410th Air Expeditionary Operations Group
Encyclopedia
The 410th Expeditionary Operations Group (410 EOG) is a provisional United States Air Force
unit assigned to Air Combat Command
. It is the operational flying component of the 410th Air Expeditionary Wing
. It may be activated or inactivated at any time.
The unit's World War II
predecessor unit, the 410th Bombardment Group was an A-20 Havoc light Bomb Group assigned to Ninth Air Force
in Western Europe. The unit helped shape the modern world by providing teeth to the IX Bomber Command bombing efforts. It earned the title of the world's best bomb unit for combat accuracy and was the first unit trained in both day and night tactics. The 410th was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for its actions during the Battle of the Bulge
for the effectiveness of its bombing, 23–25 December 1944, when the group made numerous attacks on German lines of communications.
; the Air Force Reserve; the British Royal Air Force
and the Royal Australian Air Force
to support a counter-SCUD
mission in the western desert of Iraq
. Elements of the 410 EOG were assigned to several air bases in Jordan
to carry out its mission.
The unit has also been known to be active in Afghanistan
as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Entered combat in May 1944 and helped to prepare for the invasion of Normandy by assaulting coastal defenses, airfields, and V-weapon sites in France, and marshalling yards in France and Belgium. Supported the invasion in Jun by bombing gun positions and railway choke points. Assisted ground forces at Caen and St Lo in Jul and at Brest in Aug and Sept by attacking bridges, vehicles, fuel and ammunition dumps, and rail lines.
Moved to France in Sept, and through mid-Dec struck defended villages, railroad bridges and overpasses, marshalling yards, military camps, and communications centers to support the Allied assault on the Siegfried Line. Participated in the Battle of the Bulge, December 1944— January 1945, by pounding marshalling yards, railheads, bridges, and vehicles in the battle area.
Received a DUC for the effectiveness of its bombing in the Ardennes, 23–25 December 1944, when the group made numerous attacks on enemy lines of communications. Flew several night missions in February 1945, using B-26's as flare planes, an A-26 for target marking, and A-20's to bomb the objectives. Continued to fly support and interdictory missions, aiding the drive across the Rhine and into Germany, February— April 1945. Converted to A-26 aircraft, but the war ended before the group was ready to fly them in combat.
Returned to the US, June— August 1945. Inactivated on 7 November 1945.
squadron and assigned KC-135 tankers. Aircraft carried Tail Code "KI" after 1992. Inactivated 1995 when K. I Sawyer was closed by Base Realignment and Closure
(BRAC).
Activated by Air Combat Command in early 2003 especially for the Scud-hunting mission during Operation Iraqi Freedom and to support other special operations forces tasks in western Iraq. Unit was activated at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, Jordan (also known as Shahid Muafaq Al-Salti Air Base), dubbed Azraq Air Base by the U.S. military.
Fighting alongside their fully integrated special operations ground task forces, the 410 EOG's pilots, flying F-16C and A-10 aircraft, pursued enemy equipment, personnel, and high-value targets, including regime leadership. In total, the wing flew 9,651 fighter and attack hours in twenty-six days flying counter-tactical ballistic-missile missions and never left the special operations forces in western Iraq without air cover.
Often flying in extremely hazardous conditions in and around Iraq, the wing's crews generated 2,547 sorties, providing around-the-clock, time-sensitive targeting, interdiction, OCA (offensive counterair), CAS (close air support), ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance), and CSAR (combat search and rescue) missions deep within enemy territory.
These missions were flown from bare bases with little supporting infrastructure and necessary logistics. The wing accurately employed more than 600 precision-guided munition
s and expended a total of 800,000 pounds of weapons. In addition to eliminating TBM support equipment, the wing is credited with destroying aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery pieces, surface-to-air missile systems, ammunition supply dumps, radars, and enemy troops. The wing is also credited with the destruction of two Baath Party headquarters buildings in western and central Iraq. Although the wing was engaged in more than 200 troops-in-contact scenarios, there were no fratricide events.
During OIF, 410th personnel supplied thirty F-16s, four HH-60s, four HC-130s, eight RAF GR.7 Harriers, and two PR.9 Canberras with 130,000 gallons of fuel per day for twenty-three days.
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...
unit assigned to Air Combat Command
Air Combat Command
Air Combat Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. ACC is one of ten major commands , reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force ....
. It is the operational flying component of the 410th Air Expeditionary Wing
410th Air Expeditionary Wing
The United States Air Force's 410th Air Expeditionary Wing is a provisional United States Air Force unit assigned to Air Combat Command It may be activated or inactivated at any time....
. It may be activated or inactivated at any time.
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 410th Bombardment Group was an A-20 Havoc light Bomb Group assigned to Ninth Air Force
Ninth Air Force
The Ninth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command . It is headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina....
in Western Europe. The unit helped shape the modern world by providing teeth to the IX Bomber Command bombing efforts. It earned the title of the world's best bomb unit for combat accuracy and was the first unit trained in both day and night tactics. The 410th was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for its actions during the Battle of the Bulge
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was a major German offensive , launched toward the end of World War II through the densely forested Ardennes mountain region of Wallonia in Belgium, hence its French name , and France and...
for the effectiveness of its bombing, 23–25 December 1944, when the group made numerous attacks on German lines of communications.
Overview
The unit was known to be active in 2003 during Operation Iraqi Freedom, when it was activated by ACC to manage various strike assets of the Air National GuardAir National Guard
The Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
; the Air Force Reserve; the British Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
and the Royal Australian Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
to support a counter-SCUD
Scud
Scud is a series of tactical ballistic missiles developed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War, and exported widely to other countries. The term comes from the NATO reporting name SS-1 Scud which was attached to the missile by Western intelligence agencies...
mission in the western desert of Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
. Elements of the 410 EOG were assigned to several air bases in Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
to carry out its mission.
The unit has also been known to be active in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.
World War II
Originally Third Air Force Operational Training Unit for A-20 Havoc light bombers. Moved to England, March— April 1944, and assigned to Ninth Air Force.Entered combat in May 1944 and helped to prepare for the invasion of Normandy by assaulting coastal defenses, airfields, and V-weapon sites in France, and marshalling yards in France and Belgium. Supported the invasion in Jun by bombing gun positions and railway choke points. Assisted ground forces at Caen and St Lo in Jul and at Brest in Aug and Sept by attacking bridges, vehicles, fuel and ammunition dumps, and rail lines.
Moved to France in Sept, and through mid-Dec struck defended villages, railroad bridges and overpasses, marshalling yards, military camps, and communications centers to support the Allied assault on the Siegfried Line. Participated in the Battle of the Bulge, December 1944— January 1945, by pounding marshalling yards, railheads, bridges, and vehicles in the battle area.
Received a DUC for the effectiveness of its bombing in the Ardennes, 23–25 December 1944, when the group made numerous attacks on enemy lines of communications. Flew several night missions in February 1945, using B-26's as flare planes, an A-26 for target marking, and A-20's to bomb the objectives. Continued to fly support and interdictory missions, aiding the drive across the Rhine and into Germany, February— April 1945. Converted to A-26 aircraft, but the war ended before the group was ready to fly them in combat.
Returned to the US, June— August 1945. Inactivated on 7 November 1945.
Modern era
Reactivated 1 September 1991 as 410th Operations Group at K. I. Sawyer AFB when 410th Wing implemented Objective Organization, and assumed operational responsibility for B-52 StratofortressB-52 Stratofortress
The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber operated by the United States Air Force since the 1950s. The B-52 was designed and built by Boeing, who have continued to provide maintainence and upgrades to the aircraft in service...
squadron and assigned KC-135 tankers. Aircraft carried Tail Code "KI" after 1992. Inactivated 1995 when K. I Sawyer was closed by Base Realignment and Closure
Base Realignment and Closure
Base Realignment and Closure is a process of the United States federal government directed at the administration and operation of the Armed Forces, used by the United States Department of Defense and Congress to close excess military installations and realign the total asset inventory to reduce...
(BRAC).
Activated by Air Combat Command in early 2003 especially for the Scud-hunting mission during Operation Iraqi Freedom and to support other special operations forces tasks in western Iraq. Unit was activated at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, Jordan (also known as Shahid Muafaq Al-Salti Air Base), dubbed Azraq Air Base by the U.S. military.
Fighting alongside their fully integrated special operations ground task forces, the 410 EOG's pilots, flying F-16C and A-10 aircraft, pursued enemy equipment, personnel, and high-value targets, including regime leadership. In total, the wing flew 9,651 fighter and attack hours in twenty-six days flying counter-tactical ballistic-missile missions and never left the special operations forces in western Iraq without air cover.
Often flying in extremely hazardous conditions in and around Iraq, the wing's crews generated 2,547 sorties, providing around-the-clock, time-sensitive targeting, interdiction, OCA (offensive counterair), CAS (close air support), ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance), and CSAR (combat search and rescue) missions deep within enemy territory.
These missions were flown from bare bases with little supporting infrastructure and necessary logistics. The wing accurately employed more than 600 precision-guided munition
Precision-guided munition
A precision-guided munition is a guided munition intended to precisely hit a specific target, and to minimize damage to things other than the target....
s and expended a total of 800,000 pounds of weapons. In addition to eliminating TBM support equipment, the wing is credited with destroying aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery pieces, surface-to-air missile systems, ammunition supply dumps, radars, and enemy troops. The wing is also credited with the destruction of two Baath Party headquarters buildings in western and central Iraq. Although the wing was engaged in more than 200 troops-in-contact scenarios, there were no fratricide events.
During OIF, 410th personnel supplied thirty F-16s, four HH-60s, four HC-130s, eight RAF GR.7 Harriers, and two PR.9 Canberras with 130,000 gallons of fuel per day for twenty-three days.
Lineage
- Constituted as: 410th Bombardment Group (Light) on 16 June 1943
- Activated on 1 July 1943
- Inactivated on 7 November 1945
- Redesignated as: 410th Operations Group and activated on 1 September 1991
- Inactivated on 30 September 1995
- Redesignated 410th Expeditionary Operations Group and converted to provisional status, September 2002
Assignments
- III Air Support CommandIII Air Support CommandThe III Air Support Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Third Air Force stationed at Drew Field, Florida. It was inactivated on 16 March 1942.-Lineage:...
, 1 July 1943 - Army Air Forces School of Applied Tactics, 8 February 1944
- 97th Bombardment Wing97th Bombardment Wing (World War II)The 97th Bombardment Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the IX Bomber Command, based at Camp Shanks, New York...
, 4 April 1944 - Continental Air Forces, August 1945-7 November 1945
- 410th Wing (later Bomb Wing), 1 September 1991 – 30 September 1995
- Air Combat CommandAir Combat CommandAir Combat Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. ACC is one of ten major commands , reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force ....
to activate or inactivate any time after September 2002.
- Attached to: United States Central Command Air ForcesUnited States Central Command Air ForcesUnited States Air Forces Central is a unit of the United States Air Force headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina...
, 2003-TBD
Components
- 46th Air Refueling Squadron46th Air Refueling SquadronThe 46th Air Refueling Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 410th Operations Group, stationed at K. I. Sawyer AFB, Michigan. It was inactivated on 8 October 1993-History:...
: 1 September 1991 – 8 October 1993 - 644th Bombardment Squadron644th Bombardment SquadronThe 644th Bomb Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 410th Bombardment Wing. It was last stationed at K. I...
(5D): 1 July 1943 – 7 November 1945; 1 September 1991-21 November 1994 - 645th Bombardment Squadron645th Bombardment SquadronThe 645th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 410th Bombardment Group. It was last stationed at Myrtle Beach Army Airfield, South Carolina, and was inactivated on 7 November 1945-History:...
(7X): 1 July 1943 – 7 November 1945 - 646th Bombardment Squadron646th Bombardment SquadronThe 646th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 410th Bombardment Group. It was last stationed at Myrtle Beach Army Airfield, South Carolina, and was inactivated on 7 November 1945-History:...
(8U): 1 July 1943 – 7 November 1945 - 647th Bombardment Squadron647th Bombardment SquadronThe 647th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 410th Bombardment Group. It was last stationed at Myrtle Beach Army Airfield, South Carolina, and was inactivated on 7 November 1945-History:...
(SQ): 1 July 1943 – 7 November 1945
Stations
- Will Rogers Field, OklahomaOklahomaOklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
, 1 July 1943 - Muskogee Army Airfield, OklahomaOklahomaOklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
, October 1943 - Laurel Army Airfield, MississippiMississippiMississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
, January 1944 - Lakeland Army Airfield, Florida, c. 8 February-c. 13 March 1944
- RAF BirchRAF BirchRAF Station Birch is a former World War II airfield in Essex, England. The airfield is located approximately northeast of Tiptree; about northeast of London...
(AAF-149), England, c. 4 April 1944 - RAF GosfieldRAF GosfieldRAF Station Gosfield is a former World War II airfield in Essex, England. The airfield is located approximately north of Braintree; about north-northeast of LondonOpened in 1943, it was used by both the Royal Air Force and United States Army Air Force...
(AAF-154), England, c. 16 April 1944 - Coulommiers Airfield (A-58), France, September 1944
- Juvincourt AirfieldJuvincourt AirfieldJuvincourt Airfield is an abandoned military airfield, which is located near the commune of Juvincourt-et-Damary in the Aisne department of northern France....
(A-68), France, February 1945 - Beaumont sur Oise Airfield (A-60), France, May–June 1945
- Seymour Johnson Field, North CarolinaNorth CarolinaNorth Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, August 1945 - Myrtle Beach Army Airfield, South CarolinaSouth CarolinaSouth Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, c. 5 October-7 November 1945 - K. I. Sawyer AFB, MichiganMichiganMichigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, 1 September 1991 – 30 September 1995 - Southwest Asia, 2003
Aircraft assigned
- A-20 Havoc, 1943–1945
- A-26 InvaderA-26 InvaderThe Douglas A-26 Invader was a United States twin-engined light attack bomber built by the Douglas Aircraft Co. during World War II that also saw service during several of the Cold War's major conflicts...
, 1945 - B-52 StratofortressB-52 StratofortressThe Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber operated by the United States Air Force since the 1950s. The B-52 was designed and built by Boeing, who have continued to provide maintainence and upgrades to the aircraft in service...
, 1991–1994 - KC-135 StratotankerKC-135 StratotankerThe Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker is an aerial refueling military aircraft. It and the Boeing 707 airliner were developed from the Boeing 367-80 prototype. The KC-135 was the US Air Force's first jet-powered refueling tanker and replaced the KC-97 Stratotanker...
, 1991–1993 - T-37 Tweet, 1993–1994