Editing Davis–Monthan Air Force Base (section)

==History==
The base was named in honor of [[World War I]] pilots Lieutenants Samuel H. Davis (1896–1921) and Chief Engineer [[Oscar Monthan]] (1885–1924), both Tucson natives.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Davis-Monthan History |url=https://www.dm.af.mil/Newcomers/Welcome-to-DM/History/ |access-date=April 27, 2023 |website=Davis-Monthan Air Force Base}}</ref> Monthan enlisted in the Army as a private in 1917, was commissioned as a ground officer in 1918, and later became a pilot; he was killed in the crash of a [[Martin NBS-1|Martin B2]] bomber in [[Hawaii]] on March 27, 1924.<ref name=":10" />

=== Namesakes ===

==== Samuel Howard Davis ====
First Lieutenant Samuel Howard Davis (November 20, 1896 – December 28, 1921) was a pilot and [[United States Army Air Service]] officer. Born to Sam and Effie Davis<ref>{{Cite news |date=1927-12-25 |title=Tucson Boasts One of the Finest Municipal Airports Created in Western States |pages=62 |work=Arizona Republic |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105274215/tucson-boasts-one-of-the-finest/ |access-date=2022-07-09}}</ref> in 1896 in [[Dyer County, Tennessee]],<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |date=1930-06-12 |title=Tucson Airport Memorial for Young Flyers Who Gave Lives to Further Cause They Loved |pages=2 |work=Tucson Citizen |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105235208/tucson-airport-memorial-for-young/ |access-date=2022-07-08}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite news |date=1941-09-22 |title=Oldest Municipal Airport Named for Davis-Monthan |pages=15 |work=Tucson Citizen |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105235957/oldest-municipal-airport-named-for/ |access-date=2022-07-08}}</ref> Davis was known by his middle name, Howard.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1921-12-31 |title=Obituary for HOWARD DAVIS |pages=2 |work=Tucson Citizen |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105237698/obituary-for-howard-davis/ |access-date=2022-07-09}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite news |date=1920-03-20 |title=Shower of "Stars" to Fall over Southwest Arizona This Morning as Tucson's Leading Newspaper Is Shot to Readers from the Air |pages=1 |work=Arizona Daily Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105274440/arizona-daily-star/ |access-date=2022-07-09}}</ref> He attended public schools in Tucson.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |date=1947-08-01 |title=Oldest Municipal Airport Named Davis-Monthan |pages=24 |work=Tucson Daily Citizen |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105218268/oldest-municipal-airport-named/ |access-date=2022-07-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1944-10-19 |title=Name Davis-Monthan after Tucson Fliers of First World War |pages=18 |work=Tucson Citizen |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105236418/name-davis-monthan-after-tucson-fliers/ |access-date=2022-07-08}}</ref> As a young man, his hobbies included horseback riding and shooting; he was a good marksman.<ref name=":4" />

Davis enrolled at [[Texas A&M University|Texas A&M College]] in 1915 as a student of mechanical engineering,<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=1925-11-17 |title=Name of Aggie Grad Honored at Tucson, Ariz. |pages=2 |work=The Eagle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105218571/name-of-aggie-grad-honored-at-tucson/ |access-date=2022-07-08}}</ref> having previously attended the [[University of Arizona]] in [[Tucson]].<ref name=":3" /> After enlisting in the military in 1917, he was briefly assigned to [[Fort Huachuca|Fort Hauchuca]] in Arizona before being transferred to [[College Station, Texas]], to complete his academic studies. He returned to the military after graduation in 1918, assembling airplanes at [[Kelly Field]] in [[San Antonio|San Antonio, Texas]].<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4" /> He trained pilots during the [[World War I|first World War]], including some pilots who took down German planes.<ref name=":4" /> He reached the rank of [[Second lieutenant|Second Lieutenant]].<ref name=":5" /> Davis was [[Military discharge|honorably discharged]] from the military about 1919 with the rank of [[First lieutenant|First Lieutenant]] in the [[United States Army Reserve|reserve corps]]. For a time he worked commercial aviation as a manager with the Arizona Aviation Company, where he piloted [[Curtiss Oriole|Orioles]] and standard manufacture airplanes.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite news |date=1920-03-10 |title=Howard Davis Weds in San Antonio |pages=3 |work=Tucson Citizen |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105274704/howard-davis-weds-in-san-antonio/ |access-date=2022-07-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1920-05-20 |title=Fishburn Goes to Bring Plane Back from Los Angeles |pages=3 |work=Arizona Daily Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105274968/fishburn-goes-to-bring-plane-back-from/ |access-date=2022-07-09}}</ref> Davis married Marjorie Cameron of San Antonio in 1920.<ref name=":7" />

Davis returned to the Army Air Service in August 1921.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> He died in a military aircraft accident completing a training mission on December 28, 1921, while a passenger in a [[Curtiss JN-6H | Curtiss JN-6HG]] at [[Carlstrom Field]], near [[Arcadia, Florida]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=2007-09-09 |title=D-M's Dusty Beginnings |pages=E007 |work=Arizona Daily Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105218366/d-ms-dusty-beginnings/ |access-date=2022-07-08}}</ref> One other person, William C. Sinclair, was also killed.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=1921-12-29 |title=Arkansas Flyer Killed in Crash |pages=1 |work=Daily Arkansas Gazette |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105218767/arkansas-flyer-killed-in-crash/ |access-date=2022-07-08}}</ref><ref>[https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1921/12/29/98779679.pdf "Two Army Aviation Lieutenants Killed."] New York Times. 29 December 1921.</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Dudney |first=Robert |date=May 24, 2022 |title=Namesakes: Davis-Monthan |url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/namesakes-davis-monthan/ |access-date=April 28, 2023 |website=Air & Space Forces Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> They were hunting ducks at the time; Sinclair was piloting and Davis was shooting.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1922-01-03 |title=Military Funeral for Dead Flier at Home Today |pages=2 |work=Arizona Daily Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105236530/military-funeral-for-dead-flier-at-home/ |access-date=2022-07-08}}</ref> After a funeral at the home of his parents, Davis was buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Tucson.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1922-01-04 |title=Obituary for Samuel Howard Davis |pages=2 |work=Arizona Daily Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105236291/obituary-for-samuel-howard-davis/ |access-date=2022-07-08}}</ref> He was survived by his widow, his parents, and a brother, Wilton.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1922-01-01 |title=Former Tucson Flier Will Be Buried in City |pages=2 |work=Arizona Daily Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105237553/former-tucson-flier-will-be-buried-in/ |access-date=2022-07-09}}</ref>

Davis's father was in attendance at the 1925 dedication of the base, as was [[George W. P. Hunt|Governor G.W.P. Hunt]], who spoke at the dedication.<ref name=":8">{{Cite news |date=1925-11-02 |title=Tucson Fliers Paid Honor at First Ceremony |pages=1 |work=Arizona Daily Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105218437/tucson-fliers-paid-honor-at-first/ |access-date=2022-07-08}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite news |date=1925-11-02 |title=Aviation Field at Tucson Christened |pages=2 |work=Albuquerque Journal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105237376/aviation-field-at-tucson-christened/ |access-date=2022-07-09}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

===Origins===
In 1919, the Tucson Chamber of Commerce aviation committee established the nation's first municipally owned airfield at the current site of the Tucson Rodeo Grounds. The rapid increase in aviation activities meant a move in 1927 to the site which is now Davis–Monthan Air Force Base. The City of Tucson acquired land southeast of town for a runway and dedicated the field in 1925.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":8" /><ref name=":9" /> [[Charles Lindbergh]], fresh from his nonstop crossing of the Atlantic Ocean, flew his ''[[Spirit of St. Louis]]'' to Tucson in 1927 to dedicate the airport at Davis–Monthan Field,<ref>{{Cite news |date=1927-09-22 |title=City ready to greet Lindbergh tomorrow |pages=1 |work=Arizona Daily Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106517815/city-ready-to-greet-lindbergh-tomorrow/ |access-date=2022-07-29}}</ref> then the largest municipal airport in the United States.

Military presence at the field began when Sergeant Simpson relocated his fuel and service operation to the site on 6 October 1927. He kept a log containing names of the field's customers, including Lindbergh, [[Amelia Earhart]], [[Benjamin Foulois]], and [[Jimmy Doolittle]]. Doolittle, awarded the [[Medal of Honor]] for his 1942 [[Doolittle Raid|Tokyo raid]], was the first military customer at the field on 9 October 1927. The combination of civil and military operations worked well until the early 1940s, when military requirements began to require the relocation of civil aviation activities.

===World War II===
Davis–Monthan Airport became Tucson Army Air Field in 1940, as the United States prepared for [[World War II]]. The first assigned [[U.S. Army Air Corps]] units were the 1st Bomb Wing, 41st Bomb Group and 31st Air Base Group, activating on 30 April 1941 with Lieutenant Colonel Ames S. Albro Sr. as commanding officer.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://azstarnet.com/news/local/street-smarts-man-who-built-davis-monthan-air-force-base/article_c5ba11d4-d540-511a-b143-c77c8f33501d.html | first=David | last=Leighton | title=Street Smarts: Man who built Davis–Monthan Air Force Base among oldest enlisted men ever | newspaper=Arizona Daily Star | date=12 November 2013 | access-date=12 November 2013 | archive-date=12 November 2013 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20131112072715/http://azstarnet.com/news/local/street-smarts-man-who-built-davis-monthan-air-force-base/article_c5ba11d4-d540-511a-b143-c77c8f33501d.html | url-status=live }}</ref> In its military role, the base became known as '''Davis–Monthan Army Air Field''' on 3 December 1941. [[U.S. Army Air Forces]] leaders then utilized the airfield for heavy bomber operation, sending [[Douglas B-18 Bolo]], [[Consolidated B-24 Liberator]], and [[Boeing B-29 Superfortress]] bombers, for training and observation missions.

Among the bombardment groups trained at the base during the war:
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break}}
* [[34th Training Wing|34th Bombardment]] (Heavy) 13 May – 4 July 1942
* [[94th Airlift Wing|94th Bombardment]] (Heavy) August – 1 November 1942
* [[302d Airlift Wing|302nd Bombardment]] (Heavy) 23 June – 30 July 1942
* [[308th Strategic Missile Wing|308th Bombardment]] (Heavy) 20 June – 1 October 1942
* [[380th Air Expeditionary Wing|380th Bombardment]] (Heavy) 4 November – 2 December 1942
* [[382d Bombardment Group|382nd Bombardment]] (Heavy) 23 January – 5 April 1943
* [[389th Strategic Missile Wing|389th Bombardment]] (Heavy) 24 December 1942 – 1 February 1943
* [[392nd Bombardment Group|392nd Bombardment]] (Heavy) 26 January – 1 March 1943
* [[399th Bombardment Group|399th Bombardment]] (Heavy) 1 March – 10 April 1943
* [[400th Bombardment Group|400th Bombardment]] (Heavy) April – 2 May 1943
{{Col-break}}
* [[446th Airlift Wing|446th Bombardment]] (Heavy) 1 April – 8 June 1943
* [[449th Bombardment Wing|449th Bombardment]] (Heavy) 1 May – 5 July 1943
* [[451st Air Expeditionary Group|451st Bombardment]] (Heavy) 1 May – 3 June 1943
* [[459th Air Refueling Wing|459th Bombardment]] (Heavy) 20 September – 1 November 1943
* [[466th Bombardment Group|466th Bombardment]] (Heavy) 15 August – 17 October 1945
* [[486th Air Expeditionary Wing|486th Bombardment]] (Heavy) 9 November 1943 – March 1944
* [[489th Bombardment Group|489th Bombardment]] (Heavy) 3 April – 13 July 1945
* [[491st Bombardment Group|491st Bombardment]] (Heavy) 1 October – 11 November 1943
* [[444th Bombardment Group|444th Bombardment]] (Very Heavy) 1 March – 29 July 1943
* [[499th Air Refueling Wing|499th Bombardment]] (Very Heavy) 20 November – 1 December 1943
{{Col-end}}

Training at the airfield came to a halt on 14 August 1945, when the Japanese surrendered. Davis–Monthan played a post-war role by housing German [[Prisoner of war|POWs]] from June 1945 to March 1946. It also served as a separation center, which brought the base populace to a high of 11,614 in September 1945.

With the end of the war, operations at the base came to a virtual standstill. It was then that the base was selected as a storage site for hundreds of decommissioned aircraft, with the activation of the [[309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group|4105th Army Air Force Unit]]. The 4105th oversaw the storage of excess B-29s and [[Douglas C-47 Skytrain|C-47]] "Gooney Birds." Tucson's low humidity and [[alkali soil]] made it an ideal location for aircraft storage and preservation, awaiting cannibalization or possible reuse—a mission that has continued to this day.

===Cold War===
===Strategic Air Command===
[[File:AMARC at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.jpg|thumb|Aircraft Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) boneyard at Davis–Monthan Air Force Base]]

The [[Cold War|Cold War era]] was ushered in at Davis–Monthan on 21 March 1946, with the installation placed under the claimancy of the recently established [[Strategic Air Command]] (SAC). SAC's presence at the base began in the form of the 40th and 444th Bombardment Groups, both equipped with B-29s. As part of the postwar austerity, these groups were later inactivated, with the personnel and equipment being consolidated into the [[43d Bombardment Group]] in October. On 11 January 1948, with the establishment of the [[United States Air Force]] as independent service four months earlier, the facility was renamed '''Davis–Monthan Air Force Base'''. On 30 June 1948, the Air Force activated the 43rd Air Refueling Squadron, whose KB-29Ms were newly equipped with [[aerial refueling]] equipment purchased from the British firm FRL. The 43rd ARS, along with the 509th ARS at [[Walker AFB]], [[New Mexico]], was the first dedicated air refueling unit in history.

On 2 March 1949, the ''Lucky Lady II'', a [[Boeing B-50 Superfortress|B-50A]] of the 43d Bombardment Wing, completed the first nonstop round-the-world flight, having covered {{convert|23452|mi}} in 94 hours and 1 minute (249.45&nbsp;mph). ''Lucky Lady II'' was refueled four times in the air by [[Boeing B-29 Superfortress|KB-29 tankers]] of the 43d Air Refueling Squadron, which had made only one operational air refueling contact before the mission. For this outstanding flight, the ''Lucky Lady II''{{'}}s crew received the [[Mackay Trophy]], given annually by the [[National Aeronautic Association]] for the outstanding flight of the year, and the Air Age Trophy, an [[Air Force Association]] award, given each year in recognition of significant contributions to the public understanding of the air age.

In 1953, the jet age came to Davis–Monthan when SAC units on the base converted to the new [[Boeing B-47 Stratojet]]. The [[303d Bombardment Wing]], Medium, was initially established on 27 August 1951, and activated at Davis–Monthan AFB on 4 September 1951. The wing operated B-29s until January 1952, when it was equipped with KB-29s. On 20 January 1953, the 303d transitioned to the Boeing B-47 Stratojet for its three bomb squadrons, while an additional air refueling squadron equipped with KC-97s was assigned to the wing between 18 February 1953, and 1 February 1956. A standard SAC Alert Area ramp was constructed in the southeast corner of the base adjacent to the runway and the 303d assumed nuclear alert responsibilities when final conversion and checkout in the B-47 was complete.

In April 1953, the [[Air Defense Command]]'s (ADC) '''15th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron''' was activated with [[F-86 Sabre|F-86A Sabre]]s. A year later, the unit transitioned into F-86Ds followed by a transition to F-86Ls in the fall of 1957. In the spring of 1959 the unit received [[Northrop F-89 Scorpion|Northrop F-89J]] interceptors which it flew for only a year when it transitioned into [[McDonnell F-101 Voodoo|McDonnell F-101Bs]]. On 24 December 1964, the 15th FIS was inactivated.

In 1962, the [[Strategic Air Command]]'s [[390th Strategic Missile Wing]] (390 SMW) and its 18 [[LGM-25C Titan II|Titan II]] [[ICBM]] sites around Tucson were activated. The 390 SMW was one of only three Titan II missile wings in SAC and represented the heaviest land-based missile and the largest single warhead ever fielded by U.S. strategic deterrent forces.

In July 1963, the '''4028th Strategic Reconnaissance Weather Wing''', equipped with [[Lockheed U-2|U-2]] strategic reconnaissance aircraft, began flying global missions from Davis–Monthan. Following the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1963, the [[4080th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing]] at [[Laughlin AFB]], Texas, relocated to the base and assumed responsibility for all U-2 operations, emphasizing long-range strategic reconnaissance and intelligence collection. As a [[Strategic Air Command]] (SAC) unit, the 4080th was later redesignated the [[100th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing]] and also acquired [[Lockheed DC-130 Hercules]] aircraft for launch and control of Firebee reconnaissance drones that were the precursors of contemporary unmanned aerial systems. The DC-130s and U-2s remained at the Davis–Monthan until 1976, when the 100 SRW was inactivated, its DC-130s transferred to [[Tactical Air Command]]'s 432d Tactical Drone Group, and its U-2s transferred to SAC's [[9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing]] (9 SRW) at [[Beale Air Force Base]], [[California]], where U-2 Dragon Lady operations were consolidated with [[SR-71 Blackbird]] operations.

On 15 June 1964, Davis–Monthan's [[303d Bombardment Wing]] was inactivated as part of the retirement of the B-47 Stratojet from active service. The year 1964 brought back the combat crew training mission of the World War II years with the '''[https://web.archive.org/web/20071226224308/http://pirtle.org/4453cctw/ 4453d Combat Crew Training Wing]''' of the [[Tactical Air Command]] equipped with the Air Force's newest and most sophisticated fighter, the [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II]]. In July 1971, the [[355th Fighter Wing|355th Tactical Fighter Wing]], flying the [[LTV A-7 Corsair II|A-7 Corsair II]] aircraft, was activated at the base and the previously assigned F-4s were moved to [[Luke AFB]], near [[Phoenix, Arizona]].

===Tactical Air Command===
On 1 October 1976, the base was transferred to [[Tactical Air Command]] (TAC) after 30 years under SAC, with SAC's [[390th Strategic Missile Wing]] becoming a tenant command of the base. It was also that year the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing accepted the first [[A-10 Thunderbolt II]]. Since 1979, D–M has been the training location for pilots in the A-10; the base was redesignated the '''355th Tactical Training Wing''' on 1 September 1979. The organization was later redesignated the '''355th Fighter Wing''' since it includes operational, deployable A-10 squadrons in addition to its CONUS training mission

The 1980s brought several diverse missions to D–M. The headquarters charged with overseeing them was now the '''836th Air Division''', which was activated 1 January 1981. The AD advised Air Force component commanders and land forces on A-10 aircraft tactics, training, employment and readiness, and subordinate units participated in exercises such as [[Red Flag exercise|Red Flag]] and Celtic Echo.

The '''41st Electronic Combat Squadron''' equipped with the [[Lockheed EC-130H Compass Call|EC-130H Compass Call]] aircraft, arrived on 1 July 1980, and reported to the [[552d Airborne Warning and Control Wing]]. In 1981 D–M welcomed the '''868th Tactical Missile Training Group''' (866 TMTG). The 868th was the only U.S.-based [[Ground Launched Cruise Missile]] (GLCM) unit and the source of the crews that staffed the forward deployed GLCM wings in [[NATO]] in 1982.

On 1 September 1982, the headquarters of the 602d Tactical Air Control Wing (TAIRCW) and its subordinate [[23rd Tactical Air Support Squadron]] (TASS), a unit responsible for the Air Force's tactical air control system west of the [[Mississippi River]] transferred from [[Bergstrom Air Force Base]], Texas, and stood up at D–M, bringing 16 [[Cessna A-37 Dragonfly|OA-37B]] aircraft and numerous new personnel to the base. The 23rd TASS became the Air Force's first [[Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II|O/A-10]] squadron in 1988, providing heavily armed airborne forward air control (FAC) capability for the first time. Unlike all other D–M aircraft at the time, the 23rd TASS fleet's tail flash read "NF", for "Nail FAC"; the squadron's radio call sign was "Nail".

In 1984, as a result of the first series of Strategic Arms Reduction Treaties [[START I]] between the United States and the Soviet Union, SAC began to decommission its Titan II missile system. In 1982, the 390 SMW began removing its 18 missiles and inactivating the associated sites in preparation for eventual demolition.

In October 1981, President Ronald Reagan announced that, as part of the strategic modernization program, Titan II systems were to be retired by 1 October 1987. Deactivation began at Davis–Monthan on 1 October 1982. During the operation, titled "Rivet Cap", the missiles were removed and shipped to [[Norton AFB]], California for refurbishment and storage. Explosive demolition began at the headworks of missile complex 570–7 on 30 November 1983. In May 1984, the 390 SMW's last Titan II at Davis–Monthan came off alert status. SAC subsequently inactivated the [[390th Strategic Missile Wing]] on 30 June 1984.

One site under the 390 SMW, known both as Titan II Site 571-7 and as Air Force Facility Missile Site 8, was initially decommissioned in 1982. Located approximately {{convert|12|mi|km}} south of Tucson in [[Sahuarita, Arizona]], it was saved from demolition and turned over to the Arizona Aerospace Foundation, a nonprofit organization which also administers the [[Pima Air and Space Museum]] immediately south of Davis–Monthan AFB. With a variety of items on loan from the [[National Museum of the United States Air Force]], including an inert [[LGM-25C Titan II|Titan II]] missile, Site 571-7 is now known as the [[Titan Missile Museum]] and is one of two remaining examples of a Titan II missile site in existence (the other being located at [[Vandenberg Space Force Base]], California; site 395-C). In 1994, the site was declared a [[National Historic Landmark]].

In 1987, the [[71st Special Operations Squadron]], an Air Force Reserve unit flying HH-3 Jolly Green Giants, was activated at the base. While it served after the [[invasion of Kuwait]] in Desert Shield/Storm,<ref>https://media.defense.gov/2017/Apr/05/2001727299/-1/-1/0/B_0102_WHITCOMB_COMBAT_SEARCH_RESCUE.PDF {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311040521/https://media.defense.gov/2017/Apr/05/2001727299/-1/-1/0/B_0102_WHITCOMB_COMBAT_SEARCH_RESCUE.PDF |date=11 March 2021 }}, 64-65.</ref> it did not survive the end of the Cold War drawdown, and disbanded in 1992.

===Post-Cold War era===
In the 1990s, the 355 TTW continued to train A-10 crews for assignments to units in the United States, England, and [[Korea]]. During this period, the 602nd Tactical Air Control Wing deployed Airborne Forward Air Controllers in their OA-10 aircraft to [[Operation Desert Storm]], providing nearly 100 percent of this capability to the war.

On 1 October 1991, the 355 TTW was redesignated as the '''355th Fighter Wing''' (355 FW) in tune with the Air Force's Objective Wing philosophy. The 355th Fighter Wing was composed of the 355th Operations Group (355 OG), the 355th Maintenance Group (355 MG), the 355th Medical Group (355 MDG), and the 355th Mission Support Group (355 MSG).

[[File:Dm-a10c.jpg|thumb|A newly modified A-10C Thunderbolt II taxis into Davis–Monthan AFB.]]

In May 1992, the [[41st Electronic Combat Squadron|41st]] and [[43d Electronic Combat Squadron]]s, flying [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules|EC-130H Hercules Compass Call]] arrived. The aircraft carried an airborne battlefield command and control center capsule that provides continuous control of tactical air operations in the forward battle area and behind enemy lines. This capability added yet more strength to the wing's combat capability. The 43rd Electronic Combat Squadron "Bats" are part of the [[55th Wing]] at [[Offutt Air Force Base|Offutt AFB]], [[Nebraska]], but operate out of Davis–Monthan. In addition, the 42d Airborne Command and Control Squadron arrived from [[Keesler Air Force Base|Keesler AFB]], [[Mississippi]] on 19 July 1994.

On 1 May 1992, senior Air Force leaders implemented the policy of one base, one wing, one boss. The 836 AD and 602 TAIRCW inactivated (the later on 15 June 1992) while the 41 ECS and 43 ECS came under control of the 355 FW. With the mission diversified, the 355th Fighter Wing was re-designated as the '''355th Wing''' (355 WG).

===Air Combat Command===
On 1 June 1992, Tactical Air Command was inactivated and all aircraft, personnel and installations previously under TAC were transferred to the newly established [[Air Combat Command]] (ACC) on the same date. Following Operation Desert Storm, the 355 WG supported [[Operation Southern Watch]] during deployments to Al Jaber, Kuwait, in 1997 by deploying 24 A-10s, in 1998 by deploying 16 A-10s, and in 1999 by deploying 14 A-10s—all to ensure compliance of the 33rd parallel southern no-fly zone. The flight and mysterious crash of Captain [[Craig D. Button]] took off from Davis–Monthan Air Force Base on 12 April 1997.

===Global War on Terrorism, 2001–2007===
[[File:Dm-mq1b.jpg|thumb|One of the 214th Reconnaissance Group's General Atomics MQ-1B Predator UAV aircraft (AF Serial No. 04-0555)]]The attacks on 11 September 2001, led to the initiation of three ongoing missions: [[Operation Enduring Freedom]] (OEF), [[Iraq War|Operation Iraqi Freedom]] (OIF), and [[Operation Noble Eagle]] (ONE). After Operation Enduring Freedom, eight A-10s from the 355 WG were called to [[Bagram Airfield]], [[Afghanistan]], to fly close air support missions supporting multinational ground forces.

In September 2002, the [[48th Rescue Squadron|48th]], [[55th Rescue Squadron|55th]], and the [[79th Rescue Squadron]]'s (RQS) transferred under control of the 355 WG, equipped with HC-130 aircraft and HH-60 helicopters. At the same time, the 41st and 43d Electronic Combat Squadrons were realigned under the control of the '''[[55th Electronic Combat Group]]''' (55 ECG). While personnel and aircraft remained on Davis–Monthan AFB, operational control of the 55 ECG was assumed by the [[55th Wing]] at [[Offutt AFB]], [[Nebraska]]. Another major wing realignment occurred on 1 October 2003, with the activation of the '''563rd Rescue Group''' (563 RQG) on Davis–Monthan AFB. Control of the 48th, 55th, and 79th Rescue Squadrons (RQS) was passed to the new group with the [[23rd Wing]] (23 WG) at [[Moody Air Force Base]], Georgia assuming operational command of the unit.

In 2003 and 2005, the 354th Fighter Squadron (354 FS) "Bulldogs" deployed on five-month deployments to Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. During these deployments, they provided 24-hour presence to reassure the Afghan population as it struggled with its [[emergent democracy]], and provided key support during national elections. While the 2003 deployment saw limited action, the Bulldogs employed over 22,000 rounds of 30&nbsp;mm during 130 troops-in-contact situations during the 2005 deployment. Returning to Afghanistan in April 2007 for another six-month deployment, the 345th again provided 24-hour presence and Close Air Support expertise to coalition forces in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During this period, insurgent activity level was the highest recorded to date in OEF. The Bulldogs employed an unprecedented number of munitions during this deployment—over 150,000 rounds of 30&nbsp;mm in support of over 400 troops-in-contact situations.

===2007–present===
On 26 April 2007, the 355th Wing was re-designated as the '''355th Fighter Wing''' (355 FW) with only A-10 fighter aircraft assigned. Also in 2007, the 214th Reconnaissance Group (214 RG), an Arizona Air National Guard unit, was activated. As of October 2020, the 355 FW is composed of four groups: the 355th Operations Group (355 OG), the 355th Maintenance Group (355 MG), the 355th Mission Support Group (355 MSG), and the 355th Medical Group (355 MDG). Along with their tenant organizations, they make up the 6,100 airmen and 1,700 civilian personnel at Davis–Monthan AFB.<ref>{{Cite web|title=355th Fighter Wing History|url=https://www.dm.af.mil/About-DM/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/313172/355th-fighter-wing-history/|access-date=2020-10-22|website=Davis–Monthan Air Force Base|language=en-US|archive-date=26 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026192756/https://www.dm.af.mil/About-DM/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/313172/355th-fighter-wing-history/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The 355th Fighter Wing was re-designated '''355th Wing''' on January 2, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1723710/one-base-one-boss-355th-wing-strengthens-mission-competence/|access-date=23 March 2020|title=One base, one boss: 355th wing strengthens mission competence|date=3 January 2019 |archive-date=23 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323112439/https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1723710/one-base-one-boss-355th-wing-strengthens-mission-competence/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 20 August 2020, the 355th Wing again realigned and now falls under the 15th Air Force Headquarters at [[Shaw Air Force Base|Shaw AFB, SC]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Davis–Monthan Air Force Base > About DM > Units > 355th Fighter Group|url=https://www.dm.af.mil/About-DM/Units/355th-Fighter-Group/|access-date=2020-10-22|website=www.dm.af.mil|archive-date=28 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028080936/https://www.dm.af.mil/About-DM/Units/355th-Fighter-Group/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 1 October 2021, the 418th Test and Evaluation Squadron was activated at David-Monthan to provide test and evaluation of new tactics, techniques and procedures for the [[EC-130H Compass Call]] and [[Lockheed HC-130|HC-130J Combat King II]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Turnbull|first=Airman 1st Class William Turnbull|date=24 November 2021|title=418th TES Activation Ceremony|url=https://www.dm.af.mil/Media/Article-View/Article/2852826/418th-tes-activation-ceremony/|url-status=live|access-date=9 December 2021|website=Davis-Monthan Air Force Base|publisher=US Air Force|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124183616/https://www.dm.af.mil/Media/Article-View/Article/2852826/418th-tes-activation-ceremony/ |archive-date=24 November 2021 }}</ref>