497th Air Expeditionary Group: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Bwmoll3 (talk | contribs)
137,292 edits
Bwmoll3 (talk | contribs)
137,292 edits
→‎World War II: edited and expanded
Line 68: Line 68:
=== Operational History===
=== Operational History===
==== World War II ====
==== World War II ====
The '''497th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy)''' was constituted on 19 November and activated on 20 November 1943 at [[Biggs Army Airfield|El Paso AAF]], [[Texas]]. It was assigned to [[Cannon AFB|Clovis AAF]], [[New Mexico]] for organization and initial training on the B-29. After completion, it was reassigned to [[Pratt Army Airfield|Pratt AAF]], [[Kansas]] on 13 April 1944 where it recieved new aircraft from [[Boeing]]-[[Wichita]].
Constituted as 497th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) on 19 Nov 1943 and activated on 20 Nov. Prepared for overseas duty with B-29’s.


The 497th was assigned to the ''73d Bombardment Wing''' and it deployed to the [[Pacific Theater]], arriving at [[Saipan]] on 17 October 1944. It was assigned to the XXI Bomber Command, [[Twentieth Air Force]].
⚫
Moved to Saipan, lul-Oct 1944, and assigned to Twentieth AF. Began operations in Oct 1944 with attacks against Iwo Jima and the Truk Islands. Took part in the first attack (24 Nov 1944) on Japan by AAF planes based in the Marianas. Flew many missions against strategic objectives in Japan; on numerous raids, made its attacks in daylight and from high altitude.


⚫
The group began operations in October 1944 with attacks against [[Iwo Jima]] and the [[Truk Islands]]. Took part in the first attack (24 November 1944) on [[Japan]] by AAF planes based in the [[Marianas]]. Flew many missions against strategic objectives in Japan; on numerous raids, made its attacks in daylight and from high altitude.
⚫
Received a DUC for a mission on 27 Jan 1945: although weather conditions prevented the group from bombing its primary objective, the unescorted B-29’s withstood severe enemy attacks to strike an alternate target, the industrial area of Hamamatsu. Awarded second DUC for attacking strategic centers in Japan during Jul and Aug 1945. Assisted the assault on Okinawa in Apr 1945 by bombing enemy airfields to cut down air attacks against the invasion force. Beginning in Mar 19 and continuing until the end of the war the group made incendiary raids against Japan, flying at night and at low altitude to bomb area targets.

⚫
Received a [[Distinguished Unit Citation]] for a mission on 27 January 1945. Although weather conditions prevented the group from bombing its primary objective, the unescorted B-29’s withstood severe enemy attacks to strike an alternate target, the industrial area of [[Hamamatsu]]. Awarded a second DUC for attacking strategic centers in Japan during Jul and Aug 1945. Assisted the [[Battle of Okinawa|assault on Okinawa]] in April 1945 by bombing enemy airfields to cut down air attacks against the invasion force. Beginning on 19 March and continuing until the end of the war the group made incendiary raids against Japan, flying at night and at low altitude to bomb area targets.


==== Strategic Air Command ====
==== Strategic Air Command ====

Revision as of 23:40, 28 August 2008

497th Air Refueling Wing
File:Wing 0497th Air Refueling.gif
497th Air Refueling Wing emblem
Active1962-1964
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Air Force
TypeCombat Operations
RoleAir Refueling
Garrison/HQPlattsburgh AFB
Motto(s)PARATI STAMUS - 'We Stand Ready'
Engagements
 
  • World War II
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign
(1944-1945)
869th Bomb Squadron B-29 42-24592 "Dauntless Dolly". Shown is Major Robert Morgan, pilot of the aircraft. He led the first B-29 raid over Tokyo on 24 November 1944.
Crew of the 869th Bomb Squadron B-29 42-24592 "Little Gem", 4 December 1944.
Nose view of 869th Bomb Squadron B-29 42-24599 "Scrapper"

The 497th Air Refueling Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was assigned to Strategic Air Command, based at Plattsburgh AFB, New York. The unit was inactivated on 15 September 1964

History

The unit's origins begin with its predecessor unit, the United States Army Air Force 497th Bombardment Group (497th BG) was part of Twentieth Air Force during World War II. The 497th BG engaged in very heavy (B-29 Superfortress) bombardment operations against Japan.

Lineage

  • Constituted as 497th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) on 19 Nov 1943
Activated on 20 Nov 1943
Inactivated on 31 Mar 1946
  • Established as the 497th Air Refueling Wing
Activated November 15, 1962
Discontinued and inactivated September 15, 1964

Assignments

Eighth Air Force (1 Jan 1963-15 Sep 1964)
820th Air Division (1 Jan 1963-15 Sep 1964)

Components

  • 513th Bombardment Squadron: 1945-1946
  • 869th Bombardment Squadron: 1943-1946
  • 870th Bombardment Squadron: 1943-1946
  • 871st Bombardment Squadron: 1943-1946
  • 872d Bombardment Squadron: 1943-1946
  • 26th Air Refueling Squadron (1 Jan 1963-15 Sep 1964)
  • 380th Air Refueling Squadron (1 Jan 1963-15 Sep 1964)

Stations

  • El Paso Mun Aprt, Texas, 20 Nov - 1 Dec 1943
  • Clovis AAFld, New Mexico, Dec 1943 - 13 Apr 1944
  • Pratt AAFld, Kansas, 13 Apr - 18 Jul 1944
  • Isley Field, Saipan, 17 Oct 1944 - 1 Nov 1945
  • Camp Stoneman, California, 14 - 26 Nov 1945
  • March Field, California, 26 Nov 1945 - 5 Jan 1946
  • MacDill Field, Fla, 5 Jan - 31 Mar 1946
  • Plattsburgh AFB, New York (1 Jan 1963-15 Sep 1964)

Operational History

World War II

The 497th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) was constituted on 19 November and activated on 20 November 1943 at El Paso AAF, Texas. It was assigned to Clovis AAF, New Mexico for organization and initial training on the B-29. After completion, it was reassigned to Pratt AAF, Kansas on 13 April 1944 where it recieved new aircraft from Boeing-Wichita.

The 497th was assigned to the 73d Bombardment Wing' and it deployed to the Pacific Theater, arriving at Saipan on 17 October 1944. It was assigned to the XXI Bomber Command, Twentieth Air Force.

The group began operations in October 1944 with attacks against Iwo Jima and the Truk Islands. Took part in the first attack (24 November 1944) on Japan by AAF planes based in the Marianas. Flew many missions against strategic objectives in Japan; on numerous raids, made its attacks in daylight and from high altitude.

Received a Distinguished Unit Citation for a mission on 27 January 1945. Although weather conditions prevented the group from bombing its primary objective, the unescorted B-29’s withstood severe enemy attacks to strike an alternate target, the industrial area of Hamamatsu. Awarded a second DUC for attacking strategic centers in Japan during Jul and Aug 1945. Assisted the assault on Okinawa in April 1945 by bombing enemy airfields to cut down air attacks against the invasion force. Beginning on 19 March and continuing until the end of the war the group made incendiary raids against Japan, flying at night and at low altitude to bomb area targets.

Strategic Air Command

Returned to the US in Nov 1945. Assigned to Strategic Air Command on 21 Mar 1946.

Inactivated on 31 Mar 1946

The 497th Air Refueling Wing replaced the 4108th Air Refueling Wing in January 1963. Supported global air refueling missions of SAC and other USAF needs, as required. The operating squadrons were closely associated with the 380th Bombardment Wing.

The 479th ARW was discontinued and inactivated September 15, 1964

See Also

External links

Stub icon

This United States Air Force article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=497th_Air_Expeditionary_Group&oldid=234884461"