Loma Linda AFB is home to the Air Force's 332nd Wing, which is responsible for a wide range of operations, including airlift and combat support missions. The 333rd Wing, activated in 1966 as the 335th Wing, is responsible for providing aerial refueling and communications support to fighter aircraft operating over Southwest Asia. In addition to its military duties, Loma Linda AFB also houses the civilian airport used by both the Air Force and local airlines.
The history of air force deployed gift history at Loma Linda AFB can be traced back to World War I when Loma Linda was one of six American airports selected to serve as training ground for pilots training in Europe. From 1919-1926, the Army Air Service utilized Loma Linda as a base camp during maneuvers leading up to World War II. Following the war, Lomasinda became an important center for aviation research and development. The airport was designated a USAF Base on May 1st, 1948 following the establishment of Tactical Air Command (TAC). On July 15th, 1951 TAC changed its name from Twelfth Air Force (12AF) to United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE). On October 16th AFE moved from RAF Stratholme into barracks on campus after being vacated by RAF Stratholme following its closure during Operation Overlord. Withdrawal of U.S forces from European soil began on November 2nd with A-10 Thunderbolts basing at RAF Fairford UK until December 15th when they transitioned into F-16 Fighting Falcons at NAS Fallon NV while still under operational control of 12AF/USAFE HQ USAAF At Frankfurt Germany; however they were no longer considered part of USAAFE but operated independently as Expeditionary Flying Training Squadrons (EFTS) under NATO flying command jurisdiction until their disbandment in April 1990 As part of Unified Combatant Commands Headquarters - Allied airspace - all EFTS were redesignated Fighter Groups effective November 1st 1990 affording them more centralized command authority thereby allowing increased R&D activity although some continued existent detachment status until February 1991 when they reorganized into group headquarters level commands subordinate only to Supreme Allied Commander Europe ---Air Component Commander - Mediterranean Theater-(ACCAME)-Air Education and Training Command--Afghanistan-(AETC)--United States European Command--Iraq provisional Maquis unit located at Moreh AB
There are several contributing factors that led to Lockheed Martin Corporation becoming involved with USAF EFT squadrons during this time period:
1) Lockheed Martin had been developing new fighter jets since 1938;
2) United States Aircraft Manufacturing Company was established in 1942 as a subsidiary within LockheedMartin;
3) In 1945 United States Aircraft Manufacturers merged with American Aviation Corporation forming American Aviation Corporation Defense Incorporated which assigned production responsibility for LockheedMartin products worldwide;
4) In 1951 United States Aircraft Manufacturers merged with Douglas Aircraft Company forming Douglas Aircraft Defense Incorporated which assigned production responsibility for LockheedMartin products worldwide within America's aerospace industry;
5) In 1957 LockheedMartin purchased Northrop Grumman Corporation's Systems Division which included Aeronautical Research Laboratory (ARC), Advanced Technology Laboratories (ATL), Missile Test Center & Range Authority(MTCCRA), Space Studies Directorate(SSD), Dryden Flight Research Center(DFRC), Tanker Programs Branch(TPB), Weapons Development Branch(WDB)) making it one company controlled by four individuals: Chuck Yeager
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650-479-4165
www.TriggeredBrew.com