374th Operations Group
Encyclopedia
The 374th Operations Group (374 OG) is the operational flying component of the United States Air Force
374th Airlift Wing
. It is stationed at Yokota Air Base
, Japan.
The unit's World War II
predecessor unit, the 374th Troop Carrier Group operated primarily in the Southwest Pacific Theater, being formed in Australia in 1942 using resources from the Air Carrier Service (formerly Air Transport Command). The group employed a large variety of aircraft to perform air transport of troops, cargo, and evacuation of the wounded, earning two United States Distinguished Unit Citations (DUCs) in Papua New Guinea. In January–February 1943, the group supplied Allied forces during the battle of Wau airstrip, making landings at the airstrip under enemy fire and earning its third DUC. When the Korean War
broke out in June 1950, was the only air transport group in the Far East. During the Cold War
, the group airlifted wounded French troops from Indo-China to Japan, en route to France. Inactivated in 1958, the group was reactivated in 1992 and its assigned squadrons conducted special operations, aeromedical evacuations, search and rescue operations, humanitarian relief and theater airlift missions in support of US and United Nations security interests throughout the Far East.
The group has never been assigned to the United States.
The unit consists of the following squadrons:
) Allied Air Forces, Southwest Pacific Area when it formed in November 1942. It had four troop carrier squadrons assigned, the 21st and 22d were veterans of the South Pacific Area. During the remainder of 1942 and early 1943, the group employed a large variety of aircraft to perform air transport of troops, cargo, and evacuation of the wounded, earning two Distinguished Unit Citations (DUCs) in Papua
. In January–February 1943, the group supplied Allied forces during the battle of Wau airstrip, making landings at the airstrip under enemy fire and earning its third DUC. From mid-Feb to July 1943, the group transported personnel and supplies to three principal areas: Dobodura
, where a large base was being constructed; Wau and Bulolo, rear bases for advancing Allied forces; and to patrols skirting Lae and Salamau.
During Jul and August 1943, the group trained elements of the 375th, 403d, and 433d Troop Carrier Groups. When the campaign against Lae opened on 5 September 1943, the 374th led aircraft of those groups in a drop of US airborne troops and Australian artillery paratroops at Nadzab
airdrome. The next day, as vegetation around the captured airdrome still burned, the group landed engineer troops and equipment to repair the damaged runways, and artillery to protect the captured airstrip. After the capture of Lae ten days later, the group flew 303 trips moving large stores of ammo, supplies, and equipment for use of advancing ground troops. From October 1943 – May 1944, the 374th maintained an unending flow of troops and equipment, including arms and ammunition, to units scattered throughout Australia and New Guinea
areas. It continued to provide these services and in November 1944 commenced cargo and personnel flights to Leyte
in the Philippines
, which required three days for a round trip. By January 1945, flights in the New Guinea
and Australian areas continued, but flights to the Philippines
almost ceased until the group moved to Nielson Field
near Manila
and remained until the end of the war.
The group participated in training maneuvers with army and naval forces in the Pacific Theater until May 1946. From October 1946 – April 1947, it provided troop carrier and air courier services and participated in joint maneuvers in the Pacific.
It moved to Japan in March 1949 and when the Korean War
broke out in June 1950, was the only air transport group in the Far East. For its work between 27 June and 15 September 1950, transporting vital cargo, personnel and evacuating wounded men, the 374th earned its fourth DUC. In April 1953, the group transported the first of several groups of repatriated prisoners of war from Korea
to Japan.
Beginning in January 1954, the 374th airlifted wounded French troops from Indo-China to Japan, en route to France. Principal operations from 1955 until 1958 consisted of numerous mobility exercises, routine theater airlift, and occasional exercises throughout the Western Pacific region.
Activated as an Operations Group under the objective wing structure in April 1992, the group gained control over the 374th Airlift Wing
's operational squadrons. From 1992 to present, the 374th Operation Group's assigned squadrons conducted special operations, aeromedical evacuations, search and rescue operations, humanitarian relief and theater airlift missions in support of US and UN security interests throughout the Far East.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
374th Airlift Wing
374th Airlift Wing
The 374th Airlift Wing is a unit of the United States Air Force assigned to Fifth Air Force. It is stationed at Yokota Air Base, Japan. It is part of Pacific Air Forces ....
. It is stationed at Yokota Air Base
Yokota Air Base
, is a United States Air Force base in the city of Fussa, one of 26 cities in the Tama Area, or Western Tokyo.The base houses 14,000 personnel. The base occupies a total area of and has a runway...
, Japan.
The unit's World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
predecessor unit, the 374th Troop Carrier Group operated primarily in the Southwest Pacific Theater, being formed in Australia in 1942 using resources from the Air Carrier Service (formerly Air Transport Command). The group employed a large variety of aircraft to perform air transport of troops, cargo, and evacuation of the wounded, earning two United States Distinguished Unit Citations (DUCs) in Papua New Guinea. In January–February 1943, the group supplied Allied forces during the battle of Wau airstrip, making landings at the airstrip under enemy fire and earning its third DUC. When the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
broke out in June 1950, was the only air transport group in the Far East. During the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
, the group airlifted wounded French troops from Indo-China to Japan, en route to France. Inactivated in 1958, the group was reactivated in 1992 and its assigned squadrons conducted special operations, aeromedical evacuations, search and rescue operations, humanitarian relief and theater airlift missions in support of US and United Nations security interests throughout the Far East.
The group has never been assigned to the United States.
Overview
The 374 OG maintains a forward presence by providing rapid responsive movement of personnel, equipment and operational support in the Asia-Pacific region. Ensures the combat readiness of three operational squadrons using C-130H, C-12J and UH-1N aircraft. Conducts three distinct missions; intratheater airlift, aeromedical evacuation and distinguished visitor transport for U.S. Pacific Command and other agencies in support of national security policy.The unit consists of the following squadrons:
- 36th Airlift Squadron36th Airlift SquadronThe 36th Airlift Squadron is the only forward-based tactical airlift squadron in the Pacific Area of Responsibility. Formerly an Air Mobility Command unit, and a Military Airlift Command and a Tactical Air Command unit before that, the squadron is now part of Pacific Air Forces...
C-130H/J (Tail Code: YJ)
- Only forward-based tactical airlift squadron in the Pacific. Maintains a forward presence and supports combat operations by providing responsive movement of personnel and equipment through aerial delivery and assault airland operations. Maintains C-130H mission-ready aircrew to conduct theater airlift, special operations, aeromedical evacuation, search and rescue, repatriation and humanitarian relief missions.
- 459th Airlift Squadron459th Airlift SquadronThe 459th Airlift Squadron is part of the 374th Airlift Wing at Yokota Air Base, Japan. It operates UH-1 Iroquois and C-12J Huron aircraft providing aeromedical evacuation and search and rescue missions.-History:...
C-12J
- Maintains a forward presence in the Pacific and provides responsive airlift support for distinguished visitors, as well as other priority passengers and cargo, on travel vital to the national security interest of the United States. Maintains both UH-1N and C-12J mission-ready aircrews to conduct aeromedical evacuation, search and rescue and priority airlift missions throughout the Pacific.
- 374th Operations Support Squadron
- Maintains a forward presence in the Western Pacific, supporting U.S. Pacific Command interests. Provides for flight operations, intelligence, combat survival, aviation resource management, aircrew training, life support, weather forecasting and observing, combat tactics, mission scheduling, airfield management and air traffic control. Supports the group staff and two airlift squadrons operating UH-1N, C-12J and C-130H aircraft.
Lineage
- Established as 374 Troop Carrier Group on 7 November 1942
- Activated on 12 November 1942 in Australia
- Inactivated on 15 May 1946
- Activated on 15 October 1946
- Redesignated 374 Troop Carrier Group, Heavy, on 21 May 1948
- Inactivated on 18 November 1958
- Redesignated: 374 Tactical Airlift Group on 31 July 1985 (Remained inactive)
- Redesignated: 374 Operations Group on 1 April 1992
- Activated on 1 April 1992.
Assignments
- V Air Force Service Command, 12 November 1942
- Attached to: Directorate of Air Transport, Allied Air Forces, Southwest Pacific Area [DAT, AAFSWPA], 12 November–December 1942
- Attached to: Advance Echelon, Fifth Air ForceFifth Air ForceThe Fifth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Yokota Air Base, Japan....
, December 1942-25 May 1943- 54 Troop Carrier Wing54th Tactical Fighter WingThe 54th Tactical Fighter Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the Pacific Air Forces Fifth Air Force, being stationed at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea...
, 26 May 1943 - Fifth Air ForceFifth Air ForceThe Fifth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Yokota Air Base, Japan....
, 28 September 1943
- 54 Troop Carrier Wing
- Attached to: DAT, AAFSWPA, 28 September 1943-c. 31 August 1944
- Far East Air Forces (Provisional), 15 June 1944
- Attached to: 54 Troop Carrier Wing54th Tactical Fighter WingThe 54th Tactical Fighter Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the Pacific Air Forces Fifth Air Force, being stationed at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea...
, c. 1 September 1944–- 5298 Troop Carrier Wing (Provisional), 3 October 1944
- Remained attached to: 54 Troop Carrier Wing54th Tactical Fighter WingThe 54th Tactical Fighter Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the Pacific Air Forces Fifth Air Force, being stationed at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea...
- 322 Troop Carrier Wing322d Airlift DivisionThe 322d Airlift Division is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Military Airlift Command, assigned to Twenty-First Air Force, being stationed at Ramstein Air Base, Germany...
, 30 December 1944
- 322 Troop Carrier Wing
- Remained attached to 54 Troop Carrier Wing54th Tactical Fighter WingThe 54th Tactical Fighter Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the Pacific Air Forces Fifth Air Force, being stationed at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea...
to c. 5 January 1945- 54 Troop Carrier Wing54th Tactical Fighter WingThe 54th Tactical Fighter Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the Pacific Air Forces Fifth Air Force, being stationed at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea...
, 26 January – 15 May 1946 - United States Army Forces, Pacific, 15 October 1946
- 54 Troop Carrier Wing
- Attached to Pacific Air Service Command, United States Army, 15 October – 14 December 1946
- Pacific Air Service Command, United States Army (later, Far East Air Material Command), 15 December 1946
- Attached to: Philippine Air Material Area [Provisional], 1 February 1947–
- Thirteenth Air ForceThirteenth Air ForceThe Thirteenth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Hickam Air Force Base on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. 13 AF has never been stationed in the continental United States...
, 20 February 1947
- Thirteenth Air Force
- Remained attached to Philippine Air Material Area [Provisional] to 24 March 1947
- Philippine Air Material Area, (Provisional), 25 March 1947
- Twentieth Air ForceTwentieth Air ForceThe Twentieth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Global Strike Command . It is headquartered at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming.20 AF's primary mission is Intercontinental Ballistic Missile operations...
, 1 April 1947 - Marianas Air Material Area (Provisional), 1 September 1947
- Attached to: Twentieth Air ForceTwentieth Air ForceThe Twentieth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Global Strike Command . It is headquartered at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming.20 AF's primary mission is Intercontinental Ballistic Missile operations...
, 1 September 1947 – 16 August 1948- 374 Troop Carrier Wing374th Airlift WingThe 374th Airlift Wing is a unit of the United States Air Force assigned to Fifth Air Force. It is stationed at Yokota Air Base, Japan. It is part of Pacific Air Forces ....
, 17 August 1948 - 1503 Air Transport Wing, 1 July 1957 – 18 November 1958
- 374th Airlift Wing374th Airlift WingThe 374th Airlift Wing is a unit of the United States Air Force assigned to Fifth Air Force. It is stationed at Yokota Air Base, Japan. It is part of Pacific Air Forces ....
, 1 April 1992–present
- 374 Troop Carrier Wing
Components
- 4th Troop Carrier Squadron: attached 2–17 December 1950, 25 July – 16 November 1951
- 6th Troop Carrier Squadron: 12 November 1942 – 15 May 1946 (detached 2 July-c. 1 September 1944); 15 October 1946 – 18 November 1958 (detached 1 February – 30 November 1947, 3 February 1956 – 1 July 1957, 8 July – 18 November 1958)
- 9th Troop Carrier Squadron: c. February-15 May 1946
- 14th Troop Carrier Squadron: attached 16 November 1951 – 31 March 1952, 15–30 November 1952
- 19th Troop Carrier (later, 19 Airlift) Squadron19th Airlift SquadronThe 19th Airlift Squadron was most recently part of the 60th Air Mobility Wing at Travis Air Force Base, California. It operated C-12 Huron and C-21 aircraft providing executive airlift.-History:...
: 15 October – 31 December 1946; 1 June 1992 – 1 October 1993 - 20th Aeromedical Airlift: 1 October 1992 – 1 October 1993
- 21st Troop Carrier (later, 21 Airlift) Squadron21st Airlift SquadronThe 21st Airlift Squadron is part of the 60th Air Mobility Wing at Travis Air Force Base, California. It operates C-17 Globemaster III aircraft supporting the United States Air Force global reach mission world wide.-Mission:...
: 12 November 1942 – 31 May 1946 (detached 2 July-c. 1 September 1944); 15 October 1946 – 18 September 1956 (detached 1 February – 31 August 1947, 5 March 1949 – 18 May 1950, 22 July 1950-25 January 1951, 29 June 1951 – 30 November 1952, 3 February 1956-18 September 1956); 1 April 1992 – 1 October 1993 - 22d Troop Carrier Squadron: 12 November 1942 – 31 January 1946 (detached 2 July-c. 1 September 1944); 15 October 1946 – 18 November 1958 (detached 1 February 1947 – 4 March 1949, 3 February 1956-1 July 1957; not operational 10 June 1957 – 18 November 1958)
- 30th Airlift Squadron30th Airlift SquadronThe 30th Airlift Squadron is part of the United States Air Force's 19th Airlift Group, and the first active-duty Associate Unit to an Air National Guard unit, working with the 187th Airlift Squadron at Cheyenne Regional Airport, Wyoming...
: 1 October 1993 – 1 September 2003 - 33d Troop Carrier Squadron33d Troop Carrier SquadronThe 33d Troop Carrier Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 374th Troop Carrier Group, based at Nielson Field, Luzon, Philippines...
: 12 November 1942 – 15 February 1946 - 36th Airlift Squadron36th Airlift SquadronThe 36th Airlift Squadron is the only forward-based tactical airlift squadron in the Pacific Area of Responsibility. Formerly an Air Mobility Command unit, and a Military Airlift Command and a Tactical Air Command unit before that, the squadron is now part of Pacific Air Forces...
: 1 October 1993–present - 46th Troop Carrier Squadron46th Troop Carrier SquadronThe 46th Troop Carrier Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the Fifth Air Force, stationed at Tachikawa Air Base, Japan. It was inactivated on 1 April 1949.-History:...
: attached 5 March – 1 April 1949 - 344th Troop Carrier Squadron: attached 15 December 1952 – 13 October 1953
- 345th Airlift Squadron: 1 April 1992 – 1 July 1993
- 459th Airlift Squadron459th Airlift SquadronThe 459th Airlift Squadron is part of the 374th Airlift Wing at Yokota Air Base, Japan. It operates UH-1 Iroquois and C-12J Huron aircraft providing aeromedical evacuation and search and rescue missions.-History:...
: 1 October 1993–present
Stations
- Archerfield AirportArcherfield AirportArcherfield Airport is a small airport located 7 1/2 miles at Archerfield in the south west of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. For some time it was the primary airport in Brisbane. During World War II it was used as a Royal Australian Air Force station. Airport traffic peaked in the 1980s...
, BrisbaneBrisbaneBrisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
, Australia, 12 November 1942 - Port Moresby Airfield Complex, New GuineaNew GuineaNew Guinea is the world's second largest island, after Greenland, covering a land area of 786,000 km2. Located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, it lies geographically to the east of the Malay Archipelago, with which it is sometimes included as part of a greater Indo-Australian Archipelago...
, December 1942 - RAAF Base TownsvilleRAAF Base TownsvilleRAAF Base Townsville is, along with RAAF Base Tindal and RAAF Base Darwin, one of northern Australia's primary defence installations. It is also Headquarters for No...
, Townsville, Australia, 7 October 1943 - Nadzab Airfield Complex, New GuineaNew GuineaNew Guinea is the world's second largest island, after Greenland, covering a land area of 786,000 km2. Located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, it lies geographically to the east of the Malay Archipelago, with which it is sometimes included as part of a greater Indo-Australian Archipelago...
, c. 1 September 1944 - Mokmer Airfield, BiakBiakBiak features a tropical rainforest climate with nearly identical temperatures throughout the course of the year. The average annual temperature in the city is 27 degrees celsius, which is also generally the average temperature of each day in Biak...
, Netherlands East Indies, c. 14 October 1944 - Nielson FieldNielson FieldNielson Field was the location of the Far East Air Force headquarters. Most of the aircraft of the FEAF were based at either Clark Field or Nichols Field.- Laurie Reuben Nielson :...
, LuzonLuzonLuzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
, Philippines, 28 May 1945 – 15 May 1946
- Nichols FieldNichols FieldNichols Field was a U.S. military airfield located south of Manila in Pasay City and Parañaque City, Metro Manila, Luzon, the Philippines. During the World War II era, it was the location of the Far East Air Force's U.S. 20th Air Base Group. Also, based here was Troop F of the U.S. 26th Cavalry...
, LuzonLuzonLuzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
, Philippines, 15 October 1946 - Harmon Field (later, AFB)Harmon Air Force BaseHarmon Air Force Base is a former World War II United States Army Air Forces airfield, and postwar United States Air Force Base on Guam in the Mariana Islands. Originally named "Depot Field", it was renamed in honor of Lieutenant General Millard F. Harmon, who was killed on a routine flight from...
, GuamGuamGuam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
, 1 April 1947 - Tachikawa AFB (later, AB), Japan, 5 March 1949 – 18 November 1958
- Deployed at Ashiya AB, Japan, c. 15 September – 17 December 1950
- Yokota AB, Japan, 1 April 1992–present
Aircraft
- B-17 1942–1943; VB-17, 1951
- C-39, 1942–1943
- C-47, 1942–1946; 1947–1953
- C-49, 1942–1943
- C-50, 1942–1943
- C-53, 1942–1943
- C-56, 1942
- C-59, 1942
- C-60, 1942–1943
- DC-2, 1942
- DC-3, 1942
- DC-5, 1942
- LB-30, 1942–1943
- C-46, 1945–1947, 1949, 1952–1953
- C-54, 1946–1947, 1947–1956
- C-119, 1951
- C-124, 1952–1956, 1957–1958
- C-9, 1992
- C-12, 1992
- C-21, 1992–present
- C-130, 1992–present
- UH-1N, 1992–present
Operations
The 374th Troop Carrier Group drew its resources from the Air Carrier Service (formerly Air Transport CommandAir Transport Command
Air Transport Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its mission was to meet the urgent demand for the speedy reinforcement of the United States' military bases worldwide during World War II, using an air supply system to supplement surface transport...
) Allied Air Forces, Southwest Pacific Area when it formed in November 1942. It had four troop carrier squadrons assigned, the 21st and 22d were veterans of the South Pacific Area. During the remainder of 1942 and early 1943, the group employed a large variety of aircraft to perform air transport of troops, cargo, and evacuation of the wounded, earning two Distinguished Unit Citations (DUCs) in Papua
Papua (Australian territory)
The Territory of Papua comprised the southeastern quarter of the island of New Guinea from 1883 to 1949. It became a British Protectorate in the year 1884, and four years later it was formally annexed as British New Guinea...
. In January–February 1943, the group supplied Allied forces during the battle of Wau airstrip, making landings at the airstrip under enemy fire and earning its third DUC. From mid-Feb to July 1943, the group transported personnel and supplies to three principal areas: Dobodura
Dobodura
Dobodura armata is a species of beetle in the family Carabidae, the only species in the genus Dobodura....
, where a large base was being constructed; Wau and Bulolo, rear bases for advancing Allied forces; and to patrols skirting Lae and Salamau.
During Jul and August 1943, the group trained elements of the 375th, 403d, and 433d Troop Carrier Groups. When the campaign against Lae opened on 5 September 1943, the 374th led aircraft of those groups in a drop of US airborne troops and Australian artillery paratroops at Nadzab
Nadzab
-History:A Lutheran mission station was established at Nadzab around 1910. Nadzab was the site of the only Allied paratrooper assault in New Guinea on 5 September 1943.The Lae Nadzab Airport is a regional airport served by regional aircraft with domestic flights....
airdrome. The next day, as vegetation around the captured airdrome still burned, the group landed engineer troops and equipment to repair the damaged runways, and artillery to protect the captured airstrip. After the capture of Lae ten days later, the group flew 303 trips moving large stores of ammo, supplies, and equipment for use of advancing ground troops. From October 1943 – May 1944, the 374th maintained an unending flow of troops and equipment, including arms and ammunition, to units scattered throughout Australia and New Guinea
New Guinea
New Guinea is the world's second largest island, after Greenland, covering a land area of 786,000 km2. Located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, it lies geographically to the east of the Malay Archipelago, with which it is sometimes included as part of a greater Indo-Australian Archipelago...
areas. It continued to provide these services and in November 1944 commenced cargo and personnel flights to Leyte
Leyte
Leyte is a province of the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is Tacloban City and occupies the northern three-quarters of the Leyte Island. Leyte is located west of Samar Island, north of Southern Leyte and south of Biliran...
in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, which required three days for a round trip. By January 1945, flights in the New Guinea
New Guinea
New Guinea is the world's second largest island, after Greenland, covering a land area of 786,000 km2. Located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, it lies geographically to the east of the Malay Archipelago, with which it is sometimes included as part of a greater Indo-Australian Archipelago...
and Australian areas continued, but flights to the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
almost ceased until the group moved to Nielson Field
Nielson Field
Nielson Field was the location of the Far East Air Force headquarters. Most of the aircraft of the FEAF were based at either Clark Field or Nichols Field.- Laurie Reuben Nielson :...
near Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
and remained until the end of the war.
The group participated in training maneuvers with army and naval forces in the Pacific Theater until May 1946. From October 1946 – April 1947, it provided troop carrier and air courier services and participated in joint maneuvers in the Pacific.
It moved to Japan in March 1949 and when the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
broke out in June 1950, was the only air transport group in the Far East. For its work between 27 June and 15 September 1950, transporting vital cargo, personnel and evacuating wounded men, the 374th earned its fourth DUC. In April 1953, the group transported the first of several groups of repatriated prisoners of war from Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
to Japan.
Beginning in January 1954, the 374th airlifted wounded French troops from Indo-China to Japan, en route to France. Principal operations from 1955 until 1958 consisted of numerous mobility exercises, routine theater airlift, and occasional exercises throughout the Western Pacific region.
Activated as an Operations Group under the objective wing structure in April 1992, the group gained control over the 374th Airlift Wing
374th Airlift Wing
The 374th Airlift Wing is a unit of the United States Air Force assigned to Fifth Air Force. It is stationed at Yokota Air Base, Japan. It is part of Pacific Air Forces ....
's operational squadrons. From 1992 to present, the 374th Operation Group's assigned squadrons conducted special operations, aeromedical evacuations, search and rescue operations, humanitarian relief and theater airlift missions in support of US and UN security interests throughout the Far East.