317th Operations Group

The 317th Operations Group was the final designation of a United States Air Force flying unit whose lineage began in February 1942 as the 317th Transport Group. Although the subject is not a commercial brand, it functioned as an identifiable military organization with a long operational identity, repeatedly reactivated and redesignated as the Air Force changed its organizational structure and mission terminology. The group was created at Duncan Field, Texas, initially with three transport squadrons and a very small cadre. A fourth squadron was added during its early training period, and the unit was redesignated the 317th Troop Carrier Group in July 1942. It trained in the United States with Douglas C-47 Skytrains and prepared for an overseas deployment originally associated with European operations. Its destination was changed to the Southwest Pacific, requiring long-range ferrying preparations and the movement of air and ground elements separately across the United States and Pacific. Arriving in Australia in January 1943, the group became one of the principal American airlift organizations in the Southwest Pacific. It transported personnel, equipment, and supplies between Australia, New Guinea, New Britain, Guadalcanal, the Admiralty Islands, and other Allied bases. Its early missions included dangerous flights across the Owen Stanley Range to reinforce and resupply Allied forces at Wau, Papua New Guinea. The group later supported airborne operations at Nadzab, Noemfoor, Luzon, Manila, Corregidor, and Aparri. Its Corregidor operation in February 1945 was particularly demanding: aircraft made hundreds of passes over a restricted drop zone near a high cliff, while many aircraft sustained enemy fire. The group received Distinguished Unit Citations for the Wau operation and the Corregidor operation. After Japan surrendered, aircraft from the group formed part of the first Allied landing formation at Atsugi Air Base. The unit then remained in the Far East as an occupation and courier organization, progressively moving from C-47s and C-46 Commandos to Douglas C-54 Skymasters. In 1948 it was designated a heavy troop-carrier group and transferred from Japan to Germany to reinforce the Berlin Airlift. Operating from Celle RAF Station, it participated in Operation Vittles until the airlift ended in July 1949, carrying large quantities of cargo, including coal. The group was inactivated in September 1949 amid postwar force reductions. It returned to active service in Germany in 1952 as the 317th Troop Carrier Group, Medium, flying Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcars. This incarnation conducted theater airlift, exercises, and humanitarian missions before being inactivated in March 1957. The lineage was revived again as the 317th Tactical Airlift Group at Pope Air Force Base from 1978 to 1980. Its final activation occurred on 1 January 1992 as the 317th Operations Group under the Objective Wing structure. During this period, forces associated with the group supported Operation Desert Storm, including airlift of American and allied combat troops into areas deep inside Iraq in support of the coalition flanking maneuver. The group was inactivated on 16 July 1993 when Air Force units at Pope were reorganized under the 23d Wing. It therefore has no current commercial operations, products, customers, or public-facing headquarters. Its historical significance rests on its airlift role, combat support, airborne operations, occupation service, participation in the Berlin Airlift, and repeated adaptation to changing Air Force organizational systems.

The 317th lineage began on 22 February 1942, when the 317th Transport Group was activated at Duncan Field, Texas. Its initial structure included the 39th, 40th, and 41st Transport Squadrons; the 46th Transport Squadron joined in June. The group trained at Bowman Field, Kentucky, expanded substantially, and transitioned to the troop-carrier role in July 1942. It prepared for overseas operations with Douglas C-47 aircraft, but a planned glider training phase at Laurinburg-Maxton Airport was cancelled after a storm destroyed the available gliders. The group's air echelon collected modified C-47s at Brookley Field, Alabama, while its ground element traveled by rail to Camp Stoneman, California. The ground personnel embarked for the Pacific at the end of December 1942, and the aircrews began the ferry route in early January. The group arrived in Australia in January 1943 and was assigned to Fifth Air Force. It became a major airlift unit in the Southwest Pacific, flying personnel and supplies between Australia and forward areas in New Guinea and nearby island groups. One attached or associated element operated a varied fleet of transport-configured aircraft, including converted B-17 and B-24 aircraft and C-39s. A B-17 transport accident in June 1943, carrying six crew members and 36 passengers, was regarded at the time as Australia's worst aviation disaster. Operationally, the group made hazardous flights over the Owen Stanley Range to supply Wau in January and February 1943. It later participated in the first airborne operation in the Southwest Pacific, dropping paratroops at Nadzab on 5 September 1943. Through 1944 it sustained Allied positions and movements across New Guinea, New Britain, Guadalcanal, the Admiralty Islands, and Noemfoor. After relocating to the Philippines in November 1944, it supported ground operations on Luzon, Leyte, and Mindoro and delivered supplies to guerrilla forces on Mindanao, Cebu, and Panay. In February 1945 the group supported airborne operations south of Manila and on Corregidor. The Corregidor mission required repeated approaches to a very small drop zone bordered by a steep cliff. More than 600 aircraft passes were made, and over half of the participating aircraft suffered battle damage. The group also undertook unusual low-level bombing missions against Carabao Island using napalm drums and later dropped part of the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment near Aparri. These actions earned the group two Distinguished Unit Citations, associated with the Wau and Corregidor operations. Following Japan's surrender, twelve of the group's aircraft led a larger formation into Atsugi Air Base on 28 August 1945. The landing established an early Allied presence in Japan, and the lead aircraft carried communications equipment needed to support the occupation command network. The group stayed in the Far East as an occupation and courier unit. It introduced C-46 Commandos and later replaced its C-47s with four-engine C-54 Skymasters. In 1948, as part of the wing-base reorganization, the group came under the 317th Troop Carrier Wing. The Berlin Blockade led to the group's transfer from Japan to Germany in September 1948. After a short period at Wiesbaden and an attachment to the 7489th Air Force Wing, it moved to Celle RAF Station, a British-zone airfield well situated for flights through the Northern Corridor to Berlin. The group flew in Operation Vittles until 31 July 1949, often making numerous daily round trips and carrying cargo dominated by coal. It became non-operational after the airlift and was inactivated on 14 September 1949 as the Air Force reduced its postwar force structure. The unit was reactivated at Rhein-Main Air Base on 14 July 1952 as the 317th Troop Carrier Group, Medium, operating Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcars. It performed theater airlift, exercise, and humanitarian work, but became non-operational in 1955 and was inactivated at Neubiberg Air Base on 12 March 1957. The lineage returned as the 317th Tactical Airlift Group at Pope Air Force Base on 15 September 1978. That activation ended on 1 April 1980. The final reactivation occurred on 1 January 1992, when the unit became the 317th Operations Group under the Objective Wing concept. It assumed responsibility for the operational flying squadrons of the 317th Airlift Wing. Forces deployed from the group supported Operation Desert Storm, airlifting American and allied troops into Iraqi territory in support of the coalition's flanking operation. The group was inactivated on 16 July 1993 after Pope's Air Force units were consolidated under the 23d Wing.

• 1993

  Final inactivation

  [1]317th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The group was inactivated on 16 July when Pope's Air Force units were reorganized under the 23d Wing.

• 1992

  Final activation as the 317th Operations Group

  [1]317th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The group was activated on 1 January during the Objective Wing reorganization and supported airlift operations associated with Desert Storm.

• 1978

  Reactivation as the 317th Tactical Airlift Group

  [1]317th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The lineage was revived at Pope Air Force Base on 15 September to control tactical airlift squadrons.

• 1952

  Reactivation as a medium troop-carrier group

  [1]317th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The unit returned to service in Germany on 14 July with Fairchild C-119 aircraft.

• 1949

  Inactivation after the Berlin Airlift

  [1]317th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  Following the end of its airlift participation, the group was inactivated on 14 September during postwar force reductions.

• 1948

  Transfer to Germany for the Berlin Airlift

  [1]317th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The group moved from Japan to Germany and joined Operation Vittles, the American component of the Berlin Airlift.

• 1945

  Corregidor airborne operation

  [1]317th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The group delivered the 503rd Parachute Regimental Combat Team onto Corregidor in February, making hundreds of passes under intense conditions.

• 1945

  Aircraft from the group led an Allied formation into Atsugi Air Base on 28 August after Japan's surrender.

  [1]317th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  Aircraft from the group led an Allied formation into Atsugi Air Base on 28 August after Japan's surrender.

• 1943

  Southwest Pacific combat operations

  [1]317th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The group arrived in Australia, supported Wau in New Guinea, and began sustained transport and airborne support missions across the theater.

• 1943

  Nadzab airborne operation

  [1]317th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  On 5 September, the group dropped paratroops at Nadzab in the first airborne operation conducted by Allied forces in the Southwest Pacific.

• 1942

  Activation as the 317th Transport Group

  [1]317th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The unit was activated at Duncan Field, Texas, on 22 February with three transport squadrons; a fourth squadron was added later that year.

• 1942

  Redesignation as a troop-carrier group

  [1]317th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  On 4 July, the organization became the 317th Troop Carrier Group and prepared for deployment to the Southwest Pacific.

A United States Air Force airlift and troop-carrier organization focused on moving personnel, equipment, supplies, and airborne forces in combat, occupation, humanitarian, and strategic-support environments.

• Transport aircraft · 1942

  Douglas C-47 Skytrain

  The C-47 was the group's principal early-war transport aircraft. Modified examples were prepared for long-distance ferrying across the Pacific and used to carry troops, equipment, and supplies, as well as to conduct airborne drops in the Southwest Pacific and the Philippines.

• Heavy transport aircraft · 1947

  Douglas C-54 Skymaster

  The four-engine C-54 replaced the group's earlier C-47 aircraft after World War II. Its greater payload and range made it suitable for occupation support and for the Berlin Airlift, where the group carried cargo—especially coal—from Germany to Berlin.

• Medium transport aircraft · 1952

  Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar

  The C-119 equipped the group's 1952–1957 incarnation as the 317th Troop Carrier Group, Medium. It supported theater airlift, training exercises, and humanitarian missions in the European theater.

• Transport aircraft

  Curtiss C-46 Commando

  C-46 Commandos supplemented the group's C-47 fleet during its postwar Far East service, providing additional capacity for troop-carrier, courier, and occupation-support missions.

• Converted transport aircraft · 1943

  Transport-configured B-17 and B-24 aircraft

  During early operations in Australia, an associated group element used a Boeing B-17 and a Consolidated B-24 converted for transport work, alongside C-39 aircraft, for specialized passenger and cargo missions.

• 1991Operation Desert Storm

  Iraq · Southwest Asia

  Forces associated with the group supported coalition airlift requirements during the Gulf War period, moving American and allied combat troops deep inside Iraqi territory.

  Outcome. The airlift supported the coalition flanking maneuver that contributed to the surrender of Iraq's Republican Guard.

  Source
• 1948Operation Vittles

  Berlin · Germany

  After moving from Japan to Germany, the group flew cargo missions from Celle RAF Station into Berlin during the Soviet blockade.

  Outcome. The group continued airlift operations until 31 July 1949, helping sustain West Berlin with cargo that included large quantities of coal.

  Source
• 1945Manila airborne operation

  Philippines

  On 3 and 4 February, the group dropped paratroops south of Manila to seize roads leading toward the city.

  Outcome. The operation supported the Allied advance on Manila.

  Source
• 1945Operation Topside and the Corregidor drop

  Corregidor · Philippines

  On 16 and 17 February, aircraft delivered the 503rd Parachute Regimental Combat Team to Corregidor. The restricted drop zone required more than 600 individual passes, and many aircraft received battle damage.

  Outcome. The operation helped reopen Manila Bay to American shipping and resulted in the group's second Distinguished Unit Citation.

  Source
• 1945Aparri airborne operation

  Luzon · Philippines

  On 23 June, the group dropped part of the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment near Aparri to divide Japanese forces in the Cagayan Valley.

  Outcome. The drop was intended to block Japanese withdrawal routes toward the northern Luzon hills.

  Source
• 1944Noemfoor operations

  Noemfoor · Southwest Pacific

  On 3 and 4 July, the group delivered reinforcements and supplies to Allied forces on Noemfoor.

  Outcome. The missions sustained Allied operations during the campaign to secure the island.

  Source
• 1943Battle of Wau

  Papua New Guinea

  The group made repeated flights over the Owen Stanley Range on 30 January and 1 February to move reinforcements and supplies to Allied forces defending the Wau airfield against Japanese attack.

  Outcome. The operation supported the defense of a strategically important Allied airfield and earned the group a Distinguished Unit Citation.

  Source
• 1943Nadzab airborne operation

  New Guinea

  The group dropped paratroops at Nadzab on 5 September to disrupt Japanese supply lines and help seize bases in the area.

  Outcome. The operation opened an important Allied foothold in the Markham Valley and is identified as the first Allied airborne operation in the Southwest Pacific.

  Source

• 1992

  Activation under the Objective Wing structureStrategy

  Background

  The Air Force reorganized its wings and restored group-level operational headquarters to manage flying squadrons.

  Action taken

  The 317th was reactivated as the 317th Operations Group at Pope Air Force Base and assumed responsibility for the 317th Wing's operational flying units.

  Aftermath

  The group supported Desert Storm-related airlift before being inactivated in 1993 during consolidation under the 23d Wing.

  Source

• 1948

  Transfer from Japan to Germany for the Berlin AirliftStrategy

  Background

  The Berlin Blockade created an urgent requirement for additional large transport aircraft and trained aircrews.

  Action taken

  The group completed a rapid transfer from Japan to Germany and shifted its operational base to Celle RAF Station.

  Aftermath

  It flew sustained cargo missions into Berlin until the airlift ended in July 1949.

  Source

• 1947

  Transition to Douglas C-54 SkymastersGeneration change

  Background

  Postwar occupation and transport duties required greater capacity than the group's earlier C-47 fleet could provide.

  Action taken

  The group replaced its C-47s with four-engine Douglas C-54 aircraft and was later designated a heavy troop-carrier group.

  Aftermath

  The transition enabled the group's participation in the Berlin Airlift.

  Source

• 1942

  Reoriented deployment from Europe to the Southwest PacificStrategy

  Background

  The group was initially expected to support European operations, but its orders changed while it was preparing for overseas service.

  Action taken

  The organization altered its training, aircraft ferrying, and deployment arrangements to support Fifth Air Force in the Southwest Pacific.

  Aftermath

  The change placed the group in one of the Pacific theater's principal airlift roles and shaped its subsequent combat record.

  Source

1. 1317th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org