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93rd Air-Ground Operations Wing
93rd Air-Ground Operations Wing
93rd Air-Ground Operations Wing
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93d Air Ground Operations Wing
93 AGOW
Active1947–1948; 1948–1995; 1996–2002; 2008–present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
Part ofAir Combat Command
Garrison/HQMoody Air Force Base, Georgia
MottosDefend, Attack, Defeat!
DecorationsDistinguished Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit
Meritorious Unit Citation
Battle honoursWorld War II:
Antisubmarine American Theater
Egypt-Libya
Tunisia
Sicily
Naples-Foggia
Air Offensive Europe
Normandy
Northern France
Rhineland
Ardennes-Alsace
Central Europe
Air Combat
EAME Theater
Commanders
Current
commander		Colonel John W. Blocher
Notable
commanders		Brig Gen Michael A. Longoria
Insignia
93d Air Ground Operations Wing emblem (approved 4 September 1953)[1]

The 93d Air Ground Operations Wing (93d AGOW) is a United States Air Force unit assigned to Air Combat Command, Ninth Air Force. It is stationed as a tenant unit at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia.

The wing directs the 3d Air Support Operations Group (3d ASOG) at Fort Cavazos, Texas (supporting III Corps), 18th Air Support Operations Group (18th ASOG) at Pope Field, North Carolina (supporting XVIII Airborne Corps of Fort Bragg), both Forward Air Control groups which arrange air support to ground forces. It also directs the 820th Base Defense Group (820th BDG), a Force Protection with an airborne capability, at Moody AFB, Georgia.

The U.S. Air Force Historical Research Agency has determined that the wing's 93d Operations Group is descended from the 93d Bombardment Group, first formed in 1942. It was the first VIII Bomber Command B-24 Liberator heavy bombardment group to begin bombing Occupied Europe and Nazi Germany from RAF Alconbury, England on 9 October 1942. Active for over 60 years, the 93d Bombardment Wing was a component organization of Strategic Air Command's deterrent force during the Cold War, as a strategic bombardment wing.

History

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For additional history and lineage, see 93d Operations Group

Strategic Air Command: B-29s, B-50s, and B-47s

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Emblem of the 93d Bombardment Wing

On 28 July 1947, the 93d Bombardment Wing, (Very Heavy) was established and maintained combat readiness for global strategic bombardment, flying the Boeing B-29 Superfortress. The wing was later redesignated as the 93d Bombardment Wing (Medium) as it was not chosen to be reequipped with the Convair B-36 Peacemaker, but remained with the B-29. In 1949, the wing received its first B-50 Superfortress aircraft, an improved version of the B-29. It began operations overseas with the deployment of its tactical force to RAF Mildenhall, England (July 1950 – January 1951) in response to communist aggression on the Korean peninsula. Meanwhile, the 93d Air Refueling Squadron was activated on 1 March 1949, equipped with the KB-29P (a B-29 bomber modified with a refueling boom).

The wing continued to move forward throughout the 1950s, replacing the propeller-driven B-50s with new B-47E Stratojet swept-wing medium bombers in 1954, capable of flying at high subsonic speeds and primarily designed for penetrating the airspace of the Soviet Union. It flew numerous training missions and participated in various SAC exercises and deployments with the Stratojet

Strategic Air Command: B-52s

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Three B-52Bs of the 93d Bomb Wing prepare to depart Castle Air Force Base, Calif., for their record-setting round-the-world flight in 1957
A B-52D drops 500 pound bombs

SAC assigned its first Boeing B-52 Stratofortress to the wing in June 1955.[2][a 1] The wing was redesignated the 93d Bombardment Wing, Heavy on 1 February 1955 in anticipation of the arrival of the B-52.[1] Its B-52Bs were initially used for crew training. The wing was declared combat ready with the B-52 on 12 March 1956, but became nonoperational two months later when a second squadron began to equip with Stratofortresses. It became operational again on 26 June 1957, when its mission became primarily crew training.[2]

The wing retained some of its B-47s until 1956 for crew training purposes. It was one of the few wings to have operated both jet bombers simultaneously.

In 1956, the wing's three bombardment squadrons – 328th, 329th and 330th began receiving the new B-52D. The following year, they began receiving the B-52E model, while some B-52Bs remained with the 93 BW until well into the 1960s.

On 24 and 25 November 1956, in an operation known as Quick Kick, four B-52Bs of the 93d joined four B-52Cs of the 42d Bombardment Wing for a nonstop flight around the perimeter of North America. Four in-flight refuelings by Boeing KC-97 Stratofreighters were required for the 13,500-nautical-mile (25,000 km) journey.[a 2] Less than two months later, in Operation Power Flight, three 93d B-52Bs flew the first non-stop jet around-the-world flight. Taking off on 16 January 1957,[3] they flew via Newfoundland, Casablanca, Dhahran, Ceylon, the Malay Peninsula, Manila and Guam. Upon landing at March Air Force Base, California on 18 January, General Curtis LeMay, SAC Commander, greeted the crews and presented them with the Distinguished Flying Cross. Operation Power Flight was recognized by the National Aeronautical Association as the outstanding flight of 1957 and it awarded the wing the Mackay Trophy.[3]

It was assigned the Boeing KC-135A Stratotanker in January 1957, making it the first SAC bomb wing to receive the new aircraft. In June 1958, the wing received six B-52Fs, making it the first to fly this series of the Stratofortress.[4] Throughout the height of the Vietnam War (1968–1974) the wing operated a special B-52 aircrew replacement training unit to support SAC's B-52 operations in Southeast Asia. The wing recorded another first on 10 June 1982 when the first all female KC-135 crew, "Fair Force One", flew a five-hour training sortie.

Finally in August 1990 the wing found itself back at war. At home its support units operated an aerial port of embarkation for personnel and equipment deploying to Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Shield. Overseas, its KC-135s refueled planes and ferried personnel and equipment to the region, while its B-52s bombed the Iraqi Republican Guard and targeted Iraqi infrastructure throughout January and February 1991.

The Air Force underwent major restructuring after the Cold War ended. On 1 September 1991, the 93d lost its air refueling commitment, (924th ARS), and its KC-135 aircrew training missions (329th CCTS). It also implemented the objective wing organization and was redesignated as the 93d Wing. On 1 June 1992 the 93d was relieved from assignment to SAC and was reassigned to the newly formed Air Combat Command (ACC). It was then redesignated as the 93d Bomb Wing.

Shortly afterwards it was announced that Castle AFB would close, under the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) process. The 322d Bomb Squadron was inactivated 3 May 1994, and the wing became non-operational. The wing however continued to supervise the closure of Castle AFB, and was inactivated on 30 September 1995 with the closure of the base.

Strategic Air Command: B-52 crew training

[edit]

When the first B-52s began to be assigned to SAC in 1955, Air Training Command had no school for the aircraft. Because of the need to get the bomber operational as soon as possible, SAC established the 4017th Combat Crew Training Squadron to conduct training on the Stratofortress. As the B-52 force expanded, the mission became too great for a single squadron and the wing's three bombardment squadrons took over the flight training program, while the 4017th conducted ground training and overall administration of the training program.[2] As SAC's involvement in the Vietnam War increased, on 15 April 1968, SAC established a replacement training unit within the 4017th. This unit was established to qualify aircrews flying B-52E, B-52F, B-52G and B-52H bombers to fly the B-52D, which (with its Big Belly modification) was SAC's conventional bomber in Southeast Asia. After two weeks of training, the crews augmented the cadre unit in the Pacific. This training enabled SAC to meet its commitments, while at the same time spreading the burden of deployment more equitably among its entire force of B-52 crews.[5]

Joint STARS from 1996

[edit]
93d Air Surveillance and Air Control Wing emblem
An E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System from the 93d Air Control Wing flies a refueling mission over the skies of Georgia.

While The 93d Wing had been inactivated in September 1995, the wing's history was too valuable, and Air Force leadership decided that it would rise in another guise. Just four months later it was redesignated as the 93d Air Control Wing (93 ACW), and was reactivated at Robins AFB, Georgia, on 29 January 1996. It was to be equipped with the Northrop Grumman E-8 Joint STARS (Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System), and it accepted its first production aircraft on 11 June 1996.

From late October through December 1996, the wing deployed to Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany for Operation Joint Endeavor and Operation Joint Guard, both in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It provided "top cover" for United Nations (UN) peacekeeping forces and monitored the warring factions for violations of UN resolutions. This deployment actually occurred before the wing had been declared as "Initial Operational Capable" by Air Combat Command, which took place on 18 December 1997.

As U.S. pressure on Iraq heightened in 1998, the 93d deployed an element to the Middle East to monitor Iraqi military movements. In February 1999 it deployed an aircraft to Europe to support NATO's monitoring of tensions between Serbia and Kosovo. The new wing saw its first combat during Operation Allied Force over Kosovo and Serbia, playing a major role in the destruction of enemy targets and compiling over 1,000 combat hours.

From November 2001 to April 2002, the wing deployed as part of Operation Enduring Freedom after the 11 September terrorist attacks on the United States.

The wing inactivated at Robins AFB on 30 September 2002. Its mission and resources became a part of Air Force history on that day as the Georgia Air National Guard's 116th Bomb Wing (now redesignated the 116th Air Control Wing (116th ACW)) assumed command responsibility for the Joint STARS mission and the first ever "blended wing", combining active-duty and Air National Guard personnel, aircraft, and facilities under one commander under the newly activated 116th ACW.

93d Air Ground Operations Wing

[edit]

The 93d Air Ground Operations Wing (93 AGOW) is a non-flying active support wing activated on 25 January 2008. The 93d's mission is to manage and providing combat-ready tactical air control party personnel, battlefield weather, and force protection assets for joint forces commanders. The wing is based at Moody AFB, Georgia.

Lineage

[edit]
  • Constituted as the 93d Bombardment Wing, Very Heavy on 28 July 1947
Organized on 15 August 1947
Redesignated 93d Bombardment Wing, Medium on 12 July 1948
Redesignated 93d Bombardment Wing, Heavy on 1 February 1955
Redesignated 93d Wing on 1 September 1991
Redesignated 93d Bomb Wing on 1 June 1992
Inactivated on 30 September 1995
  • Redesignated 93d Air Control Wing on 15 January 1996
Activated on 29 January 1996
Inactivated on 1 October 2002
  • Redesignated 93d Air Ground Operations Wing on 11 December 2007
Activated on 25 January 2008

Assignments

[edit]

Components

[edit]

Groups

Squadrons

  • 90th Air Refueling Squadron: 18 January 1954 – 5 August 1955 (detached c. 3 April – 18 May 1954 and 1 April – 16 July 1955).
  • 93d Air Refueling Squadron: attached 15 July 1950 – 30 January 1951; attached 10 February 1951 – 15 June 1952, assigned 16 June 1952 – 1 September 1991 (detached c. 1 April – 15 May 1954; 29 June – 14 August 1954; 19 January – c. 15 March 1955; 18 June – c. 3 July 1955; 2 November 1955 – 5 January 1956; and 27 September – c. 24 December 1956).
  • 328th Bombardment Squadron attached 10 February 1951 – 15 June 1952, assigned 16 June 1952 – 1 September 1991.
  • 329th Bombardment Squadron (later, 329th Strategic Bombardment Training Squadron; 329th Combat Crew Training Squadron): attached 10 February 1951 – 15 June 1952, assigned 16 June 1952 – 30 September 1971; 1 July 1986 – 1 September 1991.
  • 330th Bombardment Squadron (later, 330th Combat Flight Instructor Squadron): attached 10 February 1951 – 15 June 1952, assigned 16 June 1952 – 15 September 1963; 24 August 1988 – 1 September 1991.
  • 340th Air Refueling Squadron: attached 20 October 1952 – 18 January 1954.
  • 341st Air Refueling Squadron: attached 11 June 1954 – 15 August 1955.
  • 924th Air Refueling Squadron: 1 July 1959 – 1 September 1991.
  • 4017th Combat Crew Training Squadron: 8 January 1955 – c. 1 July 1986

Bases

[edit]

Aircraft

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

93rd Air-Ground Operations Wing

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from Grokipedia
The 93rd Air-Ground Operations Wing (93d AGOW) is a wing of the assigned to under , headquartered at , Georgia. Activated on 25 January 2008, it represents the first such wing dedicated to providing combat-ready tactical air control personnel, battlefield weather assets, and elements to enable forces commanders to integrate airpower with ground operations worldwide. Its personnel conduct offensive and defensive ground combat operations to safeguard expeditionary aerospace forces, emphasizing airborne capabilities for rapid deployment and execution in contested environments. The wing's lineage originates from the 93rd Wing, established on 28 July 1947 and organized on 15 August 1947 as a very heavy unit under , evolving through multiple redesignations including medium and heavy roles equipped with B-29, B-36, B-47, and B-52 aircraft. During the , it pioneered operations starting in 1950, achieved the first non-stop B-52 flights across the Pacific in 1956, and supported the first jet nonstop circumnavigation of the world in 1957, while winning multiple SAC bombing competitions in 1949, 1952, and 1970. In combat, its predecessor units participated in Operation Desert Storm by bombing Iraqi targets in 1991 and conducted JSTARS surveillance missions in Bosnia, , and Southwest Asia from 1996 to 2002. Transitioning from strategic to air-ground integration reflects adaptations to modern requirements, where the 93d AGOW now focuses on tactical air control parties for coordination, special tactics for airfield seizure and control, and base defense against ground threats, ensuring air dominance in expeditionary settings without reliance on fixed infrastructure. This evolution underscores the Air Force's shift from nuclear deterrence to enabling , with the wing's forces deployable to deny enemy access to key terrain and facilitate precision strikes in dynamic battlespaces.

History

World War II Origins and Postwar Activation

The 93rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) was constituted on 28 January 1942 and activated on 1 March 1942 at Barksdale Field, , as part of the ' rapid expansion in response to . Initial operations included crew training with B-24 Liberator bombers and antisubmarine patrols over the and from May to July 1942, during which the group contributed to the destruction of three German U-boats. The unit relocated to Fort Myers, Florida, on 15 May 1942 for further training before deploying overseas. In September 1942, the group moved to , basing at and later RAF Hardwick, to join the [Eighth Air Force](/page/Eighth_Air Force) for campaigns against Nazi-occupied Europe. Its first combat mission occurred on 9 October 1942 against rail yards at , . A detachment operated from in December 1942 to February 1943, supporting Allied ground forces in and , earning a Distinguished Unit Citation for low-level attacks on enemy airfields. The group participated in the notable low-level raid on the Ploiești oil refineries in on 1 August 1943, flying 39 B-24s and receiving another Distinguished Unit Citation despite heavy losses, with only 15 aircraft returning intact. Over the course of the war, it flew 396 missions, logged 8,169 sorties, dropped 19,004 tons of bombs, and lost 100 aircraft before ceasing combat operations in April 1945. Following , the 93rd Bombardment Group was among the ten original heavy bombardment units assigned to the newly established on 21 March 1946 at Army Air Field, , where it transitioned to B-29 Superfortress operations for strategic deterrence. The parent 93rd Bombardment Wing, Very Heavy, was constituted on 28 July 1947 and organized on 15 at Field (later ), inheriting the group's lineage and honors. In 1948, the 93rd Bombardment Group deployed in full strength to Okinawa, marking the first such bomber group commitment to the amid rising tensions. This postwar activation emphasized maintenance of nuclear-capable strategic bombardment readiness, with early deployments to in 1950-1952 for rotational alert duties.

Strategic Air Command: Propeller-Driven Bombers and Early Jets

The 93rd Bombardment Wing (Heavy), established on 28 July 1947 and organized on 15 August 1947 at Castle Field (later Castle Air Force Base), California, initially equipped with Boeing B-29 Superfortress propeller-driven bombers for strategic bombardment missions under Strategic Air Command. These aircraft, inherited from World War II service, enabled the wing to achieve combat readiness by August 1947, focusing on global nuclear deterrence and conventional bombing capabilities amid emerging Cold War tensions. In May 1948, the wing deployed its full strength to Okinawa, marking the first such SAC bombardment group deployment to the Far East and demonstrating rapid mobility for Pacific theater reinforcement. Transitioning to upgraded Boeing B-50 Superfortress propeller-driven bombers by 1949, the wing enhanced range and payload for extended strategic patrols, redesignated as a medium bombardment unit alongside other B-29/B-50 groups. Deployments included a tactical force to from July 1950 to January 1951, followed by a full-wing commitment from December 1951 to March 1952, supporting commitments and European deterrence. Aerial refueling operations commenced in October 1950 using KB-29 tankers, enabling longer missions and assisting the 31st Fighter-Escort Wing's crossing to in July 1952. The wing's proficiency earned the Fairchild Trophy in the SAC Bombing and Competition in 1949 and 1952, underscoring its operational excellence with propeller fleets. In March 1954, the 93rd began converting to early jet bombers, achieving combat readiness in record time by fall 1954 and accumulating 24,439 flight hours without incident through January 1956. The swept-wing improved speed and altitude over propeller predecessors, incorporating with KC-97 tankers from 1953 to support intercontinental strikes, though initial operations emphasized crew training and transition from B-50s. This shift aligned with SAC's modernization to for faster response and evasion, maintaining the wing's role in nuclear alert postures at Castle AFB until full B-52 integration.

B-52 Stratofortress Operations and Global Missions

The 93rd Bombardment Wing (Heavy), stationed at , , became the first unit to operate the when it received RB-52B serial number 52-8711 on June 29, 1955. This delivery marked the beginning of B-52 integration into SAC's strategic deterrence posture, with the wing achieving combat readiness by March 1956. Initial operations focused on crew training, alert duties, and exercises demonstrating the aircraft's long-range nuclear strike capabilities, supported by in-flight refueling to extend operational radius. B-52 operations under the 93rd emphasized reliability testing and mission proficiency amid tensions, including participation in airborne alert programs like Chrome Dome, where bombers maintained continuous airborne status with nuclear weapons. The wing's squadrons conducted routine proficiency flights, weapons delivery training, and simulated strikes against potential adversaries, contributing to SAC's global . By 1957, the unit had transitioned fully to B-52Bs, phasing out earlier B-47 Stratojets, and amassed experience in high-altitude, high-speed operations critical for penetrating defended airspace. Global missions highlighted the B-52's strategic reach, exemplified by Operation Power Flite in January 1957, when three B-52Bs from the 93rd completed a non-stop of the globe, covering 24,325 miles in 45 hours and 15 minutes with multiple aerial refuelings. Led by Major General Archie J. Old, Jr., this flight demonstrated U.S. ability to deliver nuclear payloads anywhere worldwide, refueling over the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic regions. Earlier, in November 1956, 93rd B-52s executed non-stop flights totaling 16,000 miles around and to the , further validating viability for intercontinental strikes. These missions underscored SAC's emphasis on deterrence through proven global projection, without reliance on foreign bases for initial response. The 93rd's B-52 deployments also included forward alert rotations to Pacific bases, such as , , enhancing rapid response to Asian theater contingencies during the late 1950s. These operations integrated with tanker support to simulate wartime surges, maintaining crew readiness for potential conflicts like the crises. Overall, the wing's early B-52 tenure established benchmarks for endurance and precision in strategic , informing subsequent SAC doctrines until mission shifts in the 1960s.

Transition to Training and Surveillance Roles

In the late period, following extensive combat deployments with the B-52 Stratofortress, the 93rd Bomb Wing at , Washington, increasingly focused on missions to sustain Strategic Air Command's . From April 1968 to April 1974, it operated a specialized B-52 replacement unit to support operations in , qualifying aircrews for combat rotations. This role expanded in the 1980s and early 1990s, incorporating formal for KC-135 Stratotanker aircrews as the wing maintained both and air refueling capabilities. Post-Cold War restructuring led to the wing being relieved of its KC-135 aircrew training and air refueling commitments in 1992, amid broader force reductions following the Soviet Union's dissolution. The unit was inactivated on 30 September 1995 as part of the elimination of redundant assets, ending its nearly five-decade tenure as a organization. This inactivation reflected Strategic Air Command's downsizing and the shift toward expeditionary, multi-domain operations in the post-Cold War environment. The 93rd was redesignated the 93rd Air Control Wing on 15 January 1996 and activated on 29 January 1996 at , Georgia, marking its pivot to airborne roles. Assigned to , the wing assumed operations of the E-8C Joint Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS), a modified 707 platform equipped for real-time ground moving target indication, battle management, and intelligence, , and . The E-8C's battle-tested capabilities, proven in operations like Desert Storm where it tracked Iraqi forces with high-resolution , enabled the wing to provide theater commanders with critical ground data to support attack planning and . This transition aligned the unit with emerging joint force requirements for integrated air-ground operations, departing from its nuclear deterrence heritage.

Joint STARS Surveillance and Combat Support

The 93rd Air Control Wing was redesignated and activated on 29 January 1996 at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, specifically to operate the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) aircraft, providing advanced airborne surveillance capabilities. The wing accepted its first production E-8C, serial number 92-3289, in June 1996 and declared initial operational capability on 18 December 1997 following delivery of the second aircraft. Equipped with a side-looking phased-array , the E-8C enabled the wing to perform ground moving target indication, detect and track surface vehicles in all weather conditions, and relay real-time to forces for targeting and battle . This surveillance supported theater commanders by identifying threats, monitoring troop movements, and cueing strike assets, contributing to combat operations through integrated functions. Wing personnel and aircraft deployed extensively, including missions from 23 February to 28 June 1999 to in support of operations over , where JSTARS monitored Serbian ground forces and facilitated withdrawal verification. Additional deployments provided critical ground surveillance during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, delivering battle damage assessments and tracking high-value targets to enhance joint attack effectiveness. The system's ability to cover large areas—up to 19,000 square nautical miles—proved essential for persistent surveillance in dynamic combat environments. On 1 October 2002, the 93rd Air Control Wing inactivated as part of a force structure realignment, blending its active-duty elements with the Georgia Air National Guard's 116th Air Control Wing to form a total-force continuing JSTARS operations until the platform's retirement in 2023.

Establishment and Evolution as Air-Ground Operations Wing

The 93rd Air Ground Operations was redesignated on 11 December 2007 and activated on 25 January 2008 at , Georgia, becoming the first wing dedicated to providing trained ground combat forces for integrating air and space power with joint operations. This establishment centralized over battlefield airmen specialties, including tactical air control parties and air support operations squadrons, to streamline training, equipping, and deployment of personnel enabling and air-ground coordination for expeditionary forces. Over subsequent years, the wing expanded its operational footprint and capabilities to meet evolving joint force requirements, growing to include three operational groups, 16 squadrons, 10 detachments, and nine operating locations across 20 sites. Core components added encompass the at Moody AFB for austere defense and ; the 3rd Air Support Operations Group at Fort Hood, , and the at Fort Bragg, , for ground-based airpower integration and liaison with maneuver forces. A significant milestone occurred on 5 May 2022 with the activation of the 5th Combat Weather Group at Fort Bragg, the Department of Defense's first dedicated combat weather unit under the wing, enhancing front-line meteorological support for tactical operations. The 93d AGOW now oversees more than 2,800 battlefield airmen, delivering worldwide deployable, multi-disciplined teams focused on air-land battle management, combat weather, and expeditionary security to support joint commanders in contested environments. This progression has positioned the wing as the Air Force's primary expert for employment in ground maneuvers, adapting to demands of competition through enhanced training and operational readiness.

Mission and Role

Core Operational Functions

The 93rd Air-Ground Operations Wing executes its primary mission by delivering highly trained, multi-disciplined ground combat forces that integrate air and power into ground maneuvers, enabling commanders to synchronize effects across domains. This involves rapidly deployable units capable of offensive and defensive operations to safeguard expeditionary assets worldwide, including airborne, air-mobile, air-land, and overland insertions to extend the theater air control system. The wing's forces support force commanders by providing expertise in , terminal attack control, and coordination, ensuring airpower contributes directly to ground scheme of maneuver outcomes. A central function centers on tactical air control party (TACP) operations, where specialized personnel from air support operations squadrons train and deploy to advise ground commanders, establish joint terminal attack control, and execute precise strikes using fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft. These TACP teams, often embedded with Army maneuver units, conduct , distributed , and real-time sensing to enable kinetic and non-kinetic effects, as demonstrated in exercises like Bamboo Eagle where they facilitated multi-domain integration. Complementing this, air support operations specialists provide for munitions delivery, enhancing lethality while minimizing collateral risks through rigorous qualification and sustainment training. The wing also maintains battlefield weather capabilities via dedicated combat weather teams that deliver predictive and real-time environmental intelligence tailored to tactical operations, influencing decisions on visibility, wind, and terrain effects for air-ground synchronization. These technicians, unique to special warfare, operate in austere environments to forecast micro-scale impacts on and troop movements. Force protection constitutes another core pillar, with base defense elements conducting integrated defense of airfields, denying adversary access to key terrain, and neutralizing threats through maneuver and fires. Units like the employ security forces, control, and pararescue personnel for agile defense in contested areas, protecting fixed and expeditionary sites against ground incursions, as seen in their role in full-spectrum scenarios. This defensive posture extends to offensive counter-land operations, where wing assets disrupt enemy forces to preserve air domain access.

Integration with Joint and Ground Forces

The 93rd Air-Ground Operations Wing (AGOW) facilitates integration of airpower with joint and ground forces by deploying Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) specialists who embed directly with Army maneuver elements, such as brigade combat teams, to synchronize close air support, joint terminal attack control, and fires integration during combat operations. These Airmen serve as forward-deployed controllers, advising ground commanders on air capabilities, requesting precision strikes from aircraft like A-10 Thunderbolts or F-16s, and ensuring deconfliction to protect friendly positions amid dynamic battlefield conditions. The wing's 18th Air Support Operations Group (ASOG) specifically furnishes air liaison officers and joint terminal attack controllers to Army units, enhancing interoperability by bridging air and ground domains in real-time scenarios. TACP personnel, trained for austere environments, operate as a dispersed network of sensors that coordinate not only kinetic air effects but also space-based intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and cyber-enabled targeting, thereby expediting kill chains in contested operations. During exercises like Dynamic Front 23, 93rd AGOW TACPs collaborated with the 435th AGOW to validate distributed command-and-control (C2) systems, integrating find-fix-target workflows with NATO allies to simulate high-intensity conflict and bolster joint fires efficacy against peer adversaries. In Joint Operations Access Exercise 12-01, wing elements provided critical ground support to Army airborne units, demonstrating rapid integration of air-delivered forces with tactical air control to seize contested objectives. The wing's force protection assets, including those from the , further enable joint operations by securing expeditionary airfields and contested logistics nodes, allowing seamless sustainment of ground maneuvers under threat. This integration extends to multinational settings, as evidenced by training with Canadian Joint Terminal Attack Controllers in 2022, where 93rd AGOW TACPs shared tactics for in coalition environments, promoting standardized procedures for allied ground-air coordination. Overall, these efforts align with priorities for agile combat employment, emphasizing decentralized execution to counter anti-access/area-denial challenges posed by adversaries.

Organization and Components

Command and Leadership Structure

The 93d Air-Ground Operations Wing (93d AGOW) is commanded by a U.S. Air Force serving as , who holds ultimate responsibility for the wing's mission execution, training, and readiness in integrating with ground forces. The current , as of July 2024, is Col. John W. Blocher, who assumed command during a at , Georgia. Supporting the is a , also a , responsible for operations oversight and staff functions; Col. Michael A. Kump holds this position. The wing command chief master sergeant, an E-9 enlisted leader, advises on enlisted matters and personnel welfare; Chief Master Sgt. Stephen M. Dugan currently serves in this role. The wing operates under the (), with its commander reporting to higher echelons for strategic alignment and resource allocation. Internally, the wing commander exercises authority over three primary operational groups—the at Moody AFB, the 3d Air Support Operations Group at Fort Cavazos, , and the at Fort Liberty, —each led by a who manages subordinate squadrons focused on battlefield air control, security, and support. These groups, comprising 16 squadrons total, enable distributed across 10 detachments and 9 operating locations spanning 20 sites and 18 host bases. Leadership transitions occur via formal change-of-command ceremonies, ensuring continuity; for instance, Col. Blocher succeeded Col. Ryan F. Tidball in July 2024, following prior handovers such as Col. Timothy Hood's assumption in June 2022. This structure emphasizes decentralized execution, with group commanders retaining operational autonomy for training tactical air control parties (TACPs) and joint terminal attack controllers (JTACs) while aligning to wing-level priorities for joint force integration.

Key Groups and Squadrons

The 93rd Air-Ground Operations Wing oversees three primary operational groups that enable its mission of integrating airpower with ground forces: the 3rd Air Support Operations Group, the , and the 5th Combat Weather Group. These groups command a total of approximately 16 squadrons distributed across multiple locations, providing tactical air control, base defense, and weather support to joint operations. The 3rd Air Support Operations Group (3rd ASOG), headquartered at Fort Cavazos, , directs air support operations squadrons that embed tactical air control parties (TACPs) and combat controllers with ground maneuver units to facilitate , , , and . Key subordinate squadrons include the 7th Air Support Operations Squadron at , , which trains and deploys TACPs for divisions; the 9th, 10th, and 11th Air Support Operations Squadrons, focused on expeditionary air-ground integration; and the 712th Air Support Operations Squadron, specializing in advanced targeting and coordination. These units ensure real-time synchronization of air assets with ground commanders during combat. The 820th Base Defense Group (820th BDG), based at , Georgia, provides expeditionary to protect air bases and in contested environments, including denying enemy access to key terrain and conducting offensive operations against adversarial forces. Its squadrons encompass the 820th Combat Operations Squadron for command oversight; and base defense squadrons such as the 822nd, 823rd, and 824th, which integrate , military working dogs, and training for global deployments. The group emphasizes agile defense capabilities, with personnel trained for high-threat scenarios involving ground alongside air operations. The 5th Combat Weather Group (5th CWG), established on May 19, 2022, as the Department of Defense's first dedicated combat weather unit and headquartered at Fort Liberty, , delivers embedded weather support to battlefield commanders, including forecasting for tactical decisions and integration with . Subordinate elements include squadrons like the 3rd Weather Squadron, which provides specialized meteorological data for joint forces, enhancing agility in dynamic environments through innovation in weather dissemination tools. This group addresses gaps in traditional weather support by deploying agile teams directly to forward areas.

Detachments and Operating Locations

The 93rd Air-Ground Operations Wing operates a decentralized structure with 10 detachments and 9 operating locations distributed across 20 sites, including 18 host bases under seven major commands, enabling persistent support for joint air-ground integration and missions. These elements facilitate the wing's ability to embed personnel with units at geographically separate units (GSUs), totaling approximately 2,800 authorized airmen who conduct offensive and defensive operations worldwide. Key subordinate groups are stationed at major installations to align with supported ground forces: the at , Georgia, focuses on combat security and expeditionary airfield defense; the 3d Air Support Operations Group at Fort Cavazos, Texas, provides tactical air control and coordination primarily for western U.S. elements; the at Fort Liberty, , handles similar functions for eastern U.S. and rapid deployment forces; and the 5th Combat Weather Group, also at Fort Liberty, delivers specialized meteorological support for air-ground operations. Air support operations squadrons under the 3d and 18th ASOGs maintain forward presence at various bases: the 7th, 9th, 10th, and 13th Air Support Operations Squadrons, along with the 803d Operations Support Squadron, operate across western U.S. installations under the 3d ASOG; similarly, the 14th, 15th, 19th, and 20th Air Support Operations Squadrons and 818th Operations Support Squadron cover eastern U.S. sites under the 18th ASOG. The 820th Combat Operations Squadron, co-located at Moody AFB, integrates base defense planning and execution. This dispersed footprint, comprising three operational groups and 16 squadrons overall, ensures the wing's airmen can respond to combatant commander requirements by protecting forces and enabling precise fires in contested environments.

Bases and Infrastructure

Primary Operating Base

The primary operating base of the 93d Air-Ground Operations Wing is , located in , approximately 9 miles northeast of Valdosta and 10 miles south of the Georgia-Florida state line. Established in 1941 as a facility for advanced fighter pilots, Moody AFB spans over 15,000 acres and supports multiple tenant units under , with the 93d AGOW serving as a key component focused on air-ground integration. The wing's headquarters and core command functions are stationed there, enabling centralized oversight of its distributed operations across detachments and operating locations. Activated at Moody AFB in 2008, the 93d AGOW leverages the base's infrastructure for training, including austere airbase defense exercises, joint air-ground maneuvers, and programs tailored to ground combat controllers and tactical air control party specialists. Facilities at Moody support the wing's mission by providing secure ranges, simulation centers, and integration with host units like the 23d Wing, which operates A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft for synergy. As a tenant unit, the 93d AGOW does not own base assets but relies on Moody's runways, hangars, and for readiness, with over 1,300 personnel assigned across its groups and squadrons primarily drawing from this hub. Moody's strategic location near Army and Marine Corps installations facilitates joint exercises, such as those enhancing battlefield air control and base defense, contributing to the wing's role in providing highly trained forces for expeditionary operations. Recent developments, including command changes and conferences held at the base as of July 2024, underscore its ongoing centrality to the wing's operational tempo.

Distributed Locations and Facilities

The 93d Air-Ground Operations Wing maintains a network of distributed detachments, operating locations, and support facilities across U.S. military installations, primarily co-located with units to enable real-time air-ground integration and tactical air control. These sites include operational centers for tactical air control parties, combat controllers, and base defense elements, often utilizing host base infrastructure for training, equipment maintenance, and joint exercises rather than dedicated wing-owned structures. The wing's 10 detachments and 9 operating locations span approximately 20 sites hosted at 18 bases under 7 major commands, facilitating embedded operations with ground forces. Key distributed facilities align with the wing's operational groups. The 3d Air Support Operations Group, focused on supporting III Corps, is headquartered at Fort Cavazos, , with detachments and squadrons at sites such as , ; , ; and , , where personnel conduct training and from shared ranges and command posts. The operates from , , supporting with facilities for airborne-qualified air advisors and rapid deployment rehearsals. These locations emphasize austere, expeditionary setups, including mobile communications nodes and secure perimeters, to simulate contested environments. The 820th Base Defense Group contributes to distributed basing through deployable security squads and initial expeditionary infrastructure kits, enabling rapid establishment of defended forward operating sites during exercises or contingencies, though its core facilities remain at . This dispersed posture, totaling over 2,800 personnel across sites, enhances the wing's ability to provide persistent airpower enablers without centralized vulnerabilities.

Equipment and Technology

Historical Aircraft and Systems

The lineage of the 93rd Air-Ground Operations Wing traces back to the 93rd Bombardment Group, which during operated the heavy bomber from bases in as part of the . Postwar, the unit transitioned to piston-engine strategic bombers, including the and its successor, the B-50 Superfortress, with deployments to locations such as Okinawa in 1948 for Far East Air Forces operations. By 1954, the 93rd Bombardment Wing had integrated the medium jet bomber into its fleet at , California, enhancing its strategic deterrence posture during the early . In a pivotal shift, the 93rd Bombardment Wing became the first Strategic Air Command organization to convert to the heavy bomber between 1955 and 1956, receiving the initial operational aircraft on 29 June 1955. This transition included retaining a mix of B-47s for crew training during the phase-out period. The wing declared combat-ready with the B-52 on 12 March 1956, marking 50 years of sustained operational capability with the platform by 2006. To support extended missions, the wing received its first aerial refueling aircraft in January 1957, establishing it as an early adopter of in-flight refueling for bomber operations. Following inactivation of its bomber mission in 1993, the reactivated 93rd Air Control Wing in 1996 adopted the E-8 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) aircraft, based on a modified 707-300 equipped with AN/APY-7 for ground target detection, classification, and tracking. This system provided real-time battlefield surveillance, with wing crews and aircraft deploying in support of operations such as those in the during the late . The E-8 fleet remained central to the wing's air control role until its retirement in 2023.

Current Capabilities and Recent Acquisitions

The 93rd Air-Ground Operations Wing maintains core capabilities in tactical air control party (TACP) operations, providing ground-based, low-profile (C2) as well as strike coordination for joint forces. These TACP teams enable , distributed C2, and sensing functions, integrating air power with land maneuvers to support offensive and defensive ground combat worldwide. The wing also delivers combat weather expertise to enhance expeditionary and employs base defense forces for securing distributed locations. Overall, these assets facilitate close coordination between air and ground elements, including suppression of enemy air defenses in contested environments. Recent enhancements include the wing's initiation of a Command, Control, and Communications (C3) University program in February 2025, aimed at refining TACP communication skills and diversifying C2 networks for greater operational resilience. In October 2025, the 93rd AGOW awarded a to PDW for delivery of C100 multi-mission unmanned aerial systems (UAS), heavy drones originally developed for the . These UAS feature modular payloads for , targeting, and potential strike guidance, addressing gaps in portable, scalable drone capabilities to expedite kill chains and support forward-edge operations. The acquisition aligns with ongoing tests of innovative C2 tools, as demonstrated in exercises like Dynamic Front 23, where TACP units validated expedited targeting workflows.

Operations and Deployments

Major Historical Engagements

The 93rd Bombardment Group's primary combat role during involved missions as part of the , flying bombers from bases in after arriving in September 1942. It conducted 396 missions totaling 8,169 sorties, dropping 19,004 tons of bombs, with 100 aircraft . In December 1942, the group detached to to support the Twelfth Air Force, flying 41 missions against targets in and , including in preparation for the invasion of . Returning to by April 1943, it resumed operations against industrial and military sites in occupied , such as ports at , , Brest, and in spring 1943. During the early , the 93rd Bomb Wing deployed its full strength to Okinawa in 1948 as the first bombardment group in the , conducting training and readiness operations amid rising tensions. Elements supported efforts through deployments to from July 1950 to January 1951 and December 1951 to March 1952, augmenting U.S. and allied bomber forces with Boeing B-29 and B-50 aircraft. Transitioning to operations in the 1960s, the wing participated in Arc Light bombing campaigns over , delivering heavy ordnance against North Vietnamese and targets from bases like Fairchild AFB. In the Gulf War, B-52 crews from the 93rd Bomb Wing flew missions during Operation Desert Storm from January to February 1991, targeting Iraqi units, chemical weapons facilities, nuclear sites, and industrial infrastructure. Following redesignation as the 93rd Air Control Wing in 1996, it supported Allied Force operations over in 1999, providing airborne command and control via E-8 Joint STARS aircraft for surveillance and battle management. As the 93rd Air-Ground Operations Wing since 2008, its components, including tactical air control parties and base defense squadrons, have deployed for and integration in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, with the 824th Base Defense Squadron logging over one million man-days in theater by 2023.

Recent Exercises and Developments

In February 2025, Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) teams from the 93rd Air-Ground Operations Wing participated in exercise Bamboo Eagle 25-1, held from February 10 to 21 across multiple locations in , where they conducted and distributed (C2) operations to enhance sensing capabilities in contested environments. These efforts integrated airpower with joint forces, testing agile combat employment principles amid simulated peer adversary threats. During exercise Global Eagle 2024, conducted in November 2024 at , Georgia, and Avon Park Air Force Range, Florida, the wing's personnel supported high-end training focused on base defense and joint operations, involving the in securing contingency locations against simulated attacks. This exercise emphasized rapid deployment and defense of distributed airfields, aligning with Command's priorities for competition. In March 2023, the wing's 15th Air Support Operations Squadron tested advanced C2 systems during Scarlet Dragon 2023, deploying as a TACP strike element and agile combat integration team to provide forward targeting and integration in a Pacific theater . The exercise validated for joint terminal attack control in denied areas, informing future doctrinal updates. On July 11, 2024, the 93rd Air-Ground Operations Wing held a ceremony at , transitioning leadership to align with reoptimization efforts for great power competition, as emphasized by Air Mobility Command's involvement in wing-wide training enhancements. This shift supported expanded focus on distributed operations and integration with units like the . In September 2025, the 822nd Base Defense Squadron, under the wing, completed military validation training to bolster base security for agile combat employment scenarios, testing detection and response in realistic field conditions. Concurrently, the activation of the 23rd Air Base Squadron at Moody AFB integrated with the 93rd AGOW's operations, enhancing overall combat air base sustainment capabilities amid co-located units.

References

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