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374th Operations Group

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374th Operations Group
Emblem of the 374th Operations Group
Active1943-1946; 1946-1958; 1992-Present
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Air Force
C-130 Hercules aircraft of the 36th Airlift Squadron wait on the flightline

The 374th Operations Group (374 OG) is the operational flying component of the United States Air Force 374th Airlift Wing. It is stationed at Yokota Air Base, Japan.

The unit's World War II predecessor unit, the 374th Troop Carrier Group operated primarily in the Southwest Pacific Theater, being formed in Australia in 1942 using resources from the Air Carrier Service (formerly Air Transport Command). The group employed a large variety of aircraft to perform air transport of troops, cargo, and evacuation of the wounded, earning two United States Distinguished Unit Citations (DUCs) in Papua New Guinea. In Jan-Feb 1943, the group supplied Allied forces during the battle of Wau airstrip, making landings at the airstrip under enemy fire and earning its third DUC. When the Korean War broke out in Jun 1950, was the only air transport group in the Far East. During the Cold War, the group airlifted wounded French troops from Indo-China to Japan, en route to France. Inactivated in 1958, the group was reactivated in 1992 and its assigned squadrons conducted special operations, aeromedical evacuations, search and rescue operations, humanitarian relief and theater airlift missions in support of US and United Nations security interests throughout the Far East.

The group has never been assigned to the United States.

Overview

The 374 OG maintains a forward presence by providing rapid responsive movement of personnel, equipment and operational support in the Asia-Pacific region. Ensures the combat readiness of three operational squadrons using C-130H, C-12J and UH-1N aircraft. Conducts three distinct missions; intratheater airlift, aeromedical evacuation and distinguished visitor transport for U.S. Pacific Command and other agencies in support of national security policy.

The unit consists of the following squadrons:

Only forward-based tactical airlift squadron in the Pacific. Maintains a forward presence and supports combat operations by providing responsive movement of personnel and equipment through aerial delivery and assault airland operations. Maintains C-130H mission-ready aircrew to conduct theater airlift, special operations, aeromedical evacuation, search and rescue, repatriation and humanitarian relief missions.
Maintains a forward presence in the Pacific and provides responsive airlift support for distinguished visitors, as well as other priority passengers and cargo, on travel vital to the national security interest of the United States. Maintains both UH-1N and C-12J mission-ready aircrews to conduct aeromedical evacuation, search and rescue and priority airlift missions throughout the Pacific.
  • 374th Operations Support Squadron
Maintains a forward presence in the Western Pacific, supporting U.S. Pacific Command interests. Provides for flight operations, intelligence, combat survival, aviation resource management, aircrew training, life support, weather forecasting and observing, combat tactics, mission scheduling, airfield management and air traffic control. Supports the group staff and two airlift squadrons operating UH-1N, C-12J and C-130H aircraft.

History

For additional lineage and history, see 374th Airlift Wing

Lineage

  • Established as 374 Troop Carrier Group on 7 Nov 1942
Activated on 12 Nov 1942 in Australia
Inactivated on 15 May 1946
  • Activated on 15 Oct 1946
Redesignated 374 Troop Carrier Group, Heavy, on 21 May 1948
Inactivated on 18 Nov 1958
  • Redesignated: 374 Tactical Airlift Group on 31 Jul 1985 (Remained inactive)
  • Redesignated: 374 Operations Group on 1 Apr 1992
Activated on 1 Apr 1992.

Assignments

Components

  • 4 Troop Carrier: attached 2-17 Dec 1950, 25 Jul-16 Nov 1951
  • 6 Troop Carrier: 12 Nov 1942-15 May 1946 (detached 2 Jul-c. 1 Sep 1944); 15 Oct 1946-18 Nov 1958 (detached 1 Feb-30 Nov 1947, 3 Feb 1956-1 Jul 1957, 8 Jul-18 Nov 1958)
  • 9 Troop Carrier: c. Feb-15 May 1946
  • 14 Troop Carrier: attached 16 Nov 1951-31 Mar 1952, 15-30 Nov 1952
  • 19 Troop Carrier (later, 19 Airlift): 15 Oct-31 Dec 1946; 1 Jun 1992-1 Oct 1993
  • 20 Aeromedical Airlift: 1 Oct 1992-1 Oct 1993
  • 21 Troop Carrier (later, 21 Airlift): 12 Nov 1942-31 May 1946 (detached 2 Jul-c. 1 Sep 1944); 15 Oct 1946-18 Sep 1956 (detached 1 Feb-31 Aug 1947, 5 Mar 1949-18 May 1950, 22 Jul 1950-25 Jan 1951, 29 Jun 1951-30 Nov 1952, 3 Feb 1956-18 Sep 1956); 1 Apr 1992-1 Oct 1993
  • 22 Troop Carrier: 12 Nov 1942-31 Jan 1946 (detached 2 Jul-c. 1 Sep 1944); 15 Oct 1946-18 Nov 1958 (detached 1 Feb 1947-4 Mar 1949, 3 Feb 1956-1 Jul 1957; not operational 10 Jun 1957-18 Nov 1958)
  • 30 Airlift: 1 Oct 1993-1 Sep 2003
  • 33 Troop Carrier: 12 Nov 1942-15 Feb 1946
  • 36 Airlift: 1 Oct 1993-Present
  • 46 Troop Carrier: attached 5 Mar-1 Apr 1949
  • 344 Troop Carrier: attached 15 Dec 1952-13 Oct 1953
  • 345 Airlift: 1 Apr 1992-1 Jul 1993
  • 459 Airlift: 1 Oct 1993-Present

Stations

Aircraft

Operations

The 374th Troop Carrier Group drew its resources from the Air Carrier Service (formerly Air Transport Command) Allied Air Forces, Southwest Pacific Area when it formed in Nov 1942. It had four troop carrier squadrons assigned, the 21st and 22d were veterans of the South Pacific Area. During the remainder of 1942 and early 1943, the group employed a large variety of aircraft to perform air transport of troops, cargo, and evacuation of the wounded, earning two Distinguished Unit Citations (DUCs) in Papua. In Jan-Feb 1943, the group supplied Allied forces during the battle of Wau airstrip, making landings at the airstrip under enemy fire and earning its third DUC. From mid-Feb to Jul 1943, the group transported personnel and supplies to three principal areas: Dobodura, where a large base was being constructed; Wau and Bulolo, rear bases for advancing Allied forces; and to patrols skirting Lae and Salamau.

During Jul and Aug 1943, the group trained elements of the 375th,403d, and 433d Troop Carrier Groups. When the campaign against Lae opened on 5 Sep 1943, the 374th led aircraft of those groups in a drop of US airborne troops and Australian artillery paratroops at Nadzab airdrome. The next day, as vegetation around the captured airdrome still burned, the group landed engineer troops and equipment to repair the damaged runways, and artillery to protect the captured airstrip. After the capture of Lae ten days later, the group flew 303 trips moving large stores of ammo, supplies, and equipment for use of advancing ground troops. From Oct 43-May 1944, the 374th maintained an unending flow of troops and equipment, including arms and ammunition, to units scattered throughout Australia and New Guinea areas. It continued to provide these services and in Nov 1944 commenced cargo and personnel flights to Leyte in the Philippines, which required three days for a round trip. By Jan 1945, flights in the New Guinea and Australian areas continued, but flights to the Philippines almost ceased until the group moved to Nielson Field near Manila and remained until the end of the war.

The group participated in training maneuvers with army and naval forces in the Pacific Theater until May 1946. From Oct 1946-Apr 1947, it provided troop carrier and air courier services and participated in joint maneuvers in the Pacific.

It moved to Japan in Mar 1949 and when the Korean War broke out in Jun 1950, was the only air transport group in the Far East. For its work between 27 Jun and 15 Sep 1950, transporting vital cargo, personnel and evacuating wounded men, the 374th earned its fourth DUC. In Apr 1953, the group transported the first of several groups of repatriated prisoners of war from Korea to Japan.

Beginning in Jan 1954, the 374th airlifted wounded French troops from Indo-China to Japan, en route to France. Principal operations from 1955 until 1958 consisted of numerous mobility exercises, routine theater airlift, and occasional exercises throughout the Western Pacific region.

Activated as an Operations Group under the objective wing structure in Apr 1992, the group gained control over the 374th Airlift Wing's operational squadrons. From 1992 to present, the 374th Operation Group's assigned squadrons conducted special operations, aeromedical evacuations, search and rescue operations, humanitarian relief and theater airlift missions in support of US and United Nations security interests throughout the Far East.

References

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


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