453d Electronic Warfare Squadron

453d Electronic Warfare Squadron
Boeing T-43 as flown by the squadron in the 1990s
Active 1942-1945, 1949-1951, 1955-1957, 1973-1993, c. 2000–present
Country  United States
Branch  United States Air Force
Role Electronic Warfare
Part of Air Combat Command
Motto(s) Every Crow a Tiger
Decorations Distinguished Unit Citation[1]Air Force Outstanding Unit Award[2]
Insignia
453d Electronic Warfare Squadron emblem
453d Figher-Bomber Squadron emblem (approved 1 February 1957)[1]
453d Bombardment Squadron emblem[3]

The 453d Electronic Warfare Squadron is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 53d Wing and is stationed at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

Overview

The 453d EWS provides a full spectrum of EW support to DoD and coalition warfighters. The 453 EWS provides EW support through four flights, operating together to create a foundation of EW knowledge, maintain and update such knowledge, provide in-depth radio frequency and other electronic warfare analyses and create a realistic training environment for the warfighter. The 453 EWS products and services are utilized in a variety of areas, including mission planning, training, and exercises.

  • The Flagging Analysis flight, (EWF), provides a 24/7 tactical comparison of "current expectations" to current reality to ensure the warfighter is prepared to deploy and operate effectively. Tactical monitoring of the worldwide threat environment is crucial to the detection and identification of new or changed threat radars that may impact the performance of aircraft EW systems. Flagging analysis provides the detection of anomalous threat operation and provides the trigger to energize the EWIR community.
  • The Operations flight, (EWO) provides analyses of active and passive RF-based Sensor,EW & C3ISR systems' performance in support of operational, acquisition, and training activities. The Improved Many-on-Many (IMOM) family of analysis tools are the most prominent part of the flight, supporting mission planners with comprehensive EW/C3ISR analyses, including radar detection, threat engagement, communications & jamming, ISR collection, PSYOP broadcast, and passive detection/ESM capabilities. The flight also provides the constructive EW environment used in generating country-specific opposing force integrated air defense system threats. Additionally, the flight provides constructive (computer-based) EW target sets and various other modeling and simulation-based training scenarios to meet a wide range of warfighter training objectives. The DMO approach to training provides flexibility with respect to scenario generation and realism. The inherent flexibility of DMO allows for endless potential with respect to integration across the entire Live, Virtual, and Constructive training spectrum.
  • In 2015, The Data flight became a part of the 57 Intel Squadron. It provides the foundation of EW knowledge used by mission planners and the acquisition community through the development and maintenance of the Combat Support Database (CSDB), Blue Airborne Target Signatures (BATS) Database, US Electromagnetic Systems Database (USELMS), Commercial Emitter Database, and the Next-Generation Electronic Warfare Integrated Reprogramming (EWIR) Database.
  • In June 2016, elements of the 68th Electronic Warfare Squadron became 'Detachment 1, 453 EWS'.
  • The 453 EWS continues to build key partnerships to provide comprehensive EW support to the joint warfighter community as well as coalition partner countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.

History

  • Formed under III Bomber Command in early 1943 as a B-26 Marauder medium bomber squadron. Trained for duty in Europe with Ninth Air Force. Engaged in combat beginning in early 1944, attacked tactical targets in France, Low Countries and Germany supporting Allied ground forces advancing after D-Day in Northern France Campaign and the Western Allied invasion of Germany, 1945. Earned a Presidential Unit Citation for actions on 24 December 1944 through 27 December 1944, during the Battle of the Bulge, when squadron effectively attacked transportation installations used by enemy forces to bring reinforcements to the Ardennes.[4] Served in the Army of Occupation involved with disarming the Luftwaffe.[1] Received A-26 Invaders in April 1945, however did not use in combat. Returned to the United States for inactivation.
  • Trained as a reserve unit, and personnel used as fillers when activated for the Korean War 1949–1951. Probably assigned AT-6, AT-7, and AT-11 trainers for aircrew proficiency flying, but not an operational unit.
  • As the 453 FTS at Mather AFB (Sacramento, CA), Trained electronic warfare officers 1973–1993
  • Is the fusion of the core EW functions from the original AF EW Center (AFEWC)
  • Traces its lineage to the AF Special Communications (AFSPECCOM) Center of Excellence's EW Effectiveness Analysis Mission (COMFY COAT)

Lineage

  • Constituted as the 453d Bombardment Squadron (Medium) on 19 June 1942
Activated on 4 August 1942
Redesignated 453d Bombardment Squadron, Medium c. 9 October 1944
Inactivated on 14 December 1945
Redesignated 453d Bombardment Squadron, Light on 10 May 1949
Activated in the reserve on 27 June 1949
Ordered to active service on 10 March 1951
Inactivated on 17 March 1951
Redesignated 453d Fighter-Bomber Squadron on 9 May 1955
Activated on 8 August 1955
Inactivated on 1 September 1957[5]
Redesignated 453d Flying Training Squadron c. 28 July 1972
Activated on 1 April 1973
Inactivated on 31 May 1993
Redesignated 453d Electronic Warfare Squadron
Activated c. 2000

Assignments

Stations

Aircraft

References

Notes
  1. 1 2 3 Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 558-559
  2. ↑ "Air Force Personnel Services: Unit Awards". Air Force Personnel Center. Retrieved December 24, 2016. (search)
  3. ↑ Watkins, pp. 100-101
  4. ↑ Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 203-204
  5. 1 2 3 4 Lineage, including assignments, stations and aircraft prior to 1963 in Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 558-559

Bibliography

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.

  • Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-02-1. LCCN 61060979. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  • Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  • Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947-1977 (PDF). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-12-9. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  • Watkins, Robert (2008). Battle Colors. Vol III Insignia and Markings of the Ninth Air Force In World War II. Atglen, PA: Shiffer Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-0-7643-2938-8.
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