937th Training Group

Last updated

937th Training Group
Air Education and Training Command.svg
Douglas C-124C 0-10089 HARL 18.10.75 edited-2.jpg
Air Force Reserve Douglas C-124 [a]
Active1963–1972; 2011–2016; 2025–present
CountryFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States
BranchFlag of the United States Air Force.svg  United States Air Force
RoleMedical Training
Part of Air Education and Training Command
Garrison/HQ Joint Base San Antonio
Decorations Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm
Commanders
Current
commander
Col Brian Caruthers (2025) [1]
Insignia
937 Training Group emblem [b] 937 Training Group emblem.png

The 937th Training Group was a United States Air Force unit stationed at Fort Sam Houston, part of Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. It conducts medical training for the Air Force.

Contents

It was previously active with the 442d Tactical Airlift Wing at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. The group was activated in January 1963 as the 937th Troop Carrier Group when Continental Air Command formed groups to improve the mobilization capability of its dispersed troop carrier squadrons. It was inactivated on 20 May 1972 and replaced in the reserves at Tinker by the 507th Tactical Fighter Group when the reserve unit at Tinker converted from airlift to fighter aircraft.

Mission

The 937th Training Group trains 16 enlisted Air Force medical specialties and three officer medical specialties across four squadrons and 39 geographically separated locations, offering more than 68 formal courses to develop the next generation of medical experts. [1] It partners with The Medical Education and Training Campus and Air Education and Training Command Surgeon to provide advanced and supplemental courses, internship and degree awarding fellowships through formal courses, symposiums, and other educational partnerships to graduate 12,500 students annually. [2]

History

Need for reserve troop carrier groups

After May 1959, the reserve flying force consisted of 45 troop carrier squadrons assigned to 15 troop carrier wings. [c] The squadrons were not all located with their parent wings, but were spread over thirty-five Air Force, Navy and civilian airfields under what was called the Detached Squadron Concept. The concept offered several advantages. Communities were more likely to accept the smaller squadrons than the large wings and the location of separate squadrons in smaller population centers would facilitate recruiting and manning. [3] However, under this concept, all support organizations were located with the wing headquarters. [4] Although this was not a problem when the entire wing was called to active service, mobilizing a single flying squadron and elements to support it proved difficult. This weakness was demonstrated in the partial mobilization of reserve units during the Berlin Crisis of 1961. To resolve this, at the start of 1962, Continental Air Command, (ConAC) determined to reorganize its reserve wings by establishing groups with support elements for each of its troop carrier squadrons. This reorganization would facilitate mobilization of elements of wings in various combinations when needed. [5]

Activation of the 937th Troop Carrier Group

As a result, the 937th Troop Carrier Group was established at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma on 17 January 1963 as the headquarters for the 305th Troop Carrier Squadron, which had been stationed there since November 1957. [6] Along with group headquarters, a combat support squadron, materiel squadron and a tactical infirmary were organized to support the 305th. The group was equipped with Douglas C-124 Globemaster IIs for Tactical Air Command airlift operations.

The group was one of three C-124 groups assigned to the 442d Troop Carrier Wing in 1963, the others being the 935th and 936th Troop Carrier Groups at Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base, Missouri.

The group flew overseas missions, particularly to the Far East and Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. In 1972 the group was inactivated as part of the retirement of the Globemaster II, being one of the last USAF units to fly the C-124. Its place at Tinker was taken by the 507th Tactical Fighter Group. flying Republic F-105 Thunderchiefs, and many members of the 937th transitioned to the new group. [7]

Medical training

In 2011, USAF training activities at Fort Sam Houston were transferred from the 82d Training Wing to the 37th Training Wing. The group was redesignated the 937th Training Group and replaced the 882d Training Group there. [8] [9] The 937th Training Group was the only medical training group in the Air Force. It conducted basic and advanced medical courses, and graduated nearly 6,000 students a year. The group was inactivated in 2016 and replaced by the 59th Training Group under the 59th Medical Wing. The group was again activated in April 2025, resuming its training duties. [8]

Lineage

Organized in the reserve on 17 January 1963
Redesignated 937th Air Transport Group, Heavy on 1 December 1965
Redesignated 937th Military Airlift Group on 1 January 1966
Inactivated on 20 May 1972
Activated on 15 September 2011
Inactivated on 20 January 2016
Activated on 30 April 2025 [8]

Assignments

Components

Stations

Aircraft

References

Notes
  1. Aircraft is Douglas C-124A-DL Globemaster II, serial 51-089. This airplane is on display at the Museum of Aviation (Warner Robins). Dirkx, Marco (28 July 2025). "1951 USAF Serial Numbers". Joe Baugher’s Serial Number List. Retrieved 22 October 2025..
  2. The group uses the 37th Training Wing emblem with the group designation on the scroll. Air Force Instruction 84-105, Organizational Lineage, Honors and Heraldry, 19 March 2013, para 3.3.3.
  3. There were an additional four rescue squadrons not assigned to the wings. Cantwell, p. 156.
Notes
  1. 1 2 Anderson, 2Lt Kate (14 May 2025). "937th Training Group rejoins the 37th Training Wing". 37th Training Wing Public Affairs. Retrieved 22 October 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. No byline. "937th Training Group". 37th Training Wing Public Affairs. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  3. Cantwell, pp. 156, 169
  4. Cantwell, p. 156
  5. Cantwell, pp. 189-191
  6. Maurer, pp. 369-370
  7. Cantwell, p. 314
  8. 1 2 3 4 Musser, James (2025). "Lineage and Honors History 937 Training Group (AETC)" (PDF). Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Research Division, Air Force Historical Research Agency, Air Force Organization Change Status Report, September 2011, Maxwell AFB, AL
  10. Musser, James (13 June 2025). "Lineage and Honors History 937 Training Support Squadron (AETC)" (PDF). Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 22 October 2025.

Bibliography

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