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===Operational History===
===Operational History===
====World War II====
Moved to [[North Africa]] in December 1942 and served with [[Twelfth Air Force]] until November 1943. Took part in the defeat of Axis forces in [[Tunisia]], the reduction of [[Pantelleria]], the conquest of [[Sicily]], and the invasion of [[Italy]]. Operated against the enemy's air transports; flew dive-bombing and strafing missions; escorted medium bombers in their attacks on enemy shipping and their raids on [[Naples]] and [[Rome]]; and gave direct support to the ground forces during the invasion of Italy. Received a DUC for a low-level strafing raid against enemy aircraft concentrations at [[Foggia]] on August 25, 1943. Received second DUC for performance on September 2, 1943 when the group protected a formation of bombers that encountered strong opposition from enemy interceptors during an attack on marshalling yards near Naples.
The history of the 82d Operations Group goes back to 13 January 1942, when the War Department constituted the '''82d Pursuit Group (Interceptor)'''.


The 82d was activated at [[Harding Field]], [[Baton Rouge, Louisiana]], on 9 February 1942. From February 1942 to 9 September 1945, the primary components of the group were the 95th, 96th and 97th Pursuit (later Fighter) Squadrons.
Moved to Italy in October 1943. Assigned to [[Fifteenth Air Force]] in November Continued to function occasionally as a fighter-bomber organization, supporting Allied armies, flying interdictory missions, and attacking strategic targets. Received third DUC for performance on June 10, 1944 when the 82nd Group braved head-on attacks by hostile fighters to dive-bomb an oil refinery at [[Ploesti]] and then strafed targets of opportunity while returning to base. Engaged primarily in escort work, however, from October 1943 to May 1945, covering the operations of heavy bombers that attacked aircraft industries, oil refineries, and other targets in [[France]], [[Germany]], [[Czechoslovakia]], [[Austria]], [[Hungary]], [[Yugoslavia]], [[Rumania]], and [[Bulgaria]].


At the end of April 1942 when it had sufficient personnel and equipment, the 82d moved to [[Muroc Army Air Field]], [[California]], and started formation flying and gunnery and bombing training with [[P-38 Lightning]] aircraft. In May the War Department redesignated the unit as the '''82d Fighter Group'''. The group left [[California]] in September and arrived in [[Northern Ireland]] in October where it received
During the early years of the Cold War, the group provided air defense of New England and mid-Atlantic states, 1947-1958
additional training. At about the same time, the Allies launched their [[Operation Torch|invasion of North Africa]]. By December 1942, Axis forces had repelled the Allied advance, and the long winter campaign had begun. It was at this time that the 82d Fighter Group moved to North Africa to serve with [[Twelfth Air Force]].


Between Christmas and New Year’s Day, the 82d operated from [[Tafaraoui Airfield]], [[Algeria]], to protect two convoys in an antisubmarine patrol. On 1 January 1943, the air echelon moved to [[Telergma Airport]], [[Algeria]], where it was joined by the ground echelon in February 1943.
⚫
On 15 December 1991, the '''82d Operations Group''' was activated as a result of the 82 Flying Training Wing implementing the USAF objective wing organization. Upon activation, the 82d OG was bestowed the lineage and history of the 82d Fighter Group. The 82d OG was assigned all the flying units of the 82d Flying Training Wing. Performed Undergraduate Pilot Training until inactivated in March 1993.

The 82d soon distinguished itself in dogfights with enemy fighters while escorting bombers over Gabes, Sfax, Tunis, Bizerte, Kairouan, Sardinia, and other points. On 20 March 1943, while escorting B-25s in a sea search off Cape Bon, a group of P-38s engaged the enemy in an air battle. Even though they were outnumbered by 50 enemy fighters, the 82d emerged with 11 confirmed kills, 2 probables, and 2 damaged, while not losing a single bomber.

In April 1943, the group moved to Tunis to take part in the final phase of the campaign. On 11 April it destroyed 32 [[Junkers Ju 52]]s during a fighter sweep against enemy transport planes that were coming from [[Italy]] to supply the crumbling [[Afrika Corps]]. The group scored hits on 14 April during a bombing
mission on a large transport off Cape Zebid and on 8 May executed a bombing attack on the airdrome at [[Pantelleria]].

The Tunisian campaign ended in May 1943. Between December 1942 and May 1943, the 82d Fighter Group flew 152 combat missions and 2,439 combat sorties. While escorting B-25, B-26, and B-17 bombers on 1,880 sorties, the group encountered 751 enemy aircraft, destroyed 199 of them, and lost 64 P-38s.

From July to August 1943, the 82d engaged in the [[Operation Husky|liberation of Sicily]] while supporting bomber raids against [[Naples]] on 17 July and participating in the first raid on [[Rome]] on 19 July. It flew 191 combat missions, including 3,335 combat sorties; escorted 2,987 B-25s and 382 B-26s; and engaged in 57 skip and dive bombing attacks. The 82d destroyed 78 enemy planes, had 17 probables, and damaged 56, while losing only 11 P-38s.

During the invasion of Italy by the [[United States Fifth Army]], between 6 and 18 September 1943, the group patrolled the beachhead at [[Salerno]] where the pilots flew a round-the-clock schedule, dive-bombing enemy transports, communications, and gun positions. They also flew low altitude reconnaissance missions through the [[Foggia]] area reporting crucial enemy activities.

The movement of the 82d to [[Italy]] and its assignment to [[Fifteenth Air Force]] was part of the airpower buildup to provide fighter protection for the bombers of the Fifteenth Air Force, when they strafed and bombed Axis oil targets. From January 1944 until May 1945, the P-38s of the 82d Fighter Group struck oil
centers at [[Ploesti]] in [[Rumania]], [[Blechhammer]] in [[Poland]], [[Vienna]] in [[Austria]], [[Dubova]] in [[Czechoslovakia]], as well as in [[Hungary]], [[France]], and [[Yugoslavia]]. On 10 June 1944, the
82d participated in one of the most daring strikes of the war, bombing the Romano-Americano oil refineries at [[Ploesti]], the most heavily defended target on the continent.

The 82d engaged in another spectacular episode when it used a single-seat fighter aircraft for the first time to rescue a downed fighter pilot on enemy soil. On 4 August 1944, while on a strafing mission against the airdrome at [[Focsani, Rumania]], the aircraft flown by Capt E. Willsie was hit by ground fire. A veteran of 60 missions, Willsie radioed his position to the formation, crash-landed his plane, demolished it, and then hitched a ride in the lap of 2d Lt Richard T. Andrews, who had landed his P-38 in a pasture to rescue Willsie.

When the war in Europe ended in May 1945, the 82d Fighter Group remained in Italy until it was inactivated on 9 September 1945.

====Strategic Air Command====
On 12 April 1947, the War Department activated the 82d Fighter Group at [[Grenier Field]] in [[New Hampshire]], and assigned it to [[Strategic Air Command]].

The group was outfitted with F-51 aircraft, and it trained in long range fighter and fighter escort
operations. A few months later, in August 1947, the Air Force decided to test a new type of organization called wing-base. Under this plan, a number of combat wings were established, including the 82d Fighter Wing on 28 July 1947; however, the Air Force did not organize (assign personnel) to the wing until 15 August. On the same day, the 82d Fighter Group became a subordinate component of the wing. The test continued until 1 August 1948, by which time the Air Force had decided to adopt this type of organization
as its standard. As a result, on 1 August, the 82d Fighter Wing was discontinued, and the Air Force activated a permanent 82d Fighter Wing, still with the 82d Fighter Group assigned as a subordinate organization.

The wing continued to operate at Grenier until its inactivation on 2 October 1949.

====Air Defense Command====
Between 18 August 1955 and 8 January 1958, the Air Force again activated the 82d Fighter Group; however, the wing remained inactive. This time the group reported to Air Defense Command. Its primary mission was to provide air defense for the northeastern United States.

====Modern era====
⚫
On 15 December 1991, the '''82d Operations Group''' was activated as a result of the 82 Flying Training Wing implementing the USAF objective wing organization. Upon activation, the 82d OG was bestowed the lineage and history of the 82d Fighter Group. The 82d OG was assigned all the flying units of the 82d Flying Training Wing.

In 1991 Congress approved the second round of base closures, as identified by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission. On that list was Williams AFB. The base was to cease operation as of 30 September 1993. As a result, the 82d Operations Group was inactivated on 31 Mar 1993.


== References ==
== References ==

Revision as of 02:09, 16 February 2010

82d Operations Group
Emblem of the 82d Fighter Group
Active1942-1958;1991-1993
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Air Force
Part ofAir Education and Training Command
Engagements
 
  • World War II
European Campaign (1942–1945)

The 82d Operations Group (82 OG) is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 82d Training Wing, being assigned to Williams Air Force Base, Arizona. It was inactivated on 31 Mar 1993.

History

Lineage

  • Constituted as the 82nd Pursuit Group (Interceptor) on January 13, 1942
Activated on February 9, 1942
Redesignated 82nd Fighter Group in May 1942
Inactivated in Italy on September 9, 1945.
  • Established as 82d Fighter Wing on July 28, 1947
Organized on August 15, 1947
Inactivated on October 2, 1949
  • Established as 525th Air Defense Group and activated on 16 Feb 1953
Reactivated as 82d Fighter Group (Air Defense) by redesignation of 525th Air Defense Group, 18 Aug 1955
Redesignated 82d Fighter-Interceptor Group on 6 Jul 1956
Inactivated on 30 Jun 1958
  • Redesignated 82d Operations Group and activated on 15 December 1991
Inactivated on 31 Mar 1993

Assignments

Components

Stations

Aircraft assigned

Operational History

World War II

The history of the 82d Operations Group goes back to 13 January 1942, when the War Department constituted the 82d Pursuit Group (Interceptor).

The 82d was activated at Harding Field, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on 9 February 1942. From February 1942 to 9 September 1945, the primary components of the group were the 95th, 96th and 97th Pursuit (later Fighter) Squadrons.

At the end of April 1942 when it had sufficient personnel and equipment, the 82d moved to Muroc Army Air Field, California, and started formation flying and gunnery and bombing training with P-38 Lightning aircraft. In May the War Department redesignated the unit as the 82d Fighter Group. The group left California in September and arrived in Northern Ireland in October where it received additional training. At about the same time, the Allies launched their invasion of North Africa. By December 1942, Axis forces had repelled the Allied advance, and the long winter campaign had begun. It was at this time that the 82d Fighter Group moved to North Africa to serve with Twelfth Air Force.

Between Christmas and New Year’s Day, the 82d operated from Tafaraoui Airfield, Algeria, to protect two convoys in an antisubmarine patrol. On 1 January 1943, the air echelon moved to Telergma Airport, Algeria, where it was joined by the ground echelon in February 1943.

The 82d soon distinguished itself in dogfights with enemy fighters while escorting bombers over Gabes, Sfax, Tunis, Bizerte, Kairouan, Sardinia, and other points. On 20 March 1943, while escorting B-25s in a sea search off Cape Bon, a group of P-38s engaged the enemy in an air battle. Even though they were outnumbered by 50 enemy fighters, the 82d emerged with 11 confirmed kills, 2 probables, and 2 damaged, while not losing a single bomber.

In April 1943, the group moved to Tunis to take part in the final phase of the campaign. On 11 April it destroyed 32 Junkers Ju 52s during a fighter sweep against enemy transport planes that were coming from Italy to supply the crumbling Afrika Corps. The group scored hits on 14 April during a bombing mission on a large transport off Cape Zebid and on 8 May executed a bombing attack on the airdrome at Pantelleria.

The Tunisian campaign ended in May 1943. Between December 1942 and May 1943, the 82d Fighter Group flew 152 combat missions and 2,439 combat sorties. While escorting B-25, B-26, and B-17 bombers on 1,880 sorties, the group encountered 751 enemy aircraft, destroyed 199 of them, and lost 64 P-38s.

From July to August 1943, the 82d engaged in the liberation of Sicily while supporting bomber raids against Naples on 17 July and participating in the first raid on Rome on 19 July. It flew 191 combat missions, including 3,335 combat sorties; escorted 2,987 B-25s and 382 B-26s; and engaged in 57 skip and dive bombing attacks. The 82d destroyed 78 enemy planes, had 17 probables, and damaged 56, while losing only 11 P-38s.

During the invasion of Italy by the United States Fifth Army, between 6 and 18 September 1943, the group patrolled the beachhead at Salerno where the pilots flew a round-the-clock schedule, dive-bombing enemy transports, communications, and gun positions. They also flew low altitude reconnaissance missions through the Foggia area reporting crucial enemy activities.

The movement of the 82d to Italy and its assignment to Fifteenth Air Force was part of the airpower buildup to provide fighter protection for the bombers of the Fifteenth Air Force, when they strafed and bombed Axis oil targets. From January 1944 until May 1945, the P-38s of the 82d Fighter Group struck oil centers at Ploesti in Rumania, Blechhammer in Poland, Vienna in Austria, Dubova in Czechoslovakia, as well as in Hungary, France, and Yugoslavia. On 10 June 1944, the 82d participated in one of the most daring strikes of the war, bombing the Romano-Americano oil refineries at Ploesti, the most heavily defended target on the continent.

The 82d engaged in another spectacular episode when it used a single-seat fighter aircraft for the first time to rescue a downed fighter pilot on enemy soil. On 4 August 1944, while on a strafing mission against the airdrome at Focsani, Rumania, the aircraft flown by Capt E. Willsie was hit by ground fire. A veteran of 60 missions, Willsie radioed his position to the formation, crash-landed his plane, demolished it, and then hitched a ride in the lap of 2d Lt Richard T. Andrews, who had landed his P-38 in a pasture to rescue Willsie.

When the war in Europe ended in May 1945, the 82d Fighter Group remained in Italy until it was inactivated on 9 September 1945.

Strategic Air Command

On 12 April 1947, the War Department activated the 82d Fighter Group at Grenier Field in New Hampshire, and assigned it to Strategic Air Command.

The group was outfitted with F-51 aircraft, and it trained in long range fighter and fighter escort operations. A few months later, in August 1947, the Air Force decided to test a new type of organization called wing-base. Under this plan, a number of combat wings were established, including the 82d Fighter Wing on 28 July 1947; however, the Air Force did not organize (assign personnel) to the wing until 15 August. On the same day, the 82d Fighter Group became a subordinate component of the wing. The test continued until 1 August 1948, by which time the Air Force had decided to adopt this type of organization as its standard. As a result, on 1 August, the 82d Fighter Wing was discontinued, and the Air Force activated a permanent 82d Fighter Wing, still with the 82d Fighter Group assigned as a subordinate organization.

The wing continued to operate at Grenier until its inactivation on 2 October 1949.

Air Defense Command

Between 18 August 1955 and 8 January 1958, the Air Force again activated the 82d Fighter Group; however, the wing remained inactive. This time the group reported to Air Defense Command. Its primary mission was to provide air defense for the northeastern United States.

Modern era

On 15 December 1991, the 82d Operations Group was activated as a result of the 82 Flying Training Wing implementing the USAF objective wing organization. Upon activation, the 82d OG was bestowed the lineage and history of the 82d Fighter Group. The 82d OG was assigned all the flying units of the 82d Flying Training Wing.

In 1991 Congress approved the second round of base closures, as identified by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission. On that list was Williams AFB. The base was to cease operation as of 30 September 1993. As a result, the 82d Operations Group was inactivated on 31 Mar 1993.

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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