European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 13, 2007, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 22 s tars and St pipes july 2007 Page 23 anniversary the 501 St combat support Wing serves As the leadership and oversight function for four air base groups and eight installations throughout England and these units include the 423rd air base group located at Royal air Force Raf Raf Upwood and they also include the 420th air base group located at Raf Fairford and Raf the 421st air base group located at Raf me with and the 422nd air base group located at Raf the 501st combat support Wing Mission is to ensure these air base groups Are trained and equipped to exacting command standards Irr order to provide Mission support that enables United states and nato partners to spectrum flying operations during expeditionary theater munitions global command and control communications to Forward deployed support for theater intelligence operations and combined the 501 St combat support Wing is also Home to the Royal International air Tattoo at Raf Fairford the Royal International air Tattoo is the worlds largest military air attracting thousands of visitors and distinguished guests each the units described above have a Rich history that dates Back to the Early years of world War ii when the 93rd bombardment group and the 15th bomb Squadron flew out of Raf Alconbury and Raf Molesworth today the Wing plays a strategic role through diverse missions in support of the global War on the Wing was reactivated May 2005 at Raf England and the Headquarters staff served there for two years before relocating to Raf Aico Obury on May 2007 to provide better accessibility Between the Wing staff and its geographically separated h i 1942 army air corps arrived june 15th bomb Squadron air Force took to Raf Molesworth extending the Airway the first eighth air Force Mission control of Raf Croughton and to accommodate heavy bombers to he european continent created a 1954 air Force regains control of 1959 the 1 oth tactical reconnaissance Cut 17th reconnaissance Wing activated at Raf Aicon Bory housing the 86thbomber Wing become the Host unit a Raf Aconbury Raf Aconbury flying the u2 december 1981 Squadron and the 42nd troop Carrier Squadron lasting 30 years was used As a support Bast of Raf Aconbury 1942 432nd bomb group wis the major unit flying out of Raf Aconbury in Wii september 1942 the 303rti arrived i1 7 flying until 1s45 july 1951 the air Force took of Raf Mcie Shvorth and flying began n 1954 with the i air 42nd troop Carrier Squadron 1955  a 1961 1230 aass became the Raf Croughton became the 1230th airways 2130 communication and air communications service Squadron in 1977 the Squadron became a group december 303rdtactical missile Wing and housed ground it inactivated in 1989 August 1987 the 1 reconnaissance Wing was predesignated the 1 oth tactical fighter Wing flying the a10 Thunderbolt g december 303rd tactical missile Wing and housed ground launch cruise missiles it inactivated in 1989 Juty 1991 the same unit but the 9sth reconnaissance Squadron remained february special operations group moved to Raf 1992 35th special operations Wing August designation arrived at Raf became activation of the422nd air base the 3 52nd special operations group Squadron at Fiat 2003 the air base Squadron Deig Rattee As the Host unit for March 3 1593 10th Tactual 2005 the 4zind air Wols Stab shed at Raf Croughton with four Zubof donate squad co5 May f reactivate for of the 501 St combat support Wing at England 16 2007423r Squadron formed 3t Raf up Loci May 2c07 tha 501 St combat support on the occasion of its 60th anniversary we would like to express our heart Felt gratitude to the very special men and women of the Usan both past and present for the and self sacrifice displayed while defending our nation and promoting Freedom throughout the thank you v r f