52nd Fighter Wing

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52nd Fighter Wing
Active	1948–present
Country	United States of America
Branch	United States Air Force
Part of	United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa Third Air Force
Garrison/HQ	Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany
Nickname(s)	Sabers
Motto(s)	"Seek, Attack, Destroy"
Engagements	Southwest Asia (1990–1991) Expeditionary Service Operation Southern Watch Operation Northern Watch Operation Allied Force Operation Decisive Forge Global War on Terrorism Afghanistan Campaign (TBD) Iraqi Campaign (TBD) Operation Inherent Resolve (TBD)
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with V Device
Commanders
Current commander	Colonel Kevin Crofton[1]
Notable commanders	David L. Goldfein, Victor E. Renuart Jr.
Insignia
52nd Fighter Wing emblem (Approved 10 May 1951)[2][note 1]

The 52nd Fighter Wing (52 FW) is a wing of the United States Air Force stationed at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. It flies the F-16CJ fighter aircraft. It was activated in 1948, but derives significant elements of its history from the predecessor Second World War 52nd Fighter Group, which is now the 52nd Operations Group, subordinate to the wing.

The wing provides United States Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa and/or the NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe with mission-ready personnel and systems. The assigned F-16 aircraft can be tasked to suppress enemy air defenses, provide close air support, carry out air interdiction, counter-air, strategic attack, and combat search and rescue. The wing also supports contingencies and operations other than war as required.

In concert with USAFE wings at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, the 52nd Fighter Wing directly supports the strategic mobility mission once conducted at Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany. The wing provides logistics support for C-17 Globemaster III and C-5 Galaxy aircraft, crew, passengers and cargo to sustain air mobility operations throughout Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia. The 52nd Fighter Wing also supports USAFE's Joint Fires Center of Excellence, whose mission is to conduct joint and combined training focused on the effective integration and application of tactical fires.

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