The 52nd Fighter Wing (52 FW) is a wing of the United States Air Force stationed at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.It flies the F-16CJ fighter aircraft. Whether employing fighter and intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance aircraft or supporting strategic mobility operations, the wing continues to be a key asset to European security and NATO, providing domineering expeditionary air power. The wing provides United States Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa and/or the NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe with mission-ready personnel and systems. Maj. Charles Schulz temporarily assumed command of the squadron the following day. On February 12, 2019, news that the first woman to lead an Air Force demonstration team was fired after just two weeks in the position sent shockwaves through the aviation community and made headlines in the mainstream press. It deployed aircraft and personnel to strategic locations in Saudi Arabia and Turkey in support of the liberation of Kuwait from September 1990 March 1993. Maj. April Widman, the commander of the 317th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Dyess Air Force Base, was fired at 9 a.m. on Dec. 2, after the commander of the 317th Airlift Wing, Col. James Young . The 52nd MMG maintains a 15-person staff that provides command leadership and support for more than 620 active-duty personnel from 26 Air Force specialty codes at their four geographically separated units. The remainder would be relocated elsewhere in Europe. The 480th Fighter Squadron (480th FS), nicknamed the "Warhawks", is an active United States Air Force unit operating the General Dynamics F-16CJ Fighting Falcon.The 480 FS assigned to the 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany is the only United States Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa flying unit performing the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) mission. Rating: command pilot Flight hours: more than 2,100, including 146 combat hours Aircraft flown: T-3, T-37, T-38, F-15E, F/A-18F, F-35A, and F-16, Distinguished Flying Cross with valor device, Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster. The Public Affairs office is unable to redirect calls or provide phone numbers. The medical group operates an outpatient clinic at Spangdahlem which includes family practice, pediatrics, women's health, psychiatry, aerospace medicine and optometry with exceptional clinical laboratory, radiology, pharmacy and physical therapy support. Col. Anthony Retka, who retired earlier this month, was accused of abusive sexual contact against Jordana Kennedy, the wife of Lt. Col. Patrick Kennedy, at an off-base going away party in May 2019. It flies the F-16CJ fighter aircraft. He survived and was checked into a mental health clinic in San Antonio, about a four-hour drive south of Dyess. Additionally, they support 16 geographically separated units by providing administrative, personnel, contingency response, force sustainment and quality of life support. We have thousands of Airmen across our Air Force serving our country, and not one of them is perfect. Details for the planned move are still in the works, and orders for Airmen soon headed to Spangdahlem will not be canceled. Teixeira, 21, an airman first class, was assigned to the 102nd Intelligence Wing at Otis Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts. Myers said the administrative action was taken only in response to the dinner incident, not the other incidents described to OSI. I cant give names but I can say that I witnessed the results of her trying to break him, he went on. Maj. April Widman, the commander of the 317th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Dyess Air Force Base, was fired at 9 a.m. on Dec. 2, after the commander of the 317th Airlift Wing, Col. James Young, lost confidence in her ability to lead the squadron, said 1st. It was activated in 1948, but derives significant elements of its history from the predecessor Second World War 52nd Fighter Group, which is now the 52nd Operations Group, subordinate to the wing. The airman said he was completely open with his leadership about mental health issues he was going through in the fall of 2020 and spring of 2021. Other pilots also engaged in steamrolling at the Kunsan dorms in the early 2000s, witnesses said, describing a frathouse-like atmosphere rife with pranks and heavy alcohol use that was more tolerated in the Air Force at the time. Kotnik make mistakes, I want them to have the opportunity to learn from them without being under public scrutiny, and to continue to be a part of this great service. Ramstein Air Base is unaffected, DOD officials said. Melody W. Howley), U.S. Air Force Col. David Epperson, 52nd Fighter Wing outgoing commander (center), passes the 52nd FW guidon to U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Randall Reed, Third Air Force commander (left), as he relinquishes command during the 52nd Fighter Wing Change of Command ceremony July 15, 2021, on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. The move came on the order of the 102nd Intelligence Wing commander at Otis Air National Guard Base, Mass. Why would you put your privates beside my body?, She told investigators that Retka came up to her a few minutes later, apologized, and asked if they were OK, to which she responded Yeah, Tony, were good. The report quoted Kennedy as saying Retka then replied, Okay, good, because you were [indistinguishable] target. Kennedy told Air Force Times that Retka said she was the non-intentional target.. All Rights Reserved. According to the report, Retka, the Kennedys and other staff and family from the 52nd attended a farewell dinner for the former vice wing commander at the Schloss Neiderweiss restaurant on May 3. He has also deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Noble Eagle. Esper estimated the cost to be "several billion dollars," but did not provide a formal estimate. U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 480th Fighter Squadron, 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, arrived here Nov. 12, to enhance U.S. Air Forces Central's ability to deter . Looking back, I realize that instead of being asked how we can make this happen, Im basically told what is going to happen. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melody W. Howley. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Before saluting the Airmen of the 52nd FW for one last time as its commander, Epperson praised the Sabers for their hard work throughout his nearly two years at the helm. For the New York Air National Guard unit, see, For World War II lineage and history, see, The emblem was updated 3 December 1996. As good people, like Capt. The community pillar is also comprised of the surrounding European Allies. They support on-going contingency operations by deploying fully trained members for traditional security missions and joint expeditionary taskings. The 480th Fighter Squadron operatesover two dozenblock 50 F-16 aircraft in the most challenging air-to-air and air-to-ground mission sets. Not only does the plan fail to consider major logistical issues, questions about deterrence and implementation of the National Defense Strategy, and concerns about implications for U.S. efforts in Africa and elsewhere, but also it will almost certainly result in significant costs to the Department, he said in a statement. Here is the Colonel's letter announcing her dismissal: I removed Capt. The Defense Department will move 11,900 people out of American military installations across Germany, Esper said, including 6,400 whose jobs would return to the U.S. What you do is truly inspiring, and its extremely important in this theater as we think of all of Europe and all of Africa and all of the challenges that are before us, Reed said. 2002 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 2004 Distinguished Graduate, U.S. Air Force Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev. 2005 Masters degree in business administration, Trident University, distance learning program, 2005 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence, 2009 Distinguished Graduate, Master of Science degree, Special Operations & Low Intensity Conflicts, Naval Postgraduate School. Careerism and cronyism are a cancer in the Air Force that is causing retention issues, he said. Following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and The Pentagon in the United States on September 11, 2001, the 52nd Fighter Wing began preparations for possible combat tasking. It was assigned to Air Defense Command and equipped with North American F-86 Sabre aircraft. I was made to feel like I was a second-class citizen and a piece of shit for things outside my control., By Australia says it wont buy the B-21 bomber, but Northrop Grumman CEO Kathy Warden said it may still be on the table when the program is more mature. This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency. All Rights Reserved. But administrative actions can include letters of reprimand, admonishment or counseling. Theyll be better for the experience, and in turn, well be better as an Air Force. All suspensions are temporary pending further investigation.. It was activated in 1948, but derives significant elements of its history from the predecessor Second World War 52nd Fighter Group, which is now the 52nd Operations Group, subordinate to the wing.. John covers U.S. military activities across Europe and Africa. But the system has been broken for a while, he felt. DSN: 314-452-1110, An official website of the United States government. And while they are deployed, they are able to sustain a much more fixed focus on their mission and their capabilities., Wolters said EUCOM aims to rotate units in perpetuity in multiple locations. He said the flexibility that this affords us certainly complicates a potential enemy against us, and it dramatically improves our operational capability to more effectively deter and defend.. Both spoke under the condition of anonymity out of fear of professional retaliation. Calling from Germany: At the time, Lt. Col. Kennedy was director of staff for the 52nd Fighter Wing. When it comes to innovative thinking, you are the benchmark that all the rest of my wings measure against. The 52d Security Forces Squadron (52 SFS) provides base wide protection, ensuring the security and safety of 11,000 personnel through the entire spectrum of threats and force protection. The wing is comprised of approximately 5,000 military and civilian personnel spread across nine geographically separated units and thirteen real property sites in five different nations. The squadron oversees $60 million in annual obligations, co-leads with CPTS the wings end of fiscal year operations, manages the FWs $25 million Government Purchase card program and Quality Assurance Program (as it relates to contracts), and provides all contracting authority for Theater Security Package operations. (A1C Branden Rae/Air Force). In 2010, the 22nd and 23rd Fighter Squadrons were combined to form the 480th Fighter Squadron. During that assignment, he was chastised by his wing commander for making an inappropriate joke after a skit on sexual harassment. Comm: 06565-61-1110 The 52nd FW maintains, deploys and employs F-16CM Fighting Falcons in support of NATO and the national defense directives. First-term airmen will have an easier time finding a new Air Force job, Meet 12M+, the new community app for military spouses, Kansas man upset he cant buy mini Toyotas like the Taliban and ISIS, Army Special Ops Command welcomes first female command sergeant major, UN envoy says Sudans warring sides agree to negotiate, Your next tech and incoming AI | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 4.28.2023, Home Improvement Loans What are my options? Air Force suspends commanders from unit where Jack Teixeira worked Two commanders in the military unit in which leak suspect Jack Teixeira worked have been suspended, the Air Force said Wednesday. June 2014 June 2015, student, U.S. Army War College, Carlisle, Pa. 14. Roberson announced the appointment of Col. Lars R. Hubert, 52nd Fighter Wing vice commander, as interim wing commander until a replacement can assume full-time duties. Others will find it unbecoming of the positions and responsibilities of some of the people most prominently featured in it. The Public Affairs office is unable to redirect calls or provide phone numbers. Col. Anthony Retka, former commander of the 52nd Operations Group at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany, passes the guidon to incoming 480th Fighter Squadron Lt. Col. Patrick Kennedy during a change of command ceremony on July 3, 2019. Sign up to receive a daily email of today's top military news stories from Stars and Stripes and top news outlets Spangdahlem group commander disciplined for inappropriately touching [9] As a result of the drawdown of F-16s, the 22nd and 23rd Fighter Squadrons were inactivated on 13 August 2010 and formed a single "new" squadron, the 480th Fighter Squadron. The Pentagon will begin winding down U.S. operations at Germanys Spangdahlem Air Base, pulling out Air Force F-16s and canceling plans to move tankers and special-operations forces there, Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper announced July 29. Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, criticized the administration for failing to be more consultative in drafting the plan. The incident has raised questions among lawmakers in Washington about who has access to classified materials and about safeguards.

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