325th Operations Group
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325th Operations Group
| 325th Operations Group | |
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 Emblem of the 325th Operations Group |
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| Active | 1942–1945, 1947-1952, 1955-1960, 1991–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Part of | Air Education and Training Command Nineteenth Air Force 325th Fighter Wing |
| Garrison/HQ | Tyndall Air Force Base |
| Engagements |
 
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| Decorations |  DUC AFOUA |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Richard Myers |
The 325th Operations Group (325 OG) is the flying component of the 325th Fighter Wing, assigned to the United States Air Force Air Education and Training Command. The group is stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.
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Contents
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Overview
The 325th Operations Group (OG) is responsible for directing the flying and support operations one F-22 Raptor fighter squadron, an operations support squadron and an air control squadron. The 325th Operations Group is currently commanded by Colonel Wesley P. Hallman.
Assigned Units
The 325 OG (Tail Code: TY) commands one flying squadron, one air control and one operations support squadron.
- 43d Fighter Squadron "American Hornets" (Diagonals on tails)
- Established 13 June 1917. First F-22A Raptor Flying Training Squadron. Received first aircraft (01-4018) on 26 September 2003. Currently provides air dominance upgrade pilot training.
- Trains every air battle manager in the Air Force, as well as international officers assigned to U.S. allied forces
- 325th Operations Support Squadron
- Trains air traffic control personnel and intelligence officers for worldwide assignment, provides academic and simulator training in support of each squadron's syllabi, and supports daily operations of the Group. The group staff provides guidance and assistance in successfully executing the training mission and ensures quality performance and standardized procedures for pilots, weapons directors, and air battle managers.
History
World War II
The 325th was activated in 1942 with the 317th,[1] 318th,[2] and 319th Fighter Squadrons[3] assigned. It trained in the U.S. with P-40 Warhawk aircraft[4] before moving to North Africa by ship and transport planes, January–February 1943. It entered combat in April 1943 and began escorting medium bombers, flying strafing missions, and conducting sea sweeps from bases in Algeria and Tunisia.[4] The group participated in the defeat of Axis forces in Tunisia, the reduction of Pantelleria, and the conquest of Sicily.[4] The 325th received a Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC) for action over Sardinia on 30 July 1943 when the group, using diversionary tactics, forced a superior number of enemy planes into the air and destroyed more than half of them.[4] The group did not fly combat missions from the end of September to mid-December 1943 as the group converted to P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft and moved to Italy.[4]
The 325th began operations with Fifteenth Air Force in December 1943, and primarily engaged in escort operations.[4] It received a second DUC for a mission on 30 January 1944 when the group flew more than 300 miles at very low altitude to surprise the enemy fighters that were defending German airdromes near Villaorba, Italy; by severely damaging the enemy's force, the 325th enabled heavy bombers to strike vital targets in the area without encountering serious opposition.[4] The group converted to P-51 Mustang aircraft in May 1944 and provided the fighter escort on the first shuttle bombing mission from Italy to Russia in early June 1944, and became the first American group to score a victory while flying from a Russian baase.[5] It escorted heavy bombers during long-range missions to attack the Messerschmitt factory at Regensburg, the Daimler-Benz tank factory at Berlin, oil refineries at Vienna, and other targets, such as airfields, marshalling yards, and communications targets in Italy, France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, Romania, and Yugoslavia. It also covered operations of reconnaissance aircraft and strafed such targets as trains, vehicles, and airfields. The group continued combat operations until May 1945.[4] The group moved back to the U.S. and was inactivated after V-E Day.[4]
Cold War
The group was inactive from 1945 until 1947, when it was activated as an all weather fighter group equipped with P-61 Black Widows.[4] In 1948, the group converted to F-82 Twin Mustang aircraft[4] and moved to Washington, to provide defense for the Atomic Energy Commission Hanford Plant.[6] Beginning in Spring 1949, it conducted the All Weather Combat Crew Training School, while participating in air defense operations exercises and training.[7] In 1951 as ADC expanded its mission, the Federalized 123d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, flying World War II era F-51Ds, was attached to the group.[8] Although the 123d FIS received some day fighter F-86 Sabres in July, it continued to fly Mustangs while attached to the 325th.[8] Meanwhile, the other three squadrons of the 325th converted from their Twin Mustangs to early model F-94 Starfires in June and December 1951.[9] The 325th group and wing inactivated in February 1952[4] as part of a major Air Defense Command (ADC) reorganization that replaced its fighter wings with regional air defense wings. Its operational squadrons were transferred to the 4704th Defense Wing at McChord AFB and the 4703d Defense Wing at Larson AFB, WA.
In 1955 the personnel and equipment of the inactivating 567th Air Defense Group[10], including the 317th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (FIS)[1] were transferred to the newly designated 325th Fighter Group (Air Defense)[4], which activated once again at McChord as result of ADC's Project Arrow, which was designed to bring back on the active list the fighter units which had compiled memorable records in the two world wars.[11] Because one purpose of Project Arrow was to reunite fighter squadrons with their traditional groups,[11] the 318th FIS was moved from Presque Isle AFB.[2] to assume the personnel and equipment of the 567th's 465th FIS.[12] Both of the group's squadrons flew the radar and rocket equipped F-86D version of the Sabre.[9] The 325th served as the USAF "host" group at McChord AFB until October 1956, when the 325th Fighter Wing was reactivated[7] and was assigned several support organizations to fulfill its duties.[13][14][15] At the same time it conducted air defense operations.[7]
The group became subordinate to the 325th Fighter Wing in October 1956 and was non-operational as all group headquarters personnel were used to man the wing headquarters until about June 1957.[7] The squadrons upgraded to F-102 Delta Daggers, the 317th FIS in December 1956 and the 318th FIS in March 1957.[9] In August 1957, the 317th FIS moved to Alaska and was reassigned from the group.[1], while the 64th FIS simultaneously moved from Alaska to McChord.[16] It regained control over its tactical squadrons in June 1957 and continued air defense operations of the wing, with annual squadron deployments to Tyndall AFB, FL, for firing practice.[7] Just before the group was discontinued, the 64th FIS moved to Paine Field, WA, where it was reassigned to the 326th Fighter Group.[16] The group was in the process of converting to F-106 Delta Darts[9] when it was discontinued in March 1960, with its remaining tactical squadron being transferred directly to the 325th Fighter Wing control.[7]
Modern era
On 1 September 1991, the group was redesignated the 325th Operations Group and activated as a result of the 325th Fighter Wing implementing the USAF objective wing organization.[7] The 325 OG was assigned control of the wing's tactical units.[7]
Lineage
- Constituted as 325th Fighter Group on 24 June 1942
- Activated on 3 August 1942
- Inactivated on 28 October 1945
- Redesignated 325th Fighter Group (All Weather) on 2 May 1947
- Activated on 21 May 1947
- Redesignated: 325th Fighter Group, All Weather, on 10 May 1948
- Redesignated: 325th Fighter-All Weather Group on 20 January 1950
- Redesignated: 325th Fighter-Interceptor Group on 1 May 1951
- Inactivated on 6 February 1952
- Redesignated 325th Fighter Group (Air Defense) on 20 June 1955
- Activated on 18 August 1955
- Discontinued on 25 March 1960[17]
- Redesignated 325th Tactical Training Group on 31 July 1985 (remained inactive)
- Redesignated 325th Operations Group on 1 September 1991
- Activated on 1 September 1991.[7]
Assignments
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Components
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Operational Squadrons
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Support Units
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Stations
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Aircraft assigned
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Awards
- Distinguished Unit Citation[4]
- Sardinia, 30 July 1943
- Italy, 30 January 1944
- Air Force Outstanding Unit Award[7]
- 1 July 1993 - 30 June 1995
- 1 July 1995 - 30 June 1996
- 1 July 1996 - 30 June 1997
- 1 July 1997 - 30 June 1999
- 1 July 1999 - 30 June 2001
- 1 July 2001 - 30 June 2002
- 1 July 2002 - 30 June 2004
- 1 July 2004 - 30 June 2005
- 1 July 2005 - 30 June 2006
- 1 July 2006 - 30 June 2007
- 1 July 2008 - 30 June 2009
- European-African-Middle Eastern Theater
- Campaigns[4]
- Tunisia
- Sicily
- Naples-Foggia
- Rome-Arno
- Southern France
- North Apennines
- Central Europe
- Po Valley
- Air Combat, EAME Theater
- Normandy
- Northern France
- Rhineland
- Central Europe
- Air Offensive, Europe
References
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.
- ^ a b c d Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. pp. 386-387. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. http://www.airforcehistory.hq.af.mil/Publications/fulltext/combat_sq_of_the_af_wwii.pdf.
- ^ a b c Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 388-389}}
- ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 390-391
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. pp. 206-208. ISBN 0-912799-02-1. http://www.airforcehistory.hq.af.mil/Publications/fulltext/af_combat_units_wwii.pdf.
- ^ Abstract, History of 325th Fighter Group, June 1944 (accessed 24 May 2012)
- ^ History, 325th Fighter Group(AW), Jul-Dec 1948 (accessed 24 May 2012)
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l AFHRA Factsheet, 325th Operations Group
- ^ a b Cornett, Lloyd H; Johnson, Mildred W (1980). A Handbook of Aerospace Defense Organization, 1946-1980. Peterson AFB, CO: Office of History, Aerospace Defense Center. p. 122. http://www.usafpatches.com/pubs/handbookofadcorg.pdf.
- ^ a b c d Cornett & Johnson, p. 125
- ^ Cornett & Johnson, p. 85
- ^ a b Buss, Lydus H.(ed), Sturm, Thomas A., Volan, Denys, and McMullen, Richard F., History of Continental Air Defense Command and Air Defense Command July to December 1955, Directorate of Historical Services, Air Defense Command, Ent AFB, CO, 1956., p.6
- ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 571-572
- ^ a b c d e Cornett & Johnson, p. 138
- ^ a b Cornett & Johnson, p. 151
- ^ a b Abstract, History of 325th USAF Hospital, Jul-Dec 1955 (accessed 23 May 2012)
- ^ a b Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 244
- ^ The group is not related to a 325th Fighter Group (Air Defense), Provisional that was organized at McChord on 1 November 1960 and discontinued on 1 February 1961. see Cornett & Johnson, p. 78
- ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 390-391. The copy online at the AFHRA website includes a handwritten notation of the detachment of the squadron to the 101st Fighter-Interceptor Wing.
- ^ AFHRA Factsheet, 325th Air Control Squadron (accessed 25 May 2012)
- ^ Cornett & Johnson, p. 142
- Green, Herschel H. Herky! The Memoirs of a Checkertail Ace. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing, 2000. ISBN 0-7643-0073-3.
- McDowell, Ernest R. Checkertails: The 325th Fighter Group in the Second World War. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications, Inc., 1994. ISBN 0-89747-316-7.
- McDowell, Ernest R. and William N. Hess. Checkertail Clan: The 325th Fighter Group in North Africa and Italy. Fallbrook, California: Aero Publishers, Inc., 1969.
- Ravenstein, Charles A. Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories, 1947–1977. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History, 1984. ISBN 0-912799-12-9.
- Rogers, Brian. United States Air Force Unit Designations since 1978. Hinkley, England: Midland Publications, 2005. ISBN 1-85780-197-0.
External links
- AFHRA Factsheet, 325th Fighter Wing (accessed 23 May 2012)
- AFHRA Factsheet, 1st Fighter Squadron (accessed 23 May 2012)
- AFHRA Factsheet, 2d Fighter Squadron (accessed 23 May 2012)
- AFHRA Factsheet, 43d Fighter Squadron (accessed 23 May 2012)
- AFHRA Factsheet, 64th Agressor Squadron (accessed 23 May 2012)
- AFHRA Factsheet, 95th Fighter Squadron (accessed 23 May 2012)
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