333rd Bombardment Group

333rd Bombardment Group
Official unit insignia of the 333rd Bombardment Group
Active	1942–1946
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army Air Forces
Role	Bombardment
Part of	Twentieth Air Force
Garrison/HQ	Pacific Ocean Theater of World War II
Engagements	American Campaign (1942–1945), Pacific Theater (1945)

The 333rd Bombardment Group of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) had two distinct incarnations during the Second World War, serving first as a training unit and later as a B-29 group in the Eighth Air Force in the Far East.

Overview

Overview:

• Active: 1942–1946
• Country: United States
• Branch: United States Army Air Forces
• Role: Bombardment
• Part of: Twentieth Air Force
• Garrison/HQ: Pacific Ocean theater of World War II

First Incarnation: Training Unit

The group was initially activated in July 1942 and joined the Second Air Force. Initially designated as an Operational Training Unit, it played a crucial role in preparing B-17 groups for combat. Subsequently, it transitioned into a Replacement Training Unit, training individual crews to fill gaps in existing combat units. This version of the group was inactivated on 1 April 1944. ^[1]

Second Incarnation: B-29 Group in the Far East

The 333rd Bombardment Group was reactivated on 7 July 1944, this time as the 333rd Bombardment Group (Very Heavy). It underwent training with the B-29 and prepared for combat in the Far East. As the war in Europe concluded, plans were set in motion to move the Eighth Air Force from Europe to the Far East, and the 333rd was allocated to the re-located air force. ^[1]

The first aircrews from the 333rd began flying into Kadena on Okinawa on 7 August 1945. However, the war came to an end before the group could enter combat. Post-war, the group played a crucial role in ferrying Allied prisoners of war (POWs) from Japan to the Philippines. It was eventually inactivated on Okinawa on 28 May 1946. ^[1]

Lineage

The 333rd Bombardment Group has a lineage dating back to its constitution as the 333 Fighter-Day Squadron on 13 Nov 1957. Over the years, it underwent several redesignations, including becoming the 333 Tactical Fighter Squadron on 1 Jul 1958 and the 333 Tactical Fighter Training Squadron on 22 Mar 1971. The group was inactivated on 15 Feb 1991 but was later reactivated as the 333 Fighter Squadron on 1 Nov 1991. ^[2]

Assignments

The group served under various assignments, including: ^[2]

• 4 Fighter-Day (later, 4 Tactical Fighter) Wing
• 355 Tactical Fighter Wing
• 23 Tactical Fighter Wing
• 58 Tactical Fighter Training Wing
• 355 Tactical Fighter (later, 355 Tactical Training) Wing
• 602 Air Control Wing
• 355 Operations Group
• 4 Operations Group

Stations

The group was stationed at different locations, including Seymour Johnson AFB, NC; Takhli RTAFB, Thailand; McConnell AFB, KS; Luke AFB, AZ; and Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ. ^[2]

Commanders

The group had several commanders throughout its history, starting with Lt Col Paul O. Hoza on 8 Dec 1957. The last recorded commander before the inactivation in 1991 was Lt Col Bradley A. Smith, serving from 16 Jun 1989 to 15 Feb 1991. After reactivation in 1991, Lt Col Gabriel V. Green took command on 24 Oct 2008. ^[2]

Aircraft

The group operated various aircraft, including F-100, F-105, A-7, A-10, and F-15, during different periods of its service. ^[2]

Operations

The 333rd Bombardment Group played a crucial role in combat in Southeast Asia from 12 Dec 1965 to c. 6 Oct 1970. It underwent periods of inactivity and later shifted its focus to training in tactical fighter attack aircraft. The group continued to train replacement pilots and weapons systems officers and supported worldwide fighter aircraft manning. ^[2]

Awards and Decorations

The group received several awards and decorations, including Presidential Unit Citations (Southeast Asia), Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with Combat "V" Device, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.^{[ citation needed ]}

References

1. "333rd Bombardment Group, USAAF". www.historyofwar.org. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
2. "333 Fighter Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 7 December 2023.