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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox military unit
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name= 492d Bombardment Group
|unit_name= 492nd Special Operations Wing
[[File:Shield of the United States Air Force Special Operations Command.svg|center|60px]]
|image= [[File:801491bg-emblem.jpg|250px]]
|image=PZL M28 USAF.JPG
|caption= Emblem of the 801st(P)/492d Bombardment Group
|image_size=300px
|dates= 1943-1945
|caption=[[PZL M28 Skytruck|PZL C-145A]] flown by the 6th Special Operations Squadron
|country= United States
|dates= 1943–1945; 2017–present
|allegiance=
|country={{USA}}
|branch= [[United States Air Force]]
|branch={{air force|USA}}
|type=
|type=
|role= Bombardment, Special Operations
|role=[[Special Operations]]
|size=
|size=
|command_structure=
|command_structure=
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|march=
|march=
|mascot=
|mascot=
|battles=[[European Theater of Operations]]<ref name=Maurer492BG>Maurer, ''Combat Units'', pp. 361-362</ref>
|battles=
|notable_commanders=
|notable_commanders=
|anniversaries=
|anniversaries=
|decorations=[[Distinguished Unit Citation]]<br/>[[Croix de guerre 1939–1945 (France)|French Croix de Guerre with Palm]]<ref name=Maurer492BG/>
<!-- Insignia -->
|identification_symbol=[[File:492 Special Operations Wg emblem.png|165px]]
|identification_symbol_label=492nd Special Operations Wing emblem <small>(approved 13 July 2017)</small><ref name=492SOWfacts>{{cite web |url= http://www.afhra.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/1185436/492-special-operations-wing-afsoc/ |last1=Haulman|first1=Daniel L.|title=Factsheet 492 Special Operations Wing (AFSOC)|date=May 17, 2017|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=August 7, 2017}}</ref>
|identification_symbol_2=
|identification_symbol_2_label=
}}
}}
[[File:492bgb24-harrington.jpg|thumb|B-24 of the 492d Bomb Group on a mission over Nazi Occupied Europe.]]
[[File:Ford B-24J-1-FO Liberator 42-50611 - 611 - 492bg 859bs.jpg|thumb|Ford B-24J-1-FO Liberator 42-50611 - "Bold Venture II" - 859th Bomb Squadron Aug 1944 transferred to 467th BG, 788th BS. Returned to USA Jul 1, 1945]]
[[File:Consolidated B-24D-120-CO Liberator 42-40992 - Red Ball Express 492bg 856bs.jpg|thumb|Consolidated B-24D-120-CO Liberator 42-40992 - Red Ball Express 856th Bomb Squadron]]
[[File:Consolidated B-24D-65-CO Liberator - 42-40509 -Cookie - 492bg 858 bs.jpg|thumb|Consolidated B-24D-65-CO Liberator - 42-40509 -Cookie - 858th Bomb Squadron. lost in accident Oct 7, 1943.]]
The '''492d Bombardment Group''' is an inactive [[United States Army Air Force]] unit. It was last assigned to the [[Second Air Force]], stationed at [[Kirtland Field]], [[New Mexico]]. It was inactivated on 17 October 1945.


The '''492nd Special Operations Wing''' is a [[United States Air Forces]] unit stationed at [[Hurlburt Field]], Florida. It was activated in May 2017 to replace the [[Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center]].
During World War II the unit entered combat in May 1944, and sustained the heaviest losses of any other [[B-24 Liberator]] group for a three month period. The group was withdrawn from combat with its personnel and equipment being reassigned to other units. The 801st Bombardment Group (Provisional) was redesignated as the 492d Bombardment Group, and the group performed special operations missions throughout the remainder of the war in Europe.

During [[World War II]] the unit entered combat in May 1944, and sustained the heaviest losses of any [[Consolidated B-24 Liberator]] group for a three-month period. The [[group (military aviation unit)|group]] was withdrawn from combat with its personnel and equipment being reassigned to other units. The 801st Bombardment Group (Provisional) was replaced by the 492nd Bombardment Group, and the group performed special operations missions throughout the remainder of the war in Europe. It was inactivated on 17 October 1945.

In June 2017 official USAF descriptions said that the wing organized, trained and equipped forces to conduct [[special operations]] missions. It led [[Major Command]] irregular warfare activities and executes special operations test and evaluation programs. It also developed doctrine, tactics, techniques and procedures for [[United States Air Force]] special operations forces.<ref name=AFSOC492SOW>{{cite web |url= http://www.afsoc.af.mil/Units/492nd-Special-Operations-Wing/ |author=Staff writer, no byline|title=Units: 492nd Special Operations Wing|publisher=Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs|access-date=June 20, 2017}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
===World War II===
Established in October 1943 at [[Clovis Army Air Field]], [[New Mexico]] under [[II Bomber Command]] as a [[B-24 Liberator]] heavy bomb group. The 492d was one of seven Heavy Bombardment Groups – 488th through 494th - activated in the autumn of 1943. These were to be the last Army Air Forces heavy bomb groups established. Reassigned to [[Alamogordo Army Airfield]] with a full complement of 72 crews and 72 brand new B-24's and trained there until the end of March 1944.
====Bombardment training====
[[File:Consolidated B-24D-65-CO Liberator - 42-40509 -Cookie - 492bg 858 bs.jpg|thumb|858th Squadron B-24D Liberator used during training<ref group=note>Aircraft is Consolidated B-24D-65-CO Liberator serial 42-40509, nicknamed "Cookie". This airplane was lost in an accident on 7 October 1943.</ref>]]
The [[group (military aviation unit)|group]] was established in October 1943 at [[Alamogordo Army Air Field]], New Mexico<ref group=note>Freeman says the group was organized at [[Clovis Army Air Field]], New Mexico and did not move to Alamogordo until November. Freeman, p. 262. Maurer and Haulman both give Alamogordo as the organization station.</ref> as a [[Consolidated B-24 Liberator]] [[heavy bomber]] unit, drawing its [[cadre (military)|cadre]] from the [[859th Bombardment Squadron]], a former [[antisubmarine]] squadron located at [[Blythe Army Air Base]], California.<ref name=Maurer859BS>Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', p. 785</ref> Its other original squadrons were the [[856th Bombardment Squadron|856th]], [[857th Bombardment Squadron|857th]] and [[858th Bombardment Squadron]]s.<ref name=Maurer492BG/><ref name=Maurer856BS>Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', pp. 783-784</ref><ref name=Maurer857BS>Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', p. 784</ref><ref name=Maurer858BS>Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', pp. 784-785</ref> In December, the 859th moved from Blythe to join group [[headquarters]] and the other three squadrons.<ref name=Maurer859BS/> The 492nd was one of seven heavy bombardment groups<ref group=note>The others were the [[488th Tactical Missile Wing|488th]], [[489th Bomb Group|489th]], [[491st Bombardment Group|491st]], [[493rd Bombardment Group|493rd]] and [[494th Bombardment Group]]s</ref> activated in the autumn of 1943. These were to be the last [[Army Air Forces]] heavy bomb groups established.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}}


The group air echelon trained for combat at Alamogordo until April 1944, although the ground echelons of its four squadrons were withdrawn to form other bomber units. New ground elements were organized from other groups of the [[2nd Bombardment Division]] already in theater.<ref name=Freeman262>Freeman, p. 262</ref><ref name=Maurer492BG/> The group's air echelon departed for England on 1 April, flying the [[South Atlantic air ferry route in World War II|South Atlantic ferrying route]] through South America and Africa. Only about 120 members of the group's ground echelon shipped overseas, however, leaving New Mexico on 11 April and sailing on the {{RMS|Queen Elizabeth}} on 20 April.<ref name=Freeman262/>
Was deployed to the [[European Theater of Operations]] (ETO), being assigned to [[VIII Bomber Command]] in [[England]]. Only a small part ground unit (124 men) from US left Alamogordo on 11 April 1944 and sailed on the [[RMS Queen Elizabeth]] 20 April 1944. Main body of ground echelon from four 2 Bombardment Division groups were already in the UK. These groups had been ordered to raise additional squadron ground unit. The aircraft left Alamogordo on 1 April 1944, to commence overseas movement by the South Atlantic Transport Route, beginning at [[Morrison Field]], [[Florida]], [[Trinidad]], [[Brazil]], [[Dakar]] and [[Marrakesh]], [[French Morocco]] then to the United Kingdom. When the group arrived, they were the first VIII BC group with a no camouflage paint, natural-metal-finish (NMF) on all their aircraft.


====Bombardment operations====
The 492d entered combat on 11 May 1944, and throughout the month operated primarily against industrial targets in central [[Germany]]. Attacked airfields and V-weapon launching sites in [[France]] during the first week in June. Bombed coastal defenses in [[Normandy]] on 6 June 1944 and attacked bridges, railroads, and other interdiction targets in France until the middle of the month. Resumed bombardment of strategic targets in Germany and, except for support of the infantry during the [[Saint-Lô]] breakthrough on 25 July 1944, continued such operations until August 1944 when after only 89 days of combat, the 492nd had lost 52 aircraft to enemy action, with 588 men killed or missing. In the words of one veteran, "the whole group was wiped out".
[[File:492bgb24-harrington.jpg|thumb|Group B-24 on a mission over Nazi Occupied Europe.]]
The group was the first in [[VIII Bomber Command]] group to arrive with aircraft in natural metal finish on all their aircraft.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}} On 14 April, the ground echelon that had been formed in England arrived at [[RAF North Pickenham]]<ref group=note>Although North Pickenham had been the squadrons' nominal station since 1 January, it was actually being assembled at other 2nd Bombardment Division stations. Freeman, p. 262.</ref> The air echelon began arriving on 18 April.<ref name=Freeman262/>


The 492nd entered combat on 11 May 1944, operating primarily against industrial targets in central Germany. During the first week in June, the group was diverted from strategic targets to support [[Operation Overlord]], the invasion of [[Normandy]] by attacking airfields and [[V-weapon]] launching sites in France. On [[D-Day]] it bombed [[coastal defence and fortification|coastal defenses]] in Normandy and attacked bridges, railroads, and other [[interdiction]] targets in France until the middle of the month. The group resumed bombardment of strategic targets in Germany and, except for support of the infantry during [[Operation Cobra]] the [[Saint-Lô]] breakthrough on 25 July 1944, and continued these operations until August 1944.<ref name=Maurer492BG/> However, during its three months of strategic operations the 492nd Group suffered the heaviest losses of any [[Eighth Air Force]] group. The group's heavy losses had begun with one of the group's earliest missions, an attack on [[Braunschweig]], in which it lost eight Liberators to enemy [[interceptor aircraft|interceptors]].<ref>Freeman, p. 142</ref> When the 492nd Group returned to strategic operation, on 20 June [[Luftwaffe]] fighters, primarily [[Messerschmitt Bf 110]]s, using [[air-to-air missile|air to air rockets]] shot down fourteen of the 492nd Group's B-24s, the equivalent of losing an entire squadron on one raid.<ref>Freeman, p. 156</ref> Heavy losses, this time to fighters from [[Jagdgeschwader 3]], were again suffered on 29 June.<ref>Freeman, p. 160</ref><ref group=note>Superstitious persons speculated that the hard luck group reputation had passed from the [[44th Bombardment Group]] to the [[392nd Bombardment Group]] and it was now resting on the 492nd Group. Freeman, p. 160. Others speculated that the Luftwaffe was concentrating on the 492nd Group because it was the first Liberator group to arrive in the theater with uncamouflaged B-24s. However, other groups were receiving uncamouflaged planes to replace their losses. Postwar review of Luftwaffe records does not support the theory that the Luftwaffe singled out any unit for particular attention. However, Luftwaffe fighter controllers, naturally, directed fighters to what they perceived as the most vulnerable portions of the American bomber formations, a position that the 492nd Group seems to have occupied a disproportionate number of times. Freeman, p. 172.</ref> After only 89 days of combat, the 492nd had lost 52 aircraft to enemy action, with 588 men killed or missing. In the words of one veteran, "the whole group was wiped out".{{citation needed|date=June 2017}} On 5 August, the decision was made to withdraw the 492nd Group from combat.<ref name=Freeman262/> Rather than try to rebuild the shattered group, the group was stood down and the surviving members were reassigned to other units in theater.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}}
Rather than try to rebuild the shattered group, the group was stood down and the surviving members were reassigned to other units in theater. Subsequently, the organization was transferred without personnel or equipment, to [[RAF Harrington]] on 5 August 1944 and assumed personnel, equipment, and the '''Carpetbagger''' special operations mission of the 801st Bombardment Group (Provisional) that was discontinued. With black-painted aircraft configured with engine flame retardants and optimized for night operations, the group operated chiefly over southern France with B-24's and C-47's, transporting agents, supplies, and propaganda leaflets to patriots. Ceased these missions on 16 September 1944 to haul gasoline to advancing mechanized forces in France and [[Belgium]].


====Special operations (Operation Carpetbagger)====
Intermittently attacked airfields, oil refineries, seaports, and other targets in France, the Low Countries, and Germany until February 1945. Meanwhile, in October 1944, began training for night bombardment operations; concentrated on night bombing of marshaling yards and goods depots in Germany, February—March 1945.
[[File:Jedburghs in front of B-24 just before night takeoff. Area T, Harrington Airdrome, England, circa 1944. - NARA - 540066.tif|thumb|Jedburghs in front of a B-24 before takeoff from Harrington.)]]
Subsequently, the 492nd was transferred without personnel or equipment, to [[RAF Harrington]] on 5 August 1944 and assumed the personnel, equipment, and the Carpetbagger [[special operations]] mission of the 801st Bombardment Group (Provisional) that was discontinued. With black-painted aircraft configured with engine flame dampeners and optimized for night operations, the group operated chiefly over southern France with B-24's and C-47's, transporting agents, supplies, and propaganda leaflets to patriots. The occupation of most of France and Belgium brought an effective end to these missions on 16 September 1944.<ref.Warren, p.&nbsp;63/> The group's aircraft were used to transport fuel and other supplies to the [[US Third Army#World War II|US Third Army]] in France, whose advance had outpaced its supply base. This operation resulted in the aircraft carrying 80 octane fuel in their wing fuel tanks, and having it pumped out to waiting storage tanks and tanker trucks at the advanced airfields in France. Unfortunately, the 80 octane fuel resulted in the wing tanks being chemically degraded so that they could no longer carry aviation fuel. This drastically decreased the range of the aircraft. It being too expensive to change out the wing tanks, the aircraft were flown to a depot area and the entire group was issued new B-24 aircraft.{{citation needed|date=December 2018}} In December 1944, the 859th Squadron was detached to the [[Mediterranean Theater of Operations]], where it supported [[guerilla]] operations.<ref name=Maurer859BS/>


Throughout 1944 the group's missions intermittently included attacks on airfields, oil refineries, seaports, and other targets in France, the Netherlands and Germany. These operations continued until February 1945. In addition, in October 1944 the group began training for night bombardment operations. These operations concentrated on marshaling yards and goods depots in Germany, which the group undertook from February through March 1945. In September 1944 until mid winter 1945 a small Detachment of men from the group, mainly from the 856th bombardment squadron, was sent on a personnel recovery mission in Southeast France near the Swiss border to recover USAAF crews who had been interned in Switzerland that had started coming across the border into France during the Invasion of Southern France to the American Lines.
Ceased these missions on 18 March 1945 to engage in Carpetbagger operations over Germany and German-occupied territory, using B-24, A-26, and British Mosquito aircraft to drop leaflets, demolition equipment, and agents. Received a [[Distinguished Unit Citation]] for these operations, performed at night despite adverse weather and vigorous opposition from enemy ground forces, 20 March- 25 April 1945. Also cited by the French government for similar operations over France in 1944. Flew its last Carpetbagger mission in April 1945 and then ferried personnel and equipment to and from the Continent until July.


Two of the Squadrons continued night bombardment missions into 1945. The main OSS/Carpetbagger operations over Germany and German-occupied territory had been handed over to the 856th Bombardment Squadron from the 25th Bombardment Group, which used B-24, A-26, and British Mosquito aircraft for "Red Stocking" missions to drop leaflets, demolition equipment, and agents. The 856th Squadron received a [[Distinguished Unit Citation]] for operations during March and April 1945, performed at night despite adverse weather and vigorous opposition from enemy ground forces. It was also cited by the French government for similar operations over France in 1944. It flew its last Carpetbagger mission in April 1945 and then ferried personnel and equipment to and from the Continent until July.
Returned to the US, July—August 1945 and was reassigned to [[Kirtland Field]], [[New Mexico]] and was redesignated a [[B-29 Superfortress]] Very Heavy bomb group. Was programmed for B-29 operations in the [[Central Pacific Area|Central Pacific]], however became unnecessary when Pacific War ended. Inactivated on 17 October 1945


The group left England in July 1945 and was stationed at [[Kirtland Field]], New Mexico in August. The group became a very heavy bomb group on arrival at Kirtland.<ref name=Maurer492BG/> The 492nd was programmed for [[Boeing B-29 Superfortress]] operations in the Pacific, but apparently was not equipped when Japan surrendered. It was inactivated on 17 October 1945.<ref name=Maurer492BG/>
===Lineage===

* Constituted as: '''492d Bombardment Group (Heavy)''' on 14 September 1943
===Expeditionary unit===
In June 2002, the group was converted to provisional status as the '''492nd Air Expeditionary Group''' and assigned to [[Air Mobility Command]] (AMC) to activate or inactivate as needed for contingency operations. AMC activated the unit once, at [[Lajes Field]] in the Azores from March through May 2003 during the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]].<ref name=AFSOC492SOW/>

===Return to special operations===
In May 2017, the group was withdrawn from provisional status and returned to its old designation for one day. It became the '''492nd Special Operations Wing''' and was activated on 17 May at [[Hurlburt Field]], Florida, where it replaced the [[Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center]].<ref name=AFSOC492SOW/>

In addition to its assigned units, the wing is responsible for the training of two [[Air National Guard]] squadrons, the [[209th Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron]] and the [[280th Combat Communications Squadron]].<ref name=AFSOC492SOW/>

==Lineage==
* Constituted as the '''492nd Bombardment Group''' (Heavy) on 14 September 1943
: Activated on 1 October 1943
: Activated on 1 October 1943
* Redesignated '''492nd Bombardment Group''', Heavy on 20 August 1944
: Withdrawn from combat with personnel and equipment reassigned to other units, 5 August 1944
: Redesignated '''492nd Bombardment Group''', Very Heavy on 17 August 1945
: Assumed personnel and equipment of 801st Bombardment Group (Provisional), 5 August 1944
: Inactivated on 17 October 1945
: Redesignated as: '''492d Bombardment Group (Very Heavy)''' on 17 August 1945
* Redesignated '''492nd Air Expeditionary Group''' and converted to provisional status on 12 June 2002
: Disbanded on 17 October 1945
: Activated on 1 March 2003
: Inactivated on 27 May 2003
* Withdrawn from provisional status and redesignated '''492nd Bombardment Group''', Very Heavy on 3 May 2017
* Redesignated '''492nd Special Operations Wing''' on 4 May 2017
: Activated on 10 May 2017<ref name=492SOWfacts/>


===Assignments===
===Assignments===
* [[II Bomber Command]], 1 October 1943-1 January 1944
* [[Second Air Force]], 1 October 1943
* [[14th Combat Bombardment Wing]], 1 January 1944-July 1945
* [[Eighth Air Force]], April 1944
* [[VIII Bomber Command]], April 1944
* [[Second Air Force]], 14 August-17 October 1945
* [[2nd Bombardment Division]], April 1944
* [[VIII Air Force Composite Command]], c. 10 August 1944
* [[VIII Fighter Command]], 1 October 1944
* [[1st Bombardment Division]] (later 1st Air Division), c. 22 October 1944
* [[Second Air Force]], c. 14 August–17 October 1945
* [[Air Mobility Command]] 12 June 2002 – 3 May 2017
:: Attached to [[Twenty-First Air Force]], 1 March–27 May 2003
* [[Air Force Special Operations Command]], 17 May 2017 – present<ref name=492SOWfacts/>


===Squadrons===
===Components===
====Groups====
* [[856th Bombardment Squadron]]: 1 October 1943-17 October 1945
* '''492nd Special Operations Group''', 17 May 2017 – present
: Consolidated with 36th Bombardment Squadron (Provisional)*, 1 August 1944
* '''492nd Special Operations Training Group''', 17 May 2017 – present
* [[857th Bombardment Squadron]]: 1 October 1943-17 October 1945
====Squadrons====
: Consolidated with 850th Bombardment Squadron (Provisional)*, 1 August 1944
* [[6th Special Operations Squadron]]: 10 May 2017<ref name=AFSOC492sow>{{cite web |url= http://www.afsoc.af.mil/Units/492nd-Special-Operations-Wing/ |title=Air Force Special Operations Command Units: 492nd Special Operations Wing|publisher=Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs|access-date=June 11, 2018}}</ref><ref>Assignments in Bailey, except as noted.</ref> – October 2022.
* [[858th Bombardment Squadron]]: 1 October 1943-19 June 1944; 5 August 1944-17 October 1945
* [[18th Flight Test Squadron|18th Special Operations Test and Evaluation Squadron]] ?? - present
: Consolidated with 406th Bombardment Squadron (Provisional)*, 1 August 1944
* [[859th Bombardment Squadron]]: 1 October 1943-14 August 1945
* [[19th Special Operations Squadron]]: ?? - present
: Consolidated with 788th Bombardment Squadron (Provisional)*, 1 August 1944
* [[406th Bombardment Squadron]]: 5 August – 17 October 1945
* [[524th Special Operations Squadron]]<ref name=AFSOC492sow />
: Detached on 17 December 1944 and sent to [[Mediterranean Theater of Operations]], where the squadron operated with the [[2641st Special Group|15th Special Group (Provisional) (Redesignated: 2641st Special Group (Provisional))]] until 20 May 1945
* [[551st Special Operations Squadron]]: ?? - present

* 856th Bombardment Squadron: 1 October 1943 – 17 October 1945
Note*: Squadron taken off operational combat status; personnel and equipment of squadron were reassigned to other units. Absorbed personnel and equipment of provisional squadron in a name-only redesignation.
* 857th Bombardment Squadron: 1 October 1943 – 17 October 1945 (attached to 1st Air Division 10 March–c. August 1945)<ref name=Maurer857BS/>
* 858th Bombardment Squadron: 1 October 1943 – 19 June 1944; 5 August 1944 – 17 October 1945
* 859th Bombardment Squadron: 1 October 1943 – 14 August 1945 (attached to 15th Special Group (Provisional) (later [[2641st Special Group]] [Provisional]) after 17 December 1944)<ref name=Maurer859BS/><ref name=492SOWfacts2>Information on component squadrons in Haulman, Factsheet, 492 Special Operations Wing except as noted.</ref>


===Stations===
===Stations===
* [[Clovis Army Air Field]], [[New Mexico]], 1 October 1943
* Alamogordo Army Air Field, New Mexico, 1 October 1943 – April 1944
* [[RAF North Pickenham]] (AAF-143),<ref name=Anderson>Station number in Anderson.</ref> England, 18 April 1944 (air echelon), 28 April 1944 (ground echelon)
* [[Alamogordo Army Air Field]], [[New Mexico]], October 1943
* [[RAF North Pickenham]] (AAF-143), England, 1 January 1944
* RAF Harrington (AAF-179),<ref name=Anderson/> England, c. 10 August 1944 – July 1945
* [[RAF Harrington]] (AAF-179), England, 10 August 1944
* [[Sioux Falls Army Air Field]], South Dakota, 14 August 1945
* [[Sioux Falls Army Air Field]], [[South Dakota]], 14 August 1945
* Kirtland Field, New Mexico, 17 August-17 October 1945.
* [[Kirtland Field]], [[New Mexico]], 17 August-17 October 1945.
* Lajes Field, Azores, 1 March–27 May 2003
* Hurlburt Field, Florida, 10 May 2017 – present<ref name=492SOWfacts/>


===Aircraft===
===Aircraft===
* [[B-24 Liberator]], 1943–1945
* [[Consolidated B-24 Liberator]], 1943–1945
* [[C-47 Skytrain]], 1944–1945
* [[Douglas C-47 Skytrain]], 1944–1945
* [[A-26 Invader]], 1945
* [[Douglas A-26 Invader]], 1945
* [[de Havilland Mosquito]], 1945
* [[de Havilland Mosquito]], 1945<ref name=492SOWfacts/>


==References==
==References==

{{Portal box|United States Air Force|Military of the United States}}

===Notes===
; Explanatory Notes
{{Reflist|group=note}}

; Citations
{{Reflist|35em}}

===Bibliography===
{{AFHRA}}
{{AFHRA}}
* {{cite book|last=Anderson|first=Capt. Barry|title=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|url=http://www.afhra.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-081010-027.pdf|access-date=July 7, 2012|year=1985|publisher=Research Division, USAF Historical Research Center|location=Maxwell AFB, AL|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123155923/http://www.afhra.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-081010-027.pdf|archive-date=23 January 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}
* Maurer, Maurer (1983). ''Air Force Combat Units Of World War II''. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0892010924.
* {{cite book|last1=Fish|first1=Col Robert W.|title=Memories of the 801st/492nd Bombardment Group Carpetbaggers|url= http://www.afsoc.af.mil/Portals/86/documents/history/AFD-051228-020.pdf |access-date=June 20, 2017|year=1990|publisher=801st/492nd Bombardment Group Association}}
* [http://members.cox.net/dale_robinson/air_commandos/carpetbaggers.shtml The Carpetbaggers, Air Force Special Operations in World War II]
* {{cite book|last=Freeman|first = Roger A. |author-link1=Roger A. Freeman|title=The Mighty Eighth: Units, Men and Machines (A History of the US 8th Army Air Force)|year=1970 |publisher=Macdonald and Company|location=London, England, UK |isbn= 978-0-87938-638-2}}
* {{cite book|editor=Maurer, Maurer|title=Air Force Combat Units of World War II|orig-year= 1961|url= http://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001330256/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-044.pdf|access-date= December 17, 2016|edition=reprint|year=1983|publisher= Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-912799-02-1|lccn=61060979}}
* {{cite book|editor=Maurer, Maurer|title=Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II|orig-year=1969|url= http://media.defense.gov/2010/Dec/02/2001329899/-1/-1/0/AFD-101202-002.pdf |edition= reprint|access-date= December 17, 2016|year=1982|publisher=Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-405-12194-6|oclc=72556|lccn=70605402}}
* {{cite web |url= https://www.afhra.af.mil/Portals/16/documents/Studies/101-150/AFD-090522-060.pdf |last1=Warren|first1=Maj Harris G.|title=Special Operations: AAF Aid to European Resistance Movements, USAF Historical Study No. 121|date=June 1947|publisher=Air Historical Office, Army Air forces|access-date=December 12, 2018}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110525062718/http://members.cox.net/dale_robinson/air_commandos/carpetbaggers.shtml The Carpetbaggers, Air Force Special Operations in World War II]
* [https://www.492ndbombgroup.com/ 492nd Bomb Group], online museum providing mission and crew data.

{{USAAF 8th Air Force UK}}
{{USAAF 8th Air Force UK}}
{{USAAF 4th Air Force World War II}}
{{USAAF 4th Air Force World War II}}
{{Air Force Special Operations Command}}


[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1942]]
[[Category:Special operations wings of the United States Air Force]]
[[Category:Military units and formations of the United States in World War II]]
[[Category:Military units and formations in Florida]]

Latest revision as of 06:13, 5 October 2024

492nd Special Operations Wing
PZL C-145A flown by the 6th Special Operations Squadron
Active1943–1945; 2017–present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleSpecial Operations
EngagementsEuropean Theater of Operations[1]
DecorationsDistinguished Unit Citation
French Croix de Guerre with Palm[1]
Insignia
492nd Special Operations Wing emblem (approved 13 July 2017)[2]

The 492nd Special Operations Wing is a United States Air Forces unit stationed at Hurlburt Field, Florida. It was activated in May 2017 to replace the Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center.

During World War II the unit entered combat in May 1944, and sustained the heaviest losses of any Consolidated B-24 Liberator group for a three-month period. The group was withdrawn from combat with its personnel and equipment being reassigned to other units. The 801st Bombardment Group (Provisional) was replaced by the 492nd Bombardment Group, and the group performed special operations missions throughout the remainder of the war in Europe. It was inactivated on 17 October 1945.

In June 2017 official USAF descriptions said that the wing organized, trained and equipped forces to conduct special operations missions. It led Major Command irregular warfare activities and executes special operations test and evaluation programs. It also developed doctrine, tactics, techniques and procedures for United States Air Force special operations forces.[3]

History

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World War II

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Bombardment training

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858th Squadron B-24D Liberator used during training[note 1]

The group was established in October 1943 at Alamogordo Army Air Field, New Mexico[note 2] as a Consolidated B-24 Liberator heavy bomber unit, drawing its cadre from the 859th Bombardment Squadron, a former antisubmarine squadron located at Blythe Army Air Base, California.[4] Its other original squadrons were the 856th, 857th and 858th Bombardment Squadrons.[1][5][6][7] In December, the 859th moved from Blythe to join group headquarters and the other three squadrons.[4] The 492nd was one of seven heavy bombardment groups[note 3] activated in the autumn of 1943. These were to be the last Army Air Forces heavy bomb groups established.[citation needed]

The group air echelon trained for combat at Alamogordo until April 1944, although the ground echelons of its four squadrons were withdrawn to form other bomber units. New ground elements were organized from other groups of the 2nd Bombardment Division already in theater.[8][1] The group's air echelon departed for England on 1 April, flying the South Atlantic ferrying route through South America and Africa. Only about 120 members of the group's ground echelon shipped overseas, however, leaving New Mexico on 11 April and sailing on the RMS Queen Elizabeth on 20 April.[8]

Bombardment operations

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Group B-24 on a mission over Nazi Occupied Europe.

The group was the first in VIII Bomber Command group to arrive with aircraft in natural metal finish on all their aircraft.[citation needed] On 14 April, the ground echelon that had been formed in England arrived at RAF North Pickenham[note 4] The air echelon began arriving on 18 April.[8]

The 492nd entered combat on 11 May 1944, operating primarily against industrial targets in central Germany. During the first week in June, the group was diverted from strategic targets to support Operation Overlord, the invasion of Normandy by attacking airfields and V-weapon launching sites in France. On D-Day it bombed coastal defenses in Normandy and attacked bridges, railroads, and other interdiction targets in France until the middle of the month. The group resumed bombardment of strategic targets in Germany and, except for support of the infantry during Operation Cobra the Saint-Lô breakthrough on 25 July 1944, and continued these operations until August 1944.[1] However, during its three months of strategic operations the 492nd Group suffered the heaviest losses of any Eighth Air Force group. The group's heavy losses had begun with one of the group's earliest missions, an attack on Braunschweig, in which it lost eight Liberators to enemy interceptors.[9] When the 492nd Group returned to strategic operation, on 20 June Luftwaffe fighters, primarily Messerschmitt Bf 110s, using air to air rockets shot down fourteen of the 492nd Group's B-24s, the equivalent of losing an entire squadron on one raid.[10] Heavy losses, this time to fighters from Jagdgeschwader 3, were again suffered on 29 June.[11][note 5] After only 89 days of combat, the 492nd had lost 52 aircraft to enemy action, with 588 men killed or missing. In the words of one veteran, "the whole group was wiped out".[citation needed] On 5 August, the decision was made to withdraw the 492nd Group from combat.[8] Rather than try to rebuild the shattered group, the group was stood down and the surviving members were reassigned to other units in theater.[citation needed]

Special operations (Operation Carpetbagger)

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Jedburghs in front of a B-24 before takeoff from Harrington.)

Subsequently, the 492nd was transferred without personnel or equipment, to RAF Harrington on 5 August 1944 and assumed the personnel, equipment, and the Carpetbagger special operations mission of the 801st Bombardment Group (Provisional) that was discontinued. With black-painted aircraft configured with engine flame dampeners and optimized for night operations, the group operated chiefly over southern France with B-24's and C-47's, transporting agents, supplies, and propaganda leaflets to patriots. The occupation of most of France and Belgium brought an effective end to these missions on 16 September 1944.<ref.Warren, p. 63/> The group's aircraft were used to transport fuel and other supplies to the US Third Army in France, whose advance had outpaced its supply base. This operation resulted in the aircraft carrying 80 octane fuel in their wing fuel tanks, and having it pumped out to waiting storage tanks and tanker trucks at the advanced airfields in France. Unfortunately, the 80 octane fuel resulted in the wing tanks being chemically degraded so that they could no longer carry aviation fuel. This drastically decreased the range of the aircraft. It being too expensive to change out the wing tanks, the aircraft were flown to a depot area and the entire group was issued new B-24 aircraft.[citation needed] In December 1944, the 859th Squadron was detached to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, where it supported guerilla operations.[4]

Throughout 1944 the group's missions intermittently included attacks on airfields, oil refineries, seaports, and other targets in France, the Netherlands and Germany. These operations continued until February 1945. In addition, in October 1944 the group began training for night bombardment operations. These operations concentrated on marshaling yards and goods depots in Germany, which the group undertook from February through March 1945. In September 1944 until mid winter 1945 a small Detachment of men from the group, mainly from the 856th bombardment squadron, was sent on a personnel recovery mission in Southeast France near the Swiss border to recover USAAF crews who had been interned in Switzerland that had started coming across the border into France during the Invasion of Southern France to the American Lines.

Two of the Squadrons continued night bombardment missions into 1945. The main OSS/Carpetbagger operations over Germany and German-occupied territory had been handed over to the 856th Bombardment Squadron from the 25th Bombardment Group, which used B-24, A-26, and British Mosquito aircraft for "Red Stocking" missions to drop leaflets, demolition equipment, and agents. The 856th Squadron received a Distinguished Unit Citation for operations during March and April 1945, performed at night despite adverse weather and vigorous opposition from enemy ground forces. It was also cited by the French government for similar operations over France in 1944. It flew its last Carpetbagger mission in April 1945 and then ferried personnel and equipment to and from the Continent until July.

The group left England in July 1945 and was stationed at Kirtland Field, New Mexico in August. The group became a very heavy bomb group on arrival at Kirtland.[1] The 492nd was programmed for Boeing B-29 Superfortress operations in the Pacific, but apparently was not equipped when Japan surrendered. It was inactivated on 17 October 1945.[1]

Expeditionary unit

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In June 2002, the group was converted to provisional status as the 492nd Air Expeditionary Group and assigned to Air Mobility Command (AMC) to activate or inactivate as needed for contingency operations. AMC activated the unit once, at Lajes Field in the Azores from March through May 2003 during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.[3]

Return to special operations

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In May 2017, the group was withdrawn from provisional status and returned to its old designation for one day. It became the 492nd Special Operations Wing and was activated on 17 May at Hurlburt Field, Florida, where it replaced the Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center.[3]

In addition to its assigned units, the wing is responsible for the training of two Air National Guard squadrons, the 209th Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron and the 280th Combat Communications Squadron.[3]

Lineage

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  • Constituted as the 492nd Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 September 1943
Activated on 1 October 1943
  • Redesignated 492nd Bombardment Group, Heavy on 20 August 1944
Redesignated 492nd Bombardment Group, Very Heavy on 17 August 1945
Inactivated on 17 October 1945
  • Redesignated 492nd Air Expeditionary Group and converted to provisional status on 12 June 2002
Activated on 1 March 2003
Inactivated on 27 May 2003
  • Withdrawn from provisional status and redesignated 492nd Bombardment Group, Very Heavy on 3 May 2017
  • Redesignated 492nd Special Operations Wing on 4 May 2017
Activated on 10 May 2017[2]

Assignments

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Attached to Twenty-First Air Force, 1 March–27 May 2003

Components

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Groups

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  • 492nd Special Operations Group, 17 May 2017 – present
  • 492nd Special Operations Training Group, 17 May 2017 – present

Squadrons

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Stations

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  • Alamogordo Army Air Field, New Mexico, 1 October 1943 – April 1944
  • RAF North Pickenham (AAF-143),[15] England, 18 April 1944 (air echelon), 28 April 1944 (ground echelon)
  • RAF Harrington (AAF-179),[15] England, c. 10 August 1944 – July 1945
  • Sioux Falls Army Air Field, South Dakota, 14 August 1945
  • Kirtland Field, New Mexico, 17 August-17 October 1945.
  • Lajes Field, Azores, 1 March–27 May 2003
  • Hurlburt Field, Florida, 10 May 2017 – present[2]

Aircraft

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References

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Notes

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Explanatory Notes
  1. ^ Aircraft is Consolidated B-24D-65-CO Liberator serial 42-40509, nicknamed "Cookie". This airplane was lost in an accident on 7 October 1943.
  2. ^ Freeman says the group was organized at Clovis Army Air Field, New Mexico and did not move to Alamogordo until November. Freeman, p. 262. Maurer and Haulman both give Alamogordo as the organization station.
  3. ^ The others were the 488th, 489th, 491st, 493rd and 494th Bombardment Groups
  4. ^ Although North Pickenham had been the squadrons' nominal station since 1 January, it was actually being assembled at other 2nd Bombardment Division stations. Freeman, p. 262.
  5. ^ Superstitious persons speculated that the hard luck group reputation had passed from the 44th Bombardment Group to the 392nd Bombardment Group and it was now resting on the 492nd Group. Freeman, p. 160. Others speculated that the Luftwaffe was concentrating on the 492nd Group because it was the first Liberator group to arrive in the theater with uncamouflaged B-24s. However, other groups were receiving uncamouflaged planes to replace their losses. Postwar review of Luftwaffe records does not support the theory that the Luftwaffe singled out any unit for particular attention. However, Luftwaffe fighter controllers, naturally, directed fighters to what they perceived as the most vulnerable portions of the American bomber formations, a position that the 492nd Group seems to have occupied a disproportionate number of times. Freeman, p. 172.
Citations
  1. ^ a b c d e f g Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 361-362
  2. ^ a b c d e Haulman, Daniel L. (17 May 2017). "Factsheet 492 Special Operations Wing (AFSOC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d Staff writer, no byline. "Units: 492nd Special Operations Wing". Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  4. ^ a b c d Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 785
  5. ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 783-784
  6. ^ a b Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 784
  7. ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 784-785
  8. ^ a b c d Freeman, p. 262
  9. ^ Freeman, p. 142
  10. ^ Freeman, p. 156
  11. ^ Freeman, p. 160
  12. ^ a b "Air Force Special Operations Command Units: 492nd Special Operations Wing". Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  13. ^ Assignments in Bailey, except as noted.
  14. ^ Information on component squadrons in Haulman, Factsheet, 492 Special Operations Wing except as noted.
  15. ^ a b Station number in Anderson.

Bibliography

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

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