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| 316th Operations Group | |
|---|---|
 Emblem of the 316th Operations Group | |
| Active | Present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Part of | 316th Wing |
The 316th Operations Group (316 OG) is the flying component of the Air Force District of Washington 316th Wing, stationed at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland. It provides rotary-wing contingency response support capability to the United States National Capital Region while also supporting regional and global customers with critical airfield infrastructure and aviation services. The group consists of two squadrons of aircrew and support personnel.
Its World War II predecessor unit, the 316th Troop Carrier Group was a highly decorated C-47 Skytrain unit that served with Ninth and Twelfth Air Force in the European and the Mediterranean theaters. As part of Operation Avalanche, the Allied invasion of Italy, the 316th dropped paratroops over the beachhead south of the Sele River on the night of 14 September 1943. Later during Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of France, the group dropped paratroops near Ste-Mere-Eglise a few hours before the main landings on 6 June 1944. It also dropped paratroops and released gliders carrying reinforcements during the airborne invasion of the Netherlands, Operation Market-Garden in September 1944. By the end of the war, the 316th Troop Carrier Group was awarded three Distinguished Unit Citations.
Overview
The group oversees the operations of the 1st Helicopter Squadron and the 316th Operations Support Squadron.
The 1st Helicopter Squadron supports Washington D.C. capital area airlift for the Executive Branch, high-ranking dignitaries, high-ranking military leaders and other VIPs. It operates Bell UH-1N Hueys.
The 316th Operations Support Squadron provides the necessary aviation related support infrastructure and services for the Group and the 25 other tenant flying units on Andrews AFB.
History
- See the 316th Wing for additional history and lineage
World War II
Trained with I Troop Carrier Command with C-47 and C-53 aircraft. Moved to the Mediterranean theater, assigned to Ninth Air Force, and began operations in November 1942. Flew combat missions in North Africa Egypt/Libya campaign. Transported supplies and evacuated casualties in support of the Allied drive across North Africa.
In February 1943 the 316th TCG became a part of the 52nd Troop Carrier Wing of the Northwest African Troop Carrier Command in the official Allied air force organization in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO). In May 1943, the group began training for the invasion of Sicily where they dropped paratroopers over the assault area on the night of 9 July, and carried reinforcements on 11 July, receiving DUC for carrying out that mission although severely attacked by ground and naval forces. They received another DUC for supporting aerial and ground operations in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, and Sicily, 25 November 1942 – 25 August 1943, by transporting reinforcements and supplies. During this period, the group was under the command of Colonel Jerome McCauley.
The 316th was assigned to Twelfth AF and moved to Sicily to take part in the invasion of Italy, where it dropped paratroops over the beachhead south of the Sele River on the night of 14 September 1943. They transported cargo in the theater until February 1944, then joined Ninth AF in England and prepared for the invasion of France.
The unit dropped paratroops near Ste-Mere-Eglise on D—Day 1944 and flew a reinforcement mission on 7 June, receiving a third DUC for these operations. During Operation Market Garden, they dropped paratroops and released gliders carrying reinforcements. Again they dropped paratroops near Wesel on 24 March 1945 when the Allies made the airborne assault across the Rhine. They also provided transport services in Europe while not engaged in airborne operations, hauling supplies such as ammunition, gasoline, water, and rations; along with evacuating wounded personnel to rear-zone hospitals.
Cold War
Returned to the US in May 1945. Trained with C-47 C-82 and later C-119 aircraft as part of Tactical Air Command.
Transferred, without personnel and equipment, to Japan on 15 November 1954. Assigned to Far East Air Forces, manned, and equipped with C-119s and performed theater airlift missions primarily to Japan, Okinawa, Philippines and South Korea. Inactivated in 1957.
Modern era
Activated in 2006 to be operational flying component of AFDW 316th Wing in Washington D.C. area., inactivated in 2010, reactivated in 2020.
Lineage
- Constituted as 316th Transport Group on 2 February 1942
- Activated on 14 February 1942
- Redesignated 316th Troop Carrier Group in July 1942
- Redesignated 316th Troop Carrier Group (Medium) in June 1948
- Redesignated 316th Troop Carrier Group (Heavy) in October 1949
- Redesignated 316th Troop Carrier Group (Medium) in January 1950
- Inactivated 18 June 1957
- Redesignated 316th Tactical Airlift Group (Provisional) on 1 October 1978
- Inactivated on 1 October 1989, personnel and equipment reassigned to the 374th Airlift Wing
- Activated as 316th Airlift Support Group on 1 April 1992
- Inactivated on 30 June 1994
- Redesignated 316th Operations Group, and activated on 22 June 2006
- Inactivated on 1 October 2010
- Activated on 11 June 2020
Assignments
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Components
- 1st Helicopter Squadron, 22 June 2006 – 1 November 2010
- 316th Operations Support Squadron, 22 June 2006 – 1 November 2010
- 19th Airlift Squadron, 1 April 1992 - 1 June 1992
- 20th Aeromedical Airlift Squadron, 1 April 1992 - 1 June 1992
- 16th Troop Carrier Squadron: 5 October 1950 – 15 November 1954
- 36th Troop Carrier Squadron (4C): 14 February 1942 – 18 June 1957
- 37th Troop Carrier Squadron (W7): 14 February 1942 – 18 June 1957
- 38th Troop Carrier Squadron: 14 February-19 May 1942
- 44th Troop Carrier Squadron (6E): 14 February 1942 – May 1945
- 45th Troop Carrier Squadron (T3): 14 February 1942 – May 1945
- 75th Troop Carrier Squadron: 11 December 1945 – 1949, 20 December 1952 – 18 June 1957
- 77th Troop Carrier Squadron: 11 December 1945 – 10 June 1946
Stations
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Aircraft assigned
- C-47 Skytrain, 1942–1950
- C-53 Skytrain, 1942–1950
- C-82 Packet, 1945–1954
- C-119 Flying Boxcar, 1949–1954; 1954–1957
- UH-1 Huey, 2006–1 Nov 2010
References
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
- Douglas C-47A-80-DL 43-15292, September 1944, note that the invasion stripes added for the invasion of France have been partially removed. Ford CG-4A-FO 43-40214 Waco Glider in front being moved by ground personnel.
- Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-89201-092-4.
- Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947–1977. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-12-9.
- D-Day Aircraft Invasion Stripes
External links
Media related to 316th Troop Carrier Group (United States Army Air Forces) at Wikimedia Commons- The 316th Troop Carrier Group
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