| 433rd Operations Group | |
|---|---|
433rd Airlift WingC-5A Galaxy[note 1] | |
| Active | 1943-1946; 1947-1952; 1955-1959; 1992--present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | |
| Role | Airlift |
| Engagements | Southwest Pacific Theater |
| Decorations | Philippine Presidential Unit Citation[1] |
| Insignia | |
| 433rd Operations Gp emblem[note 2] | |
The433rd Operations Group is the operational flying component of theUnited States Air Force Reserve433rd Airlift Wing. It is stationed atLackland Air Force Base,Texas.
DuringWorld War II, as the433rd Troop Carrier Group, thegroup operated primarily in theSouthwest Pacific Theater transporting such things as gasoline, ammunition, medicine, rations, communications equipment, construction materials and evacuating wounded personnel during numerous campaigns. It was awarded thePhilippine Presidential Unit Citation for its role in the liberation of the Philippines during 1944-1945. After the war, the unit served in the reserves and was called to active service during theKorean War. It returned to reserve duty until its inactivation in 1959. It was reactivated in 1992 when the reserves implemented the Objective Wing organization.
The 433 OG operates two flying squadrons with a total of 8 LockheedC-5M Galaxy strategic airlift aircraft, transporting personnel and cargo on a worldwide basis. Component squadrons are:
Trained to tow gliders and to transport and drop supplies and paratroops, February–July 1943. Air echelon flew Group'sDouglas C-47 Skytrains to New Guinea, via Hawaii, theFiji Islands, and Australia, August–September 1943, and began operations withFifth Air Force. Ground echelon sailed from the West Coast on 25 September 1943, arriving inAustralia on 10 October 1943. By early November 1943, the two echelons had rejoined atNadzab Airfield Complex, New Guinea.
Transported troops and carried cargo, such as gasoline, ammunition, medicine, food, equipment, and construction materials; and evacuated wounded personnel. From November 1943 to February 1945, the group was assigned six troop carrier squadrons, rather than the more normal four. Lost operational control of two squadrons, July–November 1944. Squadrons moved, October 1944-January 1945, toBiak Island, and January–February 1945 to the Philippines.
Operations in the Philippines included delivering ammunition, food, and other items to Filipinoguerrilla forces; evacuating former allied prisoners of war and civilian internees; transporting combat units from New Guinea, the Netherlands East Indie], and theSolomon Islands. Group flew its one combat glider tow mission on 23 June 1945 to Aparri,Luzon. Transported troops toOkinawa, June–August 1945 and occupation forces toJapan afterV-J Day.
Activated as a reserve organization in Ohio on 6 July 1947. Ordered to active service and moved toNorth Carolina in October 1950; receivedFairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar aircraft the following month. Tactical training began in March 1951. Transported personnel and supplies to Army units in the field. Airdropped personnel and equipment during army exercises. Moved to Germany and participated with US, British, and French units in field training until inactivated. By 1958, flew airlift missions and participated in tactical exercises.
Beginning August 1992, the group participated in airlift missions worldwide, including numerous humanitarian missions. The final C-5A Galaxy aircraft (tail number 70-0448) departed Kelly Field on September 28, 2016. The first of the eight Lockheed MartinC-5M Super Galaxy aircraft, arrived June 2016.[2]
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This article incorporatespublic domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency