435th Air Expeditionary Wing
Pararescuemen of the wing's 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron jump from an HC-130 Hercules during an exercise off the coast of Djibouti in 2008
Active2013–2023
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
Part ofUnited States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa
Garrison/HQRamstein Air Base, Germany
Decorations
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award[1]
Insignia
435th Air Expeditionary Wing emblem
Aircraft flown
AttackMQ-9
TransportC-130

The United States Air Force's 435th Air Expeditionary Wing (435 AEW) is an inactive air expeditionary unit assigned to the Third Air Force, last stationed at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. As of 2022, the wing had forward deployed units in six locations in West and East Africa.[2] Its command staff is also exercised command of the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing.[3][4][5]

On 9 June 2023, the wing was inactivated during a ceremony at Ramstein Air Base, with its components becoming part of the 406th Air Expeditionary Wing, which was activated at Ramstein the same day.[6]

Among the missions conducted or supported by the unit were medical evacuation, logistics support, ISR and aerial refueling. For its ISR mission, the wing utilizes MQ-9 Reaper drones, having the US Air Force's only active-duty MQ-9 unit deployed to the region under its command.[2]

Units

As of 2022, the 435th Air Expeditionary Wing was made up of two groups, which in turn consisted of ten squadrons:[3]

References

  1. ^ "Air Force Recognition Programs". Air Force Personnel Services. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
  2. ^ a b Mahshie, Abraham (17 February 2022). "The Air Force in Africa". Air Force Magazine. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  3. ^ a b "435th Air Expeditionary Wing". U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa. Archived from the original on 22 March 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  4. ^ "435th Air Ground Operations Wing". www.ramstein.af.mil. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  5. ^ "435th AGOW, 435th AEW welcome new commander". Ramstein Air Base. 12 July 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  6. ^ Jordan, Miquel (12 June 2023). "4-part ceremony equips 406th AEW to continue 435th AEW legacy". United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
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