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BULLSEYE Feature 5June 3, 2016

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432nd OG celebrates 25th anniversary

By tech. sgt. nadine Barclay “The OSS supports combat opera-
tions for not just the group but for the
432nd Wing/ 432nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs wing and the air expeditionary wing
which encompasses not only squad-
CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. rons here at Creech but also the ANG
— Since its inception Sept. 18, 1947, squadrons across the US,” said Lt. Col.
Airmen have dedicated blood, sweat Scott, 432nd OSS commander.
and tears to create the most advanced
and robust Air Force this country has In addition, the 432nd OSS is home
ever known. to the ACC Weather Flight of the Year
On May 25, 2016, the 432nd Op- for 2014 and 2015, and has also been
erations Group along with the 432nd awarded the Air Force Outstanding
Maintenance Group and 432nd Op- Unit Award four times since 1991 and
erations Support Squadron celebrated the Air Force Meritorious Unit Award
their 25th Anniversary. four times since 2007.
These units commended their Air-
men assigned to the 432nd Wing/432nd The 432nd OG has played a huge
Air Expeditionary Wing for their part in many MQ-1 and MQ-9 firsts
tireless devotion in support of MQ-1 to include the activation of the 432nd
Predator and MQ-9 Reaper operations. AEW in 2007 and surpassing 2 million
“Today, we say remotely piloted RPA f light hours in 2013.
aircraft, but then [in the beginning]
they were unmanned aircraft systems,” “The 432nd Wing as a whole con-
said Col. Case Cunningham, 432nd tinues to evolve and I think that it’s
WG/432nd AEW commander, while U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christian Clausen really found its home in the RPA
reflecting on the 432nd OG’s history. business and I think it’ll be around
“Even the name change is a reflection Retired Lt. Gen. Robert Dierker, former 432nd Operations Group commander, addresses for the next 25 years to expand and
of how far we’ve come.” the 432nd OG during the 25th Anniversary Birthday celebration May 20. The 432nd OG is grow,” said Scott.
responsible for the employment of MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper for over 18 squadrons
In addition to MQ-1 and MQ-9 around the U.S. Air Force, and Air National Guard. During the 432nd OG change of
command ceremony on May 23, 2016,
combat operations, the 432nd OG is mander. “Instead my focus every day It also has unique functions as well the previous commander reminisced
home to the 11th Attack Squadron, an is on how privileged and honored it is to include the Wing Operations Center on his time with the Airmen who
in-house formal training unit for pi- to be associated with what I consider that exercises command and control maintain, operate and support MQ-1
lots and sensor operators to learn and to be some of the best Airmen our Air over 35 combat air patrols worldwide and MQ-9 operations.
perfect essential launch and recovery Force and nation has to offer.” in various areas of responsibility.
techniques for aircraft operations. “I’ve seen the 432nd OG Hunters
The group is also responsible for all air In addition to providing mainte- The unit previously served at Mi- excel at being people of action,” said
traffic control, airfield management, nance capabilities, the men and women sawa Air Base, Japan, from May 1991 Col. Julian, former 432nd OG com-
and weather services for operations at of the 432nd MXG consistently surpass to October 1994. mander. “You innovate, and don’t wait
Creech AFB. Air Combat Command standards for for others to solve problems for us.”
maintenance.
Originally activated as an F-16
Fighting Falcon group at Misawa Air Among the accomplishments is
Base, Japan on May 31, 1991 and de- their continuous mission capable rate
activated on Oct. 1, 1994, the 432nd and quality assurance rates. Both far
OG was reactivated on May 1, 2007, exceeding the 80 percent ACC stan-
to operate MQ-1 and MQ-9 aircraft dardized rates for maintenance.
providing combat command and con-
trol, tactics development, intelligence “The MXG continues to be honored
support and standardization. with awards at the 12th AF, ACC, and
AF level,” Matthew said. “In fact the
“This wing and the 432nd opera- 432nd Maintenance Group was se-
tions group have come a long way since lected as the 2014 ACC nominee for
we reactivated in 2007,” said Col. Jo- the Maintenance Effectiveness Award,
seph, 432nd OG commander. “In the Category 2, and Medium Aircraft
past couple of years this group has Maintenance Organization.”
continued to improve with leaps and
bounds.” The unit has also supported F-16
Fighting Falcons, from 1991 to 1994,
432nd Maintenance Group and HH-60 Pave Hawk, from 1993 to
Redesignated and activated on 1994.
May 1, 2007, the 432nd MXG, pro-
vides oversight to ensure maintain- “I am extremely proud of the dedi-
ers, RPAs, ground control stations, cation, devotion, and professionalism
Predator Primary Satellite Links, and that the men and women of the 432nd
Maintenance Group exhibit in support
a global integrated communications of our RPA operations,” said Matthew.
network, are fully mission capable 432nd Operations Support Squadron
and able to support aircrew training, Also Activated on May 1, 2007, the
combat and contingency operations, 432nd OSS, supports 18 combats units
operational test and evaluation, and with airfield support, weapons and
natural disaster support 24/7, 365 tactics training, and scheduling. An
U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christian Clausen
days-a-year. intelligence formal training unit is also Col. Julian, 432nd Operations Group commander, speaks during 432nd OG 25th
“I am not one to focus in on any assigned to bridge the gap from tech- Anniversary celebration May 20 at Creech Air Force Base, Nev. The ceremony highlighted
milestones such as a 25th Anniversary,” nical training school and supporting the past, present and future contributions of the men and women of the 432nd OG to
said Col Matthew, 432nd MXG com- combat lines. the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper community.