14th Operations Group
14th Operations Group | |
---|---|
Part of | Air Education and Training Command |
Garrison/HQ | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Col. Stan Lawrie |
Notable commanders | General Robert H. Foglesong |
Insignia | |
14th Operations Group emblem[1][note 1] | |
14th Flying Training Wing emblem from 1991–2007 | |
14th Fighter Group emblem (approved 17 June 1942)[2] |
The 14th Operations Group is the flying component of the
The group was first activated in 1941 as the 14th Pursuit Group at
The 14th was again activated at
In the summer of 1955 the group was activated at
The group was again activated as the 14th Operations Group at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi in December 1991 and assumed its current mission of training pilots for the USAF.
Components
The 14th Operations Group (Tail Code: CB) consists of the following squadrons:
- T-6 Texan II)
- 41st Flying Training Squadron (41 FTS) Flying Buzzsaws (T-6 Texan II)
- 48th Flying Training Squadron (48 FTS) Alley Cats (T-1 Jayhawk)
- 49th Fighter Training Squadron (49 FTS) Black Knights (T-38 Talon)
- 50th Flying Training Squadron (50 FTS) Strikn' Snakes (T-38 Talon)
- 14th Operations Support Squadron (14 OSS) Scream'n Eagles
- 14th Student Squadron (14 STUS) Proud Eagles
History
World War II
The 14th Pursuit Group was activated on 15 January 1941 at
Even though the defense of the US west coast initially took priority, plans were made in the spring of 1942 to deploy the 14th and other P-38 groups to Great Britain. The group was redesignated as the 14th Fighter Group in May 1942.
The 14th was reassigned to the
From bases in
The group resumed combat operations in May, being re-equipped with the P-38F and some P-38Gs. Already prior to the Axis defeat in Tunisia, the
In a combined operation code named "Nostril" elements of 14th and 1st FighterGroup provided cover for a British Naval group in the Aegean Sea in the Doceconese Islands Group on 7–9 October 43. On 9 Oct, the 37th Squadron of the 14th Fighter Group led by Maj William L. Leverette intercepted a squadron of 27 Ju 87s over the British Naval group. In the ensuing engagement this squadron claimed 16 downed Junkers Ju 87s and one Ju 88 : Maj Leverette – 7 (a record for the most victories in one sortie in the MTOI); Lt H. T. Hanna – 5 (becoming an ace in one day); Lt Homer L Sprinkle – 3; Lt Robert Margison – 1; and Lt Wayne L Blue – 1 Ju 88.
The 14th was reassigned to
In late July and early August 1944, the 14th flew shuttle missions to Russia and returned to their Italian base after spending three days at a Soviet base in Ukraine. Along with their P-51 escorts, they shot down thirty German planes and destroyed twelve on the ground. The last Lightning shuttle mission was flown on 4/6 August.[citation needed]
The group provided escort for reconnaissance operations, supported the invasion of Southern France in August 1944, and on numerous occasions flew long-range missions to strafe and dive-bomb motor vehicles, trains, bridges, supply areas, airdromes, and troop concentrations in an area extending from France to the Balkans.[2] The 14th Fighter Group was inactivated in Italy on 9 September 1945.[2]
Aerial Victories | Number | Note |
---|---|---|
Group Hq | 16 | [8] |
37th Fighter Squadron | 49.5 | [9] |
48th Fighter Squadron | 153 | [10] |
49th Fighter Squadron | 103.5 | [11] |
Group Total | 315.83 |
Cold War
The Group was once more activated in the US on 20 November 1946 at
The group was initially equipped with surplus
In July 1947 the group deployed to
With the F-84s, the 14th's mission was daylight and fair weather defense of northeast United States
In August 1947, the Air Force began a service test of the
In July 1949, the group sent sixteen F-84Bs to New York City for a flyover display at newly opened
The group was redesignated as the 14th Fighter Group (Air Defense) and reactivated on 18 August 1955 at
Modern era
While inactive, the group was redesignated as the 14th Tactical Fighter Group, but was redesignated as the 14th Operations Group (OG) in December 1991 and activated as a result of the 14th Flying Training Wing (FTW) implementing the USAF Objective Wing reorganization.
Upon activation, the 14th OG was assigned the flying and operational support components of the 14th FTW.
From its activation, the group trained USAF and allied pilots in basic flying skills
Colonel Stan Lawrie took command of the group in July 2016.[29] Today the group's six squadrons are responsible for the 52-week Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training (SUPT) mission at Columbus Air Force Base[7] for the U.S. Air Force and international officers. The group uses a fleet of Beechcraft T-6 Texan II, Northrop T-38 Talon, and Raytheon T-1 Jayhawk aircraft and flight simulators. Its 250 aircraft fly about 90,000 hours annually in 11,500 square miles (30,000 km2) of airspace.
Lineage
- Constituted as 14th Pursuit Group (Fighter) on 20 November 1940[2]
- Activated on 15 January 1941[2]
- Redesignated 14th Fighter Group (Twin Engine) on 15 May 1942[30]
- Redesignated 14th Fighter Group, Two Engine on 28 February 1944[30]
- Inactivated on 9 September 1945[2]
- Redesignated 14th Fighter Group, Single Engine
- Activated on 20 November 1946[2]
- Redesignated 14th Fighter Group, Jet ca 24 May 1948[31]
- Inactivated on 2 October 1949[2]
- Redesignated 14th Fighter Group (Air Defense) on 20 June 1955[2]
- Activated on 18 August 1955,[2]
- Discontinued and inactivated on 25 June 1960
- Redesignated: 14th Tactical Fighter Group on 31 July 1985 (unit remained inactive)
- Redesignated: 14th Operations Group on 9 December 1991
- Activated on 15 December 1991
Assignments
|
|
Components
Operational Squadrons
- 37th Fighter Squadron (later 37th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron; 37th Flying Training Squadron): 1 March 1943 – 9 September 1945; 20 November 1946 – 2 October 1949; 18 August 1955 – 1 May 1960; 15 December 1991 – present[32]
- 41st Flying Training Squadron: 1 October 1998 – present[33]
- 43d Flying Training Squadron: 15 December 1991 – 1 October 1992[34]
- 48th Pursuit Squadron (later 48th Fighter Squadron; 48th Flying Training Squadron): 15 January 1941 – 9 September 1945; 20 November 1946 – 2 October 1949; 1 July 1996 – present[35]
- 49th Pursuit Squadron (later, 49th Fighter Squadron; 49th Flying Training Squadron; 49th Fighter Training Squadron): 15 January 1941 – 9 September 1945; 20 November 1946 – 2 October 1949; 15 December 1991 – 18 September 1992; 1 July 1993 – 10 October 2000; 10 May 2007 – present[28]
- 50th Pursuit Squadron(later, 50th Fighter Squadron; 50th Flying Training Squadron): 15 January 1941 – 14 November 1942; 15 December 1991 – present[36]
Support Units
- 14th USAF Infirmary[23] (later USAF Dispensary),[37] 18 August 1955 – 25 June 1960
- 14th Air Base Squadron,[24] 18 August 1955 – 25 June 1960
- 14th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 8 July 1957 – 25 June 1960[25]
- 14th Materiel Squadron, 18 August 1955 – 25 June 1960[26]
- 14th Operations Support Squadron, 15 December 1991 – present
Stations
|
|
Awards and campaigns
Award streamer | Award | Dates | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Distinguished Unit Citation |
2 April 1944 | 14th Fighter Group, Austria[7] | |
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |
1 July 1992-30 June 1994 | 14th Operations Group[7] | |
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award | 1 July 1999-30 June 2001 | 14th Operations Group[7] | |
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award | 1 July 2001–30 June 2002 | 14th Operations Group[7] | |
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award | 1 July 2002–30 June 2004 | 14th Operations Group[7] | |
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award | 1 July 2004–30 June 2006 | 14th Operations Group[7] | |
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award | 1 July 2006–30 June 2007 | 14th Operations Group[40] | |
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award | 1 July 2007–30 June 2009 | 14th Operations Group[40] | |
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award | 1 July 2009–30 June 2010 | 14th Operations Group[40] | |
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award | 1 July 2010–30 June 2011 | 14th Operations Group[40] |
Campaign Streamer | Campaign | Dates | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Air Combat, EAME Theater | 18 August 1942 – 11 May 1945 | 14th Fighter Group[2] | |
Air Offensive, Europe | 18 August 1942 – 5 June 1944 | 14th Fighter Group[2] | |
Tunisia | 12 November 1942 – 13 May 1943 | 14th Fighter Group[2] | |
Sicily | 14 May 1943 – 17 August 1943 | 14th Fighter Group[2] | |
Naples-Foggia | 18 August 1943 – 21 January 1944 | 14th Fighter Group[2] | |
Rome-Arno | 22 January 1944 – 9 September 1944 | 14th Fighter Group[2] | |
Northern France | 25 July 1944 – 14 September 1944 | 14th Fighter Group[2] | |
Southern France | 15 August 1944 – 14 September 1944 | 14th Fighter Group[2] | |
North Apennines | 10 September 1944 – 4 April 1945 | 14th Fighter Group[2] | |
Rhineland | 15 September 1944 – 21 March 1945 | 14th Fighter Group[2] | |
Central Europe | 22 March 1944 – 21 May 1945 | 14th Fighter Group[2] | |
Po Valley | 3 April 1945 – 8 May 1945 | 14th Fighter Group[2] |
Aircraft
- Curtiss P-40 Warhawk (1941)
- Seversky P-43 Lancer (1941)
- P-66 Vanguard(1941)
- Lockheed P-38 Lightning (1941–1945)
- Republic P-47 Thunderbolt (1946–1949)
- Republic F-84 Thunderjet (1947–1949)
- North Amrerican F-86D Sabre (1955–1958)
- Convair F-102A Delta Dagger (1958–1960)
- Convair TF-102B Delta Dagger (1958–1960)
- Cessna T-37 Tweet (1991–2008)
- Northrop T-38 Talon (1991–present)
- Northrop AT-38 Talon (1991–2000 and 2007–present)
- T-1 Jayhawk (1996–present)
- T-6 Texan II (2006–present)
- A-29 Super Tucano (Unknown)
See also
- 529th Air Service Group Support organization for group at Dow Air Force Base prior to implementation of Wing-Base organization
- List of United States Air Force Groups
- List of United States Air Force Aerospace Defense Command Interceptor Squadrons
- List of Lockheed P-38 Lightning operators
- List of F-86 Sabre units
References
Bibliography
- Anderson, Capt. Barry (January 1985). Army Air Forces Stations: A Guide to the Stations Where U.S. Army Air Forces Personnel Served in the United Kingdom During World War II (PDF). Maxwell AFB, AL: Research Division, USAF Historical Research Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
- Buss, Lydus H.(ed), Sturm, Thomas A., Volan, Denys, and McMullen, Richard F., History of Continental Air Defense Command and Air Defense Command July to December 1955, Directorate of Historical Services, Air Defense Command, Ent AFB, CO, (1956)
- Cornett, Lloyd H; Johnson, Mildred W (1980). A Handbook of Aerospace Defense Organization, 1946–1980 (PDF). Peterson AFB, CO: Office of History, Aerospace Defense Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 February 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
- Goss, William A (1955). "The Organization and its Responsibilities, Chapter 2 The AAF". In Craven, Wesley F; Cate, James L (eds.). The Army Air Forces in World War II. Vol. VI, Men & Planes. Chicago, Illinois: University of Chicago Press. p. 59. LCCN 48003657.
- Knaack, Marcelle Size (1978). Encyclopedia of US Air Force Aircraft and Missile Systems. Vol. 1, Post-World War II Fighters 1945–1973. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 978-0-912799-19-3.
- Knaack, Marcelle Size (1988). Encyclopedia of US Air Force Aircraft and Missile Systems. Vol. 2, Post-World War II Bombers 1945-1973. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-59-5.
- Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. LCCN 61060979.
- Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. OCLC 72556.
- Mueller, Robert (1989). Air Force Bases, Vol. I, Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982 (PDF). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-53-6.
- Newton, Wesley P. Jr.; Senning, Calvin F. (1963). "USAF Credits for the Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II, USAF Historical Study No. 85" (PDF). Research Studies Institute, USAF Historical Division, Air University.
- Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947–1977. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-12-9.
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
- Further reading
- Gansz, David M. (2022). Fifteenth Air Force War Diary, Bombing by the Numbers. First Mountain Belgians Publishing. ISBN 978-1-7343806-1-3.
- Hess, William N. (1998). The Saga of the 14th Fighter Group. St Paul, MN: Specialty Press.
- Lambert, John W. (2008). The 14th Fighter Group in World War II. Atglen, PA: Schiffer. ISBN 978-0-7643-2921-0.
Notes
- Explanatory notes
- Footnotes
- ^ a b Robertson, Patsy (23 August 2011). "Factsheet 14 Flying Training Wing (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 57–58
- ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 215–216
- ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 160–161
- ^ Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 220–221
- ^ "Abstract, History 14 Fighter Group through May 1943". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Robertson, Patsy (6 February 2015). "Factsheet 14 Operations Group (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ^ Newton & Senning, p. 534
- ^ Newton & Senning, pp. 544–545
- ^ Newton & Senning, pp. 552–553
- ^ Newton & Senning, pp. 553–555
- ^ a b Knaack, Post World War II Fighters, p. 26
- ^ "Abstract, History 14 Fighter Group Jan–Dec 1947". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
- ^ "Abstract, History 14 Fighter Group Apr–Jun 1948". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
- ^ a b Ravenstein, p. 10
- ^ Goss, in Craven & Cate, Vol. VI, p. 59
- ^ Knaack, Post World War II Bombers, p. 25
- ^ Cornett & Johnson, p. 82
- ^ Buss, Sturm, Volan, & McMullen, p. 6
- ^ a b Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 176
- ^ a b Cornett & Johnson, p. 70
- ^ a b Cornett & Johnson, p. 115
- ^ a b "Abstract, History 14 Infirmary Jul–Dec 1955". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
- ^ a b See "Abstract, History 14 Air Base Squadron 1958–1959". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
- ^ a b Cornett & Johnson, p. 135
- ^ a b Cornett & Johnson, p. 145
- ^ "Abstract, History 14 Flying Training Wing Jul–Dec 1993". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
- ^ a b Robertson, Patsy (14 April 2014). "Factsheet 49 Fighter Training Squadron (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ^ "Lawrie takes 14th OG reigns". 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ^ a b "Abstract, History 14 Fighter Group 1941–1949". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
- ^ See "Abstract, History 14 Fighter Group May 1949". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
- ^ Robertson, Patsy (14 April 2014). "Factsheet 37 Flying Training Squadron (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ^ Robertson, Patsy (14 April 2014). "Factsheet 41 Flying Training Squadron (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ^ Robertson, Patsy (23 November 2009). "Factsheet 43 Flying Training Squadron (AFRC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
- ^ Robertson, Patsy (14 April 2014). "Factsheet 48 Flying Training Squadron (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ^ Robertson, Patsy (3 April 2016). "Factsheet 50 Flying Training Squadron (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ^ See "Abstract, History 14 Dispensary Jan–Jul 1957". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
- ^ Stations through 1955 are in Maurer, Combat Units, p. 58
- ^ Anderson lists station numbers
- ^ a b c d Air Force Recognition Program, Unit Awards. Retrieved 20 July 2012