505th Command and Control Wing

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 505th Command and Control Wing


caption= 505th Command and Control Wing emblem
dates= 1947-Present
country= United States
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branch= United States Air Force
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current_commander=
garrison= Hurlburt Field, Florida
ceremonial_chief=
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* World War II: Asiatic-Pacific Campaign
(1944-1945)
* Vietnam Service (1965-1973)
decorations=


*Distinguished Unit Citation :Japan, 10 February 1945:17 Jun - 1 Jul 1945
*Air Force Oustanding Unit Award with Valor Device:5 Awards from 1965-1973
*Air Force Oustanding Unit Award:8 Awards from 1981 - 1998
*Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm:1 April 1966-28 January 1973
anniversaries=

The United States Air Force's 505th Command and Control Wing (505 CCW) is organized under the USAF Warfare Center. The 505 CCW is dedicated to improving warfighter readiness through integrated training, tactics, and testing for operational-level command and control of air, space, and cyber power. It hosts the Air Force's only Air Operations Center Formal Training Unit (FTU), located at Hurlburt Field, Florida.

Mission

The mission of the 505 CCW is to advance, integrate, and standardize training, tactics, and testing for operational-level command of air, space, and cyber power in the joint and coalition environment. The 505 CCW is responsible for developing the combat capability of the Air and Space Operations Center (AOC) and for developing and integrating joint live-virtual-constructive (LVC) training capabilities within the Air Force Distributed Mission Operations Center (DMOC). In addition to hosting the Air Force's only AOC Formal Training Unit (FTU), the 505 CCW delivers realistic, cutting-edge operational command and control (C2) training through BLUE FLAG, VIRTUAL FLAG, Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment (JEFX), and equivalent overseas Combatant Command and Service exercises, and executes operational test for all elements of the Theater Air Control System (TACS) to include the E-3A AWACS and E-8 Joint STARS. Through the Operational Command Training Program (OCTP), Air Force retired three-star general officer Senior Mentors train Air Force, joint, and coalition operational-level commanders and their staffs. 505 CCW Detachment 1 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas advises the Commanding General and key staff of the United States Army's Combined Arms Center on all aspects of air and space power doctrine and employment, and integrates realistic air and space capabilities in the Army's worldwide Battle Command Training Program (BCTP). Det 1 integrates a doctrinally-correct representation of air power in Army Mission Rehearsal Exercises and Warfighter Exercises. The unique mission of the 84 Radar Evaluation Squadron is to provide Department of Defense radar planning, integration, and evaluations while simultaneously monitoring the U.S. radar grid.

Through a multi-disciplinary approach to training and development of tactics, techniques, and procedures for the AOC; testing and training of key C2 systems; and comprehensive, realistic, state-of-the-art operational and tactical live, virtual, and constructive exercises, the 505 CCW prepares Air Force, joint, and coalition forces for crisis, contingency, and combat operations.

ubordinate Units

*Detachment 1 - Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
*505th Training Group - Hurlburt Field, Florida
** 505th Training Squadron - Hurlburt Field
** 705th Training Squadron - Hurlburt Field
** 505th Communications Squadron - Hurlburt Field
*505th Operations Group - Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada
** Detachment 1 - Seattle, Washington
** Detachment 2 - Melbourne, Florida
** 505th Operations Squadron - Nellis Air Force Base
** 605th Test and Evaluation Squadron - Hurlburt Field
** 84th Radar Evaluation Squadron - Hill Air Force Base, Utah
*505th Distributed Warfare Group - Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico
** 505th Combat Training Squadron - Hurlburt Field
** 705th Combat Training Squadron - Kirtland Air Force Base

History

The unit's origins begin with its predecessor, the World War II 505th Bombardment Group (505th BG) which was part of Twentieth Air Force. The 505th Bomb Group's aircraft engaged in very heavy bombardment B-29 Superfortress operations against Japan.

Lineage

* Constituted as 505th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) on 28 Feb 1944.: Activated on 11 Mar 1944: Inactivated on 30 Jun 1946
* Established as 505th Aircraft Control and Warning Group on 2 May 1947. : Activated on 21 May 1947. : Inactivated on 6 Feb 1952.
* Redesignated 505th Tactical Control Group, and activated, on 2 Nov 1965. : Organized on 8 Nov 1965. : Inactivated on 15 Mar 1973.
* Consolidated (1 Nov 1991) with the 4442 Tactical Control Group, which was established, and activated, on 1 Mar 1980. : Redesignated: 505th Air Control Group on 1 Nov 1991: Redesignated: 505th Command and Control Evaluation Group on 15 Apr 1993: Redesignated: Air Force Command and Control Training and Innovation Center on 15 Sep 1998: Redesignated: Air Force Command and Control Training and Innovation Group on 15 Apr 1999: Redesignated: 505th Command and Control Wing on 12 Mar 2004.

Assignments

* Second Air Force, 28 Feb - 6 Nov 1944
* Twentieth Air Force: XXI Bombardment Command, 19 Dec 1944 - 6 Dec 1945
* Thirteenth Air Force, 6 Dec 1945 - 30 Jun 1946
* Fourth Air Force, 21 May 1947 - 16 Nov 1949: 25th Air Division, 16 Nov 1949-6 Feb 1952 : 2d Air Division, 8 Nov 1965 - 1 Apr 1966
* Seventh Air Force, 1 Apr 1966 - 15 Mar 1973.
* USAF Tactical Air (later, USAF Air) Warfare Center (later, 53 Wing): 1 Mar 1980 - 1 Oct 1997
* Air and Space Command and Control Agency (later, Aerospace Command and Control Agency, Aerospace Command and Control & Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Center): 1 Oct 1997 - 30 Apr 2002: United States Air Force Warfare Center, 1 Jun 1992 - Present

Units

* 482d Bombardment Squadron: 1944-1946
* 483d Bombardment Squadron: 1944-1946
* 484th Bombardment Squadron: 1944-1946
* 485th Bombardment Squadron: 1944

Stations

* Dalhart AAF, Texas, 11 Mar 1944
* Harvard AAF, Nebraska, 1 Apr - 6 Nov 1944
* North Field, Tinian, 19 Dec 1944 - 5 Mar 1946
* Clark Field, Luzon, 14 Mar - 30 Jun 1946
* McChord Field (later, AFB), Washington, 21 May 1947
* Silver Lake, Everett, Washington, 26 Sep 1949
* McChord AFB, Washington 25 Jun 1951–6 Feb 1952
* Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam, 8 Nov 1965–15 Mar 1973
* Eglin AF Aux Field #9 (Hurlburt Field), Florida, 1 Mar 1980–present

Weapons Systems Operated

* B-29 Superfortress (1944-1946)
* B-25 Mitchells (1947–1949)
* O-1 Bird Dogs (1965–1966)
* AN/USQ-163 Falconer AOC (2000–present)

Operational History

World War II

The unit was constituted as the 505th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) on 28 Feb 1944 and activated on 11 Mar 1944. Equipped first with B-17 Flying Fortresses, then later trained for overseas duty with B-29 Superfortresses.

Moved to Tinian late in 1944. Assigned to XXI Bomber Command, Twentieth Air Force. Entered combat in Feb 1945 with strikes on Iwo Jima and the Truk Islands. Then began daylight missions against Japan, operating at high altitude to bomb strategic objectives.

Received a Distinguished Unit Citation for a strike against the Nakajima aircraft factory at Ota in Feb 1945. Conducted incendiary raids on area targets in Japan, carrying out these missions at night and at low altitude. Bombed in support of the Allied assault on Okinawa in Apr 1945. Engaged in mining operations against Japanese shipping, receiving second DUC for mining the Shimonoseki Strait and harbors of the Inland sea, Jun-Jul 1945.

After V-J Day, dropped supplies to Allied prisoners, participated in show-of-force missions, andflew over Japan to evaluate bombardment damage. Moved to the Philippine Islands in Mar 1946. Inactiuated on Luzon on 30 Jun 1946.

Postwar Era

The 505th Command and Control Wing has a unique history dating back to the establishment of the 505th Aircraft Control and Warning Group (ACWG) on 2 May 1947. Stationed at McChord Field (later Air Force Base), Washington, the group was activated under the Air Defense Command becoming the first post-World War II air control and warning unit. For the remainder of 1947 the group supported two radar stations, one at Arlington, Washington, and one at Half Moon Bay near San Francisco, California. These stations worked with fighter squadrons to perfect ground-control and interception techniques. The group included a fleet of B-25 Mitchells used extensively to perform radar calibration flights. The experience gained from operating the two sites proved invaluable to air defense planners who were in the process of designing a nationwide early warning radar network.

As tensions increased between the US and the USSR, the importance of the 505th mission grew. In September 1949, the group no longer operated B-25’s yet they remained focused on early warning systems, supporting detachments up and down the Pacific Northwest coast. The group provided early warning operating radar systems including the AN/TPS-1. With a growing movement to assign homeland defense to reserve units, the 505 ACWG inactivated on 6 February 1952. However, this would not mark the end of the 505th. The Air Force would revive the unit and its expertise with radars 13 years later

Southeast Asia

On 2 November 1965, the 505 ACWG was re-activated as the 505th Tactical Control Group (TCG). Replacing the 6250th Tactical Air Support Group that activated three months earlier, 505 TCG called Tan Son Nhut Air Base in South Vietnam home. The 505th was responsible to provide Command and Control (C2), for the Tactical Control System in Southeast Asia (SEA). This mission included the operation of numerous radar sites throughout South Vietnam and Thailand from 1965 to 1973. In addition to the radar sites, the group managed O-1 Bird Dogs assigned to five squadrons from late 1965 through 1966. These O-1 units included the 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd and 23d Tactical Air Support Squadrons operating from various bases throughout SEA. Forward Air Controllers (FACs) flew the “Bird Dogs” to find and mark enemy activity, direct air strikes and perform battle damage assessment. Initially assigned to the 2d Air Division in Vietnam, the 505th re-aligned under the Seventh Air Force on 1 April 1966. Soon afterward, the 505th received approval for its emblem and official motto - “Search and Direct.” The group eventually lost its flying squadrons but the radar mission grew. The 505th distinguished itself as the only unit to furnish all of SEA an electronics ground environment system for aircraft control and warning and radar services. After eight years of service in Vietnam the group earned thirteen campaign streamers and five Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with Combat “V” devices. With the end of the war in 1973 came the unit’s inactivation.

Post-Vietnam Era

The 505th’s lineage continued with the activation of the 4442d Tactical Control Group on 1 March 1980. Functioning as the 4442d, the unit aligned under the USAF Tactical Air Warfare Center. The group established a headquarters at Hurlburt Field, Florida where it managed a command, control, communications (C3) and intelligence complex. Along with the C3 operations, the unit conducted operational tests and evaluated tactical air control elements. They also provided training on tactical air control and operated the USAF Air Ground Operations School until 1997. The 505th has remained at Hurlburt since 1980 but received several name changes to match the evolution of its mission. With the elimination of MAJCOMs in 1991, the unit re-designated as the 505th Air Control Group. In April 1993, when the 505th began operating the new USAF Battlestaff Training School, the Air Force renamed the unit 505th Command and Control Evaluation Group. At the same time, the mission expanded to include a new detachment at Kirkland AFB, New Mexico. By 1998, with the ever-increasing importance of the Air Operations Center as a weapons system and the units expanding mission to train personnel in its use, the Air Force again changed the 505th’s name, this time to the Air Force Command and Control Training and Innovation Center (AFC2TIC). The center continued to test new command and control systems and train personnel on their use in combat. Realizing that the center incorporated more than just a building with several detachments located around the US, the Air Force gave it group status on 15 April 1999. The group carried its mission into the 21st century providing modern training and techniques to increase the command and control capabilities at the operational level of the Air Force.

Current Era

After almost 54 years of re-designation, inactivation, consolidation and renaming, the group finally became a wing on 12 March 2004. Now the 505th Command and Control Wing, it controls three groups: the 505th Training Group at Hurlburt Field; the 505th Operations Group at Nellis AFB; and the 505th Distributed Warfare Group at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico.

See also

* 313th Air Division

References

* [http://www.505ccw.acc.af.mil/ 505th Command and Control Wing Website]

External links

* [http://www.505ccw.acc.af.mil/ 505th Command and Control Wing]
* [http://www2.hurlburt.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3530 Fact sheet]