315th Operations Group
Encyclopedia
The 315th Operations Group (315 OG) is a United States Air Force Reserve unit assigned to the 315th Airlift Wing
. The unit is stationed at Charleston Air Force Base
, South Carolina
.
The 315 OG controls all operational C-17 Globemaster III
flying squadrons of the 315 AW.
The unit's World War II
predecessor unit, the 315th Troop Carrier Group was a C-47 Skytrain
transport unit assigned to Ninth Air Force
in Western Europe. The 315 TCG was highly decorated for its combat parachute infantry drops during the Invasion of France (Operation Overlord
); the airborne invasion of the Netherlands
(Operation Market-Garden); and the airborne crossing of the Rhine River, (Operation Varsity
).
After the air and ground echelons were united in Dec, the group began ferrying cargo in the British Isles and training with airborne troops and gliders. In May 1943 a "detachment" comprising almost all the group aircraft, aircrews, and most support personnel, deployed to North Africa to support Twelfth Air Force and other Mediterranean Theater of Operations organizations during the invasions of Sicily and Italy. Although the group did not participate in the airborne phase of the invasions, it did support those operations by transporting supplies in the theater.
In March 1944 the detachment returned to England and rejoined the group, which had been reassigned to Ninth Air Force in October 1943. Prepared for the invasion of the Continent, and dropped paratroops near Cherbourg early on 6 June 1944, earning a Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC) for its action in the Normandy invasion.
Dropped paratroops of the 82d Airborne Division on 17 September 1944 when the Allies launched the air attack on Holland; flew reinforcement missions on succeeding days, landing at Grave on 26 September to unload paratroops and supplies. Airlifted gasoline and other critical supplies to Antwerp and Liege during the Battle of the Bulge, December 1944 – January 1945.
Released British paratroops near Wesel during the airborne assault across the Rhine in March 1945. Following each airborne operation, the group resumed transport activities, hauling cargo and evacuating wounded personnel. Moved to France in April 1945.
Transported cargo and evacuated allied former prisoners of war until after V-E Day. Moved to Trinidad in May 1945 and transported troops returning to the US. Inactivated on 31 July 1945.
Organized in South Vietnam in December 1962, replacing a provisional troop carrier group. Exercised control over USAF airlift resources in Vietnam, using attached squadrons until permanent squadrons were assigned in July 1963. Provided combat evaluation of YC-123 aircraft, February–April 1963. Exercised control of some CV-2 aircraft of US Army, July–December 1963 and of a CV-2 Royal Australian Air Force detachment, 1965–1966. Gained the Ranch Hand defoliation mission in July 1964. Replaced in March 1966 by the 315th Air Commando Wing.
315th Airlift Wing
The 315th Airlift Wing is a wing of the United States Air Force Reserve. It is stationed at Charleston Air Force Base, in the City of North Charleston, South Carolina...
. The unit is stationed at Charleston Air Force Base
Charleston Air Force Base
Joint Base Charleston is a United States military facility located in North Charleston, South Carolina. The facility is under the jurisdiction of the United States Air Force 628th Air Base Wing, Air Mobility Command...
, South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
.
The 315 OG controls all operational C-17 Globemaster III
C-17 Globemaster III
The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft. Developed for the United States Air Force from the 1980s to the early 1990s by McDonnell Douglas, the C-17 is used for rapid strategic airlift of troops and cargo to main operating bases or forward operating bases throughout...
flying squadrons of the 315 AW.
The unit's World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
predecessor unit, the 315th Troop Carrier Group was a C-47 Skytrain
C-47 Skytrain
The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in operation to this day.-Design and...
transport unit assigned to Ninth Air Force
Ninth Air Force
The Ninth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command . It is headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina....
in Western Europe. The 315 TCG was highly decorated for its combat parachute infantry drops during the Invasion of France (Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord was the code name for the Battle of Normandy, the operation that launched the invasion of German-occupied western Europe during World War II by Allied forces. The operation commenced on 6 June 1944 with the Normandy landings...
); the airborne invasion of the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
(Operation Market-Garden); and the airborne crossing of the Rhine River, (Operation Varsity
Operation Varsity
Operation Varsity was a successful joint American–British airborne operation that took place toward the end of World War II...
).
Units
- 315th Operations Support Squadron
- 300th Airlift Squadron
- 317th Airlift Squadron
- 701st Airlift Squadron
- 315th Airlift Control Flight
- 315th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron
Lineage
- Established as 315 Transport Group on 2 February 1942
- Activated on 14 February 1942
- Redesignated 315 Troop Carrier Group on 4 July 1942
- Inactivated on 31 July 1945
- Activated on 19 May 1947
- Inactivated on 10 September 1948
- Redesignated 315 Troop Carrier Group, Medium, on 23 May 1952
- Activated on 10 June 1952
- Inactivated on 18 January 1955
- Redesignated 315 Troop Carrier Group, Assault, and activated, on 9 November 1962
- Organized on 8 December 1962
- Redesignated 315 Air Commando Group, Troop Carrier, on 8 March 1965
- Discontinued, and inactivated, on 8 March 1966
- Redesignated: 315 Military Airlift Group on 31 July 1985 (Remained inactive)
- Redesignated: 315 Operations Group on 1 August 1992
- Activated in the Reserve on 1 August 1992
Assignments
- Air Service Command, 14 February 1942
- 50th Transport Wing, 31 March 1942
- 52d Troop Carrier Wing52d Troop Carrier Wing (World War II)The 52d Troop Carrier Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the New York Air National Guard. It was inactivated on 31 October 1950....
, 20 June 1942 - VIII Air Support CommandVIII Air Support CommandThe VIII Air Support Command is an inactive United States Army Air Forces unit. Its last assignment was with Eighth Air Force, stationed at Sunninghill, Berkshire, England. It was inactivated on 1 December 1943....
, c. 29 November 1942
- Attached to 1 Fighter Division [Provisional], 30 August – 15 October 1943
- 50th Troop Carrier Wing, 16 October 1943
- 52d Troop Carrier Wing52d Troop Carrier Wing (World War II)The 52d Troop Carrier Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the New York Air National Guard. It was inactivated on 31 October 1950....
, 18 February 1944 - Caribbean Wing, Air Transport CommandAir Transport CommandAir Transport Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its mission was to meet the urgent demand for the speedy reinforcement of the United States' military bases worldwide during World War II, using an air supply system to supplement surface transport...
, 15 May – 31 July 1945
- Tactical Air CommandTactical Air CommandTactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...
, 19 May 1947 – 10 September 1948 - 315th Troop Carrier Wing, 10 June 1952 – 18 January 1955
- Pacific Air Forces, 9 November 1962
- 315th Troop Carrier Wing, 8 December 1962 – 8 March 1966
- Attached to 2d Air Division entire period
- 315th Troop Carrier Wing, 1 August 1992–present
Components
- 6 Transport Squadron: March–June 1942
- 19 Troop Carrier (later, 19 Air Commando) Squadron: 10 June 1952 – 18 January 1955; 8 October 1964-8 March 1966
- 32 Transport (later, 32 Troop Carrier) Squadron: 14 February – 11 November 1942 (detached 27 September – 11 November 1942)
- 34 Transport (later, 34 Troop Carrier) Squadron: 14 February 1942 – 31 July 1945; 19 May 1947-10 September 1948; 10 June 1952 – 18 January 1955
- 35 Transport Squadron: 14 February – 8 June 1942
- 43 Transport (later, 43 Troop Carrier) Squadron: 15 June 1942 – 31 July 1945; 19 May 1947-10 September 1948; 10 June 1952 – 18 January 1955
- 54 Transport (later, 54 Troop Carrier) Squadron: 11 June – 22 October 1942 (detached)
- 61 Troop Carrier Squadron: 26 October 1942 – 14 March 1943 (detached)
- 62 Troop Carrier Squadron: 5 December 1942 – 14 March 1943 (detached)
- 300 Airlift: 1 August 1992-Presen
- 309 Troop Carrier (later, 309 Air Commando) Squadron: 26 April 1944 – 31 July 1945; 1 July 1963-8 March 1966
- 310 Troop Carrier (later, 310 Air Commando): 26 April 1944 – 31 July 1945; 8 July 1963-8 March 1966
- 311 Troop Carrier (later, 311 Air Commando): 8 July 1963 – 8 March 1966
- 317 Airlift: 1 August 1992–present
- 344 Troop Carrier: 10 June 1952 – 18 January 1955 (detached 14 December 1952 – 13 October 1953)
- 701 Airlift: 1 August 1992–present
- 707 Airlift: 1 August 1992 – 1 July 2000
- 776 Troop Carrier: 1–8 July 1963
- 777 Troop Carrier: attached 17 April – 30 June 1963, assigned 1–8 July 1963
- Tactical Air Force Transport, Provisional, 2: attached 8 December 1962 – 8 July 1963.
Stations
- Olmsted Field, PennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaThe Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, 14 February 1942 - Bowman Field, KentuckyKentuckyThe Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, 18 June 1942 - Florence Army Airfield, South CarolinaSouth CarolinaSouth Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, 4 August–October 1942 - RAF AldermastonRAF AldermastonRAF Aldermaston was a World War II airfield. It was used by the Royal Air Force and the United States Army Eighth and Ninth Air Force as a troop carrier group base, and was assigned USAAF station No 467.-Origins:...
(AAF-467), England, December 1942 - RAF WelfordRAF WelfordRAF Welford is an active Royal Air Force station in Berkshire, England. The airfield is located approximately northwest of Newbury; about west-southwest of London...
(AAF-474), England, 6 November 1943 - RAF SpanhoeRAF Spanhoethumb|C-47s of the 310th TCS on a mission.RAF Station Spanhoe is a former World War II airfield in Northamptonshire, England. The airfield is located approximately east of Uppingham; about north-northwest of London...
(AAF-493), England, 7 February 1944
- Amiens Airfield (B-48), France, 6 April – 13 May 1945
- Waller Field, TrinidadTrinidadTrinidad is the larger and more populous of the two major islands and numerous landforms which make up the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. It is the southernmost island in the Caribbean and lies just off the northeastern coast of Venezuela. With an area of it is also the fifth largest in...
, c. 24 May – 31 July 1945 - Langley Field (later, AFB), VirginiaVirginiaThe Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, 19 May 1947 – 10 September 1948 - Brady Air Base, Japan, 10 June 1952 – 18 January 1955
- Tan Son Nhut AB, South VietnamSouth VietnamSouth Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
, 8 December 1962 – 8 March 1966 - Charleston AFB, South CarolinaSouth CarolinaSouth Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, 1 August 1992–present
Aircraft
- Primarily C-47, 1942–1945, but included C-60, 1942; C-53, 1942 and 1944–1945; and C-46, 1945. C-46, 1952–1955.
- Primarily C-123, 1962–1966, but included YC-123, 1963; CV-2, 1963 and 1965–1966; HUC-123, 1964–1965; UC-123, 1965–1966; and C-130, 1965–1966
- C-141 StarlifterC-141 StarlifterThe Lockheed C-141 Starlifter was a military strategic airlifter in service with the Air Mobility Command of the United States Air Force...
, 1992-c. 2000 - C-17 Globemaster IIIC-17 Globemaster IIIThe Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft. Developed for the United States Air Force from the 1980s to the early 1990s by McDonnell Douglas, the C-17 is used for rapid strategic airlift of troops and cargo to main operating bases or forward operating bases throughout...
, 1993–present
World War II
After training in the US, moved to England, October–November 1942, for service with Eighth Air Force. Encountering bad weather while flying the North Atlantic route, the air echelon remained for about a month in Greenland, where it searched for missing aircraft and dropped supplies to downed crews.After the air and ground echelons were united in Dec, the group began ferrying cargo in the British Isles and training with airborne troops and gliders. In May 1943 a "detachment" comprising almost all the group aircraft, aircrews, and most support personnel, deployed to North Africa to support Twelfth Air Force and other Mediterranean Theater of Operations organizations during the invasions of Sicily and Italy. Although the group did not participate in the airborne phase of the invasions, it did support those operations by transporting supplies in the theater.
In March 1944 the detachment returned to England and rejoined the group, which had been reassigned to Ninth Air Force in October 1943. Prepared for the invasion of the Continent, and dropped paratroops near Cherbourg early on 6 June 1944, earning a Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC) for its action in the Normandy invasion.
Dropped paratroops of the 82d Airborne Division on 17 September 1944 when the Allies launched the air attack on Holland; flew reinforcement missions on succeeding days, landing at Grave on 26 September to unload paratroops and supplies. Airlifted gasoline and other critical supplies to Antwerp and Liege during the Battle of the Bulge, December 1944 – January 1945.
Released British paratroops near Wesel during the airborne assault across the Rhine in March 1945. Following each airborne operation, the group resumed transport activities, hauling cargo and evacuating wounded personnel. Moved to France in April 1945.
Transported cargo and evacuated allied former prisoners of war until after V-E Day. Moved to Trinidad in May 1945 and transported troops returning to the US. Inactivated on 31 July 1945.
Cold War
Activated in 1947, the group was not manned or equipped, and inactivated again in 1948. Next activated in Japan in 1952, assigned to Far East Forces, for duty during the Korean War. Flew troop and cargo airlift and airdrop, leaflet drops, spray missions, air evacuation, search and rescue, and other aerial missions between Japan and Korea. Remained in the Far East after the war to fly transport missions and paratroop training flights. Flew missions in Japan, Korea, French Indo-China, and other points until December 1954. Inactivated in Japan on 18 January 1955.Organized in South Vietnam in December 1962, replacing a provisional troop carrier group. Exercised control over USAF airlift resources in Vietnam, using attached squadrons until permanent squadrons were assigned in July 1963. Provided combat evaluation of YC-123 aircraft, February–April 1963. Exercised control of some CV-2 aircraft of US Army, July–December 1963 and of a CV-2 Royal Australian Air Force detachment, 1965–1966. Gained the Ranch Hand defoliation mission in July 1964. Replaced in March 1966 by the 315th Air Commando Wing.