The 55th Electronic Combat Group, located at
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, provides combat-ready aircraft, crews, maintenance, and operational support to combatant commanders. The group is a Geographically Separated Unit which falls under the command of the
55th Wing at
Offutt Air Force Base
Offutt Air Force Base is a U.S. Air Force base south of Omaha, adjacent to Bellevue in Sarpy County, Nebraska. It is the headquarters of the U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), the 557th Weather Wing, and the 55th Wing (55 WG) of the ...
. The group also plans and executes information operations, including information warfare and electronic attack, in support of theatre campaign plans.
History
The unit provides combat-ready
EC-130H Compass Call aircraft, crews, maintenance, and operational support to combatant commanders. Members of the group conduct
EC-130H aircrew initial qualification and difference training for 20 aircrew specialities and support operational and force development testing and evaluation for new aircraft systems.
[ ]
Beginning 23 August 2024, the first
EA-37B Compass Call
The EA-37B Compass Call (formerly EC-37B) is an electronic warfare aircraft based on the Gulfstream G550 entering service with the United States Air Force with the first example delivered on 23 August 2024 to Davis–Monthan Air Force Base for c ...
aircraft was delivered to the 43rd ECS.
[ This new Compass Call aircraft is expected to replace the aging EC-130H fleet, with 10 total EA-37B aircraft planned for delivery.]
Structure
41st and 43d Electronic Combat Squadrons
The 41st Electronic Combat Squadron was activated in July 1980, and uniformly, the 43rd Electronic Combat Squadron was activated in April 1992.
Both squadrons provide vital capabilities in electronic warfare for the Air Force and are poised for immediate deployment to specific theatre contingencies. The unit's combat missions are to support tactical air, ground, and naval operations by confusing the enemy's defences and disrupting its command as well as control capabilities.
These squadrons operate the EC-130H aircraft, the aircraft are modified for missions with electronic countermeasure systems, specialising in jamming equipment, the capability to aerial refuel, and upgraded engines and avionics. The squadrons have participated in operations such as Southern Watch, Just Cause, Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Uphold Democracy, Deny Flight, Vigilant Warrior, Provide Comfort, Decisive Edge, Deliberate Force, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom
The Iraq War (), also referred to as the Second Gulf War, was a prolonged conflict in Iraq lasting from 2003 to 2011. It began with the invasion by a United States-led coalition, which resulted in the overthrow of the Ba'athist governm ...
.
755th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
The 755th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron provides war-fighting commanders with combat-ready aircraft to expeditiously execute information warfare
Information warfare (IW) is the battlespace use and management of information and communication technology (ICT) in pursuit of a competitive advantage over an opponent. It is different from ''cyberwarfare'' that attacks computers, software, and ...
and electronic attack operations. The squadron plans and executes all on-equipment maintenance actions for the EC-130H and TC-130H aircraft, including launch and recovery, scheduled inspections, servicing, and component replacement. Additionally, they also conduct all maintenance training, aircrew debriefing and supply functions.
755th Operations Support Squadron
The 755th Operations Support Squadron supports the group's combat missions and contingency taskings. The squadron performs command and control warfare analysis, targeting, and intelligence support and directs operation support functions including weapons and tactics training for all United States Air Force
The United States Air Force (USAF) is the Air force, air service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is one of the six United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Tracing its ori ...
EC-130H Compass Call aircrews. They also conduct initial academic and flying training for 20 crew positions, and 200 students while managing 17 major command syllabi.
References
{{reflist
External links
55th ECG Factsheet
055
Electronic combat units and formations of the United States Air Force
Military units and formations in Arizona