Fightin' Fifty-Fifth continues to lead the fight

  • Published
  • By Ryan Hansen
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  Since its early days as the 55th Fighter Group escorting bombers during World War II, the Fightin' Fifty-Fifth has led the fight and in today's world of constant change the demand for the wing's expertise is at an all-time high.

Last week, for the first time in recent memory, all seven of the 55th Wing's aircraft variants were deployed at the same time supporting operations around the globe.

"To have our Airmen deployed and employed in every mission design series we have is a direct reflection of our excellent leadership at the flight and squadron level," said Brig. Gen. Donald Bacon, 55th Wing commander. "This includes our front line supervisors, maintenance and flight crews and our support teams here at Offutt.

"I couldn't be more proud to be associated with such a fine group of people," General Bacon added.

As one of the premier intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and electronic attack units in the Department of Defense, the 55th Wing relies on a host of aircraft to accomplish its mission.

For more than 20 years of continuous deployment to the Central Command area of responsibility, the RC-135V/W Rivet Joint continues to provide near real time on-scene intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination capabilities for commanders engaged in Afghanistan and Iraq.

On the other side of the globe the Fightin' Fifty-Fifth is represented by the RC-135S Cobra Ball, RC-135U Combat Sent and the WC-135C/W Constant Phoenix. Each one of these aircraft with their unique capabilities of collecting intelligence, strategic electronic reconnaissance or atmospheric collection, are supporting operations for Pacific Command.

"This is what our aircrew members are trained to do and we take great pride in the fact that we're supporting almost every theater command around the world at this time," said Col. John Hansen, 55th Operations Group commander. "Our capabilities are invaluable to the combatant commanders and are essential to their mission success."

Not to be outdone is the wing's EC-130H Compass Call. This aircraft is an airborne weapon system that disrupts enemy command, control, and communications, jams radars, and degrades adversary coordination essential for enemy battle management. It is currently supporting operations for Africa Command and has just surpassed seven continuous years of deployment to Afghanistan as part of CENTCOM's Operation Enduring Freedom.

"We're very proud to be providing our unique platform and its unique precision non-kinetic attack capabilities to the fight," said Col. Dean Worley, 55th Electronic Combat Group commander. "As always, our group's aircrews and maintainers on the ground are 100 percent committed to accomplishing the mission."

Also supporting ongoing operations around the world is the wing's E-4B. This aircraft serves as the National Airborne Operations Center and supports the president of the United States, the secretary of defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff when travelling abroad.

Recently returning from flying unarmed observation flights over Europe and abroad was the wing's OC-135 Open Skies aircraft. With four cameras installed in the rear of the plane, it uses its unique capabilities while flying over participating nations of the Open Skies Treaty.

However, the 55th Wing is contributing more than just iron to the fight as more than 750 Airmen are deployed across the globe in a variety of career fields.

"While we couldn't be prouder of our deployed warriors, we are equally as impressed with their families who remain back here at home," said Chief Master Sgt. Suzan Sangster, 55th Wing command chief. "We continue to expand our support for deployed family members and having their encouragement on the home front allows our deployed Airmen to accomplish the mission abroad."

Regardless of the conflict, duration or location, the Fightin' Fifty-Fifth has always answered the nation's call when needed. And as history has proven, it will continue to do so.

"This is my fourth assignment with the 55th and I am continually blown away by what our Airmen are doing," General Bacon said. "I love the indomitable spirit and incredible professionalism I see in the Fightin' Fifty-Fifth every day."