Lineage. Established as 77 Observation Group on 5 Feb 1942. Activated on 2 Mar 1942. Redesignated: 77 Reconnaissance Group on 2 Apr 1943; 77 Tactical Reconnaissance Group on 11 Aug 1943. Disestablished on 30 Nov 1943. Reestablished, and redesignated 77 Tactical Intelligence Wing, on 31 Jul 1985. Consolidated (16 Sep 1994) with 2852 Air Base Wing, which was established, and organized, on 1 Aug 1953. Redesignated: 2852 Air Base Group on 16 Oct 1964; 652 Support Group on 1 Oct 1992; 652 Air Base Group on 1 Oct 1993; 77 Air Base Wing on 1 Oct 1994. Inactivated on 13 Jul 2001. Consolidated (23 June 2006) with Agile Combat Support Systems Wing, which was established on 23 Nov 2004. Activated on 18 Jan 2005. Redesignated 77 Aeronautical Systems Wing on 14 July 2006.
Assignments. Air Force Combat Command, 2 Mar 1942; 2 Air Support Command, 12 Mar 1942; III Ground Air Support Command, 24 May 1942; 2 Air Force, 21 Aug 1942; II Ground Air Support Command, 7 Sep 1942 (attached to III Ground Air [later, III Air] Support Command, 7 Sep 1942-5 Aug 1943); III Air Support (later, III Reconnaissance) Command, 6 Aug-30 Nov 1943. Sacramento Air Materiel Area (later, Sacramento Air Logistics Center), 1 Aug 1953-13 Jul 2001. Aeronautical Systems Center, 18 Jan 2005-.
Components. Squadrons. 5 Observation: 25 Jan-2 Apr 1943. 27 Observation (later, 27 Reconnaissance; 27 Tactical Reconnaissance): 17 Jul 1942-30 Nov 1943. 35 Photographic Reconnaissance: 11 Aug-30 Nov 1943 (detached 11 Aug-31 Oct 1943). 113 Observation (later, 113 Reconnaissance; 113 Tactical Reconnaissance): 12 Mar 1942-30 Nov 1943. 120 Observation (later, 120 Reconnaissance; 120 Tactical Reconnaissance): 12 Mar 1942-30 Nov 1943. 125 Observation (later, 125 Liaison): 12 Mar 1942-11 Aug 1943. 128 Observation (later, 21 Antisubmarine): 12 Mar 1942-8 Mar 1943 (detached 3 Jul-7 Sep 1942 and 15 Oct 1942-3 Mar 1943).
Flights. 330 Airlift: 31 May-1 Oct 1993.
Stations. Salinas AAB, CA, 2 Mar 1942; Brownwood, TX, c. 22 Mar 1942; DeRidder AAB, LA, 25 Jul 1942; Alamo Airfield, TX, 28 Sep 1942; Abilene AAFld, TX, 6 Apr 1943; Esler Field, LA, 13 Sep 1943; Birmingham AAFld, AL, 14-30 Nov 1943. McClellan AFB, CA, 1 Aug 1953-13 Jul 2001. Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, 18 Jan 2005-.
Commanders. Maj Harrison W. Wellman, Mar 1942; Lt Col Christopher C. Scott, c. 3 Apr 1942; Col Jack C. Kennedy, c. Jun 1942; Lt Col Joseph E. Barzynski, c. 19 Apr-c. 30 Nov 1943. Col Russell G. Pankey, 1 Aug 1953; Col Johnnie R. Dyer, 2 Jun 1954; Lt Col Gervais G. Coyle, 4 Apr 1958; Col Sam M. Smith, 18 Aug 1958; Col Nicholas T. Perkins, 19 Sep 1960; Col Ralph Canter, 1 Jul 1961; Col Orin H. Rigley, Jr., 1 Sep 1961; Col Charles D. Birdsall, 20 Oct 1962; Col Richard J. White, 29 Sep 1966; Col Beverley E. Davis, Jr., 1 May 1970; Col Averill F. Holman, 1 Nov 1971; Col John J. Voll, 31 Oct 1973; Col Charles C. Heckel, 31 Jul 1974; Col Frederick C. Freeman, 27 Aug 1975; Col William Campfield, Jr., 20 Jul 1979; Col John K. Davidson, 1 Aug 1982; Col Arthur C. Weiner, 30 Aug 1982; Col John D. Wood, 29 Apr 1984; Col David S. Whitman, 4 Aug 1985; Col James F. Wilson, 31 Aug 1988; Col Christopher F. Russo, 25 Aug 1992; Col Carter A. Borland, 18 Aug 1995; Col William P. Ard, 11 Jul 1997; Col Charles A. Cotter, 4 Jun 1999; Col Keith H. Caudle, 27 Nov 2000-13 Jul 2001. Col Bruce A. Litchfield, 18 Jan 2005; Ms Lynda K. Waring, 9 Jan 2006-.
Aircraft. O-47, 1942-1943; O-38, 1942-1943; O-52, 1942-1943; L-5, 1942-1943; O-46, 1942; O-43, 1942; A-18, 1942; L-1, 1942-1943; L-4, 1942-1943; L-3, 1942-1943; L-6, 1942-1943; B-18, 1942-1943; O-49, 1942; P-39, 1942-1943; B-25, 1943; A-20, 1943. C-21, 1993.
Operations. Supported ground units in training by flying reconnaissance, artillery adjustment, fighter, and bomber missions, and in the process trained reconnaissance personnel who later served overseas. Two squadrons flew antisubmarine patrols over the Gulf of Mexico, Mar 1942-Mar 1943. Another squadron patrolled the Mexican border, Mar-Jul 1942. A detachment of the group served in India, Feb-Jul 1943. Provided services and support for McClellan AFB with its satellite installations and the Sacramento Air Logistics Center and its tenant organizations, Aug 1953-Jul 2001.
Service Streamers. World War II American Theater.
Campaign Streamers. None.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.
Decorations. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Jan 1969-31 Dec 1970; 1 Jan 1973- 31 Dec 1974; 14 Jul 1999-13 Jul 2001.
Lineage, Assignments, Components, Stations, and Honors through 4 Aug 2006.
Commanders, Aircraft, and Operations through Jul 2001.
Supersedes published information contained in: Judy G. Endicott (ed.), Active Air Force Wings as of 1 October 1995 (Washington: USGPO, 1999).
Emblem. Approved on 28 Feb 1943 and revised on 15 Jun 1994.
Prepared by William M. Butler.
Reviewed by Daniel L. Haulman.