452d Operations Group
Encyclopedia
The 452d Operations Group (452 OG) is the flying component of the 452d Air Mobility Wing
, assigned to the United States Air Force Reserve. The group is stationed at March Air Reserve Base
, California.
During World War II, its predecessor unit, the 452d Bombardment Group (Heavy) was a Eighth Air Force
B-17 Flying Fortress unit in England, stationed at RAF Deopham Green
. 1st Lieutenant Donald J. Gott
and 2nd Lieutenant William E. Metzger, Jr
were both awarded the Medal of Honor
for their heroic actions.
The present day 452d works to maintain a special relationship with the 452d Bomb Group Memorial Association to keep its proud heritage alive.
The Group also has a medical squadron which augments joint forces with qualified, professional, aeromedical evacuation aircrews who provide medical care for sick and injured patients transported by air in peacetime and wartime.
flying squadron and a KC-135R Stratotanker flying squadron as well as an aeromedical evacuation squadron:
The 452 Bombardment Group (Heavy) was established on 14 May 1943 and activated on 1 June 1943 at Geiger Field, Washington. The unit was transferred to Rapid City AAB, South Dakota on 15 June 1943 and trained there until early October 1943. It had been redesignated as 452 Bombardment Group, Heavy on 20 August 1943. The unit was moved to Pendleton Field Oregon on 11 October 1943 and to Walla Wallla AAFd Washington on 4 November 1943.
Ground unit left for Camp Shanks New York on 23 December 1943 and sailed on the Queen Elizabeth on 2 January 1944, and arrived in Clyde on 8 January 1944. The air echelon began overseas movement in early December 1943 via the southern ferry route. Most of the aircraft reached England a few days before the ground units arrived. The 452d was assigned to the 45th Combat Bombardment Wing
, and the group tail code was a "Square-L".
the 452d entered combat on 5 February with an attack against aircraft assembly plants at Brunswick
. Throughout combat, engaged primarily in bombardment of strategic targets, including marshalling yards at Frankfurt
, aircraft assembly plants at Regensburg
, aircraft component works at Kassel
, the ball-bearing industry at Schweinfurt
, a synthetic rubber plant at Hanover
, and oil installations at Bohlen
.
In addition to strategic missions, the 452d supported ground forces and carried out interdictory operations. Helped prepare for the invasion of Normandy
by hitting airfields, V-weapon sites, bridges, and other objectives in France. The group struck coastal defenses on D-Day, 6 June 1944. Bombed enemy positions in support of the breakthrough at Saint-Lô
in July and the offensive against Brest
in August and September 1944. Later in September, assisted the airborne attack on Holland. Hit enemy communications in and near the combat zone during the Battle of the Bulge
, December 1944 – January 1945. Bombed an airfield in support of the airborne assault across the Rhine
in March 1945.
The group received a Distinguished Unit Citation for action on 7 April 1945 when, despite vigorous fighter attacks and heavy flak, it accurately bombed a jet-fighter base at Kaltenkirchen
. The 452d Bomb Group flew its last combat mission of World War II [in Europe] on 21 April, striking marshalling yards at Ingolstadt
.
The group flew a total of 250 missions from Deopham Green during the war, losing 110 of its bombers in the course of these operations. Indeed, the group suffered particularly heavy losses during the spring of 1944, at that time sustaining one of the highest rates of loss of any Fortress equipped unit in the Eighth Air Force.
Redeployed to the US June/August 1945. The air echelon departed the United Kingdom late June 1945. Ground echelon sailed on the Queen Elizabeth from Greenock
on 5 August 1945, and arrived in New York on 11 August 1945. The unit established at Sioux Falls AAFd, South Dakota where the Group was inactivated on 28 August 1945.
. Moved to Japan, October–November 1950, and entered combat with B-26 Invader light bombers against communist forces late in Oct, operating first from bases in Japan and later from South Korea
. Flew armed reconnaissance, intruder, and interdiction missions, and provided support for ground troops. Bombed and strafed buildings, tunnels, rail lines, switching centers, bridges, vehicles, supply dumps, and airfields until May 1952 when its mission was taken over by the regular USAF 17th Bombardment Group (Light). The group received two Distinguished Unit Citations for its actions during the Korean War.
Returned to the United States and placed back in reserve status. The unit was remanned and trained as a tactical reconnaissance group, (452 Tactical Reconnaissance Group) 1952–1955; as a tactical bombardment group (452 Bombardment Group, Tactical), 1955–1957; and as a troop carrier group, (452 Troop Carrier Group, Medium) 1957–1959.
In 1993, March AFB was selected for realignment. As part of the Air Force's realignment the 452d ARW was deactivated and their personnel and equipment joined under the 452d Air Mobility Wing on 1 April 1994. On 1 April 1996, March officially became March Air Reserve Base. In 2005, the Group retired its C-141 fleet. A year later, the wing began to receive its eight C-17s.
452d Air Mobility Wing
The 452d Air Mobility Wing is a United States Air Force air mobility unit located at March ARB, California. It is assigned to Air Force Reserve Command , and is operationally gained by Air Mobility Command .-Mission:...
, assigned to the United States Air Force Reserve. The group is stationed at March Air Reserve Base
March Air Reserve Base
March Joint Air Reserve Base is located in Riverside County, California between the cities of Riverside and Moreno Valley. It is the home to the Air Force Reserve Command's 4th Air Force Headquarters and the 452d Air Mobility Wing , the largest air mobility wing of the 4th Air Force...
, California.
During World War II, its predecessor unit, the 452d Bombardment Group (Heavy) was a Eighth Air Force
Eighth Air Force
The Eighth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Global Strike Command . It is headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana....
B-17 Flying Fortress unit in England, stationed at RAF Deopham Green
RAF Deopham Green
RAF Deopham Green is a former Second World War airfield in England. The field is located near Deopham Green 2 miles north of Attleborough in Norfolk.- USAAF use:...
. 1st Lieutenant Donald J. Gott
Donald J. Gott
Donald J. Gott was a United States Army Air Forces officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.-Biography:...
and 2nd Lieutenant William E. Metzger, Jr
William E. Metzger, Jr.
William E. Metzger, Jr. was a United States Army Air Forces officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II....
were both awarded the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for their heroic actions.
The present day 452d works to maintain a special relationship with the 452d Bomb Group Memorial Association to keep its proud heritage alive.
Overview
The 452 OG mission is to organize, train and equip aircrews to provide air refueling and strategic airlift any time, any place. The Group's aircraft operate under widely varying situations ranging from small movements in battle to large movements over long distances.The Group also has a medical squadron which augments joint forces with qualified, professional, aeromedical evacuation aircrews who provide medical care for sick and injured patients transported by air in peacetime and wartime.
Units
The grouop includes a C-17 Globemaster IIIC-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...
flying squadron and a KC-135R Stratotanker flying squadron as well as an aeromedical evacuation squadron:
- 336th Air Refueling Squadron336th Air Refueling SquadronThe 336th Air Refueling Squadron is part of the 452d Air Mobility Wing at March Joint Air Reserve Base, California. It operates the KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft conducting aerial refueling missions.-History:...
(KC-135R) - 729th Airlift Squadron729th Airlift SquadronThe 729th Airlift Squadron is part of the 452d Air Mobility Wing at March Air Reserve Base, California. It operates C-17 Globemaster III aircraft providing global airlift.-Mission:...
(C-17) - 452d Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron
- 452d Operations Support Squadron
- 452d Airlift Control Flight
World War II
Ground unit left for Camp Shanks New York on 23 December 1943 and sailed on the Queen Elizabeth on 2 January 1944, and arrived in Clyde on 8 January 1944. The air echelon began overseas movement in early December 1943 via the southern ferry route. Most of the aircraft reached England a few days before the ground units arrived. The 452d was assigned to the 45th Combat Bombardment Wing
45th Air Division
The 45th Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Eighth Air Force, stationed at Pease AFB, New Hampshire. It was inactivated on 14 June 1989.-History:...
, and the group tail code was a "Square-L".
the 452d entered combat on 5 February with an attack against aircraft assembly plants at Brunswick
Braunschweig
Braunschweig , is a city of 247,400 people, located in the federal-state of Lower Saxony, Germany. It is located north of the Harz mountains at the farthest navigable point of the Oker river, which connects to the North Sea via the rivers Aller and Weser....
. Throughout combat, engaged primarily in bombardment of strategic targets, including marshalling yards at Frankfurt
Frankfurt
Frankfurt am Main , commonly known simply as Frankfurt, is the largest city in the German state of Hesse and the fifth-largest city in Germany, with a 2010 population of 688,249. The urban area had an estimated population of 2,300,000 in 2010...
, aircraft assembly plants at Regensburg
Regensburg
Regensburg is a city in Bavaria, Germany, located at the confluence of the Danube and Regen rivers, at the northernmost bend in the Danube. To the east lies the Bavarian Forest. Regensburg is the capital of the Bavarian administrative region Upper Palatinate...
, aircraft component works at Kassel
Kassel
Kassel is a town located on the Fulda River in northern Hesse, Germany. It is the administrative seat of the Kassel Regierungsbezirk and the Kreis of the same name and has approximately 195,000 inhabitants.- History :...
, the ball-bearing industry at Schweinfurt
Schweinfurt
Schweinfurt is a city in the Lower Franconia region of Bavaria in Germany on the right bank of the canalized Main, which is here spanned by several bridges, 27 km northeast of Würzburg.- History :...
, a synthetic rubber plant at Hanover
Hanover
Hanover or Hannover, on the river Leine, is the capital of the federal state of Lower Saxony , Germany and was once by personal union the family seat of the Hanoverian Kings of Great Britain, under their title as the dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg...
, and oil installations at Bohlen
Bohlen
Bohlen is a surname shared by several notable people, among them being:Bohlen* Charles E. Bohlen , American diplomat* Avis Bohlen , American diplomat* Jim Bohlen, American-born Canadian political activist...
.
In addition to strategic missions, the 452d supported ground forces and carried out interdictory operations. Helped prepare for the invasion of Normandy
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...
by hitting airfields, V-weapon sites, bridges, and other objectives in France. The group struck coastal defenses on D-Day, 6 June 1944. Bombed enemy positions in support of the breakthrough at Saint-Lô
Saint-Lô
Saint-Lô is a commune in north-western France, the capital of the Manche department in Normandy.-History:Originally called Briovère , the town is built on and around ramparts. Originally it was a Gaul fortified settlement...
in July and the offensive against Brest
Brest, France
Brest is a city in the Finistère department in Brittany in northwestern France. Located in a sheltered position not far from the western tip of the Breton peninsula, and the western extremity of metropolitan France, Brest is an important harbour and the second French military port after Toulon...
in August and September 1944. Later in September, assisted the airborne attack on Holland. Hit enemy communications in and near the combat zone 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...
, December 1944 – January 1945. Bombed an airfield in support of the airborne assault across the Rhine
Operation Varsity
Operation Varsity was a successful joint American–British airborne operation that took place toward the end of World War II...
in March 1945.
The group received a Distinguished Unit Citation for action on 7 April 1945 when, despite vigorous fighter attacks and heavy flak, it accurately bombed a jet-fighter base at Kaltenkirchen
Kaltenkirchen
Kaltenkirchen is a town located on the outskirts of Hamburg in Germany. It is part of the Segeberg district, in Schleswig-Holstein...
. The 452d Bomb Group flew its last combat mission of World War II [in Europe] on 21 April, striking marshalling yards at Ingolstadt
Ingolstadt
Ingolstadt is a city in the Free State of Bavaria, in the Federal Republic of Germany. It is located along the banks of the Danube River, in the center of Bavaria. As at 31 March 2011, Ingolstadt had 125.407 residents...
.
The group flew a total of 250 missions from Deopham Green during the war, losing 110 of its bombers in the course of these operations. Indeed, the group suffered particularly heavy losses during the spring of 1944, at that time sustaining one of the highest rates of loss of any Fortress equipped unit in the Eighth Air Force.
Redeployed to the US June/August 1945. The air echelon departed the United Kingdom late June 1945. Ground echelon sailed on the Queen Elizabeth from Greenock
Greenock
Greenock is a town and administrative centre in the Inverclyde council area in United Kingdom, and a former burgh within the historic county of Renfrewshire, located in the west central Lowlands of Scotland...
on 5 August 1945, and arrived in New York on 11 August 1945. The unit established at Sioux Falls AAFd, South Dakota where the Group was inactivated on 28 August 1945.
Cold War
Redesignated 452 Bombardment Group, Very Heavy on 11 March 1947. Activated in the Reserve on 19 April 1947. Redesignated 452 Bombardment Group, Light on 27 June 1949. Trained as a bombardment group under supervision of the 2347th Air Force Reserve Training Center. Ordered to active duty effective 10 August 1950 for duty in the 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...
. Moved to Japan, October–November 1950, and entered combat with B-26 Invader light bombers against communist forces late in Oct, operating first from bases in Japan and later from South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. Flew armed reconnaissance, intruder, and interdiction missions, and provided support for ground troops. Bombed and strafed buildings, tunnels, rail lines, switching centers, bridges, vehicles, supply dumps, and airfields until May 1952 when its mission was taken over by the regular USAF 17th Bombardment Group (Light). The group received two Distinguished Unit Citations for its actions during the Korean War.
Returned to the United States and placed back in reserve status. The unit was remanned and trained as a tactical reconnaissance group, (452 Tactical Reconnaissance Group) 1952–1955; as a tactical bombardment group (452 Bombardment Group, Tactical), 1955–1957; and as a troop carrier group, (452 Troop Carrier Group, Medium) 1957–1959.
Modern era
On 1 August 1992, the 452d Operations Group (452 OG) was activated as a result of the 452d Refueling Wing implementing the USAF objective wing organization. Upon activation, the 452 OG was bestowed the lineage and history of the 452 Air Refueling Group and all predecessor organizations. the 452 OG was assigned the flying squadrons of the 452d Refueling Wing.In 1993, March AFB was selected for realignment. As part of the Air Force's realignment the 452d ARW was deactivated and their personnel and equipment joined under the 452d Air Mobility Wing on 1 April 1994. On 1 April 1996, March officially became March Air Reserve Base. In 2005, the Group retired its C-141 fleet. A year later, the wing began to receive its eight C-17s.
Lineage
- Established as 452 Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 May 1943
- Activated on 1 June 1943
- Redesignated 452 Bombardment Group, Heavy on 20 August 1943
- Inactivated on 28 August 1945
- Redesignated 452 Bombardment Group, Very Heavy on 11 March 1947
- Activated in the Reserve on 19 April 1947
- Redesignated 452 Bombardment Group, Light on 27 June 1949
- Ordered to Active Duty on 10 August 1950
- Inactivated on 10 May 1952
- Redesignated 452 Tactical Reconnaissance Group on 6 June 1952
- Activated in the Reserve on 13 June 1952
- Redesignated: 452 Bombardment Group, Tactical on 22 May 1955
- Redesignated: 452 Troop Carrier Group, Medium on 1 July 1957
- Inactivated on 14 April 1959
- Redesignated: 452 Air Refueling Group, Heavy on 31 July 1985 (Remained inactive)
- Redesignated: 452 Operations Group on 1 August 1992 and activated in the Reserve.
Assignments
- II Bomber CommandII Bomber CommandThe II Bomber Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to Second Air Force, based at Fort George Wright, Washington. It was inactivated on 6 October 1943....
, 1 June 1943 - Second Air ForceSecond Air ForceThe Second Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Air Education and Training Command . It is headquartered at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi....
, 6 October 1943 - Eighth Air ForceEighth Air ForceThe Eighth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Global Strike Command . It is headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana....
, c. 8 January 1944 - VIII Bomber CommandVIII Bomber CommandThe VIII Bomber Command is an inactive United States Army Air Forces unit that is better known as the later appellation Eighth Air Force, as was popularized in post-World War II filmsand is frequently called the First Eighth Air Force by its veterans and successors in the services.The command was...
, January 1944 - 3d Bombardment Division, January 1944
- 45th Combat Bombardment Wing, January 1944
- 20th Bombardment Wing, 18 June 1945
- Second Air ForceSecond Air ForceThe Second Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Air Education and Training Command . It is headquartered at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi....
, c. 12–18 August 1945 - 304th Bombardment Wing (later, 304 Air Division)304th Air DivisionThe 304th Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Continental Air Command, assigned to Fourth Air Force, being stationed at Long Beach Airport, California...
, 19 April 1947 - 452d Bombardment Wing452d Air Mobility WingThe 452d Air Mobility Wing is a United States Air Force air mobility unit located at March ARB, California. It is assigned to Air Force Reserve Command , and is operationally gained by Air Mobility Command .-Mission:...
, 27 June 1949 – 10 May 1952 - 452d Tactical Reconnaissance (later, 452 Bombardment; 452 Troop Carrier) Wing452d Air Mobility WingThe 452d Air Mobility Wing is a United States Air Force air mobility unit located at March ARB, California. It is assigned to Air Force Reserve Command , and is operationally gained by Air Mobility Command .-Mission:...
, 13 June 1952 – 14 April 1959 - 452d Air Refueling (later, 452 Air Mobility) Wing452d Air Mobility WingThe 452d Air Mobility Wing is a United States Air Force air mobility unit located at March ARB, California. It is assigned to Air Force Reserve Command , and is operationally gained by Air Mobility Command .-Mission:...
, 1 August 1992–present
Components
- 79th Air Refueling Squadron79th Air Refueling SquadronThe 79th Air Refueling Squadron is a unit part of the USAF, belonging to the 349th Air Mobility Wing at Travis Air Force Base, California...
: 1 August 1992 – 1 April 1995 - 336th Air Refueling Squadron336th Air Refueling SquadronThe 336th Air Refueling Squadron is part of the 452d Air Mobility Wing at March Joint Air Reserve Base, California. It operates the KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft conducting aerial refueling missions.-History:...
: 1 August 1992–present
- 703d Bombardment Squadron703d Bombardment SquadronThe 703d Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 452d Bombardment Group, stationed at Fresno Air Base, California. It was inactivated on 27 June 1949.-History:...
: 28 May 1948 – 27 June 1949 - 728th Bombardment (later Airlift) Squadron728th Airlift SquadronThe 728th Airlift Squadron is located at McChord Air Force Base, Washington. It is part of the 446th Airlift Wing and operates the C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft. The mission of the 728th AS is to provide mission-ready aircrews for operational support for strategic and tactical airlift,...
(9Z) : 1 June 1943 – 28 August 1945; 19 April 1947-10 May 1952; 13 June 1952 – 14 April 1959 - 729th Bombardment (later, 729 Tactical Reconnaissance; 729 Bombardment; 729 Troop Carrier; 729 Airlift) Squadron729th Airlift SquadronThe 729th Airlift Squadron is part of the 452d Air Mobility Wing at March Air Reserve Base, California. It operates C-17 Globemaster III aircraft providing global airlift.-Mission:...
(M3): 1 June 1943 – 28 August 1945; 12 July 1947-10 May 1952; 13 June 1952 – 14 April 1959; 1 May 1994–present - 730 Bombardment (later, 730 Tactical Reconnaissance; 730 Bombardment; 730 Troop Carrier; 730 Airlift) Squadron730th Airlift SquadronThe 730th Airlift Squadron is part of the 452d Air Mobility Wing at March Air Reserve Base, California. It operates C-17 Globemaster III aircraft providing global airlift.-Mission:...
(6K) : 1 June 1943 – 28 August 1945; 1 August 1947-10 May 1952; 13 June 1952 – 14 April 1959; 1 May 1994–present - 731st Bombardment Squadron731st Bombardment SquadronThe 731st Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 452d Bombardment Group, stationed at Iwakuni Air Base, Japan. It was inactivated on 25 June 1951-History:...
(7D): 1 June 1943 – 28 August 1945; 12 July 1947-25 June 1951 (detached November 1950-25 June 1951). - 733d Bombardment Squadron733d Bombardment SquadronThe 733d Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 453d Bombardment Group, stationed at Fort Dix Army Air Base, New Jersey. It was inactivated on 12 September 1945.-History:...
: 16 November 1957 – 14 April 1959.
Stations
- Geiger Field, Washington, 1 June 1943
- Rapid City Army Air Base, South DakotaSouth DakotaSouth Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
, c. 13 June 1943 - Pendleton Field, OregonOregonOregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, 10 October 1943 - Walla Walla Army Air Base, Washington, c. 4 November–December 1943
- RAF Deopham GreenRAF Deopham GreenRAF Deopham Green is a former Second World War airfield in England. The field is located near Deopham Green 2 miles north of Attleborough in Norfolk.- USAAF use:...
(USAAF Station 142), England, c. 8 January 1944 – 6 August 1945 - Sioux Falls Army Air Field, South DakotaSouth DakotaSouth Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
, c. 12–28 August 1945
- Long Beach AAFld (later, Long Beach Muni Aprt), California, 19 April 1947
- George AFB, California, 10 August–October 1950
- Itazuke Air Base, Japan, 26 October 1950
- Miho Air Base, Japan, c. 10 December 1950
- Pusan-East AB (K-9), South KoreaSouth KoreaThe Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, 17 May 1951 – 10 May 1952 - Long Beach Airport, California, 13 June 1952 – 14 April 1959
- March AFB (later, ARB), California, 1 August 1992–present
Aircraft assigned
- B-17 Flying Fortress, 1943–1945
- C-45 Expeditor, c. 1948–1949
- 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...
, c. 1948–1949; 1957–1958 - B/TB/FB-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...
, 1948–1957 - F/TF-51 MustangP-51 MustangThe North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II, the Korean War and in several other conflicts...
, 1953–1954 - F/TF-80 Shooting Star, 1954–1955
- C-46 CommandoC-46 CommandoThe Curtiss-Wright C-46 Commando was a transport aircraft originally derived from a commercial high-altitude airliner design. It was instead used as a military transport during World War II by the United States Army Air Forces as well as the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps under the designation R5C...
, 1957–1958; 1952–1954
- 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...
, 1958–1959 - C-45 Expeditor, 1953–1955, 1957–1958
- TB-25 Mitchell, 1954–1955
- 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...
, 1992–present - KC-10 ExtenderKC-10 ExtenderThe McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender is the military adaptation of the three-engined DC-10 airliner for the United States Air Force . The KC-10 incorporates military-specific equipment for its primary roles of transport and aerial refueling. It was developed to supplement the KC-135 Stratotanker...
, 1992–1995 - C-141 StarlifterC-141 StarlifterThe Lockheed C-141 Starlifter was a military strategic airlifter in service with the Air Mobility Command of the United States Air Force...
, 1994–2005 - 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...
, 2006–present