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455th Air Expeditionary Wing
A C-17 Globemaster III takes off from Bagram Airfield near C-130 Hercules deployed with the wing
Active	1943–1945; 1947–1949; 1956–1957; 1962–1968; 2002–2021
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Air Expeditionary
Role	Combat & Combat Support
Part of	United States Air Forces Central Command
Garrison/HQ	Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan
Nickname(s)	Vulgar Vultures (World War II)
Engagements	Mediterranean Theater of Operations
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Meritorious Unit Award Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device
Insignia
455th Air Expeditionary Wing emblem (approved 3 August 2017)
Patch with 455th Strategic Missile Wing emblem (approved c. October 1963)
Unofficial 455th Bombardment Group emblem

The 455th Air Expeditionary Wing was a provisional United States Air Force unit located at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, from 2002 to 2021. It was one of two expeditionary wings in Afghanistan. Most wing personnel were located at the Air Force Village known as Camp Cunningham.

The first predecessor of the wing was organized in 1943 as the 455th Bombardment Group. After training in the United States with Consolidated B-24 Liberator bombers, the 455th deployed to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, participating in the strategic bombing campaign against Germany. It earned two Distinguished Unit Citations for its combat operations. Following V-E Day, it remained in Italy without its flight echelon until inactivating in September 1945.

The group was activated in the reserve in 1947. Apparently, it was not fully manned or equipped before inactivating in June 1949 and transferring most of its resources to another unit. It was redesignated the 445th Fighter-Day Group and activated in 1956, but did not become operational before inactivating in July 1957.

The wing's second predecessor was established in 1953, but not organized until November 1962 as the 455th Strategic Missile Wing an LGM-30B Minuteman I wing. It was inactivated in June 1968 and transferred its assets to the 91st Strategic Missile Wing. The group and wing were consolidated in 1985. In 2001, the consolidated unit was converted to provisional status as the 455th Air Expeditionary Group. It was activated the following year.

Mission

The wing's mission was to provide fighter, rescue, transport, and other air force activities as part of U.S. operations during the War in Afghanistan (2001-2021). Activated in 2002, the 455th had members deployed throughout the country supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

The wing commander reported to the United States Air Forces Central Command commander in Southwest Asia. The commander was supported by a wing staff and oversaw five Air Force groups located at Bagram and one at Kandahar Airfield. The five groups were the 455th Expeditionary Operations Group, the 455th Expeditionary Maintenance Group, the 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Group, 455th Expeditionary Medical Group, and the 455th Expeditionary Base Defense Group. It also oversaw the 451st Air Expeditionary Group at Kandahar Airfield.

Units

The wing consists of five groups:

455th Expeditionary Operations Group. The group is responsible for all expeditionary flying and aeromedical evacuation operations for the wing. It oversees operations of a General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon close air support squadron, a Lockheed C-130 Hercules airlift squadron, a Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk/Guardian Angel rescue squadron, a Lockheed EC-130H Compass Call electronic combat squadron and an aeromedical evacuation flight. It also oversees support functions such as air traffic control, intelligence, weather, radar monitoring and landing systems, airfield management and command and control equipment at forward-operating bases.

83d Expeditionary Rescue Squadron (Boeing CH-47 Chinook)

774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron (Lockheed C-130 Hercules)

41st Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron (Lockheed EC-130H Compass Call)

Rotational Expeditionary Fighter Squadron (General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon)

555th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron April–October 2015

421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron October 2015 – April 2016.

457th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron April–October 2016.

93d Expeditionary Fighter Squadron April–October 2016.

79th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron October 2016 – April 2017.

555th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron April–October 2017

77th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron October 2017 – April 2018

455th Expeditionary Mission Support Group. The group provides services in support of coalition forces throughout Afghanistan. It is composed of five squadrons responsible for communications, civil engineer operations, force support, logistics readiness, and security forces.

455th Expeditionary Aerial Port Squadron

455th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron

455th Expeditionary Communications Squadron

455th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron

455th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron

455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron

455th Expeditionary Maintenance Group. The group provides combat-ready aircraft and munitions in support of coalition forces throughout Afghanistan. The group comprises two squadrons responsible for on- and off-aircraft maintenance and sortie generation of F-15E, F-16 and C-130 aircraft, as well as launch, recovery, and servicing support for military and commercial transient aircraft.

455th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron

455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron

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

455th Expeditionary Medical Operations Squadron

455th Expeditionary Medical Support Squadron

451st Air Expeditionary Group: The group operates the Northrop Grumman E-11, General Atomics MQ-1 Predator, and General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper at Kandahar and Jalalabad Airfields.

History

World War II

Training in the United States

The group was first activated at Alamogordo Army Air Field, New Mexico on 1 June 1943 as the 445th Bombardment Group, with the 740th, 741st, 742d and 743d Bombardment Squadrons assigned. The initial cadre for the group was drawn from the 302d Bombardment Group. In July, a cadre was given advanced tactical training by the Army Air Forces School of Applied Tactics at Orlando Army Air Base and Pinecastle Army Air Field, Florida. After organizing at Alamogordo, the group moved to Utah, where the ground echelon was stationed at Kearns Army Air Base, although flying operations were based at Salt Lake City Army Air Base. After completing training at Langley Field, Virginia, the group departed the United States for the Mediterranean Theater of Operations in December 1943. The air echelon began staging through Mitchel Field, New York to ferry their Liberators via the southern ferry route. The ground echelon of group headquarters sailed on the SS William T. Barry.

Combat operations

The air echelon of the group was delayed in Tunisia and was not entirely lodged at the 455th's combat station of San Giovanni Airfield, Italy until 1 February 1944, and the group flew its first mission on 16 February. The group was engaged primarily in the strategic bombing campaign against Germany, attacking targets like airfields, factories, oil refineries, harbors, marshalling yards in Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, and Yugoslavia.

On 2 April 1944, the group attacked a ball-bearing plant at Steyr, Austria for which it earned a Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC). The primary target, the Daimler-Pusch aircraft engine factory was obscured by clouds, so the unit attacked the nearby ball bearing plant although attacks by an estimated 75 twin-engine fighters continued through the bomb run and heavy, accurate flak was encountered. The 740th claimed the destruction of seven of these fighters against the loss of one squadron Liberator. The 742d lost two Liberators in the attack but claimed the destruction of six enemy aircraft. Five crewmembers from one of the squadron's B-24s lost in the attack bailed out in territory controlled by Yugoslav Partisans and were able to evade German forces and returned to the squadron a month after the attack. The 743d Squadron claimed the destruction of nine fighters against the loss of two squadron Liberators.

On 26 June 1944, the group, which was leading the 304th Bombardment Wing on the raid, encountered fighter opposition that was described as the strongest Fifteenth Air Force had encountered to date, and which destroyed several Liberators of the 455th Group. One 740th Liberator was lost on the raid, while the squadron claimed eleven enemy aircraft destroyed (two shared claims). Enemy fighters were able to separate the 741st Squadron from its fighter escort and intensified their attacks on the squadron. One 741st bomber was lost when a Luftwaffe fighter dove head-on into it. The Liberator continued on the bomb run and dropped its bombs on the target before crashing into the ground. Other fighters continued their attacks to within 100 feet of the group's planes. On this mission, the 742d Squadron suffered its heaviest losses of the war, with six planes lost to enemy action. Only one of the squadron's Liberators that reached the target returned safely. The 743d Squadron put nine bombers over the target but was the only squadron of the group to bring all its planes home. The group pressed its attack on an oil refinery at Moosbierbaum, Austria, for which it received a second DUC.

The group provided air support to ground forces in Operation Shingle, the landings at Anzio and the Battle of Monte Cassino in the spring of 1944. It knocked out coastal defenses to clear the way for Operation Dragoon, the invasion of southern France in September. As Axis forces were withdrawing from the Balkan peninsula in the fall of 1944, the squadron bombed marshalling yards, troop concentrations and airfields to slow their retreat. It flew air interdiction missions to support Operation Grapeshot, the Spring 1945 offensive in Northern Italy.

The group flew its last combat mission on 25 April 1945 against rail yards at Linz, Austria. Following the surrender of German forces in Italy, it flew some supply missions and transported personnel to ports and airfields for shipment back to the United States. Most of the air echelon returned to the United States, ferrying their aircraft in June. The 740th Squadron's ground personnel moved to Bari Airfield in July 1945, where they serviced the aircraft assigned to headquarters, Fifteenth Air Force. Many of the group's remaining personnel were transferred to other units in the 304th Bombardment Wing for shipment back to the United States, while the group remained in Italy, serving as a replacement depot. The last of the air echelon departed Italy in July and the group was inactivated on 9 September 1945.

The group lost 118 aircraft. It suffered 147 killed in action, 268 Missing in action, 179 prisoners of war, and 169 wounded in action. On the other hand, the group claimed the destruction of 119 enemy aircraft.

Air Force reserve

The group was reactivated as a reserve unit under Air Defense Command (ADC) in March 1947 at Hensley Field, Texas, with the 740th Squadron, which was already active, assigned to it. At Hensley its training was supervised by ADC's 4122d AAF Base Unit (later the 2596th Air Force Reserve Training Center). The 741st and 742d Squadrons were activated to join the group in late June and early September 1947, respectively. In October, the group was rounded out with the activation of the 743d Squadron, which was not stationed with the group, but at Sheppard-Kell Municipal Airport. The 455th was nominally a very heavy bomber unit, but does not appear to have been fully manned or equipped while a reserve unit. In 1948 Continental Air Command (ConAC) assumed responsibility for managing reserve and Air National Guard units from ADC. President Truman's reduced 1949 defense budget required reductions in the number of units in the Air Force. ConAC also reorganized its reserve units under the wing base organization system in June 1949. As a result, the group was inactivated and its personnel and equipment at Hensley Field were transferred to elements of the 443d Troop Carrier Wing, which was activated simultaneously. The 743d Squadron was also inactivated and reserve flying operations at Sheppard came to an end.

Tactical Air Command

The group was redesignated the 455th Fighter-Day Group and activated at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, South Carolina in July 1956 as Tactical Air Command planned to organize a second North American F-100 Super Sabre wing there. Some personnel were assigned to the group and its squadrons, but it never became operational with aircraft. It was inactivated in July 1957 and its few personnel were reassigned to elements of the 354th Fighter-Day Wing.

Intercontinental ballistic missile wing

The wing's second predecessor was organized at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota in November 1962 as the 455th Strategic Missile Wing along with its 740th Squadron. The 741st and 742d Squadrons were organized in December 1962 and January 1963. The wing prepared for operational capability with LGM-30B Minuteman I missiles through March 1964. The wing's first Minuteman missile arrived on 6 September 1963, and was placed three days later. The 150th, and final, missile was placed on 26 February 1964, and by late March the wing became combat-ready.

On 25 June 1968, the 455th was inactivated and transferred its assets to the 91st Strategic Missile Wing, which moved to Minot on paper from Glasgow Air Force Base, Montana. The three missile squadrons, however, were reassigned to the 91st Wing.

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

War in Afghanistan

The 455th was converted to provisional status in December 2001 and redesignated the 455th Air Expeditionary Group after the United States invasion of Afghanistan. It was activated on 26 April 2002 at Bagram Air Base. In July 2002, the group was redesignated the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing with five assigned groups. Since then the wing has provided close air support, air mobility, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, combat search and rescue, electronic attack, aero medical evacuation, and combat support as the lead Air Force organization in Afghanistan. The wing consisted of about 1,600 airmen, based throughout Afghanistan.

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

Lineage

455th Fighter-Day Group

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

Activated on 1 June 1943

Redesignated 455th Bombardment Group, Heavy on 6 March 1944

Inactivated on 9 September 1945

• Redesignated 455th Bombardment Group, Very Heavy on 5 March 1947

Activated on 25 March 1947

Inactivated on 27 June 1949

Redesignated 455th Fighter-Day Group on 7 May 1956

Activated on 25 July 1956

Inactivated 1 July 1957

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

455th Air Expeditionary Wing

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

Organized on 1 November 1962

Discontinued and inactivated on 25 June 1968

• Consolidated with the 455th Fighter-Day Group on 31 January 1984
• Converted to provisional status and redesignated 455th Air Expeditionary Group on 4 December 2001 and assigned to Air Combat Command to activate or inactivate as needed
• Activated on 26 April 2002
• Redesignated 455th Air Expeditionary Wing on 26 July 2002

Assignments

• II Bomber Command, 1 June 1943
• I Bomber Command, 4 October 1943
• Fifteenth Air Force, c. 15 January 1944
• 304th Bombardment Wing, 25 January 1944 – 9 September 1945
• Tenth Air Force, 25 March 1947
• 309th Bombardment Wing (later 309th Air Division), 17 October 1947 – 27 June 1949
• Ninth Air Force, 25 July 1956 – 1 July 1957 (attached to 342d Fighter-Day Wing until 19 November 1956, then to 354th Fighter-Day Wing)
• Strategic Air Command, 28 June 1962 (not organized)
• 810th Strategic Aerospace Division, 1 November 1962 – 25 June 1968
• Air Combat Command to activate or inactivate as needed, 4 December 2001

9th Aerospace Expeditionary Task Force, 26 July 2002 – July 2021

Stations

• Alamogordo Army Air Field, New Mexico, 1 June 1943
• Kearns Army Air Field, Utah, c. 6 September 1943
• Langley Field, Virginia, c. 5 October – 2 December 1943
• San Giovanni Airfield, Italy, 15 January 1944 – 9 September 1945
• Hensley Field, Texas, 25 March 1947 – 27 June 1949
• Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, South Carolina, 25 July 1956 – 1 July 1957
• Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, 1 November 1962 – 25 June 1968
• Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, 26 April 2002 – Jul 2021

Components

Groups

• 451st Air Expeditionary Group, 1 April 2014 – present
• 455th Expeditionary Operations Group, 26 July 2002 – present
• 455th Expeditionary Logistics Group (later 455th Expeditionary Maintenance Group), c. 26 July 2002 – present
• 455th Expeditionary Medical Group, c. 26 July 2002 – present
• 455th Expeditionary Support Group (later 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Group), c. 26 July 2002 – present
• 755th Expeditionary Mission Support Group (later 755th Air Expeditionary Group), 17 January 2006 – present

Squadrons

• 740th Bombardment Squadron (later 740th Fighter-Day Squadron, 740th Strategic Missile Squadron): 1 June 1943 – 9 September 1945, 25 March 1947 – 27 June 1949, 25 July 1956 – 1 July 1957, 1 December 1962 – 25 June 1968
• 741st Bombardment Squadron (later 741st Fighter-Day Squadron, 741st Strategic Missile Squadron): 1 June 1943 – 9 September 1945, 26 June 1947 – 27 June 1949, 25 July 1956 – 1 July 1957, 1 December 1962 – 25 June 1968
• 742d Bombardment Squadron (later 742d Fighter-Day Squadron, 743d Strategic Missile Squadron): 1 June 1943 – 9 September 1945, 9 September 1947 – 27 June 1949, 25 July 1956 – 1 July 1957, 1 January 1963 – 25 June 1968
• 743d Bombardment Squadron: 1 June 1943 – 9 September 1945, 15 October 1947 – 27 June 1949

Aircraft and missiles

• Consolidated B-24 Liberator, 1943–1945
• Boeing LGM-30B Minuteman I (1962–1968)
• Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II (2002–2020)
• Grumman EA-6B Prowler (since 2003)
• Lockheed EC-130H Compass Call (since 2003)
• McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle (since 2007)
• General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon (2009-2021)
• Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk (since 2003)
• Lockheed C-130J Hercules (since 2008)
• Lockheed C-130H Hercules (since 2003)
• General Atomics MQ-1 Predator (since 2003)
• Beechcraft MC-12W Huron (since 2009)
• Northrop Grumman E-11 (since 2014)
• General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper (since 2014)

Awards and campaigns

Award streamer	Award	Dates	Notes
	Distinguished Unit Citation	2 April 1944	455th Bombardment Group, Steyr, Austria
	Distinguished Unit Citation	26 June 1944	455th Bombardment Group, Austria
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device	16 April 2002–15 September 2002	455th Air Expeditionary Wing
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device	16 September 2002–15 September 2003	455th Air Expeditionary Wing
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device	16 September 2003–30 September 2004	455th Air Expeditionary Wing
	Air Force Meritorious Unit Award	1 October 2004–30 September 2005	455th Air Expeditionary Wing
	Air Force Meritorious Unit Award	1 October 2005–30 September 2006	455th Air Expeditionary Wing
	Air Force Meritorious Unit Award	1 October 2006–30 September 2007	455th Air Expeditionary Wing
	Air Force Meritorious Unit Award	1 October 2007–30 September 2008	455th Air Expeditionary Wing
	Air Force Meritorious Unit Award	1 October 2008–30 September 2009	455th Air Expeditionary Wing
	Air Force Meritorious Unit Award	1 October 2009–30 September 2010	455th Air Expeditionary Wing
	Air Force Meritorious Unit Award	1 October 2010–30 September 2011	455th Air Expeditionary Wing
	Air Force Meritorious Unit Award	1 October 2011–30 September 2012	455th Air Expeditionary Wing
	Air Force Meritorious Unit Award	1 July 2012–30 June 2013	455th Air Expeditionary Wing
	Air Force Meritorious Unit Award	1 July 2013–30 June 2014	455th Air Expeditionary Wing
	Air Force Meritorious Unit Award	1 October 2015–31 March 2017	455th Air Expeditionary Wing

Campaign Streamer	Campaign	Dates	Notes
	Air Offensive, Europe	15 January 1944 – 5 June 1944	455th Bombardment Group
	Air Combat, EAME Theater	15 January 1944 – 11 May 1945	455th Bombardment Group
	Naples-Foggia	15 January 1944 – 21 January 1944	455th Bombardment Group
	Anzio	22 January 1944 – 24 May 1944	455th Bombardment Group
	Rome-Arno	22 January 1944 – 9 September 1944	455th Bombardment Group
	Central Europe	22 March 1944 – 21 May 1945	455th Bombardment Group
	Normandy	6 June 1944 – 24 July 1944	455th Bombardment Group
	Northern France	25 July 1944 – 14 September 1944	455th Bombardment Group
	Southern France	15 August 1944 – 14 September 1944	455th Bombardment Group
	North Apennines	10 September 1944 – 4 April 1945	455th Bombardment Group
	Rhineland	15 September 1944 – 21 March 1945	455th Bombardment Group
	Po Valley	3 April 1945 – 8 May 1945	455th Bombardment Group
	Consolidation I	26 April 2002 – 30 September 2006	455th Air Expeditionary Group (later 455th Air Expeditionary Wing)
	Consolidation II	1 November 2006 – 30 November 2006	455th Air Expeditionary Wing
	Consolidation III	1 December 2006 – 30 June 2011	455th Air Expeditionary Wing

See also

• List of missile wings of the United States Air Force
• B-24 Liberator units of the United States Army Air Forces
• Liberator airplane crash near Sveta Trojica

References

Bibliography

• Knaack, Marcelle Size (1978). Encyclopedia of US Air Force Aircraft and Missile Systems (PDF). Vol. 2, Post-World War II Bombers 1945–1973. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-59-5. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) . Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-02-1. LCCN 61060979.
• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) . Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
• Mueller, Robert (1989). Air Force Bases, Vol. I, Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982 (PDF). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-53-6.
• Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947–1977. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-12-9.
• Rogers, Brian. (2005). United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978. Hinkley, UK: Midland Publications. ISBN 1-85780-197-0.
• World Airpower Journal. (1992). US Air Force Air Power Directory. Aerospace Publishing: London, UK. ISBN 1-880588-01-3

Further reading

• Asch, Col Alfred; Graff, Col Hugh R.; Ramey, Lt Col Thomas A. (1991). 455th Bomb Group (H): Flight of the Vulgar Vultures. Appleton WI: Graphic Communications Center. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
• Gansz, David M. (2022). Fifteenth Air Force War Diary, Bombing by the Numbers. First Mountain Belgians Publishing. ISBN 978-1-7343806-1-3.
• Watkins, Robert A. (2009). Insignia and Aircraft Markings of the U.S. Army Air Force in World War II. Vol. IV, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations. Atglen,PA: Shiffer Publishing, Ltd. ISBN 978-0-7643-3401-6.

Notes

Explanatory notes

1. Maurer indicates the group had no official emblem, Maurer, Combat Units, p. 330. The "Vulgar Vulture" was used by each squadron in the group with the bomb rendered in the squadron color. Watkins, pp. 100–101.
2. The 741st Squadron did not to suffer any losses in this operation. This was at least in part because the squadron only put two Liberators over the target on the mission, while the other squadrons averaged ten. Asch, et al., pp. 61–69
3. The group report expressly mentions the crew of this plane continuing the attack. While the squadron history and DUC citation both mention the collision, neither discusses the continuation of the attack. Compare Asch, et al., p. 82 (group report) with p. 83 (squadron history) and p. 85 (DUC citation).
4. Although the 455th Wing had been established in 1953, it was never activated at Myrtle Beach. Ravenstein, p. 250.

Citations

1. ^ No byline (25 June 2009). "The Heritage of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing". 455 Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 26 September 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
2. ^ Lacomia, John M. (22 August 2018). "Factsheet 455 Air Expeditionary Wing (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
3. ^ Ravenstein, p. 250
4. Watkins, pp. 100–101
5. Gonsier, SSGT Benjamin. (23 October 2017). "83rd ERQS conducts joint flight, prepares for transition to Chinooks". U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
6. Fratini, Capt Korey (2 October 2016). "One year later: TORQE 62 remembered". U.S. Air Forces Central Command Public Affairs. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
7. Cloys, TSG Robert (30 October 2015). "'Black Widows' arrive at Bagram for final F-16 deployment". Defense Visual Information Distribution System. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
8. ^ AirForces Monthly. Stamford, Lincolnshire, England: Key Publishing Ltd. July 2016. p. 14.
9. Freeman, SRA Justyn M. (29 June 2016). "Providing airpower to Operation Freedom's Sentinel". U.S. Central Command Air Forces Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 18 November 2016. Retrieved 24 December 2016.
10. Fratini, Capt Korey (24 August 2016). "93rd EFS takes off into the night". U.S. Air Forces Central CommandPublic Affairs. Retrieved 24 December 2016.
11. Sweeney, A1C Destinee (1 November 2016). "Taking the 'roar' downrange". Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. Retrieved 25 April 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
12. ^ Warnes, Alan (2 November 2017). "'Gamblers' F-16Cs Deployed to Afghanistan – Warnesy's World". Warnsey'rs World of Military Aviation. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
13. "455th Expeditionary Maintenance Group". 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs. 7 April 2012. Archived from the original on 24 February 2013. Retrieved 24 December 2016.
14. ^ Robertson, Patsy (3 December 2009). "Factsheet 451 Air Expeditionary Group (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 26 December 2016.
15. ^ Maurer, Combat Units, p. 330
16. ^ Robertson, Patsy (28 May 2010). "Factsheet 740 Missile Squadron (AFGSC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
17. ^ Robertson, Patsy (28 May 2010). "Factsheet 741 Missile Squadron (AFGSC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
18. ^ Robertson, Patsy (9 June 2010). "Factsheet 742 Missile Squadron (AFGSC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
19. ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 731
20. Asch, et al., pp. 10–13
21. Asch, et al., p. 25
22. Asch, et al., p.32
23. Asch, et al., pp. 61–67
24. Asch, et al., pp. 82–85
25. Asch, et al., p. 156
26. Asch, et al., pp. 160–161
27. See Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 730–731 (listing no aircraft for any of the group's squadrons for the period 1947–1949)
28. "Abstract, Mission Project Closeup, Continental Air Command". Air Force History Index. 27 December 1961. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
29. Knaack, p. 25
30. Ravenstein, pp. 240–241
31. Mueller,pp.542–544 (listing organizations at Sheppard).
32. Ravenstein, pp. 125–128, 250
33. Tones, Capt Toni (18 February 2008). "455 AEW awarded Meritorious Unit Award". 455 Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 18 January 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
34. See AFHRA Factsheets for 740th, 741st and 742d Missile Squadrons.
35. Lineage information in Lacomia, AFHRA Factsheet 455 Air Expeditionary Wing, except as noted.

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

External links

• "455th Air Expeditionary Wing fact sheet". U.S. Air Forces Central Command Public Affairs. 28 May 2015. Archived from the original on 26 September 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
• 455th AEW Official factsheet
• 455th SMW – StrategicAirCommand.com
• Minot AFB Minuteman Missile Site Coordinates

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E. Warren (AFGSC) Fairchild (AMC) Forbes (ANG) Grand Forks (AMC) Grissom (AFRC) Homestead (AFRC) Lincoln (ANG) Little Rock (AETC) MacDill (AMC) Malmstrom (AFGSC) March (AFRC) McChord (AMC) McConnell (AMC) McGuire (AMC) Minot (ACC) Mountain Home (ACC) Nellis (ACC) Offutt (ACC) Patrick (USSF) Pease (ANG) Rickenbacker (ANG) Robins (AFMC) Seymour Johnson (ACC) Sheppard (AETC) Selfridge (ANG) Travis (AMC) Vandenberg (USSF) Westover (AFRC) Whiteman (ACC) Wright-Patterson (AFMC) overseas RAF Alconbury (USAFE) Diego Garcia (USN) Kadena (PACAF) RAF Fairford (USAFE) RAF Lakenheath (USAFE) RAF Mildenhall (USAFE) Thule (USSF) former / inactive CONUS Amarillo Bergstrom Biggs Calumet Air Force Station Carswell Castle Chennault Clinton-Sherman Dow Eaker Glasgow Grand Island (AAF) Griffiss Hunter K. I. Sawyer Kearney Kincheloe Larson Loring Lowry Mather McCoy Plattsburgh Presque Isle Ramey R.I. Bong (unbuilt) Schilling Stead Turner Walker Wurtsmith overseas Strategic Air Command in the United Kingdom RAF Bassingbourn Ben Guerir Boulhaut RAF Brize Norton RAF Bruntingthorpe RAF Burtonwood RAF Chelveston RAF Greenham Common Goose Ernest Harmon RAF High Wycombe RAF Upper Heyford Torrejón RAF Manston Morón Nouasseur Rabat-Salé RAF Scampton RAF Sculthorpe Sidi Slimane RAF South Ruislip U-Tapao RAF Waddington RAF Woodbridge RAF Wyton Zaragoza Units Air Forces Second Air Force Eighth Air Force Fifteenth Air Force Sixteenth Air Force Twentieth Air Force Divisions Air 3d 4th 5th 6th 7th 12th 14th 17th 19th 21st 36th 40th 42d 45th 47th 57th 100th 311th 801st 802d 806th 817th 822d 823d 4310th Strategic aerospace 1st 18th 22d 810th 813th 816th 818th 819th 820th 821st 825th Strategic missile 13th Wings Bombardment 2d 5th 7th 9th 17th 19th 22d 28th 39th 40th 42d 43d 68th 70th 72d 92d 93d 96th 97th 99th 303d 319th 320th 340th 379th 380th 397th 410th 416th 449th 450th 454th 456th 461st 465th 484th 494th 509th Fighter 1st 4th 12th 27th 31st 33d 56th 71st Strategic Reconnaissance (Fighter) 82d 407th 506th 508th Missile 44th 90th 91st 308th 321st 341st 351st 381st 389th 390th 392d 451st 455th 702d 703d 704th 705th 706th 4320th Strategic Wing (Missile) Reconnaissance 6th Strategic Reconnaissance 26th Strategic Reconnaissance 55th Strategic Reconnaissance 544th Aerospace Reconnaissance Technical Refueling 11th 100th 301st 305th 384th 452d 497th 499th 500th Strategic Aerospace 310th 385th 462d AFCON 95th 98th 306th 307th 376th MAJCOM 3918th 3920th 3960th 3970th 3973d 4026th 4038th 4039th 4042d 4043d 4047th 4080th 4081st 4082d 4083d 4123d 4126th 4128th 4130th 4133d 4134th 4135th 4136th 4137th 4138th 4141st 4157th 4158th 4170th 4228th 4238th 4239th 4241st 4245th 4252nd 4258th 4321st USAAF Groups *= initial assigned unit upon SAC's activation Bombardment 2d (7/47) 7th (10/46) 28th (8/46) 40th (3/46*) 43rd (10/46) 44th (3/46*) 92nd (10/46) 93d (3/46*) 97th (8/46) 98th (7/47) 301st (8/46) 307th (8/46) 444th (3/46*) 448th (3/46*) 449th (3/46*) 467th (3/46*) 485th (3/46*) 498th (3/46*) 509th Composite (3/46*) Fighter 27th (6/47) 55th (2/47) Reconnaissance 91st Strategic Reconnaissance (1/47) Major weapon systems Bombers Rockwell B-1 Lancer Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit Boeing B-29 Superfortress Convair B-36 Peacemaker North American B-45 Tornado Boeing B-47 Stratojet Boeing B-50 Superfortress Boeing B-52 Stratofortress Convair B-58 Hustler General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark Command & Control Lockheed DC-130 Boeing E-4 Boeing EC-135 Boeing RC-135 Fighters North American F-2 Mustang North American F-82 Twin Mustang Republic F-84F Thunderstreak North American F-86 Sabre Convair F-102 Delta Dagger General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark Missiles ADM-20 AGM-28 AGM-69 AGM-84 AGM-86 AGM-129 HGM-16 LGM-30A/B LGM-30F LGM-30G LGM-118A SM-62 PGM-17A PGM-19A Reconnaissance Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird Lockheed TR-1 Lockheed U-2 Martin RB-57D Canberra Boeing RB-17 Boeing RB-29 Tankers Boeing KB-29 Superfortress Boeing KB-50 McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender Boeing KC-97 Stratofreighter Lockheed HC-130 Lockheed Martin KC-130 Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker Transport Beechcraft C-45 Douglas C-47 Skytrain Douglas C-54 Skymaster Fairchild C-82 Packet Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter Douglas C-118 Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar Douglas C-124 Globemaster II Convair C-131 Samaritan Boeing C-135 Stratolifter Commanders George Kenney Curtis LeMay Power Ryan Joseph J. Nazzaro Bruce K. Holloway John C. Meyer Russell E. Dougherty Richard H. Ellis Bennie L. Davis Larry D. Welch John T. Chain, Jr, George Lee Butler Emblems Strategic Air Command Emblem Gallery United States military aircraft designation systems v t e United States Air Force Missile Units Strategic Wings/Groups 44th 90th 91st 308th 321st 341st 351st 381st 389th 390th 392d 451st 455th 702d 703d 704th 705th 706th Squadrons Atlas 548th 549th 550th 551st 556th 565th 566th 567th 577th 578th 579th Titan 373d 374th 394th 395th 532d 533d 568th 569th 570th 571st 576th 577th 578th 579th 672d 724th 725th 848th 849th 850th 851st Minuteman 10th 12th 66th 67th 68th 319th 320th 321st 400th 446th 447th 448th 490th 508th 509th 510th 564th 740th 741st 742d Jupiter 864th 865th 866th Thor 392d 644th Peacekeeper 400th Snark 556th Flight Test 576th Tactical Wings/Groups 38th 303d 485th 486th 487th 501st 868th Squadrons BOMARC 26th Gryphon   Mace   Matador 1st 11th 17th 69th 71st 89th 310th 405th 586th 822d 823d 868th 887th v t e Tactical Air Command (TAC) Air Forces First Ninth Twelfth Eighteenth Nineteenth Air Divisions 20th (ADTAC) 21st (ADTAC) 23d (ADTAC) 24th (ADTAC) 25th (ADTAC) 26th (ADTAC) 28th (ADTAC) 831st 832d 833d 834th 835th 836th 837th 838th 839th 840th Named units Air Forces Panama Air Forces Iceland Air Defense, Tactical Air Command Wings TFW 1st 4th 12th 15th 20th 23d 27th 32d 33d 37th 50th 56th 312th 323d 347th 354th 355th Other 1st SOW 57th FWW 63d TAW 64th TAW 67th TRW 75th TRW 85th TFTW 317th TAW 363d TRW 405th TFTW 461st TBW 4505th ARW Former bases Active (MAJCOM) Altus (AETC) Brooks (AFMC) Cannon (AFSOC) Charleston (AMC) Creech (ACC) Davis–Monthan (ACC) Dover (AMC) Dyess (ACC) Eglin (AFMC) Hill (AMFC) Holloman (ACC) Hurlburt Field (AFSOC) Langley (ACC) Little Rock (AETC) Luke (AETC) MacDill (AMC) McChord (AMC) McConnell (AMC) Moody (ACC) Mountain Home (ACC) Nellis (ACC) Pope (AMC) Seymour Johnson (ACC) Shaw (ACC) Tonopah (ACC) Tyndall (AETC) Whiteman (ACC) Inactive Bergstrom Blythville Donaldson England Forbes George Howard Grenier Myrtle Beach Orlando Sewart Turner Williams Inactive, but with a military presence Bunker Hill Biggs Dow Godman Homestead Lockbourne March Otis Aircraft A-1 A-7 A-10 A-37 AC-47 AC-119 AC-130 B-26 B-57 B-66 C-7 C-47 C-82 C-119 C-123 C-130 E-3 E-8 EF-111 EC-135 F-4 F-5 F-15 F-16 F-47 F-51 F-80 F-82 F-84 F-86 F-89 F-100 F-101 F-102 F-104 F-105 F-106 F-111 F-117 H-1 H-5 H-6 H-19 H-43 H-60 H-53 KB-29 KB-50 KC-97 O-1 O-2 OH-23 OV-10 P-40 P-38 R-4 S-62 T-6 T-28 T-29 T-33 T-38 v t e USAAF Fifteenth Air Force in World War II Stations Tunisia Bizerte Depienne Enfidaville Massicault Oudna Pont du Fahs Sainte Marie du Zit Soliman Italy Amendola Bari Castelltuccio Cattolica Celone Cerignola Fano Foggia Gioia del Colle Grottaglie Giulia Lesina Lucera Madna Manduria Marcianise Mondolfo Pantanella Piagiolino Pisa Rimini Salsosa San Giovanni San Pancrazio San Severo Spinazzola Sterparone Tortorella Torremaggiore Torretto Triolo Venosa Vincenzo Units Wings 5th Bombardment 47th Bombardment 49th Bombardment 55th Bombardment 304th Bombardment 305th Fighter (P) 306th Fighter Groups Bombardment 2d Bombardment 97th Bombardment 98th Bombardment 99th Bombardment 301st Bombardment 376th Bombardment 449th Bombardment 450th Bombardment 451st Bombardment 454th Bombardment 455th Bombardment 456th Bombardment 459th Bombardment 460th Bombardment 461st Bombardment 463d Bombardment 464th Bombardment 465th Bombardment 483d Bombardment 484th Bombardment 485th Bombardment Fighter 1st Fighter 14th Fighter 31st Fighter 52d Fighter 82d Fighter 325th Fighter 332d Fighter United States Army Air Forces First Second Third Fourth Fifth Sixth Seventh Eighth Ninth Tenth Eleventh Twelfth Thirteenth Fourteenth Fifteenth Twentieth v t e USAAF Second Air Force in World War II Airfields Airfields Units Commands II Air Support Command II Bomber Command II Fighter Command IV Air Support Command XX Bomber Command XXI Bomber Command XXII Bomber Command Wings 5th Bombardment 15th Bombardment Training 16th Bombardment Operational Training 17th Bombardment Training 18th Replacement 21st Bombardment 46th Bombardment Operational Training 58th Bombardment 73rd Bombardment 315th Bombardment 316th Bombardment Groups Bombardment 2nd Bombardment 6th Bombardment 7th Bombardment 9th Bombardment 12th Bombardment 16th Bombardment 17th Bombardment 19th Bombardment 25th Bombardment 29th Bombardment 34th Bombardment 39th Bombardment 40th Bombardment 42nd Bombardment 46th Bombardment 47th Bombardment 48th Bombardment 85th Bombardment 86th Bombardment 86th Bombardment 88th Bombardment 94th Bombardment 95th Bombardment 96th Bombardment 99th Bombardment 100th Bombardment 301st Bombardment 302nd Bombardment 303rd Bombardment 304th Bombardment 305th Bombardment 306th Bombardment 307th Bombardment 308th Bombardment 312th Bombardment 330th Bombardment 331st Bombardment 333rd Bombardment 346th Bombardment 351st Bombardment 376th Bombardment 379th Bombardment 381st Bombardment 382nd Bombardment 383rd Bombardment 384th Bombardment 385th Bombardment 388th Bombardment 390th Bombardment 393rd Bombardment 395th Bombardment 396th Bombardment 398th Bombardment 399th Bombardment 400th Bombardment 401st Bombardment 407th Bombardment 415th Bombardment 418th Bombardment 444th Bombardment 445th Bombardment 446th Bombardment 447th Bombardment 448th Bombardment 449th Bombardment 450th Bombardment 451st Bombardment 452nd Bombardment 453rd Bombardment 454th Bombardment 455th Bombardment 456th Bombardment 457th Bombardment 458th Bombardment 459th Bombardment 460th Bombardment 461st Bombardment 462nd Bombardment 464th Bombardment 467th Bombardment 468th Bombardment 469th Bombardment 470th Bombardment 471st Bombardment 472nd Bombardment 484th Bombardment 485th Bombardment 486th Bombardment 487th Bombardment 488th Bombardment 489th Bombardment 490th Bombardment 491st Bombardment 493rd Bombardment 494th Bombardment 497th Bombardment 498th Bombardment 499th Bombardment 500th Bombardment 501st Bombardment 502nd Bombardment 504th Bombardment 505th Bombardment 509th Composite Fighter 20th Fighter 54th Fighter 84th Fighter 85th Fighter 507th Fighter 508th Fighter Reconnaissance 2nd Reconnaissance 3rd Reconnaissance 4th Reconnaissance 5th Reconnaissance 6th Reconnaissance 7th Reconnaissance 8th Reconnaissance 71st Reconnaissance 77th Reconnaissance Troop Carrier 443nd Troop Carrier United States Army Air Forces First Second Third Fourth Fifth Sixth Seventh Eighth Ninth Tenth Eleventh Twelfth Thirteenth Fourteenth Fifteenth Twentieth v t e USAAF First Air Force in World War II Airfields First Air Force Group Training Stations First Air Force Replacement Training Stations First Air Force Tactical Airfields Freeman Army Airfield Godman Army Airfield Selfridge Field Units Commands I Bomber Command I Fighter Command I Ground Air Support Command Wings 25th Antisubmarine 50th Troop Carrier 52d Troop Carrier 53d Troop Carrier 60th Troop Carrier 61st Troop Carrier Boston Fighter New York Fighter Norfolk Fighter Philadelphia Fighter Groups Bombardment 2d Bombardment 13th Bombardment 22d Bombardment 34th Bombardment 43d Bombardment 45th Bombardment 301st Bombardment 302d Bombardment 400th Bombardment 402d Bombardment 455th Bombardment 459th Bombardment 460th Bombardment 471st Bombardment Combat Cargo 1st Combat Cargo 2d Combat Cargo 4th Combat Cargo Fighter 8th Fighter 31st Fighter 33d Fighter 52d Fighter 56th Fighter 57th Fighter 58th Fighter 59th Fighter 79th Fighter 80th Fighter 83d Fighter 87th Fighter 324th Fighter 325th Fighter 326th Fighter 327th Fighter 332d Fighter 348th Fighter 352d Fighter 353d Fighter 355th Fighter 356th Fighter 358th Fighter 359th Fighter 361st Fighter 362d Fighter 365th Fighter 366th Fighter 368th Fighter 370th Fighter 371st Fighter 373d Fighter 402d Fighter 413th Fighter 476th Fighter Reconnaissance 26th Reconnaissance 73d Reconnaissance Troop Carrier 10th Troop Carrier 60th Troop Carrier 61st Troop Carrier 62d Troop Carrier 63d Troop Carrier 89th Troop Carrier 313th Troop Carrier 314th Troop Carrier 315th Troop Carrier 316th Troop Carrier 317th Troop Carrier 349th Troop Carrier 375th Troop Carrier 403d Troop Carrier 433d Troop Carrier 434th Troop Carrier 435th Troop Carrier 436th Troop Carrier 437th Troop Carrier 438th Troop Carrier 439th Troop Carrier 440th Troop Carrier 441st Troop Carrier 442d Troop Carrier Other 1st Search Attack 477th Composite Incidents Freeman Field Mutiny United States Army Air Forces First Second Third Fourth Fifth Sixth Seventh Eighth Ninth Tenth Eleventh Twelfth Thirteenth Fourteenth Fifteenth Twentieth

• Air expeditionary wings of the United States Air Force
• Military units and formations disestablished in 2021