January 1944 brought the Allied landing at Anzio with the 31st the sole provider of air cover for the invasion and beachhead.[17]. The 31st Fighter Wing leadership participated in the ceremony, AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy The 510th Fighter Squadron Buzzards trained alongside the Romanian air forces MiG-21s at Campia Turzii, Romania, March 28-31.This was the last opportunity for the 510th FS to fly with the MiG-21s before they are retired in mid-May.The squadron and Romanian air force flew. Gen. Craig Franklin, 31st Fighter Wing commander, hosted an induction ceremony for 12 Italian community leaders into the Honorary Squadron Commander Program at the La Bella Vista Club here May 8. The 31st Fighter Wing is the only United States fighter wing south of the Alps. “It’s been a quick and fast ride and there was never a dull moment,” Yates said. The wing immediately become involved with events in Bosnia, part of the former communist country of Yugoslavia, in May 1994 as part of Operation Deny Flight. This successful flight culminated in the 40th Air Division of the Strategic Air Command receiving the Mackay Trophy[23] in 1953. Approximately 13,200 airmen, in addition to 32,000 airmen through Europe, deployed in support of the 78-day air campaign that led to Serbian withdrawal of forces from the province of Kosovo. 2008 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. Kent has filled numerous roles at Stars and Stripes including: copy editor, news editor, desk editor, reporter/photographer, web editor and overseas sports editor. from around the world. Win the current fight and be ready to win the next fight. A year later, a massive search and rescue operation took place to extract USAF captain Scott O'Grady[30] of the 555th FS from behind enemy lines. 6. The 39th Wing at Incirlik AB, Turkey, deployed a flying ambulance surgical team to Dhahran Air Base, Saudi Arabia in response to the Khobar Towers bombing. The wing has had 10 commanders in Aviano since then, and it was time for No. The 31st Fighter Wing continued deploying forces in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Force, with more than one-third of the wing deploying to support operations each year from 2003 to 2007. His last assignment was executive assistant to the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Justin Berte, 56th Rescue Generation Squadron director of operations, washes the belly of an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter as part of an immersion tour at Aviano Air Base, Italy, March 14, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brooke Moeder), U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. From August to December 2002, the 510th Fighter Squadron and 603rd Air Control Squadron returned to Southwest Asia. From March to September 2000, the 510th and 555th Fighter Squadrons conducted back-to-back deployments to Ahmad al-Jaber Air Base, Kuwait, in support of Operation Southern Watch. To avoid losing the wing's heritage and history as the highest scoring Army Air Force unit in the Mediterranean Theater in WWII, the impressive combat record in Vietnam and number of significant firsts they produced in the early years of the Air Force, the 31st was chosen to move rather than fade into obscurity. [17], In July 2015, the United States and Turkey reached agreement on Turkish support for actions against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Sixteenth Air Force (16 AF)'s original ancestor was the Joint United States Military Group, Air Administration (Spain), which was established on 20 May 1954. [21], The wing pioneered the development of in flight refueling tactics. Gen. Jason E. Bailey is scheduled to take . Aviano Air Base > Units > 31st Fighter Wing - AF The 31st Fighter Wing was the first F-16 Falcon unit to fly combat missions utilizing night vision goggles, and wing aircraft provided close air support during Pope John Paul II's historic visit to Sarajevo. “Certainly in the Air Force.” Yates, headed for a job as deputy U.S. representative to NATO in Belgium, spent much of his speech talking about the wing’s accomplishments during his two years in Aviano. On 10 April 2004, insurgents launched a mortar attack on Balad, killing Airman First Class Antoine Holt[33] and injuring two other 603rd members. The vision is to be ready and adaptive warriors, committed to Allies and Partners, who are devoted to our community and one another. In 1985, the wing received its next aircraft, the F-16 and resumed an air defense mission.[17]. In 1979 and 1980, the wing transferred its F-4Es to Air National Guard units and the Egyptian Air Force, and began operating F-4Ds.[17]. The two squadrons supported Operation Enduring Freedom. In 1970 and 1980, the wing upgraded all F-4Es to F-4Ds and began training all F-4 aircrews. On 30 March 1981, the wing assumed a larger responsibility for training all F-4 aircrews. Gen. Lance K. Landrum took command from Maj. Gen. Barre R. Seguin. [15] It is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. He has more than 10 years of experience as an Army photojournalist and has served as a photojournalism instructor at the Defense Information School. First 31 PCS Start - 31st Force Support Squadron and the OSS Commander normally signs for unaffiliated aircrew. 24 Hour Flight Recording . Gen. Lance K. Landrum seems to be part of a trend. At the same time, the wing switched from flying North American F-100 Super Sabres to McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom IIs.[24]. [11][12][13][14], The 31st Fighter Wing currently has two operational squadrons, the 555th and 510th Fighter Squadrons flying the F-16CG/DG. July 2011 July 2014, F-16 Instructor/Evaluator Pilot, Executive Officer to the Seventh Air Force Commander, Chief of Wing Standardization and Evaluation, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea and the 510th Fighter Squadron,[3] allowing the wing to conduct offense and defensive combat air operations.
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