SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Seven years ago this month, the "Grand Slam Wing" was activated here for the first time since it was deactivated at Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Mich., in 1993. In those seven years, the wing has continued adding to the record of excellence the unit has had since the first person was assigned to it Nov. 3, 1942 during World War II.
Here is a look back at some of the major events which have helped shape the wing and the base into what it is today as it transitions from an expeditionary to an enduring location.
2002
The 379th AEW was reactivated and took over the base in early April. During the seven months of initial buildup before the 379th stood up, the base earned two sad notes in history: Having the first death in Operation Enduring Freedom when Master Sgt. Evander Andrews was killed in a construction accident Oct. 10, 2001. A section of the base was later named Camp Andy in his honor. In November, the base became the conflict's first base to be attacked a month later when someone opened fire on the main gate and was subsequently killed by security forces personnel. Other historical notes for the year are:
- July 22: The 44th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron flew its 2,000th mission in Operation Enduring Freedom.
- Nov. 2: Jack's Place opened as a recreational facility to relax, play cards, listen to music and other activities. When it opened, the "facility" was nothing more than plywood flooring, poles and camouflage netting.
2003
The wing was a major player during the opening 25 days of Operation Iraqi Freedom, dropping more than 1,650 tons of munitions in approximately 3,440 sorties, destroying 2,300 tanks, hundreds of enemy facilities and hundreds more offensive assets of the enemy. This is also the year the base became a coalition base with the arrival of a Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18 Hornet Feb. 16 and then a joint-base when Navy F-14 Tomcats arrived March 11. Other historical notes include:
- Jan. 14: An F-15E Strike Eagle, assigned to the 336th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, was the first fighter aircraft to be permanently stationed here.
- Feb. 26: A British GR4 Tornado assigned to the Royal Air Force's 12th Squadron, becomes that country's first aircraft to be stationed here.
2004
The wing started showing signs of transitioning from an expeditionary to an enduring wing with the opening of Coalition Compound, moving people and many base functions out of tents. The aircraft metals facility was the first building to open on "maintenance row," the first Air Force chapel to be dedicated in more than 24 years opened in April, and the first military equal opportunity office in the AOR opened shortly after. Other significant events were:
- Feb. 27: The 379th Expeditionary Medical Group and 379th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron solidified a partnership between the base hospital and a host nation medical care company.
- April 21: A KC-135R Stratotanker delivers 84,000 pounds of fuel to three different aircraft over Iraq, surpassing 1 billion pounds of fuel delivered in theater since Jan. 30, 2003.
2005
There were multiple major disasters around the world in 2005 and the base showed it was dedicated to not only a warfighting mission, but one of humanitarian aid as well.
The base worked with the host nation to donate items to the people affected by the Indian Ocean tsunami and gave money to an American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. C-17 Globemaster IIIs delivered food and shelter equipment to Pakistan after an earthquake devastated part of the country. A few of the other milestones that year were:
- Jun 30: Master Sgt. Sean Ballard and Tech. Sgt. Kyle Gurnon perform the first combat air drop from a C-130J. The airdrop delivered supplies to troops in a forward operating location in Afghanistan.
- Dec. 18: Col. Jay Carlson becomes the first commander of the 64th Air Expeditionary Group at Eskan Village.
2006
With five years of the current conflicts down, the Air Force recognized the need to better protect the people here. Donna Rathbun deployed here in February as the AORs first sexual assault response coordinator. In August, Captain Jason Robertson deployed here as the AORs first ADC. Prior to him arriving here, a lawyer assigned to Ramstein Air Base, Germany would come to the AOR on temporary duty to serve as the ADC.
- August: The B-1B Lancer is officially assigned to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing.
- Aug. 8: The E-8 JSTARS surpasses its 20,000 flight-hour mark in the AOR. During the mission, the crew helped save the lives of four people after a helicopter crashed into a lake.
2007
The 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron hits its 6,000th consecutive day in the AOR Jan. 12 and the last F-15E Strike Eagle left the base later that month, leaving the B-1 as the only attack aircraft stationed here. A few other interesting historical notes are:
- April 12: The first Airmen Readiness Center in the AOR opened here.
- April 24: Senior Airman David Beatty pumps the 379th's billionth gallon of fuel since the wing reactivated in 2002.
- May 13: 33 projects underway to help the wing transition from expeditionary to enduring. Projects include new "nuclear-hardened" Cadillac's in Coalition Compound and a new Independence Dining Facility.
2008
With the opening of the Blatchford-Preston Complex Feb. 5, the wing and base took one of the biggest steps yet, converting the base into an enduring location. The complex was named for two Airmen, Master Sgt. Samuel Nathan Blatchford and General Maurice A. Preston, in the 379th Bombardment Group, who lost their lives in World War II after their B-17 was shot down.
- Aug. 4: A Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod is used for the first time by a B-1B Lancer against enemy forces.
- Aug. 29: The first enduring medical facility in the AOR opens.
2009
This year is already shaping up to be one of the busiest yet as the wing and base continue their transformations from expeditionary to enduring. The water in CC has been declared potable, new Cadillacs are being opened and bunkers have been improved to provide better protection should the base ever come under attack.
More than 2,500 new Airmen are scheduled to be stationed here before the end of the year as the base takes on more responsibility for the success of current operations, with BPC being expanded to house the extra personnel. Some milestones already reached this year include:
- Feb. 16: Airmen assigned to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron drop their millionth pound of equipment in 42 days, faster than any unit before.
- Feb. 26: A Battlespace Command and Control Center, which provides defense of the Arabian Gulf and serves as a senior tactical battle management command and control element for Afghanistan, opens.