964th Airborne Air Control Squadron

964th Airborne Air Control Squadron
552d Air Control Wing Boeing E-3 Sentry
Active1942-1944; 1944–1945; 1955–1974; 1997-present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleAirborne Command and Control
Part ofAir Combat Command
12th Air Force
552d Air Control Wing
552d Operations Group
Garrison/HQTinker Air Force Base
DecorationsAir Force Outstanding Unit Award with V Device
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
Insignia
964th Airborne Air Control Squadron emblem
18th Antisubmarine Squadron emblem (approved 10 April 1943)[1]

The 964th Airborne Air Control Squadron (964 AACS) is assigned to the 552d Operations Group, 552d Air Control Wing at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. It operates the E-3 Sentry (AWACS) aircraft conducting airborne command and control missions.

Mission

Provide the Combat Air Force with airborne systems and personnel for surveillance, warning and control of strategic, tactical, and special mission forces.[2]

History

The squadron was an operational training unit for 25th Antisubmarine Wing from November 1942–October 1943. It went on to train B-17 Flying Fortress replacement crews from, November 1943–April 1944.[1]

It conducted visual reconnaissance, medical evacuation, and light transport services for ground forces in Burma from 19 December 1944 until 3 May 1945.[3]

The 964th flew long range surveillance missions in the late 1950s. It rotated aircrews to Southeast Asia from c. 4 April 1965 – 17 May 1974. The 964th also flew combat support missions in Southwest Asia from 17 January–6 March 1991.

Lineage

4th Search Attack Squadron

  • Constituted as the 362d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 28 January 1942
Activated on 15 July 1942
Redesignated 18th Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy) on 29 November 1942
Redesignated 4th Sea Search Attack Squadron (Heavy) on 23 October 1943
Redesignated 4th Search Attack Squadron (Heavy) on 22 November 1943
Disbanded on 10 April 1944[1]
  • Reconstituted on 19 September 1985 and consolidated with the 164th Liaison Squadron (Commando) and the 964th Airborne Warning and Control Squadron as the 964th Airborne Warning and Control Squadron [4]

164th Liaison Squadron

  • Constituted as the 164th Liaison Squadron (Commando) on 9 August 1944
Activated on 3 September 1944
Inactivated on 3 November 1945[3]
  • Consolidated with the 4th Search Attack Squadron and the 964th Airborne Warning and Control Squadron as the 964th Airborne Warning and Control Squadron[4]

964th Airborne Air Control Squadron

  • Constituted as the 964th Airborne Early Warning and Control Squadron on 8 December 1954
Activated on 8 March 1955
Inactivated on 30 June 1974
Redesignated 964th Airborne Warning and Control Squadron on 7 February 1977
Activated on 1 July 1977
  • Consolidated with the 4th Search Attack Squadron and the 164th Liaison Squadron [4]

Assignments

Stations

Aircraft operated

Operations

References

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 30
  2. ^ 552 OG Fact Sheet Archived 2011-07-22 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ a b c d e Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 363
  4. ^ a b c Department of the Air Force/MPM Letter 662q, 19 September 85, Subject: Reconstitution, Redesignation, and Consolidation of Selected Air Force Tactical Squadrons

Bibliography

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

  • Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556.