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MISSION
RAF Fairford's mission was to receive and support
SAC's tactical units for pre and post strike staging through RAF
Fairford, as well as providing the support and assistance to
transport aircraft as required. In addition to this RAF
Fairford had to provide operational and logistical support for six
B-47 aircraft and crews on continuous alert under "Reflex Action".
As of 1 January 1958 RAF Fairford was assigned the additional
responsibility of supporting aircraft of the "Reflex" force on
continuous alert during peacetime as well as wartime. This
responsibility included the operational control and logistical
support of the "Reflex" aircraft.
HISTORY
The 3919th Air Base Squadron (SAC) was re-designated
from the 3919th Air Base Group (SAC) on 15th October 1955, in
accordance with SAC General Order 67, dated 30 September 1955.
Prior to this re-designation, and during the period 1950-1952, the
3919th Air Base Group functioned under the designation of the 7507th
Air Base Group, a satellite under the command of the 7503rd Air
Support Wing at nearby RAF Brize Norton. During
this period the base was under the control of Headquarters Third Air
Force, USAFE. In October 1952 the 3919th Air Base Group was
formed utilising personnel from the 7507th Air Base Group.
Concurrently, RAF Fairford came under the control of Headquarters
7th Air Division (SAC) located at Ruislip, England.
The 3919th Air Base Group operated as a Strategic Air Command
forward base from October 1952 until October 1955, at which time the
3919th Air Base Squadron was formed from personnel of the 3919th Air
Base Group and the mission changed from one of wing support to that
of a Post-Strike station.
Under the squadron concept the 3919th Air Base Squadron was
organised into flights similar in operation to the separate
squadrons of a group, e.g. Operations Flight, Supply Flight etc,
with a total of ten flights comprising the squadron. Although
these flights were an integral part of the squadron for
administrative purposes each had its own officer in charge with a
Flight Sergeant performing the duties of a First Sergeant.
The 3919th Air Base Squadron operated as a separate organisation
under the command of Headquarters 7th Air Division, receiving
Supply, Medical, Finance and Legal support from the 3920th Air Base
Group at RAF Brize Norton.
The 3919th Combat Support Group (SAC) was re-designated from the
3919th Air Base Squadron on 1 January 1959 in accordance with SAC
General Order 67, dated 16 October 1958.
In the event of hostilities RAF Fairford as a SAC forward operating
base in the UK would receive and support pre and post striking
tactical units operating under Emergency War Orders. In
addition a requirement to increase the strike potential in the
forward area under minimum warning conditions by "Reflex Action"
operations existed. Upon notification from higher headquarters
the 3919th CSG would become Fairford Task Force for the
implementation of this order.
COMMAND RELATIONSHIPS
The 3919th Combat Support Group was assigned to HQ
7th Air Division for operational control during peacetime and
wartime. The 3919th CSG was assigned for logistical support to
the 3920th Combat Support Group at RAF Brize Norton.
The 68th Bomb Wing would have exercised operational control over the
3919th CSG at RAF Fairford during wartime.
One 15-aircraft post-strike staging team of the 21st Air Division,
Forbes Air Force Base, Kansas, exercised administrative and
logistical control over the 3919th CSG during peacetime and wartime.
Organisations assigned to the 3919th CSG were the:
3919th Operations Squadron,
3919th Air Base Squadron,
3919th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron,
3919th Installations Squadron,
3919th Directorate of Personnel,
3919th Directorate of Comptroller,
3919th Directorate of Admin Services,
3919th Directorate of Medical Services,
9th Munitions Maintenance Squadron,
Detachment 24, 28th Weather Squadron,
Detachment 2, 7410th EODRON,
Detachment 8, 3rd Air Postal Squadron,
1970-3 AACS.
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