Draft:SACEUR Flight Section History

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SACEUR Flight Section Patch 1979-1993

SACEUR Flight Section Patch 2000-2002

309th Airlift Squadron Patch 2002-2012

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SACEUR Flight Section (Supreme Allied Commander Europe Flight Section), was a United States Air Force (USAF) detachment that provided dedicated executive airlift support to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Casteau, Belgium.

The unit operated primarily from Chièvres Air Base, a NATO installation in Belgium supporting SHAPE operations. It provided high-priority transport for the SACEUR and other NATO leadership, when directed by the SACEUR, during the Cold War and post–Cold War periods before its mission was consolidated at Ramstein Air Base in 2012.

History

Early executive airlift support

Executive airlift support for SACEUR dates to the early post–World War II period, when SHAPE was headquartered in France. Following France's withdrawal from NATO's integrated military command in 1966, SHAPE relocated to Belgium in 1967.

During this period, SACEUR relied on a variety of U.S. Air Force aircraft for transport, including the VC-118A Liftmaster, a military variant of the Douglas DC-6.

Establishment of dedicated unit

In the mid-1970s, under SACEUR General Alexander Haig, efforts were made to establish a dedicated airlift capability. This resulted in the assignment of a C-9A Nightingale, a military version of the DC-9. Aircraft 71-0876 was chosen. The military assigned the aircraft with the Callsign SPAR76.

Before 10876 arrived in Belgium the SACEUR was supported by a C-9 from Rhein-Main AB flown by 55th Aeromedical Airlift Squadron aircrews on a TDY basis.

The medivac interior of 10876 was removed and stored at Chièvres AB in the event was ever required to be refitted. McGuire AFB fabricated a full galley that was positioned where the old medivac ramp was installed. Much of the interior of the C-9 was taken from the VC-118, modified to provide office and rest area in the rear of the aircraft for the SACEUR. Communication was provided by a Communication Systems Operator with both Secure Satellite Voice and High Frequency Data.

The aircraft was assigned to Chièvres Air Base in 1977, marking the establishment of Detachment 1, 55th Aeromedical Airlift Squadron, which became the core of the SACEUR Flight Section. The unit operated under Military Airlift Command during this period.

The unit was administratively under the 55th Aeromedical Airlift Squadron at Rhein-Main AB. Operationally it was under 322nd Airlift Division (MAC) at Ramstein AB but it was its own Operational Control (OpsCon) thru the Office of the SACEUR (OSACEUR).

The unit was a Special Manned Unit as apposed to a Special Duty Assignment. The flight crew members (Pilots, Flight Mechanics and Stewards (Inflight Passenger Service Specialist) were all hand selected for the assignment by the Unit Commander. The Commanders position was for a LtCol (O-5). When one of the Commanders made full Colonel (O-6) and the SACEUR required him to stay on, the unit changed from Det 1, 55AAS to Det 1, 435TAW. This prevented him from outranking the 55AAS Commander.

The C-9A aircraft were not normally equipped for long-range overwater navigation but this aircraft was delivered from Clark AFB in the Philippines and had an APN153, ASN35 and LORAN. In 1978 10876 was fitted with an Delco Carousel IV Inertial Navigation System (INS) to enhance long-range navigation capability over the Atlantic. A Navigator was assigned to the unit for those missions that required an additional capability. In 1983 the decision was made to remove the Navigator from the crew. In 1984 a second INS was added and the LORAN, APN153 and ASN35 were removed.

Initial operations required support from other USAFE bases, including Rhein-Main Air Base in West Germany, for specialized maintenance and logistics. Eventually it acquired the necessary equipment and personal to do most of its servicing and maintenance. It maintained a small COMBS Facility (Contractor Maintained Supply Facility) with critical parts that otherwise would have to be shipped from Rhein-Main.

USAFE restructuring and redesignations

The unit underwent several redesignations reflecting broader organizational changes in United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE):

• Detachment 1, 435th Tactical Airlift Wing (1984–1992)
• Detachment 1, 86th Operations Group (1993–2002)

As restructuring of forces was changing the look of units in Europe so the Flight Section (Det1, 86th OG) started to change. In 1994 after LtCol Hahlbeck took command, the operational support element at Chièvres was placed under the Flight Section. This necessitated adding another pilot bring it up to 4 C-9 pilots, the Commander an Ops Officer, a Maintenance Officer and an officer in charge of the flight crew personnel. By 1997 the unit comprised around 100 members. C-9 10876 underwent heavy maintenance in 1997 and when it returned it had a new interior, updated avionics (much like that of the C-9C) and the Andrews AFB, DV livery.

In 2000 a new SACEUR arrived. General Joseph Ralston USAF. After a quick tour of the C-9, plans were made to replace it with the C-37A. This necessitated hiring more pilots. Using an Andrews C-37A and pilots until the transition could be completed. This was completed with the first trip with the SACEUR Flight Section and their C-37A 2 months later in Jul 2000.

C-9A 10876 continued to fly with the 86th AW in Ramstein until it was retired as the last USAF C-9.

Transition to Gulfstream aircraft

Following the retirement of the C-9A, interim support was provided by aircraft from the 89th Airlift Wing, which operates executive transport aircraft for senior U.S. government officials.

In 2000, the unit transitioned to the C-37A Gulfstream V, a long-range executive transport aircraft used by the U.S. military.The first C-37A used was 99-0402, in a plain white paint scheme. It was replaced in or around 2002 with aircraft 01-0076 with a blue-and-white 89th style livery.

In 2002, the unit was reorganized as the 309th Airlift Squadron, which continued to operate from Chièvres Air Base in support of NATO leadership.

Infrastructure and operations

When the C-9 arrived and started operations the only approach that allowed for low visibility approaches was a Precision Approach Radar (PAR). In 1986 an Instrument Landing System (ILS), was installed and the PAR was decommissioned. After the C-37 arrived a Microwave landing system (MLS) was installed to provide another precision approach. From fall of 2006 into 2007 the aircraft operated out of Charleroi (EBCI) while infrastructure modification including runway adjustments due to subsurface structural concerns were performed at Chièvres.

Deactivation

The 309th Airlift Squadron was inactivated on 5 October 2012 as part of USAFE force restructuring. Following its closure, SACEUR executive airlift support was consolidated at Ramstein Air Base under the 86th Airlift Wing. Bringing to and end a unit specifically dedicated to fixed wing support of the SACEUR.

Aircraft operated

• VC-118A Liftmaster
• C-9A Nightingale
• C-37A Gulfstream V

List of Commanders

• LtCol Robert Fawcett (Det 1, 55th AAS) 1977-1980 *
• Col William E. Welch (Det 1, 55th AAS / Det 1, 435 TAW) 1980-Aug 1989 *
• LtCol Charles Botula (Det 1, 435 TAW) Aug 1989 - Aug 1991
• LtCol Gerald Wempe (Det 1, 435 TAW / Det 1, 86th OG) Aug 1991 - Jun 1994
• LtCol Kenneth Hahlbeck (Det 1, 86th OG) Jun 1994 - Jul 1997
• LtCol James Mont (Det 1, 86th OG) Jul 1997 - Jun 2000 *
• LtCol Robert Scott (Det 1, 86th OG / 309th AS) Jun 2000 - May 2002
• LtCol Dennis Armstrong (309th AS) May 2002 - May 2004
• LtCol Rob Jacobson (309th AS) May 2004 - Jun 2006
• LtCol Mark A. Gaubert (309th AS) Jan 2008 - May 2009
• LtCol Michael A. Dickinson (309th AS) May 2009 - Oct 2012

  * deceased

See also

• Supreme Allied Commander Europe
• Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
• United States Air Forces in Europe
• 86th Airlift Wing
• 89th Airlift Wing