USAF Europe

[RN7]

Anybody have any thoughts about how much of USAF Europe is still about

In the Cold War it was a huge organisation, one of the biggest commands in the USAF. I think some of it must have survived.

1) 3rd Air Force (HQ: RAF Mildenhall, UK) (UK only)
2) 16th Air Force (HQ: Torrejon, Spain) (Spain, Italy, Greece & Turkey)
3) 17th Air Force (HQ: Sembach, Germany) (Germany, with some squadrons in Belgium & Netherlands)
4) 7th Air Division (Ramstein, Germany) (Germany, UK & Spain)
5) 322nd Airlift Division (Ramstein, Germany) (Germany & UK)
6) 352nd Special Oparations Wing (RAF Mildenhall, UK)
7) 7455th Tactical Intelligence Wing (Ramstein, Germany)

This orbat is sourced from Rainbow Six's USAF in the UK covering the 3rd US Air Force.

3rd Air Force (HQ: RAF Mildenhall, England)

20th Fighter Wing (RAF Greenham Common, England)
Forces: 50 troops, 2x F-15C
27th Fighter Wing (RAF Lakenheath, England)
Forces: 50 troops, 3x F-15E
33rd Fighter Wing (RAF Greenham Common, England)
Forces: 100 troops, 3x F-15E, 2x EF-111
48th Fighter Wing (RAF Lakenheath, England)
Forces: 100 troops, 2x F-16C, 1x F-18C, 1x AV-8B, 1x A-6E
363rd Fighter Wing (RAF Mildenhall, England)
Forces: 50 troops, 3x F-16C
366th Fighter Wing (RAF Greenham Common, England)
Forces: 50 troops, 3x F-16C
17th Reconnaisance Wing (RAF Alconbury, England)
Forces: 50 troops, 2x TR-1
94th Airlift Wing (RAF Greenham Common, England)
Forces: 50 troops, 1x C-130H, 1x C-20, 1x C-12, 1x UH-60, 1x UH-1N
95th Reconnaisance Squadron (Mildenhall, England)
Forces: 50 troops, 1x SR-71, 1x C-9A
11th Aeromedical Squadron (RAF Mildenhall, England)
Forces: 50 troops, 1x CH-53D, 1x UH-60
155th Tactical Reconnaisance Group (RAF Coltishall, England)
Forces: 40 troops, 1x RF-4C
20th Security Police Squadron (RAF Greenham Common, England)
Forces: 200 troops, 8x M750
48th Security Police Squadron (RAF Lakenheath, England)
Forces: 100 troops, 4x M750
513th Security Police Squadron (RAF Mildenhall, England)
Forces: 150 troops, 6x M750

[Rainbow Six]

I'm one of those who thinks there would still be a very small number of surviving aircraft dotted around here and there in Europe, dependent on how many bases survived. As a main logistics hub Ramstein strikes me as being a likely target for a tactical nuke (if it wasn't already plastered to the point of being unuseable by conventional attacks).

The bases in Spain and Italy are confirmed as closed in Med Cruise, so their aircraft would have to go elsewhere - presumably either the UK or the FRG. Presumably the same for Greece and Belgium.

3rd Air Force is probably one of the areas of my piece that I'll revisit at some point (or as Leg put it, tinker with )) as I think it could probably be improved (or at least give a fuller backstory as to what Wings / Squadrons are there, how they got there, and what happened to the ones that aren't there - I'm fairly sure that all of the UK based A10 Squadrons would have deployed to the FRG for example and I think I've brushed over the Bentwaters Aggressor Squadron).

[raketenjagdpanzer]

I'm one of those who thinks there would still be a very small number of surviving aircraft dotted around here and there in Europe, dependent on how many bases survived. As a main logistics hub Ramstein strikes me as being a likely target for a tactical nuke (if it wasn't already plastered to the point of being unuseable by conventional attacks).

The bases in Spain and Italy are confirmed as closed in Med Cruise, so their aircraft would have to go elsewhere - presumably either the UK or the FRG. Presumably the same for Greece and Belgium.

3rd Air Force is probably one of the areas of my piece that I'll revisit at some point (or as Leg put it, tinker with )) as I think it could probably be improved (or at least give a fuller backstory as to what Wings / Squadrons are there, how they got there, and what happened to the ones that aren't there - I'm fairly sure that all of the UK based A10 Squadrons would have deployed to the FRG for example and I think I've brushed over the Bentwaters Aggressor Squadron).

I think a "slightly operational" USAF consisting of a tiny handful of aircraft isn't entirely unfeasible depending on how you want to do your campaign. As things wore on post-1997, of course, vital stuff is going to quit flowing in, resupply isn't going to happen for critical parts and you're going to get down to either flying birds with major, major upgripes or switching to simpler stuff (OV-10Ds for interdiction, maybe a couple fitted out with Sidewinders for anti-air).

Actually the idea of a USAF wing rebuilt around the remaining Broncos is kinda neat.

[Rainbow Six]

I think a "slightly operational" USAF consisting of a tiny handful of aircraft isn't entirely unfeasible depending on how you want to do your campaign. As things wore on post-1997, of course, vital stuff is going to quit flowing in, resupply isn't going to happen for critical parts and you're going to get down to either flying birds with major, major upgripes or switching to simpler stuff (OV-10Ds for interdiction, maybe a couple fitted out with Sidewinders for anti-air).

Actually the idea of a USAF wing rebuilt around the remaining Broncos is kinda neat.

Yeah, I've always kinda thought that the actual aircraft themselves should be rare but not totally non existent...it's getting the fuel and the spare parts to keep them airworthy that are the problem. So what you would see is the concentration of those assets to keep a handful of aircraft operable.

[Panther Al]

I have no doubt that by the summer of 2000 there is still plenty of Aircraft sitting in airbases that could take to the air and perform various missions. Just too many airframes in Europe (Or sent there from the states) for there not to be.

But,


And its a Big But,

They wouldn't be flying much if at all. While parts would be scarce, I have no doubts what so ever that the Airbase personnel have cannibalised all the parts they need to make sure that those are left by and large are tip top - but they are not taking to the air because fuel is so scarce. So, yes, plenty of Airworthy Airframes, just no go juice save for the most critical of missions (In fact, I believe that the Summer Offensive saw - for the time - a heavy use of Airpower as those resources that was saved up and scrounged up over the previous year was used in supporting the breakthrough of the Soviet Lines to get into Poland. Not enough to support the offensive for very long, but enough to break out.).

[raketenjagdpanzer]

I have no doubt that by the summer of 2000 there is still plenty of Aircraft sitting in airbases that could take to the air and perform various missions. Just too many airframes in Europe (Or sent there from the states) for there not to be.

But,


And its a Big But,

They wouldn't be flying much if at all. While parts would be scarce, I have no doubts what so ever that the Airbase personnel have cannibalised all the parts they need to make sure that those are left by and large are tip top - but they are not taking to the air because fuel is so scarce. So, yes, plenty of Airworthy Airframes, just no go juice save for the most critical of missions (In fact, I believe that the Summer Offensive saw - for the time - a heavy use of Airpower as those resources that was saved up and scrounged up over the previous year was used in supporting the breakthrough of the Soviet Lines to get into Poland. Not enough to support the offensive for very long, but enough to break out.).

Yah; I would agree with that 100%. I think any remaining AvGas is being kept for a "jesus Christ, soviet tanks are moving on Berlin" type situation, or if the French decide they want hunks of Germany, or if someone tries to stop OpOrd Omega with air assets or enough ground assets to merit using the last of the fuel.

[RN7]

Personally I think some of the 17th Air Force (about two dozen aircraft) and elements of the 7th Air Division and 322nd Airlift Division is still deployed in Germany and maybe Denmark and Norway in operational NATO air bases alongside RAF, Luftwaffe and other NATO units. Most of the 16th Air Forces probably ends up being sent to Germany earlier in the war, or to the Middle East or/and British bases in the Med (Gibralter, Cyprus). 352nd Special Operations Wing is probably split between the UK, Germany and Scandinavia.

[Legbreaker]

Agreed, there's bound to be a handful of aircraft in Europe capable of flying, probably those too damaged in say late 97 early 98 to transfer to the middle east but repaired later from scrounged/cannibalised parts. My guess is something like 3-4 fixed wing fighter types per army Corps would be a decent figure with a serious lack of fuel and perhaps ordnance.

"Shutterbug", from Twilight Encounters has two Soviet planes listed as attached to one of their Army HQ's, both set up for recce missions from memory but only used for absolutely VITAL tasks.

There would probably be a similar number of cargo planes, and a couple of helicopters available to each Division (as per US 8th ID in the Eastern European Sourcebook) but again fuel, ammunition and parts will keep them on the ground more often than not.

A few civilian light aircraft would probably have been pressed into service to be used as spotter craft and the occasional flight by somebody VERY important (Corps commanders going to a meeting prior to the Spring offensive for example). Microlights and ultralights would see some use perhaps as artillery spotters, but they'd be universally hated by the pilots for their slow speed and extreme vulnerability. Being assigned as a pilot may even be considered a punishment in some cases.

[RN7]

Thought I'd give USAF Europe a go. If I was to add Chico's version of the USAF then you could multiply this orbat threefold.

US AIR FORCE EUROPE (USAFE)

US Third Air Force
The Third Air Force was predominantly based in British air bases in the UK before the war, although some of its component wings were transferred to the Seventeenth Air Force in Germany in 1996. Following the nuclear exchanges some units from the Seventeenth Air Force and the 39th Special Operations Wing in Europe were relocated to the UK as British air bases survived in far better shape than most of their NATO counterparts in Europe. In 2000 the Third Air Force is the largest surviving component of USAF Europe and works closely with British forces in the UK in security for the areas its units are located in. Flights to Europe and North America are still maintained on an irregular bases but non-essential combat operations are rare due the general fuel shortage. Ive also grouped a number of US Navy squadrons with Third Air Force in the UK as Im of the same view as Matt that the aircraft carrier CVN-71 Theodore Roosevelt is anchored in the Solent off Portsmouth as the British government is assisting in refuelling its nuclear core.

20th Tactical Fighter Wing (RAF Upper Heyford, England)

Forces: 220 troops, 4x F-111E, 8x Peacekeeper AFV
55th Tactical Fighter Squadron (60 troops, 3x F-111E)
77th Tactical Fighter Squadron (30 troops, 1x F-111E)
79th Tactical Fighter Squadron (30 troops)
20th Security Police Group (100 troops, 8x Peacekeeper, 4x HMMWV-FS)

36th Tactical Fighter Wing (RAF Lakenheath, England)

Forces: 340 troops, 4x F-15C, 3x F-14D, 2x F-16C, 1x AT-105 Saxon AFV, 2x Peacekeeper AFV, 4x HMMWV-FS
22nd Tactical Fighter Squadron (30 troops, 1x F-15C)
53rd Tactical Fighter Squadron (50 troops, 2x F-15C)
527th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron (40 troops, 2x F-16C)
535th Tactical Fighter Squadron (30 troops, 1x F-15C)
US Navy Fighter Squadron 41 (50 troops, 2x F-14D)
US Navy Fighter Squadron 84 (30 troops, 1x F-14D)
36th Security Police Squadron (100 troops, 1x AT-105 Saxon, 2x Peacekeeper, 4x HMMWV-FS)

48th Tactical Fighter Wing (RAF Lakenheath, England)

Forces: 540 troops, 5x F-15E, 7x F/A-18C, 1x AV-8B, 2x A-6F, 4x Peacekeeper AFV
492nd Tactical Fighter Squadron (60 troops, 2x F-15E)
493rd Tactical Fighter Squadron (30 troops, 1x F-15E)
494th Tactical Fighter Squadron (50 troops, 2x F-15E)
495th Tactical Fighter Squadron (30 troops)
US Navy Strike-Fighter Squadron 15 (30 troops, 1x F/A-18C)
US Navy Strike-Fighter Squadron 87 (70 troops, 3x F/A-18C)
US Marine Fighter-Attack Squadron 224 (50 troops, 2x F/A-18C)
US Marine Fighter-Attack Squadron 312 (30 troops, 1x F/A-18C)
US Navy Attack Squadron 35 (40 troops, 2x A-6F)
US Navy Attack Squadron 36 (30 troops)
US Marine Attack Squadron 231 (30 troops, 1x AV-8B)
48th Security Police Group (90 troops, 4x Peacekeeper)

17th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing (RAF Alconbury, England)

Forces: 250 troops, 1x SR-71, 2x TR-1, 1x M113 AFV, 3x Peacekeeper AFV, 2x HMMWV-FS
95th Reconnaissance Squadron (70 troops, 1x SR-71, 2x TR-1)
496th Reconnaissance Technical Group (30 troops)
7274th Security Police Squadron (90 troops, 1x M113, 3x Peacekeeper, 2x HMMWV-FS)

39th Special Operations Wing (RAF Mildenhall, England)

Forces: 150 troops, 1x MC-130H, 1x HC-130P, 2x MH-53M, 2x HH-60
7th Special Operation Squadron (30 troops, 1x MC-130H)
21st Special Operations Squadron (60 troops, 2x MH-53M)
67th Special Operations Squadron (30 troops, 1x HC-130P)
56th Air Rescue Squadron (30 troops, 2x HH-60)

66th Electronic Countermeasures Wing (RAF Upper Heyford, England)

Forces: 120 troops, 2x EF-111A, 1x EC-130H
42nd Electronic Countermeasure Squadron: (50 troops, 2x EF-111A)
43rd Electronic Countermeasure Squadron (30 troops, 1x EC-130H)
66th Security Police Squadron (40 troops)

100th Air Refuelling Wing (RAF Mildenhall, England)

Forces: 70 troops, 2x KC-135
509th Air Refuelling Squadron (70 troops, 2x KC-135)

434th Air Refuelling Wing (RAF Lossiemouth, Scotland)

Forces: 70 troops, 2x KC-135
72nd Air Refuelling Squadron (30 troops, 1x KC-135)
74th Air Refuelling Squadron (40 troops, 1x KC-135)

501st Tactical Missile Wing (RAF Greenham Common, England)

Forces: 240 troops, 6x BGM-109G GLCM, 1x Fox AFV, 1x Fuchs AFV, 5x Peacekeeper AFV, 3x HMMWV-FS
501st Security Police Squadron (50 troops)
501st Missile Security Squadron (100 troops, 1x Fox, 1x Fuchs, 5x Peacekeeper, 3x HMMWV-FS)

513th Airborne Command & Control Wing (RAF Mildenhall, England)

Forces: 310 troops, 1x E-3C, 1x E-2C, 1x EC-135, 3x EA-6B, 6x Peacekeeper AFV, 2x HMMWV-FS
10th Airborne Command & Control Squadron (60 troops, 1x E-3C, 1x EC-135
US Navy Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 141 (40 troops, 2x EA-6B)
US Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 2 (20 troops, 1x EA-6B)
US Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 4 (20 troops)
US Navy Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 124 (20 troops, 1x E-2C)
513th Security Police Squadron (150 troops, 6x Peacekeeper, 2x HMMWV-FS)

313th Tactical Airlift Group (RAF Mildenhall, England)

Forces: 50 troops, 2x C-130E

US Navy Anti-Submarine Group (RNAS Yeovilton, England)

Forces: 90 troops, 2x S-3B, 3x SH-60F)
US Navy Air Anti-Submarine Squadron 24 (50 troops, 2x S-3B
US Navy Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 9 (40 troops, 3x SH-60F)

US Navy Patrol Squadron 26 (RAF Kinloss, Scotland)

Forces: 30 troops, 1x P-3C

US Sixteenth Air Force
The Sixteenth Air Force was disbanded in 1996 as most of its component units were based in countries that declared neutrality and left NATO or aligned with the Warsaw Pact. Its only major combat wing was relocated to the British air force base on Cyprus, with other units disbanding, transferring to CENTCOM in the Middle East of being dispersed across the Mediterranean.

401st Tactical Fighter Wing (RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus)

Forces: 380 troops, 3x F-16C, 1x F/A-18C, 1x AV-8B, 1x EA-6B, 1x EP-3E, 1x KC-130J, 1x C-130F, 1x C-2A, 1x Peacekeeper AFV, 1x AT-105 Saxon AFV
612th Tactical Fighter Squadron (50 troops, 1x F-16C)
613th Tactical Fighter Squadron (30 troops, 1x F-16C)
614th Tactical Fighter Squadron (30 troops, 1x F-16C)
7450th Tactical Intelligence Squadron (40 troops)
US Marine Fighter-Attack Squadron 122 (30 troops, 1x F/A-18C)
US Marine Attack Squadron 203 (30 troops, 1x AV-8B)
US Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 1 (20 troops, 1x EA-6B)
US Navy Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 2 (30 troops, 1x EP-3E)
US Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 (30 troops, 1x KC-130J)
US Navy Fleet Logistical Support Squadron 22 (30 troops, 1x C-130F)
US Navy Fleet Logistical Support Squadron 24 (20 troops, 1x C-2A)
401st Security Police Squadron (40 troops, 1x Peacekeeper, 1x AT-105 Saxon)

487th Tactical Missile Wing (Dhahran, Saudi Arabia)

Forces: 230 troops, 8x BGM-109G GLCM, 6x Peacekeeper AFV, 4x HMMWV-FS
487th Security Police Squadron (40 troops)
487th Missile Security Squadron (60 troops, 6x Peacekeeper, 4x HMMWV-FS)

1605th Security Police Squadron (Lajes Field, Azores)

Forces: 20 troops

7206th Security Police Squadron (RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus)

Forces: 30 troops

7276th Security Police Squadron (Gibraltar)

Forces: 30 troops

US Seventeenth Air Force
The Seventeenth Air Force in Germany was reinforced by Third Air Force wings in 1996, and 322nd Air Division was placed under its control. More exposed to Warsaw Pact counter-attacks than Third Air Force based units, its component units were soon dispersed to other NATO air bases operated in Germany. During the nuclear exchanges in 1997 a number of its main bases were destroyed including Sembach and Ramstein, but earlier dispersals had saved many squadrons from destruction. Although some of its units were transferred to the UK and Norway and attrition and casualties has dwindled its effective strength over the last few years, the Seventeenth Air Force works closely with the Luftwaffe and other surviving NATO forces in central Europe, and fuel allowing retains enough operational air power to deter Soviet or French forces from encroaching on Germany.

10th Tactical Fighter Wing (Spangdahlem AB, Germany)

Forces: 150 troops, 3x A-10, 2x Peacekeeper AFV, 4x HMMWV-FS
509th Tactical Fighter Squadron (60 troops: 2x A-10)
511th Tactical Fighter squadron (40 troops, 1x A-10)
10th Security Police Squadron (50 troops, 2x Peacekeeper, 4x HMMWV-FS)

50th Tactical Fighter Wing (Fassberg AB, Germany)

Forces: 220 troops, 1x F-15C, 4x F-16C, 2x Peacekeeper AFV
10th Tactical Fighter Squadron (40 troops, 2x F-16C)
32nd Tactical Fighter Squadron (40 troops, 1x F-15C)
313th Tactical Fighter Squadron (30 troops, 1x F-16C)
496th Tactical Fighter Squadron (30 troops, 1x F-16C)
50th Security Police Group (80 troops, 2x Peacekeeper)

52nd Tactical Fighter Wing (Jever AB, Germany)

Forces: 300 troops, 4x F-16C, 1x F/A-18C, 1x F-4G, 2x Peacekeeper AFV
23rd Tactical Fighter Squadron (40 troops, 2x F-16C)
81st Tactical Fighter Squadron (30 troops, 1x F-4G)
480th Tactical Fighter Squadron (30 troops, 1x F-16C)
481st Tactical Fighter Squadron (30 troops, 1x F-16C)
US Marine Fighter-Attack Squadron 115 (30 troops, 1x F/A-18C)
38th Security Police Squadron (40 troops)
52nd Security Police Squadron (100 troops, 2x Peacekeeper)

81st Tactical Fighter Wing (Laage AB, Germany)

Forces: 240 troops, 4x A-10, 2x AV-8B, 1x Peacekeeper AFV, 2x HMMWV-FS
78th Tactical Fighter Squadron (30 troops, 1x A-10)
91st Tactical Fighter Squadron (60 troops, 2x A-10)
92nd Tactical Fighter Squadron (30 troops, 1x A-10)
US Marine Attack Squadron 542 (60 troops, 2x AV-8B)
81st Security Police Squadron (60 troops, 1x Peacekeeper, 2x HMMWV-FS)

86th Tactical Fighter Wing (Bodo AB, Norway)

Forces: 270 troops, 3x F-16C, 2x F/A-18C, 2x AV-B, 2x CH-53E
512th Tactical Fighter Wing (60 troops, 2x F-16C)
513th Tactical Fighter Wing (20 troops, 1x F-16C)
US Marine Fighter-Attack Squadron 251 (30 troops, 1x F/A-18C)
US Marine Fighter-Attack Squadron 533 (30 troops, 1x F/A-18C)
US Marine Attack Squadron 223 (50 troops, 2x AV-8B)
US Navy Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 4 (40 troops, 2x CH-53E)

26th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (Jever AB, Germany)

Forces: 130 troops, 2x RF-4C, 1x EA-6B
38th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (40 troops, 2x RF-4C)
497th Reconnaissance Technical Group (30 troops)
US Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 3 (20 troops, 1x EA-6B)
26th Security Police Squadron (40 troops)

38th Tactical Missile Wing (Lindsey Air Station, Germany)

Forces: troops, 190 troops, 3x BGM-109G GLCM, 2x LAV-600, 2x Fuchs AFV, 6x Peacekeeper AFV
7451st Tactical Intelligence Squadron (50 troops)
38th Security Police Squadron (100 troops, 2x LAV-600, 2x Fuchs, 6x Peacekeeper, 4x HMMWV-FS)

435th Tactical Airlift Wing (Rhein-Main AB, Germany)

Forces: 210 troops, 1x C-141, 2x C-130H, 1x C-9, 2x Fuchs AFV, 3x M113 AFV, 1x HMMWV-FS
10th Military Airlift Squadron (60 troops, 2x C-23)
35th Tactical Airlift Squadron (30 troops, 1x C-141)
37th Tactical Airlift Squadron (60 troops, 2x C-130H)
55th Aeromedical Airlift Squadron (30 troops, 1x C-9)
435th Security Police Squadron (90 troops, 2x Fuchs, 3x M113, 1x HMMWV-FS)

608th Tactical Airlift Group (Rhein-Main AB, Germany)

Forces: 60 troops, 2x C-23

[Legbreaker]

Seems fairly reasonable I think, especially if you consider about half of those aircraft to be not flight-worthy due to some small technical problem or damage they can't fix with the available resources.

Allows just enough for a Corps commander to call upon if they really, reeeeeeaaaaaaallllllllllly need their arses pulled out of the fire, and they're willing to sell their soul, plus those of their entire Corps HQ.

...and all their first born sons too.

[raketenjagdpanzer]

That's nice but...c'mon, give us a squad or two of OV-10s! You know you want to! What's not to like

[Panther Al]

Very reasonable, even if they all are flyable. Not enough to unbalance things, especially with the fuel shortages, but strong enough to be one of those things that helps keep the lid on when people start thinking of tossing baby nukes around again. I figure that the WarPac probably has an equivalent number of aircraft - more of the lower grade stuff as the better got the most attention, but in 2000 a flying MiG21 is pretty good.

[Legbreaker]

That's nice but...c'mon, give us a squad or two of OV-10s! You know you want to! What's not to like

A nice slow target able to get shot out of the sky by a kid with a slingshot Yep, I'm liking that a lot!
It's right up there with using ultralights as artillery spotters.

[Webstral]

That's a lot of work. Thanks for putting in the time and energy.

[Rainbow Six]

Nice job. I like the idea of the 401st TFW going to Akrotiri.

There may be the possibility of some Wings also having US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft that found themselves homeless after the carriers they were based on were sunk.