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Base celebrates AF B-Day, wing heritage

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Clinton Atkins
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing celebrated its heritage and the Air Force's 61st birthday at the Blatchford-Preston Complex Gym here Thursday. 

As the Air Force celebrated its birth, Airmen of the 379 AEW were reminded of the wing motto's origin, "Power and Precision," dating back to the Army Air Corps. To this day, the 379 AEW remains a role model of Air Force pride and heritage, delivering air superiority for nearly 50 years. 

"The 379th stands as one of the leading units in Air Force history," said Larry Herndon, 379 AEW historian. "With the exception of the Korean War, the 379 has had a role in every major national defense act since World War II. Currently, the 379 AEW leads in the Global War on Terror." 

The wing began its legacy as the 379th Bombardment Group Nov. 26, 1942, at Gowen Field, Idaho, with the B-17 Flying Fortress. The 379 BG use of the B-17 revolutionized the way future wars would be fought. 

"The B-17 Flying Fortress played a vital role in winning World War II," Mr. Herndon said. "At that time, the Flying Fortress allowed the war to be taken literally to the door steps of our enemies. Previous wars were confined to the battle field, but the bombing capabilities of the B-17 changed this, and it had a huge physiological affect on the civilian populous." 

In less than 30 years, aircraft had technologically advanced greatly from the first air combat mission in 1916 when biplanes were primarily used for reconnaissance during the campaign against Pancho Villa. 

"Once the use of aircraft in military engagements began, it changed the strategy of war and forever changed the face of the battlefield," Mr. Herndon said. 

The first bomber used in a military engagement was the Voisin airplane during World War I, which carried a payload of approximately 132 pounds. The Voisin pales in comparison to the B-17, which could deliver a payload totaling more than 17,000 pounds. 

The 379th Bomb Group flew its first 300 missions in less time than any other heavy Bombardment Group, according to the 379 AEW Historian Office. During all of the 379 BG's 330 bombing missions, it dropped 26,640 tons of bombs on enemy targets, shot down 315 enemy aircraft and lost 141 of its B-17s to enemy action. 

For its actions in World War II, the 379 BG was quickly recognized as one of the greatest 8th Air Force bomb groups achieving an unprecedented "Grand Slam" for operations during May 1944. The 379 BG received this award for having the best bombing results, greatest tonnage of bombs dropped on target and the largest number of aircraft attacking. 

"The 379th was very instrumental in World War II," the historian said. "Much like the other units in the war, the 379th had its role, but what separated the 379th from the other 45 bomb groups was its training and commitment to be the best." 

In less than 20 years after its creation, the group was designated as a wing and received its third bomber and second refueling aircraft. After the brief stint with the B-47 Stratojet and KC-97 Stratofreighter tanker, the 379th Bombardment Wing received the B-52 Stratofortress and the KC-135 Stratotanker. The Air Force's use of the two airframes would span across the Vietnam Conflict and Operation Desert Storm. 

"The new airframes were a result of major changes to counter communism and the threats that the Soviet Union posed at the time," said Mr. Herndon, deployed from Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. "The world setting changed to a bi-polar environment and the Air Force had to be ready to operate in this new unpredictable setting." 

The further advancement in Air Force technology allowed the bomber to carry up to 70,000 pounds of munitions and the refueler to deliver up to 200,000 pounds of fuel. The introduction of the B-52 and KC-135 provided the Air Force with global reach capability. 

In January 1991, 10 B-52s flew non-stop from Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Mich., to strike targets in Iraq during Operation Desert Storm. 

"The intercontinental B-52 mission demonstrated the true capabilities of the U.S. Air Force," he said. "Through training and technology the Air Force has truly achieved the ability to engage in war from anywhere in the world." 

As the battlefield evolved into more of an urban combat environment, the Air Force has developed and employed precision-guided weaponry, advanced targeting and state-of-the-art intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. The resulting effort of Air Force research and development was bombs dropped accurately on target and minimized collateral damage. 

"Today the Air Force can launch one aircraft with smart bombs, strike a desired target and achieve maximum results and at the same time expose a minimal number of aircrews to danger," Mr. Herndon said. "One aircraft can now accomplish what once took an entire squadron of bombers to achieve." 

Redesignated as the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in April 2002, the Grand Slam Wing became a major role player in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. 

"The wing is a major contributor to the Global War on Terror," he said. "Our crews have off loaded more gas, dropped more bombs and moved more medical supplies, cargo and passengers than any other wing in the AOR." 

The 379 AEW works closely with Coalition partners, employing Royal Air Force Tornadoes and B-1 Lancers to deliver high-speed strike capability in support of ground forces. The wing, along with its many tenant units, also keeps troops in the fight by delivering essential supplies via the C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster III. With the KC-135's refueling capability, U.S. and Coalition aircraft are able to maintain a near-constant presence in the skies over the AOR. While the other planes conduct intra-theater operations, the wing's RC-135 Rivet Joint and Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System ISR platforms track the enemies, survey the battle space and disburse vital information to the troops on the ground. 

"Since its inception, the 379th and its Triangle K symbol have set the standard for excellence in combat," said Brig. Gen. Michael Moeller, 379 AEW commander. "From World War II to today, our wing has been the unit of choice when it comes to taking the fight to our nation's foes. The 379th builds upon its proud legacy of the past and continues to make history every day as we 'Gas it, Move it, Find it, Fix it and Kill it'... the Grand Slam Wing defines airpower across the theater!"