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325th Operations Group
USAF - 325th Operations Group
Emblem of the 325th Operations Group
Active 1942–1945, 1947-1952, 1955-1960, 1991–present
Country Flag of the United States United States
Branch Flag of the United States Air Force United States Air Force
Type Fighter
Part of Air Combat Command
Ninth Air Force
325th Fighter Wing
Garrison/HQ Tyndall Air Force Base
Motto(s) Locare et Liquidare - "Locate and Liquidate"
Engagements World War II Mediterranean Theater of Operations
Decorations Distinguished Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
F-15 and F-22

43d FS Lockheed Martin F/A-22A LRIP Lot 2 Block 10 Raptor 02-2029 with a 325th OG F-15

The 325th Operations Group (325 OG) is the flying component of the 325th Fighter Wing, assigned to the United States Air Force Air Combat Command. The group is stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.

Overview[]

The 325th Operations Group (OG) is responsible for directing the flying and support operations one F-22 Raptor fighter squadron, an operations support squadron and an air control squadron. The 325th Operations Group is currently commanded by Colonel Wesley P. Hallman.

Assigned Units[]

The 325 OG (Tail Code: TY) commands one flying squadron, one air control and one operations support squadron.

Established 13 June 1917. Only F-22A Raptor training squadron. Currently provides F-22 pilot training.
Operational F-22A Raptor Squadron.
Trains every air battle manager in the Air Force, as well as international officers assigned to U.S. allied forces
  • 325th Operations Support Squadron
Trains air traffic control personnel and intelligence officers for worldwide assignment, provides academic and simulator training in support of each squadron's syllabi, and supports daily operations of the Group. The group staff provides guidance and assistance in successfully executing the training mission and ensures quality performance and standardized procedures for pilots, weapons directors, and air battle managers.

History[]

World War II[]

325fightergroup-p-47-1943

P-47 Thunderbolt of the 325th Fighter Group, visiting an RAF base in England

325fightergroup-p-51-1945

P-51D Mustang of the 325th Fighter Group

The 325th was activated in 1942 with the 317th,[1] 318th,[2] and 319th Fighter Squadrons[3] assigned. It trained in the U.S. with Curtiss P-40 Warhawk aircraft[4] before moving to North Africa by ship and transport planes, January–February 1943. It entered combat in April 1943 and began escorting medium bombers, flying strafing missions, and conducting sea sweeps from bases in Algeria and Tunisia.[4] The group participated in the defeat of Axis forces in Tunisia, the reduction of Pantelleria, and the conquest of Sicily.[4] The 325th received a Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC) for action over Sardinia on 30 July 1943 when the group, using diversionary tactics, forced a superior number of enemy planes into the air and destroyed more than half of them.[4] The group did not fly combat missions from the end of September to mid-December 1943 as the 325th converted to Republic P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft and moved to Italy.[4]

The 325th began operations with Fifteenth Air Force in December 1943, and primarily engaged in bomber escort operations.[4] It received a second DUC for a mission on 30 January 1944 when the group flew more than 300 miles at very low altitude to surprise the enemy fighters that were defending German airfields near Villaorba, Italy; by severely damaging the enemy's force, the 325th enabled heavy bombers to strike vital targets in the area without encountering serious opposition.[4] The group converted to North American P-51 Mustang aircraft in May 1944 and provided the fighter escort on the first shuttle bombing mission from Italy to Russia in early June 1944, and became the first American group to score a victory while flying from a Russian baase.[5] It escorted heavy bombers during long-range missions to attack the Messerschmitt factory at Regensburg, the Daimler-Benz tank factory at Berlin, oil refineries at Vienna, and other targets, such as airfields, marshalling yards, and communications targets in Italy, France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, Romania, and Yugoslavia. It also covered operations of reconnaissance aircraft and strafed such targets as trains, vehicles, and airfields. The group continued combat operations until May 1945.[4] The group moved back to the U.S. and was inactivated after V-E Day.[4]

325th Ftr Gp

Aerial Victories Number Note
Group Hq 19 [6]
317th Fighter Squadron 209 [7]
318th Fighter Squadron 173 [8]
319th Fighter Squadron 119 [9]
Group Total 520

Cold War[]

325ightergroup-f-94-f-82-1950

Two F-94 Starfires and a F-82 Twin Mustang, 325th Fighter Group, 1950

The group was inactive from 1945 until 1947, when it was activated as an all weather fighter group equipped with Northrop P-61 Black Widows.[4] In 1948, the group converted to North American F-82 Twin Mustang aircraft[4] and moved to Washington, to provide air defense for the Atomic Energy Commission Hanford Plant.[10] In 1948, the US Air Force unified operational and support organizations under a single wing under what is called the Hobson Plan. As a result, the 325th Fighter Wing became the parent for the 325th Group and three other supporting groups[11]

Beginning in Spring 1949, it conducted the All Weather Combat Crew Training School, while participating in air defense operations exercises and training.[12] In 1951, as ADC expanded its mission, the Federalized 123d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, flying World War II era F-51Ds, was attached to the group.[13] Although the 123d FIS received some day fighter F-86 Sabres in July, it continued to fly Mustangs while attached to the 325th.[13] Meanwhile, the other three squadrons of the 325th converted from their Twin Mustangs to early model Lockheed F-94 Starfires in June and December 1951.[14] In December 1951, Fifth Air Force, engaged in the Korean War, indicated to Headquarters, USAF that it needed all weather interceptors to defend the Seoul area. In response, ADC dispatched the group's 319th FIS to Suwon Air Base, although the squadron remained assigned to the 325th group.[15] The 325th group and wing inactivated in February 1952[4] as part of a major Air Defense Command (ADC) reorganization that replaced its fighter wings with regional air defense wings, responding to ADC's difficulty under the existing wing base organizational structure in deploying fighter squadrons to best advantage.[16] Its operational squadrons were transferred to the 4704th Defense Wing at McChord AFB and the 4703d Defense Wing at Larson AFB, WA.

318th Fighter Interceptor Squadron Convair F-102A-75-CO Delta Daggers

F-102s of the group's 318th FIS in 1958

In 1955 the personnel and equipment of the inactivating 567th Air Defense Group,[17] including the 317th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (FIS)[1] were transferred to the newly designated 325th Fighter Group (Air Defense),[4] which activated once again at McChord as result of ADC's Project Arrow, which was designed to bring back on the active list the fighter units which had compiled memorable records in the two world wars.[18] Because one purpose of Project Arrow was to reunite fighter squadrons with their traditional groups,[18] the 318th FIS was moved from Presque Isle AFB.[2] to assume the personnel and equipment of the 567th's 465th FIS.[19] Both of the group's squadrons flew the radar equipped and rocket armed F-86D version of the Sabre.[14] The 325th served as the USAF "host" group at McChord AFB until October 1956, when the 325th Fighter Wing was reactivated[12] and was assigned several support organizations to fulfill its duties.[20][21][22] At the same time it conducted air defense operations.[12] The group became subordinate to the 325th Fighter Wing again in October 1956 and was non-operational as all group headquarters personnel were used to man the wing headquarters until about June 1957.[12] The squadrons upgraded to Convair F-102 Delta Daggers, the 317th FIS in December 1956 and the 318th FIS in March 1957.[14] In August 1957, the 317th FIS moved to Alaska and was reassigned from the group,[1] while the 64th FIS simultaneously moved from Alaska to McChord.[23] The group regained control over its tactical squadrons in June 1957 and continued air defense operations of the wing, with annual squadron deployments to Tyndall AFB, FL, for firing practice.[12] Just before the group was discontinued, the 64th FIS moved to Paine Field, WA, where it was reassigned to the 326th Fighter Group.[23] The group was in the process of converting to Convair F-106 Delta Darts[14] when it was discontinued in March 1960, with its remaining tactical squadron being transferred directly to the 325th Fighter Wing control.[12]

Modern era[]

Tyndall-f-15C-80-060

McDonnell Douglas F-15D Eagle, 325th Operations Group

On 1 September 1991, the group was redesignated the 325th Operations Group (OG) and activated as a result of the 325th Fighter Wing implementing the USAF Objective Wing organization.[12] The 325 OG was assigned control of the wing's tactical units.[12]

Lineage[]

  • Constituted as 325th Fighter Group on 24 June 1942
Activated on 3 August 1942
Inactivated on 28 October 1945
  • Redesignated 325th Fighter Group (All Weather) on 2 May 1947
Activated on 21 May 1947
Redesignated: 325th Fighter Group, All Weather, on 10 May 1948
Redesignated: 325th Fighter-All Weather Group on 20 January 1950
Redesignated: 325th Fighter-Interceptor Group on 1 May 1951
Inactivated on 6 February 1952
  • Redesignated 325th Fighter Group (Air Defense) on 20 June 1955
Activated on 18 August 1955
Discontinued on 25 March 1960[24]
  • Redesignated 325th Tactical Training Group on 31 July 1985 (remained inactive)
  • Redesignated 325th Operations Group on 1 September 1991
Activated on 1 September 1991.[12]

Assignments[]

Components[]

Operational Squadrons

Support Units

  • 325th USAF Hospital: 18 August 1955 - 18 October 1956[22]
  • 325th Air Police Squadron: 18 August 1955 – 18 October 1956
  • 325th Armament & Electronics Maintenance Squadron: 15 November 1958 - 25 June 1960[20]
  • 325th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron: 8 September 1957 - 15 November 1958[20]
  • 325th Field Maintenance Squadron: 18 August 1955 - 18 October 1956[20]
  • 325th Food Service Squadron: 18 August 1955 – 18 October 1956
  • 325th Installations Squadron: 18 August 1955 – 18 October 1956
  • 325th Transportation Squadron: 18 August 1955 – 18 October 1956
  • 325th Organizational Maintenance Squadron: 15 November 1958 – 25 June 1960[20]
  • 325th Operations Squadron (later 325th Operations Support Squadron): 18 August 1955 – 18 October 1956,[21] 1 September 1991 – present
  • 325th Supply Squadron: 18 August 1955 – 18 October 1956
  • 325th Tactical Training Squadron (later 325th Training Squadron, 325th Air Control Squadron), 1 September 1991 – present[32]
  • 625th Field Maintenance Squadron: 15 November 1958 – 25 June 1960[33]

Stations[]

Aircraft assigned[]

  • P-40 Warhawk, 1942–1943
  • P-47 Thunderbolt, 1943–1944)
  • P-51D Mustang, 1944–1945, 1951–1952
  • P-61 Black Widow, 1947–1948
  • F-82 Twin Mustang, 1948–1951
  • F-94A Starfire, 1950–1952

  • F-86E Sabre, 1951
  • F-86D Sabre, 1955–1957
  • F-102 Delta Dagger, 1956–1960
  • F-106 Delta Dart, 1960
  • F-15 Eagle, 1991–2010
  • F-22 Raptor, 2003 – present

Awards[]

Streamer PUC Army

Sardinia, 30 July 1943
Italy, 30 January 1944

AFOUA Streamer

1 July 1993 – 30 June 1995
1 July 1995 – 30 June 1996
1 July 1996 – 30 June 1997
1 July 1997 – 30 June 1999

1 July 1999 – 30 June 2001
1 July 2001 – 30 June 2002
1 July 2002 – 30 June 2004
1 July 2004 – 30 June 2005

1 July 2005 – 30 June 2006
1 July 2006 – 30 June 2007
1 July 2008 – 30 June 2009

Streamer EAMEC

Mediterranean Theater of Operations

Tunisia
Sicily
Naples-Foggia
Rome-Arno
Southern France

North Apennines
Central Europe
Po Valley
Air Combat, EAME Theater
Normandy

Northern France
Rhineland
Central Europe
Air Offensive, Europe

References[]

Notes[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Maurer, Maurer, ed (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. pp. 386–387. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. http://www.airforcehistory.hq.af.mil/Publications/fulltext/combat_sq_of_the_af_wwii.pdf. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 388-389
  3. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 390-391
  4. 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 Maurer, Maurer, ed (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. pp. 206–208. ISBN 0-912799-02-1. http://www.airforcehistory.hq.af.mil/Publications/fulltext/af_combat_units_wwii.pdf. 
  5. Abstract, History of 325th Fighter Group, June 1944. Retrieved May 24, 2012
  6. Newton, Wesley P., Jr. and Senning, Calvin F., (1963) USAF Credits for the Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II, USAF Historical Study No. 85, p. 599
  7. Newton & Senning, pp. 594-596
  8. Newton & Senning, pp. 597-598
  9. Newton & Senning, pp. 598-599
  10. History, 325th Fighter Group(AW), Jul-Dec 1948. Retrieved May 24, 2012
  11. Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947-1977. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. p. 10. ISBN 0-912799-12-9. http://www.airforcehistory.hq.af.mil/Publications/fulltext/combat_wings.pdf. 
  12. 12.00 12.01 12.02 12.03 12.04 12.05 12.06 12.07 12.08 12.09 12.10 12.11 AFHRA Factsheet, 325th Operations Group
  13. 13.0 13.1 Cornett, Lloyd H; Johnson, Mildred W (1980). A Handbook of Aerospace Defense Organization, 1946-1980. Peterson AFB, CO: Office of History, Aerospace Defense Center. p. 122. http://www.usafpatches.com/pubs/handbookofadcorg.pdf. 
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Cornett & Johnson, p. 125
  15. Endicott, Judy G., ed (2001). The USAF in Korea, Campaigns, Units and Stations 1950-1953. Maxwell AFB, AL: Air Force Historical Research Agency. p. 65. ISBN 0-16-050901-7. http://www.afhso.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-100526-045.pdf. 
  16. Grant, C.L., (1961) The Development of Continental Air Defense to 1 September 1954, USAF Historical Study No. 126, p. 33
  17. Cornett & Johnson, p. 85
  18. 18.0 18.1 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., p.6
  19. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 571-572
  20. 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 Cornett & Johnson, p. 138
  21. 21.0 21.1 Cornett & Johnson, p. 151
  22. 22.0 22.1 Abstract, History of 325th USAF Hospital, Jul-Dec 1955. Retrieved May 23, 2012
  23. 23.0 23.1 Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 244
  24. The group is not related to a 325th Fighter Group (Air Defense), Provisional that was organized at McChord on 1 November 1960 and discontinued on 1 February 1961. see Cornett & Johnson, p. 78
  25. AFHRA Factsheet, 325th Fighter Wing 1/14/2011. Retrieved May 23, 2012
  26. AFHRA Factsheet, 1st Fighter Squadron 1/2/2008. Retrieved May 23, 2012
  27. AFHRA Factsheet, 2d Fighter Squadron 1/4/2008. Retrieved May 23, 2012
  28. AFHRA Factsheet, 43d Fighter Squadron 12/18/2007. Retrieved May 23, 2012
  29. AFHRA Factsheet, 64th Aggressor Squadron 7/30/2009. Retrieved May 23, 2012
  30. AFHRA Factsheet, 95th Fighter Squadron 4/1/2008. Retrieved May 23, 2012
  31. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 390-391. The copy online at the AFHRA website includes a handwritten notation of the detachment of the squadron to the 101st Fighter-Interceptor Wing.
  32. AFHRA Factsheet, 325th Air Control Squadron 7/10/2009. Retrieved May 25, 2012
  33. Cornett & Johnson, p. 142

Bibliography[]

PD-icon This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.

Further Reading

  • Green, Hershel H. (2000). Herky! The Memoirs of c\a Checkertail Ace. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.. ISBN 0-7643-0073-3. 
  • McDowell, Ernest R. (1994). Checkertails: The 325th Fighter Group in the Second World War. Carrollton, TX: Squadron/Signal Publications, Inc.. ISBN 0-89747-316-7. 
  • McDowell, Ernest R.; Hess, William N. (1969). Checkertail Clan: The 325th Fighter Group in North Africa and Italy. Fallbrook, CA: Aero Publishers, Inc.. ISBN 978-0-81689-750-6. 
  • Rogers, Brian. (2005). United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978. Hinkley, UK: Midland Publications. ISBN 1-85780-197-0. 


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