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316th Operations Group | |
|---|---|
 GroupUH-1N Huey flying near theUnited States Capitol | |
| Active | 1942–1957; 1978–1989; 1992–1994; 2006–2010; 2020–present |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Air Force |
| Role | Support for Air Force units in the Capital Area |
| Part of | Air Force District of Washington |
| Garrison/HQ | Joint Base Andrews |
| Motto | Valor Without Arms (1951-1994)[1]Nobilis est Ira Leonis (Latin for 'The Lion's Wrath is Righteous') (1944-1951) |
| Engagements | Mediterranean Theater of Operations European Theater of Operations[1] |
| Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award[2] |
| Insignia | |
| 316th Operations Group emblem[2][a] |  |
| Patch with 316th Troop Carrier Group emblem.[1][b] |  |
| 316th Troop Carrier Group emblem(World War II) |  |
The316th Operations Group is the flying component of theAir Force District of Washington's316th Wing, stationed atJoint Base Andrews, Maryland. It provides rotary-wing contingency response support capability to the United States National Capital Region while also supporting regional and global customers with critical airfield infrastructure and aviation services. The group consists of two squadrons of aircrew and support personnel.
As the316th Troop Carrier Group, it was a decoratedDouglas C-47 Skytrain unit that served withNinth andTwelfth Air Force in theEuropean and theMediterranean theaters. As part ofOperation Avalanche, the Allied invasion of Italy, the 316th dropped paratroops over the beachhead south of the Sele River on the night of 14 September 1943. Later duringOperation Overlord, the Allied invasion of France, the group dropped paratroops near Ste-Mere-Eglise a few hours before the main landings on 6 June 1944. It also dropped paratroops and released gliders carrying reinforcements during the airborne invasion of the Netherlands,Operation Market-Garden in September 1944. By the end of the war, the 316th Troop Carrier Group was awarded threeDistinguished Unit Citations.
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The group oversees the operations of the1st Helicopter Squadron and the 316th Operations Support Squadron.
The 1st Helicopter Squadron supports Washington D.C. capital area airlift for the Executive Branch, high-ranking dignitaries, high-ranking military leaders and other VIPs. It operatesBell UH-1N Hueys.
The 316th Operations Support Squadron provides the necessary aviation related support infrastructure and services for the Group and the 25 other tenant flying units on Andrews AFB.
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Trained withI Troop Carrier Command withDouglas C-47 Skytrain and Douglas C-53 Skytrooper aircraft. Moved to the Mediterranean theater, assigned toNinth Air Force, and began operations in November 1942. Flew combat missions in North Africa Egypt/Libya campaign. Transported supplies and evacuated casualties in support of the Allied drive across North Africa.
In February 1943 the 316th became a part of the52nd Troop Carrier Wing of theNorthwest African Troop Carrier Command in theAllied air force organization in theMediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO). In May 1943, the group began training for the invasion of Sicily where they dropped paratroopers over the assault area on the night of 9 July, and carried reinforcements on 11 July, receiving DUC for carrying out that mission although severely attacked by ground and naval forces. They received another DUC for supporting aerial and ground operations in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, and Sicily, 25 November 1942 – 25 August 1943, by transporting reinforcements and supplies. During this period, the group was under the command of Colonel Jerome McCauley.
The 316th was assigned toTwelfth Air Force and moved to Sicily to take part in the invasion of Italy, where it dropped paratroops over the beachhead south of the Sele River on the night of 14 September 1943. They transported cargo in the theater until February 1944, then joined Ninth Air Force in England and prepared for the invasion of France.
The unit dropped paratroops near Ste-Mere-Eglise on D—Day 1944 and flew a reinforcement mission on 7 June, receiving a thirdDistinguished Unit Citation for these operations. DuringOperation Market Garden, they dropped paratroops and released gliders carrying reinforcements. Again they dropped paratroops near Wesel on 24 March 1945 when the Allies made the airborne assault across theRhine River. They also provided transport services in Europe while not engaged in airborne operations, hauling supplies such as ammunition, gasoline, water, and rations; along with evacuating wounded personnel to rear-zone hospitals.
Returned to the US in May 1945. Trained with C-47Fairchild C-82 Packet and laterFairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar aircraft as part ofTactical Air Command.
Transferred, without personnel and equipment, to Japan on 15 November 1954. Assigned toFar East Air Forces, manned, and equipped with C-119s and performed theater airlift missions primarily to Japan, Okinawa, Philippines and South Korea. Inactivated in 1957.
Activated in 2006 to be operational flying component of AFDW 316th Wing in Washington D.C. area., inactivated in 2010, reactivated in 2020.
This article incorporatespublic domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
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