314th Operations Group

The 314th Operations Group, commonly designated 314 OG, is a United States Air Force operations group assigned to the 314th Airlift Wing of Air Education and Training Command. Based at Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas, it provides initial and tactical C-130 aircrew training for the Department of Defense and for allied students from dozens of partner nations. Its mission covers instruction across the aircraft's principal crew positions and supports the wider Air Force pipeline for tactical airlift personnel. The group is the modern organizational successor to a lineage that began during the Second World War. Established as the 314th Transport Group in March 1942, it was redesignated the 314th Troop Carrier Group later that year. Equipped initially with aircraft such as the Douglas C-47 Skytrain and C-53 Skytrooper, the unit deployed to the Mediterranean Theater in 1943. It participated in airborne and resupply operations connected with the invasions of Sicily and Italy, including missions supporting the 82nd Airborne Division and the landings around Salerno. In 1944 it moved to England, joined Ninth Air Force operations, and flew missions during the Normandy invasion and the airborne operation into the Netherlands. In March 1945 it supported the Rhine crossing near Wesel and subsequently transported supplies, equipment, prisoners of war, and wounded personnel. After the war, the group underwent several transfers and organizational changes. It operated air terminals in the Panama Canal Zone under Caribbean Air Command after moving there without personnel or equipment in 1946, then returned to the United States in 1948. During the Korean War era, it served in Japan and participated in airborne operations at Sunchon and Munsan-ni, while also conducting supply missions and prisoner-of-war evacuation. The group was inactivated in October 1957 after years of tactical exercises, inspections, and transport activity. The lineage was revived as the 314th Tactical Airlift Group in 1978. That activation lasted until June 1980. The organization returned in its current form as the 314th Operations Group on 1 December 1991. Since then, it has combined operational airlift heritage with a formal training role. The group has operated or trained crews on the Lockheed C-130 Hercules family, including the C-130J Super Hercules, and has historically included multiple airlift, troop-carrier, and training squadrons. Its current structure includes the 62nd Airlift Squadron, which flies the C-130J, and the 714th Training Squadron, which provides administrative support for students. The broader lineage also includes the 34th Combat Airlift Training Squadron and other predecessor or associated squadrons. Unlike a commercial brand, the 314th Operations Group does not sell products or compete in a consumer market. Its institutional value lies in military readiness, standardized aircrew education, tactical airlift expertise, and interoperability with allied air forces. The group remains active as a specialized training organization within the United States Air Force.

The unit's lineage began when the 314th Transport Group was established on 28 January 1942 and activated on 2 March 1942. It became the 314th Troop Carrier Group on 4 July 1942. During World War II, the group operated transport aircraft in support of airborne and logistical campaigns. It reached the Mediterranean Theater of Operations in May 1943 and flew missions during the Sicily invasion in July, dropping paratroops and delivering reinforcements. It also supported the invasion of Italy at Salerno in September 1943. In February 1944, the group moved to England for additional preparation with Ninth Air Force forces. During and after the Normandy invasion, it flew missions carrying paratroops, reinforcements, munitions, and supplies. In September 1944, it supported the airborne operation in the Netherlands and continued supplying the area. After relocating to France in February 1945, it participated in the airborne crossing of the Rhine near Wesel on 24 March. In the final months of the war, it transported equipment and supplies to combat units and evacuated wounded U.S. and Allied personnel. After hostilities ended, it helped evacuate prisoners of war and continued personnel and freight missions. The group transferred without personnel or equipment to the United States in February 1946 and then to the Panama Canal Zone in September of that year. Under Caribbean Air Command, it operated air terminals. It returned to the United States in October 1948 for further training and was redesignated the 314th Troop Carrier Group, Heavy, in July 1948 and the 314th Troop Carrier Group, Medium, in November 1948. During the Korean War period, the group served in Japan. It took part in airborne operations at Sunchon in October 1950 and Munsan-ni in March 1951, and also transported supplies and evacuated prisoners of war. It continued tactical exercises and inspections after the Korean conflict before being inactivated on 8 October 1957. The lineage was redesignated the 314th Tactical Airlift Group on 24 August 1978 and reactivated on 15 September 1978. That incarnation was inactivated on 15 June 1980. On 1 December 1991, the organization was redesignated and activated as the 314th Operations Group. In its modern period it has provided worldwide airlift-related capability and C-130 aircrew training. The group is currently associated with Little Rock Air Force Base and the 314th Airlift Wing, whose mission centers on training C-130 aircrews for the United States and partner nations. Aircraft associated with the lineage have included the Douglas C-47 Skytrain, Douglas C-53 Skytrooper, Douglas C-54 Skymaster, Fairchild C-82 Packet, Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar, Lockheed C-130 Hercules, and Learjet C-21. The current operational element identified in the reference material is the 62nd Airlift Squadron, flying the C-130J Super Hercules, while the 714th Training Squadron provides administrative support for students.

• 1991

  Current operations-group designation

  [1]314th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The unit was redesignated the 314th Operations Group and activated on 1 December.

• 1978

  Reactivation as tactical airlift group

  [1]314th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The lineage was redesignated the 314th Tactical Airlift Group and activated on 15 September.

• 1957

  Inactivation

  [1]314th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The 314th Troop Carrier Group was inactivated on 8 October after a period of tactical exercises and inspections.

• 1951

  Airborne operation at Munsan-ni

  [1]314th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The group supported the airborne operation at Munsan-ni and carried out additional Korean War transport duties.

• 1950

  Korean War airborne operation at Sunchon

  [1]314th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The group participated in the airborne operation at Sunchon and continued supply and transport missions in the Korean theater.

• 1946

  Panama Canal Zone assignment

  [1]314th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  After transferring without personnel or equipment, the group operated air terminals in the Panama Canal Zone under Caribbean Air Command.

• 1945

  Rhine crossing and postwar transport

  [1]314th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The group supported the airborne crossing of the Rhine near Wesel and later moved personnel, supplies, prisoners of war, and wounded personnel.

• 1944

  Ninth Air Force operations from England

  [1]314th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  After moving to England, the group supported the Normandy invasion and the airborne operation in the Netherlands.

• 1943

  Mediterranean combat operations

  [1]314th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The group arrived in the Mediterranean Theater in May and supported airborne operations during the Sicily invasion and the invasion of Italy at Salerno.

• 1942

  Group established and activated

  [1]314th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The 314th Transport Group was established on 28 January and activated on 2 March. It was redesignated the 314th Troop Carrier Group on 4 July.

A specialized United States Air Force tactical-airlift training organization serving U.S. military and allied aircrews.

• Military aviation training

  C-130J Super Hercules aircrew training

  The group's current flying mission centers on the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules. Training supports aircrew development for tactical airlift operations and covers the relevant crew positions needed to operate the aircraft in military environments.

• Military aviation training

  Initial C-130 aircrew training

  The group provides foundational instruction for C-130 aircrew members. The program serves U.S. Department of Defense students as well as personnel from allied countries and forms part of the formal pipeline for tactical airlift readiness.

• Military aviation training

  Tactical C-130 aircrew training

  Tactical instruction prepares aircrews for the operational employment of C-130 aircraft, including the skills and procedures associated with military airlift missions. The group provides this training across crew positions for U.S. and partner-nation students.

1. 1314th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org