442d Operations Group
Encyclopedia
The 442d Operations Group is an active United States Air Force Reserve unit. It is the flying component of the Tenth Air Force
442d Fighter Wing
, stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base
, Missouri
.
The unit's World War II
predecessor unit, the 442d Troop Carrier Group was a C-47 Skytrain
transport unit assigned to Ninth Air Force
s in Western Europe. The 442d TCG group carried 82nd Airborne paratroopers into France for the 6 June 1944, D-Day invasion. In September 1944, the 442d flew units of the 101st Airborne into Belgium during Operation Market Garden. After D-Day, the 442d TCG flew resupply missions, hauled freight, and evacuated casualties in support of the Allied efforts in France and Belgium. While continuing its transport duties until V-E Day, it also released gliders filled with troops in the airborne assault across the Rhine River in March 1945, carried supplies to ground forces in Germany during April and May, and evacuated liberated prisoners of war.
Aircraft.
The 442d trained in the United States with C-47 Skytrain
and C-53 aircraft, then moved to England in March 1944 for duty with Ninth Air Force
. The 442d was a group of Ninth Air Force
's 50th Troop Carrier Wing, IX Troop Carrier Command
.
The Douglas C-47/C-53 Skytrains of the group did not move in until 12/13 June although elements of the group had visited Weston Zoyland during the precceding weeks. With 50 C-47s on the airfield, there was a shortage of aircraft standings and, while many aircraft were parked on the turf, additional PSP standings were put down in case of wet weather.
Haulage of freight to the Continent and casualty evacuation occupied the 442d until mid-July when the air echelons of three squadrons (303rd, 304th, 305th) were sent to Follonica airfield in Italy
from where they look part in the air drops for the invasion of southern France
in August.
In their absence, the 306th TCS continued with air haulage to and from France, being temporarily based at RAF Ramsbury
for two weeks prior to the return of the MTO detachment on 24 August.
For Operation "Market", the 442d TCG air echelon moved to an advanced base at RAF Chilbolton
to give better range and operated temporarily as part of 53rd TCW. The group suffered 13 crew casualties and lost 10 C-47s during the missions in support of the air operations over Holland, all of which were flown from Chilbolton.
It was then hack to supply carrying until the group was alerted that it would be going to its Advanced Landing Ground
(ALG) Peray Airfield (ALG A-44) France. The main party moved out between 4/6 October, the 442d being the last of the 50th TCW groups to leave its English base.
In France, the group flew resupply missions, hauled freight, and evacuated casualties in support of the Allied effort to breach the Siegfried Line
. While continuing its transport duties until V-E Day, it also released gliders filled with troops in the airborne assault across the Rhine River in March 1945, carried supplies to ground forces in Germany during April and May, and evacuated liberated prisoners of war.
The group flew air transport missions throughout Europe and the Middle East until inactivated in 1946.
Activated as an A-10 fighter group in October 1982. Trained for such missions as close air support, anti-armor operations, battlefield interdiction, and combat search and rescue. On a recurring basis beginning in December 1993, deployed personnel and aircraft to Aviano AB, Italy, to participate in operations over Bosnia. Deployed aircraft and personnel to Kuwait in support of Operation Southern Watch, September–October 1998.
Tenth Air Force
The Tenth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Reserve Command . It is headquartered at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas....
442d Fighter Wing
442d Fighter Wing
The 442d Fighter Wing is an Air Force Reserve Command fighter wing, operationally-gained by Air Combat Command . It is based at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri...
, stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base
Whiteman Air Force Base
Whiteman Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately south of Knob Noster, Missouri; east-southeast of Kansas City, Missouri....
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri 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...
.
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 442d 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....
s in Western Europe. The 442d TCG group carried 82nd Airborne paratroopers into France for the 6 June 1944, D-Day invasion. In September 1944, the 442d flew units of the 101st Airborne into Belgium during Operation Market Garden. After D-Day, the 442d TCG flew resupply missions, hauled freight, and evacuated casualties in support of the Allied efforts in France and Belgium. While continuing its transport duties until V-E Day, it also released gliders filled with troops in the airborne assault across the Rhine River in March 1945, carried supplies to ground forces in Germany during April and May, and evacuated liberated prisoners of war.
Units
The 442d Operations Group (Tail Code: KC), operates A-10 Thunderbolt IIA-10 Thunderbolt II
The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is an American single-seat, twin-engine, straight-wing jet aircraft developed by Fairchild-Republic in the early 1970s. The A-10 was designed for a United States Air Force requirement to provide close air support for ground forces by attacking tanks,...
Aircraft.
- 303rd Fighter Squadron
- 442d Operations Support Flight
Lineage
- Established as 442 Troop Carrier Group on 25 May 1943
- Activated on 1 September 1943
- Inactivated on 30 September 1946
- Redesignated 442 Troop Carrier Group, Medium on 10 May 1949
- Activated in the Reserve on 27 June 1949
- Ordered to Active Service on 10 March 1951
- Inactivated on 12 March 1951
- Activated in the Reserve on 15 June 1952
- Inactivated on 14 April 1959
- Redesignated 442 Tactical Fighter Group on 28 December 1981 (Remained inactive)
- Activated in the Reserve on 1 October 1982
- Inactivated on 1 February 1984
- Redesignated 442 Operations Group, and activated in the Reserve, on 1 August 1992.
Assignments
- 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....
, 1 September 1943 - I Troop Carrier CommandI Troop Carrier CommandThe I Troop Carrier Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the First Air Force, based at Stout Army Air Field, Indiana.Its primary mission was theater troop and logistics transport training...
, 17 December 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....
, 26 January 1944 - Ninth Air ForceNinth Air ForceThe 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....
, c. 29 March 1944 - IX Troop Carrier CommandIX Troop Carrier CommandThe IX Troop Carrier Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the Ninth Air Force, based at Greenville Army Air Base, South Carolina. It was inactivated on 31 March 1946...
, 31 March 1944 - 50th Troop Carrier Wing, April 1944
- Attached to: 52 Troop Carrier Wing, 12 May – 6 June 1944 and 1–11 September 1944
- Attached to: 53 Troop Carrier Wing, 11–26 September 1944
- IX Air Force Service Command, 20 May 1945
- Attached to Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Forces, 20 May – 10 August 1945
- 302 Transport Wing, 11 August 1945
- 51 Troop Carrier Wing (known in ETO as European Air Transport Service [Provisional])51st Troop Carrier Wing (World War II)The 51st Troop Carrier Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the United States Air Forces in Europe. It was inactivated on 5 January 1948....
, 1 October 1945 – 30 September 1946 - 442d Troop Carrier Wing, 27 June 1949 – 12 March 1951; 15 June 1952-14 April 1959
- 434th Tactical Fighter Wing, 1 October 1982 – 1 February 1984
- 442d Fighter Wing442d Fighter WingThe 442d Fighter Wing is an Air Force Reserve Command fighter wing, operationally-gained by Air Combat Command . It is based at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri...
, 1 August 1992–present
Stations
- Sedalia Army Air Field, 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...
, 1 September 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....
, 16 December 1943 - Pope 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...
, 26 January 1944 - 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...
, 2–11 March 1944 - RAF FulbeckRAF FulbeckRAF Station Fulbeck is a former World War II airfield in Lincolnshire, England. The airfield is located approximately east-northeast of Radcliffe on Trent; about north-northwest of London...
(AAF-488), England, c. 29 March 1944 - RAF Weston ZoylandRAF Weston Zoylandthumb|C-47s of the 306th Troop Carrier SquadronRAF Station Weston Zoyland is a former World War II airfield in Somerset, England. The airfield is located approximately east-southeast of Bridgwater; about west-southwest of London...
(AAF-447), England, 12 June 1944 - Peray AirfieldPeray AirfieldPeray Airfield is an abandoned World War II military airfield, which is located near the commune of Peray in the Pays de la Loire region of northern France....
(A-44), France, 5 October 1944 - Saint-André-de-l'Eure Airport (B-24), France, 7 November 1944
- AAF Station Munich-Riem, Germany, 4 October 1945 – 30 September 1946
- Fairfax Field, KansasKansasKansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
, 27 June 1949 - Naval Air Station OlatheNaval Air Station OlatheNaval Air Station Olathe is a former United States Navy base located in Gardner, Kansas. On its grounds at one point was Olathe Air Force Station...
, KansasKansasKansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
, 27 May 1950 – 12 March 1951; 15 June 1952 - Grandview (later, Richards-Gebaur) AFBRichards-Gebaur Air Force BaseRichards-Gebaur Air Force Base is a closed United States Air Force base. It is located south of Kansas City, Missouri. It was closed in 1994....
, 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...
, 3 April 1955 – 14 April 1959 - Richards-Gebaur AFB, 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...
, 1 October 1982 – 1 February 1984; 1 August 1992 - Whiteman AFB, 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...
, 1 April 1994–present
Components
- 301st Troop Carrier: 10 May – 8 August 1945
- 303rd Troop Carrier (later, 303 Tactical Fighter; 303 Fighter) (J7): 1 September 1943 – 30 September 1946; 27 June 1949-12 March 1951; 15 June 1952 – 14 April 1959; 1 October 1982-1 February 1984; 1 August 1992–present
- 304th Troop Carrier (V4): 1 September 1943 – 30 September 1946; 27 June 1949-12 March 1951; 15 June 1952 – 14 April 1959
- 305th Troop Carrier (4J): 1 September 1943 – 30 September 1946; 27 June 1949-12 March 1951; 15 June 1952 – 26 June 1955; 16 November 1957-14 April 1959
- 306th Troop Carrier (7H): 1 September 1943-c. 5 January 1946; 27 June 1949 – 12 March 1951.
Aircraft
- C-47, 1943–1946; 1949–1950
- C-53, 1943, 1944, 1945
- CG-4 (glider), 1944–1945
- C-109, 1945
- CG-15 (glider), 1945
- C/TC-46, 1949, 1950–1951
- C-46, 1952–1957
- C-119, 1957–1959
- A-10, 1982–1984; 1992–present
World War II
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...
and C-53 aircraft, then moved to England in March 1944 for duty with 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....
. The 442d was a group of 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....
's 50th Troop Carrier Wing, IX Troop Carrier Command
IX Troop Carrier Command
The IX Troop Carrier Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the Ninth Air Force, based at Greenville Army Air Base, South Carolina. It was inactivated on 31 March 1946...
.
The Douglas C-47/C-53 Skytrains of the group did not move in until 12/13 June although elements of the group had visited Weston Zoyland during the precceding weeks. With 50 C-47s on the airfield, there was a shortage of aircraft standings and, while many aircraft were parked on the turf, additional PSP standings were put down in case of wet weather.
Haulage of freight to the Continent and casualty evacuation occupied the 442d until mid-July when the air echelons of three squadrons (303rd, 304th, 305th) were sent to Follonica airfield in 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...
from where they look part in the air drops for 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...
in August.
In their absence, the 306th TCS continued with air haulage to and from France, being temporarily based at RAF Ramsbury
RAF Ramsbury
RAF Station Ramsbury is a former World War II airfield in Wiltshire, England. The airfield is located approximately east-northeast of Marlborough; about west of London. Opened in 1942, it was used by both the Royal Air Force and United States Army Air Force. During the war it was used primarily...
for two weeks prior to the return of the MTO detachment on 24 August.
For Operation "Market", the 442d TCG air echelon moved to an advanced base at RAF Chilbolton
RAF Chilbolton
RAF Station Chilbolton is a former World War II airfield in Hampshire, England. The airfield is located approximately south-southeast of Andover; about southwest of London...
to give better range and operated temporarily as part of 53rd TCW. The group suffered 13 crew casualties and lost 10 C-47s during the missions in support of the air operations over Holland, all of which were flown from Chilbolton.
It was then hack to supply carrying until the group was alerted that it would be going to its Advanced Landing Ground
Advanced Landing Ground
Advanced Landing Ground was the term given to the temporary advance airfields constructed by the Allies during World War II in support of the invasion of Europe...
(ALG) Peray Airfield (ALG A-44) France. The main party moved out between 4/6 October, the 442d being the last of the 50th TCW groups to leave its English base.
In France, the group flew resupply missions, hauled freight, and evacuated casualties in support of the Allied effort to breach the Siegfried Line
Siegfried Line
The original Siegfried line was a line of defensive forts and tank defences built by Germany as a section of the Hindenburg Line 1916–1917 in northern France during World War I...
. While continuing its transport duties until V-E Day, it also released gliders filled with troops in the airborne assault across the Rhine River in March 1945, carried supplies to ground forces in Germany during April and May, and evacuated liberated prisoners of war.
The group flew air transport missions throughout Europe and the Middle East until inactivated in 1946.
Air Force Reserve
Trained in the Reserve as a troop carrier group, June 1949 – March 1951. Ordered to active service on 10 March 1951, the group inactivated two days later, its personnel being distributed to other USAF organizations. Served as a Reserve troop carrier group again from June 1952 to April 1959.Activated as an A-10 fighter group in October 1982. Trained for such missions as close air support, anti-armor operations, battlefield interdiction, and combat search and rescue. On a recurring basis beginning in December 1993, deployed personnel and aircraft to Aviano AB, Italy, to participate in operations over Bosnia. Deployed aircraft and personnel to Kuwait in support of Operation Southern Watch, September–October 1998.