Units
The mission of the 482nd Fighter Wing is to train and equip Air Force Reservists to respond to wartime and peacetime taskings as directed by higher headquarters. The wing specifically trains for: Mobility, Deployment, and Employment. The operational component of the 482 FW is the 93rd Fighter Squadron (93 FS), which flies the General Dynamics Block 30 F-16C/D Fighting Falcon. The squadron's aircraft can be identified by the letters “FM” (“Fighting Makos”) and the Mako shark emblem displayed on the tail.
The 482 FW is part of the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) and Tenth Air Force (10 AF) and functions as the host wing for the installation. The 482 FW also supports operations of several “tenant” units at Homestead ARB, including the “scramble” capability of Detachment 1, 125th Fighter Wing (125 FW), of the Florida Air National Guard. In this United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) / North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) mission, F-15C/D Eagle fighter interceptors stand ready alert to intercept unidentified or potentially hostile aircraft. Since 11 September 2001, this mission has primarily been in support of Operation NOBLE EAGLE.
In addition to the 125 Fighter Wing's Det 1, other tenant activities at Homestead ARB include:
- Headquarters, U.S. Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH), the special operations component of U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM)
- 50th Area Support Group, Florida Army National Guard
- U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team Miami
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Miami Air Branch, whose aircraft conduct drug enforcement air interdiction missions from Homestead ARB
During the Atlantic hurricane season, the 482 FW routinely supports forward deployment of the Air Force Reserve’s 403rd Wing (403 WG) from Keesler AFB, Mississippi, flying the WC-130 Hercules aircraft in the “Hurricane Hunters” weather reconnaissance mission. The 482 FW has also hosted joint relief operations with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In October 2005, Homestead Air Reserve Base teamed up with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to bring over 1 million tons of relief supplies to South Floridians recovering from Hurricane Wilma.
Read more about this topic: Homestead Air Reserve Base
Famous quotes containing the word units:
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