The wing was originally organized in 1943 as the 92d Bombardment Wing,[note 2] an operational command wing for Eighth Air Force. The wing entered combat on 11 December 1943, but its groups were withdrawn and it was not operational again until May 1944, although it conducted flying training operations in April.[1] The wing flew in combat in the European Theater until November 1944 when its assigned bombardment groups were attached to another wing.[1] In February 1945 the groups were reassigned.[2] The wing returned to the United States in July 1945 and was disbanded the following month.[2]
Crew Trainingedit
The 1550th Aircrew Test and Training Wing was activated in 1973 at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, where it trained all USAF helicopteraircrews and trained HC-130 crews for search and rescue missions. It also provided pararescue training and, operational test and evaluation of materiel, and performed local search and rescue missions.[1] It moved to Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. in 1976 and expanded its mission to include special operations training. By 1990, the wing's primary focus would be on special operations training.[3] In 1983, the wing deployed three aircraft to support Operation Urgent Fury, the invasion of Grenada in the Windward Islands.[4]
From 1984 it focused on the training mission and was redesignated the 1550th Combat Crew Training Wing. In 1991, as the Air Force abolished the MAJCON (four-digit) unit system, the wing was merged with the 92d Bombardment Wing and renamed the 542d Crew Training Wing. Along with the new name, the wing acquired three groups and assumed host responsibility for Kirtland from the 1606th Air Base Wing as it reorganized as a USAF Objective Wing. That same year it deployed aircrew, maintenance personnel and operations personnel to support Operation Desert Storm. Wing aircrews were responsible for the rescue of seven aircrew during the operation.[5] It also deployed personnel to support Operation Provide Hope in Somalia. At the start of 1993, Kirtland Air Force Base transferred to Air Force Materiel Command, and the wing lost its responsibility to act as host together with two of its groups.[6]
The wing was again activated in 2005 as the 542d Combat Sustainment Wing as part of the Air Force Materiel Command Transformation project, which replaced the staff agencies at Air Logistics Centers with wings, groups, and squadrons. Its mission was to design, acquire, install, and sustain electronic warfare, avionics, support equipment, vehicles, missiles, automatic test systems and weapons. It was responsible for supply chain management for F-15, C-130 and C-5 aircraft and provided calibration standards and certification of Precision Measurement Laboratories worldwide. It was responsible for life-cycle management of over 800 systems valued at over $56 Billion. Its 542d Combat Sustainment Group supported assigned electronic warfare systems, the 642d Combat Sustainment Group supported assigned support equipment systems, the 752d Combat Sustainment Group supported assigned electronics systems, the 762d Combat Sustainment Group managed logistics support for all assigned systems, and its 782d Combat Sustainment Group supported assigned armament systems. the 742d Combat Sustainment Group supported precision measurement equipment worldwide.[8]
Lineageedit
92d Bombardment Wing
Constituted as 92d Bombardment Wing (Heavy) on 25 October 1943
Activated on 1 November 1943
Redesignated 92d Combat Bombardment Wing, Heavy on 24 August 1944
Redesignated 92d Bombardment Wing, Heavy on 22 November 1944
542d Medical Group, 1 October 1991 – 1 January 1993
542d Operations Group, 1 October 1991 – 1 October 1994
542d Support Group, 1 October 1991 – 1 January 1993
Crew Training and Logistics Operations
542d Logistics Group (later 542d Electronic Warfare Systems Sustainment Group, 542d Combat Sustainment Group), 1 October 1991 – 1 October 1994, 4 March 2005 – 30 June 2010
Logistics Operations
542d Armament Sustainment Gp, 4 March 2005 – 28 April 2006
542d Automatic Test Sustainment Gp, 4 March 2005 – 28 April 2006
542d Electronics Sustainment Gp, 4 March 2005 – 28 April 2006
542d Materiel Sustainment Gp, 4 March 2005 – 28 April 2006
542d Support Equipment and Vehicle Sustainment Gp, 4 March 2005 – 28 April 2006
^This emblem was retained by the 542nd Crew Training Wing.
^This wing is not related to the 92d Bombardment Wing, which was active from 1947 to 1991. Ravenstein, pp. 128–130
Citationsedit
^ abcdefghijklmnoHaulman, Daniel L. (2 March 2009). "Factsheet 542 Combat Sustainment Wing (AFMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 31 December 2012.
Anderson, Capt. Barry (1985). (PDF). Maxwell AFB, AL: Research Division, USAF Historical Research Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
Blyth, Lance R. (2006). (PDF). Kirtland AFB, NM: History Office. 58th Special Operations Wing. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 February 2017. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II(PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN0-912799-02-1. LCCN 61060979.
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. ISBN0-912799-53-6.
Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947–1977. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN0-912799-12-9.
Further reading
Rogers, Brian. (2005). United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978. Hinkley, UK: Midland Publications. ISBN1-85780-197-0.
World Airpower Journal. (1992). US Air Force Air Power Directory. Aerospace Publishing: London, UK. ISBN1-880588-01-3
External linksedit
1550th Combat Crew Training Wing, The MAC Flyer, October 1989 (retrieved 1 Jan 2013)
Helis.com 1550th Aircew Training & Test Wing (retrieved 1 Jan 2013)
May 02, 2024
542nd, combat, sustainment, wing, sometimes, written, 542d, combat, sustainment, wing, inactive, wing, united, states, force, last, stationed, robins, force, base, georgia, inactivated, june, 2010, member, navy, seal, team, climbs, aboard, 1550th, combat, crew. The 542nd Combat Sustainment Wing sometimes written as 542d Combat Sustainment Wing is an inactive wing of the United States Air Force last stationed at Robins Air Force Base Georgia It was inactivated in June 2010 542nd Combat Sustainment WingA member of a Navy SEAL team climbs aboard a 1550th Combat Crew Training Wing MH 53J Pave Low III helicopter at Elephant Butte LakeActive1943 1945 1971 1994 2005 2010Country United StatesBranch United States Air ForceRoleLogistics SupportPart ofAir Force Materiel CommandEngagementsEuropean Theater of World War IIDecorationsAir Force Outstanding Unit AwardCommandersNotablecommandersGeneral Hunter Harris Jr Insignia542nd Combat Sustainment Wing emblem approved 9 June 2005 1 1550th Combat Crew Training Wing emblem approved 30 Aug 1972 note 1 The wing was first organized in England as the 92nd Bombardment Wing a heavy bombardment headquarters of VIII Bomber Command during World War II and took part in the air offensive against Germany until the surrender of Germany in 1945 In 1973 Military Airlift Command MAC activated the 1550th Aircrew Test and Training Wing at Hill Air Force Base Utah The wing trained aircrews for MAC Air Mobility Command and Air Education and Training Command from 1971 to 1994 for search and rescue and special operations missions In 1991 the wing was renumbered and consolidated with the 92nd Bombardment Wing as the 542nd Crew Training Wing It was inactivated in 1994 and its mission personnel and equipment were transferred to the 58th Special Operations Wing which was simultaneously activated The wing was redesignated the 542nd Combat Sustainment Wing in 2005 and activated as a logistics support organization part of the Air Force Materiel Command Transformation project Contents 1 History 1 1 World War II 1 2 Crew Training 1 3 Logistics Operations 2 Lineage 2 1 Assignments 2 2 Stations 2 3 Components 2 3 1 Groups 2 3 2 Squadrons 2 4 Aircraft 2 5 Awards 3 References 3 1 Notes 3 2 Citations 3 3 Bibliography 4 External linksHistory editWorld War II edit The wing was originally organized in 1943 as the 92d Bombardment Wing note 2 an operational command wing for Eighth Air Force The wing entered combat on 11 December 1943 but its groups were withdrawn and it was not operational again until May 1944 although it conducted flying training operations in April 1 The wing flew in combat in the European Theater until November 1944 when its assigned bombardment groups were attached to another wing 1 In February 1945 the groups were reassigned 2 The wing returned to the United States in July 1945 and was disbanded the following month 2 Crew Training edit The 1550th Aircrew Test and Training Wing was activated in 1973 at Hill Air Force Base Utah where it trained all USAF helicopter aircrews and trained HC 130 crews for search and rescue missions It also provided pararescue training and operational test and evaluation of materiel and performed local search and rescue missions 1 It moved to Kirtland Air Force Base New Mexico in 1976 and expanded its mission to include special operations training By 1990 the wing s primary focus would be on special operations training 3 In 1983 the wing deployed three aircraft to support Operation Urgent Fury the invasion of Grenada in the Windward Islands 4 From 1984 it focused on the training mission and was redesignated the 1550th Combat Crew Training Wing In 1991 as the Air Force abolished the MAJCON four digit unit system the wing was merged with the 92d Bombardment Wing and renamed the 542d Crew Training Wing Along with the new name the wing acquired three groups and assumed host responsibility for Kirtland from the 1606th Air Base Wing as it reorganized as a USAF Objective Wing That same year it deployed aircrew maintenance personnel and operations personnel to support Operation Desert Storm Wing aircrews were responsible for the rescue of seven aircrew during the operation 5 It also deployed personnel to support Operation Provide Hope in Somalia At the start of 1993 Kirtland Air Force Base transferred to Air Force Materiel Command and the wing lost its responsibility to act as host together with two of its groups 6 With General Merrill McPeak s call to retain historic United States Air Force units on the active list the 542d was inactivated on 1 April 1994 while the newly redesignated 58th Special Operations Wing took over its training mission 7 Logistics Operations edit The wing was again activated in 2005 as the 542d Combat Sustainment Wing as part of the Air Force Materiel Command Transformation project which replaced the staff agencies at Air Logistics Centers with wings groups and squadrons Its mission was to design acquire install and sustain electronic warfare avionics support equipment vehicles missiles automatic test systems and weapons It was responsible for supply chain management for F 15 C 130 and C 5 aircraft and provided calibration standards and certification of Precision Measurement Laboratories worldwide It was responsible for life cycle management of over 800 systems valued at over 56 Billion Its 542d Combat Sustainment Group supported assigned electronic warfare systems the 642d Combat Sustainment Group supported assigned support equipment systems the 752d Combat Sustainment Group supported assigned electronics systems the 762d Combat Sustainment Group managed logistics support for all assigned systems and its 782d Combat Sustainment Group supported assigned armament systems the 742d Combat Sustainment Group supported precision measurement equipment worldwide 8 Lineage edit92d Bombardment Wing Constituted as 92d Bombardment Wing Heavy on 25 October 1943 Activated on 1 November 1943 Redesignated 92d Combat Bombardment Wing Heavy on 24 August 1944 Redesignated 92d Bombardment Wing Heavy on 22 November 1944 Disbanded on 28 August 1945 9 Reconstituted on 31 July 1985 and redesignated 542d Combat Crew Training Wing Consolidated with 1550th Combat Crew Training Wing on 1 October 1991 1 1550th Combat Crew Training Wing Designated as the 1550th Aircrew Test and Training Wing and activated on 1 April 1971 Redesignated 1550th Combat Crew Training Wing on 15 May 1984 Consolidated with the 542d Combat Crew Training Wing on 1 October 1991 1 Consolidated Wing Redesignated 542d Crew Training Wing on 1 October 1991 Inactivated on 1 April 1994 Redesignated 542d Combat Sustainment Wing on 31 January 2005 Activated on 4 March 2005 1 Inactivated on 30 June 2010 Assignments edit VIII Bomber Command 1 November 1943 3d Bombardment Division later 3d Air Division 31 March 1944 22 June 1945 Second Air Force 23 July 1945 28 August 1945 Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service 1 April 1971 Twenty Third Air Force 1 October 1983 Twenty Second Air Force 21 May 1990 Nineteenth Air Force 1 July 1993 1 April 1994 Warner Robins Air Logistics Center 4 March 2005 30 June 2010 10 Stations edit Polebrook England Station 110 11 1 November 1943 Camp Blainey England Station 116 ca 12 December 1943 Sudbury England Station 174 ca 2 March 1944 Bury St Edmunds Station 468 England ca 18 November 1944 Elveden Hall Station 116 England 12 February 1945 ca 13 July 1945 Sioux Falls Army Air Field South Dakota 23 July 1945 28 August 1945 9 Hill Air Force Base Utah 1 April 1971 Kirtland Air Force Base New Mexico 15 March 1976 1 April 1994 Robins Air Force Base Georgia 4 March 2005 30 Jun 2010 10 Components edit Groups edit World War II 351st Bombardment Group 1 November 1943 15 December 1943 401st Bombardment Group 1 November 1943 15 December 1943 486th Bombardment Group 4 April 1944 ca 12 February 1945 487th Bombardment Group 30 June 1944 10 February 1945 9 Crew Training 542d Medical Group 1 October 1991 1 January 1993 542d Operations Group 1 October 1991 1 October 1994 542d Support Group 1 October 1991 1 January 1993 Crew Training and Logistics Operations 542d Logistics Group later 542d Electronic Warfare Systems Sustainment Group 542d Combat Sustainment Group 1 October 1991 1 October 1994 4 March 2005 30 June 2010 Logistics Operations 542d Armament Sustainment Gp 4 March 2005 28 April 2006 542d Automatic Test Sustainment Gp 4 March 2005 28 April 2006 542d Electronics Sustainment Gp 4 March 2005 28 April 2006 542d Materiel Sustainment Gp 4 March 2005 28 April 2006 542d Support Equipment and Vehicle Sustainment Gp 4 March 2005 28 April 2006 562d Combat Sustainment Group 17 Apr 2006 30 Jun 2010 642d Combat Sustainment Group 17 Apr 2006 30 Jun 2010 742d Combat Sustainment Group 17 Apr 2006 30 Jun 2010 752d Combat Sustainment Group 17 Apr 2006 30 Jun 2010 762d Combat Sustainment Group 17 Apr 2006 30 Jun 2010 782d Combat Sustainment Group 17 Apr 2006 30 Jun 2010 Squadrons edit 589th Combat Sustainment Squadron 17 Apr 2006 30 Jun 2010 1550th Flying Training Squadron 1 April 1971 1 October 1991 1 1551st Flying Training Squadron 1 April 1971 1 October 1991 1 1552d Flying Training Squadron 1 April 1971 31 December 1972 1 1550th Avionics Maintenance Squadron 1 April 1971 30 Sep 1973 12 1550th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron 1 July 1974 1 April 1977 12 13 1550th Field Maintenance Squadron 1 April 1971 1 July 1974 12 1 April 1977 1 October 1991 13 1550th Organizational Maintenance Squadron 1 April 1971 1 July 1974 12 1 April 1977 1 October 1991 13 1550th Student Squadron 1 April 1971 1 March 1973 12 1550th Technical Training Squadron 1 March 1973 1 October 1991 12 13 Aircraft edit Boeing B 17 Flying Fortress 1943 1945 Consolidated B 24 Liberator 1944 Lockheed HC 130 Hercules 1971 1994 Lockheed JC 130 Hercules 1986 1987 Lockheed MC 130 Hercules 1993 1994 Bell HH 1 Iroquois Huey 1973 1975 Bell TH 1 Iroquois Huey 1971 1977 Bell UH 1 Iroquois Huey 1971 1994 H 3 1971 1972 Sikorsky CH 3 1976 1994 Sikorsky HH 3 Jolly Green Giant 1973 1994 Kaman HH 43 Huskie 1971 1975 Sikorsky H 53 1971 1973 Sikorsky CH 53 1973 1994 Sikorsky HH 53 Super Jolly 1973 1994 Sikorsky MH 53 PAVE LOW 1983 1994 Sikorsky UH 60 Black Hawk 1988 1994 1 Awards edit Award streamer Award Dates Notes nbsp Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 April 1974 31 March 1976 1550th Aircrew Test and Training Wing 1 nbsp Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 April 1976 31 March 1978 1550th Aircrew Test and Training Wing 1 nbsp Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 July 1985 30 June 1987 1550th Combat Crew Training Wing 1 nbsp Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 July 1987 30 June 1989 1550th Combat Crew Training Wing 1 Campaign Streamer Campaign Dates Notes nbsp Air Offensive Europe 2 November 1943 5 June 1944 92d Bombardment Wing 9 nbsp Normandy 6 June 1944 24 July 1944 92d Bombardment Wing 9 nbsp Northern France 25 July 1944 14 September 1944 92d Combat Bombardment Wing 9 nbsp Rhineland 15 September 1944 21 March 1945 92d Combat Bombardment Wing later 92d Bombardment Wing 9 nbsp Ardennes Alsace 16 December 1944 25 January 1945 92d Bombardment Wing 9 References editNotes edit This emblem was retained by the 542nd Crew Training Wing This wing is not related to the 92d Bombardment Wing which was active from 1947 to 1991 Ravenstein pp 128 130 Citations edit a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Haulman Daniel L 2 March 2009 Factsheet 542 Combat Sustainment Wing AFMC Air Force Historical Research Agency Retrieved 31 December 2012 a b Maurer p 411 Abstract History 1550 Combat Crew Training Wing Jan Jun 1990 Air Force History Index Retrieved 1 January 2013 Abstract History 1550 Aircrew Training amp Test Wing Jul Dec 1983 Air Force History Index Retrieved 1 January 2013 Abstract History 542 Crew Training Wing Jan Jun 1991 Air Force History Index Retrieved 1 January 2013 Abstract History 542 Crew Training Wing Jul 1991 Dec 1992 Air Force History Index Retrieved 1 January 2013 Blyth p vii Briefing 542d Combat Sustainment Wing Requirement Symposium 2006 retrieved 1 January 2013 permanent dead link a b c d e f g h Lineage station and campaign information through 1945 are in Maurer p 411 a b Lineage Station Aircraft Assignment information not included in Maurer Combat Units is from the AFHRA Factsheet through 2009 United Kingdom AAF station numbers are in Anderson a b c d e f See Mueller p 244 a b c d Mueller Air Force Bases p 293 Bibliography edit Anderson Capt Barry 1985 Army Air Forces Stations A Guide to the Stations Where U S Army Air Forces Personnel Served in the United Kingdom During World War II PDF Maxwell AFB AL Research Division USAF Historical Research Center Archived from the original PDF on 4 March 2016 Retrieved 7 July 2012 Blyth Lance R 2006 A Brief History of the 58th Special Operations Wing PDF Kirtland AFB NM History Office 58th Special Operations Wing Archived from the original PDF on 27 February 2017 Retrieved 26 February 2017 Maurer Maurer ed 1983 1961 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 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 amp Honors Histories 1947 1977 Washington DC Office of Air Force History ISBN 0 912799 12 9 Further reading 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 3External links edit1550th Combat Crew Training Wing The MAC Flyer October 1989 retrieved 1 Jan 2013 Helis com 1550th Aircew Training amp Test Wing retrieved 1 Jan 2013 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 542nd Combat Sustainment Wing amp oldid 1071202514, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
