24th Wing
Encyclopedia
The 24th Wing is an inactive United States Air Force
unit. Its last assignment was with Twelfth Air Force, stationed at Howard Air Force Base
, Panama. It was inactivated on 1 November 1999.
The inactivation of the 24th Wing and the closure of Howard Air force Base ended an 82-year United States Air Force presence in Panama, which began with the formation of the 7th Aero Squadron
on 29 March 1917.
Squadrons
Detachments
from December 1942 – June 1944.
From August 1946 until replaced by the Antilles Air Division in July 1948 the wing supervised large numbers of major and minor bases and Air Force units in the Caribbean
area from Puerto Rico
to British Guiana
.
It Organized once more in November 1967 in the Panama Canal Zone
, replacing the 5700th Air Base Wing. The wing assumed operation and maintenance responsibilities for Howard and Albrook Air Force Bases and a special operations
mission that included air transport, paramilitary
operations
, exercise
participation, civic
actions in Central
and South America, search and rescue
missions, humanitarian
operations, mercy missions, aeromedical evacuation, and support of Army Special Forces
, U.S. military assistance units, and training of Latin American air forces. From its activation in 1967 until mid-1972, the 24th Wing operated the USAF Tropic Survival School at Albrook. It also controlled various rotational detachments from 1967–1987. The wing lost UH–1 helicopters and control of search and rescue missions in the area after 1 March 1983. The wing inactivated on 31 January 1987, its subordinate components reassigned directly to the USAF Southern Air Division.
The 24th was reactivated on 1 January 1989, as the 24th Composite Wing assuming responsibilities for Howard AFB and Albrook AFS. The wing flew combat
sortie
s in the Invasion of Panama, December 1989 – January 1990. The wing trained foreign and domestic pilots
in forward air control
. It again flew search and rescue, aeromedical airlift and disaster
relief missions in the Latin American region from 1989–1990. Members of the wing deployed to Southwest Asia to provide air liaison support between ground forces and air operations from 1 October 1990 – February 1991. When the 24th Composite Wing inactivated in 1991, its assets were placed under Air Forces in Panama.
On 11 February 1992 the wing again reactivated as the 24th Wing and became the senior USAF organization in Panama and replaced the previous command and division-level Air Force host units.
In June 1992, it began operating the only C–21, CT–43, C–27 and special mission C–130s in Air Combat Command
. The wing provided control and support to multi-service units directed by United States Southern Command
and United States Southern Air Force from 1992–1999. Missions included counter-narcotic
s operations, aerial command and control
, intratheater airlift, security assistance and defense of the Panama Canal
. The wing operated both Howard Air Force Base and Albrook Air Force Station.
On 1 April 1997 the 310th Airlift Squadron was reassigned to Air Mobility Command
's 21st Air Force. The 24th Wing was inactivated on 1 November 1999 with the closure of Howard AFB and its turnover to the Panamanian government.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
unit. Its last assignment was with Twelfth Air Force, stationed at Howard Air Force Base
Howard Air Force Base
Howard Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force base located in Panama. It was closed on 1 November 1999 as a result of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties which specified that United States military facilities in the former Panama Canal Zone be closed and the facilities be turned over to the...
, Panama. It was inactivated on 1 November 1999.
The inactivation of the 24th Wing and the closure of Howard Air force Base ended an 82-year United States Air Force presence in Panama, which began with the formation of the 7th Aero Squadron
397th Bombardment Squadron
The 397th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the VI Bomber Command, based at Rio Hato Army Air Base, Panama. It was inactivated on 1 November 1946.-Heraldry:...
on 29 March 1917.
Heraldry
Azure, a stylized square-rigged ship of three mast sails set, flag and pennants flotant sailing to sinister above an arced olive branch to dexter and an arced lightning flash to sinister conjoined in base Or, all within a diminished bordure of the like. Motto: LOS PROFESIONALES—The professionals. Approved on 16 Aug 1994; replaced emblem approved in 1968 (KE 35833).Lineage
- Established as 24th Composite Wing (Special) on 19 Nov 1942
- Activated on 25 Dec 1942
- Disestablished on 15 Jun 1944
- Reestablished as 24th Composite Wing on 5 Aug 1946
- Activated on 25 Aug 1946
- Inactivated on 28 Jul 1948
- Activated on 30 Oct 1967
- Organized on 8 Nov 1967
- Redesignated: 24th Air Commando Wing on 15 Mar 1968
- Redesignated: 24th Special Operations Wing on 15 Jul 1968
- Redesignated: 24th Special Operations Group on 30 Jun 1972
- Redesignated: 24th Composite Group on 15 Nov 1973
- Redesignated: 24th Composite Wing on 1 Jan 1976
- Inactivated on 31 Jan 1987
- Activated on 1 Jan 1989
- Inactivated on 15 Feb 1991
- Redesignated 24th Wing on 1 Feb 1992
- Activated on 11 Feb 1992
- Inactivated on 1 Nov 1999
Assignments
- Iceland Base CommandIceland Base CommandThe Icelandic Base Command is an inactive United States Army organization. It was established for the United States defense of the Danish Colony of Iceland during World War II...
, US Army Forces, Iceland, 25 Dec 1942 – 15 Jun 1944 - Caribbean Air Command, 25 Aug 1946 – 28 Jul 1948
- United States Air Forces Southern Command, 30 Oct 1967
- United States Air Force Southern Air DivisionAir Forces PanamaThe Air Forces Panama, formerly 830th Air Division, is an inactive United States Air Force Division. Its last assignment was with Tactical Air Command, assigned to Twelfth Air Force, being stationed at Howard Air Force Base, Panama. It was inactivated on 11 February 1992.The USAF Southern Airlift...
, 1 Jan 1976 – 31 Jan 1987 - 830th Air Division, 1 Jan 1989 – 15 Feb 1991
- Twelfth Air Force, 11 Feb 1992 – 1 Nov 1999
Components
Groups- 24th Operations: 11 Feb 1992 – 1 Nov 1999
- 130th Special Operations: attached 30 Jan – 27 Feb 1971; attached 5–14 Feb 1973
- 134th Anti-Aircraft Artillery: attached 1 Nov 1943 – 15 Jun 1944
- 143d Air Commando: attached 8 Feb – 9 Mar 1969
- 342d Composite342d Fighter Day WingThe 342d Fighter Day Wing is an inactive United States Air Force wing. Its last duty assignment was at Myrtle Beach AFB, South Carolina.-Lineage:* Established as 342d Fighter Day Wing on 25 July 1956 and activated-Components:...
: 25 Dec 1942 – 18 Mar 1944
Squadrons
- 24th Air Transport: 15 Mar 1968 – 30 Jun 1971
- 24th Special Operations (later, 24th Composite; 24th Tactical Air Support): 18 Mar 1969 – 1 Jul 1975; 1 Jan 1976-31 Jan 1987; 1 Jan 1989 – 15 Feb 1991
- 33d Fighter: 18 Mar – 15 Jun 1944
- 91st Reconnaissance91st Network Warfare SquadronThe 91st Network Warfare Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit, currently assigned to the 67th Network Warfare Wing at Kelly Annex, part of Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.-Overview:...
: 12 Jan – 26 Jul 1948 - 330th Transport: 25 Aug – 15 Oct 1946
- 605th Air Commando (later, 605 Special Operations): 8 Nov 1967 – 30 Apr 1972
Detachments
- Det A, Fighter Command (IBC, US Army Forces, Iceland): attached 12 Feb – 15 Jun 1944
- Det, 314 Troop Carrier Group: attached 1 Oct 1946 – 26 Jul 1948
- TAC A-7 Rotational Element (various detachments): attached 13 Nov 1972 – 30 Sep 1978
- ANG A-7 Rotational Element (various detachments): attached 1 Oct 1978 – 31 Jan 1987
- ANG A-10 Rotational Element (various detachments): attached Feb–Apr 1985
- TAC C-130 Rotational Element (various detachments): attached 8 Nov 1967 – 30 Nov 1974
- MAC C-130 Rotational Element (various detachments): attached 1 Dec 1974 – 30 Sep 1977
- AFRES and ANG C-130 Rotational Element (various detachments): attached 1 Oct 1977-c. 1 Dec 1984.
Stations
- Camp Olympia, ReykjavíkReykjavíkReykjavík is the capital and largest city in Iceland.Its latitude at 64°08' N makes it the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. It is located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói Bay...
, Iceland, 25 Dec 1942 - Camp TripoliNaval Air Station KeflavikUnited States Naval Air Station Keflavik is a former NATO facility at Keflavík International Airport, Iceland. It is located on the Reykjanes peninsula on the south-west portion of the island...
, Reykjavik, Iceland, 13 Mar – 15 Jun 1944 - Borinquen Field (later, Borinquen AAFld; Borinquen Field: Ramey AFB), Puerto RicoPuerto RicoPuerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
, 25 Aug 1946 – 28 Jul 1948 - Albrook AFB, Canal ZonePanama Canal ZoneThe Panama Canal Zone was a unorganized U.S. territory located within the Republic of Panama, consisting of the Panama Canal and an area generally extending 5 miles on each side of the centerline, but excluding Panama City and Colón, which otherwise would have been partly within the limits of...
, 8 Nov 1967 - Howard AFB, Canal Zone (later, Panama)Panama Canal ZoneThe Panama Canal Zone was a unorganized U.S. territory located within the Republic of Panama, consisting of the Panama Canal and an area generally extending 5 miles on each side of the centerline, but excluding Panama City and Colón, which otherwise would have been partly within the limits of...
, 3 Jan 1968 – 31 Jan 1987 - Howard AFB, Panama, 1 Jan 1989 – 15 Feb 1991
- Howard AFB, Panama, 11 Feb 1992 – 1 Nov 1999
Operations
The 24th served in the defense of IcelandIceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
from December 1942 – June 1944.
From August 1946 until replaced by the Antilles Air Division in July 1948 the wing supervised large numbers of major and minor bases and Air Force units in the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
area from Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
to British Guiana
British Guiana
British Guiana was the name of the British colony on the northern coast of South America, now the independent nation of Guyana.The area was originally settled by the Dutch at the start of the 17th century as the colonies of Essequibo, Demerara, and Berbice...
.
It Organized once more in November 1967 in the Panama Canal Zone
Panama Canal Zone
The Panama Canal Zone was a unorganized U.S. territory located within the Republic of Panama, consisting of the Panama Canal and an area generally extending 5 miles on each side of the centerline, but excluding Panama City and Colón, which otherwise would have been partly within the limits of...
, replacing the 5700th Air Base Wing. The wing assumed operation and maintenance responsibilities for Howard and Albrook Air Force Bases and a special operations
Special operations
Special operations are military operations that are considered "special" .Special operations are typically performed independently or in conjunction with conventional military operations. The primary goal is to achieve a political or military objective where a conventional force requirement does...
mission that included air transport, paramilitary
Paramilitary
A paramilitary is a force whose function and organization are similar to those of a professional military, but which is not considered part of a state's formal armed forces....
operations
Military operation
Military operation is the coordinated military actions of a state in response to a developing situation. These actions are designed as a military plan to resolve the situation in the state's favor. Operations may be of combat or non-combat types, and are referred to by a code name for the purpose...
, exercise
Military exercise
A military exercise is the employment of military resources in training for military operations, either exploring the effects of warfare or testing strategies without actual combat...
participation, civic
Civics
Civics is the study of rights and duties of citizenship. In other words, it is the study of government with attention to the role of citizens ― as opposed to external factors ― in the operation and oversight of government....
actions in Central
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
and South America, search and rescue
Search and rescue
Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...
missions, humanitarian
Humanitarian aid
Humanitarian aid is material or logistical assistance provided for humanitarian purposes, typically in response to humanitarian crises including natural disaster and man-made disaster. The primary objective of humanitarian aid is to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity...
operations, mercy missions, aeromedical evacuation, and support of Army Special Forces
Special forces
Special forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
, U.S. military assistance units, and training of Latin American air forces. From its activation in 1967 until mid-1972, the 24th Wing operated the USAF Tropic Survival School at Albrook. It also controlled various rotational detachments from 1967–1987. The wing lost UH–1 helicopters and control of search and rescue missions in the area after 1 March 1983. The wing inactivated on 31 January 1987, its subordinate components reassigned directly to the USAF Southern Air Division.
The 24th was reactivated on 1 January 1989, as the 24th Composite Wing assuming responsibilities for Howard AFB and Albrook AFS. The wing flew combat
Combat
Combat, or fighting, is a purposeful violent conflict meant to establish dominance over the opposition, or to terminate the opposition forever, or drive the opposition away from a location where it is not wanted or needed....
sortie
Sortie
Sortie is a term for deployment or dispatch of one military unit, be it an aircraft, ship, or troops from a strongpoint. The sortie, whether by one or more aircraft or vessels, usually has a specific mission....
s in the Invasion of Panama, December 1989 – January 1990. The wing trained foreign and domestic pilots
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
in forward air control
Forward air control
Forward air control is the provision of guidance to Close Air Support aircraft intended to ensure that their attack hits the intended target and does not injure friendly troops. This task is carried out by a forward air controller . For NATO forces the qualifications and experience required to be...
. It again flew search and rescue, aeromedical airlift and disaster
Natural disaster
A natural disaster is the effect of a natural hazard . It leads to financial, environmental or human losses...
relief missions in the Latin American region from 1989–1990. Members of the wing deployed to Southwest Asia to provide air liaison support between ground forces and air operations from 1 October 1990 – February 1991. When the 24th Composite Wing inactivated in 1991, its assets were placed under Air Forces in Panama.
On 11 February 1992 the wing again reactivated as the 24th Wing and became the senior USAF organization in Panama and replaced the previous command and division-level Air Force host units.
In June 1992, it began operating the only C–21, CT–43, C–27 and special mission C–130s in Air Combat Command
Air Combat Command
Air Combat Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. ACC is one of ten major commands , reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force ....
. The wing provided control and support to multi-service units directed by United States Southern Command
United States Southern Command
The United States Southern Command , located in Miami, Florida, is one of nine Unified Combatant Commands in the United States Department of Defense. It is responsible for providing contingency planning and operations in Central and South America, the Caribbean The United States Southern Command...
and United States Southern Air Force from 1992–1999. Missions included counter-narcotic
Narcotic
The term narcotic originally referred medically to any psychoactive compound with any sleep-inducing properties. In the United States of America it has since become associated with opioids, commonly morphine and heroin and their derivatives, such as hydrocodone. The term is, today, imprecisely...
s operations, aerial command and control
Command and Control (military)
Command and control, or C2, in a military organization can be defined as the exercise of authority and direction by a properly designated commanding officer over assigned and attached forces in the accomplishment of the mission...
, intratheater airlift, security assistance and defense of the Panama Canal
Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is a ship canal in Panama that joins the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. Built from 1904 to 1914, the canal has seen annual traffic rise from about 1,000 ships early on to 14,702 vessels measuring a total of 309.6...
. The wing operated both Howard Air Force Base and Albrook Air Force Station.
On 1 April 1997 the 310th Airlift Squadron was reassigned to Air Mobility Command
Air Mobility Command
Air Mobility Command is a Major Command of the U.S. Air Force. AMC is headquartered at Scott AFB, Illinois, east of St. Louis....
's 21st Air Force. The 24th Wing was inactivated on 1 November 1999 with the closure of Howard AFB and its turnover to the Panamanian government.
Aircraft
- P-38 LightningP-38 LightningThe Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a World War II American fighter aircraft built by Lockheed. Developed to a United States Army Air Corps requirement, the P-38 had distinctive twin booms and a single, central nacelle containing the cockpit and armament...
(1942–1944) - P-39 Airacobra (1942–1943)
- P-40 WarhawkCurtiss P-40The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk was an American single-engine, single-seat, all-metal fighter and ground attack aircraft that first flew in 1938. The P-40 design was a modification of the previous Curtiss P-36 Hawk which reduced development time and enabled a rapid entry into production and operational...
(1943–1944) - P-47 ThunderboltP-47 ThunderboltRepublic Aviation's P-47 Thunderbolt, also known as the "Jug", was the largest, heaviest, and most expensive fighter aircraft in history to be powered by a single reciprocating engine. It was heavily armed with eight .50-caliber machine guns, four per wing. When fully loaded, the P-47 weighed up to...
(1944) - B-17 Flying Fortress (1946–1948)
- C-47 SkytrainC-47 SkytrainThe Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in operation to this day.-Design and...
(1946–1948, 1967–1970) - C-54 SkymasterC-54 SkymasterThe Douglas C-54 Skymaster was a four-engined transport aircraft used by the United States Army Air Forces and British forces in World War II and the Korean War. Besides transport of cargo, it also carried presidents, British heads of government, and military staff...
(1947–1948, 1967–1972) - F-2 ExpeditorBeechcraft Model 18The Beechcraft Model 18, or "Twin Beech", as it is better known, is a 6-11 seat, twin-engine, low-wing, conventional-gear aircraft that was manufactured by the Beech Aircraft Corporation of Wichita, Kansas...
(1948) - A-26 InvaderA-26 InvaderThe Douglas A-26 Invader was a United States twin-engined light attack bomber built by the Douglas Aircraft Co. during World War II that also saw service during several of the Cold War's major conflicts...
(1967–1968) - C-46 CommandoC-46 CommandoThe Curtiss-Wright C-46 Commando was a transport aircraft originally derived from a commercial high-altitude airliner design. It was instead used as a military transport during World War II by the United States Army Air Forces as well as the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps under the designation R5C...
(1967–1968) - C-118 LiftmasterDouglas DC-6The Douglas DC-6 is a piston-powered airliner and transport aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company from 1946 to 1958. Originally intended as a military transport near the end of World War II, it was reworked after the war to compete with the Lockheed Constellation in the long-range...
(1967–1971) - C-130 HerculesC-130 HerculesThe Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
(1967–1984, 1992–1999) - C-131 SamaritanC-131 SamaritanThe Convair C-131 Samaritan was an American military transport produced from 1954 to 1956. It is the military version of the Convair CV-240.-Design and development:...
(1967–1968) - CH-3 Jolly Green GiantSikorsky S-61RThe Sikorsky S-61R is a twin-engine helicopter used in transport or search and rescue roles. A developed version of the S-61/SH-3 Sea King, the S-61R was also built under license by Agusta as the AS-61R...
(1967–1970) - HH-19 Chickasaw (1967–1969)
- T-28 TrojanT-28 TrojanThe North American Aviation T-28 Trojan is a piston-engined military trainer aircraft used by the United States Air Force and United States Navy beginning in the 1950s...
(1967–1970) - VT-29C-131 SamaritanThe Convair C-131 Samaritan was an American military transport produced from 1954 to 1956. It is the military version of the Convair CV-240.-Design and development:...
(1967–1970) - U-10 Super CourierHelio CourierThe Helio Courier is a light C/STOL utility aircraft designed in 1949.Around 500 of these aircraft were manufactured in Pittsburg, Kansas from 1954 until 1974 by the Helio Aircraft Company. During the early 1980s, new owners made an attempt to build new aircraft with direct-drive Lycoming engines,...
(1967–1971) - UH-1 IroquoisUH-1 IroquoisThe Bell UH-1 Iroquois is a military helicopter powered by a single, turboshaft engine, with a two-bladed main rotor and tail rotor. The helicopter was developed by Bell Helicopter to meet the United States Army's requirement for a medical evacuation and utility helicopter in 1952, and first flew...
(1967–1983) - A-37 DragonflyCessna T-37The Cessna T-37 Tweet is a small, economical twin-engine jet trainer-attack type aircraft which flew for decades as a primary trainer for the United States Air Force and in the air forces of several other nations...
(1967–1972) - HU-16 AlbatrossHU-16 AlbatrossThe Grumman HU-16 Albatross is a large twin-radial engine amphibious flying boat that was utilized by the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard, primarily as a search and rescue and combat search and rescue aircraft...
(1969) - C-123 ProviderC-123 ProviderThe C-123 Provider was an American military transport aircraft designed by Chase Aircraft and subsequently built by Fairchild Aircraft for the United States Air Force...
(1970–1975) - C-119 Flying BoxcarC-119 Flying BoxcarThe Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar was an American military transport aircraft developed from the World War II-era Fairchild C-82 Packet, designed to carry cargo, personnel, litter patients, and mechanized equipment, and to drop cargo and troops by parachute...
(1971, 1973) - O-2 SkymasterO-2 SkymasterThe O-2 Skymaster is a military version of the Cessna 337 Super Skymaster utilized as an observation and forward air control aircraft...
(1971–1986) - A-7 Corsair IIA-7 Corsair IIThe Ling-Temco-Vought A-7 Corsair II is a carrier-based subsonic light attack aircraft introduced to replace the United States Navy's Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, initially entering service during the Vietnam War...
(1972–1987) - A-10 Thunderbolt IIA-10 Thunderbolt IIThe Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is an American single-seat, twin-engine, straight-wing jet aircraft developed by Fairchild-Republic in the early 1970s. The A-10 was designed for a United States Air Force requirement to provide close air support for ground forces by attacking tanks,...
(1985) - OA-37 DragonflyCessna T-37The Cessna T-37 Tweet is a small, economical twin-engine jet trainer-attack type aircraft which flew for decades as a primary trainer for the United States Air Force and in the air forces of several other nations...
(1985–1991) - C-21 (1992–1999)
- T-43Boeing T-43|-See also:-External links:* http://www.militaryaircraft.de/pictures/military/aircraft/T-43/T-43A_Gator.html* http://www.gruntsmilitary.com/t43a.shtml* http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usaf/12ftw.htm...
(1992–1999) - C-27 SpartanAlenia C-27JThe Alenia C-27J Spartan is a medium-sized military transport aircraft. The C-27J is an advanced derivative of Alenia Aeronautica's G.222 , with the engines and systems of the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules...
(1992–1999)