455th Air Expeditionary Wing

455th Air Expeditionary Wing

The 455th Air Expeditionary Wing (455 AEW) is a provisional United States Air Force USAFCENT unit. It is one of two AEWs in Afghanistan, presently assigned to Bagram Airfield. Most of the wing personnel are located at the Air Force Village known as Camp Cunningham.

The wing's primary mission is to support the Global War on Terrorism by providing aerial support for U.S. and Coalition forces on the ground. Activated in 2001, the 455th has members deployed throughout the country supporting the Operation Enduring Freedom.

The 455 AEW commander reports to the United States Air Forces Central (USAFCENT) Commander in Southwest Asia. The commander is supported by a wing staff and oversees five Air Force groups located at Bagram. The five groups are the 455th Expeditionary Operations Group, the 455th Expeditionary Maintenance Group, the 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Group, and the 455th Expeditionary Medical Group.

During the Cold War, the Strategic Air Command 455th Strategic Missile Wing was an LGM-30 Minuteman ICBM wing. During World War II, the wing's predecessor unit, the 455th Bombardment Group was a B-24 Liberator heavy bombardment organization, assigned to Fifteenth Air Force in Italy.

As of 22 April 2011, the commander of the 455 AEW is Major General Darryl Roberson. The Command Chief Master Sergeant is Chief Master Sergeant Marcus R. Snoddy.

Recently the 455 AEW was awarded the Meritorious Unit Award for all personnel assigned between 1 October 2006 and 30 September 2007, 1 October 2008 through 30 September 2009, and 1 October 10 through 30 September 2011.

Read more about 455th Air Expeditionary Wing:  Units, Aircraft Operated

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