386th Air Expeditionary Wing

386th Air Expeditionary Wing
A B-1B Lancer sits on the "hot ramp" waiting to be refueled by 386th Air Expeditionary Wing personnel
Active
  • 1942–1945
  • 1956–1957
  • 2002–present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
Part ofUnited States Air Forces Central
Garrison/HQAli Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait
DecorationsDistinguished Unit Citation Meritorious Unit Commendation#Air Force
Commanders
Current
commander
Colonel Sergio E. Anaya
Notable
commanders
Joe W. Kelly
Insignia
386th Air Expeditionary Wing emblem
386h Bombardment Group emblem

The 386th Air Expeditionary Wing is a provisional United States Air Force unit assigned to United States Air Forces Central. As a provisional unit, it may be activated or inactivated at any time. It is currently stationed at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait in the Middle East. The wing's mission is to provide combat air power.

During World War II, the wing, then the 386th Bombardment Group, was a Martin B-26 Marauder bombardment group assigned to the Eighth and later Ninth Air Force. During the Battle of Normandy, it supported Allied forces at Caen, and participated in combat operations against German forces at Saint-Lô on 25 July 1944. It also took part in clearing the Falaise pocket and hit strong points at Brest.

From 1955 to 1957, as the 386th Fighter-Bomber Group, the wing operated North American F-86 Sabres. During its deactivation in 1957 it was in the process of being equipped with the North American F-100 Super Sabre.