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===Operational History===
===Operational History===
====World War I====
Equipped with DH-4 and Breguet aircraft, the Group entered combat on 12 Sep 1918. Attacked troop concentrations and communications to interfere with the enemy's movement of reinforcements and supplies to the front during the Allied offensive at St. Mihiel. Also took part in the Meuse-Argonne campaign, attacking the enemy behind the line, and conducting bombing operations that helped to protect Allied ground forces by diverting German pursuit planes from the battle zone. Participated in one of the great bombing raids of the war on 9 Oct when 353 Allied planes (including 200 bombers) under the command of William Mitchell struck a concentration point where German troops were preparing for a counterattack against the Allied offensive in the Meuse-Argonne area. Demobilized in France in Nov, soon after the armistice.

====Interwar years====
The Group activated in the U.S. the following year. In the 1920s and 1930s, engaged in routine training; tested and experimented with equipment and tactics; participated in maneuvers; took part in demonstrations of the effectiveness of aerial bombardment on battleships; flew mercy missions; and made good-will flights to South America in the late 1930s.

====World War II====
Served on antisubmarine duty for several months after the U.S. entered World War II. Moved to North Africa, Mar-May 1943 and initially assigned to Twelfth Air Force, the group flew many support and interdiction missions, bombing such targets as marshalling yards, airdromes, troop concentrations, bridges, docks, and shipping. Participated in the defeat of Axis forces in Tunisia, Apr-May 1943; the reduction of Pantelleria and the preparations for the invasion of Sicily, May-Jul 1943; and the invasion of Italy, Sep 1943. Moved to Italy in Dec 1943 and continued operations as part of Fifteenth Air Force. Engaged primarily in long-range bombardment of strategic targets in Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Rumania, and Greece. Participated in the drive toward Rome, Jan-Jun 1944; the invasion of Southern France, Aug 1944, and the campaigns against German forces in northern Italy, Jun 1944-May 1945. En route to bomb an aircraft factory at Steyr, Austria on 24 Feb 1944, the group was greatly outnumbered by enemy interceptors, but it maintained its formation and bombed the target, receiving a Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC) for the performance. On the following day, while on a mission to attack aircraft factories at Regensburg, it met similar opposition equally well and was awarded a second DUC.

====Cold War====
Served as part of the occupation force in Italy after V-E Day. Inactivated in Italy on 28 Feb 1946. In 1947, activated in the U.S. as part of Strategic Air Command. Trained for bombardment missions and deployed to England, Aug-Nov 1948 and Feb-May 1950. On 10 Feb 1951 the group became a "paper organization" with its squadron components attached directly to the 2 Bombardment Wing. Inactivated on 16 Jun 1952.

====Modern era====
Activated on 1 Sep 1991, again part of the 2 Wing. Trained for global conventional bombardment missions as well as maintaining nuclear operational readiness. Briefly controlled the wing's air refueling mission until it transferred to Air Mobility Command. Provided combat crew training for all USAF B-52 aircrews, beginning Nov 1994. In response to Sadam Hussein's attacks against the Kurdish minority in northern Iraq, aircrews of the 96 Bomb Sq deployed and launched attacks against military targets in Iraq in Sep 1996, actions for which the aircrews received the Mackay trophy as the most meritorious flight of 1996. Continued to deploy aircraft and personnel to southwest Asia to support the Allied watch on the southern and northern "no-fly" zones in Iraq. Flew combat missions against targets in Iraq, 17-18 Dec 1998, in response to Iraq's refusal to allow UN weapons inspectors to continue work. Flew combat missions against targets in Yugoslavia, 24 Mar-9 Jun 1999, in support of NATO Operation Allied Force. In Oct 1999 began deploying personnel in support of aerospace expeditionary forces worldwide and maintaining on-call elements at home.

====Global War on Terrorism====
After the terrorist attacks against the U.S. on 11 Sep 2001, group elements, including the 20 Bomb Sq, deployed to the island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. On 7 Oct flew early attacks on targets in Afghanistan in Operation Enduring Freedom to rid that country of terrorist bases and its extremist Taliban rulers. Later flew airborne alert missions over Afghanistan and in Operation Anaconda, flew bombing missions against targets in eastern Afghanistan, 1-18 Mar 2002. In the invasion of Iraq beginning Mar 2003, flew missions on 21 Mar in "shock and awe" strikes against command and control targets. Provided bomber combat power and expeditionary combat support for warfighters, 2004-2006.


== References ==
== References ==

Revision as of 03:55, 30 July 2009

2d Operations Group
Active1918-1946; 1947-1952; 1991-Present
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Air Force
TypeBombardment
Garrison/HQBarksdale Air Force Base

The 2d Operations Group (2 OG) is the flying component of the United States Air Force 2d Bomb Wing, assigned to the Air Combat Command Eighth Air Force. The group is stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.

The group is a successor organization to 2nd Bombardment Group, one of the 15 original combat air groups formed by the Army before World War II. It is the oldest bomb group of the Air Force, having fought on the Western Front during World War I, entering combat on 12 September 1918 and after the war, participated in Brigadier General Billy Mitchell's 1921 off-shore bombing test.

Overview

The 2d Operations group is one of two Air Combat Command groups to fly the B-52H Stratofortess. It's mission is to protect our nation and its global interests by providing devastating combat capability

Components

The 2d OG (Tail Code: LA) consists of the following squadrons:

History

Lineage

  • Organized as 1 Day Bombardment Group on 10 Sep 1918
Demobilized in Nov 1918 [after 11 Nov 1918]
  • Consolidated (8 Apr 1924) with the 1 Day Bombardment Group, which was organized on 18 Sep 1919
Redesignated: 2 Group (Bombardment) on 31 Mar 1921
Redesignated: 2 Bombardment Group on 25 Jan 1923
Redesignated: 2 Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 6 Dec 1939
Redesignated: 2 Bombardment Group, Heavy on 20 Aug 1943
Inactivated on 28 Feb 1946
  • Redesignated 2 Bombardment Group, Very Heavy on 1 May 1946
Activated on 1 Jul 1947
Redesignated 2 Bombardment Group, Medium on 12 Jul 1948
Inactivated on 16 Jun 1952
  • Redesignated 2 Operations Group on 29 Aug 1991
Activated on 1 Sep 1991.

Assignments

Components

  • 2 Air Refueling: 1 Jan 1949-16 Jun 1952 (detached 10 Feb 1951-16 Jun 1952); 1 Sep 1991-1 Jun 1992
  • 11 Aero (later, 11 Squadron; 11 Bombardment; 11 Bomb): 10 Sep-Nov 1918; 18 Sep 1919-c. 3 Jun 1927; 1 Jul 1994-Present
  • 20 Aero (later, 20 Squadron; 20 Bombardment; 20 Bomb): 10 Sep-Nov 1918; 18 Sep 1919-28 Feb 1946; 1 Jul 1947-16 Jun 1952 (detached 10 Feb 1951-16 Jun 1952); 18 Dec 1992-Present
  • 32 Air Refueling: 1 Sep 1991-1 Jun 1992
  • 41 Reconaissance (later, 429 Bombardment): attached c. Dec 1940-24 Feb 1942, assigned 25 Feb 1942-28 Feb 1946 (detached 3 Sep 1941-29 Oct 1942)
  • 54 Bombardment: 1 Mar 1935-1 Sep 1936 (detached entire period)
  • 62 Bomb: 1 Sep 1991-18 Jan 1993
  • 71 Air Refueling: 1 Sep 1991-1 Oct 1993
  • 96 Aero (later, 96 Squadron; 96 Bombardment; 96 Bomb): 10 Sep-Nov 1918; 18 Sep 1919-28 Feb 1946 (detached 12 Nov 1919-10 Jan 1921 and May-Oct 1921); 1 Jul 1947-16 Jun 1952 (detached 10 Feb 1951-16 Jun 1952); 1 Oct 1993-Present
  • 166 Aero (later, 49 Squadron; 49 Bombardment): c. 21 Sep-Nov 1918; 18 Sep 1919-28 Feb 1946 (detached May-Oct 1921, Aug 1922-Jan 1928, and Dec 1941-Jun 1942); 1 Jul 1947-16 Jun 1952 (detached 10 Feb 1951-16 Jun 1952)
  • 596 Bomb: 1 Sep 1991-1 Oct 1993.

Stations

Aircraft assigned

The 2 Operations Group's squadrons flew a variety of aircraft, and records do not always allow determining the exact dates the planes were received and lost. The following tabulation is as accurate as sources permit.

Operational History

World War I

Equipped with DH-4 and Breguet aircraft, the Group entered combat on 12 Sep 1918. Attacked troop concentrations and communications to interfere with the enemy's movement of reinforcements and supplies to the front during the Allied offensive at St. Mihiel. Also took part in the Meuse-Argonne campaign, attacking the enemy behind the line, and conducting bombing operations that helped to protect Allied ground forces by diverting German pursuit planes from the battle zone. Participated in one of the great bombing raids of the war on 9 Oct when 353 Allied planes (including 200 bombers) under the command of William Mitchell struck a concentration point where German troops were preparing for a counterattack against the Allied offensive in the Meuse-Argonne area. Demobilized in France in Nov, soon after the armistice.

Interwar years

The Group activated in the U.S. the following year. In the 1920s and 1930s, engaged in routine training; tested and experimented with equipment and tactics; participated in maneuvers; took part in demonstrations of the effectiveness of aerial bombardment on battleships; flew mercy missions; and made good-will flights to South America in the late 1930s.

World War II

Served on antisubmarine duty for several months after the U.S. entered World War II. Moved to North Africa, Mar-May 1943 and initially assigned to Twelfth Air Force, the group flew many support and interdiction missions, bombing such targets as marshalling yards, airdromes, troop concentrations, bridges, docks, and shipping. Participated in the defeat of Axis forces in Tunisia, Apr-May 1943; the reduction of Pantelleria and the preparations for the invasion of Sicily, May-Jul 1943; and the invasion of Italy, Sep 1943. Moved to Italy in Dec 1943 and continued operations as part of Fifteenth Air Force. Engaged primarily in long-range bombardment of strategic targets in Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Rumania, and Greece. Participated in the drive toward Rome, Jan-Jun 1944; the invasion of Southern France, Aug 1944, and the campaigns against German forces in northern Italy, Jun 1944-May 1945. En route to bomb an aircraft factory at Steyr, Austria on 24 Feb 1944, the group was greatly outnumbered by enemy interceptors, but it maintained its formation and bombed the target, receiving a Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC) for the performance. On the following day, while on a mission to attack aircraft factories at Regensburg, it met similar opposition equally well and was awarded a second DUC.

Cold War

Served as part of the occupation force in Italy after V-E Day. Inactivated in Italy on 28 Feb 1946. In 1947, activated in the U.S. as part of Strategic Air Command. Trained for bombardment missions and deployed to England, Aug-Nov 1948 and Feb-May 1950. On 10 Feb 1951 the group became a "paper organization" with its squadron components attached directly to the 2 Bombardment Wing. Inactivated on 16 Jun 1952.

Modern era

Activated on 1 Sep 1991, again part of the 2 Wing. Trained for global conventional bombardment missions as well as maintaining nuclear operational readiness. Briefly controlled the wing's air refueling mission until it transferred to Air Mobility Command. Provided combat crew training for all USAF B-52 aircrews, beginning Nov 1994. In response to Sadam Hussein's attacks against the Kurdish minority in northern Iraq, aircrews of the 96 Bomb Sq deployed and launched attacks against military targets in Iraq in Sep 1996, actions for which the aircrews received the Mackay trophy as the most meritorious flight of 1996. Continued to deploy aircraft and personnel to southwest Asia to support the Allied watch on the southern and northern "no-fly" zones in Iraq. Flew combat missions against targets in Iraq, 17-18 Dec 1998, in response to Iraq's refusal to allow UN weapons inspectors to continue work. Flew combat missions against targets in Yugoslavia, 24 Mar-9 Jun 1999, in support of NATO Operation Allied Force. In Oct 1999 began deploying personnel in support of aerospace expeditionary forces worldwide and maintaining on-call elements at home.

Global War on Terrorism

After the terrorist attacks against the U.S. on 11 Sep 2001, group elements, including the 20 Bomb Sq, deployed to the island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. On 7 Oct flew early attacks on targets in Afghanistan in Operation Enduring Freedom to rid that country of terrorist bases and its extremist Taliban rulers. Later flew airborne alert missions over Afghanistan and in Operation Anaconda, flew bombing missions against targets in eastern Afghanistan, 1-18 Mar 2002. In the invasion of Iraq beginning Mar 2003, flew missions on 21 Mar in "shock and awe" strikes against command and control targets. Provided bomber combat power and expeditionary combat support for warfighters, 2004-2006.

References

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

  • Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0892010924.
  • Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947-1977. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0912799129.
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