611th Air and Space Operations Center

611th Air and Space Operations Center
Active	1948–1950; 1950–1953; 1977–Present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Command and Control
Part of	Pacific Air Forces
Garrison/HQ	Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
Commanders
Current commander	Colonel Harley J. D. Bodine IV[1]
Insignia
611th Air and Space Operations Center emblem (approved 22 March 2001)
11th Tactical Control Group emblem (approved March 1983)[2]

The 611th Air and Space Operations Center is the most recent designation of a unit that has served with Alaskan Air Command and Eleventh Air Force as a command and control organization since the late 1940s, based at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson.

Mission

The 611th Air and Space Operations Center consists of the 611th Combat Operations Division, the 611th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Division, and the 611th Strategy and Plans Division. The three divisions develop plans, procedures, and directives for the employment of combat and support forces assigned to the Eleventh Air Force, the Pacific Air Forces and the North American Aerospace Defense Command. The center maintains air sovereignty and conducts air defense operations for the Alaska NORAD Region, as well as directing rescue operations and providing tactical support for air and land forces.^[3]

Prior to October 2006, the 611th planned and executed Pacific Air Forces' premier national and multinational large force training exercise, Red Flag - Alaska. This mission, and the 353d Combat Training Squadron, was returned to the 354th Fighter Wing at Eielson AFB.

History

The group was activated on 21 June 1948 as the 531st Air Control and Warning Group at McChord Air Force Base, part of the Fourth Air Force. The 626th and 632d Air Control and Warning Squadrons were assigned to the group. Around 25 October 1948, it became part of the 25th Air Division. On 15 July 1949, the group transferred to Elmendorf Air Force Base, where it had remained ever since. The 625th Air Control and Warning Squadron became part of the group on the same day. The group became part of Alaskan Air Command three days before. On 1 June 1950, the group was inactivated. The group was activated again on 17 November 1950 with the 10th Air Division, less the 632d Squadron. It became part of Alaskan Air Command again on 20 July 1951, but was transferred back to the 10th Air Division on 1 November 1952. On 8 December of that year, the 705th, 717th, 719th, 794th, and 795th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadrons joined the group. The group was inactivated on 15 April 1953.

The group was reactivated on 15 November 1977 with the 21st Composite Wing, and included the 705th, 708th, 710th, 711th, 714th, 717th, 719th, 743d, 744th, 748th, 794th, and 795th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadrons. On 30 September 1979, the group became part of Alaskan Air Command, which became the Eleventh Air Force in 1990. It was redesignated the 11th Tactical Control Group on 1 July 1981. The 3d Air Support Operations Squadron (ASOS) became part of the group on the same day. On 1 November 1983, the group's aircraft control and warning squadrons were inactivated. On 6 January 1991, the group became the 11th Tactical Control Wing. The 3rd ASOS was transferred on 1 January 1992. On 27 January 1992, it became the 11th Air Control Wing. The wing became the 611th Air Operations Group on 1 July 1994, with the 3rd ASOS, 611th Air Control Squadron and 611th Air Operations Squadron assigned. Around 1997 the 611th Air Intelligence and 611th Air Communications Flights became part of the group. On 19 February 1999, the 11th Operational Weather Squadron joined the group. In 2004 the 611th Air Control Squadron was transferred to the Alaska Air National Guard and redesignated the 176th Air Control Squadron.^[4] On 1 October 2007, the group was redesignated the 611th Air and Space Operations Center. In 2007 the 611th Air Intelligence Squadron was inactivated and the 611th Air Communications Squadron was transferred to the 611th Air Support Group, now the Pacific Regional Support Center. On 13 June 2008, the 11th Operational Weather Squadron was inactivated and merged with the 17th Operational Weather Squadron.^[5]

Lineage

• Constituted as the 531st Aircraft Control and Warning Group

Activated on 21 June 1948

Inactivated on 1 January 1950

Activated on 17 November 1950

Inactivated on 15 April 1953

Activated on 15 November 1977

• Redesignated 11th Tactical Control Group on 1 July 1981
• Redesignated 11th Tactical Control Wing on 6 January 1991
• Redesignated 11th Air Control Wing on 27 January 1992
• Redesignated 611th Air Operations Group on 1 July 1994
• Redesignated 611th Air and Space Operations Center on 1 October 2007

References