the 24th sow is a reactivation of the 24th wing, previously assigned with the twelfth air force, stationed at howard air force base, panama. it was inactivated on 1 november 1999. the inactivation of the 24th wing and the closure of howard air force base ended an 82-year united states air force presence in panama, which began with the formation of the 7th aero squadron on 29 march 1917.