With these changes, the wing's 10-year mission as the Air Force's only standing air expeditionary wing came to an end.

We have two B-113 bomber squadrons on alert in Georgia and two B-2A stealth bomber squadrons ready to go with conventional bombs and cruise missiles in Missouri, plus one air expeditionary wing in South Carolina ready to deploy if needed.

From March 24 to June 10, 1999, the 31st AEW, the largest expeditionary wing in Air Force history flew nearly 9,000 combat sorties and accumulated almost 40,000 hours of combat service over the skies of Kosovo, Serbia and the rest of the Balkans in support of NATO operations.

The 435 AW was converted to a provisional expeditionary wing between February 2003 and December 2003 in preparation for, and execution of, Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, but was never activated.

The dangers of the Air Force's new role were highlighted when the expeditionary wing lost its first female member in the line of duty in Iraq.

Late last month, the expeditionary wing was deactivated.

The Wing is one of the largest, most diverse expeditionary wings in the Air Force, providing combat airpower and support for the Global War on Terrorism in Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and through support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa.

Chief Roy also served as a superintendent of a military personnel flight and a mission support group before becoming a command chief master sergeant at the wing, air expeditionary wing, numbered air force and combatant command levels.

Officials at the base say an expanded range is essential for training for the 366th Wing, an expeditionary wing with F-15C, and F-16C fighters, B-1 bombers and KC-135 tankers that could be dispatched for an initial attack in times of global conflict.

Provide communications infrastructure to activate and robust two air expeditionary wings (AEW) with a maximum boots on ground of 3,000 persons each.