Lineage

Established as 77th Observation Group on 5 Feb 1942. Activated on 2 Mar 1942. Redesignated: 77th Reconnaissance Group on 2 Apr 1943; 77th Tactical Reconnaissance Group on 11 Aug 1943. Disestablished on 30 Nov 1943. Reestablished, and redesignated 77th Tactical Intelligence Wing, on 31 Jul 1985. Consolidated (16 Sep 1994) with 2852d Air Base Wing, which was established, and organized, on 1 Aug 1953. Redesignated: 2852d Air Base Group on 16 Oct 1964; 652d Support Group on 1 Oct 1992; 652d Air Base Group on 1 Oct 1993; 77th Air Base Wing on 1 Oct 1994.

Assignments

Air Force Combat Command, 2 Mar 1942; 2d Air Support Command, 12 Mar 1942; III Ground Air Support Command, 24 May 1942; 2d Air Force, 21 Aug 1942; II Ground Air Support Command, 7 Sep 1942 (attached to III Ground Air [later, III Air] Support Command, 7 Sep 1942?5 Aug 1943); III Air Support (later, III Reconnaissance) Command, 6 Aug?30 Nov 1943. Sacramento Air Materiel Area (later, Sacramento Air Logistics Center), 1 Aug 1953?.

Components

Squadrons. 5th: 25 Jan?2 Apr 1943. 27th: 17 Jul 1942?30 Nov 1943. 35th Photo Reconnaissance: 11 Aug?30 Nov 1943 (detached 11 Aug?31 Oct 1943). 113th: 12 Mar 1942?30 Nov 1943. 120th: 12 Mar 1942?30 Nov 1943. 125th Observation (later, 125th Liaison): 12 Mar 1942?11 Aug 1943. 128th Observation (later, 21st Antisubmarine): 12 Mar 1942?8 Mar 1943 (detached 3 Jul?7 Sep 1942 and 15 Oct 1942?3 Mar 1943).

Flight. 330th Airlift: 31 May?1 Oct 1993.

Stations

Salinas AAB, CA, 2 Mar 1942; Brownwood, TX, c. 22 Mar 1942; DeRidder AAB, LA, 25 Jul 1942; Alamo Airfield, TX, 28 Sep 1942; Abilene AAFld, TX, 6 Apr 1943; Esler Field, LA, 13 Sep 1943; Birmingham AAFld, AL, 14?30 Nov 1943. McClellan AFB, CA, 1 Aug 1953?.

Commanders

Maj Harrison W. Wellman, Mar 1942; Lt Col Christopher C. Scott, c. 3 Apr 1942; Col Jack C. Kennedy, c. Jun 1942; Lt Col Joseph E. Barzynski, c. 19 Apr?c. 30 Nov 1943. Col Russell G. Pankey, 1 Aug 1953; Col Johnnie R. Dyer, 2 Jun 1954; Lt Col Gervais G. Coyle, 4 Apr 1958; Col Sam M. Smith, 18 Aug 1958; Col Nicholas T. Perkins, 19 Sep 1960; Col Ralph Canter, 1 Jul 1961; Col Orin H. Rigley, Jr., 1 Sep 1961; Col Charles D. Birdsall, 20 Oct 1962; Col Richard J. White, 29 Sep 1966; Col Beverley E. Davis, Jr., 1 May 1970; Col Averill F. Holman, 1 Nov 1971; Col John J. Voll, 31 Oct 1973; Col Charles C. Heckel, 31 Jul 1974; Col Frederick C. Freeman, 27 Aug 1975; Col William Campfield, Jr., 20 Jul 1979; Col John K. Davidson, 1 Aug 1982; Col Arthur C. Weiner, 30 Aug 1982; Col John D. Wood, 29 Apr 1984; Col David S. Whitman, 4 Aug 1985; Col James F. Wilson, 31 Aug 1988; Col Christopher F. Russo, 25 Aug 1992?.

Aircraft

O?47, 1942?1943; O?38, 1942?1943; O?52, 1942?1943; L?5, 1942?1943; O?46, 1942; O?43, 1942; A?18, 1942; L?1, 1942?1943; L?4, 1942?1943; L?3, 1942?1943; L?6, 1942?1943; B?18, 1942?1943; O?49, 1942; P?39, 1942?1943; B?25, 1943; A?20, 1943.

Operations

Supported ground units in training by flying reconnaissance, artillery adjustment, fighter, and bomber missions, and in the process trained reconnaissance personnel who later served overseas. One squadron (113th) flew antisubmarine patrols over the Gulf of Mexico from Mar until Jun 1942 when it was relieved by another squadron (128th). Still another squadron (120th) patrolled the Mexican border, Mar?Jul 1942. A detachment of the 77th served in India from Feb until Jul 1943. Provided services and support for McClellan AFB with its satellite installations and the Sacramento Air Logistics Center with its tenant organizations, 1 Aug 1953?.

Honors

Service Streamers. World War II American Theater.

Campaign Streamers. None.

Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.

Decorations. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Jan 1969?31 Dec 1970; 1 Jan 1973? 31 Dec 1974.

Emblems

Or a hawk volant proper grasping in its beak seven radiating lightning flashes Gules above a mountain range issuant from base Azure garnished Celeste, all within a diminished bordure of the first. Motto: ALL SEEING. Approved on 28 Feb 1943 and slightly modified on 15 Jun 1994 (160547 AC); replaced emblem approved on 15 Jun 1955 (152927 AC).