436th Operations Group
Encyclopedia
The 436th Operations Group is an active United States Air Force
unit. It is the flying component of the Eighteenth Air Force
436th Airlift Wing
, stationed at Dover Air Force Base
, Delaware
.
The unit's World War II
predecessor unit, the 436th Troop Carrier Group was a C-47 Skytrain
transport unit assigned to Ninth Air Force
in Western Europe. The group earned the Distinguished Unit Citation for its first missions 6–7 June, the Normandy Invasion. On subsequent missions the 436th dropped troops and supplies and inserted gliders into Southern France
and Holland. In March 1945, the unit was a part of the Allied push across the Rhine and into Germany's heartland. Following the war, the 436th evacuated patients and prisoners of war until it was inactivated in November 1945.
and 9th Airlift Squadron
s, and the Operations Support Squadron. It trains on its 18 assigned Lockheed C-5 Galaxy
aircraft, known as "the free world's largest airlifter," and two Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
aircraft
during 1943. It continued training in England from January–May 1944. The group began combat
operations in June 1944 and participated in four major airborne operations by May 1945.
The 436th received a Distinguished Unit Citation for its first missions, which were flown during the Normandy invasion; dropping paratroops of 82d Airborne Division over the beachhead
early on 6 June; releasing gliders
with reinforcement
of troops and supplies on the afternoon of D-Day
and on the following morning; later picking up undamaged gliders on the coast.
In July 1944, the group deployed 49 aircraft and crews to Italy
to take part in the invasion of Southern France
, again releasing gliders carrying , and dropping paratroops in the assault area on 15 August. It flew several resupply missions to France and then dropped supplies to Allied
forces in Italy.
The deployed element returned to England late in August, and in September the group carried out airborne operations over the Netherlands
, dropping paratroops of 101st Airborne Division
and releasing gliders with reinforcements of troops and equipment during Operation Market Garden
.
It towed gliders to Wesel
on 24 March 1945 to provide troops for the airborne assault across the Rhine. Further, it carried gasoline to the front lines and evacuated patients, 30–31 March. The 436th also flew transport missions almost daily when not engaged in airborne operations, hauling such things as gasoline, ammunition
, medical supplies, rations, clothing, and evacuated the wounded to hospitals in England and France.
After V-E Day, the group continued to evacuate patients and prisoners of war, and flew practice missions with French paratroops before being redeployed to the U.S. and deactivated.
and inactivated almost immediately, personnel serving as fillers for other USAF units. Trained again in the Reserves, 1955–1958, being inactivated when parent unit adopted Air Force Tri-Deputate organization.
Served as the only combat-ready C-5 unit capable of airdrop and special operations procedures in support of tactical forces and national objectives. Provided special mortuary airlift missions from Iraq and Afghanistan 2001 to present. Provided strategic global airlift capability for the worldwide support of contingency and emergency war plans required to support Department of Defense objectives. This was expertly demonstrated by its support in airlifting troops, equipment and supplies in response to the 11 Sept. 2001 terrorist attacks.
The 436 OG functions as the "big horses" in the logistics chain for the war on terrorism and is currently playing a major role in aerial resupply for Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
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. It is the flying component of the Eighteenth Air Force
Eighteenth Air Force
Eighteenth Air Force is a Numbered Air Force component of the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command . It was activated on 1 October 2003 and headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois...
436th Airlift Wing
436th Airlift Wing
The 436th Airlift Wing is an active United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the Air Mobility Command Eighteenth Air Force, and is based at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware....
, stationed at Dover Air Force Base
Dover Air Force Base
Dover Air Force Base or Dover AFB is a United States Air Force base located two miles southeast of the city of Dover, Delaware.-Units:...
, Delaware
Delaware
Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
.
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 436th Troop Carrier Group was a C-47 Skytrain
C-47 Skytrain
The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in operation to this day.-Design and...
transport unit 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 group earned the Distinguished Unit Citation for its first missions 6–7 June, the Normandy Invasion. On subsequent missions the 436th dropped troops and supplies and inserted gliders into Southern France
Southern France
Southern France , colloquially known as le Midi is defined geographical area consisting of the regions of France that border the Atlantic Ocean south of the Gironde, Spain, the Mediterranean, and Italy...
and Holland. In March 1945, the unit was a part of the Allied push across the Rhine and into Germany's heartland. Following the war, the 436th evacuated patients and prisoners of war until it was inactivated in November 1945.
Overview
The 436OG consists of two flying squadrons, the 3d3d Airlift Squadron
The 3d Airlift Squadron is a squadron of the 436th Airlift Wing of the USAF. It is based at Dover Air Force Base near Dover, Delaware.-History:...
and 9th Airlift Squadron
9th Airlift Squadron
The 9th Airlift Squadron is a unit of the United States Air Force based at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware and flying the C-5 Galaxy.-Mission:...
s, and the Operations Support Squadron. It trains on its 18 assigned Lockheed C-5 Galaxy
C-5 Galaxy
The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is a large military transport aircraft built by Lockheed. It provides the United States Air Force with a heavy intercontinental-range strategic airlift capability, one that can carry outsize and oversize cargos, including all air-certifiable cargo. The Galaxy has many...
aircraft, known as "the free world's largest airlifter," and two Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
C-17 Globemaster III
The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft. Developed for the United States Air Force from the 1980s to the early 1990s by McDonnell Douglas, the C-17 is used for rapid strategic airlift of troops and cargo to main operating bases or forward operating bases throughout...
aircraft
World War II
The 436th trained for duty in Europe with the Ninth Air ForceNinth 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....
during 1943. It continued training in England from January–May 1944. The group began combat
Combat
Combat, or fighting, is a purposeful violent conflict meant to establish dominance over the opposition, or to terminate the opposition forever, or drive the opposition away from a location where it is not wanted or needed....
operations in June 1944 and participated in four major airborne operations by May 1945.
The 436th received a Distinguished Unit Citation for its first missions, which were flown during the Normandy invasion; dropping paratroops of 82d Airborne Division over the beachhead
Beachhead
Beachhead is a military term used to describe the line created when a unit reaches a beach, and begins to defend that area of beach, while other reinforcements help out, until a unit large enough to begin advancing has arrived. It is sometimes used interchangeably with Bridgehead and Lodgement...
early on 6 June; releasing gliders
Military glider
Military gliders have been used by the military of various countries for carrying troops and heavy equipment to a combat zone, mainly during the Second World War. These engineless aircraft were towed into the air and most of the way to their target by military transport planes, e.g...
with reinforcement
Reinforcement
Reinforcement is a term in operant conditioning and behavior analysis for the process of increasing the rate or probability of a behavior in the form of a "response" by the delivery or emergence of a stimulus Reinforcement is a term in operant conditioning and behavior analysis for the process of...
of troops and supplies on the afternoon of D-Day
D-Day
D-Day is a term often used in military parlance to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. "D-Day" often represents a variable, designating the day upon which some significant event will occur or has occurred; see Military designation of days and hours for similar...
and on the following morning; later picking up undamaged gliders on the coast.
In July 1944, the group deployed 49 aircraft and crews to Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
to take part in the invasion of Southern France
Operation Dragoon
Operation Dragoon was the Allied invasion of southern France on August 15, 1944, during World War II. The invasion was initiated via a parachute drop by the 1st Airborne Task Force, followed by an amphibious assault by elements of the U.S. Seventh Army, followed a day later by a force made up...
, again releasing gliders carrying , and dropping paratroops in the assault area on 15 August. It flew several resupply missions to France and then dropped supplies to Allied
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
forces in Italy.
The deployed element returned to England late in August, and in September the group carried out airborne operations over the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, dropping paratroops of 101st Airborne Division
101st Airborne Division
The 101st Airborne Division—the "Screaming Eagles"—is a U.S. Army modular light infantry division trained for air assault operations. During World War II, it was renowned for its role in Operation Overlord, the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944, in Normandy, France, Operation Market Garden, the...
and releasing gliders with reinforcements of troops and equipment during Operation Market Garden
Operation Market Garden
Operation Market Garden was an unsuccessful Allied military operation, fought in the Netherlands and Germany in the Second World War. It was the largest airborne operation up to that time....
.
It towed gliders to Wesel
Wesel
Wesel is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is the capital of the Wesel district.-Division of the town:Suburbs of Wesel include Lackhausen, Obrighoven, Ginderich, Feldmark,Fusternberg, Büderich, Flüren and Blumenkamp.-History:...
on 24 March 1945 to provide troops for the airborne assault across the Rhine. Further, it carried gasoline to the front lines and evacuated patients, 30–31 March. The 436th also flew transport missions almost daily when not engaged in airborne operations, hauling such things as gasoline, ammunition
Ammunition
Ammunition is a generic term derived from the French language la munition which embraced all material used for war , but which in time came to refer specifically to gunpowder and artillery. The collective term for all types of ammunition is munitions...
, medical supplies, rations, clothing, and evacuated the wounded to hospitals in England and France.
After V-E Day, the group continued to evacuate patients and prisoners of war, and flew practice missions with French paratroops before being redeployed to the U.S. and deactivated.
Cold War
Trained primarily with C-47s in the Reserves June 1949 – April 1951, ordered to active service during Korean WarKorean 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...
and inactivated almost immediately, personnel serving as fillers for other USAF units. Trained again in the Reserves, 1955–1958, being inactivated when parent unit adopted Air Force Tri-Deputate organization.
Modern era
Activated in 1991 when 436 AW implemented the Objective Organization Plan, assigning all operational flying squadrons to Operations Group. Began flying worldwide airlift, including mail and other high priority cargo, aero-medical evacuation, personnel transport, and humanitarian and diplomatic missions.Served as the only combat-ready C-5 unit capable of airdrop and special operations procedures in support of tactical forces and national objectives. Provided special mortuary airlift missions from Iraq and Afghanistan 2001 to present. Provided strategic global airlift capability for the worldwide support of contingency and emergency war plans required to support Department of Defense objectives. This was expertly demonstrated by its support in airlifting troops, equipment and supplies in response to the 11 Sept. 2001 terrorist attacks.
The 436 OG functions as the "big horses" in the logistics chain for the war on terrorism and is currently playing a major role in aerial resupply for Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
Lineage
- Established as 436 Troop Carrier Group on 23 March 1943
- Activated on 1 April 1943
- Inactivated on 15 November 1945
- Activated in the Reserve on 15 March 1947
- Redesignated 436 Troop Carrier Group, Medium, on 27 June 1949
- Inactivated on 16 April 1951
- Activated on 18 May 1955
- Inactivated on 15 May 1958
- Redesignated: 436 Military Airlift Group on 31 July 1985 (Remained inactive)
- Redesignated: 436 Operations Group and activated on 1 December 1991
Assignments
- 50th Troop Carrier Wing, 1 April 1943
- 53 Troop Carrier Wing53d Troop Carrier Wing (World War II)The 53d Troop Carrier Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the IX Troop Carrier Command, based at Camp Shanks, New York. It was inactivated on 12 August 1945....
, 15 April 1943 - 61 Troop Carrier Wing61st Troop Carrier Wing (World War II)The 61st Troop Carrier Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the I Troop Carrier Command, stationed at Sedalia Army Airfield, Missouri It was inactivated on 4 October 1945....
, 19 July 1943 - 50th Troop Carrier Wing, 2 August 1943
- 60 Troop Carrier Wing60th Troop Carrier Wing (World War II)The 60th Troop Carrier Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the I Troop Carrier Command, stationed at Pope Field, North Carolina It was inactivated on 8 October 1945....
, 13 August 1943 - 50th Troop Carrier Wing, January 1944
- 53 Troop Carrier Wing53d Troop Carrier Wing (World War II)The 53d Troop Carrier Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the IX Troop Carrier Command, based at Camp Shanks, New York. It was inactivated on 12 August 1945....
, 3 March 1944 - Continental Air Forces, August-15 November 1945
- Eleventh Air ForceEleventh Air ForceThe Eleventh Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska....
, 15 March 1947 - 323 Troop Carrier Wing (later, 323 Air Division, Troop Carrier)323d Air DivisionThe 323d Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the I Troop Carrier Command, stationed at Travis Air Force Base, California It was inactivated on 8 May 1960....
, 17 October 1947 - 69th Air Division, Troop Carrier, 1 July 1948
- 436th Troop Carrier Wing, 27 June 1949 – 16 April 1951; 18 May 1955-15 May 1958
- 436th Airlift Wing436th Airlift WingThe 436th Airlift Wing is an active United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the Air Mobility Command Eighteenth Air Force, and is based at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware....
, 1 December 1991–present
Components
- 3d Airlift Squadron3d Airlift SquadronThe 3d Airlift Squadron is a squadron of the 436th Airlift Wing of the USAF. It is based at Dover Air Force Base near Dover, Delaware.-History:...
: 1 December 1991–present (C-17 Globemaster) - 9th Airlift Squadron9th Airlift SquadronThe 9th Airlift Squadron is a unit of the United States Air Force based at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware and flying the C-5 Galaxy.-Mission:...
: 1 December 1991–present (C-5 Galaxy) - 31st Airlift Squadron31st Airlift SquadronThe 31st Airlift Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 436th Operations Group, Air Mobility Command, stationed at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. It was inactivated on 14 January 1994.-History:...
: 1 December 1991 – 14 January 1994
- 73d Troop Carrier Squadron: 1 July 1948 – 27 June 1949; 27 June 1949-1 July 1949
- 79th Troop Carrier Squadron (S6): 1 April 1943 – 15 November 1945; 27 June 1949-16 April 1951; 18 May 1955 – 15 May 1958
- 80th Troop Carrier Squadron (7D): 1 April 1943 – 15 November 1945; 1 August 1947-1 July 1948; 27 June 1949 – 16 April 1951
- 81st Troop Carrier Squadron (U5): 1 April 1943 – 15 November 1945; 26 May 1947-1 July 1948; 27 June 1949 – 16 April 1951; 22 August 1955-16 November 1957
- 82d Troop Carrier Squadron (3D): 1 April 1943 – 15 November 1945; 10 August 1947-27 June 1949; 27 June 1949 – 16 April 1951
- 316th Troop Carrier Squadron316th Troop Carrier SquadronThe 316th Troop Carrier Squadron is an inactive unit of the United States Air Force. Its last assignment was with the 436th Troop Carrier Group, stationed at Godman Field, Kentucky. It was inactivated on 27 June 1949.-Overview:...
: 15 March 1947 – 27 June 1949.
Stations
- Baer Field, IndianaIndianaIndiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, 1 April 1943 - Alliance Army Air Field, NebraskaNebraskaNebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
, 2 May 1943 - Laurinburg-Maxton Army Air BaseLaurinburg-Maxton Army Air BaseLaurinburg-Maxton Army Air Base is an inactive United States Air Force base, approximately 6 miles east-northeast of Laurinburg, North Carolina. It was active during World War II as a I Troop Carrier Command training airfield....
, 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...
, 5 August 1943 - Baer Field, IndianaIndianaIndiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, 16–28 December 1943 - RAF BottesfordRAF BottesfordRAF Station Bottesford is a former World War II airfield on the Leicestershire-Lincolnshire county border in England. The airfield is located approximately east-northeast of Radcliffe on Trent; about north-northwest of London...
(AAF-481), England, 30 January 1944 - RAF MemburyRAF MemburyRAF Station Membury is a former World War II airfield built in the civil parish of Lambourn in Berkshire, England. The airfield is located approximately mi north-northwest of Hungerford, at the Membury services stop of the M4 motorway; about miles west-southwest of London...
(AAF-466), England, 3 March 1944 – 18 February 1945 - Villaroche (Melun) Airfield (A-55), France, 21 February – 15 July 1945
- Baer Field, IndianaIndianaIndiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, 15 August 1945
- Malden Army Airfield, MissouriMissouriMissouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, 8 September – 15 November 1945 - Godman Field (later, Godman AFB)Godman Army AirfieldGodman Army Airfield is a military airport located on the Fort Knox United States Army post in Hardin County, Kentucky, United States. It has four runways and is used entirely by the United States Army Aviation Branch.-History:...
, KentuckyKentuckyThe Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, 15 March 1947 - Standiford Muni Aprt (later, Standiford Field)Louisville International AirportLouisville International Airport is a joint civil-military public airport centrally located in the city of Louisville in Jefferson County, Kentucky, USA. The airport covers 1,200 acres and has three runways. Its IATA airport code SDF is based on the airport's former name, Standiford Field...
, KentuckyKentuckyThe Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, 20 October 1950 – 16 April 1951 - New York NAS (later, USNAS, New York)Floyd Bennett FieldFloyd Bennett Field is New York City's first municipal airport. While no longer used as an operational commercial, military or general aviation airfield, the New York Police Department still flies its helicopters from its heliport base there...
, 18 May 1955 – 15 May 1958 - Dover AFB, DelawareDelawareDelaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
, 1 December 1991–present
Aircraft
- C-47 SkytrainC-47 SkytrainThe Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in operation to this day.-Design and...
, 1943–1945; 1949–1951 - C-45 Expeditor, 1949; 1955–1957
- C-119 Flying BoxcarC-119 Flying BoxcarThe Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar was an American military transport aircraft developed from the World War II-era Fairchild C-82 Packet, designed to carry cargo, personnel, litter patients, and mechanized equipment, and to drop cargo and troops by parachute...
, 1957 - C-5 GalaxyC-5 GalaxyThe Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is a large military transport aircraft built by Lockheed. It provides the United States Air Force with a heavy intercontinental-range strategic airlift capability, one that can carry outsize and oversize cargos, including all air-certifiable cargo. The Galaxy has many...
, 1991–present - C-17 Globemaster IIIC-17 Globemaster IIIThe Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft. Developed for the United States Air Force from the 1980s to the early 1990s by McDonnell Douglas, the C-17 is used for rapid strategic airlift of troops and cargo to main operating bases or forward operating bases throughout...
, 2007–present