History 50th Space Wing

1 history

1.1 united states air forces in europe

1.1.1 50th fighter-bomber wing
1.1.2 f-100 super sabre era
1.1.3 f-4 phantom ii era
1.1.4 f-16 fighting falcon era
1.1.5 post cold-war era


1.2 air force space command

1.2.1 global war on terrorism

history

see 50th operations group additional history , lineage


81st fbs north american f-86f sabre – 52-4661 in flight on 10 august 1953, during operation fox able 20, movement of 50th fbs united states hahn air base, west germany



north american f-86d-45-na sabres of 496th fighter interceptor squadron. serial 52-3938 in front. after transition f-102 in 1959, aircraft transferred japanese self-defense air force.



81st fbs f-86h 53-1418 upon arrival @ toul-rosières air base, france, summer 1956

the 50th fighter wing established on 16 may 1949 part of post-world war ii united states air force reserve on 1 june 1949. wing formed @ otis afb, massachusetts. 50th fighter group assigned newly formed 50th fighter wing upon activation under hobson plan.

it trained in reserve between june 1949 , june 1951, being corollary of active-duty air defense command 33d fighter wing. wing ordered active service on 1 june 1951 due korean war, , personnel , equipment reassigned replacements active-duty units. 50th fighter wing inactivated next day, 2 june 1951.

on 1 january 1953, 50th fighter-bomber wing reactivated part of active-duty tactical air command. group reactivated following secretary of state john foster dulles promise provide nato 4 additional tactical fighter wings increase defenses against soviet union due outbreak of cold war. 50th fighter-interceptor group activated 50th fighter-bomber group (later renamed 50th operations group) , became wing s primary combat element. group s squadrons equipped north american f-86f sabres, , training commenced operational proficiency. once training levels pilots , aircrews had reached operational levels, 50th fbw began preparations move west germany. on 10 august 1953, 50th fbw arrived @ new home, newly constructed hahn air base.

united states air forces in europe
50th fighter-bomber wing

the 50th assigned united states air forces in europe (usafe) twelfth air force (12th air force). wing became first tactically operational air force wing in 12th air force s jurisdiction. 50th fbg consisted of 10th, 81st , 417th fighter-bomber squadrons. first of wing s new f-86h sabres arrived @ hahn ab 21 october 1955. conversion continued throughout winter of 1955 , spring of 1956, ending in may. 50th fbg received seventy-four f-86hs, , had 2 c-47 transports assigned wing courier , supply operations.

the primary mission of 50th fbw @ hahn delivery of tactical nuclear weapons against warsaw pact forces in event of invasion of western europe. secondary missions tactical air defense , support nato ground forces.

while 50th fbw prepared , converted newer f-86h, wing expanded mission responsibility include supporting 12th air force s 7382d guided missile group. wing had supported 69th tactical missile squadron @ hahn, operated mgm-1 matador tactical missile.

new aircraft not change personnel of 50th, however. conversion f-86h complete on 15 april 1956, wing began move toul-rosières air base, france. reason move usafe war planners believed due vulnerability of west germany soviet attack, having nuclear-equipped fighter wings in west germany made them vulnerable being overrun warsaw pact forces. moving them west france, give nato more time respond. movement took of summer of year. wing reported mission-ready @ toul-rosières on 1 august.

f-100 super sabre era

north american f-100d super sabre serial 56-3238 of 50th tfw (wing commander s aircraft)



81st tfs f-100d super sabre – 56-2928 being serviced @ wheelus ab, 1958

the 50th fighter-bomber group inactivated 8 december 1957 result of 50th adopting tri-deputate organization plan. result of group s inactivation, operational squadrons—the 10th, 81st , 417th fighter squadrons assigned directly wing.

in 1957 usafe announced 50th fbw receive new f-100d super sabre. advanced, supersonic aircraft improved wing s combat capability , enhanced european air defenses. 50th fbw third , last usafe fighter wing convert super sabres , converted new aircraft in 1957 , 1958. on 8 july 1958, became 50th tactical fighter wing result of worldwide usaf renaming convention, designation carry 35 years.

at time, wing updated emblem reflect new mission , aircraft. modified design depicted griffin facing forward , breathing fire wings spread. atomic mushroom cloud centered behind griffin. behind beast s right talon, olive branch denoted peace. lightning bolt behind left talon symbolized strength , power of unit s aircraft. wing carry emblem until inactivation 50th tactical fighter wing in 1991.

along operating toul, 50th tfw tasked support nato dispersed operating bases in france. in september 1959, completion of luneville-chenevieres air base, became home of detachment #2, 50th air base group.

within year of rearming new f-100s, issues runway @ toul ab began severe surface cracking. caused weight of f-100, double of f-86s formerly flown wing. however, more severe problem french government. political issues france regards non-french military forces stationing nuclear weapons, or nuclear-capable units on french soil led united states moving 50th tfw , other tactical wings out of france.

pferdsfeld ab, west germany considered new home of 50th, decided return wing hahn ab since partially occupied @ time , runway @ hahn had been re-paved. wing, support units, 10th tfs , 81st tfs returned hahn ab, west germany part of operation red richard. 417th tfs detached 86th tactical fighter wing @ ramstein ab, west germany. 50th tactical fighter wing reported movement complete hahn on 10 december 1959.

for next several years, 50th tfw airmen concentrated on becoming best fighter unit in usafe. during cuban missile crisis in october , november 1962, wing hosted 435th tactical fighter squadron moron ab, spain part of massive military buildup. after cuban missile crisis ended, 50th tfw resumed normal operations , participated in various exercises , competitions, other nato allies.

f-4 phantom ii era

10th tactical fighter squadron – mcdonnell f-4d-29-mc phantom 65-0780 , 65-0781 1970. note non-standard tail markings



313th tfs f-4e phantom – 68-0467, 1978

by mid-1960s, super sabres becoming vulnerable new generation of warsaw pact fighters, such mig-21 , sukhoi su-15. in response, wing s 3 tactical squadrons, 10th, 81st, , 417th, began converting mcdonnell douglas f-4d phantom iis on 8 october 1966.

when last f-100 left hahn, 50th tfw aircrews had logged 143,147 flight hours. throughout conversion f-4d, 417th tfs remained detached 86th air division @ ramstein ab. 496th fighter-interceptor squadron, attached 50th tfw assigned 86th air division, did not convert new f-4d aircraft, instead flying f-102 delta dagger interceptor aircraft.

the wing underwent organizational change on 15 july 1968. costs of ongoing vietnam war stretching defense budgets, , costs of maintaining large united states forces (both army , air force) in europe, decision france withdrawal nato integrated military alliance led development of dual-based forces, stationed in united states, deployable nato in case of crisis soviet union. 417th tfs reassigned mountain home afb, idaho, , subsequently reassigned tactical air command s 67th tactical reconnaissance wing. 417th committed usafe, , planned deploy usafe annually. replace 417th, usafe reassigned 496th fighter-interceptor squadron 86th air division 50th tactical fighter wing. 417th, however, remained equipped f-102 interceptors air defense mission.

usafe selected 81st tactical fighter squadron command s first wild weasel surface-to-air missile suppression unit. squadron s primary mission focus changed ground , air attack roles location , elimination of threats posed enemy radar tracking , surface-to-air missile systems. wild weasel version of f-4e (and later f-4g) used radar jamming platform or search , destroy vehicle.

the 81st tfs moved zweibrucken air base, west germany, on 12 june 1971. though remained assigned 50th tfw, 81st tfs detached wing s operational control , attached 86th tactical fighter wing. following these changes, wing settled more routine operations tempo , returned attentions maintaining combat readiness. within 2 years, usafe redesignated 496th fis tactical fighter squadron. squadron converted f-4e phantom, retiring f-102s.

the wing continued routine training operations throughout 1970s. in 1976, 313th tactical fighter squadron reactivated result of 36th tfw @ bitburg ab receiving f-15 eagles, , sending squadron of f-4e phantom iis hahn.

f-16 fighting falcon era

10th tfs f-16c block 25f – 84-1393



313th tfs f-16c block 25a – 83-1130



496th tfs f-16c block 25e – 84-1315

in late 1978 usafe announced 50th tactical fighter wing test , field of new f-16a fighting falcon. arrangements tests began arrival of first of 4 teams in november 1978 , continued 1979. tests began 20 april 1979, 4 f-16a block 1 aircraft @ hahn air base, germany.

meanwhile, prompted news of selection receive air force s newest fighter, 50th tfw began construction of new hardened aircraft shelters, additional hangars, maintenance shops , support buildings. in addition contracts issued construction of 300 additional housing units in communities near hahn ab.

aircrews focused on training under new graduated combat capability program provided specific training events , competency levels each category of crewmember. maintenance personnel concentrated on learning f-16 specific requirements , adapted production oriented maintenance organization meet needs of new jets , mission. 313th tfs accepted first of wing s new f-16s on 30 december 1981, after vigorous acceptance inspection—a practice continues today. within 6 months, last of 50th tfw s f-4e phantom iis departed hahn ab, after 16 years , more 176,000 flight hours. gala marked addition of fighting falcon north atlantic treaty organization s arsenal on 9 july 1982. ceremony included displays of aircraft norway, netherlands, belgium, denmark , other countries in nato alliance, of programmed receive f-16.

for next several months, 50th tfw crews deployed zaragoza air base, spain, conduct air-to-air , air-to-ground training. training included events designed improve bombing accuracy , increase air , ground crew performance. before 1983 thanksgiving holiday, wing add yet line list of accomplishments. opportunity arrived in october, when 50th tfw crews took f-16s air force s annual worldwide bombing , gunnery competition—gunsmoke—where won overall competition. additionally, 1 of wing s pilots earned individual top gun award. personnel continued demonstrate excellence when 1 of wing s weapons load crews earned first place distinction in usafe , third place overall in air force-wide competition @ end of 1983.

operational activity march 1984 reached fever pitch wing participated in several exercises , competitions , prepared brief deployment. wing joined green flag exercises held @ nellis air force base, nevada, in march. green flag sought provide realistic combat training heavy emphasis on electronic warfare such anti-aircraft defenses threat radars.

at hahn ab, other wing personnel participated in nato exercise. during exercise, 2 496th tfs f-16s conducted first emergency procedures landings on autobahn. aircrews landed, refueled dispatched trucks , launched highway near german air base @ ahlhorn. wing prepared large-scale deployment several air bases due programmed runway repairs @ hahn ab. aircraft , crews, maintenance specialists , support personnel deployed ramstein , spangdahlem ab , west germany s pferdsfel ab april june 1984.

the 50th tactical fighter wing s growing list of accomplishments , recognition continued 1985 when wing received notice of selection air force outstanding unit award period 1 july 1982 through 30 june 1984. fifth such award 50th. 50th tfw s operational tempo did not slow, nor did wing s receipt of accolades , recognition headquarters. wing replaced f-16a , f-16b fighting falcons advanced second-generation f-16c , f-16d in 1986.

hq usafe announced on 15 april 1986, 313th tactical fighter squadron had earned usafe commander in chief s trophy 1985. operations , maintenance teams within 50th tfw received numerous awards @ major command level , higher throughout 1986 , 1987, including secretary of defense s phoenix award recognizing best maintenance organization in department of defense.

post cold-war era

group of 4 10th tfs f-16s in flight on southwest asia, 1991



f-16c block 25 #85-1405 10th tfs armed mark 84 2,000-pound bombs mounted under wings , aim-9 sidewinder air-to-air missiles on wing tips during second wave of air attacks on iraqi targets in support of operation desert storm on 17 january 1991.

by end of 1980s, social, economic, , political turmoil in soviet union had reached boiling point. berlin wall fell, , new era in europe began. former soviet republics proclaimed independence , right self-determination. talk in germany turned possibility of reuniting east , west. debate followed on future role of american forces in europe, , worldwide change loomed imminent.

throughout spring , summer of 1990, 50th tfw continued aggressive training schedule. meanwhile, american military , government officials debated new role , structure of armed forces in light of perceptions of diminished threat western europe. changes brought events in soviet union , in light of increasing public , governmental concern on united states increasing budget deficit. many, possibility of combat activity seemed unlikely, perception changed in blink of eye during autumn of 1990.

while wing s aircrews continued normal operations in west germany , turkey, iraqi president saddam hussein resumed war of rhetoric against kuwait. summer heat in southwest asia intensified, did hussein s war of words. iraqi forces crossed border kuwait on 2 august 1990, forcing kuwaiti royal family , existing government seek refuge in neighboring countries. united nations condemned invasion, calling immediate withdrawal of iraqi forces kuwait.

returning hahn ab following october 1990 training deployment zaragoza ab, spain, 10th tfs commander lt. col. ed houle received notice prepare unit possible deployment. scheduled thanksgiving day movement, plans changed , called deployment of 10th within 72 hours of outbreak of hostilities, should happen.

as final days of autumn passed , winter began, plans again changed. word came 10th tfs deploy on 15 january 1991, fill out combat strength of fighter wing @ al dhafra air base, united arab emirates. united states central command readjusted date twice, establishing deployment date of 1 january 1991. meanwhile, crews continued train , make other preparations. 313th tfs selected 6 f-16cs , 8 pilots potential replacements lost jets , crews.

thirty f-16cs left hahn ab, zaragoza ab 29 december 1990. 6 served airborne spares replace of original 24 might not complete trip al dhafra. while hundreds of personnel @ zaragoza ab celebrated , welcomed new year, thirty pilots of 50th tfw fired afterburners, drowning sounds of celebration, , lifted darkness bound middle east , near certainty of combat. when arrived, aircrews learned not employ low-level procedures had practiced use in central europe. instead of low-level ingress , 10- 30-degree dive angles, deliver payloads 20,000 feet ingress angles near 60 degrees. training progressed, crews 10th tfs began sitting alert crews of 17th , 33d tfss, hoping might first strike if war erupted.

15 january 1991, passed al dhafra s crews , of coalition forces watching events unfold on cable television news. international news broadcasts, beamed via satellite, told of iraq s refusal withdraw , resulting discussions on how u.n. coalition proceed. 16 january 1991 same.

then, click of second hand, desert shield became desert storm. @ 4 a.m. local time 17 january, first 40-plane strike package left al dhafra targets in iraq. 10th tfs flew first combat sorties of war later afternoon, led squadron commander lt. col. edward houle. assigned target eight-ship element of 10th tfs al taqaddum airfield, near baghdad—a round-trip of more 1,400 miles , eight-hour mission crews accustomed training flights of 1 3 hours. 6 weeks, 10th tfs crews attacked iraqi airfields, communication centers , military command centers. few iraqi fighters did fly either shot down or chased across iraq-iran border.

after initial attacks against static targets, 10th tfs crews received new orders. iraq had begun using soviet ss-1 scud missiles in retaliation against coalition s offensive air strikes, targeting both coalition forces , israeli civilian population centers. in response, u.s. central command ordered search-and-destroy missions against iraqi mobile , fixed scud launchers. attacking targets put 10th tfs pilots @ greater risk. kill required locating , identifying scud s associated radar once activated launch, , launchers heavily defended. squadron s first scud patrol mission began 19 january, 3 days desert storm.

the mission changed again 23 january. of strategic targets eliminated, 10th tfs received orders concentrate on iraq s republican guard units occupying kuwait , iraq s southern region. al dhafra-based crews, meant bombing military targets on road , destroying pontoon bridges being constructed across tigris river. in addition, wing s crews dropped leaflet bombs on iraqi positions , civilian centers. next month, emphasis centered on counter-scud operations , preparing battlefield eventual ground war.

when ground war began 25 february, crews began flying combat air patrols, protecting , supporting coalition ground forces. mission, however, lasted 3 days. on morning of 28 february, offensive ceased allow iraqi units withdraw. after brief interlude, crews returned combat air patrols enforce ceasefire accords prohibited iraqi aircraft operating within defined areas. provision of ceasefire sought protect coalition ground forces, u.n. personnel monitor iraq s compliance security council resolutions , civilian populations.

with return of deployed elements saudi arabia in summer of 1991, 50th tactical fighter wing gradually inactivated during balance of year. reuniting of east , west germany in october 1990, cold war threat of invasion soviet union no longer issue. united states left huge excess capacity of expensive airfields in europe. 50th had performed mission in western europe , time end mission.

as result, 50th tfw inactivated in 1991 after 35 years @ hahn air base. 496th tfs inactivated on 15 may; 313th tfs on 1 july, , 10th tfs on 30 september. 50th tactical fighter wing inactivated on 30 september 1991.

on 30 september 1993, hahn air base turned on reunited german government exception of small portion used usafe communications site.

air force space command

however, air force officials reversed decision inactivate 50th tactical fighter wing. in 1982 air force space command activated control usaf space assets, had been managed air force systems command.

as part of general reorganization of air force in post–cold war era. 50th tfw reassigned united states air force space command, reactivated wing 50th space wing on 30 january 1992, @ falcon air force base east of colorado springs, colorado. 50th reactivated part of usaf heritage program, in notable historic wings remained on active duty, replacing younger ones. 50th space wing assumed control of personnel , assets of 2d space wing, inactivated.

at same time, command activated 50th operations group, redesignated world war ii , cold war-era 50th fighter group, , assigned 50th space wing part of post cold war usaf objective organization plan. afspc activated 50th maintenance , supply group , 50th combat support group under new names, creating wing organization closely resembled of 1950s.

squadrons assigned 50th concurrent activation included mixture of past units , assigned 2d space wing, 50th sw replaced. command activated 50th mission support, civil engineering, security police, communications, airdrome, air service, depot repair , depot supply squadrons new designations. transferred 2nd space wing 1st, 2nd, 3rd , 5th satellite control squadrons, renamed space operations squadrons. headquarters of 2nd satellite tracking group became headquarters 750th space group , transferred 50th sw. 50th sw assumed responsibility number of detachments operating around world.

the 50th sw assumed command-and-control responsibilities several existing satellite constellations provided variety of critical information air force, department of defense , other users. additionally, 50th sw assumed responsibility air force satellite control network, allowed satellite controllers fly satellites under command.

continuing activity resulting 1995 defense base closure , realignment commission (brac) report resulted in inactivation of 750th space group , 5th space operations squadron @ onizuka air force station, california, in 1999 , 2000 respectively. inactivation of other agencies , units @ onizuka afs left 21st sops installation s host, , 21st sops commander assumed installation commander responsibilities.

global war on terrorism

the 50th space wing supports allied operations in southwest asia satellite communications, gps enhancements , deployed personnel. 2005, 50th sw averaged 80 airmen per month deployed forward operating bases in afghanistan supporting global war on terrorism.

during operation iraqi freedom 2d sops crews developed new techniques enhancing gps accuracy on iraqi theater of operations , flew more 1,000 satellite sorties between 20 march , 10 april. 1st sops set record during period, placing gps satellite in orbit , completing on-orbit checkout activities in 11 days while flying 100 defense support program satellite sorties , 300 gps sorties in first 20 days of combat. third , 4th sops crews maximized satellite communications coverage of theater. 3rd sops defense satellite communications system block iii satellites provided 80 percent of in-theater bandwidth. meanwhile, 4th sops dedicated 85 percent of milstar communications capability war effort, flying 14,000 sorties in first 20 days of operations.

the 50th network operations group (previously 50th communications group) supported of wing s satellite command-and-control activities through air force satellite control network scheduling nodes, managed 22nd sops. personnel @ wing s remote tracking stations, including 21st sops @ onizuka afs , 23rd sops @ new boston afs, n.h., logged more 12,312 satellite contacts while assisting other satellite operations , 3 satellite launches.

the 50th sw underwent organizational changes in first years of new century. correct inefficiencies , realign organizations along mission lines, air force space command renamed 50th cg 50th nog , reassigned 21st, 22nd , 23rd sops organization. functions of 850th space communications squadron merged of 50th scs, , 850th scs inactivated in january 2006.