552nd Air Control Wing
The 552d Air Control Wing is an operational wing of the United States Air Force. It has been based at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma since July 1976, operating the Boeing E-3 Sentry. It includes the 552d Operations Group, 552d Maintenance Group, 552d Training Group, and 552d Air Control Group.
| 552d Air Control Wing | |
|---|---|
E-3 Sentry refueling during Operation Enduring Freedom | |
| Active | 1955–1976; 1976–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Role | Air Command and Control |
| Part of | Air Combat Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Tinker Air Force Base |
| Motto(s) | Robur Ex Vigilantia Latin In Vigilance is Strength |
| Decorations | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Colonel Kenneth J. Voigt, Jr. |
| Notable commanders | General John L. Piotrowski General Lori J. Robinson |
| Insignia | |
| 552d Air Control Wing emblem (approved 6 February 1956) | |
The wing is responsible to the commander of Air Combat Command for the operation, maintenance, logistics, training, and combat support of E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft and Control and Reporting Centers (CRCs). The wing provides combat-ready theater battle management forces, mobile command control, and communications radar elements at the direction of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. It deploys, operates, and supports these forces worldwide ensuring combat capability for all peacetime and contingency operations.
From 1955 through 1976, it was located at McClellan Air Force Base, California, where it operated the Lockheed EC-121 Warning Star aircraft providing radar coverage off the Pacific coast of the United States.