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39th Air Base Wing | |
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Active | 1941–1945; 1963–1965; 1966–present |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Air Force |
Role | Air Base Support |
Size | Wing |
Part of | United States Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa |
Garrison/HQ | Incirlik Air Base |
Engagements |
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Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation Japan, 10 May 1945, 23–29 May 1945 Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 11 Awards (1974–2003) |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Col. Calvin B. Powell |
Vice Commander | Col. Kevin K. McCaskey |
Command Chief | CCM Justin G. Stoltzfus |
Insignia | |
39th Air Base Wing emblem (approved 21 November 1994)[1] |
The 39th Air Base Wing (39 ABW) is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the Third Air Force. It is stationed at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. The wing is also the host unit at Incirlik.
The mission of the 39 ABW is to support and protect NATO assets and people throughout Turkey while providing a full spectrum of capabilities to the warfighter. A non-flying unit, the 39 ABW also supports three geographically separated units.
The wing's heraldic predecessor was the 39th Bombardment Group (39th BG), established in 1941, which became part of Twentieth Air Force. The 39th Bomb Group's flew very heavy bombardment B-29 Superfortress sorties against Japan. Its aircraft were identified by a solid black square painted on the tail with a "P" inside. From 1963 to 1965, the 39th Bombardment Wing flew nuclear-armed bombers as part of Strategic Air Command.