435th Air Expeditionary Wing
The United States Air Force's 435th Air Expeditionary Wing (435 AEW) is an inactive air expeditionary unit assigned to the Third Air Force, last stationed at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. As of 2022, the wing had forward deployed units in six locations in West and East Africa. Its command staff is also exercised command of the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing.
| 435th Air Expeditionary Wing | |
|---|---|
Pararescuemen of the wing's 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron jump from an HC-130 Hercules during an exercise off the coast of Djibouti in 2008 | |
| Active | 2013–2023 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Part of | United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa
|
| Garrison/HQ | Ramstein Air Base, Germany |
| Decorations | Air Force Meritorious Unit Award |
| Insignia | |
| 435th Air Expeditionary Wing emblem | |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | MQ-9 |
| Transport | C-130 |
On 9 June 2023, the wing was inactivated during a ceremony at Ramstein Air Base, with its components becoming part of the 406th Air Expeditionary Wing, which was activated at Ramstein the same day.
Among the missions conducted or supported by the unit were medical evacuation, logistics support, ISR and aerial refueling. For its ISR mission, the wing utilizes MQ-9 Reaper drones, having the US Air Force's only active-duty MQ-9 unit deployed to the region under its command.