505th Command and Control Wing

505th Command and Control Wing
Active	1947–1952; 1965-1973; 1980-present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Part of	United States Air Force Warfare Center
Garrison/HQ	Hurlburt Field, Florida
Motto	Search and Direct
Decorations	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Air Force Organizational Excellence Award Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm
Insignia
505th Command and Control Wing emblem (Approved 26 September 1966)</small.
Patch with early 505th Tactical Control Group emblem	150px

The United States Air Force's 505th Command and Control Wing is organized under the USAF Warfare Center. The wing is dedicated to improving readiness through integrated training, tactics development and operational testing for command and control of air, space and cyberspace. It hosts the Air Force's only Air Operations Center Formal Training Unit at Hurlburt Field, Florida.

The unit was first activated in 1947 under Air Defense Command (ADC) as the 505th Aircraft Control and Warning Group. It controlled radar units in the northwest until inactivating in February 1942 during a general reorganization of ADC.

It was activated again during the Vietnam War in November 1965. It initially commanded both aircraft warning units and forward air control squadrons, but in December 1966, those units were transferred to the 504th Tactical Air Control Group. It continued to manage the airspace over South Vietnam until the American withdrawal in 1973.

Mission

The mission of the 505th is to improve capability through command and control testing, tactics development and training. While the mission focuses on Component Numbered Air Forces (C-NAF) attached and assigned forces, the wing is also tasked with supporting joint and coalition forces engaged in all aspects of command and control, or C2. C2 is where the integration of air, space and cyber happens. Through a multi-disciplinary approach to training and development of tactics, techniques and procedures (TTP) for C-NAF Headquarters; testing and training of key C2 systems; comprehensive, realistic, cutting-edge operational through tactical-level live, virtual and constructive exercises, the 505th is postured to provide the best possible support to US soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines.

The 505th CCW is responsible for developing the combat capability of the Air and Space Operations Center (AOC) and for developing and integrating joint live, virtual and constructive training capabilities within the US Air Force Distributed Mission Operations Center. In addition to hosting the Air Force's only AOC Formal Training Unit, the 505th CCW delivers realistic, cutting-edge operational C2 training through Blue Flag, Virtual Flag, Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment and equivalent overseas Combatant Command and Service exercises and executes operational test for all elements of the Theater Air Control System including E-3A AWACS, E-8 Joint STARS, Command Reporting Center, AOC, Air Force Digital Common Ground Station and Tactical Air Control Party. Through the Operational Command Training Program, retired Air Force three-star general officer Senior Mentors train Air Force, joint and coalition operational-level commanders and their staffs.

Detachment 1 of Wing headquarters at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas advises the United States Army Combined Arms Center Commanding General and key staff on all aspects of air and space power doctrine and employment and integrates realistic air and space capabilities in the Army's worldwide Battle Command Training Program. Det 1 integrates a doctrinally-correct representation of air power in Army Mission Rehearsal Exercises and Warfighter Exercises.

The unique mission of the 84th Radar Evaluation Squadron is to provide Department of Defense radar planning, integration and evaluations while simultaneously monitoring the US radar grid.

Through a multi-disciplinary approach to training and development of tactics, techniques, and procedures for the AOC; testing and training of key C2 systems; and comprehensive, realistic, state-of-the-art operational and tactical live, virtual and constructive exercises, the 505th CCW prepares Air Force, joint and coalition forces for crisis, contingency and combat operations.

Subordinate units

• Detachment 1 - Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
• 505th Training Group

505th Training Squadron

505th Combat Training Squadron

505th Communications Squadron

705th Training Squadron

• 505th Test and Evaluation Group - Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada

84th Radar Evaluation Squadron - Hill Air Force Base, Utah

505th Test Squadron - Nellis Air Force Base

605th Test and Evaluation Squadron

Detachment 1 - Washington

Detachment 2 - Melbourne International Airport, Florida

705th Combat Training Squadron - Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico

History

Postwar era

On 21 May 1947, the wing was activated by Air Defense Command (ADC) as the 505th Aircraft Control and Warning Group. Stationed at McChord Field, becoming the first post-World War II aircraft control and warning unit in ADC. For the remainder of 1947 the group supported two radar stations, one at Arlington, Washington, and one at Half Moon Bay near San Francisco. These stations worked with fighter squadrons to improve ground-control and interception techniques. The group included a fleet of B-25 Mitchells used extensively to perform radar calibration flights. The experience gained from operating the two sites proved invaluable to air defense planners who were in the process of designing a nationwide early warning radar network.

As tensions increased between the US and the USSR, the importance of the 505th mission grew. In September 1949, the group no longer operated B-25s, yet they remained focused on early warning systems, supporting detachments along the Pacific Northwest coast. The group provided early warning operating radar systems including the AN/TPS-1. On 15 March 1950, the reserve 564th ACWG was activated as a Corollary unit at Silver Lake, sharing the 505th's equipment and facilities. The 564th was called to active duty on 10 May 1951 and was inactivated, with its personnel used as fillers for the 505th. With a growing movement to assign homeland defense to reserve units, the 505 ACWG inactivated on 6 February 1952. However, this would not mark the end of the 505th. The Air Force would revive the unit and its expertise with radars 13 years later

Vietnam War

On 2 November 1965, the 505 ACWG was re-activated as the 505th Tactical Control Group (TCG). Replacing the 6250th Tactical Air Support Group that activated three months earlier, 505 TCG called Tan Son Nhut Air Base in South Vietnam home. The 505th was responsible with providing Command and Control (C2), for the Tactical Control System in Southeast Asia (SEA). This mission included the operation of numerous radar sites throughout South Vietnam and Thailand from 1965 to 1973. In addition to the radar sites, the group managed O-1 Bird Dog observation aircraft assigned to five squadrons from late 1965 through 1966. These O-1 units included the 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd and 23d Tactical Air Support Squadrons, operating from various bases throughout SEA. Forward Air Controllers (FACs) flew the "Bird Dogs" to find and mark enemy activity, direct air strikes and perform battle damage assessment.

Initially assigned to the 2d Air Division in Vietnam, the 505th re-aligned under the Seventh Air Force on 1 April 1966. Soon afterward, the 505th received approval for its emblem and official motto - "Search and Direct". The group eventually lost its flying squadrons but the radar mission grew. The 505th distinguished itself as the only unit to furnish all of SEA an electronics ground environment system for aircraft control and warning and radar services. After eight years of service in Vietnam the group earned thirteen campaign streamers and five Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with Combat "V" devices. With the American withdrawal in 1973 came the unit’s inactivation.

Post-Vietnam era

The 505th’s lineage continued with the activation of the 4442d Tactical Control Group on 1 March 1980. Functioning as the 4442d, the unit aligned under the USAF Tactical Air Warfare Center. The group established a headquarters at Hurlburt Field, Florida where it managed a command, control, communications (C3) and intelligence complex. Along with the C3 operations, the unit conducted operational tests and evaluated tactical air control elements. It also provided training on tactical air control and operated the USAF Air Ground Operations School until 1997. The 505th has remained at Hurlburt since 1980 but received several name changes to match the evolution of its mission.

With the elimination of MAJCOMs in 1991, the unit re-designated as the 505th Air Control Group. In April 1993, when the 505th began operating the new USAF Battlestaff Training School, the Air Force renamed the unit 505th Command and Control Evaluation Group. At the same time, the mission expanded to include a new detachment at Kirkland AFB, New Mexico. By 1998, with the ever-increasing importance of the Air Operations Center as a weapons system and the units expanding mission to train personnel in its use, the Air Force again changed the 505th’s name, this time to the Air Force Command and Control Training and Innovation Center (AFC2TIC). The center continued to test new command and control systems and train personnel on their use in combat. Realizing that the center incorporated more than just a building with several detachments located around the US, the Air Force gave it group status on 15 April 1999. The group carried its mission into the 21st century providing modern training and techniques to increase the command and control capabilities at the operational level of the Air Force.

Current era

After almost 54 years of re-designation, inactivation, consolidation and renaming, the group finally became a wing on 12 March 2004. Now the 505th Command and Control Wing, it controls three groups: the 505th Training Group at Hurlburt Field; the 505th Test and Evaluation Group at Nellis Air Force Base ; and the 505th Distributed Warfare Group at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico.

Lineage

505th Command and Control Wing

• Constituted as the 505th Aircraft Control and Warning Group on 2 May 1947

Activated on 21 May 1947

Inactivated on 6 February 1952

• Redesignated 505th Tactical Control Group and activated on 2 November 1965 (not organized)

Organized on 8 November 1965

Inactivated on 15 March 1973

• Consolidated on 1 November 1991 with the 4442d Tactical Control Group

Redesignated 505th Air Control Group on 1 November 1991

Redesignated 505th Command and Control Evaluation Group on 15 April 1993

Redesignated Air Force Command and Control Training and Innovation Center on 15 September 1998

Redesignated Air Force Command and Control Training and Innovation Group on 15 April 1999

Redesignated 505th Command and Control Wing on 12 March 2004

4442d Tactical Control Group

• Designated as the 4442d Tactical Control Group and activated on 1 March 1980
• Consolidated with the 505th Tactical Control Group as the 505th Tactical Control Group on 1 November 1991

Assignments

• Fourth Air Force, 21 May 1947
• 25th Air Division, 16 November 1949 – 6 February 1952
• Pacific Air Forces, 2 November 1965 (not organized)
• 2d Air Division, 8 November 1965
• Seventh Air Force, 1 April 1966 -15 March 1973
• USAF Tactical Air Warfare Center (later USAF Air Warfare Center, 53d Wing), 1 March 1980
• Air and Space Command and Control Agency (later Aerospace Command and Control Agency, Aerospace Command and Control & Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Center), 1 October 1997
• Air Warfare Center (later USAF Air Warfare Center), 1 June 1992 - present

Components

Groups

• 505th Distributed Warfare Group, 12 March 2004 - present

Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico

• 505th Operations Group, 12 March 2004 - present

Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada

• 505th Training Group, 12 March 2004 - present

Squadrons

Air Defense Command

• 634th Aircraft Control Squadron (later 634th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron), 21 May 1947 - 6 February 1952
• 635th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, 21 May 1947 - 6 February 1952
• 636th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, 21 May 1947 - February 1949, December 1949 - 25 May 1951

Condon, Oregon after 27 June 1951

• 637th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, 21 May 1947 - 25 May 1951

Long Beach Municipal Airport until April 1948, Moses Lake Air Force Base, Washington, after January 1949, Saddle Mountain, Washington, 1 January 1951

• 638th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, 5 May 1950 - 25 May 1951

Mount Bonaparte, Washington,

• 757th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, 27 November 1950 – 6 February 1952

Birch Bay, Washington after 15 August 1951

• 758th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, 27 November 1950 – 6 February 1952

Bohokus Peak, Washington

• 759th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, 27 November 1950 – 6 February 1952

Naselle Air Force Station, Washington

• 760th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, 27 November 1950 - 25 May 1951

Colville Air Force Station, Washington

• 761st Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, Oregon, 1 February 1951 – 6 February 1952

Reedsport, Oregon

Vietnam War

• 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron, 8 November 1965 - 8 December 1966
• 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron, 8 November 1965 - 8 December 1966

Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam

• 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron, 8 November 1965 - 8 December 1966

Pleiku Air Base, South Vietnam to September 1966 Nha Trang Air Base, South Vietnam

• 22d Tactical Air Support Squadron, 8 November 1965 - 8 December 1966

Binh Thuy Air Base, South Vietnam

• 23d Tactical Air Support Squadron, 15 April 1966 - 8 December 1966

Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base to 15 July 1966, Nakon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand

• 505th Tactical Control Maintenance Squadron, 8 November 1965 - 8 December 1966
• 506th Tactical Control Maintenance Squadron, 23 February 1966 - 8 December 1966
• 619th Tactical Control Squadron, 8 November 1965 - 15 March 1973
• 620th Tactical Control Squadron, 8 November 1965 - 15 March 1973

Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam

• 621st Tactical Control Squadron, 23 February 1966 - 15 March 1973

Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand

Tactical Air and Air Combat Commands

• 84th Radar Evaluation Squadron, April 1993 - July 1998, 1 October 2005 - 17 March 2010
• 505th Systems Squadron (later 505th Communications Squadron), c. 15 April 1999 - 12 March 2004
• 505th Exercise Control Squadron, unknown - 12 March 2004
• 505th Operations Squadron, 15 November 1999 - 12 March 2004
• 505th Test Support Squadron, 15 April 1993 - unknown
• 605th Test Squadron (later 605th Test and Evaluation Squadron, 15 April 1993 - 12 March 2004
• 727th Air Control Squadron, 1 November 1991 - 1 October 1995

Detachments

• 11th Radar Calibration Detachment, 21 May 1947 - 11 November 1949
• Detachment 1, Headquarters 505th Command and Control Wing, 23 June 2005 - present

Stations

• McChord Field (later McChord Air Force Base), Washington 21 May 1947
• Silver Lake Air Warning Station, Washington, 26 September 1949
• McChord Air Force Base, Washington, 25 June 1951 – 6 February 1952
• Tan Son Nhut Airport, South Vietnam, 8 November 1965 – 15 March 1973
• Eglin Air Force Auxiliary Field #9 (Hurlburt Field), Florida, 1 March 1980 - present

Weapons Systems Operated

• North American B-25 Mitchell (1947–1949)
• Cessna O-1 Bird Dog (1965–1966)
• AN/USQ-163 Falconer AOC (since 2000)

References

Bibliography

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.

• 505th Command and Control Wing Website