Jimmy Keller

552d Air Control Wing

U.S. Air Force

The 552d Air Control Wing, established in 1955, is a key unit of the United States Air Force specializing in airborne command and control. Stationed at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, the wing operates the E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft, providing all-weather surveillance, command, control, and communications to U.S. and allied forces. Throughout its history, the 552d has played critical roles in major operations, including Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. The wing continues to be a vital component of global air operations, supporting both combat and humanitarian missions worldwide.

The 3345th Technical Training Group was an Air Force unit established during the Cold War era, primarily stationed at Chanute Air Force Base, Illinois. Its core mission was to provide specialized technical training for airmen in aircraft maintenance, electronics, and various support specialties crucial to Air Force operations. Throughout its active years, the group played a vital role in preparing thousands of personnel to maintain and support a wide range of Air Force weapon systems and equipment. The unit was eventually inactivated in the early 1990s as part of broader post-Cold War realignment and the closure of Chanute AFB.