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===Operational History===
===Operational History===
Trained with P-39s in 1941, but soon changed to P-40s and served as part of the defense force for the east coast after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
The 33d Fighter Group trained with P-39s in 1941, but soon changed to P-40s and served as part of the United States defense force for the east coast after the [[Japan]]ese attack on [[Pearl Harbor]].


The group moved to North Africa as part of the invasion force on 8 Nov 1942 and operated with Twelfth Air Force in the Mediterranean theater until Feb 1944, providing close support for ground forces, and bombing and strafing personnel concentrations, port installations, fuel dumps, bridges, highways, and rail lines. The 33d received a DUC for action on 15 Jan 1943 when enemy aircraft attempted to knock out the group's base in Tunisia. The group drove off the enemy's escort and destroyed most of its bombers. It took part in the reduction of Pantelleria and flew patrol missions while Allied troops landed after surrender of the enemy's garrison. It also participated in the invasion and conquest of Sicily by supporting landings at Salerno, southern Italy, and the beachhead at Anzio.
The group moved to [[North Africa]] as part of the [[invasion]] force on November 8, 1942 and operated with Twelfth Air Force in the [[Mediterranean]] [[Theater (warfare)|theater]] until February 1944, providing [[close air support]] for ground forces, and bombing and strafing personnel concentrations, [[port]] installations, fuel dumps, bridges, [[highways]], and [[Rail transport|rail]] lines. The 33d received a [[Distinguished Unit Citation]] for action on January 15, 1943 when [[Germany|German]] [[aircraft]] attempted to knock out the group's base in [[Tunisia]]. The group drove off the enemy's escort and destroyed most of its [[bomber]]s. It took part in the reduction of [[Pantelleria]] and flew [[patrol]] missions while [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] troops landed after surrender of the enemy's garrison. It also participated in the invasion and conquest of [[Sicily]] by supporting landings at [[Salerno]], southern [[Italy]], and the [[beachhead]] at [[Anzio]].


Moving to India in Feb 1944, the group trained with P-38s and P-47s. It then moved to China where it continued training and flew patrol and intercept missions. Returning to India in Sep 1944, it flew dive-bombing and strafing missions in Burma until the Allied campaigns in that area had been completed.
After moving to [[India]] in February 1944, the group trained with P-38s and P-47s. It then moved to [[China]] where it continued training and flew patrol and intercept missions. Upon returning to India in September 1944, it flew [[dive bombing]] and [[strafing]] missions in [[Burma]] until the Allied [[Military campaign|campaigns]] in that area had been completed.


From Aug 1946, the 33d served as part of the US occupation force in Germany until transferred back to the US, less personnel and equipment in Aug 1947. Moving to New Mexico, it was remanned and equipped with P-51s in Sep 1947, transitioned to F-84s in Jun 1948, and by mid-Nov, moved to the east coast. There it trained to maintain tactical proficiency and participated in exercises and aerial demonstrations. In Feb 1949, transitioned to F-86s and in Dec assumed an air defense mission, providing air defense in the northeastern US until inactivation in Feb 1952. Again, it provided air defense in northeastern US, Aug 1955-Aug 1957.
From August 1946, the 33d served as part of the US occupation force in Germany until transferred back to the US, less personnel and equipment in August 1947. Moving to [[New Mexico]], it was remanned and equipped with P-51s in September 1947, transitioned to F-84s in June 1948, and by mid-Nov, moved to the east coast. There it trained to maintain tactical proficiency and participated in exercises and aerial demonstrations. In Feb 1949, transitioned to F-86s and in Dec assumed an air defense mission, providing air defense in the northeastern US until inactivation in Feb 1952. Again, it provided air defense in northeastern US, Aug 1955-Aug 1957.


In South Vietnam, the group was equipped primarily with cargo aircraft , C-54, U-3B, VC-47, and VC-123. Its mission was to maintain and operate base support facilities at Tan Son Nhut AB, supporting the 2d Air Division and subordinate units by performing reconnaissance of Vietnam from various detachments flying RB-26, RB-57, and RF-101 aircraft, Jul 1963-Jul 1965.
In South Vietnam, the group was equipped primarily with cargo aircraft , C-54, U-3B, VC-47, and VC-123. Its mission was to maintain and operate base support facilities at Tan Son Nhut AB, supporting the 2d Air Division and subordinate units by performing reconnaissance of Vietnam from various detachments flying RB-26, RB-57, and RF-101 aircraft, Jul 1963-Jul 1965.

From 1992 – 2002 the group continued to deploy aircraft and personnel to Saudi Arabia, [[Canada]], the [[Caribbean]], [[South America]], [[Jamaica]], [[Iceland]], Italy, and [[Puerto Rico]] and participated in various operations. The 33 OG lost 13 members in the bombing of [[Khobar Towers]], Saudi Arabia on June 25, 1996.


== References ==
== References ==

Revision as of 17:59, 9 June 2009

33d Operations Group
Active1940-1965; 1991-Present
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Air Force
Part of33d Fighter Wing
Garrison/HQEglin Air Force Base
Motto(s)Fire From the Clouds
Engagements

  
  • World War II
European Campaign (1942–1944)
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign (1944–1945)
  • Expeditionary Service
Operation Urgent Fury
Operation Just Cause
Operation Southern Watch
Operation Coronet Macaw
Operation Restore Hope
Operation Support Justice
Operation Uphold Democracy

The 33d Operations Group (33 OG) is the flying component of the 33d Fighter Wing, assigned to the United States Air Force Air Combat Command. The group is stationed at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

Overview

From its activation in December 1991, as part of the 33d Fighter Wing, the 33d Operations Group has deployed aircraft and personnel to Saudi Arabia, Canada, the Caribbean, South America, Jamaica, Iceland, Italy, and Puerto Rico and participated in operations SOUTHERN WATCH, CORONET MACAW; RESTORE HOPE, SUPPORT JUSTICE IV; UPHOLD DEMOCRACY.

These included combat as well as deployments to assist in the US drug war.

The 33 OG lost 13 members in the bombing of Khobar Towers, Saudi Arabia on 25 Jun 1996.

Assigned Units

The 33 OG commands two flying squadrons and one support squadron

The 58th Fighter Squadron has a long and distinguished history that dates back to the aerial battles of World War II. Activated as the 58th Pursuit Squadron (part of the 33rd Pursuit Group) stationed at Mitchel Field, New York, the squadron was charged with the ongoing mission of aerial defense of the United States. When the United States entered World War II, the 58th took an active role in the war effort by participating in several operations during a three year overseas tour.
Activated in 1940 at Mitchell Field, New York as the 60th Pursuit Squadron, the unit was attached to the 33rd Pursuit Group on January 15, 1941. Re-designated as the 60th Fighter Squadron on May 15, 1942, the unit was responsible for the continual mission of air defense of the United States until October 1942.
  • 33rd Operations Support Squadron
Responsible for all facets of airfield operations, or ops, air traffic control, weather, aircrew life support and training, intelligence analysis and support, weapons and tactics training, 33 FW battle staff operations, airspace scheduling, range ops and wing flying hour program.

History

Lineage

  • Established as 33 Pursuit Group (Interceptor) on 20 Nov 1940
Activated on 15 Jan 1941
Redesignated 33 Fighter Group on 15 May 1942
Inactivated on 8 Dec 1945
  • Activated on 20 Aug 1946
Redesignated 33 Fighter-Interceptor Group on 20 Jan 1950
Inactivated on 6 Feb 1952
  • Redesignated 33 Fighter Group (Air Defense) on 20 Jun 1955
Activated on 18 Aug 1955 by redesignation of 564th Air Defense Group
Inactivated on 18 Aug 1957
  • Consolidated (31 Jul 1985) with the 33 Tactical Group, which was established, and activated on 19 Jun 1963
Organized on 8 Jul 1963
Discontinued, and inactivated, on 8 Jul 1965
  • Redesignated 33 Tactical Fighter Group on 31 Jul 1985 (remained inactive)
  • Redesignated 33 Operations Group, and activated, on 1 Dec 1991.

Note: The Air Defense Command 564th Air Base Group was activated on 6 February 1952, replacing the 33d Fighter Group at Otis AFB, Massachusetts. Redesignated 564th Air Defense Group on 16 Feb 1953, the unit was redesignated as the 33d Fighter Group (Air Defense) on 18 Aug 1955 as part of the ADC "Project Arrow", which redesignated notable World War II combat units.

Assignments

Components

Stations

Aircraft assigned

Operational History

The 33d Fighter Group trained with P-39s in 1941, but soon changed to P-40s and served as part of the United States defense force for the east coast after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

The group moved to North Africa as part of the invasion force on November 8, 1942 and operated with Twelfth Air Force in the Mediterranean theater until February 1944, providing close air support for ground forces, and bombing and strafing personnel concentrations, port installations, fuel dumps, bridges, highways, and rail lines. The 33d received a Distinguished Unit Citation for action on January 15, 1943 when German aircraft attempted to knock out the group's base in Tunisia. The group drove off the enemy's escort and destroyed most of its bombers. It took part in the reduction of Pantelleria and flew patrol missions while Allied troops landed after surrender of the enemy's garrison. It also participated in the invasion and conquest of Sicily by supporting landings at Salerno, southern Italy, and the beachhead at Anzio.

After moving to India in February 1944, the group trained with P-38s and P-47s. It then moved to China where it continued training and flew patrol and intercept missions. Upon returning to India in September 1944, it flew dive bombing and strafing missions in Burma until the Allied campaigns in that area had been completed.

From August 1946, the 33d served as part of the US occupation force in Germany until transferred back to the US, less personnel and equipment in August 1947. Moving to New Mexico, it was remanned and equipped with P-51s in September 1947, transitioned to F-84s in June 1948, and by mid-Nov, moved to the east coast. There it trained to maintain tactical proficiency and participated in exercises and aerial demonstrations. In Feb 1949, transitioned to F-86s and in Dec assumed an air defense mission, providing air defense in the northeastern US until inactivation in Feb 1952. Again, it provided air defense in northeastern US, Aug 1955-Aug 1957.

In South Vietnam, the group was equipped primarily with cargo aircraft , C-54, U-3B, VC-47, and VC-123. Its mission was to maintain and operate base support facilities at Tan Son Nhut AB, supporting the 2d Air Division and subordinate units by performing reconnaissance of Vietnam from various detachments flying RB-26, RB-57, and RF-101 aircraft, Jul 1963-Jul 1965.

From 1992 – 2002 the group continued to deploy aircraft and personnel to Saudi Arabia, Canada, the Caribbean, South America, Jamaica, Iceland, Italy, and Puerto Rico and participated in various operations. The 33 OG lost 13 members in the bombing of Khobar Towers, Saudi Arabia on June 25, 1996.

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.
  • USAF 33d Fighter Group Factsheet

External links

[[Category:Groups of the United States Air Force|Operations 033]

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