Air Force Resources

[Webstral]

I have a list of USAF SF squadrons by base, but I need some more information. For instance, what happens when a wing or group goes forward? Does the security squadron always deploy with it? For instance, I think we should presume that 56th Fighter Wing deploys from Luke AFB to Europe, the Middle East, or Korea. What happens with the 56th Security Squadron? Surely someone is going to be left at Luke to provide security, but who? The resources I've found list very few ANG or USAF-R security squadrons. Are there very few reserve component security squadrons? If so, does anybody know the plan for when security squadrons go forward?

Webstral

[pmulcahy11b]

Assuming that they can establish communications with the rest of the world and each other, I think one of the most important resources the Air force would have to contribute would be their far-flung weather stations. That meteorological data will be extremely important for planning for the future -- especially when planting crops.

[chico20854]

I have a list of USAF SF squadrons by base, but I need some more information. For instance, what happens when a wing or group goes forward? Does the security squadron always deploy with it? For instance, I think we should presume that 56th Fighter Wing deploys from Luke AFB to Europe, the Middle East, or Korea. What happens with the 56th Security Squadron? Surely someone is going to be left at Luke to provide security, but who? The resources I've found list very few ANG or USAF-R security squadrons. Are there very few reserve component security squadrons? If so, does anybody know the plan for when security squadrons go forward?

Webstral

I'd imagine that the security squadron goes with the wing/group when it deploys. (There's a pretty comprehensive list of the squadrons in the tank-net NATO orbat (http://www.microarmormayhem.com/NATO_ORDER_OF_BATTLE_mod_8.doc), although it's pretty spotty on the NG side). Some overseas bases that didn't have flying units permanently assigned had squadrons there, although I suspect those were to guard US nuclear weapons that were tasked to allied air forces to drop. As for who guards the airbase when the SPs leave, I'd probably assume it was civilian contract security guards, who maintained guard on a large number of military installations in CONUS. I'd have a hard time making the opposite argument, that the air unit would deploy to a theater of operations and the security forces would remain at the home station to guard the empty hangars and flight line...

[Webstral]

Chico, that resource is gold!

I agree that it doesn't seem very reasonable that the wing would move forward without its security. Maybe that's why there aren't more USAF unnits operating independently in the US. The combat arms went forward with their gear, leaving the clerks and trainers in the rear.

Webstral

[Muti]

http://208.84.116.223/forums/index.php?showtopic=20414&st=680

Looks like they're still improving the OOB. I hope to see a new version sooner or later.

[chico20854]

Chico, that resource is gold!


That's why there are hardly any NATO orbats on my web site... that resource is so good there's no point to re-do it country by country.

[Webstral]

I see in the NATO Order of Battle 1989 that both the 56th Wing at Luke AFB and 355th Wing at Davis-Monthan are training wings "...Responsible to provide follow-on TAC reinforcement to Europe." The phrasing suggests to me that the wings themselves were not supposed to go forward. Any ideas on that?

Webstral

[Matt Wiser]

They never deployed for ODS, but did send personnel and a few airframes. And now, two of the A-10 squadrons at Davis Monthan are considered deployable (One of 'em is the 357th TFS, recently commanded by Lt. Col. Martha McSally, the first woman to command an AF TacAir unit). I would imagine that in T2K, some, but not all, of the RTU (Luke, Davis-Monthan, Tyndall) squadrons might be considered for deployment.

[Webstral]

I'm also noting the host of USAF resources in New Mexico. I'll have to do more research before trying to sketch out their role in the fighting with Mexico.

Webstral

[Webstral]

So already I'm having to revise my earlier assertions. 56th Tactical Fighter Wing out of Luke AFB in Phoenix, AZ might not have deployed to Europe. Elements may have deployed, but the training mission may very well have continued. This means I can stick with my original story, more or less, regarding the fate of Phoenix and the government forces and agencies there. The remaining sticky issue is how a USAF organization finds itself operating under the command of the Arizona Adjutant General. I'm thinking that by the time 56th Wing arrives in Flagstaff with the rest of the force fleeing Luke AFB, the force has been virtually destroyed. Perhaps the surviving federal leadership comes to an agreement with the Arizonans that local circumstances have dictated a temporary alteration to the chain of command. Perhaps the appropriate chain of command issues orders for the remnants of 56th SF Squadron to continue operating in the Flagstaff area as a cordon against further Mexican incursion to the north and northward movement of marauders out of Phoenix. (This can be seen as a polite "Stand by. Out.") Dual chains of command for such a small force makes no sense, so "for the time being" 56th Squadron is attached to 1st AZSTAG Brigade.

Webstral