482d Operations Group
Encyclopedia
482d Fighter Wing
The 482d Fighter Wing is a unit of the United States Air Force assigned to the Air Force Reserve Command. It is the host wing at Homestead Air Reserve Base in Florida.-Mission:...
. It is stationed at Homestead Joint Air Reserve Base, Florida, and is a direct successor to the 482d Bombardment Group.
During 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...
, the group was organized and activated as the 482d Bombardment Group (Pathfinder), the only 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....
radar
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
-equipped "pathfinder" heavy bomber group. Its B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator
B-24 Liberator
The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and a small number of early models were sold under the name LB-30, for Land Bomber...
aircraft were equipped with first generation radar to guide other bombardment groups to targets obscured by cloud cover over Occupied Europe and Nazi Germany ("blind bombing").
Overview
The mission of the 482d Operations Group (Tail Code: FM) is to train and equip reservists to respond to wartime and peacetime taskings as directed by higher headquarters. The group specifically trains for: Mobility, Deployment, and Employment.Components
The operational squadron of the 482 OG is the 93rd Fighter Squadron "Makos" (F-16C)World War II
In the summer of 1943, the Eighth Air ForceEighth 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....
conducted experiments with radar
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
for high-altitude bombing through clouds. A special organization, the 482d Bombardment Group (Pathfinder), was formed to use this technology and be devoted to pathfinder techniques using the H2S
H2S radar
H2S was the first airborne, ground scanning radar system. It was developed in Britain in World War II for the Royal Air Force and was used in various RAF bomber aircraft from 1943 to the 1990s. It was designed to identify targets on the ground for night and all-weather bombing...
and H2X
H2X radar
H2X radar was an American development of the British H2S radar, the first ground mapping radar to be used in combat. It was used by the USAAF during World War II as a navigation system for daylight overcast and nighttime operations...
(APS-15) radars.
The 482d Bomb Group was formed at RAF Alconbury
RAF Alconbury
RAF Alconbury is an active Royal Air Force station in Cambridgeshire, England. The airfield is adjacent to the Stukeleys [Great and Little] and located about northwest of Huntingdon; about north of London....
on 20 August 1943, under the command of Lt Col Baskin R. Lawrence, who had been training its 92nd BG cadre since 1 May. The 812th Bomb Squadron arrived from the United States in September with 12 new B-17 aircraft equipped with U.S. manufactured H2S radar. The 813th was a re-designation of the325th Bomb Squadron, 92nd Bomb Group, which had been training since may in B-17s equipped with British-manufactured H2S and Oboe
Oboe (navigation)
Oboe was a British aerial blind bombing targeting system in World War II, based on radio transponder technology. Oboe accurately measured the distance to an aircraft, and gave the pilot guidance on whether or not they were flying along a pre-selected circular route. The route was only 35 yards...
sets. The 814th flew B-24 Liberator
B-24 Liberator
The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and a small number of early models were sold under the name LB-30, for Land Bomber...
aircraft acquired from a disbanded anti-submarine warfare group. The 482d Group was one of two Eighth Air Force groups activated overseas (the other being the 25th Bomb Group (Reconnaissance)
25th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing
The 25th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing is an inactive United States Air Force wing. Its last duty assignment was at Chambley-Bussieres Air Base, France.-History:...
).
The 482d BG provided a force of radar-equipped aircraft that preceded bomber formations flying from England to Germany and indicated targets such as airfields, submarine installations, and marshalling yards obscured by weather. Eight Air Force dubbed the group with the modifier "Pathfinder" because of its similarity of mission in locating and designating obscured targets that was also the mission of the Pathfinder Force
Pathfinder (RAF)
The Pathfinders were elite squadrons in RAF Bomber Command during World War II. They located and marked targets with flares, which a main bomber force could aim at, increasing the accuracy of their bombing...
(PFF) of the 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...
.
The 482d BG provided lead aircraft for other bomb groups throughout the winter of 1943/44. As lead aircraft, 482 BG B-17s and B-24s usually flew missions from stations of other groups with some key personnel of the host group flying in the pathfinder aircraft. The group earned a Distinguished Unit Citation for 11 January 1944 mission leading Eighth Air Force bombers to targets such as aircraft factories in central Germany. Although weather prevented effective fighter protection against enemy aircraft, the group bombed assigned targets and destroyed many enemy airplanes. Individual aircraft and crews led Eighth Air Force elements on attacks against factories at Gotha, Brunswick, Schweinfurt, and other German industrial centers during Big Week
Big Week
Between February 20–25, 1944, as part of the European strategic bombing campaign, the United States Strategic Air Forces launched Operation Argument, a series of missions against the Third Reich that became known as Big Week. The planners intended to lure the Luftwaffe into a decisive battle by...
, 20–25 February
The 482d BG was transferred to Composite Command in February 1944 when emphasis shifted to training radar operators. The 482d began an H2X training school on 21 February 1944, initially using RAF instructors. It graduated a class of 36 radar navigators each month, as the PFF was decentralized first to the air divisions and then to the combat groups, where each assigned one squadron to be its PFF unit. Training and experimentation remained the chief role of the 482d BG for the remainder of war.
In March 1944, the 482d BG was taken off combat operations and became a development unit for various radar devices in addition to its training function, but continued to undertake special operations. With radar, photographed parts of France, the Low Countries, and Germany for training and briefing combat crews. While on experimental flights, often bombed bridges, fuel depots, power plants, and railroad stations. On 6 June, it provided 18 crews to lead bomb groups in support of the Allied invasion of Normandy, on pathfinder missions to bomb coastal defenses and attacks on traffic centers behind the beachhead.
From August 1944 to April 1945 the 482d BG conducted 202 radar scope and 'pickling' sorties over hostile territory without loss, dropping 45 tons of bombs in Nazi
Nazism
Nazism, the common short form name of National Socialism was the ideology and practice of the Nazi Party and of Nazi Germany...
controlled territory. In November, 1944, the group was re-designated as the 482d Bomb Group (Heavy).
Redeployed to the US in May 1945. The aircraft departed between 27–30 May 1945. The ground unit sailed on the Queen Elizabeth from Gourock on 24 June 1945. The group re-established at Victorville AAF, Ca. on 5 July 1945, but inactivated on 1 September 1945
Cold War
Trained in the Reserve as a heavy bombardment group, June 1947 – June 1949; as a troop carrier group, June–December 1952; and as a fighter-bomber group flying various fighter and trainer aircraft, May 1955 – November 1957. From August 1992 controlled the 482d Fighter Wing's flying and aerial port operations.Modern era
When Hurricane Andrew devastated Homestead later that month, flying operations moved to Wright-Patterson AFB, September–December 1992 and to MacDill AFB, February 1993 – March 1994, before returning to Homestead.Lineage
- Established as 482 Bombardment Group (Pathfinder) on 10 August 1943
- Activated on 20 August 1943
- Redesignated 482 Bombardment Group, Heavy on 11 November 1944
- Inactivated on 1 September 1945
- Redesignated 482 Bombardment Group, Very Heavy on 3 June 1947
- Activated in the Reserve on 26 June 1947
- Inactivated on 27 June 1949
- Redesignated 482 Troop Carrier Group, Medium on 26 May 1952
- Activated in the Reserve on 14 June 1952
- Inactivated on 1 December 1952
- Redesignated 482 Fighter-Bomber Group on 12 August 1955
- Activated in the Reserve on 18 May 1955
- Inactivated on 16 November 1957
- Redesignated: 482 Tactical Fighter Group on 31 July 1985 (Remained inactive)
- Redesignated: 482 Operations Group on 1 August 1992
- Activated in the Reserve on 1 August 1992.
Assignments
- 1st Bombardment Division, 20 August 1943
- VIII Air Force Composite Command, 14 February 1944
- VIII Fighter CommandVIII Fighter CommandThe VIII Fighter Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the United States Air Forces in Europe, being stationed at RAF Honington, England. It was inactivated on 20 March 1946....
, 1 October 1944 - 1st Air Division, 1 January 1945
- AAF Western Flying Training Command, 5 July-1 September 1945
- Tenth Air ForceTenth Air ForceThe 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....
, 26 June 1947 - 307 Bombardment Wing (later, 307 Air Division)307th Air DivisionThe 307th Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Continental Air Command, assigned to Twelfth Air Force, being stationed at New Orleans, Louisiana...
17 October 1947 – 27 June 1949 - 482d Troop Carrier Wing, 14 June-1 December 1952
- 482d Fighter-Bomber Wing482d Fighter WingThe 482d Fighter Wing is a unit of the United States Air Force assigned to the Air Force Reserve Command. It is the host wing at Homestead Air Reserve Base in Florida.-Mission:...
, 18 May 1955 – 16 November 1957 - 482d Fighter Wing482d Fighter WingThe 482d Fighter Wing is a unit of the United States Air Force assigned to the Air Force Reserve Command. It is the host wing at Homestead Air Reserve Base in Florida.-Mission:...
, 1 August 1992–present
Components
- 6th Bombardment Squadron6th Air Refueling SquadronThe 6th Air Refueling Squadron is part of the 60th Air Mobility Wing at Travis Air Force Base, California. It operates the KC-10 Extender aircraft conducting aerial refueling missions.-History:...
: 30 September 1947 – 27 June 1949 - 93rd Fighter Squadron: 1 August 1992–present
- 812th Bombardment Squadron812th Fighter-Bomber SquadronThe 812th Fighter-Bomber Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 482d Fighter-Bomber Group stationed at Dobbins Air Force Base, Georgia.-History:...
(MI): 20 August 1943 – 1 September 1945; 9 September 1947-27 June 1949; 14 June-1 December 1952; 18 May 1955 – 16 November 1957. - 813th Bombardment Squadron813th Fighter-Bomber SquadronThe 813th Fighter-Bomber Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 482d Fighter-Bomber Group stationed at Dobbins Air Force Base, Georgia.-History:...
(PC): 20 August 1943 – 1 September 1945; 24 September 1947-27 June 1949; 14 June-1 December 1952; 8 July-16 November 1957 - 814th Bombardment Squadron814th Troop Carrier SquadronThe 814th Troop Carrier Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 482d Troop Carrier Group stationed at Miami International Airport, Florida.-History:...
(SI): 20 August 1943 – 1 September 1945; 9 September 1947-27 June 1949; 14 June-1 December 1952.
Stations
- RAF AlconburyRAF AlconburyRAF Alconbury is an active Royal Air Force station in Cambridgeshire, England. The airfield is adjacent to the Stukeleys [Great and Little] and located about northwest of Huntingdon; about north of London....
(AAF-102), England, 20 August 1943 – 21 May 1945 - Victorville Army Airfield, California, c. 5 July-1 September 1945
- New Orleans Municipal Airport, LouisianaLouisianaLouisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, 26 June 1947 – 27 June 1949 - Miami International AirportMiami International AirportMiami International Airport , also known as MIA and historically Wilcox Field, is the primary airport serving the South Florida area...
, Florida, 14 June-1 December 1952 - Dobbins AFB, GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, 18 May 1955 – 16 November 1957 - Homestead AFB (later, ARS), Florida, 1 August 1992–present
- Temporarily assigned to: Wright-Patterson AFB, OhioOhioOhio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, September–December 1992 - Temporarily assigned to MacDill AFB, Florida, February 1993 – March 1994
Aircraft
- B-17 Flying Fortress, 1943–1945
- B-24 LiberatorB-24 LiberatorThe Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and a small number of early models were sold under the name LB-30, for Land Bomber...
, 1943–1945 - 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...
, 1952 - F-80 Shooting Star, 1955
- F-84 Thunderstreak, 1955–1957
- F-86 SabreF-86 SabreThe North American F-86 Sabre was a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as America's first swept wing fighter which could counter the similarly-winged Soviet MiG-15 in high speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War...
, 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 - F-4 Phantom IIF-4 Phantom IIThe McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable,...
, 1978–1992 - F-16 Falcon, 1992–present