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The 332d AEW is currently on duty in Balad Iraq where the unit is given the charge of maintaining air superoirity over the skies of Iraq.
The present unit is the descendant of the 332d fighter wing which was established in Tuskegee Alabama in 1942 and was composed of the Army’s first black pilots. The original name for the unit was the “Red Tailed Angels.” The first aircraft that this unit flew were the P-40 Warhawk. They were later transitioned to the P-47 Thunderbolts, and finally to the P-51 Mustang which gave them the ability to fly longer range missions.
The current unit was activated in 1998 as the 332d Air Expeditionary Group and eventually ended up in Balad. The unit’s organic equipment is much different now than when it was first activated.
The 332nd now consists of F-16 fighters, A-10 ground support aircraft, C103 transport aircraft, HH-60 Pave Hawk Helicopters for search and rescue missions, and MQ-1 Predators to conduct tactical surveillance and reconnaissance.
The Air Force ring customers honor the original Tuskegee Airmen with their motto…”Tuskegee Airmen…The Legend Continues…”
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