363rd Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group

363d Training Group
Emblem of the 363d Air Expeditionary Wing
Active	1943–Present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army Air Force (1943–47) United States Air Force (1947–Present)
Garrison/HQ	Southwest Asia
Motto(s)	VOIR C'EST SAVOIR - "To see is to know"
Commanders
Current commander	Col. Michael Cosby
Notable commanders	Ralph Eberhart

To activate the 363rd Training Group in an official ceremony on 26 March 2007, U.S. Central Command Air Forces Commander Lt. Gen. Gary North unfurls the unit colors as Col. Michael Cosby, right, stands ready to assume command.

The United States Air Force's 363d Training Group (363 TG) is a United States Air Force unit. The group is assigned to the United States Air Forces Central 380th Air Expeditionary Wing as an associate unit, stationed in Southwest Asia.

The mission of the group is to enable integration and interoperability with host Nations and other friendly nations through efforts including doctrine development, combined air operations and multi-national large force employment exercises.

The 363 TG commander is Colonel Michael G. Cosby.

History

Lineage

• Constituted as 363d Fighter Group on 11 Feb 1943

Activated on 1 Mar 1943

Redesignated as 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group on 25 Aug 1944

Redesignated as 363d Reconnaissance Group in Jun 1945

Inactivated on 11 Dec 1945

• Activated on 29 Jun 1946*

Redesignated as 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group in Jun 1948

Inactivated on 26 Apr 1949

Reactivated on 1 Sep 1950

Inactivated on 8 Feb 1958

• Redesignated as 363d Operations Group on 1 May 1992 and Activated

Inactivated on 30 Dec 1993

• Redesignated as 363d Expeditionary Operations Group on 1 Dec 1998 and Activated

Inactivated on 26 Aug 2003

• Redesignated as 363d Training Group on 26 Mar 2007 and Activated

*Note: Became subordinate component of 363d Reconnaissance Wing on 29 Jul 1947

Assignments

• IV Fighter Command, 4 Mar 1943
• XIX Tactical Air Command, 20 Dec 1943
• XXIX Tactical Air Command, 15 Sep 1944
• Ninth Air Force, 20 Nov-11 Dec 1945
• Twelfth Air Force, 29 Jun 1946
• 363d Reconnaissance (later Tactical Reconnaissance) Wing, 29 Jul 1947-26 Apr 1949

• 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, 1 Sep 1950-8 Feb 1958
• 363d Fighter Wing, 1 May 1992-30 Dec 1993
• 363d Expeditionary Wing, 1 Dec 1998-26 Aug 2003
• 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, 26 Mar 2007-Present

Components*

• 9th Reconnaissance Squadron: 11 Nov 1953-8 Feb 1958
• 10th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron: 19 Oct 1950-1 Dec 1950
• 12th Reconnaissance Squadron: 29 Jul 1946-24 Jul 1947
• 17th Reconnaissance (later Fighter) Squadron: 2 Apr 1951-8 Feb 1958; 1 May 1992-30 Dec 1993
• 19th Fighter Squadron, 1 May 1992-30 Dec 1993
• 21st Fighter Squadron, 1 Apr 1992-30 Dec 1993
• 31st Reconnaissance Squadron: 23 May-25 Jun 1945
• 33d Reconnaissance (later Fighter) Squadron: 30 Oct 1944-17 May 1945; 1 May 1992-15 Nov 1993
• 39th Reconnaissance Squadron: 23 May-25 Jun 1945
• 45th Reconnaissance Squadron: 23 May-12 Jul 1945
• 84th Bombardment Squadron: 17 Oct 1949-1 Sep 1950
• 85th Bombardment Squadron: 17 Oct 1949-1 Sep 1950
• 155th Reconnaissance Squadron: 23 May-12 Jul 1945
• 160th (formerly 380th Fighter, later 16th Reconnaissance) Reconnaissance Squadron: 1 Mar 1943-15 Nov 1945; 24 Jul 1947-26 Apr 1949, 1 Sep 1950-8 Feb 1958
• 161st (formerly 381st Fighter, later 18th Reconnaissance) Reconnaissance Squadron: 1 Mar 1943-15 Nov 1945; 24 Jul 1947-26 Apr 1949, 1 Sep 1950-8 Feb 1958
• 162d (formerly 382d Fighter) Reconnaissance Squadron: 1 Mar 1943-29 Sep 1944; 29 Jul 1946-18 Aug 1950.
• 309th Fighter Squadron: 1 Oct 1992-30 Dec 1993

* Note: Squadrons assigned to the 363d Expeditionary Operations Group (1 Dec 1998-26 Aug 2003) and 363d Training Group (26 Mar 2007-Present) are undetermined.

Stations

• Hamilton Field, Calif, 1 Mar 1943
• Santa Rosa AAF1d, Calif, Aug 1943
• Sacramento, Calif, Oct-c. 3 Dec 1943
• RAF Keevil, England, c. 23 Dec 1943
• RAF Rivenhall, England, Jan 1944
• RAF Staplehurst, England, Apr 1944
• Maupertuis, France, c. 9 Jul 1944
• Azeville, France, Aug 1944
• Le Mans, France, Sep 1944
• Luxembourg, Luxembourg, c. 4 Oct 1944
• Le Culot, Belgium, c. 29 Oct 1944
• Venlo, Holland, Mar 1945

• Gutersloh, Germany, c. 15 Apr 1945
• Brunswick, Germany, C. 22 Apr 1945
• Wiesbaden, Germany, May 1945
• Eschwege, Germany, Aug 1945
• Darmstadt, Germany, Sep-c. 2 Dec 1945
• Camp Kilmer, NJ, c. 9-11 Dec 1945
• Brooks Field, Tex, 29 Jul 1946
• Langley Field, Va, Dec 1947
• Shaw AFB, SC, c. 2 Apr 1951-30 Dec 1993
• Prince Sultan AB, Saudi Arabia, 1 Dec 1998-26 Aug 2003
• Southwest Asia Location, 26 Mar 2007-Present

Aircraft operated

• United States Army Air Forces
  • Bell P-39 Airacobra
  • Lockheed F-5 (P-38) Lightning
  • North American P-51B/F-6 (P-51) Mustang
  • Lockheed RF-80A Shooting Star
  • Douglas RB-26 Invader

• United States Air Force
  • Republic RF-84F Thunderjet
  • Martin RB-57A Canberra
  • North American RF-101A/C Voodoo
  • Douglas R/E/B-66 Destroyer
  • McDonnell Douglas RF-4C Phantom II
  • General Dynamics F-16A/C Fighting Falcon
  • Fairchild-Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II

Operational History

World War II

363d Fighter Group

North American P-51B-5 Mustang, AAF Serial No. 43-6830 of the 382d Fighter Squadron.

The 363d Training Group has its origins as the 363d Fighter Group, being activated on August 1, 1943 at Hamilton AAFld, California. The original fighter squadrons (380th, 381st, 382d) trained with Bell P-39 Airacobras at Hamilton and other airfields in California and served as part of the air defense force.

The group moved to England in December 1943 for duty with the Ninth Air Force. At RAF Keevil, the group was re-equipped with North American P-51B Mustangs in January 1944 and entered combat in Fembuary. Squadron designations were changed to 160th (A9), 161st (B3) and 162d (C3) Fighter Squadrons and assigned Fuselage Codes. The group escorted bombers and fighter-bombers to targets in France, Germany, and the Low Countries; strafed and dive-bombed trains, marshalling yards, bridges, vehicles, airfields, troops, gun positions, and other targets on the Continent.

The 363d supported the invasion of Normandy in June 1944 by escorting troop carriers and gliders and by attacking enemy positions near the front lines, and moved to the Continent at the end of June to take part in the Allied drive to the German border.

In the two weeks following D-Day, the 363rd experienced the most fruitful period of its service in the European Theater of Operations when patrols over France brought it actions with a total of 19 confirmed victories. However, a similar number of Mustangs were lost, albeit mostly to ground fire.

During operations from England, the group was credited with 41 victories but lost 43 of its own aircraft in the process.

363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group

On the continent, the 363d was reorganized into a Reconnaissance group flying the F-5 photo-reconnaissance version of the P-38 Lightning and the F-6 photo-reconnaissance version of the P-51 Mustang at Le Mans airfield, France (A-35). The 380th, 381st and 382d squadrons were redesignated as the 160th, 161st and 162d Reconnaissance Squadrons respectivley. The group flew photographic missions to support both air and ground operations; directed fighter-bombers to railway, highway, and waterway traffic, bridges, gun positions, troop concentrations, and other opportune targets; adjusted artillery fire; and took photographs to assess results of Allied bombardment operations.

It received two Belgian citations for reconnaissance activities, including the group's support of the assault on the Siegfried Line and its participation in the Battle of the Bulge (December 1944 – January 1945). The 363d assisted Ninth Army's drive across the Rhine and deep into Germany during the period from February 1945 to V-E Day, eventually being stationed at Wiesbaden, Germany (Y-80) at the end of hostilities in May

The 363d returned to the United States in December 1945 and was inactivated on December 11, 1945 at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey.

Cold War

Emblem of the 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group

thumb|Douglas RB-26C-45-DT Invader AF Serial No. 44-35663 of the 41st Night Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron.

Formation of four Block 15-LO Lockheed RF-80As. AF Serial No.s visible are 44-85242, 44-85019, 44-85448, and 44-85386.

Republic RF-84F-10-RE Thunderflash AF Serial No. 51-1875.

McDonnell RF-101C-65-MC Voodoo AF Serial No. 56-0068 of the 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group. This aircraft is currently on static display at the Keesler AFB, Mississippi Air Park.

The 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group was reactivated on July 29, 1946 at Brooks AAFld, Texas. Equipped initially with two squadrons (161st & 162d Reconnaissance Squadron) flying Lockheed FP-80A Shooting Stars for daylight (161st RS) and Douglas FA-26C Invaders (162d RS) for night reconnaissance. In June 1948, the FP-80A was redesignated the RF-80A, and the FA-26C to RB-26C.

The FA/RB-26C was a B-26 with all guns removed and cameras installed throughout the aircraft. Additionally, aircraft intended for night reconnaissance were equipped with photo flash bombs. Some aircraft were also modified for electronic reconnaissance with the installation of radar and signal intelligence gathering equipment.

The FP/RF-80A was an F-80A, with a longer and deeper nose to house cameras in place of the guns in the nose of the aircraft. After the end of the Korean War, the RF-80As were partially brought up to F-80C standards. These RF-80Cs had improved camera installations in a nose of modified contour

The group was placed under the newly activated 363d Reconnaissance Wing on August 15, 1947. It was reassigned to Langley AAFld, Virginia in December 1947 by the newly established USAF. It was redesignated the 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing on August 27, 1948. For budgetary reasons unit was inactivated on April 26, 1949, however it was again activated on September 1, 1950 at Langley.

Due to the pressing needs of Far East Air Forces in Japan the 162nd TRS, flying RB-26s, and the photo-processing 363rd Reconnaissance Technical Squadron (RTS) were reassigned from Langley to Itazuke AB Japan for Korean War service and began operations in August 1950 as part of the 543d Tactical Support Group.

On April 1, 1951, the 363d TRG was transferred to Shaw AFB, South Carolina. The group's mission was to fly photographic, electronic and electronic intelligence missions to support both air and ground operations by American or Allied ground forces.

In 1954, the RF-84F Thunderflash was assigned to the 363d TRG. The RF-84F was the photographic reconnaissance version of the F-84F Thunderstreak. It had many components in common with the F-84F, but differed in having the jet engine fed by a pair of wing root air intakes, the nose being taken up by a bank of cameras. The USAF was in need of a replacement for its aging Lockheed RF-80 Shooting Star unarmed reconnaissance aircraft, and concluded that the F-84F with its wing root air intakes made a good camera-carrying reconnaissance aircraft.

The aircraft camera bay in the nose could accommodate up to six cameras in forward- facing, trimetrogen and individual oblique and vertical installations. The vertical camera bay had hydraulically-operated retractable doors, and behind these doors was an aperture for a vertical viewfinder with a periscope presentation on the cockpit panel. Photoflash ejectors could be carried in underwing tanks for nighttime photograpic reconnaissance missions.

Deliveries of the RF-84F Thunderflash began in March 1954, with the 363rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing being the first USAF recipient. The service life of the RF-84F with the 363d TRW was relatively short, and were replaced by the McDonnell RF-101 Voodoo aircraft in 1957/1958.

The first USAF RB-66Bs were issued to the 9th TRS in January 1956. They replaced the obsolescent RB-26 Invader for night reconnaissance missions. Two more squadrons were equipped with RB-66Bs by the end of the year. The RB-66B very soon became the primary night photographic reconnaissance weapon system of the Tactical Air Command.

In addition to the RB-66B, RB-66C models entered service with the 9th TRS in February 1956. RB-66C models carried additional ECM equipment in wingtip pods. Chaff dispensing pods could be carried underneath the wing outboard of the engine nacelles. Later examples had the tail turret removed and replaced by additional ECM equipment installed in an extended tailcone. After the tail guns were removed, the gunner's position was usually left empty unless occupied by an instructor pilot or instructor navigator.

In January 1953, the USAF had asked McDonnell to develop an unarmed photographic reconnaissance version of the F-101 Voodoo as a possible replacement for the Republic RF-84F Thunderflash. The first RF-101A was delivered to the 17th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron on May 6, 1957 as a replacement for the subsonic RF-84F. The RF-101A had a redesigned and longer nose housing four cameras designed for low-altitude photography. In addition, two high-altitude cameras were mounted behind the cockpit in place of the ammunition boxes of the fighter variant.

In September 1957, the RF-101C began deliveries to Shaw. The C model combined the strengthened structure of the F-101C with the camera installation of the RF-101A. In addition, the RF-101C differed from the RF-101A in being able to accommodate a centerline nuclear weapon, so that it could carry out a secondary nuclear strike mission if ever called upon to do so. The RF-101Cs served for a brief time alongside the RF-101A, but quickly replaced them by May 1958.

In a reorganization on 8 February 1958, the 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group was inactivated and its personnel and equipment were assigned directly to the 363d TRW.

Modern era

On 1 May 1992, the 363d Operations Group (363 OG) was activated as a result of the 363d Fighter Wing implementing the USAF objective wing organization. Upon activation, the 363 OG was bestowed the lineage and history of the 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group. The 36d OG was assigned the Fighter Squadrons of the Wing upon activation. All aircraft carried the "SW" Tail Code.

With the closure of Myrtle Beach Air Force Base South Carolina and the deactivation of the 354th Fighter Wing, the 21st Tactical Fighter Squadron was activated at Shaw and received 30 Republic A/OA-10 Thunderbolt IIs from the deactivating 355th Fighter Squadron on April 1, 1992. All A-10 aircraft with the 21st TFS were designated as OA-10A.

As a result of the August 1992 destruction of Homestead AFB Florida by Hurricane Andrew in September 1992, the 31st Fighter Wing's 309th Fighter Squadron was initially evacuated to Shaw AFB prior to the hurricane making landfall. With Homstead unusable for an extended period after the hurricane, on October 1, 1992 the squadron was permanently assigned to the 363 OG. The 33d TRS was deactivated on November 15, 1993. Its F-16C/D aircraft were transferred to the Air National Guard.

As a result of the end of the Cold War, the Air Force made several dramatic changes with the inactivation and re-designation of wings and their units. The 363d OG and all of its squadrons were inactivated on January 1, 1994, being replaced at Shaw by the 20th Operations Group, being reassigned to Shaw from RAF Upper Heyford, England.

The 363d Expeditionary Operations Group (363 EOG) was activated on December 1, 1998 when the United States Air Force inactivated all MAJCOM wings. The 363 EOG was the primary United States Air Force Air Expeditionary Group responsible for Operation SOUTHERN WATCH (OSW), which involved patrolling the Southern No-Fly Zone over Iraq below the 33rd Parallel. The Wing was inactivated after the onset of Operation Iraqi Freedom when all American combat forces left Saudi Arabia in 2003

On 26 March 2007, the 363d Training Group (363 TG) was activated to facilitate the training of airmen from various nations.

References

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

• This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain: Shaw Air Force Base

• Freeman, Roger A. UK Airfields of the Ninth: Then and Now. After the Battle, 1994. ISBN 0-90091-380-0.
• Freeman, Roger A. The Ninth Air Force in Colour: UK and the Continent-World War Two. After the Battle, 1996. ISBN 1-85409-272-3.
• Maurer, Maurer. Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History, 1983. ISBN 0-89201-092-4.
• Martin, Patrick. Tail Code: The Complete History of USAF Tactical Aircraft Tail Code Markings. Schiffer Military Aviation History, 1994. ISBN 0-88740-513-4.
• Miller, Kent. The 363rd Fighter Group in World War II: in Action over Germany with the P-51 Mustang. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing, 2002. ISBN 0-76431-629-X.
• Mueller, Robert. Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982 (USAF Reference Series). Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History, 1989. ISBN 0-912799-53-6
• Rogers, Brian. United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978. Hinkley, England: Midland Publications, 2005. ISBN 1-85780-197-0.

External links

• Stand-up of training group marks an international homecoming (363rd Training Group), 2007-03-27, U.S. Central Command Air Forces Public Affairs