The 1990–1991 Gulf War was the last major United States Air Force combat operation of the 20th Century. The command and control of allied forces deployed to the Middle East initially as part of Operation Desert Shield, later engaging in combat operations during Operation Desert Storm, were assigned to United States Central Command Air Forces (USCENTAF), the USAF component of the Joint United States Central Command.
United States Air Force units were initially deployed to Saudi Arabia in August 1990, being assigned directly to CENTAF with a mission to defend the kingdom. In November 1990, the decision was made to enhance the force into an offensive-capable one, and additional units were ordered deployed to CENTAF. As a result, CENTAF set up a table of organization which established provisional Air Divisions to prevent too many units reporting directly to CENTAF headquarters. These were as follows:[1]
After the end of combat operations, most of the combat forces of CENTAF returned to their home stations. The provisional organizations established were inactivated; their temporary nature meaning that no official lineage or history was retained by the USAF. On 13 March 1991 Headquarters Tactical Air Command activated the 4404th Tactical Fighter Wing (Provisional) at Prince Sultan Air Base, Al Kharj, to replace the provisional Air Divisions. The original assets of the 4404th TFW came from the 4th TFW (Provisional), which had operated during the Gulf War.
The long-term effect of the deployment and organization of Air Force Wings and Groups to CENTAF for the Gulf War eventually led to an Air Force-Wide reorganization of its Cold War command structure; the result being the modern Air Force organization structure which exists today. Air Force Expeditionary units, which are activated and inactivated as needed to support deployments were developed, replacing the "Provisional" units of the Gulf War.
Brigadier General Buster Glosson served as commander, 14th Air Division (Provisional), and director of campaign plans for U.S. Central Command Air Forces, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Deployed from Langley Air Force Base, Virginia
Headquarters: King Abdul Aziz Air Base, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
| Squadron | Tail Code | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27th Tactical Fighter Squadron | FF | F-15C Eagle | Deployed: 8 August 1990 – 8 March 1991 (24 Aircraft) |
| 71st Tactical Fighter Squadron | FF | F-15C Eagle | Deployed: 7 August 1990 – 8 March 1991 (24 Aircraft) |
Deployed from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina
Headquarters: Prince Sultan Air Base, Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| Squadron | Tail Code | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 335th Tactical Fighter Squadron | SJ | F-15E Strike Eagle | Deployed: 27 December 1990 – 24 June 1991 (24 Aircraft) |
| 336th Tactical Fighter Squadron | SJ | F-15E Strike Eagle | Deployed: *18 December 1990 – 13 March 1991 (24 Aircraft)*Redeployed from Thumrait, Oman 8 Aug 1990 – 18 December 1990 |
| 53rd Tactical Fighter Squadron | BT | F-15C Eagle | Deployed: 20 December 1990 – 1 July 1991 (24 Aircraft) *from Bitburg AB, Germany with additional aircraft and personnel from the 22nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, also from Bitburg. |
| 138th Tactical Fighter Squadron | NY | F-16A Fighting Falcon | Deployed from 174th Tactical Fighter Wing, Hancock Field, New York Air National Guard (16 Aircraft) |
| 157th Tactical Fighter Squadron | SC | F-16A Fighting Falcon | Deployed from 169th Tactical Fighter Group, McEntire Air National Guard Base, South Carolina Air National Guard (24 Aircraft) |
Deployed from Eglin Air Force Base, Florida
Headquarters: King Faisal Air Base, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
Deployed from Tonopah Test Range Airport, Nevada
Headquarters: King Khalid Air Base, Khamis Mushait, Saudi Arabia
| Squadron | Tail Code | Aircraft Type | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 415th Tactical Fighter Squadron | TR | F-117A Nighthawk | Deployed: 19 August 1990 – 1 April 1991 (18 Aircraft) | |
| 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron | TR | F-117A Nighthawk | Deployed: 19 August 1990 – 1 April 1991 (18 Aircraft) | |
| 417th Tactical Fighter Squadron | TR | F-117A Nighthawk | Deployed: 19 August 1990 – 1 April 1991 (6 Aircraft) |
Deployed from RAF Lakenheath, England
Headquarters: Taif Air Base, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| Squadron | Tail Code | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 492d Tactical Fighter Squadron | LN | F-111F | Deployed: 2 September 1990 – 15 March 1991 (22 Aircraft) |
| 493d Tactical Fighter Squadron | LN | F-111F | Deployed: 2 September 1990 – 15 March 1991 (22 Aircraft) |
| 494th Tactical Fighter Squadron | LN | F-111F | Deployed: 2 September 1990 – 15 March 1991 (22 Aircraft) |
| 42d Electronic Combat Squadron | UH | EF-111 | Deployed from 66th Electronic Combat Wing Sembach AB Germany & 20th Tactical Fighter Wing RAF Upper Heyford UK: 2 September 1990 – 15 March 1991 (5 Aircraft) |
| 390th Electronic Combat Squadron | MO | EF-111 | Deployed from 366th Tactical Fighter Wing, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, 17 January 1991 – 6 March 1991 (5 Aircraft) |
Deployed from Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, South Carolina
Headquarters: King Fahd International Airport, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| Squadron | Tail Code | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 353d Tactical Fighter Squadron | MB | A-10 Thunderbolt II | Deployed: 15 August 1990 – 25 March 1991 (24 Aircraft) |
| 355th Tactical Fighter Squadron | MB | A-10 Thunderbolt II | Deployed: 15 August 1990 – 25 March 1991 (24 Aircraft) |
| 74th Tactical Fighter Squadron | EL | A-10 Thunderbolt II | Deployed from 23d Tactical Fighter Wing, England AFB, Louisiana, 29 August 1990 – 20 April 1991 (24 Aircraft) |
| 76th Tactical Fighter Squadron | EL | A-10 Thunderbolt II | Deployed from 23d Tactical Fighter Wing, England AFB, Louisiana, 29 August 1990 – 20 April 1991 (24 Aircraft) |
| 23d Tactical Air Support Squadron | NF | OA-10 Thunderbolt II | Deployed from 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, 29 August 1990 – 20 April 1991 (12 Aircraft) |
| 511th Tactical Fighter Squadron | AR | A-10 Thunderbolt II | Deployed from 10th Tactical Fighter Wing, RAF Alconbury, England, 15 August 1990 – 25 March 1991 (24 Aircraft) |
| 706th Tactical Fighter Squadron | NO | A-10 Thunderbolt II | Deployed from 926th Tactical Fighter Group, NAS New Orleans, United States Air Force Reserve, 15 August 1990 – 25 March 1991 (24 Aircraft) |
Deployed from Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina
Headquarters: Al Dhafra Air Base, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| Squadron | Tail Code | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17th Tactical Fighter Squadron | SW | F-16C Fighting Falcon | Deployed: 9 August 1990 – 13 March 1991 (24 Aircraft) |
| 33d Tactical Fighter Squadron | SW | F-16C Fighting Falcon | Deployed: 9 August 1990 – 13 March 1991 (24 Aircraft) |
| 10th Tactical Fighter Squadron | HR | F-16C Fighting Falcon | Deployed from 50th Tactical Fighter Wing, Hahn Air Base, Germany, 28 December 1990 – 10 May 1991 (24 Aircraft) |
| 1705th Air Refueling Squadron (P) | KC-135 Stratotanker | Attached from SAC 7th Air Division. Composed of elements of the 11th (Altus), 306th (Altus), 905th (Grand Forks), 924th Air Refueling Squadrons (Castle). (15 Aircraft) | |
Deployed from Hill Air Force Base, Utah
Headquarters: Al Minhad Air Base, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| Squadron | Tail Code | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4th Tactical Fighter Squadron | HL | F-16C Fighting Falcon | Deployed: 28 August 1990 – 27 March 1991 |
| 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron | HL | F-16C Fighting Falcon | Deployed: 28 August 1990 – 27 March 1991 |
| 69th Tactical Fighter Squadron | MY | F-16C Fighting Falcon | Deployed from 347th Tactical Fighter Wing, Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, 8–28 January 1991. Located at King Fahd International Airport, 29 January - 4 March 1991 |
Deployed from Torrejón Air Base, Spain
Headquarters: Doha International Airport, Qatar
Deployed from Eglin AFB, Eglin Aux Fld#3, Florida
Headquarters: King Khalid Military City, Saudi Arabia
Deployed from George Air Force Base, California
Headquarters: Shaikh Isa Air Base, Bahrain
| Squadron | Tail Code | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 561st Tactical Fighter Squadron | WW | F-4G Phantom II | Deployed: 16 August 1990-March 1991 (24 Aircraft) |
| 81st Tactical Fighter Squadron | SP | F-4G Phantom II | Deployed from 52d Tactical Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, 16 August 1990-March 1991 (24 Aircraft) |
| 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron | BA | RF-4C Phantom II | Deployed from 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Bergstrom Air Force Base, Texas, 14 January-10 May 1991 (6 Aircraft) |
| 106th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron | BH | RF-4C Phantom II | Deployed from 117th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Birmingham International Airport, Alabama Air National Guard (6 Aircraft) |
| 192d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron | RJ | RF-4C Phantom II | Deployed from 152d Reconnaissance Group, Reno-Tahoe International Airport, Nevada Air National Guard (6 Aircraft) |
Deployed from Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma
Headquarters: King Khalid Air Base, Khamis Mushait, Saudi Arabia
Deployed from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona
Headquarters: Bateen Air Base, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
EC-130H Compass Call (Tail Code: DM), 27 August 1990 – 17 April 1991
Headquarters: King Khalid Air Base, Khamis Mushait, Saudi Arabia
E-8A Joint Stars, December 1990-March 1991 (2 Aircraft)
Deployed from Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas
Headquarters: Al Bateen Air Base, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Deployed from Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina
Headquarters: RAFO Thumrait, Oman
| Squadron | Tail Code | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1681st Tactical Airlift Squadron (P) | PB | C-130E Hercules. | 16 Aircraft Composed of elements of the 39th, 40th and 41st Tactical Airlift Squadrons |
| 1682d Tactical Airlift Squadron (P) | PB | C-130E Hercules | 16 Aircraft Composed of elements of the 39th, 40th and 41st Tactical Airlift Squadrons |
Deployed from Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany
Headquarters: Al Ain International Airport, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| Squadron | Tail Code | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37th Tactical Airlift Squadron | C-130E Hercules | Deployed: 15 August 1990 – 20 March 1991 | |
| 1630th Tactical Airlift Squadron (P) | C-130E Hercules | 8 Aircraft Composed of elements of West Virginia ANG 130th Tactical Airlift Squadron (4 aircraft) and 4 aircraft of Texas ANG 181st Tactical Airlift Squadron. Deployed: October 1990-24 June 1991 | |
| 1632d Tactical Airlift Squadron (P) | C-130H Hercules | 8 aircraft Composed of elements of Missouri ANG 180th Tactical Airlift Squadron. Deployed: 28 December 1990 – 24 June 1991 | |
Detached from Headquarters Military Airlift Command, Scott AFB, Illinois
Headquarters: Masirah Air Base, Oman
| Squadron | Tail Code | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1640th Tactical Airlift Squadron (P) | PB | C-130E Hercules | Composed of elements of the 317th Tactical Airlift Wing, Pope AFB, North Carolina. Deployed: 15 August 1990 – 20 March 1991 |
| 1707th Air Refueling Squadron (P) | KC-135 Stratotanker | Attached from SAC 7th Air Division. Composed of elements of the 901st, 905th, 919th Air Refueling Squadrons. (15 Aircraft) | |
Detached from Headquarters Military Airlift Command, Scott AFB, Illinois
Headquarters: Sharjah International Airport, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| Squadron | Tail Code | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1650th Tactical Airlift Squadron (P) | C-130E Hercules | Apparently included "all aircraft and numerous aircrews and support personnel" from 914th Tactical Airlift Group, Niagara Falls International Airport, NY (AFRES) (source 914 AW article) | |
| 1611th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (P) | C-130E Hercules | Composed of elements of the 1st Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Pope AFB, North Carolina and 2nd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Rhein Main AB, Germany | |
Detached from Headquarters Military Airlift Command, Scott AFB, Illinois
Headquarters: Prince Sultan Air Base, Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| Squadron | Tail Code | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1670th Tactical Airlift Squadron (P) | C-130H Hercules | Composed of elements of the 773d Tactical Airlift Squadron, 463d Tactical Airlift Wing, Dyess AFB, Texas (4 Aircraft) | |
| 1671st Tactical Airlift Squadron (P) | C-130H Hercules | Composed of elements of the 772d Tactical Airlift Squadron, 463d Tactical Airlift Wing, Dyess AFB, Texas (4 Aircraft) | |
Detached from Headquarters AFSOC, Hurlburt Field, Florida
Headquarters: King Fahd International Airport, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| Squadron | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 719th Special Operations Squadron | AC-130A Spectre Gunship | Deployed from 919th SOG, Duke Field, Florida |
| 16th Special Operations Squadron | AC-130H Spectre Gunship | Deployed from 1st SOW, Hurlburt Field, Florida |
| 850th Special Operations Squadron | MC/EC-130 Hercules MH-53J | Composed of elements from 1st SOW, Hurlburt Field, Florida; 919th SOG, Duke Field, Florida, 193d SOG, Harrisburg International Airport, Pennsylvania Air National Guard |
| 1675th Tactical Airlift Squadron (P) | C-130 Hercules | |
| 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) | MH-60, MH-47 | United States Army unit, located at King Khalid International Airport |
Detached from Headquarters Military Airlift Command, Scott AFB, Illinois
Headquarters: King Khalid Air Base, Khamis Mushait, Saudi Arabia
C-21 Learjet, (8 Aircraft)
C-12 Huron (7 Aircraft)
RU-21 Learjet (7 Aircraft)Provided Special Air Mission transport for CENTAF/CENTCOM leadership and civilian VIPs from coalition nations and the United States.
Detached from Headquarters 7th Air Division, Strategic Air Command, Ramstein AB, Germany
Headquarters: King Khalid Air Base, Khamis Mushait, Saudi Arabia
| Squadron | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1700th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (P) | RC-135 | Deployed from the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Offutt AFB, Nebraska (4 Aircraft) |
| 1704th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (P) | U2/TR-1 | Deployed from the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale AFB, Ca and 95th Reconnaissance Squadron, 17th Reconnaissance Wing, RAF Alconbury, UK. On 21 September 1990 Operating Location-Crested Harvest (OL-CH, often known to USAF personnel as "Camel Hump") was designated the 1704th Reconnaissance Squadron (Provisional).[2] |
| 1700th Air Refueling Squadron (P) | KC-135 Stratotanker | 10 Aircraft Assigned |
| 69th Bombardment Squadron (P) | B-52G Stratofortresses | Deployed from 42d Bombardment Wing, Loring AFB, Maine (7 Aircraft) |
Headquarters: King Abdul Aziz Air Base, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| Squadron | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1709th Air Refueling Squadron (P) | KC-135E/A Stratotanker | Deployed from 336th Air Refueling Squadron, 452d Air Refueling Wing, March AFB, California (6 Aircraft, 31 December 1990, 5 January 1991-March 1991) Deployed from 68th Air Refueling Wing, Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina, (3 Aircraft, 31 December 1990-March 1991) Deployed from 72d Air Refueling Squadron, 434th Air Refueling Wing, Grissom AFB, Indiana (4 Aircraft, 5 January 1991-March 1991) |
| 1710th Air Refueling Squadron (P) | KC-10 Extender | Deployed from 336th Air Refueling Squadron, 452d Air Refueling Wing, March AFB, California (6 Aircraft, 31 December 1990, 5 January 1991-March 1991) Deployed from 68th Air Refueling Wing, Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina, (3 Aircraft, 31 December 1990-March 1991) |
Headquarters: King Abdul Aziz Air Base, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Headquarters: Seeb International Airport, Muscat, Oman.
Headquarters: Cairo West Airport, Egypt
| Squadron | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1706th Air Refueling Squadron (P) | KC-135R Stratotanker | Deployed from 905th Air Refueling Squadron, 319th Bombardment Wing, Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota, 28 September 1990 - March 1991 (3 Aircraft) Deployed from 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Beale AFB, California, 9 October 1990 - March 1991 |
| KC-135E Stratotanker | Deployed from 126th Air Refueling Squadron, 128th Air Refueling Wing, General Mitchell ANGB, Wisconsin Air National Guard, 30 December 1990 - March 1991 (10 Aircraft) Deployed from 116th Air Refueling Squadron, 141st Air Refueling Wing, Fairchild AFB, Washington Air National Guard, 30 December 1990 - March 1991 (5 Aircraft) | |
Headquarters: King Abdul Aziz Air Base, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
20 B-52G Stratofortresses. The lead unit within the 1708th BW (P) was the 524th BS/379th BW from Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan. Aircraft and crews were also drawn from the 62d and 596th BS/2d BW Barksdale AFB, Louisiana; 69th BS/42d BW at Loring AFB, Maine; 328th BS/93d BW, Castle AFB, California, and the 668th BS/416 BW at Griffiss AFB, New York. B-52 operations at Jeddah were not possible prior to the initiation of combat so the wing gained its aircraft when the conflict began. Six aircraft from the 42d BW were moved to Jeddah from Diego Garcia on 17 January, and 10 more flew in from Wurthsmith, attacking targets en route. Although launched from Wurtsmith and flown by 379th BW crews, three of the aircraft came from the 93d BW at Castle and two from the 42d BW at Loring.
| Squadron | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| B-52G Stratofortress | Deployed from 524th BS/379th BW (5 Aircraft); 668th BS/416 BW (3 Aircraft); 596th BS/2d BW (1 Aircraft) | |
| B-52G Stratofortress | Deployed from 69th BS/42d BW (5 Aircraft); 328th BS/93d BW (3 Aircraft); 668th BS/416 BW (3 Aircraft) | |
Headquarters: King Abdul Aziz Air Base, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Headquarters: Al Banteen Air Base, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Headquarters: Al Banteen Air Base, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Headquarters: Morón Air Base, Spain
Headquarters: Morón Air Base, Spain
The 801st BW (P) consisted of 28 B-52G Stratofortresses and was formed around a nucleus provided by he 2d Bombardment Wing at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana and drew aircraft from the crews of the 524th BS/379th BW, Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan; the 668th BS/416th BW at Griffiss AFB, New York and from 69th BS/42d BW at Loring AFB, Maine. One B-52G (52-6503) was sent from the 340th BS/97th BW at Eaker AFB, Arkansas.
| Squadron | Aircraft Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 801st Bombardment Squadron (P) | B-52G Stratofortress | Deployed from 2d BW (7 Aircraft); 69th BS/42d BW (2 Aircraft); 668th BS/416th BW (8 Aircraft) January–March 1991 |
| 802d Bombardment Squadron (P) | B-52G Stratofortress | Deployed from 524th BS/379th BW (8 Aircraft); 340th BS/97th BW (1 Aircraft); 524th BS/379th BW (8 Aircraft) January–March 1991 |
Headquarters: Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal
Headquarters: Incirlik Air Base, Turkey
Headquarters: RAF Fairford, England
The 806th BW (P) was formed around a cadre of air and ground crews provided by the 97th Bombardment Wing, Eaker AFB, Arkansas. It consisted of a total of 11 B-52G Stratofortresses, also being drawn from the 668th BS/416th BW at Griffiss AFB, New York; 596th BS/2d BW, Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, and the 328th BS/93d BW at Castle AFB, California.
Headquarters: Incirlik Air Base, Turkey
Headquarters: Incirlik Air Base, Turkey
Headquarters: Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory [BIOT]
The lead unit for the 4300th BW (P) was the 69th BS/42d BW from Loring AFB, Maine.[3] Aircraft were also drawn from the 328th BS/93d BW at Castle AFB, California. Six aircraft were transferred to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 17 January 1991 and they were replaced by six B-52Gs from the 1500th SW (P) at Andersen AFB, Guam.