140th Operations Group

The 140th Operations Group is an operational unit of the Colorado Air National Guard based at Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora, Colorado. It is assigned to the 140th Wing and commands the wing’s principal operational squadrons. When federalized, the group is aligned with the United States Air Force and is gained by Air Combat Command for its fighter mission. Its current organization includes the 120th Fighter Squadron, which operates F-16C/D Fighting Falcons; the 200th Airlift Squadron, which operates C-21A Learjets; and the 140th Operations Support Squadron. The group also controls the 137th Space Warning Squadron, whose mission falls within the broader space-warning and aerospace-defense structure of the Air National Guard. The organization traces its lineage to the 370th Fighter Group, constituted in May 1943 and activated at Westover Field, Massachusetts, on 1 July of that year. During the Second World War it trained first on Republic P-47 Thunderbolts and then deployed to the European Theater, where it was equipped with Lockheed P-38 Lightnings. Operating with Ninth Air Force and associated tactical air commands, the group performed fighter-bomber, armed-reconnaissance, close-support, interdiction, and bomber-escort missions. Its targets included radar sites, flak positions, bridges, rail facilities, roads, supply depots, armored formations, and troop concentrations. It supported the Normandy campaign, the advance across France, the Battle of the Bulge, the fighting around Aachen, and the Allied crossing of the Rhine. The group later converted to North American P-51 Mustangs and flew its final wartime mission on 4 May 1945. It received two Distinguished Unit Citations and the Belgian Fourragere after recognition in the Belgian Army’s orders of the day. After returning to the United States, the wartime group was inactivated in November 1945. It was redesignated the 140th Fighter Group and allotted to the National Guard in May 1946. Organized at Buckley Field, Colorado, it received federal recognition on 1 October 1946, becoming the first Air National Guard group to receive that recognition. Its postwar structure included Colorado’s 120th Fighter Squadron and geographically separated squadrons in Wyoming and Utah, with temporary responsibility for additional National Guard units while other groups were being established. The Korean War brought the group and its associated wing into federal service in April 1951. At Clovis Air Force Base, New Mexico, the composite organization operated F-51D Mustangs in fighter-bomber roles before returning to state control in early 1953. During the Cold War, the group moved through several mission and designation changes. It flew Lockheed F-80C Shooting Stars, North American F-86 Sabres, radar-equipped F-86L interceptors linked to the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment system, and, beginning in the early 1960s, North American F-100 Super Sabres. In 1968, the group was again federalized during the Vietnam War period, and its 120th Tactical Fighter Squadron was assigned to the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing at Phan Rang Air Base, South Vietnam. The squadron returned to Colorado in April 1969. The group was inactivated in 1974 when the Air National Guard adopted a dual-deputy wing structure that placed operational squadrons directly under the wing. It was reactivated around January 1993 as the 140th Operations Group under the objective-wing model and equipped with F-16 Fighting Falcons. Since then, it has supported domestic and overseas operations. After the 11 September 2001 attacks, the 120th Fighter Squadron undertook homeland-defense tasking as part of Operation Noble Eagle. The group’s present responsibilities combine tactical fighter operations, priority military airlift, operational support, and space-warning activities.

The 140th Operations Group originated as the 370th Fighter Group, constituted on 25 May 1943 and activated on 1 July 1943 at Westover Field, Massachusetts. Its initial fighter squadrons were the 401st, 402d, and 485th Fighter Squadrons. After training at several New England bases, the group moved to the European Theater in early 1944. Although trained on P-47 Thunderbolts, it received P-38 Lightnings after arriving in England and became part of Ninth Air Force. From bases in England and France, the group conducted fighter-bomber and armed-reconnaissance operations in preparation for and support of the Allied invasion of Western Europe. It attacked radar installations, flak towers, bridges, marshalling yards, fuel depots, troop positions, vehicles, and other military targets. It provided air cover during D-Day and supported the Allied advance through Normandy and France. The group moved to Cardonville, France, in July 1944 and continued tactical operations in support of advancing ground forces. Its missions included attacks around Saint-Lô, the Falaise–Argentan area, Aachen, the Hurtgen Forest, and the Ardennes during the Battle of the Bulge. The group received a Distinguished Unit Citation for its 2 December 1944 action near Bergstein in the Hurtgen Forest, where it attacked a heavily defended position despite poor weather and intense antiaircraft and small-arms fire. It later converted from the P-38 to the P-51 Mustang during February and March 1945. The Mustangs supported operations around Wesel and the Rhine crossing and helped the 2d Armored Division in the Ruhr Valley. The 370th Fighter Group flew its final combat mission on 4 May 1945 and was inactivated in the United States on 7 November 1945. Its wartime record also included a second Distinguished Unit Citation and award of the Belgian Fourragere following two citations in the Belgian Army’s orders of the day. On 24 May 1946, the former wartime group was redesignated the 140th Fighter Group and allotted to the National Guard. It was organized at Buckley Field, Colorado, and received federal recognition on 1 October 1946. The group initially controlled Colorado’s 120th Fighter Squadron, Wyoming’s 187th Fighter Squadron, and Utah’s 191st Fighter Squadron. It also temporarily controlled additional squadrons in Kansas and Nebraska while the National Guard’s postwar group structure was being established. In 1950, the wing-base reorganization placed the group under the newly formed 140th Fighter Wing. The Korean War led to federalization on 1 April 1951. At Clovis Air Force Base, New Mexico, the group operated as part of a composite organization equipped with F-51D Mustangs and redesignated fighter-bomber units. It returned to state control at the beginning of 1953. The postwar decades brought successive changes in aircraft and mission: F-80C jets, F-86 Sabres, F-86L interceptors equipped for the SAGE air-defense network, and F-100 Super Sabres. In January 1961, the group returned to Tactical Air Command and became a tactical-fighter organization. The group was federalized again in January 1968 during the Vietnam War period. Its 120th Tactical Fighter Squadron was assigned to the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing at Phan Rang Air Base, South Vietnam, and returned to Colorado state control on 30 April 1969. The group itself was inactivated in 1974 when operational squadrons were placed directly under the wing in the dual-deputy system. Around January 1993, the organization was reactivated as the 140th Operations Group under the objective-wing structure. It assumed control of the 140th Wing’s operational elements and operated F-16 Fighting Falcons. The 200th Airlift Squadron joined the group in 1996 with the C-21A Learjet, providing secure priority airlift for senior military and civilian officials. Following the 11 September 2001 attacks, the 120th Fighter Squadron supported homeland defense through Operation Noble Eagle. The active group now combines fighter, airlift, operational-support, and space-warning functions at Buckley Space Force Base.

• 2001

  Homeland-defense tasking

  [1]140th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The 120th Fighter Squadron assumed homeland-defense responsibilities after the September 11 attacks through Operation Noble Eagle.

• 1993

  Reactivation as an operations group

  [1]140th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The organization returned as the 140th Operations Group during the Air National Guard’s objective-wing reorganization.

• 1974

  Inactivation under the dual-deputy structure

  [1]140th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The group was inactivated and its operational squadrons were assigned directly to the wing.

• 1968

  Vietnam-era federalization

  [1]140th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The group was federalized and its 120th Tactical Fighter Squadron was assigned to the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing in South Vietnam.

• 1951

  Federalization during the Korean War

  [1]140th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The group and its associated wing entered federal service on 1 April and operated from Clovis Air Force Base, New Mexico.

• 1946

  Allotted to the Air National Guard

  [1]140th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  Redesignated the 140th Fighter Group, it was organized in Colorado and received federal recognition on 1 October.

• 1945

  Final wartime mission and inactivation

  [1]140th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The group flew its last combat mission on 4 May and was inactivated on 7 November after returning to the United States.

• 1944

  Deployment to the European Theater

  [1]140th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The group deployed to England, transitioned to P-38 Lightnings, and began Ninth Air Force tactical operations in Europe.

• 1943

  370th Fighter Group activated

  [1]140th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The organization was activated at Westover Field, Massachusetts, on 1 July as a Second World War fighter group.

A Colorado Air National Guard operational headquarters combining fighter defense, priority airlift, operational support, and space-warning capabilities.

• Multirole fighter aircraft

  F-16C/D Fighting Falcon

  The 120th Fighter Squadron operates F-16C/D Fighting Falcons for air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. Its stated capabilities include offensive and defensive counter-air, air interdiction, close air support, and search-and-rescue support missions.

• Priority airlift aircraft

  C-21A Learjet

  The 200th Airlift Squadron operates C-21A Learjets to provide secure priority airlift for senior military and civilian leaders. The aircraft support the group’s air-mobility role rather than commercial passenger service.

• 2001Operation Noble Eagle

  United States

  After the September 11 attacks, the 120th Fighter Squadron undertook homeland-defense tasking as part of Operation Noble Eagle.

  Outcome. The operation established the group’s continuing role in domestic aerospace defense.

  Source
• 1968Vietnam War deployment

  Vietnam

  During federalization, the 120th Tactical Fighter Squadron was reassigned to the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing at Phan Rang Air Base, South Vietnam.

  Outcome. The squadron returned to Colorado state control on 30 April 1969.

  Source
• 1944Normandy campaign and D-Day support

  European Theater

  The 370th Fighter Group escorted and supported Allied forces during the Normandy invasion, conducted armed reconnaissance over the Cotentin Peninsula, and attacked tactical targets in preparation for and during the campaign.

  Outcome. The group helped provide air cover and tactical air support for the Allied invasion and subsequent breakout from Normandy.

  Source
• 1944Operation Market Garden support

  European Theater

  The group sent aircraft and pilots to England in September to provide cover for the Allied airborne assault in the Netherlands and Germany.

  Outcome. The unit contributed fighter support to the airborne operation and continued attacks on ground targets afterward.

  Source
• 1944Hurtgen Forest operations

  European Theater

  On 2 December, the group attacked a heavily defended position near Bergstein despite poor weather and intense ground fire.

  Outcome. The action earned a Distinguished Unit Citation.

  Source
• 1944Battle of the Bulge

  European Theater

  The group conducted armed reconnaissance and attacked German warehouses, highways, railways, motor transport, and related targets during the Ardennes campaign.

  Outcome. The missions supported Allied efforts to contain and defeat the German offensive.

  Source

• 1993

  Reactivation under the objective-wing modelStrategy

  Background

  The Air National Guard reorganized wings to restore operational groups as command elements.

  Action taken

  The inactive formation was reactivated as the 140th Operations Group and equipped with F-16 Fighting Falcons.

  Aftermath

  The group resumed command of the 140th Wing’s operational squadrons and later added the 200th Airlift Squadron.

  Source

• 1951

  Conversion to fighter-bomber organizationStrategy

  Background

  Federalization during the Korean War required the group to operate as part of an active-duty composite organization.

  Action taken

  The group and its component squadrons were redesignated as fighter-bomber units and operated F-51D Mustangs.

  Aftermath

  The organization returned to Air National Guard control in early 1953.

  Source

• 1944

  Transition from P-47 Thunderbolt to P-38 LightningOther

  Background

  The group trained in the United States on Republic P-47 Thunderbolts but was assigned a different aircraft after arriving in England.

  Action taken

  It transitioned to Lockheed P-38 Lightnings for European tactical operations.

  Aftermath

  The P-38 became the group’s principal combat aircraft until its conversion to P-51 Mustangs in 1945.

  Source

1. 1140th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org