49th Operations Group
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49th Operations Group
| 49th Operations Group | |
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 Emblem of the 49th Operations Group |
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| Active | 1942–1957; 1991–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Engagements |
     
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The 49th Operations Group (49 OG) is the operational flying component of the United States Air Force 49th Fighter Wing. It is stationed at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, and is a part of Air Combat Command (ACC).
During World War II, the unit's predecessor unit, the 49th Fighter Group, operated primarily in the Southwest Pacific Theater as part of the Fifth Air Force. The group earned three Distinguished Unit Citations (DUC) for engaging the enemy in frequent and intense aerial combat in numerous campaigns between 1942 and 1945. During the Korean War, the unit initially covered the evacuation of civilian personnel from Kimpo and Suwon in 1950, later flying missions in support of UN ground forces, hitting gun positions, troop concentrations, and other objectives until the 1953 Armistice, remaining in South Korea for a time afterward.
During the modern era, 49th Operations group F-117A Stealth fighters were engaged in combat during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, and in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.
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Contents
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Overview
The 49th Operations Group (Tail Code: HO) uses F-22A Raptor Stealth Fighter aircraft trains U.S. Air Force and allied aircrews in F-22A and T-38 transition, instructor and fighter weapons instructor courses.
Squadrons assigned to the group are:
- The 7th Fighter Squadron "Screamin' Demons" is equipped with the F-22A Raptor and is able to deploy worldwide. Members of the 7th Fighter Squadron participated in the first 49th Fighter Group's air engagement, downing five enemy aircraft on 12 March 1942.
- 49th Operations Support Squadron
- The 49th Operations Support Squadron is made up of seven flights including Weather, Aircrew Flight Equipment, Airfield Operations, White Sands Radar, Intelligence, Current Operations and Weapons and Tactics. These flights support the wing, tenant units and Army's White Sands Missile Range. The Weather Flight provides operational observing, forecasting and staff weather support. They provide 26 specific types of weather warnings and advisories to 60 base agencies to ensure resource protection and flight safety of base assets worth over $7 billion.
History
- For additional lineage and history, see 49th Fighter Wing
World War II
The 'Group has its origins at Selfridge Field, Michigan in June 1941 when the 49th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) was activated. The group trained with Seversky P-35s and consisted of three operational squadrons (7th, 8th, and 9th).
With the advent of World War II, the group moved to Australia and became part of Fifth Air Force in January 1942. It was redesignated as the 49th Fighter Group in May 1942. The unit received Curtiss P-40 Warhawks in Australia and, after training for a short time, provided air defense for the Northern Territory, being awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for engaging the enemy in frequent and intense aerial combat while operating with limited materiel and facilities for the period March–August 1942.
The group moved to New Guinea in October 1942 to help stall the Japanese drive southward from Buna to Port Moresby. Engaged primarily in air defense of Port Moresby; also escorted bombers and transports, and attacked enemy installations, supply lines, and troop concentrations in support of Allied ground forces.
The 49th participated in the Allied offensive that pushed the Japanese back along the Kokoda Track, took part in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea in March 1943, fought for control of the approaches to Huon Gulf, and supported ground forces during the campaign in which the Allies eventually recovered New Guinea. It covered the landings on Noemfoor and had a part in. the conquest of Biak..
After having used Lockheed P-38 Lightnings, Curtiss P-40 Warhawks and Republic P-47 Thunderbolts, the 49th was equipped completely in September 1944 with P-38's, which were used to fly long-range escort and attack missions to Mindanao, Halmahera, Seram, and Borneo. The unit arrived in the Philippines in October 1944, shortly after the assault landings on Leyte and engaged enemy fighters, attacked shipping in Ormoc Bay, supported ground forces, and covered the Allied invasion of Luzon. For or intensive operations against the Japanese on Leyte, the group was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation.
Other missions from the Philippines included strikes against industry and transportation on Formosa and against shipping along the China coast. By the war's end, the group's pilots destroyed 668 enemy aircraft (there may be some disagreement here as the 49th group site lists 678 but most sources agree at 668)[1][2], a record surpassing that of any other fighter group in the Pacific Theater. The group's World War II activities merited two Philippines Republic Presidential Unit Citations, three U.S. Distinguished Unit Citations, and 10 battle honors. Among the unit's 43 aces were Lt. Colonel Boyd D. "Buzz" Wagner, the first World War II ace in the Pacific Theater, and Major Richard I. Bong, whose 40 kills made him America's number one ace (a record that still stands). The 49th soon became endeared to the American people through the nickname, "Fighting 49ers."
The 49th moved to Okinawa in August 1945 and to Japan in September. As part of the Army of occupation in Japan, the 49th Fighter Group trained, took part in maneuvers, and flew surveillance patrols, as part of Far East Air Forces. The group was equipped with North American P-51 Mustangs in 1946, with Lockheed F-80 Shooting Stars being added in 1948.
Korean War
With the outbreak of the Korean War in June 1950, the 49th Fighter-Bomber Wing was one of the first USAF units dispatched to Korea from Japan, its tactical squadrons began operations with P-51D Mustangs. Initially under its parent wing, the 49th was reassigned to the 8th Fighter-Bomber Wing during July through September, and finally the 6149th Tactical Support Wing during October and November 1950. Korean War squadrons of the 49th were the 7th, 8th and 9th Fighter-Bomber Squadrons.
The 49th's first task in South Korea was to cover the evacuation of civilians from Kimpo and Suwon. Next, it flew close air support missions to help slow the advancing North Korean armies. Later, it turned to the interdiction of enemy troops, supplies and communications.
Phasing out its F-51s for Lockheed F-80C Shooting Stars jets, the 49th FBW moved to Taegu AB (K-9) on 1 October 1950, becoming the first jet fighter outfit to operate from bases in South Korea. It received a Distinguished Unit Citation for its combat operations during the first five months of the war.
When the Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) Intervention Campaign gained momentum in 1950–1951, the group again concentrated on ground support missions. It converted to Republic F-84G Thunderjets, June–September 1951, one squadron at a time, while the others continued combat operations. The 49th FBG earned another DUC for its contribution to the success of the 1st UN Counteroffensive Campaign (1951). Afterwards, it engaged primarily in air interdiction operations against the main enemy channel of transportation, the roads and railroads between Pyongyang and Sinuiju. Also, it flew close air support missions for the ground forces and attacked high value targets, including the Sui-ho hydroelectric plants in June 1952 and the Kumgang Political School in October 1952.
On 27 July 1953, the 49th FBG joined the 58th FBG to bomb Sunan Airfield for the final action of F-84 fighter-bombers during the Korean War. The unit was one of the most decorated Air Force units in the war, having earned two Republic of Korea Presidential Unit citations and another eight battle honors. Such accomplishments earned the wing a niche in United States Air Force history.
The wing remained in Korea for a time after the armistice. It was reassigned to Misawa AB, Japan on 2 November 1953 and provided air defense for Japan through 1957. Made non-operational due to budget restrictions 10 April 1957, reassigned as a paper unit to France when it's controlling 388th Fighter-Bomber Wing was redesignated as 49th Fighter-Bomber Wing but not made operational, 1Inactivated on 10 December 1957.
Modern era
In 1991, resumed operations after 49th Fighter Wing implemented Objective Organization and assigned all flying units to the redesignated 49th Operations Group. It deployed aircraft and crews to Southwest Asia for combat air patrol around Kuwait. In March 1992, also began basic fighter training for USAF crews. Under the 49 Fighter Wing, the group managed the only stealth fighter squadrons in the Air Force. Personnel and aircraft deployed periodically to Southwest Asia to enforce no-fly zones over Iraq, take part in shows of force, and support UN weapons inspectors. One of the group's squadrons flew HH-60 helicopters for search and rescue missions from 1993 to 1999.
Trained German Air Force pilots in the F-4, 1992–2004, and Taiwanese Air Force fighter pilots in the AT-38, 1993–1997. During the winter and spring of 1999, the group deployed stealth fighters and their crews to Europe for stealth fighter air strikes against Serbia.
People, airplanes, and equipment of the 49th Operations Group a key role in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The wing's F-117s played a major role, dropping the first bombs against an Iraqi leadership target in Baghdad on 19 March 2003. In all, F-117 pilots flew more than 80 missions and dropped nearly 100 enhanced guided bomb units against key targets. Approximately 300 people deployed with the air package and provided direct support to the F-117 mission. Additionally, hundreds of other 49ers such as explosive ordinance disposal teams of the 49th Civil Engineer Squadron served on the front line of the war against Iraq.
Lineage
- Established as 49th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) on 20 November 1940
- Activated on 15 January 1941
- Redesignated: 49th Fighter Group on 15 May 1942
- Redesignated: 49th Fighter Group, Single Engine, on 20 August 1943
- Redesignated: 49th Fighter Group on 6 November 1944
- Redesignated: 49th Fighter-Bomber Group on 1 February 1950
- Inactivated on 10 December 1957
- Redesignated: 49th Tactical Fighter Group on 31 July 1985 (Remained Inactive)
- Redesignated: 49th Operations Group on 1 November 1991
- Activated on 15 November 1991.
Assignments
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Components
- 7th Pursuit (later, Fighter; Fighter-Bomber; Fighter; Combat Training; Fighter) Squadron: 16 January 1941 – 10 December 1957; 15 November 1991–present
- 8th Pursuit (later, Fighter; Fighter-Bomber; Fighter) Squadron: 16 January 1941 – 10 December 1957; 15 November 1991–2007
- 9th Pursuit (later, Fighter; Fighter-Bomber; Fighter) Squadron: 16 January 1941 – 10 December 1957; 15 November 1991–2007
- 20th Fighter Squadron: 1 July 1993 – 20 December 2004
- 48th Rescue Squadron: 1 May 1993 – 1 February 1999
- 415th Fighter Squadron: 8 July 1992 – 1 July 1993
- 416th Fighter Squadron: 8 July 1992 – 1 July 1993
- 417th Fighter Squadron: 8 July 1992 – 1 December 1993
- 433d Fighter Squadron: 15 November 1991 – 8 July 1992
- 435th Fighter Squadron: 12 May 1993 – 1 April 1997.
Stations
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Aircraft
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See also
References
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.
Notes
Bibliography
- Ferguson, Steve W. and William K. Pascalis. Protect & Avenge: The 49th Fighter Group in World War II. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing, 1995. ISBN 0-88740-750-1.
- Hess, William N. 49th Fighter Group: Aces of the Pacific. Botley, Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing Ltd., 2004. ISBN 1-84176-785-7.
- McAuliffe, Jerome J. US Air Force in France 1950–1967. San Diego, California: Milspec Press, Chapter 11, Etain-Rouvres Air Base, 2005. ISBN 0-9770371-1-8.
- McDowell, Ernest R. 49th Fighter Group. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal, Inc., 1989. ISBN 0-89747-221-7.
- Maurer, Maurer. Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama: Office of Air Force History, 1983. ISBN 0-89201-092-4.
- Thompson, Warren. F-84 Thunderjet Units Over Korea. Botley, Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. 2000. ISBN 1-84176-022-6.
- Thompson, Warren. F-80 Shooting Star Units over Korea. Botley, Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing, 2001. ISBN 1-84176-225-3.
External links
- 49th Operations Group Factsheet
- USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers—1908 to present
- Holloman AFB Home Page
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