319th Air Base Wing
319th Air Base Wing
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| Active | 1949; 1949–1951; 1955–1957; 1963-present |
| Country |
 United States
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| Branch |
 United States Air Force
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| Role | Base Administrative and Logistic Support |
| Size | 2,600 |
| Part of | Air Mobility Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Grand Forks Air Force Base |
| Nickname(s) | Warriors of the North |
| Motto(s) | Defensores Libertatis Latin Defenders of Freedom |
| Decorations |
Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award French Croix de Guerre with Palm |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Colonel Rodney D. Lewis |
| Notable commanders |
Joseph R. Holzapple |
| Insignia | |
| 319th Air Base Wing Emblem Approved 6 January 1964 |
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The 319th Air Base Wing (319 ABW) is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the Air Mobility Command's USAF Expeditionary Center. It is stationed at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota. The wing is the host unit at Grand Forks.
The 319 ABW was one of only three "super tanker" wings in the United States Air Force.
Its 319th Operations Group is the successor of the World War II 319th Bombardment Group. The 319 BG was the first Martin B-26 Marauder group in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. The group received two Distinguished Unit Citation. Active for over 60 years, the 319th Bombardment Wing was a component of Strategic Air Command's deterrent force during the Cold War, as a strategic bombardment wing.
The 319th Air Base Wing is commanded by Colonel Rodney D. Lewis. Its Command Chief Master Sergeant is Chief Master Sergeant Todd R. Krulcik.
The mission of the 319th Air Base Wing is to support "Global Engagement" mobility operations. The wing provides support functions for an Air Mobility Command (AMC) major weapons system and supports a wide range of conventional and nuclear plans. The wing also provides infrastructure support for an Air Force Space Command group equipped with Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles.
The 319th Air Base Wing won the 2002 Solano Trophy on 26 April 2002 for the best active-duty unit in Fifteenth Air Force.
After the September 11 attacks, the wing was the first to fly an Air Mobility Command sortie supporting the Air Force's response to the terrorist attacks by refueling the F-16 that delivered the Federal Emergency Management Agency director to New York only three and a half hours after the attacks. All of the 319th Air Refueling Wing's mission-capable aircraft were prepped, fueled and cocked within 24 hours.
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