406th Air Expeditionary Wing

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406th Air Expeditionary Wing
A pararescueman from the wing's 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron drags a litter during an exercise in Djibouti, 2023
Active	1952–1958; 1972–1992; 2011–2011; 2023–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Air Expeditionary
Part of	United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa Third Air Force
Garrison/HQ	Ramstein Air Base, Germany
Motto(s)	Ascende et Defende (Latin: "Rise and Defend")
Decorations	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (6x)[1]
Insignia
406th Air Expeditionary Wing emblem

The 406th Air Expeditionary Wing (406 AEW) is a provisional air expeditionary unit assigned to the United States Air Force's Third Air Force, stationed at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Its components conduct tactical airlift, personnel recovery, casualty evacuation, and attack missions in support of United States Africa Command.

The wing was first activated as a fighter-bomber unit during the early Cold War in 1952 and was stationed in the United Kingdom for six years until its inactivation in 1958. From 1972 to 1992, the wing served as a training unit while stationed in Spain.

In 2001, the wing was assigned to United States Air Forces in Europe as a provisional unit.

The unit was most recently activated on 9 June 2023, assuming control of the units of the 435th Air Expeditionary Wing.