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| 308th Armament Systems Wing | |
|---|---|
 Dr. Bruce Simpson, Air Armament Center Deputy for Acquisition, helps Randy Brown, 308th Armament Systems Wing Director, roll up the guidon for the 308th Armament Systems Wing, 30 July 2010, at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. | |
| Active | 1951–1961, 1962–1987, 2006–2010 |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Role | Armament test and evaluation |
| Garrison/HQ | Eglin AFB,Florida |
| Mottos | Non Sibi Sed Aliis (Latin for 'Not for Self, But for others.')[1] |
| Engagements | World War II Cold War |
| Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |
| Insignia | |
| 308th Armament Systems Wing emblem[a][2] |  |
| Patch with 308th Strategic Missile Wing emblem[b][3] |  |
| Patch with 308th Bombardment Wing emblem[c][1] | .gif) |
The308th Armament Systems Wing was aUnited States Air Force unit established in 1951, being activated and inactivated at different times in history. It was last assigned to the Air Armament Center, stationed atEglin Air Force Base, Florida. It was inactivated on 30 July 2010.
In 1951, the 308th was activated as a bombardment unit atHunter Air Force Base, Savannah, Georgia, and initially equipped withBoeing B-29 Superfortresses. Those aircraft were then replaced with newBoeing B-47E Stratojet swept-wing medium jet bombers in 1954, capable of flying at high subsonic speeds and primarily designed for penetrating the airspace of the Soviet Union. Also receivedBoeing KC-97 Stratofreighter tankers. Over the next eight years, the 308th conducted strategic bombardment training andair refueling to meet Strategic Air Command's global commitments.
Deployed to bases in North Africa three times, twice in detachment form and once as a unitSidi Slimane Air Base Morocco, 21 August – 26 October 1956). From November 1956 to March 1957, the wing tested theStrategic Air Command alert plan by maintaining one-third of its bomber and tanker force on continuous alert.
The wing was broken up in mid July 1959, for unclear reasons. Part of the unit went to the2nd Bombardment Wing atHunter Air Force Base, Georgia. The bulk of the wing moved toPlattsburgh Air Force Base, New York on 15 July 1959, where its aircraft were placed under the control of the380th Bombardment Wing. The wing was not operational as one formation from July 1959 to June 1961.
The wing was redesignated and activated on 20 November 1961 as the308th Strategic Missile Wing withCharles Peter O'Sullivan as the first commander.[4] In early 1962 the Air Force established 18LGM-25C Titan II launch sites at Strategic Air Command'sLittle Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas. The 308th was reactivated, being organized on 1 April 1962. The wing became fully operational with eighteen sites in December 1963. It gained control over its first missile complex in August 1962 and became fully operational with 18 sites in December 1963. In October 1981,US PresidentRonald Reagan announced that all Titan II sites would be deactivated by 1 October 1987, as part of a strategic modernization program. The wing completed inactivation on 18 August 1987.
On 23 November 2004 theAir to Ground Munitions Systems Wing was established atEglin Air Force Base, Florida. It was tasked to design, develop, field and maintain a family of air-to-ground munitions that enhancedUnited States armed forces strike capabilities. The wing was activated on 27 January 2005. On 3 May 2006 the wing was consolidated with the 308th Wing, and the resulting formation was redesignated the308th Armament Systems Wing on 15 May 2006.
The wing was activated in 2004 to design, develop, field and maintain a family of air-to-ground munitions that enhance warfighter strike capabilities.
The mission of the 308th Armament Systems Wing was to enhance worldwide Air Force combat capability, effectiveness, aircrew survivability, and readiness through joint development, procurement, deployment and sustainment. This mission is executed by air combat test and training systems, expeditionary support equipment, munitions handling equipment and armament subsystems, Explosive Ordnance Disposal support equipment, and realistic Electronic Warfare threat simulators.
The 308th designed, developed, produced, fielded, and sustained a family of air-to-ground and air-to-air munitions, enhancing warfighter capabilities (both U.S. and allies) in defeating a spectrum of enemy targets.
The 308th was a critical component of theAir Armament Center, which covers the complete weapon-system life-cycle from concept through development, acquisition, experimental testing, procurement, operational testing and final employment in combat.
The wing consisted of over 400 highly qualified personnel trained in the development, test, acquisition, fielding, and operational support of systems such as the Joint Direct Attack Munition, Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile, Small Diameter Bomb, Sensor Fused Weapon, Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser and a host of other specialized programs.
The wing was inactivated on 30 June 2010 and became a directorate to comply with Air Force 2008–2010 Strategic Plan and the CSAF's directive to implement guidelines for new personnel strength standards for units across the Air Force.
Groups
Squadrons
This article incorporatespublic domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
Further reading
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