35th Operations Group

Last updated

35th Operations Group Pacific Air Forces.png
35thoperationsgroup-emblem.jpg
Emblem of the 35th Operations Group
Active1940–1957; 1963–1965; 1993–1994; 1994–present
Country United States
BranchFlag of the United States Air Force.svg  United States Air Force
TypeFighter
Motto(s)Attack to Defend
Engagements
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal ribbon.svg   Army of Occupation ribbon.svg
  • World War II
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign (1942–1945)
  • Army of Occupation (Japan)
    (1945–1950, 1951–1952)
  • Korean Service (1950–1951)
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Edwin A. Doss
Lockheed F-16CJ Block 50P Fighting Falcon 92-3895 from the 13th Fighter Squadron 35thoperationsgroup-f16-1.jpg
Lockheed F-16CJ Block 50P Fighting Falcon 92-3895 from the 13th Fighter Squadron
Formation of Block 50A F-16CJs, 90-0812 from the 14th Fighter Squadron identifiable. 35thoperationsgroup-f16-2.jpg
Formation of Block 50A F-16CJs, 90-0812 from the 14th Fighter Squadron identifiable.

The 35th Operations Group (35 OG) is the operational flying component of the United States Air Force 35th Fighter Wing. It is stationed at Misawa Air Base, Japan, and is a part of Pacific Air Forces (PACAF).

Contents

During World War II, the unit's predecessor, the 35th Fighter Group operated primarily in the Southwest Pacific Theater as part of Fifth Air Force, first using P-38s and P-39s, and later P-47s. The group engaged the enemy in numerous campaigns being awarded both the United States Distinguished Unit Citation and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.

The group operated from bases in Japan and South Korea during the Korean War, in support of UN ground forces, bombing and strafing enemy supply lines, troop concentrations, and communications, earning a second DUC.

Since the 1990s, the group has deployed aircraft and personnel to Southwest Asia, in support of both the Iraqi no-fly zones (Operations Southern Watch and Northern Watch), and the Global War on Terrorism.

Overview

The 35 OG is a combat-ready fighter group composed of two deployable F-16CJ "Wild Weasel" fighter squadrons (Tail Code: WW), one operational support squadron, and one air control flight capable of conducting and supporting air operations worldwide. Responsible for flight operations, airfield management, intelligence, tactical air control, combat plans, weapons and tactics, and weather support for the 35 FW. The group is assigned the following squadrons:

History

For additional history and lineage, see 35th Fighter Wing

The 35th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) was activated at Moffett Field, California on 1 February 1940. Initial squadrons of the group were the 21st Pursuit Squadron and 34th Pursuit Squadrons. Initially training with Seversky P-35s, P-36 Hawks, P-39 Airacobras, and Curtiss P-40 aircraft, the group moved to the Philippines in November 1941.

World War II

The air echelons of the 21st and 34th Pursuit squadrons arrived in Philippines and were attached to the 24th Pursuit Group, being stationed at Nichols and Del Carmen Fields on Luzon.

Headquarters and a third squadron (70th) sailed for Manila on 5 December but because of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor they returned to Hamilton Field where the squadron flew some patrols.

The 21st and 34th Pursuit Squadrons fought in the Battle of the Philippines (1941–42). Both squadrons were wiped out in the battle, with the men eventually fighting as infantry during the Battle of Bataan. The survivors were subjected to the Bataan Death March, although some did escape to Australia.

Headquarters and the 70th squadron sailed for Brisbane, Australia on 12 January 1942. On 15 January all the combat squadrons were relieved and three others, still in the US, were assigned.

Headquarters reached Brisbane Australia in February 1942 while the squadrons had moved from the US to various locations (Ballarat, Mount Gambier, Williamstown, Woodstock) in Australia and were training for combat with P-39s.

From Australia, the 35th entered combat with Fifth Air Force, operating successively from bases in Australia, New Guinea, Owi, Morotai, and the Philippines. First used P-38s and P-39s; equipped with Republic P-47 Thunderbolts late in 1943 and with North American P-51 Mustangs in March 1945. The group helped to halt the Japanese advance in Papua and took part in the Allied offensive that recovered the rest of New Guinea, flying protective patrols over Port Moresby, escorting bombers and transports, attacking Japanese airfields and supply lines, and providing cover for Allied landings.

In 1944 the 35th began long-range missions against enemy airfields and installations in the southern Philippines, Halmahera, and Borneo, preparatory to the US invasion of the Philippines. Beginning in January 1945, operated in support of ground forces on Luzon. Also escorted bombers and completed some fighter sweeps to Formosa and China. Bombed and strafed railways and airfields in Kyūshū and Korea after moving to Okinawa in June 1945.

After the surrender of Japan, the group became part of Far East Air Forces occupation forces and trained, took part in maneuvers, and flew surveillance patrols over Honshū.

Korean War

Emblem of the 35th Tactical Group 35th Tactical Group - Emblem.png
Emblem of the 35th Tactical Group

The 35th entered combat in the Korean War in July 1950, flying F-80s and later F-51s. It operated from bases in Japan and both North and South Korea in support of UN ground forces, bombing and strafing enemy supply lines, troop concentrations, and communications. In August 1950 No. 77 Squadron RAAF was assigned to the 35th Fighter Group for operations during the Korean War. Transferring back to Japan in May 1951, it became non-operational in January–July 1954. It then provided air defense for central Japan until late 1956 but was not operational from October 1956 – October 1957.

Between July 1963 and July 1965, the 35th Tactical Group assisted in training the Royal Thai Air Force and supported and exercised operational control over USAF units and detachments in Thailand assigned or attached to the 2d Air Division.

In an administrative ("paper") realignment in Washington DC in January 1984, the inactive 35th Tactical Group and the inactive 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group were consolidated into one unit. Both remained inactive.

Between May 1993 and October 1994, the resurrected 35th Operations Group managed a fighter (F-15C) and rescue squadron (HH-60G) in Iceland under the 35th Wing. The group activated at Misawa AB, Japan on 1 October 1994, as part of the 35th Fighter Wing, replacing the 432d Fighter Wing and assuming its personnel and F-16C/D aircraft, the same day it inactivated in Iceland. It supported units of the Japanese Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) Northern Air Defense Force. In addition to providing air defense of northern Japan, the group deployed aircraft and personnel to Southwest Asia in support of Operations NORTHERN and Southern Watch and the War on Terrorism 1997–2003.

Lineage

Activated on 1 February 1940
Redesignated: 35 Fighter Group on 15 May 1942
Redesignated: 35 Fighter-Interceptor Group on 20 January 1950
Inactivated on 1 October 1957
Organized on 8 July 1963
Discontinued, and inactivated, on 8 July 1965
Activated on 31 May 1993
Inactivated on 1 October 1994
Activated on 1 October 1994.

Assignments

Components

Stations

Aircraft

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">40th Flight Test Squadron</span> Military unit

The 40th Flight Test Squadron is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 96th Operations Group, based at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Air Force Base</span> Former US Air Force base in California

George Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base located within the city limits, 8 miles northwest, of central Victorville, California, about 75 miles northeast of Los Angeles, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">35th Fighter Wing</span> Military unit

The 35th Fighter Wing is an air combat unit of the United States Air Force and the host unit at Misawa Air Base, Japan. The wing is part of Pacific Air Forces (PACAF)'s Fifth Air Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">15th Wing</span> Military unit

The 15th Wing is a wing of the United States Air Force at Hickam AFB, Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, Hawaii. The wing reports to 11th Air Force, Headquartered at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">8th Fighter Wing</span> US Air Force unit

The United States Air Force 8th Fighter Wing is the host unit at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea and is assigned to Seventh Air Force. Seventh Air Force falls under Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). The Wing's 8th Operations Group is the successor of the 8th Pursuit Group, one of the 15 original combat air groups formed by the Army before World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">20th Fighter Squadron</span> Military unit

The 20th Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force (USAF) squadron. It was most recently part of the 49th Fighter Wing at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, where it operated the McDonnell F-4 Phantom II aircraft, conducting training and air superiority missions. It was inactivated on 20 December 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">35th Fighter Squadron</span> United States Air Force combat squadron

The 35th Fighter Squadron is a United States Air Force unit, assigned to the 8th Operations Group, stationed at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea. The squadron operates the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft conducting air superiority missions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">54th Fighter Squadron</span> Military unit

The 54th Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was to the 3d Operations Group, being stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. It was inactivated on 28 April 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">60th Fighter Squadron</span> Military unit

The 60th Fighter Squadron is a United States Air Force unit that is part of the 33d Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida; It is tasked with training pilots on the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II.

78th Attack Squadron Military unit

The 78th Attack Squadron is an Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) unit under the 926th Wing, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada and Tenth Air Force at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas. The 78 ATKS conducts operations from Creech Air Force Base, Nevada in conjunction with their active-duty associates in the 432d Wing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">39th Flying Training Squadron</span> Military unit

The 39th Flying Training Squadron is part of the 340th Flying Training Group and is the reserve associate to the 12th Flying Training Wing based at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">41st Flying Training Squadron</span> Military unit

The 41st Flying Training Squadron is part of the 14th Flying Training Wing based at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. It operates Beechcraft T-6 Texan II aircraft conducting flight training.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">V Fighter Command</span> Military unit

The V Fighter Command is a disbanded United States Air Force headquarters. It was established as the 2nd Interceptor Command in June 1941, with responsibility for air defense of the northwest United States and training fighter units in its area of responsibility. Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Army formed Western Defense Command, with responsibility for the entire Pacific coast. All air defense functions were transferred to 4th Interceptor Command, and the command was slated for transfer to the Southwest Pacific Theater as 5th Fighter Command.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">16th Weapons Squadron</span> Military unit

The 16th Weapons Squadron is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the USAF Weapons School, based at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">33rd Operations Group</span> US Air Force training unit

The 33d Operations Group is the flying component of the 33d Fighter Wing, assigned to Air Education and Training Command of the United States Air Force. The group is stationed at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">51st Operations Group</span> Military unit

The 51st Operations Group is the operational flying component of the United States Air Force 51st Fighter Wing, stationed at Osan Air Base, South Korea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">18th Operations Group</span> United States Air Force unit in Japan

The 18th Operations Group is the operational flying component of the United States Air Force 18th Wing, stationed at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">58th Operations Group</span> Military unit

The 58th Operations Group is the operational flying component of the United States Air Force 58th Special Operations Wing. It is stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">49th Operations Group</span> Military unit

The 49th Operations Group is the operational flying component of the United States Air Force 49th Wing. It is stationed at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, and is a part of Air Combat Command (ACC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">8th Operations Group</span> US Air Force unit

The 8th Operations Group is the operational flying component of the United States Air Force 8th Fighter Wing. It is stationed at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, and is a part of Pacific Air Forces (PACAF).

References

PD-icon.svg This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency