603rd Air Control Squadron

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 603rd Air Control Squadron


country= United States
branch=United States Air Force
type= Enabler Unit
command_structure= United States Air Forces in Europe
3d Air Force
31st Fighter Wing
31st Operations Group
current_commander= Lt. Col. Matthew Smith
garrison= Aviano Air Base
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname= Scorpions

The 603rd Air Control Squadron (603 ACS) is part of the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy.

Mission

The specified mission of the 603rd ACS is to operate a mobile unit capable of providing radar control and surveillance within a designated area, to collect, display, and disseminate information of aerial activity and to provide radar coverage for the control of air forces. The squadron is further tasked to provide radar control for friendly aircraft in an offensive role against ground targets, and in a defensive mission against airborne threats, as directed.

History

WWII

The 603rd can trace it's history to the beginnings of World War II with the formation of the 555th Signal Aircraft Warning Battalion on June 9, 1942 at Drew Field, Florida. The 555th participated in the D-Day invasion of Normandy, June 6, 1945. In July 1946, the 555th became the 501st Aircraft Control and Warning Battalion. Its four Companies (A, B, C, D) became the 601st, 602nd, 603rd and 604th Tactical Control Squadrons respectively. But almost a year after, 603rd personnel were transferred to the other squadrons and the unit was inactivated. By September 25, 1947 the 501st Aircraft Control and Warning Battalion and its units were inactivated. The Battalion spent 3 years on the European continent and earned five "Campaign Streamers" for: "Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes Alsace, Central Europe, and Rhineland."

The Cold War Era

Heightening tensions with Russia and the beginning of The Cold War saw the reactivation of the 603rd Tactical Control Squadron under the 7400th Air Force Communications Wing at Hof, Germany on May 25th, 1948.

On December 1, 1948 it was redesignated the 603rd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, under direct control of the 7402nd Aircraft Control and Warning Group. Its mission was to provide early warning radar and direction-finding network to support tactical air operations of USAFE and to provide navigational aids to friendly aircraft.

The main force of the unit's capabilities were witnessed during the 1948-49 Berlin Airlift. On June 10, 1949 the 603rd realigned under the 501st Aircraft Control and Warning Group and on Nov. 18, 1960 it was again realigned under the 86th Air Division where it remained until it was once again inactivated on June 25, 1965.

Redesignated 603rd Tactical Control Squadron on June 29, 1973. the unit was again officially reactivated, this time subordinate to the 601st Tactical Control Group. During the next 10 years the 603rd distinguished itself by providing high quality radar coverage and command and control functions both in-garrison and during NATO exercises.

Operations

Lineage

Equipment

*AN/TPS-75
*AN/TYQ-23
*AN/USC-60
*AN/TSC-100A
*AN/TRC-170

Assignments

Bases stationed

References

Notes

Bibliography

* [http://www.aviano.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=4351 603rd Air Control Squadron Fact Sheet]
* [http://www.603acw.com 603rd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron]
* [http://www.601st-615th-acw.org/history.htm 601st Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron History]
* [http://www.usarmygermany.com/USAFE%20TACS%201.htm USAFE TACS]

Also See