The unit was activated again in 1947 at Lockbourne Army Air Base as operational component of 332d Fighter Wing, with Col. Davis in command. Additionally, the A-10 and F-16 aircraft performed close air support missions as required. The 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing's heritage is tied to the famous 332nd Fighter Group led by the Tuskegee Airmen in World War II. And as the last U.S. convoy left Iraq on 18 December 2011, it was the 332d AEW's F-16s and MQ-1B Predators in the skies providing overhead watch. ins.className = 'adsbygoogle ezasloaded'; He received his wings in March 1942, after becoming the first black officer to solo an Army Air Corps aircraft. Jackson says being with the Red Tails is almost coming full circle. After 39 years of service, he plans to eventually retire and spend more time with family in Alabama and Georgia. The planes of the 332nd were painted red, which led to the groups nickname, the "Red Tails." And as the last U.S. convoy left Iraq on 18 December 2011, it was the 332d AEW's F-16s and MQ-1B Predators in the skies providing overhead watch. During the height of operations, the 332nd AEW contained nine groupsincluding four geographically separated groups at Ali AB, Sather AB, Al Asad AB, and Kirkuk ABas well as numerous detachments and operating locations scattered throughout Iraq. Trained with P(later F)-47s, ferried aircraft, and took part in TAC exercises. Most people lived in dormsAirmen doing 12-month rotations had their own rooms. Trained with P-39 Airacobra and P-40 Warhawk aircraft for an extended period of time as the Army Air Forces was reluctant to deploy African-American fighter pilots to an overseas combat theater. Fighter groups gave their aircrafts tails a distinctive paint scheme, both for easy recognition and esprit de corps. View Ursula Pietrangelo's business profile as Manager, Credit& Collections at SURTECO. Most people lived in dormsarmen doing 12-month rotations had their own rooms. "The Men and Their Airplanes: The Fighters. After difficulty in establishing a core of African American pilots and ground crews and providing for training at Tuskegee AAF and First Air Force stations in Michigan, by April 1943, the 332d Fighter Group deployed to Twelfth Air Force in the Mediterranean theater. Lineage. The first class (42-C) of twelve cadets and one student officer, Captain Benjamin O. Davis Jr., who served as Commandant of Cadets, began training on 19 July 1941. With a population of 1,400 people constantly rotating, there was a need for continuity to guide the base and mission. The 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing was the lead Air Force organization in Iraq. With the end of hostilities in Europe in May 1945, the 332d was reassigned to the 305th Bombardment Wing, to prepare for a move to the Pacific Theater and engage in combat against Japan. In support of the reposture of U.S. forces, the wing continued to support U.S. Forces-Iraq after forward deploying to an undisclosed air base in Southwest Asia in November 2011 so Joint Base Balad could be returned to the government of Iraq. With the motto "Tuskegee AirmenThe Legend Continues," the wing pioneered modern warfare tactics using advanced weapons systems such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon, A-10 Thunderbolt II, and the MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for close air support and traditional and non-traditional intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. The 332nd Air Expeditionary Wings mission is to generate, execute and sustain combat air and space power across the Levant. The wing operates F-15E, F-16C, HC-130P, MQ-9, A-10C, and KC-135R aircraft as well as HH-60G helicopters. To better position airpower within the theater of operations, the 332nd AEW was moved to Balad AB, Iraq, in February 2004. Lauren M. Snyder), U.S. Air Force Brig. Served in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2003-. Find contact's direct phone number, email address, work history, and more. This is a historic day for the 332d Expeditionary Operations Group and Expeditionary Maintenance Group, said Brig. The red markings that distinguished the Tuskegee Airmen included red bands on the noses of P-47s as well as a red rudder, the P-51B and D Mustangs flew with similar color schemes, with red propeller spinners, red wing bands and all-red tail surfaces. During the drawdown of forces from Iraq, the 332nd AEW provided intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, combat search and rescue, armed overwatch and close air support to one of the largest logistics movements since World War II. World War II American Theater. Regional Sales Manager. HONORS [3] They began operations with Twelfth Air Force on 5 February. The Tuskegee Airmen from the 332nd Fighter Group in World War II are the lineal ancestors of the current 332nd Expeditionary Operations Group. The 332d Expeditionary Operations Group is a provisional air expeditionary group of the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command, currently active. ", "Gallant unit: 39th Rescue Squadron earns coveted citation for service in Operation Enduring Freedom", http://www.920rqw.afrc.af.mil/portals/10/documents/AFD-061002-009.pdf, Works by or about United States Army Air Forces Fighter Group, 332nd, Pages containing cite templates with deprecated parameters, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2014, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2015, Articles incorporating text from the Air Force Historical Research Agency, Articles incorporating text from Wikipedia, Air expeditionary groups of the United States Air Force, Military units and formations established in 1942, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, 19421945, 19471948, 19481949, 19982012, 2014present, Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait, Operations Southern Watch (19982003) and Enduring Freedom (20012003), Mazar-e Sharif, Konduz, Bagram, Kabul & Tora Bora, Afghanistan, Operation Enduring Freedom (20012003), Tallil Air Base, Iraq, Operation Iraqi Freedom (20032004), Balad Air Base, Iraq, Operation Iraqi Freedom (20042011), Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait, Operation Inherent Resolve (2014present), Tuskegee Army Air Field, Alabama, 13 October 1942, Selfridge Army Air Base, Michigan, 9 July 22 December 1943, Lockbourne Army Air Base (later Lockbourne Air Force Base), Ohio, 1 July 1947 1 July 1949, Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait, 18 December 2011 8 May 2012, Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait, 16 November 2014 present, American Theater Service Streamer (World War II), Europe, Africa, Mediterranean Theater Streamers (World War II), The story of one such airman during World War II is retold in the radio drama ", Maycie Herrington (historical conservator). The 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group team includes: 42 Providers (37 AF and 5 Army) 307 Support Staff (AF) 24 Army Support Staff The package included F-15E's or Block 40 F-16s, the A-10s and the F-16CJs. The Wing's 332nd Expeditionary Operations Group (332 EOG), is the direct descendant organization of the World War II 332nd Fighter Group, the Tuskegee Airmen. Rice, Markus. Immediately after reaching Kabul, both SrA. The 332d Expeditionary Operations Group is a provisional air expeditionary group of the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command, currently active. Service Streamers. The formalities followed with Col. Brian Stahl relinquishing command of the 332d EOG. Craigwell served in the U.S. Armed Forces from 1945 until his retirement in 1973. The group was finally inactivated in 1949 as part of the Air Force plan to achieve racial integration.[7]. w#IpjgG|7b'gw6nVk! c0b(B9#uPDHY "Gallant unit: 39th Rescue Squadron earns coveted citation for service in Operation Enduring Freedom", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=332d_Expeditionary_Operations_Group&oldid=1152149508, 19421945, 19471948, 19481949, 19982012, 2014present, Converted to provisional status, redesignated, 332d Fighter Wing, 1 July 1947 26 August 1948; 26 August 1948 1 July 1949, 332d Air Expeditionary Wing, 12 August 2002 8 May 2012, 332d Air Expeditionary Wing, 16 November 2014 present, 99th Fighter Squadron: 1 May 1944 22 June 1945; 1 June 1947 1 July 1949 (attached to, 100th Fighter Squadron: 13 October 1942 19 October 1945; 1 June 1947 1 July 1949, 301st Fighter Squadron: 13 October 1942 19 October 1945; 1 June 1947 1 July 1949, 302d Fighter Squadron: 13 October 1942 6 March 1945, Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait, Operations Southern Watch (19982003) and Enduring Freedom (20012003), Mazar-e Sharif, Konduz, Bagram, Kabul & Tora Bora, Afghanistan, Operation Enduring Freedom (20012003), Tallil Air Base, Iraq, Operation Iraqi Freedom (20032004), Balad Air Base, Iraq, Operation Iraqi Freedom (20042011), Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait, Operation Inherent Resolve (2014present), Tuskegee Army Air Field, Alabama, 13 October 1942, Selfridge Field, Michigan, 9 July 22 December 1943, Lockbourne Army Air Base (later Lockbourne Air Force Base), Ohio, 1 July 1947 1 July 1949, Balad Air Base (later Joint Base Balad), Iraq, 2004, Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait, 18 December 2011 8 May 2012, Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait, 16 November 2014 present, Republic P-47 (later F-47) Thunderbolt, 1944, 19471948; 19481949, Fairchild Republic OA-10 Thunderbolt II, 1995, 1999, 20012002, General Atomics MQ-1A Predator, 20032011, McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle, 20012011, Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II, 20072011, 2014, American Theater Service Streamer (World War II), Europe, Africa, Mediterranean Theater Streamers (World War II), The story of one such airman during World War II is retold in the radio drama ", This page was last edited on 28 April 2023, at 14:31. For many, this event marked 25 years of determined effort to include blacks in military aviation. Gen. Christopher Sage, 332d Air Expeditionary Wing commander, receives the 332d Expeditionary Maintenance Group guidon from Col. William Chudko, relinquishing 332d EMXG commander, during a combined inactivation ceremony at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, April 6, 2022. Also made strafing attacks on airdromes, railroads, highways, bridges, river traffic, troop concentrations, radar facilities, power stations, and other targets. On 9 June 1944, Colonel Davis led 39 Thunderbolts escorting B-24s to targets at Munich, Germany. "[citation needed] The Allies called these airmen "Redtails" or "Redtail Angels," because of the distinctive crimson paint applied on the vertical stabilizers of the unit's aircraft. Charles Jackson Jr., 332nd Expeditionary Operations Group superintendent, in-processed with the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing on August 6, 2021, he officially became a part of the Red Tails family. With the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the end of the war, this became unnecessary and the 332d returned to the United States and was assigned to Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, where it inactivated on 19 October 1945. This group inactivation signifies a shift in the 332d AEWs organizational structure to an A-Staff construct, mirroring major commands and Air Force headquarters to more readily identify staff equivalents at the joint operating level; it optimizes internal communication and creates more efficient interfacing with other services. View John Speck's colleagues in SURTECO Employee Directory. However, his ties to the legendary 332nd preceded his arrival by decades with the connection to his uncle. The emblem for the 332nd Fighter Group was approved Jan. 15, 1943, and has remained unchanged except for unit designations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Flying escort for heavy bombers, the 332d earned an impressive combat record. It was inactivated on 8 May 2012 and reactivated 16 November 2014. For Tuskegee Airmen, it was an extremely tough time, said Jackson, speaking of their service during a notoriously turbulent time in U.S. history. window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId, 'stat_source_id', 44); The group's first combat assignment involved attacking enemy units on the strategic volcanic island of Pantelleria in the Mediterranean Sea, to clear the sea lanes for the Allied invasion of Sicily in July 1943. They used P-39s to escort convoys, protect harbors, and fly armed reconnaissance missions, converted to P-47s during AprilMay, and changed to P-51s in June. Source document for missing MUA = USAFCENT SPECIAL ORDER G-02991 dated 15 November 2010, Last edited on 14 September 2022, at 11:15, Learn how and when to remove this template message, 332nd Expeditionary Mission Support Group, 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group, (later Air Expeditionary Group), "332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Fact Sheet", "Initial Personnel Recovery Forces Arrive in Diyarbakir", "Many Airmen, one mission: 'Defend the Base', "Answering nation's call: 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing reactivation", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=332nd_Air_Expeditionary_Wing&oldid=1110238798, 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Group, 332nd Expeditionary Communications Squadron, Undisclosed Location, 18 December 2011 8 May 2012, Ravenstein, Charles A. Beginning in 2001, after Al Qaeda's attack on 9/11, the 332d Air Expeditionary Group participated in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The unique success of this all-black outfit highlighted Colonel Davis' leadership, along with the courage and discipline of his airmen. In a departure from traditional Air Force missions, the 732nd Air Expeditionary Group (732 AEG), provided command oversight and advocacy for up to 1,800 Air Force personnel who were tactically assigned to U.S. Army and Marine units throughout Iraq. container.style.maxHeight = container.style.minHeight + 'px'; This work, Chief Master Sgt. On 27 and 28 January 1944, Luftwaffe Focke-Wulf Fw 190 fighter-bombers raided Anzio, where the Allies had conducted amphibious landings on 22 January. In our new role, we will remain committed to advising and assisting with the ultimate intent of contributing to the continuation of unbridled and perpetual success.. [2] In the meantime the 99th received a Distinguished Unit Citation for its performance in combat on Sicily. The 332d Expeditionary Operations Group is a provisional air expeditionary group of the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command, currently active. Mission 74 Expeditionary Fighter: 1 Dec 2000-13 Mar 2001, 10 Sep 2003-. Phone Email. 332d Fighter Group Traci Keller), U.S. Army Air Corps Capt. Global War on Terrorism. [citation needed], The 332d Air Expeditionary Group was re-activated on 16 November 2014 at Ahmad al-Jaber Air Base, Kuwait.[9]. The 332d Expeditionary Maintenance and Expeditionary Operations Groups furled their unit flags during a combined inactivation ceremony at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, April 6, 2022. The assignment to a predominately ground attack role prevented the 99th from engaging in air-to-air combat. Established as 332 Fighter Group on 4 Jul 1942. 555 Expeditionary Fighter: 30 May-1 Sep 2000, 7 Sep 2005-. Most noteworthy, not one friendly bomber was lost to enemy aircraft during the Group's 200 escort missions. He talked a bit about that, but he persevered, continued Jackson. The group forms part of the lineage of the World War II 332d Fighter Group, known as the Tuskegee Airmen. The wing had as many as four fighter squadrons, an airlift squadron, a helicopter combat search and rescue squadron, two aerial reconnaissance squadrons and an air control squadron. The 332d Fighter Group was constituted on 4 July 1942, and activated on 13 October, predominantly manned with African-American personnel. 34 Expeditionary Fighter: 1 Dec 1998-2 Mar 1999. The Group's F-15Es, F-16s, and later A-10s played a critical role in the defeat of Al Qaeda and the Taliban and later provided key air support for the provisional government in Afghanistan. Inactivated on 1 Jul 1949. 71 Expeditionary Rescue: 30 May-1 Sep 2000. Sgt. At Joint Base Balad (JBB), the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing consisted of the following major groups: Established in July 1947 under the United States Air Force's Wing /Base reorganization (Hobson Plan), with the 332nd Fighter Group becoming the operational component of the wing, controlling its flying resources. During the height of operations, the 332d AEW contained nine groupsincluding four geographically separated groups at Ali AB, Sather AB, Al Asad AB, and Kirkuk ABas well as numerous detachments and operating locations scattered throughout Iraq. FLIGHT INFORMATION Later, the unit was expanded to a wing, with the 332d Air Expeditionary Group operating as the operational component of the 332d Air Expeditionary Wing after the initiation of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Activated again in July 1947 as a part of Tactical Air Command (TAC). "Spanky" Roberts was actually the first cadet to receive a diploma and wings during the ceremony. The eight fighter squadrons defending Anzio together claimed 32 German aircraft shot down, while the 99th claimed the highest score among them with 13. Tuskegee Airmen overcame segregation and prejudice to become one of the most highly respected fighter groups of World War II. The 332nd Expeditionary Operations Group executed senior airfield-authority duties for joint missions at the busiest single-airfield operation in the Department of Defense by providing airfield. Attached to the 79th Fighter Group, 11 of the 99th Fighter Squadron's pilots shot down enemy fighters. The package previously included F-15Es and A-10s. 710 Expeditionary Airlift: 22 Dec 2003-9 Feb 2004. After difficulty in establishing a core of African American pilots and ground crews and providing for training at Tuskegee AAF and First Air Force stations in Michigan, by April 1943, the 332d Fighter Group deployed to Twelfth Air Force in the Mediterranean theater. [3] They began operations with Twelfth Air Force on 5 February. 457 Expeditionary Fighter: 1 Nov-31 Dec 2001, 26 Oct-7 Dec 2005. The unit was activated again in 1947 at Lockbourne Air Force Base as operational component of 332d Fighter Wing, with Col. Davis in command. Gen. Joseph Kunkel, 332d Wing commander. 81 Expeditionary Fighter: 1 Sep-13 Dec 2000. The Allies called these airmen "Red Tails" or "Red-Tail Angels," because of the distinctive crimson paint prominently visible on the tail section of the unit's aircraft. He went on throughout the time of combat operations of the 99th Fighter Squadron and later when that squadron was assigned to the 332nd Fighter Group (which already consisted of three squadrons, 100th, 301st, and 302nd), to be the Deputy Commanding Officer and at times when Colonel Davis was away, he served as the Group Commander. Returned to the U.S. in October and inactivated on 19 Oct 1945. The Wing inactivated on 1 July 1949. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'globalsecurity_org-medrectangle-4','ezslot_5',127,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-globalsecurity_org-medrectangle-4-0');The unit was redesignated as the 332nd Air Expeditionary Group and reactivated at Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait on 19 November 1998, replacing the 4406th Operations Group (Provisional), at first only in name. Jacksons uncle was a Tuskegee Airman, retiring as a colonel in 1973. 737 Expeditionary Airlift: 22 Dec 2003-9 Feb 2004. 18 Expeditionary Fighter: 1 Dec 1998-2 Mar 1999; 15 Dec 2001-30 Mar 2002. ins.style.display = 'block'; Sgt. var ffid = 1; The group forms part of the lineage of the World War II 332d Fighter Group, known as the Tuskegee Airmen. Jackson credits his uncle for instilling in him passion, pride and purposethree words he aims to impart on the Airmen he leads. var ins = document.createElement('ins'); Bestowed Honors. It was inactivated on 8 May 2012 and reactivated 16 November 2014. Eventually, they would fly as far as Berlin. I had not known much about him. The 332d Expeditionary Operations Group is a provisional air expeditionary group of the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command, currently active. In August 2002, the Air Combat Command (ACC) 332nd Air Expeditionary Group at Ahmad al-Jaber Air Base, Kuwait, was authorized to expand to a Wing. When Craigwell first enlisted, he was assigned to the 332nd Fighter Group. Ernest Craigwell Jr. poses for an undated photo. An official website of the United States government, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. The assignment to a predominately ground attack role prevented the 99th from engaging in air-to-air combat. They used P-39s to escort convoys, protect harbors, and fly armed reconnaissance missions, converted to Republic P-47 Thunderbolts during AprilMay, and changed to North American P-51 Mustangs in June. The seven groups that make up the Wing are comprised of more than 3,000 total force Airmen who operate across four different He retired from service in 1973 and passed away in 2011. They also made successful strafing attacks on airdromes, railroads, highways, bridges, river traffic, troop concentrations, radar facilities, power stations, and other targets. Hall claimed two shot down, bringing his aerial victory total to three. From Ramitelli, the 332d Fighter Group escorted Fifteenth Air Force heavy strategic bombing raids into Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, Poland and Germany from May 1944 to April 1945. 492 Expeditionary Fighter: 1 Mar-8 Jun 2001. The African-American segregated unit was inactivated in July 1949 as a result of Executive Order 9981. Active-duty, Guard and Reserve A-10 and F-16 fighter units, along with support individuals, rotated in and out, ensuring Iraqi aircraft don't fly below the 32d parallel. Commanders, Aircraft, and Operations through 1 Jul 1949. Decorations. The bombers struck objectives such as oil refineries, factories, airfields, and marshaling yards in Italy, France, Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Romania, Bulgaria, and Greece. I'm totally blessed and lucky to have fallen into this particular role with these guys, because it's been amazing so far.. The Allies called these airmen "Red Tails" or "Red-Tail Angels," because of the distinctive crimson paint prominently visible on the tail section of the unit's aircraft. The unit honored on Thursday, known as 332nd Expeditionary Operations Group, was tasked with escorting bomber planes on their 312 missions. Lt Col Sam W. Westbrook, Jr., by 19 Oct 1942; Col Robert R. Selway, Jr., 16 May 1943; Col Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., 8 Oct 1943; Maj George S. Roberts, 3 Nov 1944; Col Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., 24 Dec 1944; Maj George S. Roberts, 9 Jun 1945-unkn. 55 Expeditionary Fighter: 19 Jan-4 May 1999. The group was finally inactivated in 1949 as part of the Air Force plan to achieve racial integration. It includes pilots, navigators, bombardiers, maintenance and support staff, instructors, and personnel who kept aircraft flying. Beginning in 2001, after Al Qaeda's attack on 9/11, the 332d Air Expeditionary Group participated in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. While serving as the superintendent of the 147th Force Support Squadron, 147th Attack Wing, Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base, Texas, and preparing for his deployment, Jackson was at first unaware of the reconnection that was soon to happen. Activated on 1 Dec 1998. This group inactivation signifies a shift in the 332d AEWs organizational structure to an A-Staff construct, mirroring major commands and Air Force headquarters to more readily identify staff equivalents at the joint operating level; it optimizes internal communication and creates more efficient interfacing with other services. We bid farewell to another legendary Red Tail in a change of command ceremony for the 332nd Expeditionary Operations Group today. [note 1]. [1], The 99th Fighter Squadron, assigned to the group on 1 May 1944, joined them on 6 June at Ramitelli Airfield, in the small city of Campomarino, on the Adriatic coast. The 332nd Air Expeditionary Group was assigned to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing and operated in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, moving first with the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing to Tallil Air Base in Iraq, and then on to Balad Air Base in 2004. [5] Fifteenth Air Force dispatched about 660 bombers, 250 of these headed for Berlin. The 332nd Expeditionary Operations Group managed the day to day operations of flight squadrons assigned to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing and departed with the Wing from what had become Joint Base Balad in 2011 as part of the US drawdown. Established as 332 Fighter Group on 4 Jul 1942. The eight fighter squadrons defending Anzio together claimed 32 German aircraft shot down, while the 99th claimed the highest score among them with 13. Mac Ross. Kylie Warren. Air Force "Aerial Victory Credits of the Tuskegee Airmen". The mission of the 332d AEG was supporting Joint Task Force Southwest Asia, which monitored a no-fly zone mission dubbed Operation Southern Watch. That mix of aircraft, including HH-60 rescue helicopters, gave the 332d the ability to conduct any Operation Southern Watch mission. The units then embarked for Africa and were combined to form the all-Black 332d Fighter Group. This group inactivation signifies a shift in the 332d AEWs organizational structure to an A-Staff construct, mirroring major commands and Air Force headquarters to more readily identify staff equivalents at the joint operating level; it optimizes internal communication and creates more efficient interfacing with other services. The group forms part of the lineage of the World War II 332d Fighter Group, known as the Tuskegee Airmen. The 332nd Expeditionary Operations Group was the direct descendant of the 332nd Fighter Group, tracing its legacy to the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II fame. Unkn, 1 Jul-27 Aug 1947; Maj William A. Campbell, 28 Aug 1947-1 Jul 1949. In the meantime, he is eager to serve the men and women of the 332nd EOG. Lauren M. Snyder), U.S. Air Force Brig. War Department planners generally placed White and African-American Army personnel in separate units during World War II. Flying escort for heavy bombers, the 332d earned an impressive combat record. The group was first activated as the 32nd Air Base Group in 1940. In February 1944, the 100th, 301st, and 302nd Pursuit Squadrons (Fighter Squadrons), comprising the 332nd Pursuit Group began flying combat operations in Italy as part of the Twelfth Air Force Managed a host of expeditionary fighter squadrons in Iraq during combat operations there. And, you know, when you're listening to history like that, and you just become a sponge, because after he initially told me about his experiencesthose conversations really got real.. The mission of the 332d was supporting Joint Task Force Southwest Asia, which monitored a no-fly zone mission dubbed Operation Southern Watch.