DoD announces changes to affect Spangdahlem Published Jan. 8, 2015 By Staff Report 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- The office of the Secretary of Defense announced Jan. 8 the results of the European Infrastructure Consolidation review, which will realign several missions in U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa. Under the EIC, the Department of Defense will make changes to the mission at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, including the relocation of the 606th Air Control Squadron to Aviano Air Base, Italy, in order to free up requisite space and infrastructure for future inclusion of the 352nd Special Operations Group from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, United Kingdom. The 352nd SOG is the air component for special operations within the European command. Under the operational control of the commander for Special Operations Command Europe, the group plans and performs specialized operations using advanced aircraft, tactics and air refueling techniques to transport and resupply military forces. The group also provides helicopter and tilt-rotor aircraft aerial refueling and special operations weather capabilities. The unit has five squadrons and two different versions of MC-130 aircraft assigned, as well as CV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft. "We took a serious and pragmatic look at how we can most effectively meet our commitments," said U.S. Air Force Gen. Frank Gorenc, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander, in a press release. "These changes increase our ability to meet the needs of a new and dynamic security environment in Europe. Our vow to NATO's Article 5 remains unbreakable and unwavering." The EIC remains a proposed plan by the Secretary of Defense with an exact timeline still under development, although any implementation may take up to approximately seven years. "The EIC's decision to invest in Spangdahlem Air Base's future is indicative of the strategic importance of the 52nd FW's mission to assure our allies, deter enemies and deliver decisive combat power," said U.S. Air Force Col. Robert Winkler, 52nd Operations Group commander and acting 52nd Fighter Wing vice commander. "We will continue to train and integrate with our allies and partners moving forward to meet emerging challenges. As the EIC plan unfolds, we will also continue to work closely with our host-nation partners to identify and minimize potential impacts to our employees and the surrounding community and to ensure the most transparent and efficient transition possible." As the air component for both U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command, USAFE-AFAFRICA executes the Air Force, EUCOM and AFRICOM missions with forward-based airpower and infrastructure to conduct and enable theater and global operations. In peacetime, USAFE-AFAFRICA trains and equips U.S. Air Force units pledged to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The 606 ACS is a self-contained mobile combat unit with 315 Airmen covering more than 21 specialties that maintains over $170M worth of equipment including the TPS-75 RADAR, a Priority Level 4 Resource. The unit provides daily command and control to the 52d Fighter Wing's flying squadron in addition to the occasional control of NATO AWACS from Geilenkirchen AB and visiting aircraft from around the USAFE Theater.