The 77th Aeronautical Systems Wing (77 ASW) is an inactive United States Air Force unit, last assigned to the Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
Its World War II predecessor unit, the 77th Reconnaissance Group 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.
During World War II the 77th 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. The 113th Observation Squadron flew antisubmarine patrols over the Gulf of Mexico from March until June 1942 when it was relieved by another squadron (128th). Still another squadron (120th) patrolled the Mexican border from March–July 1942. A detachment of the 77th served in India from February until July 1943. The 77th was inactivated in 1943.
The 77th was redesignated in 1985, though this was a 'paper' change that effectively went no further than an Air Staff filing cabinet. It was then consolidated with the 2852nd Air Base Wing in 1994 to provide services and support for McClellan AFB with its satellite installations and the Sacramento Air Logistics Center with its tenant organizations (the 2852nd had been performing this duty since 1 August 1953) until the base was officially closed in 2001.
The 77th Aeronautical Systems Group moved from Brooks City-Base, San Antonio to Wright-Patterson AFB in mid-2009.
The 77 ASW supported the Aeronautical Systems Center. Its units perform a variety of missions
Human Systems Group
Provided advanced performance, survival, and force protection capabilities to U.S. and allied air, ground, and naval forces through development, production, and sustainment of human-centered systems including aircrew life support, egress, survival, aeromedical equipment, medical information, aerovac equipment testing/certification, AF uniforms, and aircraft mishap analysis.
Simulator Systems Group
Responsible for the development, production, test, integration, deployment, modification, and sustainment of common training solutions for joint ground-based training and mission rehearsal systems.
Aging Aircraft Systems Squadron
Developed and fielded products that enhance the Air Force's aircraft fleet availability and mission capability while reducing total ownership cost. The squadron is responsible for the development, acquisition, and fielding of cross-enterprise materiel solutions that enhance fleet availability and mission capability.
Propulsion Systems Squadron
Responsible for the development, production, test, and fielding of propulsion systems for the Joint Strike Fighter, F/A-22, and C-17. It also manages the Component Improvement Program, critical sustaining engineering for Air Force propulsion, and modernization of all Air Force propulsion systems, future propulsion capabilities, and allied F-15/F-16 engines.
Combat Electronics Systems Squadron
Responsible for the development, testing, acquiring, fielding and sustainment of materiel capabilities for multiple Department of Defense and allied aircraft weapon systems.
Established as 77th Observation Group on 5 February 1942
Activated on 2 March 1942
Redesignated:
77th Reconnaissance Group on 2 April 1943
Redesignated:
77th Tactical Reconnaissance Group on 11 August 1943
Disestablished on 30 November 1943
Reestablished, and redesignated 77th Tactical Intelligence Wing, on 31 July 1985 (remained inactive)
Consolidated (16 September 1994) with 2852d Air Base Wing, which was established, and organized, on 1 August 1953.
Redesignated:
2852d Air Base Group on 16 October 1964
Redesignated:
652d Support Group on 1 October 1992
Redesignated:
652d Air Base Group on 1 October 1993
Redesignated:
77th Air Base Wing on 1 October 1994
Inactivated on 13 July 2001
Consolidated (23 June 2006) with Agile Combat Support Systems Wing, which was established on 23 November 2004
Activated on 18 January 2005
Redesignated:
77th Aeronautical Systems Wing on 14 July 2006
Inactivated on 30 June 2010.
5th Observation Squadron: 25 January – 2 April 1943
27th Observation Squadron (later, 27th Reconnaissance Squadron, 27th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron): 17 July 1942 – 30 November 1943
35th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron: 11 August – 30 November 1943 (detached 11 August – 31 October 1943)
113th Observation Squadron (later, 113th Reconnaissance Squadron; 113th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron): 12 March 1942 – 30 November 1943
120th Observation Squadron (later, 120th Reconnaissance Squadron; 120 Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron): 12 March 1942 – 30 November 1943
125th Observation Squadron (later, 125th Liaison Squadron): 12 March 1942 – 11 August 1943
128th Observation Squadron (later, 21st Antisubmarine Squadron): 12 March 1942 – 8 March 1943 (detached 3 July – 7 September 1942 and 15 October 1942 – 3 March 1943).
