514th Operations Group
The 514th Operations Group is the flying component of the United States Air Force Reserve's 514th Air Mobility Wing.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
The 514th Operations Group is a United States Air Force Reserve operational unit based at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey. It forms the flying component of the 514th Air Mobility Wing and operates in association with the active-duty 305th Air Mobility Wing at the same installation. Rather than being a commercial brand, it is an organizational identity used for a military aviation formation; its principal responsibilities are airlift, aerial refueling, aeromedical evacuation, air mobility support, training, and the provision of trained Reserve personnel for national emergencies and contingency operations. The group's lineage reaches back to the 4th Combat Cargo Group, established in June 1944 for service in the China-Burma-India Theater during the Second World War. That predecessor trained with Douglas C-47 Skytrain and Curtiss C-46 Commando aircraft before deploying to India in late 1944. It supported Allied forces in Burma and China by moving troops, ammunition, fuel, equipment, animals, and other supplies. Its wartime missions included logistical support for the Ledo Road, the movement of personnel and equipment during the Allied crossing of the Ayeyarwady River, and the airdrop of Gurkha troops during the assault on Rangoon. The unit continued supply operations in the region until the end of the war and was inactivated in February 1946. A second important predecessor, the 514th Troop Carrier Group, was activated in the Air Force Reserve in May 1947. It trained for troop-carrier missions in the United States and was ordered to active service during the Korean War in May 1951. During that period it conducted tactical exercises, joint training, and a C-46 combat-crew training program. The group returned to Reserve status in 1953 and remained active until April 1959, when it was inactivated during an Air Force Reserve reorganization. The modern organization was activated in August 1992 as the 514th Operations Group during the Air Force's Objective Wing reorganization. It initially supported strategic airlift missions and supplied trained personnel to augment the active force. The group began aerial-refueling operations in 1994 and subsequently operated or shared responsibility for several major air mobility aircraft types, including the Lockheed C-141 Starlifter, Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender, and Boeing KC-46A Pegasus. In 2001, the 514th lineage was consolidated with that of the 344th Military Airlift Group, itself descended from the wartime 4th Combat Cargo Group. The group's current structure includes the 76th and 78th Air Refueling Squadrons, the 732d Airlift Squadron, the 514th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, the 514th Operations Support Flight, and the 514th Air Mobility Operations Squadron. Its aircraft are assigned to the active-duty 305th Air Mobility Wing, while Reserve personnel share responsibility for operating and maintaining the wing's airlift and refueling capabilities. The organization therefore represents an integrated active-component and reserve approach to global air mobility rather than an independent commercial enterprise.
History
The earliest lineage associated with the 514th Operations Group begins with the 4th Combat Cargo Group, which was established on 9 June 1944 and activated four days later. After training in the United States with C-47 and C-46 aircraft, it moved to India in November 1944 and began operations in the China-Burma-India Theater in early December. Working with the Combat Cargo Task Force, the group transported reinforcements and supplies for Allied forces in Burma. Its activities included logistical support for the Ledo Road, the movement of men, mules, boats, ammunition, gasoline, and equipment during the Allied advance, and the dropping of Gurkha paratroops during the Rangoon operation. In June 1945 it moved to Burma and continued hauling supplies to China until the war ended. The wartime group was inactivated on 9 February 1946 and later disestablished. The other principal lineage stream began with the 514th Troop Carrier Group, activated in the Air Force Reserve on 29 May 1947. It trained for troop-carrier operations at Birmingham Municipal Airport and, during part of its early existence, was moved to Mitchel Air Force Base without its personnel or equipment. The group was redesignated 514th Troop Carrier Group, Medium, in 1949. It was ordered to active service on 1 May 1951 during the Korean War period and performed troop-carrier missions, tactical exercises, and joint training in the United States. From September 1952 through January 1953 it also operated a combat-crew training school for C-46 aircraft. The group was inactivated in February 1953, reactivated in the Reserve in April of that year, and finally inactivated in April 1959 during a Reserve structural reorganization. The lineage was redesignated 514th Military Airlift Group in 1985, although it remained inactive under that designation. On 1 August 1992, the unit was redesignated 514th Operations Group and activated as part of the Air Force's Objective Wing reorganization. It supported strategic airlift and supplied trained personnel for active-force augmentation during emergencies. Its Reserve squadrons participated in contingency airlift activity, including missions connected with Africa, and in training exercises. The group expanded into aerial refueling in 1994, operating KC-10 aircraft alongside its airlift responsibilities. The modern group has operated several generations of air mobility aircraft. It used the Lockheed C-141 Starlifter during the 1990s, transitioned into Boeing C-17 Globemaster III operations beginning in 1999, and continued KC-10 aerial-refueling work. Boeing KC-46A Pegasus operations were added in 2021. In 2001, the 514th Troop Carrier Group lineage was consolidated with the 344th Military Airlift Group, whose own heritage traced back to the 4th Combat Cargo Group. The consolidated lineage is maintained through the 514th Operations Group. Today the group is assigned to the 514th Air Mobility Wing at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. Its units include the 76th and 78th Air Refueling Squadrons, the 732d Airlift Squadron, the 514th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, the 514th Operations Support Flight, and the 514th Air Mobility Operations Squadron. The group flies aircraft assigned to the active-duty 305th Air Mobility Wing and shares responsibility for airlift and refueling missions, illustrating the integrated operating model used by the Air Force Reserve and active-duty Air Force.
- 2021
KC-46A Pegasus operations introduced
[1]The aircraft history identifies Boeing KC-46A Pegasus operations from November 2021.
- 2001
Lineage consolidated with 344th Military Airlift Group
[1]The 514th lineage was consolidated with the 344th Military Airlift Group, which carried the heritage of the 4th Combat Cargo Group.
- 1999
C-17 operations begin
[1]The group began operating the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III as part of its airlift modernization.
- 1994
Aerial-refueling mission added
[1]The group began flying aerial-refueling missions and operated KC-10 aircraft through its refueling squadrons.
- 1992
Modern 514th Operations Group activated
[1]The group was redesignated and activated on 1 August as part of the Objective Wing reorganization, supporting strategic airlift and force augmentation.
- 1959
Reserve group inactivated
[1]The 514th Troop Carrier Group was inactivated on 14 April during a Reserve reorganization.
- 1952
C-46 combat-crew training school begins
[1]The group operated a Curtiss C-46 combat-crew training school from September 1952 to January 1953.
- 1951
Called to active service during the Korean War
[1]The group was ordered to active duty on 1 May and performed troop-carrier training and related missions in the United States.
- 1947
514th Troop Carrier Group activated in the Reserve
[1]The second major predecessor entered the Air Force Reserve on 29 May for troop-carrier training and operations.
- 1945
Support for Allied operations in Burma and China
[1]The group transported personnel, supplies, fuel, ammunition, animals, and equipment and supported operations including the Rangoon assault.
Products and positioning
A United States Air Force Reserve air mobility organization focused on providing trained aircrews, operational support, airlift, aerial refueling, and evacuation capability in partnership with the active-duty force.
Strategic and tactical airlift aircraft · 1999
Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
The C-17 Globemaster III provides the group's modern heavy-airlift capability. The aircraft supports the movement of troops, vehicles, equipment, and supplies and can operate from a wide range of airfields. The group has been associated with C-17 operations since 1999, using aircraft assigned to the active-duty 305th Air Mobility Wing in the integrated McGuire air mobility structure.
Aerial-refueling and transport aircraft · 1994
McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender
The KC-10 Extender formed the group's principal aerial-refueling capability after the organization began refueling operations in 1994. In addition to transferring fuel to other aircraft, the platform can carry passengers and cargo, making it suited to the combined transport and refueling requirements of global air mobility.
Aerial-refueling and transport aircraft · 2021
Boeing KC-46A Pegasus
The KC-46A Pegasus represents a newer generation of aerial-refueling and transport capability associated with the group. The aircraft history for the organization records KC-46A operations beginning in November 2021, complementing the group's air mobility and force-projection responsibilities.
Strategic airlift aircraft · 1992
Lockheed C-141 Starlifter
The C-141 Starlifter was an earlier modern airlift platform used by the group after its 1992 activation. It supported the group's strategic-airlift role during the 1990s before the transition to C-17 Globemaster III operations.
Troop-carrier and cargo aircraft · 1944
Curtiss C-46 Commando
The C-46 Commando was used by both the wartime combat-cargo lineage and the postwar Reserve troop-carrier organization. The aircraft supported cargo and personnel movement and was also central to the group's combat-crew training school operated between September 1952 and January 1953.
Cargo and troop-carrier aircraft · 1944
Douglas C-47 Skytrain
The C-47 Skytrain was among the aircraft used by the 4th Combat Cargo Group during its Second World War training and operations. It supported the movement of personnel and supplies in the China-Burma-India Theater.
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