432nd Operations Group

432d Operations Group
Emblem of the 432d Operations Group
Active	1943–1958, 1991-1994-, 2007-Present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army Air Force

432 OG Gaggle patch. Gaggle consists of (clockwise from top left): 15th Reconnaissance Squadron, 42d Attack Squadron, 11th Reconnaissance Squadron, 17th Reconnaissance Squadron, 30th Reconnaissance Squadron, 432d Operations Support Squadron and 432d Operations Group (center).

The 432d Operations Group is the flying component of the United States Air Force 432d Wing, stationed at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada.

Overview

The 432d Operations Group/Expeditionary Operations Group employs Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) in 24/7/365 Combat Air Patrols in support of combatant commander needs, and deploys combat support forces worldwide. This includes combat command and control, tactics development, intelligence support, weather support, and standardization and evaluation oversight for United States Air Force Air Combat Command, United States Air Forces Central Command, Air Force Material Command, Air National Guard, Royal Air Force, and Air Reserve Command RPA units.

The Group is also responsible for all air traffic control, airfield management, and weather services for RPA operations at Creech AFB, NV

Units

• 11th Reconnaissance Squadron (11 RS)

The 11 RS It is the United States Air Force's first and premiere MQ-1B Predator formal training unit that conducts 5 basic and advanced training courses: Initial Qualification (IQT), Instructor Upgrade Training (IUT), Foreign Officer Course (FOC), Senior Officer Course (SOC), and Launch & Recovery Course (LR)

• 15th Reconnaissance Squadron (15 RS)

The 15 RS is one of the first armed Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) squadrons. The squadron provides combatant commanders with persistent ISR, full-motion video, and precision weapons employment. Global operations architecture supports continuous MQ-1B Predator employment providing real-time actionable intelligence, strike, interdiction, close air support, and special missions to deployed war fighters.

• 17th Reconnaissance Squadron (17 RS)

The 17 RS is the U.S. Air Force's only dual aircraft, combat coded squadron. A highly-disciplined multifunctional team, the squadron develops and utilizes new Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems tactics, techniques and procedures while operating the MQ-1B Predator and MQ-9 Reaper. The 17th RS organizes, trains and equips forces to provide special capabilities and tactics to combatant commanders and warfighters for worldwide operations requiring remotely piloted aircraft.

• 18th Reconnaissance Squadron (18 RS)

The 18 RS provides combatant commanders with persistent ISR, full-motion video, and precision weapons employment. Global operations architecture supports continuous MQ-1B Predator employment providing real-time actionable intelligence, strike, interdiction, close air support, and special missions to deployed war fighters.

• 42d Attack Squadron (42 AS)

The 42 AS was the USAF's first MQ-9 Reaper RPA attack squadron. Operates medium altitude MQ-9 multi-sensor platform to locate, identify, and destroy enemy positions. The squadron provides combatant commanders with deployable precision engagement capabilities for time critical targets, air interdiction, close air support, strike coordination, and reconnaissance. The 42nd ATKS also distributes real-time imagery and combat assessment to theater and national-level leadership.

• 30th Reconnaissance Squadron (30 RS), stationed at Tonopah Test Range Airport.

The 30 RS operates the USAF's RQ-170 Sentinels.

• 19th Attack Squadron (19 AS), stationed at Tonopah Test Range Airport
• 432d Operations Support Squadron

History

For additional history and lineage, see 432d Wing

Activated in 1991 as the 432d Operations Group when its parent 432d Fighter Wing converted to the Objective Wing organization. Controlled two squadrons of F-16 Falcon tactical fighters at Misawa AB, Japan, 1991-1994. Unit inactivated along with parent organization when 35th Fighter Wing was assigned to Misawa and 432d Wing and component organizations were redesignated.

The unit was again reactivated in 2007 when its parent 432d Wing stood up at Creech AFB, Nevada. The unit has control over several squadrons which operate unmanned reconnaissance aircraft. As the 432d Air Expeditionary Group, the unit consists of combat-ready Airmen who fly the MQ-1B Predator and MQ-9 Reaper aircraft to support United States and Coalition warfighters. The 19th Attack Squadron and 30th Reconnaissance Squadron are stated at Tonopah Test Range Airport, Nevada and operate the USAF's RQ-170 Sentinels.

Lineage

• Established as 432d Operations Group and activated on 31 May 1991

Inactivated on 1 Oct 1994.

Reactivated on 1 May 2007

• Designated as 432d Air Expeditionary Operations Group and placed in provisional status when components are deployed into combat areas by Air Combat Command.

Assignments

• 432d Fighter Wing, 31 May 1991-1 Oct 1994
• 432d Wing, 1 May 2007

Air Combat Command when components are deployed into combat areas.

Components

• 13th Fighter Squadron, 31 May 1991-1 Oct 1994
• 14th Fighter Squadron, 31 May 1991-1 Oct 1994

• 11th Reconnaissance Squadron, 1 May 2007-Present
• 15th Reconnaissance Squadron, 1 May 2007-Present
• 19th Attack Squadron, 1 May 2007-Present
• 17th Reconnaissance Squadron, 1 May 2007-Present
• 30th Reconnaissance Squadron, 1 May 2007-Present
• 42d Attack Squadron, 1 May 2007-Present
• 62d Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron

Stations

• Misawa AB, Japan, 31 May 1991-1 Oct 1994
• Creech AFB, Nevada, 1 May 2007-Present

19th AS and 30th RS operate from Tonopah Test Range Airport, Nevada, 1 May 2007-Present

Aircraft

• F-16 Falcon, 1991-1994
• RQ-1 Predator, 2007-Present
• MQ-9 Reaper, 2007-Present
• RQ-170 Sentinel, 2007=Present

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency