SLOBBERIN WOLFHOUNDS
A 240+ pages historical tribute to the men and women once served with the 32nd Wolfhounds. From the start at Kelly Field, Texas in 1939 to the redesignation in 1955 at Soesterberg Air Base, the Netherlands up to the 32nd Air Operations time frame at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. This profusely illustrated book provides tons of historical information and lots of never published before photos.
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The Wolfhounds traces its history from the 32nd Pursuit Squadron at Kelly Field, Texas, constituted in December 1939. After the attack at Pearl Harbor, the squadron flew daily intercept and submarine missions throughout the Caribbean. In the waning years of World War II the unit was reassigned to Howard Field, Panama to defend the Panama Canal Zone.
SOESTERBERG AIR BASE
In 1954 the Dutch government accepted the American offer to deploy a squadron of combat aircraft to the Netherlands to contribute to Dutch air defense within the context of NATO. The home base of the squadron became Soesterberg Air Base, which was also known as Camp New Amsterdam. In 1958 the USAFE redesignated the unit as the 32nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, as part of the 36th Tactical Fighter Wing. In 1959 the crown and wreath of the Dutch Royal Family were added to the squadron emblem. The unit was from that moment on referred to as “the Queens Own”. In 1989 the Dutch government allowed the USAF to upgrade its headquarters unit at Soesterberg Air Base from squadron to group status. Over the years the Wolfhounds flew and maintained a variety of fighters including the P-38, P-39, P-47, F-86, F-100, F-102, F-4 and F-15, achieving impressive results. The unit was recognized as the most outstanding fighter interceptor squadron in the United States Air Force, winning the 1965 William Tell Weapons Meet and was a three-time winner of the Hughes Achievement Award. In the opening days of Operation Desert Storm a Wolfhounds pilot downed an Iraqi MiG-23. After the war they continued their air activities in theater as a part of Operation Provide Comfort until May 1993.
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE
With the end of the Cold War a major force draw down occurred in Europe, the USAF reduced its fighter force structure. These changes affected the 32nd Fighter Squadron, as part of the draw down. The squadron’s F-15 Eagles returned to the United States and on 1 July 1994 the squadron was redesigned the 32nd Air Operations Squadron and reassigned to Ramstein Air Base in Germany. Along with the other squadrons of the 32nd Air Operation Group the squadron formed the score of USAFE’s “Falconer” Air Operations Center. The squadron played a critical role in Deny Flight, Decisive Endeavor, Guardian Assistance, Operation Allied Force, Enduring Freedom, Iraq Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism.
PROVISIONAL STATUS
On 1 November 2005 the squadron was inactivated and the 32nd Air Operation Group redesignated as 32nd Air and Space Operation Center. On 1 December 2006 the United States Air Force reactivated the Third Air Force and inactivated the 32nd Air and Space Operations Center. On 8 March 2011 the 32nd was redesignated as 32nd Air Expeditionary Group and converted to provisional status.