Skip to content
U.S. Air Force

Air Expeditionary

The expeditionary force concept that packages Air Force units into deployable wings, groups, and squadrons. The AEF system has powered every USAF combat deployment since the late 1990s.

Air Expeditionary
Explore Expeditionary Units
AEWs / AEGs / Deployed Squadrons
Expeditionary Airpower Est. 1996
AEF
DEPLOY / FIGHT / WIN
Air Expeditionary Forces
AEW / AEG / AES - Deployed Airpower
AEF
Air Exped Force
AEW
Air Exped Wings
10
AEF Rotations
120
DAY DEPLOYMENTS
The AEF system rotates force packages on predictable deployment cycles. Ten AEF rotations ensure continuous global coverage. When an Air Expeditionary Wing stands up at a forward location, it draws squadrons from across the Air Force into a cohesive fighting unit. The 332nd AEW at Balad, 379th AEW at Al Udeid, and 455th AEW at Bagram became some of the most lethal air combat organizations in history. Read more
Explore Collection
Combat Expeditionary Wings 2001 - Present
332ND AEW
BALAD AB, IRAQ
332nd AEW - Balad
Tuskegee Airmen Heritage Wing
Balad
Air Base, Iraq
F-16
Primary Fighter
MQ-9
ISR/Strike RPA
Tuskegee
HERITAGE WING
The 332nd AEW at Balad carried the Tuskegee Airmen lineage into Iraq. Operating F-16s, A-10s, and MQ-1/9 RPAs, the 332nd flew CAS, interdiction, and ISR across Iraq. At peak operations Balad was one of the busiest airports in the world, generating thousands of combat sorties monthly while sustaining a base population exceeding 30,000. Read more
Explore Collection
379TH AEW
AL UDEID, QATAR
379th AEW - Al Udeid
The CENTCOM Air Hub
Al Udeid
Air Base, Qatar
CAOC
Combined Air Ops Ctr
KC-135
Tanker Hub
ISR
THEATER COLLECTION
The 379th AEW at Al Udeid has been the nerve center of CENTCOM air operations since 2001. Home to the Combined Air Operations Center directing all coalition air ops across the Middle East, Al Udeid serves as the primary tanker and ISR hub for the entire theater. The 379th has hosted nearly every aircraft type in the USAF inventory. Read more
Explore Collection
AEF
Force Packaging
332nd
Tuskegee Heritage
379th
CENTCOM Air Hub
Global
Expeditionary Reach