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314th Operations Group

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314th Operations Group
C-130 Hercules lined up for takeoff at Little Rock Air Force Base
Active1942–1957; 1978–1980; 1991–present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
Part of314th Airlift Wing
Motto(s)Viri Veniente Latin, Men Will Come (1942–1954)
EngagementsEuropean theater of World War II Mediterranean Theater of Operations Korean War
DecorationsDistinguished Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Insignia
314th Operations Group emblem (Approved 17 June 1954)[1][2]
314th Operations Group gaggle patch
314th Troop Carrier Group emblem (Approved 17 August 1942)[1]

The 314th Operations Group (314 OG) is the flying component of the Air Education and Training Command 314th Airlift Wing, stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas.

Overview

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The group provides C-130 initial and tactical aircrew training in all crew positions for all of the Department of Defense and allied students from 46 nations.

Units

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The 314th Operations Group is composed of one flying squadron and one training squadron.

History

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See the 314th Airlift Wing for additional history and lineage

World War II

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During World War II the 314th Troop Carrier Group arrived in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations in May 1943, taking part with Twelfth Air Force units in two airborne operations. It flew two major night missions in July 1943 during the Sicily invasion, dropping paratroops of 82d Airborne Division near Gela on 9 July and reinforcements to the area on the 11th.

Later in the year, the group transported paratroops and supplies to Salerno, 14 and 15 September, during the invasion of Italy. Squadrons from the 314th flew additional missions in the Mediterranean before it transferred, in February 1944, to England for further training.

From England, it took part with the Ninth Air Force in the Normandy invasion, flying numerous supply and reinforcement missions in the ensuing period. The 314th dropped paratroops over the Netherlands in September and carried munitions and supplies to the same area. After moving to France in late February 1945, it participated in the airborne crossings of the Rhine River near Wesel on 24 March. The group then brought supplies and equipment to combat units and airlifted wounded U.S. and Allied personnel to rear-area hospitals.

After the termination of hostilities, it evacuated prisoners of war from German camps and flew regular personnel and freight service. It transferred without personnel or equipment (WOPE) to the United States in February 1946, and in September again transferred WOPE, to the Panama Canal Zone, where the 314th operated air terminals under Caribbean Air Command. It moved back to the United States in October 1948 for further training.

Cold War

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314th TCG Fairchild C-82A Packet Ashiya AB, Japan 48-575
314th TCG Fairchild C-119B Flying Boxcar 48-352 operating from a base in South Korea, 1953

Transferring without personnel or equipment (WOPE) to US in February 1946, and in Sep, again WOPE, to the Canal Zone, the 314th operated air terminals under Caribbean Air Command. It moved back to the US in October 1948 for further training.

The group served in Japan during the Korean War, participating in two major airborne operations, at Sunchon in October 1950 and at Munsan-ni in March 1951. It later transported supplies to Korea and evacuated prisoners of war. In 1954, it again transferred, without personnel or equipment to the US where it participated in a continuous stream of tactical exercises and inspections until October 1957.

Modern era

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Lockheed C-130K Hercules 65-13040 taking off

The group flew worldwide airlift and provided all C-130 aircrew training to U.S. and allied aircrews, September 1978 – June 1980 and from December 1991 to present.

Lineage

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  • Established as the 314th Transport Group on 28 January 1942
Activated on 2 March 1942
Redesignated: 314th Troop Carrier Group on 4 July 1942
Redesignated: 314th Troop Carrier Group, Heavy on 26 July 1948
Redesignated: 314th Troop Carrier Group, Medium on 19 November 1948
Inactivated on 8 October 1957
  • Redesignated 314th Tactical Airlift Group on 24 August 1978
Activated on 15 September 1978
Inactivated on 15 June 1980
  • Redesignated 314th Operations Group and activated on 1 December 1991[3]

Assignments

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Components

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Stations

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Aircraft assigned

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References

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  1. ^ a b Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. pp. 190–192. ISBN 0-912799-02-1. LCCN 61060979.
  2. ^ The group uses the wing emblem with the group designation on the scroll. AF Instruction 84-105, para 3.3.3
  3. ^ a b c d Robertson, Patsy (14 December 2010). "Factsheet 314 Operations Group (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 29 September 2015. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  4. ^ a b Station numbers in Anderson
  5. ^ a b Station numbers in Johnson

Bibliography

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Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

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