ABOUT 552d Air Control Wing
- Heritage Dates Back to WWII: The 552d Air Control Wing traces its origins to the 552d Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing, activated in 1955, but its lineage includes connections to units active during World War II.
- Home of the E-3 Sentry "AWACS": The 552d is the primary USAF unit operating the E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS), a highly recognizable aircraft with its large rotating radar dome.
- Headquartered at Tinker AFB: The Wing’s home base is Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, where it has been located since 1977.
- Global Reach and Deployments: The 552d has conducted operations and deployed crews to every major U.S. military theater since the Cold War, including Operations Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom.
- Vital in Operation Desert Storm: During the 1991 Gulf War, the 552d’s E-3s provided critical command and control, directing thousands of coalition aircraft sorties with unmatched situational awareness.
- First to Fly E-3 Sentry: The 552d was the first unit to receive and operate the E-3 Sentry in 1977, establishing the standard for airborne command and control.
- Nickname "America’s Wing": The 552d is often referred to as "America’s Wing" due to its key role in U.S. air defense and airspace command and control.
- International Partnerships: The Wing routinely trains and operates with NATO and allied air forces, and supports NORAD missions, enhancing global interoperability.
- Notable Humanitarian Missions: In addition to combat operations, the 552d has supported disaster relief operations, including post-hurricane search and rescue missions by providing air traffic control and coordination.
- Distinguished Unit Honors: The 552d ACW has received multiple Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards and was recognized for its performance during both peacetime and combat operations.
