br />
1 July 2010-30 June 2011 489<br />
Assignments. Unknown, 20 May 1943-21 November 1945. <strong>56th</strong> Logistics Group,<br />
1 November 1991-30 September 1993. <strong>56th</strong> Logistics (later, <strong>56th</strong> Maintenance) Group,<br />
1 April 1994-. 490<br />
Stations. Atterbury Army <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Field</strong>, Indiana, 20 May 1943; Camp Patrick Henry,<br />
Virginia, 10 August-5 September 1943; Wattisham, Engl<strong>and</strong>, c.15 September 1943;<br />
Hitcham, Engl<strong>and</strong>, c.6 April 1944-21 November 1945. MacDill <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Florida,<br />
1 November 1991-30 September 1993. <strong>Luke</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Arizona, 1 April 1994-. 491<br />
<strong>Air</strong>craft. None.<br />
Emblem. Approved on 5 June 1995.<br />
Blazon. Azure, in sinister base a globe Celeste l<strong>and</strong> masses Veii, in dexter chief three<br />
flight symbols ascending bendwise each issuing a contrail arcing to sinister base<br />
of the globe Argent, all below an arc of nine mullets in sinister chief of the like;<br />
all within a diminished bordure Or.<br />
Attached below the disc a Blue scroll edged with a narrow Yellow border.<br />
Motto. None.<br />
Significance. Blue <strong>and</strong> yellow are the <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the<br />
primary theater of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> operations. Yellow refers to the sun <strong>and</strong> the excellence<br />
required of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> personnel. The flight symbols arcing from the globe denote the<br />
unit's support of the <strong>Wing</strong>'s mission of "Global Reach, Global Power "The stars represent<br />
the fighter squadron directly supported by the unit.<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>ers.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Station Complement Squadron [20 May 1943-21 November 1945]<br />
Unknown<br />
Unknown<br />
487<br />
AETC SO G-025/2010<br />
488<br />
AETC SO G-086/2011<br />
489<br />
AETC SO G-171/17 April 2012<br />
490<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994; AETC SO G-02-20, 23 June 2002<br />
491<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994
128<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Logistics Support Squadron [1 November 1991-30 September 1993<br />
1 April 1994-27 September 2002]<br />
Maj Donald H. Campbell ca. 1 November 1991<br />
Maj Paul E. Bryant ca. 24 July 1992<br />
Capt James A. Hyde August 1993-30 September 1993<br />
Lt Col Jeffrey C. Davis 1 April 1994 492<br />
Lt Col Earlie O. Rose, Jr. 25 March 1995 493<br />
Maj Mark E. Booth 19 April 1996 494<br />
Maj Nancy A.P. Stinson 4 June 1998 495<br />
Maj Eugene E. Trizinsky 5 July 2000 496<br />
Maj Michael J. Costello 4 June 2002 497 -27 September 2002<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Maintenance Operations Squadron [27 September 2002-.]<br />
Maj Michael J. Costello 27 September 2002 498<br />
Maj Mark L. Helleksen 30 June 2003 499<br />
Maj Tanya R. Kubinec 13 May 2004 500<br />
Maj Robert B. Copes 28 June 2005 501<br />
Maj Kevin E. O'Connor 30 June 2006 502<br />
Capt William H. Reynolds bef 28 August 2008 503<br />
Maj Scott B. Dubsky 28 August 2008 504<br />
Maj Christopher L. Chestnut 14 May 2010 505<br />
Maj James E. Schieser 23 July 2012 506<br />
492<br />
[58 MSS SO SO-G-69, 19 June 1992]<br />
493<br />
56 FW SO SO-G-002, 21 March 1995<br />
494<br />
56 LG SO SO-GK-05, 18 April 1996<br />
495<br />
56 LSS SO SO-GK-3, 2 June 1998<br />
496<br />
56 LSS SO SO-GK 7, 27 June 2000<br />
497<br />
56 LSS SO SO-GK-02, 28 May 2002<br />
498<br />
56 MOS SO SO-GK-04, 26 September 2002<br />
499<br />
56 MOS 56 MOS-G-2003-03, 26 June 2003<br />
500<br />
56 MSO SO 56 MOS-G-6, 11 May 2004<br />
501<br />
56 MOS SO 56 MOS-G2005-02, 31 May 2005<br />
502<br />
56 MOS SO 56 MOS-G-02, 13 June 2006<br />
503<br />
56 MSS SO G-044, 26 August 2008<br />
504<br />
56 MSS SO G-044, 26 August 2008<br />
505<br />
56 MSG SO G-001, 6 May 2010<br />
506<br />
56 FW so g-029, 11 July 2012
129<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>craft Maintenance Squadron<br />
Lineage.<br />
Activated on 3 July 1972 prior to being<br />
constituted <strong>56th</strong> Organizational<br />
Maintenance Squadron on 7 July 1972. 507<br />
Inactivated on 15 July 1974. 508<br />
Activated on 30 June 1975. 509<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>craft Generation<br />
Squadron on 15 June 1977.<br />
Inactivated on 1 November 1991.<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>craft Maintenance<br />
Squadron on 17 July 2002.<br />
Activated on 27 September 2002. 510<br />
Honors.<br />
Campaign Streamers.<br />
Vietnam<br />
Vietnam Ceasefire [1972-1973]<br />
Decorations.<br />
Presidential Unit Citation<br />
Vietnam, [3 July] 1972-22 February 1973<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Award:<br />
23 February 1973-28 February 1974 with Combat "V" Device<br />
1 January 1977-1 January 1979 511<br />
1 July 1980-31 May 1982 512<br />
1 June 1984-31 May 1986 513<br />
1 May 1987-30 April 1989 514<br />
1 May 1989-30 April 1990 515<br />
507<br />
PACAF SO G-107, 3 July 1972<br />
508<br />
PACAF SO GA-20, 17 June 1974<br />
509<br />
TAC SO GA-12, 10 June 1975<br />
510<br />
AETC SO G-02-20, 23 June 2002<br />
511<br />
DAF SO GB-719, 30 November 1979<br />
512<br />
DAF SO GB-117, 22 February 1983<br />
513<br />
DAF SO GB-275/1987<br />
514<br />
TAC SO GA-053, 29 August 1989<br />
515<br />
TAC SO GA-048, 16 August 1990
130<br />
Decorations. (Continued)<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Award (Continued)<br />
1 May 1990-30 April 1991 516<br />
1 July 2001-30 June 2003 517<br />
1 June [July] 2003-30 June 2005 518<br />
1 July 2005-30 June 2006 519<br />
1 July 2006-30 June 2007 520<br />
1 July 2007-30 June 2008 521<br />
1 July 2008-30 June 2009 522<br />
1 July 2009-30 June 2010 523<br />
1 July 2010-30 June 2011 524<br />
Special Honors.<br />
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross With Palm, 3 July 1972-28 January 1973.<br />
Assignments. <strong>56th</strong> Special Operations <strong>Wing</strong>, 3 July 1972-15 July 1974. <strong>56th</strong> Tactical<br />
<strong>Fighter</strong> (later, <strong>56th</strong> Tactical Training, <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong>) <strong>Wing</strong>, 30 June 1975-1 November<br />
1991. <strong>56th</strong> Maintenance Group, 27 September 2002-.<br />
Stations. Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Thail<strong>and</strong>, 3 July 1972-15 July<br />
1974. MacDill <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Florida, 30 June 1975-1 November 1991. <strong>Luke</strong> AFB,<br />
Arizona, 27 September 2002-.<br />
<strong>Air</strong>craft. None.<br />
Emblem. Approved on 19 March 1979. Updated 30 January 2003.<br />
Blazon. On a disc edged with a narrow yellow border, a background divided<br />
horizontally into a medium blue sky with a stylized White cloud formation issuing from<br />
sinister, above a green arced l<strong>and</strong> area, overall issuing from base four arced vapor trails<br />
ascending bendwise, attached in base <strong>and</strong> dispersing in the top of the disc, each ending in<br />
a flight symbol, the colors from dexter to sinister yellow, white, blue <strong>and</strong> red.<br />
Attached above the disc a white scroll edged yellow <strong>and</strong> inscribed "CAN DO" in<br />
blue letters. Attached below the disc a blank white scroll edged yellow.<br />
516<br />
TAC SO GA-069/1991<br />
517<br />
AETC SO GA-55/2004<br />
518<br />
AETC SO GA-0052/2006<br />
519<br />
AETC SO GA-045/2007<br />
520<br />
AETC SO G-054/2008<br />
521<br />
AETC SO G-071/2009<br />
522<br />
AETC SO G-025/2010<br />
523<br />
AETC SO G-086/2011<br />
524<br />
AETC SO G-171/17 April 2012
131<br />
Motto. Can Do.<br />
Significance. Blue <strong>and</strong> yellow are the <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the<br />
primary theater of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> operations. Yellow refers to the sun <strong>and</strong> the excellence<br />
required of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> personnel. The red cross represents strength within the medical<br />
arena; it also symbolizes the" blanket" of medical commitment provided by unit<br />
personnel to both flying <strong>and</strong> non-flying military members. The Caduceus, the symbolic<br />
staff of a herald, is at the point of the futuristic aircraft. This position signifies that the<br />
unit is ready to supply aeromedical support to aircrews, personnel <strong>and</strong> the environmental<br />
elements of space. The earth signifies the worldwide commitment of peacekeeping <strong>and</strong><br />
the environmental protection of air, water <strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong>.<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>ers.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Organizational Maintenance Squadron [3 July 1972-15 July 1974;<br />
30 June 1975-15 June 1977]<br />
Unknown 3 July 1972-November 1972<br />
Lt Col Ray J. Lunnen, Jr. ca. November 1972<br />
Lt Col Wayne R. Bratcher bef 31 March 1974<br />
Maj Stanley D. Sebring 19 May 1974-15 July 1974. 525<br />
Maj James L. Knoblauch 30 June 1975<br />
Lt Col John M. Hagood bef 31 March 1976<br />
Lt Col Robert J. Larison 1 June 1977-15 June 1977.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>craft Generation Squadron [15 June 1977-1 November 1991]<br />
Lt Col Robert J. Larison 15 June 1977<br />
Maj Billy A. Barrett 28 June 1977<br />
Lt Col Robert J. Larison bef 30 September 1977<br />
Lt Col Leroy W. Stutz 14 March 1980<br />
Maj David F. Goodwin 15 July 1983 526<br />
Lt Col Brian L. Osborn 29 August 1985<br />
Maj Donald J. Wetekam 2 July 1987 527 (Lieutenant General)<br />
Lt Col Clarence L. Campbell 3 August 1989 528<br />
Lt Col Mark A. Taylor 19 September 1990-1 November 1991.<br />
525<br />
56 OMS SO G-001, 19 May 1974<br />
526<br />
56 CSG SO G-24, 15 July 1983<br />
527<br />
56 CSG SO G-56, 2 July 1987<br />
528<br />
56 MSS SO G-036, 2 August 1989
132<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>craft Maintenance Squadron [27 September 2002-.]<br />
Lt Col Harry A. Truhn 27 September 2002 529<br />
Maj John C. Mateer, IV 30 May 2003 530<br />
Lt Col Walter J. Lindsley 24 June 2004 531<br />
Lt Col Fredrick G. Plaumann 14 July 2006 532<br />
Maj Brian P. Shawaryn 11 July 2008<br />
Lt Col Matthew G. Pollock 21 September 2008 533<br />
Maj (later, Lt Col) James D. Upchurch 23 August 2010 534<br />
Maj Jason M. Mitchell 27 June 2012-. 535<br />
62d <strong>Air</strong>craft Maintenance Unit Crew Chief's change a worn tire.<br />
529<br />
56 AMXS SO 56 AMXS G-1, 27 September 2002<br />
530<br />
56 AMXS SO 56 AMXS - G-4, 21 May 2003<br />
531<br />
56 AMXS SO 56 AMXS - G-1, 21 June 2004<br />
532<br />
56 AMXS SO 56 AMXS G-3, 30 May 2006<br />
533<br />
56 AMXS SO G-048, 19 September 2008<br />
534<br />
56 MSG SO G-037, 17 November 2010<br />
535<br />
56 FW SO G-022, 2 July 2012
133<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Component Maintenance Squadron<br />
Lineage.<br />
Constituted as <strong>56th</strong> Armament <strong>and</strong><br />
Electronics Maintenance Squadron,<br />
<strong>and</strong> activated, on 16 March 1967.<br />
Organized on 8 April 1967. 536<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> Avionics Maintenance<br />
Squadron on 1 January 1969.<br />
Inactivated on 15 July 1974. 537<br />
Activated on 30 June 1975. 538<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> Component Repair<br />
Squadron on 15 June 1977.<br />
Inactivated on 1 November 1991.<br />
Activated on 1 April 1994. 539<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> Component Maintenance Squadron on 27 September 2002. 540<br />
Avionics Test Bench circa 2002<br />
536<br />
PACAF SO G-41, 8 March 1967<br />
537<br />
PACAF SO GA-20, 17 June 1974<br />
538<br />
TAC SO GA-12, 10 June 1975<br />
539<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
540<br />
AETC SO G-02-20, 23 July 2002
134<br />
Honors.<br />
Campaign Streamers.<br />
Vietnam<br />
Vietnam <strong>Air</strong> Offensive, Phase II [1967-1968]<br />
Vietnam <strong>Air</strong> Offensive, Phase III [1968] 541<br />
Vietnam <strong>Air</strong> Offensive, Phase IV [1968-1969]<br />
Tet 1969 Counteroffensive [1969]<br />
Vietnam Summer/Fall 1969 [1969]<br />
Vietnam Winter/Spring 1970 [1969-1970] 542<br />
Sanctuary Counteroffensive [1970]<br />
Southwest Monsoon [1970] 543<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>o Hunt V [1970-1971] 544<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>o Hunt VI [1971] 545<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>o Hunt VII [1971-1972] 546<br />
Vietnam Cease Fire [1972-1973] 547<br />
Decorations.<br />
Presidential Unit Citation<br />
Southeast Asia 1 November 1968-1 May 1969 548<br />
Southeast Asia 1 October 1969-30 April 1970 549<br />
Southeast Asia 1 April 1972-22 February 1973<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Award:<br />
1 December 1970-30 November 1971 with Combat "V" Device 550<br />
1 December 1971-29 February 1972 with Combat "V" Device 551<br />
23 February 1973-28 February 1974 with Combat "V" Device 552<br />
1 January 1977-1 January 1979 553<br />
541<br />
PACAF SO G-184, 30 July 1969<br />
542<br />
PACAF SO G-352, 14 June 1971<br />
543<br />
PACAF SO GB-0019, 31 January 1974<br />
544<br />
PACAF SO GB-0022, 31 January 1974<br />
545<br />
PACAF SO GB-0025, 31 January 1974<br />
546<br />
PACAF SO GB-0027, 31 January 1974<br />
547<br />
PACAF SO GB-0187, 15 July 1974<br />
548<br />
DAF SO GB-552/1970<br />
549<br />
DAF SO GB-352/1971<br />
550<br />
DAF SO GB-667, 28 September 1972<br />
551<br />
DAF SO GB-553/1973<br />
552<br />
DAF SO GB-600/1975<br />
553<br />
DAF SO GB-719, 30 November 1979
135<br />
Decorations. (Continued)<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Award (Continued)<br />
1 July 1980-31 May 1982 554<br />
1 June 1984-31 May 1986 555<br />
1 May 1987-30 April 1989 556<br />
1 May 1989-30 April 1990 557<br />
1 May 1990-30 April 1991 558<br />
1 July 1994-30 June 1996 559<br />
1 July 1996-30 June 1998 560<br />
1 July 1998-30 June 2000 561<br />
1 July 2001-30 June 2003 562<br />
1 June [July] 2003-30 June 2005 563<br />
1 July 2005-30 June 2006 564<br />
1 July 2006-30 June 2007 565<br />
1 July 2007-30 June 2008 566<br />
1 July 2008-30 June 2009 567<br />
1 July 2009-30 June 2010 568<br />
1 July 2010-30 June 2011 569<br />
Special Honors.<br />
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross With Palm, 8 April [1967]-28 January 1973<br />
554<br />
DAF SO GB-117, 22 February 1983<br />
555<br />
DAF SO GB-275/1987<br />
556<br />
TAC SO GA-053, 29 August 1989<br />
557<br />
TAC SO GA-048, 16 August 1990<br />
558<br />
TAC SO GA-069/1991<br />
559<br />
AETC SO GA-18/1996<br />
560<br />
AETC SO GA-12/1998<br />
561<br />
AETC SO GA-9/2000<br />
562<br />
AETC SO GA-55/2004<br />
563<br />
AETC SO GA-0052/2006<br />
564<br />
AETC SO GA-045/2007<br />
565<br />
AETC SO G-054/2008 [Labeled as <strong>56th</strong> Consolidated Maintenance Squadron]<br />
566<br />
AETC SO G-071/2009<br />
567<br />
AETC SO G-025/2010<br />
568<br />
AETC SO G-086/2011<br />
569<br />
AETC SO G-171/17 April 2012
136<br />
Assignments. Pacific <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong>s, 16 March 1967. <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong> Comm<strong>and</strong>o (later,<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Special Operations) <strong>Wing</strong> 8 April 1967 570 -15 July 1974. <strong>56th</strong> Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong><br />
(later, <strong>56th</strong> Tactical Training, <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong>) <strong>Wing</strong>, 30 June 1975-1 November 1991.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Logistics (later, <strong>56th</strong> Maintenance) Group, 1 April 1994-. 571<br />
Stations. Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Thail<strong>and</strong>, 8 April 1967 572 -15 July<br />
1974. MacDill <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Florida, 30 June 1975-1 November 1991. <strong>Luke</strong> AFB,<br />
Arizona, 1 April 1994-. 573<br />
<strong>Air</strong>craft. None.<br />
Emblem. Approved on 13 July 1978; modified on 5 May 2003.<br />
Blazon. On a disc Celeste, beneath five mullets enarched in chief Or, a large mullet<br />
Azure, thereon three flight symbols ascending palewise in chevron, the lower two<br />
emitting contrails embowed to dexter <strong>and</strong> sinister Argent, the top center one emitting a<br />
contrail flared out between the lower two Gules, all within a narrow border Black.<br />
Attached below the disc, a Yellow scroll edged with a narrow Black border <strong>and</strong><br />
inscribed "56TH COMPONENT MAINTENANCE SQ" in Black letters<br />
Motto. None.<br />
Significance. Ultramarine blue <strong>and</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> yellow are the <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> colors. Blue<br />
alludes to the sky, the primary theater of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> operations. Yellow refers to the sun<br />
<strong>and</strong> the excellence required of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> personnel. The large star is representative of the<br />
insignia appearing on all <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> aircraft. The three flight symbols allude to the space<br />
continuum, <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> operations <strong>and</strong> the aggressiveness of component maintenance. The<br />
five stars denote flight operations, personnel, offices, shops <strong>and</strong> support structure.<br />
570<br />
PACAF SO G-41, 8 March 1967<br />
571<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994; AETC SO G-02-20, 23 June 2002<br />
572<br />
PACAF SO G-41, 8 March 1967<br />
573<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994
137<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>ers.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Armament <strong>and</strong> Electronics Maintenance Squadron<br />
[8 April 1967-1 January 1969]<br />
Capt Robert N. Hancock 8 April 1967<br />
Lt Col George A. Zukowski by 31 July 1967<br />
Capt David E. Hall bef 10 December 1967<br />
Capt Joseph S. Sansone by 31 March 1968<br />
Capt Billy C. McNair 25 April 1968<br />
Maj Charles E. McCartney, Jr. 16 March 1968-1 January 1969.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Avionics Maintenance Squadron [1 January 1969-15 July 1974<br />
30 June 1975-15 June 1977]<br />
Maj Charles E. McCartney, Jr. 1 January 1969<br />
Capt Peter J. Larson by May 1969<br />
Capt Glenn A. Perkins ca. July 1969<br />
Capt Peter J. Larson November 1969<br />
Lt Col Clifford D. Cork January 1970<br />
Maj Philip M. Middleton 28 September 1970<br />
Lt Col Lewis C. Mayo, Jr. 6 November 1970<br />
Lt Col John W. Douglas by 4 November 1971<br />
Capt William A. Carter August 1972<br />
Lt Col Joseph B. Kata 10 September 1972<br />
Capt John A. Long 10 September 1973<br />
Maj Robert L. Proteau 12 October 1973<br />
Capt Keith S. Simpson 11 June 1974-15 July 1974.<br />
Lt Col Edgar L. Henley 30 June 1975<br />
Lt Col William M. Stewart 1 September 1975<br />
Lt Col Grey L. Carter 22 May 1977-15 June 1977.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Component Repair Squadron [15 June 1977-1 November 1991;<br />
1 April 1994-27 September 2002]<br />
Lt Col Grey L. Carter 15 June 1977<br />
Lt Col Joseph E. Jefferson 14 February 1979<br />
Lt Col David R. Olds 2 May 1980<br />
Maj Robert E. Alfred, Jr. 10 July 1981<br />
Lt Col James W. Miles 9 July 1982 574<br />
Lt Col Samuel M. O. Prince 27 January 1983 575<br />
Lt Col John G. Sellers 11 July 1985<br />
574<br />
56 CSG SO G-9, 9 July 1982<br />
575<br />
56 CSG SO G-3, 27 January 1983
138<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>ers. (Continued)<br />
Lt Col Clarence L. Campbell, Jr. 29 May 1987<br />
Maj Lisa B. Long 21 July 1989 576<br />
Unknown January 1991-1 November 1991.<br />
Lt Col Martha J. M. Kelley 1 April 1994 577<br />
Maj (later, Lt Col) Deborah R. S<strong>and</strong>ers 3 June 1994 578<br />
Maj Brett D. Haswell 19 September 1996 579<br />
Lt Col Joseph A. Swillum 16 September 1998 580<br />
Maj Richard S. Nelson 6 July 2000 581<br />
Maj Douglas C. Cato 5 June 2001 582 -27 September 2002.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Component Maintenance Squadron [27 September 2002-.]<br />
Lt Col Barry G. Miller 27 September 2002 583<br />
Maj Bryan L. Harris 23 July 2004 584<br />
Lt Col James R. Baumgardner 9 June 2006 585<br />
Maj Brian P. Shawaryn 31 March 2008 586<br />
Maj (later, Lt Col) Robert M. Brinker 11 July 2008 587<br />
Maj (later, Lt Col) James A. Blackman 21 June 2010-. 588<br />
576<br />
56 MSS SO G-003, 17 July 1989<br />
577<br />
[58 MSS SO SO-G-72, 24 June 1992]<br />
578<br />
56 CRS SO GM-01, 3 June 1994<br />
579<br />
56 CRS SO GM-02, 18 September 1996<br />
580<br />
56 CRS SO GM-01, 10 August 1998<br />
581<br />
56 CRS SO GM-04, 28 June 2000<br />
582<br />
56 CRS SO0 GM-01, 25 May 2001<br />
583<br />
56 CMS SO 56 CRS G-4, 26 September 2002<br />
584<br />
56 CMS SO 56 CMS G-1, 23 July 2004<br />
585<br />
56 CMS SO 56 CMS GO 06-04, 9 June 2006<br />
586<br />
56 CMS SO GS 08-02, 31 March 2008<br />
587<br />
56 CMS SO GS 08-02, 31 March 2008<br />
588<br />
56 MSG SO G-014, 14 June 2010
139<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Equipment Maintenance Squadron<br />
Lineage.<br />
Designated Maintenance Squadron,<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Maintenance <strong>and</strong> Supply Group,<br />
on 28 July 1947.<br />
Organized on 15 August 1947.<br />
Discontinued on 1 August 1948.<br />
Consolidated (22 October 1984) with the<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Consolidated <strong>Air</strong>craft Maintenance<br />
Squadron.<br />
Constituted on 17 June 1957.<br />
Activated on 8 September 1957.<br />
Discontinued, <strong>and</strong> inactivated, on<br />
1 January 1964. 589<br />
Activated on 15 July 1974. 590<br />
Inactivated on 30 June 1975.<br />
Consolidated (22 October 1984) with the <strong>56th</strong> Maintenance Squadron, <strong>Fighter</strong>, Jet.<br />
Constituted on 14 June 1948.<br />
Activated 1 August 1948.<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> Maintenance Squadron on 20 January 1950.<br />
Inactivated 6 February 1952.<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Field</strong> Maintenance Squadron, <strong>and</strong> activated, on 16 March 1967.<br />
Organized on 8 April 1967. 591<br />
Inactivated on 15 July 1974. 592<br />
Activated on 30 June 1975. 593<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> Equipment Maintenance Squadron on 15 June 1977.<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> Maintenance Squadron on 1 November 1991.<br />
Inactivated on 4 January 1994. 594<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> Equipment Maintenance Squadron on 21 March 1994.<br />
Activated on 1 April 1994. 595<br />
589<br />
AFOMO 90n, 16 September 1963<br />
590<br />
PACAF SO GA-20, 17 June 1974<br />
591<br />
PACAF SO G-41, 8 March 1967<br />
592<br />
PACAF SO GA-20, 17 June 1974<br />
593<br />
TAC SO GA-12, 10 June 1975<br />
594<br />
ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993
140<br />
Honors.<br />
Campaign Streamers.<br />
Vietnam<br />
Vietnam <strong>Air</strong> Offensive, Phase II [1967-1968]<br />
Vietnam <strong>Air</strong> Offensive, Phase III [1968] 596<br />
Vietnam <strong>Air</strong> Offensive, Phase IV [1968-1969]<br />
Tet 1969 Counteroffensive [1969]<br />
Vietnam Summer/Fall 1969 [1969]<br />
Vietnam Winter/Spring 1970 [1969-1970] 597<br />
Sanctuary Counteroffensive [1970]<br />
Southwest Monsoon [1970] 598<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>o Hunt V [1970-1971] 599<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>o Hunt VI [1971] 600<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>o Hunt VII [1971-1972] 601<br />
Vietnam Cease Fire [1972-1973] 602<br />
Decorations.<br />
Presidential Unit Citation<br />
Southeast Asia 1 November 1968-1 May 1969 603<br />
Southeast Asia 1 October 1969-30 April 1970 604<br />
Southeast Asia 1 April 1972-22 February 1973<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Equipment Maintenance Squadron <strong>Air</strong>men sort 20mm Practice Ammunition.<br />
595<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
596<br />
PACAF SO G-184, 30 July 1969<br />
597<br />
PACAF SO G-352, 14 June 1971<br />
598<br />
PACAF SO GB-0019, 31 January 1974<br />
599<br />
PACAF SO GB-0022, 31 January 1974<br />
600<br />
PACAF SO GB-0025, 31 January 1974<br />
601<br />
PACAF SO GB-0027, 31 January 1974<br />
602<br />
PACAF SO GB-0187, 15 July 1974<br />
603<br />
DAF SO GB-552/1970<br />
604<br />
DAF SO GB-352/1971
141<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Award:<br />
1 December 1970-30 November 1971 with Combat "V" Device 605<br />
1 December 1971-29 February 1972 with Combat "V" Device 606<br />
23 February 1973-28 February 1974 with Combat "V" Device 607<br />
1 January 1977-1 January 1979 608<br />
1 July 1980-31 May 1982 609<br />
1 June 1984-31 May 1986 610<br />
1 May 1987-30 April 1989 611<br />
1 May 1989-30 April 1990 612<br />
1 May 1990-30 April 1991 613<br />
1 July 1994-30 June 1996 614<br />
1 July 1996-30 June 1998 615<br />
1 July 1998-30 June 2000 616<br />
1 July 2001-30 June 2003 617<br />
1 June [July] 2003-30 June 2005 618<br />
1 July 2005-30 June 2006 619<br />
1 July 2006-30 June 2007 620<br />
1 July 2007-30 June 2008 621<br />
1 July 2008-30 June 2009 622<br />
1 July 2009-30 June 2010 623<br />
1 July 2010-30 June 2011 624<br />
605<br />
DAF SO GB-667, 28 September 1972<br />
606<br />
DAF SO GB-553/1973<br />
607<br />
DAF SO GB-600/1975<br />
608<br />
DAF SO GB-719, 30 November 1979<br />
609<br />
DAF SO GB-117, 22 February 1983<br />
610<br />
DAF SO GB-275/1987<br />
611<br />
TAC SO GA-053, 29 August 1989<br />
612<br />
TAC SO GA-048, 16 August 1990<br />
613<br />
TAC SO GA-069/1991<br />
614<br />
AETC SO GA-18/1996<br />
615<br />
AETC SO GA-12/1998<br />
616<br />
AETC SO GA-9/2000<br />
617<br />
AETC SO GA-55/2004<br />
618<br />
AETC SO GA-0052/2006<br />
619<br />
AETC SO GA-045/2007<br />
620<br />
AETC SO G-054/2008<br />
621<br />
AETC SO G-071/2009<br />
622<br />
AETC SO G-025/2010<br />
623<br />
AETC SO G-086/2011
142<br />
Special Honors.<br />
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross With Palm, 8 April 1967-28 January 1973.<br />
Assignments. <strong>56th</strong> Maintenance <strong>and</strong> Supply Group 15 August 1947-1 August 1948.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Maintenance <strong>and</strong> Supply Group 1 August 1948-6 February 1952. <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong><br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>o (later, <strong>56th</strong> Special Operations) <strong>Wing</strong> 8 April 1967 625 -30 June 1975.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> (later, <strong>56th</strong> Tactical Training, <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong>) <strong>Wing</strong>, 30 June<br />
1975-1 November 1991. <strong>56th</strong> Logistics Group, 1 November 1991-4 January 1994. 626<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Logistics (later, <strong>56th</strong> Maintenance) Group, 1 April 1994-. 627<br />
Stations. Selfridge <strong>Field</strong> (later, <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>), Michigan, 15 August 1947-6 February<br />
1952. O'Hare International <strong>Air</strong>port, Illinois, 8 September 1957; K. I. Sawyer <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong><br />
<strong>Base</strong>, Michigan, 1 October 1959-1 January 1964. Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong><br />
<strong>Base</strong>, Thail<strong>and</strong>, 8 April 1967 628 -30 June 1975. MacDill <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Florida, 30 June<br />
1975-4 January 1994. <strong>Luke</strong> AFB, Arizona, 1 April 1994-. 629<br />
<strong>Air</strong>craft. None.<br />
Emblem. Approved on 27 October 1977.<br />
Blazon. On a blue disc edged with a narrow yellow border, three yellow triangles with<br />
points up, centered overall a blue triangle with point to base. Attached below the disc a<br />
blank yellow scroll.<br />
Motto. None.<br />
Significance. The large triangle on the ultramarine blue background symbolizes the<br />
integrity of the unit, working together towards a common goal. The three smaller <strong>Air</strong><br />
<strong>Force</strong> yellow triangles symbolize the three major functional areas of the squadron: AGE,<br />
Maintenance, <strong>and</strong> Munitions. The ultramarine blue inverted triangle reminds each leader<br />
that he/she is charged to serve the unit's <strong>Air</strong>men, whether military or civilian. The <strong>Air</strong><br />
<strong>Force</strong> yellow border binds the unit \\ith a strong commitment to quality, teamwork, <strong>and</strong><br />
dedication to the mission.<br />
624<br />
AETC SO G-171/17 April 2012<br />
625<br />
PACAF SO G-41, 8 March 1967<br />
626<br />
ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993<br />
627<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994; AETC SO G-02-20, 23 June 2002<br />
628<br />
PACAF SO G-41, 8 March 1967<br />
629<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994
143<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>ers.<br />
Maintenance Squadron, <strong>56th</strong> Maintenance <strong>and</strong> Supply Group<br />
[15 August 1947-1 August 1948]<br />
Unknown<br />
Unknown<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Maintenance Squadron, <strong>Fighter</strong>, Jet [1 August 1948-20 January 1950]<br />
Unknown<br />
Unknown<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Maintenance Squadron [20 January 1950-6 February 1952]<br />
Unknown<br />
Unknown<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Consolidated <strong>Air</strong>craft Maintenance Squadron<br />
[8 September 1957-1 January 1964]<br />
Unknown<br />
Unknown<br />
Maj (later, Lt Col) Douglas W. Mauldin bef 31 March 1963<br />
Maj H.L. Bogdanski 26 April 1963<br />
2d Lt Frederick J. Heyer 1 July 1963<br />
Maj Paul A. Mickelsen 3 July 1963<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Field</strong> Maintenance Squadron [8 April 1967-15 July 1974]<br />
Maj Winton W. Wilson 8 April 1967 630<br />
Capt Robert N. Hancock bef 31 July 1967<br />
Maj Albert S. Mercer November 1967<br />
Lt Col Richard J. Watson bef 18 December 1968<br />
Unknown<br />
Unknown<br />
Lt Col Harry E. Lyndes, Jr. bef 30 June 1970<br />
Lt Col John J. Byrne bef 30 September 1970<br />
Lt Col William N. Foster bef 31 December 1970<br />
Lt Col Joseph W. Norrbohm ca. 18 November 1971<br />
Lt Col Robert B. Anderson ca. May 1972<br />
Lt Col William R. Southerl<strong>and</strong> bef 31 March 1973<br />
Capt James F. Brady bef 10 September 1973<br />
Maj Ronald W. Janssen 10 September 1973<br />
Capt Robert L Walters 18 May 1974 631<br />
Maj Ronald W. Janssen 20 June 1974 – 15 July 1974. 632<br />
630<br />
56 FMS SO 1, 8 April 1967<br />
631<br />
56 FMS SO G-1, 13 May 1974<br />
632<br />
56 FMS SO G-3, 20 June 1974
144<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Consolidated <strong>Air</strong>craft Maintenance Squadron [15 July 1974-30 June 1975].<br />
Lt Col Wayne R. Bratcher 15 July 1974<br />
Lt Col William H. Hester 13 February 1975<br />
Col William H. Lewis 25 March 1975-30 June 1975<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Field</strong> Maintenance Squadron [30 June 1975-15 June 1977]<br />
Lt Col Richard J. Pouloit 30 June 1975<br />
Lt Col Robert G. Carter 1 March 1977-15 June 1977 633<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Equipment Maintenance Squadron [15 June 1977-1 November 1991<br />
Lt Col Robert G. Carter 15 June 1977<br />
Lt Col Billy A. Barrett 31 December 1977<br />
Lt Col Richard M. Higbie 1 June 1979 634<br />
Maj Michael O. Mullikin 10 July 1981<br />
Maj John T. Stephens 5 May 1983 635<br />
Lt Col Ferris O. Garrett, Jr. 5 August 1983 636<br />
Lt Col James W. Geith 11 November 1983<br />
Maj Devon L. Overmeyer, Jr. 5 December 1985<br />
Maj Patrick M. Thayer 2 June 1986<br />
Maj Donald J. Wetekam 10 July 1986 637 (Lieutenant General)<br />
Maj Patrick M. Thayer 20 January 1987<br />
Lt Col Peter R. Mooy 27 June 1988 638<br />
Maj Donald H. Campbell 13 June 1990-1 November 1991. 639<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Maintenance Squadron [1 November 1991-4 January 1994]<br />
Lt Col Mark A. Taylor 1 November 1991-4 January 1994. 640<br />
633<br />
56 CSG SO G-11, 11 March 1977<br />
634<br />
56 TFW SO G-25, 1 June 1979<br />
635<br />
56 CSG SO G-15, 5 May 1983<br />
636<br />
56 CSG SO G-30, 5 August 1983<br />
637<br />
56 CSG SO G-48, 10 July 1986<br />
638<br />
56 CSG SO G-61, 27 June 1988<br />
639<br />
56 MSS SO G-009, 11 June 1990<br />
640<br />
ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993
145<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Equipment Maintenance Squadron [1 April 1994-.<br />
Maj Danny D. Br<strong>and</strong>t 1 April 1994 641<br />
Maj Roy G. Lanier III 1 July 1994 642<br />
Lt Col Danny R. Tipton 12 September 1996 643<br />
Lt Col Dewey A. Holmes 18 September 1998 644<br />
Lt Col Lorraine M. Souza 6 October 1999 645<br />
Lt Col James L. Broome III 20 November 2001 646<br />
Maj John C. Kubinec 1 April 2003 647<br />
Lt Col Timothy S. Molnar 29 June 2005 648<br />
Lt Co Benjamin L. Alley 6 July 2007 649<br />
Lt Col Paul W. Sturges 30 June 2008 650<br />
Maj Dominic P. Clementz 6 July 2010 651<br />
Maj Jeffrey E. Campbell 22 June 2012 652<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Equipment Maintenance Squadron's Sheet Metal Shop<br />
641<br />
[58 MSS SO SO-G-71, 24 June 1992]<br />
642<br />
56 EMS SO SO-GN-0002, 20 June 1994<br />
643<br />
56 EMS SO SO-GN-0001, 11 September 1996<br />
644<br />
56 EMS SO SO-GN-0001, 26 August 1998<br />
645<br />
56 EMS SO SO-GN-0001, 6 October 1999<br />
646<br />
56 EMS SO SO-GM-0001, 16 November 2001<br />
647<br />
56 EMS SO SO-GN-0006, 1 April 2003<br />
648<br />
56 EMS SO 56 EMS GS-04-02, 29 June 2005<br />
649<br />
56 MXG SO SO-GS-001, 7 July 2007<br />
650<br />
56 MSG SO G-027, 18 August 2008<br />
651<br />
56 MSG SO G-021, 6 July 2010<br />
652<br />
56 FW SO G-018, 26 June 2012
146<br />
7<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>craft Maintenance Squadron<br />
Lineage.<br />
Constituted as 7<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>craft Maintenance<br />
Squadron on 17 July 2002.<br />
Activated on 27 September 2002. 653<br />
Honors.<br />
Decorations.<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Award<br />
1 July 2001-30 June 2003 654<br />
1 June [July] 2003-30 June 2005 655<br />
1 July 2005-30 June 2006 656<br />
1 July 2006-30 June 2007 657<br />
1 July 2007-30 June 2008 658<br />
1 July 2008-30 June 2009 659<br />
1 July 2009-30 June 2010 660<br />
1 July 2010-30 June 2011 661<br />
Assignments. <strong>56th</strong> Maintenance Group, 27 September 2002-. 662<br />
Stations. <strong>Luke</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Arizona, 27 September 2002-. 663<br />
309th <strong>Air</strong>craft Maintenance Unit members look for Foreign Object Damage (FOD) items.<br />
653<br />
AETC SO G-02-20, 23 June 2002<br />
654<br />
AETC SO GA-55/2004<br />
655<br />
AETC SO GA-0052/2006<br />
656<br />
AETC SO GA-045/2007<br />
657<br />
AETC SO G-054/2008<br />
658<br />
AETC SO G-071/2009<br />
659<br />
AETC SO G-025/2010<br />
660<br />
AETC SO G-086/2011<br />
661<br />
AETC SO G-171/17 April 2012<br />
662<br />
AETC SO G-02-20, 23 June 2002<br />
663<br />
AETC SO G-02-20, 23 June 2002
147<br />
<strong>Air</strong>craft. None.<br />
Emblem. Approved on 20 May 2003<br />
Blazon. On a disc per bend Sable <strong>and</strong> Azure, the sinister chief charged with a radiant<br />
rayonne of the second, issuant from sinister chief three lightning flashes converging<br />
bendwise sinister Or, overall <strong>and</strong> issuing from sinister flank the head of a Jaguar roaring<br />
Tenne detailed, shaded <strong>and</strong> spotted of the first, teeth <strong>and</strong> muzzle Argent, all within a<br />
narrow border Black.<br />
Attached above the disc, a Blue scroll edged with a narrow Black border <strong>and</strong><br />
inscribed “JAGUARS” in Black letters.<br />
Attached below the disc, a Blue scroll edged with a narrow Black border <strong>and</strong><br />
inscribed "756TH AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE SQ" in Black letters.<br />
Motto. Jaguars.<br />
Significance. Ultramarine Blue <strong>and</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> yellow are the <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> colors. Blue<br />
alludes to the sky, the primary theater of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> operations. Yellow refers to the sun<br />
<strong>and</strong> the excellence required of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> personnel. The background indicates the<br />
squadron’s day <strong>and</strong> night capabilities. The lightning flashes are symbolic of the<br />
maintenance units, which provide sortie-capable aircraft in the required numbers - on<br />
time, safely <strong>and</strong> in proper configuration to support the parent wings mission. The Jaguar<br />
is the symbol of the unit, which possesses the aggressive <strong>and</strong> powerful nature of the great<br />
cat.<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>ers.<br />
7<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>craft Maintenance Squadron [27 September 2002-.]<br />
Lt Col Douglas C. Cato, Jr. 27 September 2002 664<br />
Maj Mark L. Helleksen 14 May 2004 665<br />
Maj Kevin J. Traw 19 May 2006 666<br />
Lt Col Benjamin L. Alley 1 July 2008 667<br />
Maj (later, Lt Col) Timothy W. Trimmell 28 June 2010 668<br />
Lt Col James Upchurch 28 June 2012 669<br />
664<br />
756 AMXS SO 756 AMXS-1, 27 September 2002<br />
665<br />
756 AMXS SO 756 AMXS-G04-1, 23 April 2004<br />
666<br />
756 AMXS SO 756 AMXS-G06-1, 28 April 2006<br />
667<br />
756 AMXS SO 756 AMXS-G08-2, 1 July 2008<br />
668<br />
56 MSG SO G-018, 25 June 2010<br />
669<br />
56 MSG SO G-019, 26 June 2012
148<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Mission Support Group<br />
Lineage.<br />
Established as <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>drome Group on 28 July 1947.<br />
Organized on 15 August 1947.<br />
Discontinued on 1 August 1948.<br />
Col Nathan C. Mooney II<br />
Consolidated (1 October 1984) with the <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong> Group, which was established on<br />
14 June 1948.<br />
Activated on 1 August 1948.<br />
Inactivated on 6 February 1952.<br />
Activated on 28 December 1960. 670<br />
Organized on 1 February 1961.<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> Combat Support Group on 1 April 1963.<br />
Discontinued, <strong>and</strong> inactivated, on 1 January 1964. 671<br />
Activated on 16 March 1967.<br />
Organized on 8 April 1967. 672<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> Support Group on 1 November 1991.<br />
Inactivated on 4 January 1994. 673<br />
670<br />
AFOMO 536m, 28 December 1960<br />
671<br />
AFOMO 90n, 16 September 1963<br />
672<br />
PACAF SO G-41, 8 March 1967<br />
673<br />
ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993
149<br />
Activated on 1 April 1994. 674<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> Mission Support Group on 27 September 2002. 675<br />
Honors.<br />
Campaign Streamers.<br />
Vietnam<br />
Vietnam <strong>Air</strong> Offensive, Phase II [1967-1968]<br />
Vietnam <strong>Air</strong> Offensive, Phase III [1968] 676<br />
Vietnam <strong>Air</strong> Offensive, Phase IV [1968-1969]<br />
Tet 1969 Counteroffensive [1969]<br />
Vietnam Summer/Fall 1969 [1969]<br />
Vietnam Winter/Spring 1970 [1969-1970] 677<br />
Sanctuary Counteroffensive [1970]<br />
Southwest Monsoon [1970] 678<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>o Hunt V [1970-1971] 679<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>o Hunt VI [1971] 680<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>o Hunt VII [1971-1972] 681<br />
Vietnam Cease Fire [1972-1973] 682<br />
Decorations.<br />
Presidential Unit Citations<br />
Southeast Asia 1 November 1968-1 May 1969 683<br />
Southeast Asia 1 October 1969-30 April 1970 684<br />
Southeast Asia 1 April 1972-22 February 1973<br />
674<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
675<br />
AETC SO G-02-20, 23 June 2002<br />
676<br />
PACAF SO G-184, 30 July 1969<br />
677<br />
PACAF SO G-352, 14 June 1971<br />
678<br />
PACAF SO GB-0019, 31 January 1974<br />
679<br />
PACAF SO GB-0022, 31 January 1974<br />
680<br />
PACAF SO GB-0025, 31 January 1974<br />
681<br />
PACAF SO GB-0027, 31 January 1974<br />
682<br />
PACAF SO GB-0187, 15 July 1974<br />
683<br />
DAF SO GB-552/1970<br />
684<br />
DAF SO GB-352/1971
150<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Awards<br />
1 June 1970-31 May 1971 with Combat "V" Device 685<br />
1 December 1971-29 February 1972 with Combat "V" Device 686<br />
23 February 1973-28 February 1974 with Combat "V" Device 687<br />
24 January 1975-2 May 1975 with Combat "V" Device 688<br />
1 January 1977-1 January 1979 689<br />
1 July 1980-31 May 1982 690<br />
1 June 1984-31 May 1986 691<br />
1 May 1987-30 April 1989 692<br />
1 May 1989-30 April 1990 693<br />
1 May 1990-30 April 1991 694<br />
1 July 1994-30 June 1996 695<br />
1 July 1996-30 June 1998 696<br />
1 July 1998-30 June 2000 697<br />
1 July 2001-30 June 2003 698<br />
1 June [July] 2003-30 June 2005 699<br />
1 July 2005-30 June 2006 700<br />
1 July 2006-30 June 2007 701<br />
1 July 2007-30 June 2008 702<br />
1 July 2008-30 June 2009 703<br />
685<br />
DAF SO GB-703, 9 November 1971<br />
686<br />
DAF SO GB-553/1973<br />
687<br />
DAF SO GB-600/1975<br />
688<br />
USAF SO GB-623, 10 August 1976<br />
689<br />
DAF SO GB-719, 30 November 1979<br />
690<br />
DAF SO GB-117, 22 February 1983<br />
691<br />
DAF SO GB-275/1987<br />
692<br />
TAC SO GA-053, 29 August 1989<br />
693<br />
TAC SO GA-048, 16 August 1990<br />
694<br />
TAC SO GA-069/1991<br />
695<br />
AETC SO GA-18/1996<br />
696<br />
AETC SO GA-12/1998<br />
697<br />
AETC SO GA-9/2000<br />
698<br />
AETC SO GA-55/2004<br />
699<br />
AETC SO GA-0052/2006<br />
700<br />
AETC SO GA-045/2007<br />
701<br />
AETC SO G-054/2008<br />
702<br />
AETC SO G-071/2009
151<br />
Decorations. (Continued)<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Award (Continued)<br />
1 July 2009-30 June 2010 704<br />
1 July 2010-30 June 2011 705<br />
Special Honors.<br />
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, 8 April 1967-28 January 1973<br />
PAST AND PRESENT UNITS ASSIGNED<br />
Currently Assigned Units<br />
Time Frame Assigned<br />
Squadrons<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Civil Engineer Squadron 1 April 1994. 706<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Communications Squadron 1 April 1994 707<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Contracting Squadron 1 April 1994 708<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Logistics Readiness Squadron 1 August 2002 709<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Services Squadron<br />
later, <strong>Force</strong> Support Squadron 1 April 1994 710<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Security Police Squadron<br />
later, <strong>56th</strong> Security <strong>Force</strong>s Squadron 1 April 1994. 711<br />
Previously Assigned Units<br />
Time Frame Assigned<br />
Squadrons<br />
Squadron "A," <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>drome Group 15 August 1947-1 August 1948.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Communications Squadron 1 August 1948-6 February 1952;<br />
1 October 1991-4 January 1994. 712<br />
703<br />
AETC SO G-025/2010<br />
704<br />
AETC SO G-086/2011<br />
705<br />
AETC SO G-171/17 April 2012<br />
706<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
707<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
708<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
709<br />
AETC SO G-02-20, 23 June 2002<br />
710<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994; AETC SO G-09-9, 26 February 2009<br />
711<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
712<br />
ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993
152<br />
Previously Assigned Units (Continued) Time Frame Assigned<br />
Squadron "B," <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>drome Group 15 August 1947-1 August 1948.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong> Police Squadron, <strong>Fighter</strong>, Jet<br />
later, <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong> Police Squadron<br />
later, <strong>56th</strong> Security Police Squadron 1 August 1948-6 February 1952;<br />
15 February 1963-1 January 1964;<br />
8 April 1967-4 January 1994. 713<br />
Squadron "C," <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>drome Group 15 August 1947-1 August 1948.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Installations Squadron, <strong>Fighter</strong>, Jet<br />
later, <strong>56th</strong> Installations Squadron,<br />
later, <strong>56th</strong> Civil Engineering Squadron,<br />
later, <strong>56th</strong> Civil Engineer Squadron 1 August 1948-6 February 1952;<br />
1 February 1961 714 -1 January 1964;<br />
8 April 1967-4 January 1994. 715<br />
Squadron "D," <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>drome Group 15 August 1947-1 August 1948<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Food Service Squadron, <strong>Fighter</strong>, Jet<br />
later <strong>56th</strong> Food Service Squadron 1 August 1948-6 February 1952<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Services Squadron<br />
later, <strong>56th</strong> Morale, Welfare, Recreation<br />
<strong>and</strong> Services Squadron 8 April 1967 716 -28 February 1975;<br />
30 June 1975-4 January 1994 717<br />
Squadron "E," <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>drome Group 15 August 1947-1 August 1948<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Motor Vehicle Squadron, <strong>Fighter</strong>, Jet<br />
later, <strong>56th</strong> Motor Vehicle Squadron 1 August 1948-6 February 1952<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Transportation Squadron 1 February 1961-1 April 1963<br />
8 April 1967 718 -30 June 1975<br />
Squadron "F," <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>drome Group<br />
March 1948-Unknown<br />
4th Finance Disbursing Unit, <strong>Fighter</strong>, Jet 1 August 1948-1 November 1949<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong> Squadron 1 February 1961 719 -1 January 1964.<br />
713<br />
PACAF SO G-41, 8 March 1967; ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993<br />
714<br />
ADC GO #192, 28 December 1960<br />
715<br />
PACAF SO G-41, 8 March 1967; ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993<br />
716<br />
PACAF SO G-41, 8 March 1967<br />
717<br />
TAC SO GA-12, 10 June 1975; ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993<br />
718<br />
PACAF SO G-41, 8 March 1967<br />
719<br />
ADC GO #192, 28 December 1960
153<br />
Previously Assigned Units (Continued) Time Frame Assigned<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Base</strong> Service Squadron, <strong>Fighter</strong>, Jet,<br />
later, <strong>56th</strong> Mission Support Squadron 1 August 1948-13 March 1950;<br />
15 August 1988-4 January 1994 720 ;<br />
1 April 1994 721 -26 February 2009.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Combat Support Squadron (Avon Park, Florida)<br />
later, <strong>56th</strong> Support Squadron (Avon Park, Florida)<br />
30 June 1975-4 January 1994. 722<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Comptroller Squadron [15 August 1988]-1 November 1991.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Headquarters Squadron<br />
1 February 1961-Unknown<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Morale, Welfare <strong>and</strong> Recreation<br />
Squadron 1 October 1991-4 September 1992. 723<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Supply Squadron 1 February 1961-1 April 1963.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Support Squadron 1 April 1994-1 October 1994 724<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Transportation Squadron 1 February 1961-<br />
32d Crash-Rescue Boat Flight attached 14 July 1951-Unknown 725<br />
Assignments. <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> on 15 August 1947-1 August 1948. <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> (later,<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong>-Interceptor) <strong>Wing</strong> on 1 August 1948-6 February 1952. <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong><br />
(<strong>Air</strong> Defense), 1 February 1961-1 January 1964. <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong> Comm<strong>and</strong>o (later, <strong>56th</strong> Special<br />
Operations,) <strong>Wing</strong>, 8 April 1967-Unknown. Tactical <strong>Air</strong> Comm<strong>and</strong>, Unknown-30 June<br />
1975. <strong>56th</strong> Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> (later, <strong>56th</strong> Tactical Training, <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong>) <strong>Wing</strong> 30 June<br />
1975-4 January 1994. 726 <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> 1 April 1994-. 727<br />
Stations. Selfridge <strong>Field</strong> (later, <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>), Michigan, 15 August 1947-1 August<br />
1948; 1 August 1948-6 February 1952. K.I. Sawyer <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Michigan,<br />
1 February 1961-1 January 1964. Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Thail<strong>and</strong>,<br />
8 April 1967-30 June 1975; MacDill <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Florida, 30 June 1975 728 -4 January<br />
1994. 729 <strong>Luke</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Arizona, 1 April 1994-. 730<br />
720<br />
ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993<br />
721<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994; AETC SO G-09-9, 26 February 2009<br />
722<br />
TAC SO GA-12, 10 June 1975; ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993<br />
723<br />
TAC SO GB-001, 1 October 1991; ACC SO GB-124, 21 August 1992<br />
724<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994; AETC SO G-49, 30 June 1994<br />
725<br />
56 FIW GO 22, 14 July 1951<br />
726<br />
TAC SO GA-12, 10 June 1975; ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993<br />
727<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
728<br />
TAC SO GA-12, 10 June 1975<br />
729<br />
ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993
154<br />
<strong>Air</strong>craft. None.<br />
Emblem. [Group will use the wing emblem with group designation in the scroll.]<br />
Emblem approved 19 April 1967. [Source: 1967 Emblem Approval Letter.]<br />
Blazon. [Group will use the wing emblem with group designation in the scroll.] Tenne<br />
on a chevron azure fimbriated or two lightning flashes chevronwise of the last. [Source:<br />
1967 Emblem Approval Letter.].<br />
Motto. [Group will use the wing emblem with group designation in the scroll.]<br />
Cave Tonitrum (Beware of the Thunderbolt). [Source: 1967 Emblem Approval Letter.]<br />
Significance. [Group will use the wing emblem with group designation in the scroll.]<br />
The emblem is symbolic of the <strong>Wing</strong>. The heraldic chevron, represents support <strong>and</strong><br />
signifies the <strong>Wing</strong>'s support of our nation's quest for peace. The blue of the chevron<br />
represents the sky, the primary theater of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> operations. The lightning bolt<br />
symbolizes speed <strong>and</strong> aggressiveness with which the unit performs. The color of the<br />
shield represents the <strong>Air</strong> Corps <strong>and</strong> commemorates the service of the <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> Group,<br />
whose honors <strong>and</strong> history the <strong>Wing</strong> inherits. The emblem bears the <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> colors of<br />
golden yellow <strong>and</strong> ultramarine blue. [Source: 1967 Emblem Approval Letter.]<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>ers.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>drome Group [15 August 1947-1 August 1948]<br />
Maj James R. Woods ca. 15 August 1947<br />
Lt Col Irwin H. Dregne bef 30 September 1947 [Ace]<br />
Lt Col David T. McKnight bef 30 June 1948-1 August 1948<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong> Group [1 August 1948-6 February 1952;<br />
1 February 1961-1 April 1963]<br />
Lt Col David T. McKnight 1 August 1948<br />
Lt Col Burton E. McKenzie bef 30 June 1949<br />
Lt Col Robert N. Lacy bef 31 December 1949<br />
Maj Roy L. Bowlin bef 1 January 1950<br />
Lt Col William W. Ingehut bef 1 September 1950<br />
Lt Col George J. Ola 21 December 1950<br />
Col Graeme S. Bond bef 31 March 1951<br />
Col Blake C. Miller<br />
27 August 1951-Unknown<br />
Unknown 1 February 1961<br />
Col Daniel P. McLean bef 28 March 1963<br />
730<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994
155<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Combat Support Group [1 April 1963-1 January 1964;<br />
8 April 1967-1 November 1991<br />
Col Daniel P. McLean<br />
1 April 1963 - Unknown<br />
Col Frank A. Sheehan 8 April 1967 731<br />
Lt Col Lewis C. Hughes 20 May 1967 732<br />
Col Benjamin F. De Haan 2 July 1967 733<br />
Col Thomas R. Owens bef 18 December 1968<br />
Col Thomas B. Carter 13 June 1969<br />
Col Thomas L Carroll 1 June 1970<br />
Col James D. Pearson bef 30 September 1971<br />
Lt Col William E. Flanigin bef 18 July 1972<br />
Col Edward H. Aune 18 July 1972<br />
Col John R. Boyd bef 31 December 1972<br />
Col John.L. Webb 1 April 1973<br />
Col Robert G. Rogers 1 April 1974<br />
Col Howard T. Nuckels 15 March 1975<br />
Col David G. Harston bef 25 August 1975<br />
Col William E. Adams 25 August 1975<br />
Unknown<br />
Unknown<br />
Col George E. Wehling 1 March 1979<br />
Col Milton A. Steadman 27 February 1981<br />
Col Edward A. Zompa 11 May 1984 734<br />
Col David L. Wagner 14 November 1984<br />
Col Jack P. Cross 17 June 1987<br />
Col Robert J. Smith 18 April 1988 735<br />
Col Jack P. Cross bef 7 July 1988<br />
Col Robert J. Smith 7 July 1988 736<br />
Col George G. Giddens 25 July 1989 737<br />
Col Stig Egede Nissen August 1991-1 November 1991.<br />
731<br />
56 CSG SO G-05, 8 April 1967<br />
732<br />
56 CSG SO G-07, 20 May 1967<br />
733<br />
56 CSG SO G-10, 2 July 1967<br />
734<br />
9 AF SO G-13, 9 May 1984<br />
735<br />
56 CSG SO G-48, 19 April 1988<br />
736<br />
56 CSG SO G-63, 8 July 1988<br />
737<br />
56 MSS SO G-034, 24 July 1989
156<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Support Group [1 November 1991-4 January 1994;<br />
1 April 1994-27 September 2002]<br />
Col Stig Egede Nissen 1 November 1991<br />
Col Charles T. Ohlinger III August 1992<br />
Col Larry A. Timmerman 18 August 1993-4 January 1994<br />
Col Samuel E Young, Jr. 1 April 1994 738<br />
Col Elizabeth A. Harrell 17 October 1994 739 (Major General)<br />
Vacant 13 June 1995<br />
Col Rodney E. Gibson 9 August 1995 740<br />
Lt Col (later, Col) Norman L. Watson 7 August 1996 741<br />
Lt Col (later, Col) Michael Hazen 15 June 1998 742<br />
Col Robert L. Worley, Jr. 18 May 2000 743 -27 September 2002.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Mission Support Group [27 September 2002-.]<br />
Col Michael J. Maloney 27 September 2002 744<br />
Col Keith E. Smith 7 June 2004 745<br />
Col Ronald J. Mozzillo 10 July 2006 746<br />
Col Andre K. Curry 2 May 2008 747<br />
Col Philippe R. Darcy 18 June 2010 748<br />
Col Nathan C. Mooney II 9 July 2012-. 749<br />
738<br />
[832 MSS SO SO-G-8, 27 December 1990 <strong>and</strong> 58 MSS SO SO-G-1, 1 October 1991]<br />
739<br />
56 FW SO SO-GR-001, 21 October 1994<br />
740<br />
56 FW SO SO-GR-004, 24 July 1995<br />
741<br />
56 FW SO SO-GR-001, 31 July 1996<br />
742<br />
56 FS SO SO-GR-001, 28 May 1998<br />
743<br />
56 FW SO SO-GR-003, 17 May 2000<br />
744<br />
56 MSG SO MSG G-2, 24 September 2002<br />
745<br />
56 MSS SO 56 MSS G-2 2004, 3 June 2004<br />
746<br />
56 MSG SO MSG-06-05, 30 June 2006<br />
747<br />
56 MSS SO G-015, 2 May 2008<br />
748<br />
56 MSG SO G-011, 9 June 2010<br />
749<br />
56 FW SO G-021, 9 July 2012
157<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Civil Engineer Squadron<br />
Lineage.<br />
Designated Squadron "C," <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>drome<br />
Group on 28 July 1947.<br />
Organized on 15 August 1947.<br />
Discontinued on 1 August 1948.<br />
Consolidated (3 October 1984) with<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Installations Squadron,<br />
<strong>Fighter</strong>, Jet, which was constituted<br />
on 14 June 1948.<br />
Activated on 1 August 1948.<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> Installations Squadron<br />
on 20 January 1950.<br />
Inactivated 6 February 1952.<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> Civil Engineering Squadron, <strong>and</strong> activated, on 28 December 1960. 750<br />
Organized on 1 February 1961.<br />
Discontinued, <strong>and</strong> inactivated, on 1 January 1964. 751<br />
Activated on 16 March 1967.<br />
Organized on 8 April 1967. 752<br />
Inactivated on 4 January 1994. 753<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> Civil Engineer Squadron on 21 March 1994.<br />
Activated 1 April 1994. 754<br />
Fire Department practice putting out an aircraft fire.<br />
750<br />
AFOMO 536m, 28 December 1960<br />
751<br />
AFOMO 90n, 16 September 1963<br />
752<br />
PACAF SO G-41, 8 March 1967<br />
753<br />
ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993<br />
754<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994
158<br />
Honors.<br />
Campaign Streamers.<br />
Vietnam<br />
Vietnam <strong>Air</strong> Offensive, Phase II [1967-1968]<br />
Vietnam <strong>Air</strong> Offensive, Phase III [1968] 755<br />
Vietnam <strong>Air</strong> Offensive, Phase IV [1968-1969]<br />
Tet 1969 Counteroffensive [1969]<br />
Vietnam Summer/Fall 1969 [1969]<br />
Vietnam Winter/Spring 1970 [1969-1970] 756<br />
Sanctuary Counteroffensive [1970]<br />
Southwest Monsoon [1970]<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>o Hunt V [1970-1971]<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>o Hunt VI [1971]<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>o Hunt VII [1971-1972]<br />
Vietnam Cease Fire [1972-1973]<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>o Hunt VI [1971]<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>o Hunt VII [1971-1972]<br />
Vietnam Cease Fire [1972-1973]<br />
Decorations.<br />
Presidential Unit Citations<br />
Southeast Asia 1 November 1968-1 May 1969 757<br />
Southeast Asia 1 October 1969-30 April 1970 758<br />
Southeast Asia 1 April 1972-22 February 1973<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Awards<br />
1 June 1970-31 May 1971 with Combat "V" Device 759<br />
1 December 1971-29 February 1972 with Combat "V" Device 760<br />
23 February 1973-28 February 1974 with Combat "V" Device 761<br />
24 January-2 May 1975 with Combat "V" Device 762<br />
1 January 1977-1 January 1979 763<br />
755<br />
PACAF SO G-184, 30 July 1969<br />
756<br />
PACAF SO G-352, 14 June 1971<br />
757<br />
DAF SO GB-552/1970<br />
758<br />
DAF SO GB-352/1971<br />
759<br />
DAF SO GB-703, 9 November 1971<br />
760<br />
DAF SO GB-553/1973<br />
761<br />
DAF SO GB-600/1975<br />
762<br />
USAF SO GB-623, 10 August 1976<br />
763<br />
DAF SO GB-719, 30 November 1979
159<br />
Decorations. (Continued)<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Award (Continued)<br />
1 October 1979-30 September 1980 764<br />
1 July 1980-31 May 1982 765<br />
1 June 1984-31 May 1986 766<br />
1 May 1987-30 April 1989 767<br />
1 May 1989-30 April 1990 768<br />
1 May 1990-30 April 1991 769<br />
1 July 1994-30 June 1996 770<br />
1 July 1996-30 June 1998 771<br />
1 July 1998-30 June 2000 772<br />
1 July 2001-30 June 2003 773<br />
1 June [July] 2003-30 June 2005 774<br />
1 July 2005-30 June 2006 775<br />
1 July 2006-30 June 2007 776<br />
1 July 2007-30 June 2008 777<br />
1 July 2008-30 June 2009 778<br />
1 July 2009-30 June 2010 779<br />
1 July 2010-30 June 2011 780<br />
Special Honors.<br />
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, 8 April 1967-28 January 1973<br />
764<br />
DAF SO GB-122/1982<br />
765<br />
DAF SO GB-117, 22 February 1983<br />
766<br />
DAF SO GB-275/1987<br />
767<br />
TAC SO GA-053, 29 August 1989<br />
768<br />
TAC SO GA-048, 16 August 1990<br />
769<br />
TAC SO GA-069/1991<br />
770<br />
AETC SO GA-18/1996<br />
771<br />
AETC SO GA-12/1998<br />
772<br />
AETC SO GA-9/2000<br />
773<br />
AETC SO GA-55/2004<br />
774<br />
AETC SO GA-0052/2006<br />
775<br />
AETC SO GA-045/2007<br />
776<br />
AETC SO G-054/2008<br />
777<br />
AETC SO G-071/2009<br />
778<br />
AETC SO G-025/2010<br />
779<br />
AETC SO G-086/2011<br />
780<br />
AETC SO G-171/17 April 2012
160<br />
Assignments. <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>drome Group, 15 August 1947-31 July 1948. <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong><br />
Group, 1 August 1948-6 February 1952. <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong> (later, <strong>56th</strong> Combat Support)<br />
Group, 1 February 1961-1 January 1964. <strong>56th</strong> Combat Support (later, <strong>56th</strong> Support)<br />
Group, 8 April 1967-4 January 1994. 781 <strong>56th</strong> Support (later, <strong>56th</strong> Mission Support)<br />
Group on 1 April 1994-. 782<br />
Stations. Selfridge <strong>Field</strong> (later, <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>), Michigan, 15 August 1947-6 February<br />
1952. K.I. Sawyer <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Michigan, 1 February 1961-1 January 1964. Nakhon<br />
Phanom Royal Thai <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Thail<strong>and</strong>, 8 April 1967 783 -30 June 1975; MacDill<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Florida, 30 June 1975-4 January 1994. 784 <strong>Luke</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Arizona,<br />
1 April 1994-. 785<br />
<strong>Air</strong>craft. None.<br />
Emblem. Approved on 30 October 2003<br />
Blazon. On a disc per bend Or <strong>and</strong> Azure, emerging in front of a keystone outlined<br />
Tenné, voided of the field, an armed knight in prospect Proper garnished Sable, plumed<br />
Gules, on sinister arm a shield blazoned: “Tenné a chevron Azure, edged Or, thereon a<br />
lightning flash chevron-wise of the last, all within a narrow border Blue.<br />
Attached above the disc, a Yellow scroll edged with a narrow Blue border <strong>and</strong><br />
inscribed “DRAGONSLAYERS” in Blue letters.<br />
Attached below the disc, a Yellow scroll edged with a narrow Blue border <strong>and</strong><br />
inscribed "56TH CIVIL ENGINEER SQ" in Blue letters.<br />
Motto. Dragonslayers.<br />
Significance. Ultramarine blue <strong>and</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> yellow are the <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> colors. Blue<br />
alludes to the sky, the primary theater of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> operations. Yellow refers to the sun<br />
<strong>and</strong> the excellence required of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> personnel. The knight with sword down<br />
represents the support provided by the Squadron to its parent wing by preparing it for<br />
battle. The shield is reminiscent of the coat of arms of the parent wing <strong>and</strong> reflects the<br />
unit’s contribution to a worldwide defense deployment capability.<br />
781<br />
PACAF SO G-41, 8 March 1967; ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993<br />
782<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994; AETC SO G-02-20, 23 June 2002<br />
783<br />
PACAF SO G-41, 8 March 1967<br />
784<br />
ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993<br />
785<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994
161<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>ers.<br />
Squadron "C," <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>drome Group [15 August 1947-1 August 1948]<br />
Unknown 15 August 1947-1 August 1948<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Installations Squadron, <strong>Fighter</strong>, Jet [1 August 1948-20 January 1950]<br />
Unknown 1 August 1948-20 January 1950<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Installations Squadron [20 January 1950-6 February 1952]<br />
Unknown 20 January 1950<br />
Lt Col Richard J. Coffee bef 26 March 1951<br />
Capt Tom E. LeRetilley August 1951<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Civil Engineering Squadron [1 February 1961-1 January 1964;<br />
8 April 1967-4 January 1994]<br />
Lt Col D.C. Oldershaw 1 February 1961<br />
Capt Wayne V. Jorgensen July 1961<br />
Maj James F. Klentzman 4 December 1961<br />
Lt Col H.W. Pollock bef 31 March 1962-<br />
aft 30 September 1963<br />
Unknown 1 October 1963-1 January 1964.<br />
Maj Robert K. Jones 8 April 1967<br />
Lt Col Sydney E. Key 26 April 1967 786<br />
Maj Edmund H. Keranen bef 20 November 1967<br />
Lt Col Sydney E. Key bef 6 February 1968<br />
Lt Col John G. Rice bef 31 March 1968<br />
Maj Joe G. Winslow bef 17 November 1968<br />
Lt Col George R. Grube bef 31 March 1969<br />
Lt Col Ray C. Rawlston bef 31 December 1969<br />
Lt Col Harry H. Magazu bef 30 June 1970<br />
Lt Col John P. Turner bef 30 September 1970<br />
Maj Paul M. Richter bef 30 September 1971<br />
Lt Col Aaron A. Powers, Jr. bef 30 June 1972<br />
Maj Milton D. Rindahl bef 31 March 1973<br />
Lt Col Terrance E. Hobbs 13 July 1973<br />
Lt Col Ernest E. Walkup 15 July 1974<br />
Lt Col Donald L. Spurrier bef 30 June 1975<br />
Lt Col Vincent E. DelVecchio 30 June 1975<br />
Lt Col David P. Gibbs 24 June 1977<br />
Col Walter F. Tatum, Jr. 2 October 1978<br />
786<br />
56 CES SO 11, 1967
162<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>ers. (Continued)<br />
Col Earle R. Cole 11 July 1983 787<br />
Col Robert L. Bell 12 June 1985<br />
Lt Col Gary C. Gibson 16 March 1988 788<br />
Col Walter L. Gray 15 August 1988 789<br />
Lt Col Scott L. Smith 10 October 1990<br />
Lt Col Jeffrey L. Tyley July 1992-4 January 1994<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Civil Engineer Squadron [1 April 1994-.]<br />
Lt Col Steven A. Bitler 1 April 1994 790<br />
Lt Col Raymond E. Dinsmore 19 June 1995 791<br />
Maj Joseph Lacatus 2 June 1997 792<br />
Lt Col Steven E. Heorn 30 July 1997 793<br />
Lt Col David C. Brewer 13 July 1999 794<br />
Lt Col John R. Lohr 3 July 2001 795<br />
Lt col John P. Dewine 6 June 2003 796<br />
Lt Col Douglas M. Hammer 17 June 2005 797<br />
Lt Col Anthony R. Ramage 11 June 2007 798<br />
Lt Col John D. Thomas 2 July 2009 799<br />
Lt Col Chad B. Bondurant 8 July 2011-. 800<br />
787<br />
56 CSG SO G-22, 11 July 1983<br />
788<br />
56 CSG SO G-42, 16 March 1988<br />
789<br />
56 CSG SO G-79, 12 August 1988<br />
790<br />
[58 MSS SO SO-G-48, 6 February 1992]<br />
791<br />
56 CES SO GP-002, ca. 20 June 1995<br />
792<br />
56 CES SO G-001, 5 June 1997<br />
793<br />
56 CES SO SO-GP-02, ca. 30 July 1997<br />
794<br />
56 CES SO G-001, 13 July 1999<br />
795<br />
56 CES SO G-004, 28 June 2001<br />
796<br />
56 CES SO 56 CES G-1, 6 June 2003<br />
797<br />
56 CES SO 56 CES G-1, 17 June 2005<br />
798<br />
56 MSG SO MSG-07-06, 5 June 2007<br />
799<br />
56MSG SO G-040, 16 July 2009<br />
800<br />
56 FSS SO G-022, 8 July 2011
163<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Contracting Squadron<br />
Lineage.<br />
Constituted as <strong>56th</strong> Contracting Squadron<br />
on 28 October 1991.<br />
Activated on 1 November 1991.<br />
Inactivated on 4 January 1994. 801<br />
Activated on 1 April 1994. 802<br />
Honors.<br />
Decorations.<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Award<br />
1 July 1994-30 June 1996 803<br />
1 July 1996-30 June 1998 804<br />
1 July 1998-30 June 2000 805<br />
1 July 2001-30 June 2003 806<br />
1 June [July] 2003-30 June 2005 807<br />
1 July 2005-30 June 2006 808<br />
1 July 2006-30 June 2007 809<br />
1 July 2007-30 June 2008 810<br />
1 July 2008-30 June 2009 811<br />
1 July 2009-30 June 2010 812<br />
1 July 2010-30 June 2011 813<br />
801<br />
ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993<br />
802<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
803<br />
AETC SO GA-18/1996<br />
804<br />
AETC SO GA-12/1998<br />
805<br />
AETC SO GA-9/2000<br />
806<br />
AETC SO GA-55/2004<br />
807<br />
AETC SO GA-0052/2006<br />
808<br />
AETC SO GA-045/2007<br />
809<br />
AETC SO G-054/2008<br />
810<br />
AETC SO G-071/2009<br />
811<br />
AETC SO G-025/2010<br />
812<br />
AETC SO G-086/2011<br />
813<br />
AETC SO G-171/17 April 2012
164<br />
Assignments. <strong>56th</strong> Logistics Group on 1 November 1991-4 January 1994 814 <strong>and</strong> 1 April<br />
1994 815 -27 September 2002. <strong>56th</strong> Mission Support Group on 27 September 2002-. 816<br />
Stations. MacDill <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Florida, 1 November 1991-4 January 1994. 817<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Arizona, 1 April 1994-. 818<br />
<strong>Luke</strong><br />
<strong>Air</strong>craft. None.<br />
Emblem. Approved on 22 June 2001<br />
Blazon. On a disc Azure, a bezant enhanced surmounted by a bald eagle stooping<br />
Brown, garnished Argent, eyed <strong>and</strong> armed Sable, unfurled from its dexter talon a<br />
parchment Proper, garnished with a certification ribbon of the fourth, all within a<br />
diminished border Black.<br />
Attached above the disc, a Yellow scroll edged with a narrow Black border <strong>and</strong><br />
inscribed "56TH CONTRACTING SQ" in Black letters.<br />
Attached below the disc, a Yellow scroll edged with a narrow Black border <strong>and</strong><br />
inscribed "WE MAKE IT HAPPEN" in Black letters.<br />
Motto. We Make It Happen.<br />
Significance. Ultramarine blue <strong>and</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> yellow are the <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> colors. Blue<br />
alludes to the sky, the primary theater of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> operations. Yellow refers to the sun<br />
<strong>and</strong> the excellence required of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> personnel. The eagle symbolizes the <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong>,<br />
holding the contract parchment representing the unit’s mission of managing the formation<br />
of legal agreements in support of the parent wing.<br />
814<br />
ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993<br />
815<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
816<br />
AETC SO G-02-20, 23 June 2002<br />
817<br />
ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993<br />
818<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994
165<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>ers.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Contracting Squadron [1 November 1991-4 January 1994;<br />
1 April 1994-.]<br />
Lt Col Don Drenkhan ca. 1 November 1991-4 January 1994<br />
Maj Gerald H. Jacques 1 April 1994 819<br />
Maj Brenda J. Bobbitt 10 July 1996 820<br />
Capt Anthony K. McGraw bef 24 November 1998<br />
Maj Karen L. Bruce 24 November 1998 821<br />
Lt Col Jose R. Solis, Jr. 12 July 2001 822<br />
Maj Richard E. Wells 23 July 2004 823<br />
Maj Thomas D. Ficklin 7 July 2006 824<br />
Lt Col Rick C. Denmann 22 January 2007 825<br />
Maj (later, Lt Col) Thomas D. Ficklin 30 July 2007 826<br />
Lt Col Tommy M. Gates III 1 July 2009 827<br />
Maj Quoc-Nam Nguyen 18 June 2012 828<br />
819<br />
[58 FW SO n.n., ca. 30 November 1993]<br />
820<br />
56 CONS SO SO-GX-0001, ca. 8 July 1996<br />
821<br />
56 CONS SO GO-0009, 12 November 1998<br />
822<br />
56 CONS SO SO-GO-01, 12 July 2001<br />
823<br />
56 MSS SO 56 CONS G-1 2004, 1 July 2004<br />
824<br />
56 MSG SO MSG-06-04, 19 June 2006<br />
825<br />
56 MSG SO MSG-07-02, 27 December 2006<br />
826<br />
56 MSG SO MSG-06-04, 19 June 2006<br />
827<br />
56 MSG SO G-049, 24 September 2009<br />
828<br />
56 FW SO G-020, 28 June 2012
166<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Communications Squadron<br />
Lineage.<br />
Constituted as <strong>56th</strong> Communications<br />
Squadron, <strong>Fighter</strong>, Jet, on 14 June<br />
1948.<br />
Activated on 1 August 1948.<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> Communications<br />
Squadron on 20 January 1950.<br />
Inactivated on 6 February 1952.<br />
Activated on 1 October 1991.<br />
Inactivated on 4 January 1994. 829<br />
Activated 1 April 1994. 830<br />
Honors.<br />
Decorations.<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Award<br />
1 July 1994-30 June 1996 831<br />
1 July 1996-30 June 1998 832<br />
1 July 1998-30 June 2000 833<br />
1 July 2001-30 June 2003 834<br />
1 June [July] 2003-30 June 2005 835<br />
1 July 2005-30 June 2006 836<br />
1 July 2006-30 June 2007 837<br />
1 July 2007-30 June 2008 838<br />
1 July 2008-30 June 2009 839<br />
829<br />
ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993<br />
830<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
831<br />
AETC SO GA-18/1996<br />
832<br />
AETC SO GA-12/1998<br />
833<br />
AETC SO GA-9/2000<br />
834<br />
AETC SO GA-55/2004<br />
835<br />
AETC SO GA-0052/2006<br />
836<br />
AETC SO GA-045/2007<br />
837<br />
AETC SO G-054/2008<br />
838<br />
AETC SO G-071/2009<br />
839<br />
AETC SO G-025/2010
167<br />
Decorations. (Continued)<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Award (Continued)<br />
1 July 2009-30 June 2010 840<br />
1 July 2010-30 June 2011 841<br />
Assignments. <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>drome Group, 14 June 1948-31 July 1948. <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong> Group,<br />
1 August 1948-6 February 1952. <strong>56th</strong> Combat Support (later, <strong>56th</strong> Support) Group,<br />
1 October 1991-1 January 1994. <strong>56th</strong> Support (later, <strong>56th</strong> Mission Support) Group on<br />
1 April 1994-. 842<br />
Stations. Selfridge <strong>Field</strong> (later, <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>), Michigan, 1 August 1948-6 February<br />
1952. MacDill <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Florida, 1 October 1991-4 January 1994. <strong>Luke</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong><br />
<strong>Base</strong>, Arizona, 1 April 1994-. 843<br />
<strong>Air</strong>craft. None.<br />
Emblem. Approved on 8 May 1998<br />
Blazon. On a disc Azure, four lightning flashes issuant from chief pile wise Or,<br />
surmounted by a bat, wings displayed Proper, eyes Gules, all within a narrow border<br />
Black.<br />
Attached above the disc, a Yellow scroll edged with a narrow Black border <strong>and</strong><br />
inscribed "<strong>56th</strong> COMMUNICATIONS SQ" in Black letters.<br />
Attached below the disc, a Yellow scroll edged with a narrow Black border <strong>and</strong><br />
inscribed "LOQUIMINI TONITRUM" in Black letters.<br />
Motto. Loquimini Tonitrum. [Speak the Thunder]<br />
Significance. Ultramarine blue <strong>and</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> yellow are the <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> colors. Blue<br />
alludes to the sky, the primary theater of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> operations. Yellow refers to the sun<br />
<strong>and</strong> the excellence required of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> personnel. The four lightning flashes signify the<br />
four operational environments: l<strong>and</strong>, sea, air <strong>and</strong> space. They also represent all forms of<br />
communication, as depicted on the <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Communications <strong>and</strong> Information<br />
occupational badge. The bat, noted for its sophisticated communication system,<br />
symbolizes the importance of communications to the <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> mission. All elements<br />
combined reinforce the motto, Loquimini Tonitrum,” translated as “Speak the Thunder.”<br />
840<br />
AETC SO G-086/2011<br />
841<br />
AETC SO G-171/17 April 2012<br />
842<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994; AETC SO G-02-20, 23 June 2002<br />
843<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994
168<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>ers.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Communications Squadron, <strong>Fighter</strong>, Jet [1 August 1948-20 January 1950]<br />
Unknown<br />
Unknown<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Communications Squadron [20 January 1950-6 February 1952;<br />
1 October 1991-4 January 1994;<br />
1 April 1994-.]<br />
Unknown<br />
Unknown<br />
Col Robert Popp by December 1991<br />
Col Doreen M. Wolf January 1992<br />
Lt Col John C. Goodman 18 June 1992-4 January 1994<br />
Lt Col Stanley D. Howard 1 April 1994 844<br />
Maj Robert J. Steele 4 August 1994 845<br />
Lt Col Wilson D. Crafton 1 July 1997 846<br />
Lt Col Jeffrey A. Corvey 2 June 1999 847<br />
Lt Col Frank Knickerbocker, IV 12 June 2001 848<br />
Lt Col Eric J. Pierce 8 July 2003 849<br />
Lt Col Timothy J. Pearson 9 June 2005 850<br />
Maj Rashone J. Tate 5 June 2007 851<br />
Lt Col David Hillman 22 June 2009 852<br />
Maj Zachary S. Warakomski 8 April 2011 853<br />
844<br />
[58 MSS SO SO-G-7, 1 October 1991]<br />
845<br />
56 CS SO SO-GQ-2, 4 August 1994<br />
846<br />
56 CS SO SO-G-9701, ca. 30 June 1997<br />
847<br />
56 CS SO GS-002, 27 April 1999<br />
848<br />
56 CS SO OS-TQ-002, 7 May 2001<br />
849<br />
56 CS SO 56 CS-G-2003-1, 7 July 2003<br />
850<br />
56 CS SO 56 CS GS-01, 8 June 2005<br />
851<br />
56 MSG SO MSG-07-06, 5 June 2007<br />
852<br />
56 MSG SO G-027, 22 June 2009<br />
853<br />
56 MSG SO G-004, 8 April 2011
169<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Support Squadron<br />
Lineage.<br />
Designated Squadron "D," <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>drome<br />
Group, on 27 July 1947. 854<br />
Organized on 15 August 1947.<br />
Discontinued on 1 August 1948.<br />
Consolidated (10 October 1984) with the<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Food Service Squadron.<br />
Constituted as <strong>56th</strong> Food Service<br />
Squadron, <strong>Fighter</strong>, Jet, on 14 June<br />
1948.<br />
Activated on 1 August 1948.<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> Food Service Squadron<br />
on 20 January 1950.<br />
Inactivated on 6 February 1952.<br />
Consolidated (10 October 1984) with the <strong>56th</strong> Services Squadron.<br />
Constituted, <strong>and</strong> activated, on 16 March 1967.<br />
Organized on 8 April 1967. 855<br />
Inactivated on 28 February 1975.<br />
Activated on 30 June 1975. 856<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> Morale, Welfare, Recreation <strong>and</strong> Services Squadron<br />
on 4 September 1992. 857<br />
Inactivated on 4 January 1994. 858<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> Services Squadron on 21 March 1994.<br />
Activated on 1 April 1994. 859<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Force</strong>s Support Squadron on 26 February 2009. 860<br />
854<br />
56 FW GO-1, ca. 15 August 1947<br />
855<br />
PACAF SO G-41, 8 March 1967<br />
856<br />
TAC SO GA-12, 10 June 1975<br />
857<br />
ACC SO GB-124, 21 August 1992<br />
858<br />
ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993<br />
859<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
860<br />
AETC SO G-09-9, 26 February 2009
170<br />
Honors.<br />
Campaign Streamers.<br />
Vietnam<br />
Vietnam <strong>Air</strong> Offensive, Phase II [1967-1968]<br />
Vietnam <strong>Air</strong> Offensive, Phase III [1968] 861<br />
Vietnam <strong>Air</strong> Offensive, Phase IV [1968-1969]<br />
Tet 1969 Counteroffensive [1969]<br />
Vietnam Summer/Fall 1969 [1969]<br />
Vietnam Winter/Spring 1970 [1969-1970] 862<br />
Sanctuary Counteroffensive [1970]<br />
Southwest Monsoon [1970] 863<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>o Hunt V [1970-1971] 864<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>o Hunt VI [1971] 865<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>o Hunt VII [1971-1972] 866<br />
Vietnam Cease Fire [1972-1973] 867<br />
Decorations.<br />
Presidential Unit Citations<br />
Southeast Asia 1 November 1968-1 May 1969 868<br />
Southeast Asia 1 October 1969-30 April 1970 869<br />
Southeast Asia 1 April 1972-22 February 1973.<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Award<br />
1 June 1970-31 May 1971 with Combat "V" Device 870<br />
1 December 1971-29 February 1972 with Combat "V" Device 871<br />
23 February 1973-28 February 1974 with Combat "V" Device 872<br />
1 January 1977-1 January 1979 873<br />
861<br />
PACAF SO G-184, 30 July 1969<br />
862<br />
PACAF SO G-352, 14 June 1971<br />
863<br />
PACAF SO GB-0019, 31 January 1974<br />
864<br />
PACAF SO GB-0022, 31 January 1974<br />
865<br />
PACAF SO GB-0025, 31 January 1974<br />
866<br />
PACAF SO GB-0027, 31 January 1974<br />
867<br />
PACAF SO GB-0187, 15 July 1974<br />
868<br />
DAF SO GB-552/1970<br />
869<br />
DAF SO GB-352/1971<br />
870<br />
DAF SO GB-703, 9 November 1971<br />
871<br />
DAF SO GB-553/1973<br />
872<br />
DAF SO GB-600/1975
171<br />
Decorations. (Continued)<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Award (Continued)<br />
1 July 1980-31 May 1982 874<br />
1 June 1984-31 May 1986 875<br />
1 May 1987-30 April 1989 876<br />
1 May 1990-30 April 1991 877<br />
1 July 1994-30 June 1996 878<br />
1 July 1996-30 June 1998 879<br />
1 July 1998-30 June 2000 880<br />
1 July 2001-30 June 2003 881<br />
1 June [July] 2003-30 June 2005 882<br />
1 July 2005-30 June 2006 883<br />
1 July 2006-30 June 2007 884<br />
1 July 2007-30 June 2008 885<br />
1 July 2008-30 June 2009 886<br />
1 July 2009-30 June 2010 887<br />
1 July 2010-30 June 2011 888<br />
Special Honors.<br />
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm: 8 April 1967-28 January 1973.<br />
873<br />
DAF SO GB-719, 30 November 1979<br />
874<br />
DAF SO GB-117, 22 February 1983<br />
875<br />
DAF SO GB-275/1987<br />
876<br />
TAC SO GA-053, 29 August 1989<br />
877<br />
TAC SO GA-069/1991<br />
878<br />
AETC SO GA-18/1996<br />
879<br />
AETC SO GA-12/1998<br />
880<br />
AETC SO GA-9/2000<br />
881<br />
AETC SO GA-55/2004<br />
882<br />
AETC SO GA-0052/2006<br />
883<br />
AETC SO GA-045/2007<br />
884<br />
AETC SO G-054/2008<br />
885<br />
AETC SO G-071/2009<br />
886<br />
AETC SO G-025/2010<br />
887<br />
AETC SO G-086/2011<br />
888<br />
AETC SO G-171/17 April 2012
172<br />
Assignments. <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>drome Group 27 July 1947-1 August 1948. <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong> Group,<br />
1 August 1948-6 February 1952. <strong>56th</strong> Combat Support 8 April 1967 889 -28 February<br />
1975. <strong>56th</strong> Combat Support (later, <strong>56th</strong> Support) Group 30 June 1975-4 January 1994 890 ;<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Support (later, <strong>56th</strong> Mission Support) Group 1 April 1994-. 891<br />
Stations. Selfridge <strong>Field</strong> (later, <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>), Michigan, 15 August 1947-6 February<br />
1952. Nakhon Phanon Royal Thai <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Thail<strong>and</strong>, 8 April 1967 892 -28 February<br />
1975. MacDill <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Florida, 30 June 1975-4 January 1994. 893 <strong>Luke</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong><br />
<strong>Base</strong>, Arizona, 1 April 1994-. 894<br />
<strong>Air</strong>craft. None.<br />
Emblem. Approved on 11 March 2003<br />
Blazon. On a disc per fess Azure <strong>and</strong> Vert, in base a garl<strong>and</strong> of wheat crescent the stems<br />
in saltire Or, below a bull reguardant Gules, in sinister chief a mullet counterchanged of<br />
the third <strong>and</strong> fourth, all within a narrow border Yellow.<br />
Attached above the disc, a Blue scroll edged with a narrow Yellow border <strong>and</strong><br />
inscribed "CRADLE TO GRAVE " in Yellow letters.<br />
Attached below the disc, a Blue scroll edged with a narrow Yellow border <strong>and</strong><br />
inscribed "56TH FORCE SUPPORT SQUADRON" in Yellow letters.<br />
Motto. CRADLE TO GRAVE.<br />
Significance. Ultramarine blue <strong>and</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> yellow are the <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> colors. Blue<br />
alludes to the sky, the primary theater of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> operations. Yellow refers to the sun<br />
<strong>and</strong> the excellence required of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> personnel. The garl<strong>and</strong> of wheat symbolizes the<br />
unit's largest focus, food service. The bull signifies strength <strong>and</strong> readiness. The points of<br />
the star st<strong>and</strong> for the five core areas of the <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Support Squadron’s mission;<br />
Manpower <strong>and</strong> Personnel (Military <strong>and</strong> Civilian), <strong>Air</strong>men <strong>and</strong> Family Services<br />
(Dependent Care), Sustainment Services (Food, Fitness, Lodging), <strong>Force</strong> Development<br />
(Education <strong>and</strong> Training), <strong>and</strong> Community Services (<strong>Air</strong>men Regeneration).<br />
889<br />
PACAF SO G-41, 8 March 1967<br />
890<br />
TAC SO GA-12, 10 June 1975; ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993<br />
891<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994; AETC SO G-02-20, 23 June 2002<br />
892<br />
PACAF SO G-41, 8 March 1967<br />
893<br />
TAC SO GA-12, 10 June 1975; ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993<br />
894<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994
173<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>ers.<br />
Squadron "D,” <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>drome Group [15 August 1947-1 August 1948]<br />
Unknown 15 August 1947-1 August 1948.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Food Service Squadron, <strong>Fighter</strong>, Jet [1 August 1948-20 January 1950]<br />
Unknown 1 August 1948<br />
Capt Edward C. Unger bef 30 November 1948<br />
Unknown Unknown-20 January 1950.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Food Service Squadron [20 January 1950-6 February 1952]<br />
Unknown 20 January 1950-6 February 1952.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Services Squadron [8 April 1967-28 February 1975;<br />
30 June 1975-1 September 1992]<br />
Maj Donald D. Trimble 8 April 1967<br />
Capt Richard J. Tessier bef 30 September 1967<br />
Capt James P. Davison bef 31 December 1967<br />
Unknown<br />
Unknown-<br />
Capt James F. Wise bef 31 March 1969<br />
Capt Charles D. McKenzie bef 31 December 1969<br />
Maj Albert N. Turner bef 30 September 1970<br />
Maj Byron L. Carroll bef 31 December 1970<br />
Lt Col Joseph J. O'Hara bef 31 March 1971<br />
Capt Allen B. Alex<strong>and</strong>er, Jr. bef 30 September 1971<br />
Capt Phillip T. Shealy bef 31 December 1972<br />
Capt Rodney P. Harrison 28 September 1973<br />
Capt W. R. Guevara 5 March 1974<br />
Maj Lewis A. Elam bef 31 March 1974<br />
Capt Thomas S. Summers 11 June 1974<br />
Maj Norwood. J. Meche 6 September 1974<br />
Capt Thomas S. Summers bef 31 December 1974-28 February 1975.<br />
Lt Col D. W. Ottoway 30 June 1975<br />
Maj Norwood. J. Meche 15 August 1975 895<br />
Lt Col David B. Bates 19 July 1977<br />
Capt Donald N. Jones 1 March 1979<br />
Lt Col David B. Bates 6 July 1979<br />
Capt Donald B. Jones 14 May 1980<br />
Maj (later, Lt Col) Phillip T. Shealy 1 July 1980<br />
Maj Harold H. Holden 18 May 1984 896<br />
1st Lt Alvin J. Heggem 5 June 1986<br />
895<br />
56 CSG SO G-5, 7 October 1975<br />
896<br />
56 CSG G-7, 18 May 1984
174<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>ers. (Continued)<br />
Lt Col Thomas B. Fletcher 9 July 1986 897<br />
Maj Sharon Hines-Marquis 27 February 1990 898<br />
Maj John C. McClell<strong>and</strong> 5 September 1991-1 September 1992<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Morale, Welfare, Recreation <strong>and</strong> Services Squadron [1 September 1992-<br />
4 January 1994.<br />
Maj John C. McClell<strong>and</strong> 1 September 1992<br />
Lt Col Warren J. Brookhart June 1993-4 January 1994.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Services Squadron [1 April 1994-26 February 2009]<br />
Lt Col Jack L. Baily, Jr. 1 April 1994 899<br />
Maj Lynne D. Bitler 5 May 1994 900<br />
Lt Col Claude C. Braley 10 June 1994 901<br />
Lt Col Ron L. Winkel 7 June 1996 902<br />
Maj Anne F. Fitch 24 June 1999 903<br />
Lt Col Patricia M. Carpenter 11 June 2001 904<br />
Lt Col Alan C. Gnann 15 July 2003 905<br />
Lt Col Dane D. Matthew 23 June 2005 906<br />
Maj William M.G. Manley 23 July 2007 907 -26 February 2009.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Force</strong>s Support Squadron [26 February 2009-.]<br />
Maj William M.G. Manley 26 February 2009<br />
Maj Carol Gordon 27 February 2009 908<br />
Maj (later, Lt Col) Rodney J. Nichols 11 June 2009 909<br />
Maj (later, Lt Col) Timothy A. Farr 6 July 2011 910<br />
897<br />
56 CSG SO G-47, 8 July 1986<br />
898<br />
56 MSS SO G-003, 23 February 1990<br />
899<br />
58 MSS SO SO-GS-001, 6 October 1992<br />
900<br />
56 SVS SO SO-GS-003, 18 May 1994<br />
901<br />
56 SVS SO SO-GS-005, 13 June 1994<br />
902<br />
56 SG, SO SO-GS-003, 5 June 1996<br />
903<br />
56 FW SO GS-99-01, 23 June 1999<br />
904<br />
56 FW SO GS-01-02, 11 June 2001<br />
905<br />
56 SVS SO 56 SVS G-2003-1, 8 July 2003<br />
906<br />
56 SVS SO 56 SVS-G-05-01, 8 June 2005<br />
907<br />
56 MSG SO MSG-07-11, 5 June 2007<br />
908<br />
56 MSG SO G-025, 24 April 2009<br />
909<br />
56 FSS SO G-032, 10 June 2009
175<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Logistics Readiness Squadron<br />
Lineage.<br />
Designated Supply Squadron,<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Maintenance <strong>and</strong> Supply<br />
Group on 28 July 1947.<br />
Organized on 15 August 1947.<br />
Discontinued on 1 August 1948.<br />
Consolidated (8 February 1988) with<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Supply Squadron, <strong>Fighter</strong>,<br />
Jet, which was constituted on<br />
14 June 1948.<br />
Activated on 1 August 1948.<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> Supply Squadron on<br />
20 January 1950.<br />
Inactivated on 6 February 1952.<br />
Activated on 28 December 1960. 911<br />
Organized on 1 February 1961.<br />
Discontinued, <strong>and</strong> inactivated, on 1 January 1964. 912<br />
Activated 16 March 1967.<br />
Organized on 8 April 1967. 913<br />
Inactivated on 4 January 1994. 914<br />
Activated on 1 April 1994. 915<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> Logistics Readiness Squadron on 1 August 2002. 916<br />
910<br />
56 MDG SO G-019, 6 July 2011<br />
911<br />
AFOMO 536m, 28 December 1960<br />
912<br />
AFOMO 90n, 16 September 1963<br />
913<br />
PACAF SO G-41, 8 March 1967<br />
914<br />
ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993<br />
915<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
916<br />
AETC SO G-02-20, 23 June 2002
176<br />
Honors.<br />
Campaign Streamers.<br />
Vietnam<br />
Vietnam <strong>Air</strong> Offensive, Phase II [1967-1968]<br />
Vietnam <strong>Air</strong> Offensive, Phase III [1968] 917<br />
Vietnam <strong>Air</strong> Offensive, Phase IV [1968-1969]<br />
Tet 1969 Counteroffensive [1969]<br />
Vietnam Summer/Fall 1969 [1969]<br />
Vietnam Winter/Spring 1970 [1969-1970] 918<br />
Sanctuary Counteroffensive [1970]<br />
Southwest Monsoon [1970] 919<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>o Hunt V [1970-1971] 920<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>o Hunt VI [1971] 921<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>o Hunt VII [1971-1972] 922<br />
Vietnam Cease Fire [1972-1973] 923<br />
Decorations.<br />
Presidential Unit Citations<br />
Southeast Asia 1 November 1968-1 May 1969 924<br />
Southeast Asia 1 October 1969-30 April 1970 925<br />
Southeast Asia 1 April 1972-22 February 1973.<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Award<br />
1 December 1970-30 November 1971 with Combat "V" Device 926<br />
1 December 1971-29 February 1972 with Combat "V" Device 927<br />
23 February 1973-28 February 1974 with Combat "V" Device 928<br />
24 January 1975-2 May 1975 with Combat "V" Device 929<br />
917<br />
PACAF SO G-184, 30 July 1969<br />
918<br />
PACAF SO G-352, 14 June 1971<br />
919<br />
PACAF SO GB-0019, 31 January 1974<br />
920<br />
PACAF SO GB-0022, 31 January 1974<br />
921<br />
PACAF SO GB-0025, 31 January 1974<br />
922<br />
PACAF SO GB-0027, 31 January 1974<br />
923<br />
PACAF SO GB-0187, 15 July 1974<br />
924<br />
DAF SO GB-552/1970<br />
925<br />
DAF SO GB-352/1971<br />
926<br />
DAF SO GB-667, 28 September 1972<br />
927<br />
DAF SO GB-553/1973<br />
928<br />
DAF SO GB-600/1975
177<br />
Decorations. (Continued)<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Award (Continued)<br />
1 January 1977-1 January 1979 930<br />
1 July 1980-31 May 1982 931<br />
1 June 1984-31 May 1986 932<br />
1 May 1987-30 April 1989 933<br />
1 May 1989-30 April 1990 934<br />
1 May 1990-30 April 1991 935<br />
1 July 1994-30 June 1996 936<br />
1 July 1996-30 June 1998 937<br />
1 July 1998-30 June 2000 938<br />
1 July 2001-30 June 2003 939<br />
1 June [July] 2003-30 June 2005 940<br />
1 July 2005-30 June 2006 941<br />
1 July 2006-30 June 2007 942<br />
1 July 2007-30 June 2008 943<br />
1 July 2008-30 June 2009 944<br />
1 July 2009-30 June 2010 945<br />
1 July 2010-30 June 2011 946<br />
929<br />
USAF SO GB-623, 10 August 1976<br />
930<br />
DAF SO GB-719, 30 November 1979<br />
931<br />
DAF SO GB-117, 22 February 1983<br />
932<br />
DAF SO GB-275/1987<br />
933<br />
TAC SO GA-053, 29 August 1989<br />
934<br />
TAC SO GA-048, 16 August 1990<br />
935<br />
TAC SO GA-069/1991<br />
936<br />
AETC SO GA-18/1996<br />
937<br />
AETC SO GA-12/1998<br />
938<br />
AETC SO GA-9/2000<br />
939<br />
AETC SO GA-55/2004<br />
940<br />
AETC SO GA-0052/2006<br />
941<br />
AETC SO GA-045/2007<br />
942<br />
AETC SO G-054/2008<br />
943<br />
AETC SO G-071/2009<br />
944<br />
AETC SO G-025/2010<br />
945<br />
AETC SO G-086/2011<br />
946<br />
AETC SO G-171/17 April 2012
178<br />
Special Honors.<br />
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm: 8 April 1967-28 January 1973.<br />
Assignments. <strong>56th</strong> Maintenance <strong>and</strong> Supply Group, 15 August 1947-1 August 1948.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Maintenance <strong>and</strong> Supply Group, 1 August 1948-6 February 1952. <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong><br />
(later, <strong>56th</strong> Combat Support) Group, 1 February 1961-1 April 1963. <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong><br />
(<strong>Air</strong> Defense), 1 April 1963-1 January 1964. <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong> Comm<strong>and</strong>o (later, <strong>56th</strong> Special<br />
Operations,) <strong>Wing</strong>, 8 April 1967 947 -Unknown. Tactical <strong>Air</strong> Comm<strong>and</strong>, Unknown-<br />
30 June 1975. 948 <strong>56th</strong> Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> (later, <strong>56th</strong> Tactical Training; later, <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong>)<br />
<strong>Wing</strong>, 30 June 1975 949 -1 November 1991. <strong>56th</strong> Logistics Group on 1 November 1991-<br />
4 January 1994 950 ; 1 April 1994 951 -1 August 2002. 952 <strong>56th</strong> Support (later, <strong>56th</strong> Mission<br />
Support Group) on 1 August 2002-. 953<br />
Stations. Selfridge <strong>Field</strong> (later, <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>), Michigan, 15 August 1947-6 February<br />
1952. K.I. Sawyer <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Michigan, 1 February 1961-1 January 1964. Nakhon<br />
Phanon Royal Thai <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Thail<strong>and</strong>, 8 April 1967 954 -28 February 1975.<br />
MacDill <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Florida, 30 June 1975-4 January 1994. <strong>Luke</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>,<br />
Arizona, 1 April 1994-. 955<br />
<strong>Air</strong>craft. None.<br />
Emblem. Approved on 11 February 2003<br />
Blazon. On a disc Azure, a globe Celeste, gridlined Argent, encircled from behind by an<br />
orbit bendwise sinister Gules, trisecting in front of the globe <strong>and</strong> terminating in three<br />
mullets in bend of the third, all within a narrow border Yellow.<br />
Attached above the disc, a Blue scroll edged with a narrow Yellow border <strong>and</strong><br />
inscribed “SEMPER EXPEDITUS" in Yellow letters.<br />
Attached below the disc, a Blue scroll edged with a narrow Yellow border <strong>and</strong><br />
inscribed "56TH LOGISTICS READINESS SQ" in Yellow letters.<br />
Motto. Service to The Best.<br />
947<br />
PACAF SO G-41, 8 March 1967<br />
948<br />
TAC SO GA-12, 10 June 1975;<br />
949<br />
TAC SO GA-12, 10 June 1975;<br />
950<br />
ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993<br />
951<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
952<br />
AETC SO G-02-20, 23 June 2002<br />
953<br />
AETC SO G-02-20, 23 June 2002<br />
954<br />
PACAF SO G-41, 8 March 1967<br />
955<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994
179<br />
Significance. Ultramarine blue <strong>and</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> yellow are the <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> colors. Blue<br />
alludes to the sky, the primary theater of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> operations. Yellow refers to the sun<br />
<strong>and</strong> the excellence required of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> personnel. The blue globe represents logistics.<br />
The rings <strong>and</strong> stars circling the globe represent the disciplines of supply, transportation<br />
<strong>and</strong> plans. The Latin motto translates in English to “Always Ready.”<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>ers.<br />
Supply Squadron, <strong>56th</strong> Maintenance <strong>and</strong> Supply Group<br />
[15 August 1947-1 August 1948]<br />
Unknown 15 August 1947-1 August 1948<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Supply Squadron, <strong>Fighter</strong>, Jet [1 August 1948-20 January 1950]<br />
Unknown<br />
1 August 1948-Unknown<br />
Lt Col Robert E. Bremer bef 31 July 1949<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Supply Squadron [20 January 1950-6 February 1952;<br />
1 February 1961-1 January 1964;<br />
8 April 1967-4 January 1994;<br />
1 April 1994-1 August 2002]<br />
Unknown 20 January 1950-6 February 1952<br />
Capt (later, Maj) Elmer E. Williams, Jr. 1 February 1961<br />
Capt Daniel D. Rosinsky 30 January 1963<br />
1st Lt H.K. Lawler 23 July 1963<br />
Maj Ralph L. Bent<br />
30 August 1963-Unknown<br />
Lt Col Thaviu P. Hackler 8 April 1967<br />
Lt Col John A. Moe 23 April 1967 956<br />
Lt Col M.H. Mynheir bef 31 March 1969<br />
Lt Col Wilbert D. Wesse bef 30 September 1969<br />
Maj (later, Lt Col) Wayne G. Mathern 15 August 1970<br />
Lt Col Alvin L. Yanke bef 30 September 1971<br />
Lt Col Lel<strong>and</strong> E. Turner, Jr. bef 31 January 1973<br />
Lt Col William A. Lawrence 17 September 1973<br />
Capt Richard M. LaFontaine 10 May 1974 957<br />
Maj James W. Hopp 31 July 1974 958<br />
956<br />
56 SUPS SO 3, 23 April 1967<br />
957<br />
56 SUPS SO G-2, 10 May 1974<br />
958<br />
56 SUPS SO G-3, 31 July 1974
180<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>ers. (Continued)<br />
Lt Col James O. Turner bef 27 August 1975<br />
Lt Col Richard W. Dush 27 August 1975 959<br />
Lt Col Fredrick L. Freshcorn 5 June 1978<br />
Maj David C. Johnson 25 October 1980 960<br />
Maj (later, Lt Col William C. Shaw 26 November 1980 961<br />
Maj Alan R. Lewis 22 July 1983 962<br />
Lt Col Jose L. Mir<strong>and</strong>a 17 October 1983<br />
Lt Col Harry M. Barash 28 September 1984 963<br />
Maj Loretta L. Floyd 29 April 1985<br />
Lt Col Raymond N. Angor, Jr. 23 August 1985<br />
Mr. Louis M. Crawford 1987<br />
Lt Col Gayle H. Pfeiffer 17 August 1987 964<br />
Lt Col Joe N. Carter, Jr. 31 October 1990<br />
Lt Col Carolyn D. Hamilton 1 March 1993-4 January 1994 965<br />
Lt Col Robert K. Hutto 1 April 1994 966<br />
Maj Marcus W. Hogins bef 20 June 1997<br />
Lt Col James A. Teaford 20 June 1997 967<br />
Maj Peter D. Hofelich 8 August 2000 968 -1 August 2002<br />
959<br />
56 CSG SO G-3, 27 August 1975<br />
960<br />
56 CSG SO G-48, 25 October 1980<br />
961<br />
56 CSG SO G-51, 26 November 1980<br />
962<br />
56 CSG SO G-27, 22 July 1983<br />
963<br />
56 CSG SO G-29, 28 September 1984<br />
964<br />
56 CSG SO G-69, 17 August 1987<br />
965<br />
56 SUPS SO G-002, 12 March 1993<br />
966<br />
[58 SUPS SO SO-GAA-3, 20 August 1993]<br />
967<br />
SO SO-GC-003, ca. 20 June 1997<br />
968<br />
56 SUPS SO SO-GC-001, ca. 3 August 2000
181<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Logistics Readiness Squadron [1 August 2002-.]<br />
Lt Col Gary W. Larberg 1 August 2002 969<br />
Maj Louis P. Seliquini, Jr. 28 June 2004 970<br />
Lt Col Michael E. Washington 30 June 2006 971<br />
Lt Col Carrie J. Bausano 18 June 2008 972<br />
Maj (later, Lt Col) Michael T. Davis 30 June 2010 973<br />
Lt Col Erin C. Cluff 6 July 2012 974<br />
The 87th Sub-Depot Supply’s Main Issue Aisle<br />
during World War II at <strong>Luke</strong> <strong>Field</strong>.<br />
969<br />
56 LRS SO SO-GH-002, 26 September 2002<br />
970<br />
56 LRS SO 56 LRS GS-2004-3, 14 July 2004<br />
971<br />
56 MSG SO MSG-06-03, 19 June 2006<br />
972<br />
56 MSG SO G-025, 10 June 2008<br />
973<br />
56 MSG SO G-020, 25 June 2010<br />
974<br />
56 MSG SO G-023, 3 July 2012
182<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Security <strong>Force</strong>s Squadron<br />
Lineage.<br />
Designated Squadron "B," <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>drome<br />
Group on 28 July 1947.<br />
Activated on 15 August 1947.<br />
Discontinued on 1 August 1948.<br />
Consolidated (12 October 1984) with the<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong> Police Squadron, <strong>Fighter</strong>,<br />
Jet, which was constituted on<br />
14 June 1948.<br />
Activated on 1 August 1948.<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong> Police Squadron on<br />
20 January 1950.<br />
Inactivated on 6 February 1952.<br />
Activated on 15 February 1963.<br />
Organized on 1 April 1963.<br />
Discontinued, <strong>and</strong> inactivated, on 1 January 1964. 975<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> Security Police Squadron, <strong>and</strong> activated, on 16 March 1967.<br />
Organized on 8 April 1967. 976<br />
Inactivated on 4 January 1994. 977<br />
Activated on 1 April 1994. 978<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> Security <strong>Force</strong>s Squadron on 1 July 1997. 979<br />
With help from augmentees, the <strong>56th</strong> Security Police Squadron processed<br />
260,000 people during the 2011 <strong>Luke</strong> AFB Open House.<br />
975<br />
AFOMO 90n, 16 September 1963<br />
976<br />
PACAF SO G-41, 8 March 1967<br />
977<br />
ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993<br />
978<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
979<br />
AETC SO G-97-28, 17 June 1997
183<br />
Honors.<br />
Campaign Streamers.<br />
Vietnam<br />
Vietnam <strong>Air</strong> Offensive, Phase II [1967-1968]<br />
Vietnam <strong>Air</strong> Offensive, Phase III [1968] 980<br />
Vietnam <strong>Air</strong> Offensive, Phase IV [1968-1969]<br />
Tet 1969 Counteroffensive [1969]<br />
Vietnam Summer/Fall 1969 [1969]<br />
Vietnam Winter/Spring 1970 [1969-1970] 981<br />
Sanctuary Counteroffensive [1970]<br />
Southwest Monsoon [1970] 982<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>o Hunt V [1970-1971] 983<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>o Hunt VI [1971] 984<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>o Hunt VII [1971-1972] 985<br />
Vietnam Cease Fire [1972-1973] 986<br />
Decorations.<br />
Presidential Unit Citations<br />
Southeast Asia 1 November 1968-1 May 1969 987<br />
Southeast Asia 1 October 1969-30 April 1970 988<br />
Southeast Asia 1 April 1972-22 February 1973.<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Award<br />
1 June 1970-31 May 1971 with Combat "V" Device 989<br />
1 December 1970-30 November 1971 with Combat "V" Device 990<br />
1 December 1971-29 February 1972 with Combat "V" Device 991<br />
23 February 1973-28 February 1974 with Combat "V" Device 992<br />
24 January 1975-2 May 1975 with Combat "V" Device 993<br />
980<br />
PACAF SO G-184, 30 July 1969<br />
981<br />
PACAF SO G-352, 14 June 1971<br />
982<br />
PACAF SO GB-0019, 31 January 1974<br />
983<br />
PACAF SO GB-0022, 31 January 1974<br />
984<br />
PACAF SO GB-0025, 31 January 1974<br />
985<br />
PACAF SO GB-0027, 31 January 1974<br />
986<br />
PACAF SO GB-0187, 15 July 1974<br />
987<br />
DAF SO GB-552/1970<br />
988<br />
DAF SO GB-352/1971<br />
989<br />
DAF SO GB-703, 9 November 1971<br />
990<br />
DAF SO GB-667, 28 September 1972<br />
991<br />
DAF SO GB-553/1973<br />
992<br />
DAF SO GB-600/1975<br />
993<br />
DAF SO GB-623, 10 August 1976
184<br />
Decorations. (Continued)<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Award (Continued)<br />
1 January 1977-1 January 1979 994<br />
1 July 1980-31 May 1982 995<br />
1 June 1984-31 May 1986 996<br />
1 May 1987-30 April 1989 997<br />
1 May 1989-30 April 1990 998<br />
1 May 1990-30 April 1991 999<br />
1 July 1994-30 June 1996 1000<br />
1 July 1996-30 June 1998 1001<br />
1 July 1998-30 June 2000 1002<br />
1 July 2001-30 June 2003 1003<br />
1 June [July] 2003-30 June 2005 1004<br />
1 July 2005-30 June 2006 1005<br />
1 July 2006-30 June 2007 1006<br />
1 July 2007-30 June 2008 1007<br />
1 July 2008-30 June 2009 1008<br />
1 July 2009-30 June 2010 1009<br />
1 July 2010-30 June 2011 1010<br />
Special Honors.<br />
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm: 8 April 1967-28 January 1973.<br />
994<br />
DAF SO GB-719, 30 November 1979<br />
995<br />
DAF SO GB-117, 22 February 1983<br />
996<br />
DAF SO GB-275/1987<br />
997<br />
TAC SO GA-053, 29 August 1989<br />
998<br />
TAC SO GA-048, 16 August 1990<br />
999<br />
TAC SO GA-069/1991<br />
1000<br />
AETC SO GA-18/1996<br />
1001<br />
AETC SO GA-12/1998<br />
1002<br />
AETC SO GA-9/2000<br />
1003<br />
AETC SO GA-55/2004<br />
1004<br />
AETC SO GA-0052/2006<br />
1005<br />
AETC SO GA-045/2007<br />
1006<br />
AETC SO G-054/2008<br />
1007<br />
AETC SO G-071/2009<br />
1008<br />
AETC SO G-025/2010<br />
1009<br />
AETC SO G-086/2011<br />
1010<br />
AETC SO G-171/17 April 2012
185<br />
Assignments. <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>drome Group, 15 August 1947-1 August 1948. <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong><br />
Group, 1 August 1948-6 February 1952. <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Base</strong> (later, <strong>56th</strong> Combat Support)<br />
Group, 15 February 1963-1 January 1964. <strong>56th</strong> Combat Support (later, <strong>56th</strong> Support)<br />
Group, 8 April 1967 1011 -4 January 1994. <strong>56th</strong> Support (later, <strong>56th</strong> Mission Support)<br />
Group on 1 April 1994-. 1012<br />
Stations. Selfridge <strong>Field</strong> (later, <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>), Michigan, 15 August 1947-6 February<br />
1952. K.I. Sawyer <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Michigan, 1 April 1963-1 January 1964. Nakhon<br />
Phanon Royal Thai <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Thail<strong>and</strong>, 8 April 1967 1013 -28 February 1975.<br />
MacDill <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>, Florida, 30 June 1975-4 January 1994. <strong>Luke</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> <strong>Base</strong>,<br />
Arizona, 1 April 1994-. 1014<br />
<strong>Air</strong>craft. None.<br />
Emblem. Approved on 13 August 1979<br />
Blazon. On a blue disc edged with a narrow yellow border, a tan rattlesnake, coiled, with<br />
black markings <strong>and</strong> details, eye yellow, emitting from its open mouth a horizontal yellow<br />
lightning bolt.<br />
Motto. Ready to Strike.<br />
Significance. The lightning Bolt was taken from the insignia of the <strong>56th</strong> Combat<br />
Support Group, which the <strong>56th</strong> Security Police Squadron is a part of. The rattlesnake has<br />
50 diamonds <strong>and</strong> six rattles, <strong>and</strong> represents the <strong>56th</strong> Security Police Squadron. The<br />
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake is very prevalent in the area that the <strong>56th</strong> Security<br />
Police Squadron is stationed in. The Eastern diamondback is an appropriate symbol,<br />
because it will st<strong>and</strong> its ground, <strong>and</strong> will strike when threatened. The motto, "Ready to<br />
Strike," means that the <strong>56th</strong> Security Police Squadron is ready for action, <strong>and</strong> can be<br />
immediately mobilized <strong>and</strong> deployed anywhere in the world.<br />
1011<br />
PACAF SO G-41, 8 March 1967<br />
1012<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994; AETC SO G-02-20, 23 June 2002<br />
1013<br />
PACAF SO G-41, 8 March 1967<br />
1014<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994
186<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>ers.<br />
Squadron "B," <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong>drome Group [15 August 1947-1 August 1948]<br />
Unknown 15 August 1947-1 August 1948<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong> Police Squadron, <strong>Fighter</strong>, Jet [1 August 1948-20 January 1950]<br />
Unknown 1 August 1948-20 January 1950<br />
<strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong> Police Squadron [20 January 1950-6 February 1952;<br />
1 April 1963-1 January 1964]<br />
Unknown 20 January 1950-6 February 1952<br />
Maj Eugene A. Lamar 1 April 1963-1 January 1964<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Security Police Squadron [8 April 1967-4 January 1994;<br />
1 April 1994-1 July 1997]<br />
Capt Ralph N. Dunlap 8 April 1967<br />
1st Lt John W. Ross bef 8 June 1967<br />
Capt Paul N. Scheidel bef 15 August 1967<br />
1st Lt Charles Sprunk bef 15 October 1967<br />
Capt Paul N. Scheidel bef 15 January 1968<br />
Maj Melvin N. Toloso bef November 1968<br />
Maj Robert V. Jones bef 30 June 1969<br />
Lt Col William D. Raven bef 30 September 1969<br />
Maj Gerald R. Frank bef 30 September 1970<br />
Maj Renwick F. Mottley bef 30 September 1971<br />
Maj James S. Barger bef 31 March 1972<br />
Maj Joseph W. Wilson bef 30 June 1972<br />
Maj Thomas J. Murphy bef 31 December 1972<br />
Maj Gary G. Allison bef 31 March 1973<br />
Lt Col Billie M. Downer 1 May 1973<br />
Maj George T. Harper 15 March 1974<br />
Maj Lewis A. Elam bef 31 March 1974<br />
Maj George T. Harper bef 30 September 1974<br />
Capt Charles J. Heubusch bef 30 June 1975<br />
Lt Col B. M. Downer 30 June 1975<br />
Maj Robert F. Picinus bef 17 January 1977<br />
Capt James M. R<strong>and</strong>el 17 January 1977 1015<br />
Maj Kenneth R. Anderson 2 February 1977 1016<br />
Lt Col William B. Driggers, Jr. 1 September 1978<br />
Maj Karl J. Woelz 4 August 1979<br />
1015<br />
56 CSG SO G-2, 17 January 1977<br />
1016<br />
56 CSG SO G-7, 2 February 1977
187<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>ers. (Continued)<br />
Maj Carl E. Gunderson 12 December 1980<br />
Lt Col James L. Hendrickson 14 October 1983<br />
Lt Col Sydney W. Griffin 14 February 1986 1017<br />
Maj Jonnie L. Wright 14 November 1988<br />
Capt John W. Probst 12 July 1990<br />
Lt Col David H. Donatelli 30 August 1990<br />
Maj J. Karen Fiedor 28 June 1993-4 January 1994.<br />
Maj Edward N. Addison 1 April 1994 1018<br />
Maj Eugene V. Morabito 29 May 1996-1 July 1997. 1019<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Security <strong>Force</strong>s Squadron [1 July 1997-.]<br />
Maj Eugene V. Morabito 1 July 1997<br />
Lt Col Allen J. Jamerson 1 July 1998 1020 (Brigadier General)<br />
Maj Tracey M. Meck 5 July 2000 1021<br />
Maj Michael D. Ross, Sr. 23 May 2002 1022<br />
Maj Stephen R. Mezhir 14 June 2004 1023<br />
Lt Col Stephen R. Mezhir 16 May 2007 1024<br />
Maj Christopher J. DeGuelle 13 July 2007 1025<br />
Lt Col Michael J. Borders, Jr. 13 June 2008 1026<br />
Maj Gerald C. Mulhollen, Jr. 14 June 2010 1027<br />
Maj Sean R. Gibbs 6 July 2012-. 1028<br />
1017<br />
56 CSG SO G-19, 13 February 1986<br />
1018<br />
[58 SG SO G-01, 7 July 1993<br />
1019<br />
56 SG SO GA-04, 20 May 1996<br />
1020<br />
56 SFS SO GA-09, 29 June 1998<br />
1021<br />
56 SFS SO GA-002, 13 September 2000<br />
1022<br />
56 SFS SO GA-001, 2 July 2002<br />
1023<br />
56 SFS SO SFS-004, 25 June 2004<br />
1024<br />
56 MSG SO MSG-07-01, 19 October 2006<br />
1025<br />
56 MSG SO MSG-07-09, 3 July 2007<br />
1026<br />
56 SFS SO G-021, 15 May 2008<br />
1027<br />
56 MSG SO G-015, 14 June 2010<br />
1028<br />
56 FW SO G-024, 3 July 2012
188<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Medical Group<br />
Col Yol<strong>and</strong>a D. Bledsoe<br />
Lineage.<br />
Constituted as USAF Regional Hospital, MacDill, on 18 March 1969.<br />
Activated on 1 July 1969.<br />
Redesignated <strong>56th</strong> Medical Group on 15 March 1987. 1029<br />
Inactivated on 4 January 1994. 1030<br />
Activated on 1 April 1994. 1031<br />
Honors.<br />
Decorations.<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Award<br />
1 July 1969-31 December 1969 1032<br />
1 January 1977-1 January 1979 1033<br />
1 July 1980-30 June 1982<br />
1 June 1984-31 May 1986 1034<br />
1 May 1989-30 April 1990 1035<br />
1 May 1990-30 April 1991 1036<br />
1029<br />
DAF/PRM 770q, 5 March 1987<br />
1030<br />
ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993<br />
1031<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
1032<br />
DAF SO GB-891, 4 November 1970<br />
1033<br />
DAF SO GB-719, 30 November 1979<br />
1034<br />
DAF SO GB-275/1987<br />
1035<br />
TAC SO GA-048, 16 August 1990<br />
1036<br />
TAC SO GA-069/1991
189<br />
Decorations. (Continued)<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Award (Continued)<br />
1 July 1994-30 June 1996 1037<br />
1 July 1996-30 June 1998 1038<br />
1 July 1998-30 June 2000 1039<br />
1 July 2001-30 June 2003 1040<br />
1 June [July] 2003-30 June 2005 1041<br />
1 July 2005-30 June 2006 1042<br />
1 July 2006-30 June 2007 1043<br />
1 July 2007-30 June 2008 1044<br />
1 July 2008-30 June 2009 1045<br />
1 July 2009-30 June 2010 1046<br />
1 July 2010-30 June 2011 1047<br />
PAST AND PRESENT UNITS ASSIGNED<br />
Currently Assigned Units<br />
Time Frame Assigned<br />
Squadrons<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Aerospace Medicine Squadron 1 April 1994. 1048<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Dental Squadron 1 April 1994. 1049<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Medical Operations Squadron 1 April 1994. 1050<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Medical Support Squadron 1 April 1994. 1051<br />
Previously Assigned Units<br />
Time Frame Assigned<br />
Squadrons<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Tactical Hospital<br />
later, <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Air</strong> Transportable Hospital 15-March 1987-4 January 1994. 1052<br />
1037<br />
AETC SO GA-18/1996<br />
1038<br />
AETC SO GA-12/1998<br />
1039<br />
AETC SO GA-9/2000<br />
1040<br />
AETC SO GA-55/2004<br />
1041<br />
AETC SO GA-0052/2006<br />
1042<br />
AETC SO GA-045/2007<br />
1043<br />
AETC SO G-054/2008<br />
1044<br />
AETC SO G-071/2009<br />
1045<br />
AETC SO G-025/2010<br />
1046<br />
AETC SO G-086/2011<br />
1047<br />
AETC SO G-171/17 April 2012<br />
1048<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
1049<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
1050<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
1051<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994
190<br />
Assignments. 15th Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>, 1 July 1969. 1st Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>,<br />
1 October 1970. <strong>56th</strong> Tactical <strong>Fighter</strong> (later, <strong>56th</strong> Tactical Training; later, <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong>)<br />
<strong>Wing</strong>, 30 June 1975-4 January 1994. 1053 <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>, 1 April 1994-. 1054<br />
Stations. MacDill AFB, FL, 1 July 1969-4 January 1994. 1055 <strong>Luke</strong> AFB, AZ, 1 April<br />
1994-. 1056<br />
<strong>Air</strong>craft. None.<br />
Emblem. [Group will use the wing emblem with group designation in the scroll.]<br />
Emblem approved 19 April 1967. [Source: 1967 Emblem Approval Letter.]<br />
Blazon. [Group will use the wing emblem with group designation in the scroll.] Tenne<br />
on a chevron azure fimbriated or two lightning flashes chevronwise of the last. [Source:<br />
1967 Emblem Approval Letter.].<br />
Motto. [Group will use the wing emblem with group designation in the scroll.]<br />
Cave Tonitrum (Beware of the Thunderbolt) . [Source: 1967 Emblem Approval Letter.]<br />
Significance. [Group will use the wing emblem with group designation in the scroll.]<br />
The emblem is symbolic of the <strong>Wing</strong>. The heraldic chevron, represents support <strong>and</strong><br />
signifies the <strong>Wing</strong>'s support of our nation's quest for peace. The blue of the chevron<br />
represents the sky, the primary theater of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> operations. The lightning bolt<br />
symbolizes speed <strong>and</strong> aggressiveness with which the unit performs. The color of the<br />
shield represents the <strong>Air</strong> Corps <strong>and</strong> commemorates the service of the <strong>56th</strong> <strong>Fighter</strong> Group,<br />
whose honors <strong>and</strong> history the <strong>Wing</strong> inherits. The emblem bears the <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> colors of<br />
golden yellow <strong>and</strong> ultramarine blue. [Source: 1967 Emblem Approval Letter.]<br />
1052<br />
ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993<br />
1053<br />
TAC SO GA-12, 10 June 1975; ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993<br />
1054<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
1055<br />
ACC SO GB-18, 30 December 1993<br />
1056<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994
191<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>ers.<br />
USAF Regional Hospital, MacDill [1 July 1969-15 March 1987]<br />
Unknown<br />
Unknown<br />
Col John S. Flint bef 23 January 1977<br />
Col Frank E. Edmunds, Jr. 17 September 1978<br />
Col James E. McClure bef 5 July 1982<br />
Lt Col Fredrick S. Arnold bef 5 July 1982<br />
Col William E. Palma 5 July 1982 1057<br />
Col Pedro N. Rivera 15 November 1984 1058<br />
Col Thomas F. Treat 9 May 1986<br />
Col Martin I. Victor 23 May 1986<br />
Col Karl N. Schaberl 16 July 1986 1059<br />
Col Martin I. Victor 29 July 1986-15 March 1987 1060<br />
A <strong>56th</strong> Medical Support Squadron Laboratory Technician examines a sample in the Lab.<br />
1057<br />
56 CSG SO G-15, 4 August 1982<br />
1058<br />
56 CSG SO G-35, 13 November 1984<br />
1059<br />
56 CSG SO G-50, 16 July 1986<br />
1060<br />
56 CSG SO G-54, 29 July 1986
192<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Medical Group [15 March 1987-4 January 1994; 1 April 1994-.]<br />
Col Martin I. Victor 15 March 1987<br />
Col Mervin T. Avants, Jr. 14 September 1987 1061<br />
Col Martin I. Victor 10 October 1987 1062<br />
Col Gary K. Br<strong>and</strong>on 16 July 1990<br />
Col Lynn M. Jones 6 June 1993 1063<br />
Col John J. Kalosis August 1993-4 January 1994<br />
Col Roger A. Beck 1 April 1994 1064<br />
Col Michael W. Lischak 7 August 1998 1065<br />
Col James Malenkos III 11 July 2000 1066<br />
Col Donald E. Taylor 9 July 2002 1067<br />
Col Schuyler K. Geller 8 July 2004 1068<br />
Col Joseph P. Chozinski 7 June 2006 1069<br />
Col Mark J. Holl<strong>and</strong> 11 May 2009 1070<br />
Col Yol<strong>and</strong>a D. Bledsoe 17 June 2011 1071<br />
An airman first class in the <strong>56th</strong> Medical Operations Squadron's Allergy/Immunizations<br />
Clinic gives a treatment to 1st Lt Bryson Byrd.<br />
1061<br />
56 CSG SO G-75, 14 September 1987<br />
1062<br />
56 CSG SO G-4, 9 October 1987<br />
1063<br />
56 MS SO G-002, 28 May 1993<br />
1064<br />
[58 MDG SO SO-GU-001, 26 January 1993]<br />
1065<br />
56 MDG SO GU-008, 7 August 1998<br />
1066<br />
56 MDG SO GU-012, 26 June 2000<br />
1067<br />
56 MDG SO GU-003, 20 June 2002<br />
1068<br />
56 MDG SO 56 MDG G-3, 12 July 2004<br />
1069<br />
56 MDG SO 56 MDG G-3, 9 May 2006<br />
1070<br />
56 MSG SO G-029, 13 May 2009<br />
1071<br />
56 MDG SO 56 MSG G-013, 17 June 2011
193<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Medical Operations Squadron<br />
Lineage.<br />
Constituted <strong>56th</strong> Medical Operations<br />
Squadron on 21 March 1994.<br />
Activated on 1 April 1994. 1072<br />
Honors.<br />
Decorations.<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Award<br />
1 July 1994-30 June 1996 1073<br />
1 July 1996-30 June 1998 1074<br />
1 July 1998-30 June 2000 1075<br />
1 July 2001-30 June 2003 1076<br />
1 June [July] 2003-30 June 2005 1077<br />
1 July 2005-30 June 2006 1078<br />
1 July 2006-30 June 2007 1079<br />
1 July 2007-30 June 2008 1080<br />
1 July 2008-30 June 2009 1081<br />
1 July 2009-30 June 2010 1082<br />
1 July 2010-30 June 2011 1083<br />
Assignments. <strong>56th</strong> Medical Group, 1 April 1994-. 1084<br />
Stations. <strong>Luke</strong> AFB, Arizona, 1 April 1994-. 1085<br />
1072<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
1073<br />
AETC SO GA-18/1996<br />
1074<br />
AETC SO GA-12/1998<br />
1075<br />
AETC SO GA-9/2000<br />
1076<br />
AETC SO GA-55/2004<br />
1077<br />
AETC SO GA-0052/2006<br />
1078<br />
AETC SO GA-045/2007<br />
1079<br />
AETC SO G-054/2008<br />
1080<br />
AETC SO G-071/2009<br />
1081<br />
AETC SO G-025/2010<br />
1082<br />
AETC SO G-086/2011<br />
1083<br />
AETC SO G-171/17 April 2012<br />
1084<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
1085<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994
194<br />
Emblem. Approved on 23October 1997<br />
Blazon. Per fess Azure <strong>and</strong> Gules radiating to chief from fess point four rays Or, overall<br />
a Staff of Aesculapius, staff Brown, serpent Vert; all within a diminished bordure of the<br />
first.<br />
Attached below the disc a Yellow scroll edged with a narrow Blue border <strong>and</strong><br />
inscribed "<strong>56th</strong> MEDICAL OPS SQ. " in Black letters.<br />
Motto. None.<br />
Significance. Blue <strong>and</strong> yellow are the <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the<br />
primary theater of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> operations. Yellow refers to the sun <strong>and</strong> the excellence<br />
required of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> personnel. The Staff of Aesculapius st<strong>and</strong>s for hope, life <strong>and</strong><br />
wisdom as well as the unit's mission of providing quality patient health care.<br />
The alternating rays suggest twenty-four hour medical care that is provided by the<br />
squadron.<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>ers.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Medical Operations Squadron [1 April 1994-.]<br />
Col Reba Ray 1 April 1994 1086<br />
Col Michael Gookin 20 October 1994 1087<br />
Lt Col James N. Black 13 February 1997 1088<br />
Lt Col Margaret B. Matarese 12 July 1999 1089<br />
Lt Col Gail McCain 31 May 2001 1090<br />
Lt Col Paul A. Friedrichs 22 May 2003 1091<br />
Lt Col Janet T. Taylor 17 May 2005 1092<br />
Col Dean L. Messelheiser 5 June 2007 1093<br />
Col David C. Hall 20 May 2009 1094<br />
Col Nicola A. Choate 10 June 2011 1095<br />
1086<br />
56 MDSS SO GU-001, ca. 12 May 1994<br />
1087<br />
56 MDG SO GU-001, 17 October 1994<br />
1088<br />
56 MDG SO GU-001, 30 January 1997<br />
1089<br />
56 MDG SO GU012, 8 July 1999<br />
1090<br />
56 MDG SO GU-005, 30 May 2001<br />
1091<br />
56 MDG SO 56 MDG G-1, ca. 1 May 2003<br />
1092<br />
56 MDG SO G-05-02, 19 April 2005<br />
1093<br />
56 MDG SO 56 MDG G-1, 31 May 2007<br />
1094<br />
56MSG SO G-031, 8 June 2009<br />
1095<br />
56 MSG SO G-014, 10 June 2011
195<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Aerospace Medicine Squadron<br />
Lineage.<br />
Constituted <strong>56th</strong> Aerospace Medicine<br />
Squadron on 21 March 1994.<br />
Activated on 1 April 1994. 1096<br />
Honors.<br />
Decorations.<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Unit Award<br />
1 July 1994-30 June 1996 1097<br />
1 July 1996-30 June 1998 1098<br />
1 July 1998-30 June 2000 1099<br />
1 July 2001-30 June 2003 1100<br />
1 June [July] 2003-30 June 2005 1101<br />
1 July 2005-30 June 2006 1102<br />
1 July 2006-30 June 2007 1103<br />
1 July 2007-30 June 2008 1104<br />
1 July 2008-30 June 2009 1105<br />
1 July 2009-30 June 2010 1106<br />
1 July 2010-30 June 2011 1107<br />
Assignments. <strong>56th</strong> Medical Group, 1 April 1994-. 1108<br />
Stations. <strong>Luke</strong> AFB, AZ, 1 April 1994-. 1109<br />
1096<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
1097<br />
AETC SO GA-18/1996<br />
1098<br />
AETC SO GA-12/1998<br />
1099<br />
AETC SO GA-9/2000<br />
1100<br />
AETC SO GA-55/2004<br />
1101<br />
AETC SO GA-0052/2006<br />
1102<br />
AETC SO GA-045/2007<br />
1103<br />
AETC SO G-054/2008<br />
1104<br />
AETC SO G-071/2009<br />
1105<br />
AETC SO G-025/2010<br />
1106<br />
AETC SO G-086/2011<br />
1107<br />
AETC SO G-171/17 April 2012<br />
1108<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994<br />
1109<br />
AETC SO G-34, 25 March 1994
196<br />
Emblem. Approved on 26 January 1996<br />
Blazon. Azure, a demi-globe issuant from base Celeste gridlined Sable charged with a<br />
cross in perspective Gules, the palewise member garnished as a runway Argent <strong>and</strong><br />
Sable, overall in chief a Caduceus of the fourth detailed Black with the lower portion of<br />
the staff Red issuing two speed lines chevronwise from its wings White; all within a<br />
diminished bordure Or.<br />
Attached below the disc a Blue scroll edged with a narrow Yellow border.<br />
Motto. None.<br />
Significance. Blue <strong>and</strong> yellow are the <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the<br />
primary theater of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> operations. Yellow refers to the sun <strong>and</strong> the excellence<br />
required of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong> personnel. The red cross represents strength within the medical<br />
arena; it also symbolizes the" blanket" of medical commitment provided by unit<br />
personnel to both flying <strong>and</strong> non-flying military members. The Caduceus, the symbolic<br />
staff of a herald, is at the point of the futuristic aircraft. This position signifies that the<br />
unit is ready to supply aeromedical support to aircrews, personnel <strong>and</strong> the environmental<br />
elements of space. The earth signifies the worldwide commitment of peacekeeping <strong>and</strong><br />
the environmental protection of air, water <strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong>.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Aerospace Medicine Squadron's SSgt Lee Del Gerrard fits an <strong>Air</strong>man with a gas<br />
mask prior to a mask fit test.
197<br />
Comm<strong>and</strong>ers.<br />
<strong>56th</strong> Aerospace Medicine Squadron [1 April 1994-.]<br />
Lt Col Howard D. Wilcox 1 April 1994 1110<br />
Lt Col Brian J. Funke 13 December 1995 1111<br />
Lt Col Richard L. Neel 13 September 1996 1112<br />
Maj (later, Lt Col) Richard A. Clark 9 January 1998 1113<br />
Lt Col Roll<strong>and</strong> C. Reynolds, Jr. 3 August 1999 1114<br />
Lt Col William H. Sneeder, Jr. 17 July 2001 1115<br />
Lt Col Patrick P. Miles 9 July 2003 1116<br />
Lt Col Charles S. Tedder 14 March 2005 1117<br />
Col Andrew Marchi<strong>and</strong>o 10 June 2008 1118<br />
Col Neal R. Taylor 16 July 2010 1119<br />
Lt Col Daniel T. Smith 2 July 2012-. 1120<br />
A <strong>56th</strong> Aerospace Medicine Squadron's optometrist examines an <strong>Air</strong>man's eyes.<br />
1110<br />
56 MDSS SO GU-003, ca. 12 May 1994<br />
1111<br />
56 MDG SO GU-001, 8 December 1995<br />
1112<br />
56 MDG SO GU-004, 12 September 1996<br />
1113<br />
56 AMDS SO GU-003, 8 January 1998<br />
1114<br />
56 MDG SO GU-014, 30 July 1999<br />
1115<br />
56 MDG SO GU – 006, 11 July 2001<br />
1116<br />
56 MDG SO 56 MDG G2003-2, 7 July 2003<br />
1117<br />
56 MDG SO G-05-01, 10 March 2005<br />
1