5th Operations Group

The 5th Operations Group, commonly abbreviated 5 OG, is an operational group of the United States Air Force and the flying component of the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota. Its principal responsibility is to generate, train, and employ B-52H Stratofortress bomber forces for conventional and nuclear-capable missions. The group is therefore not a commercial brand in the ordinary sense; its identity functions as a military unit designation associated with a long lineage, distinctive heraldry, operational capabilities, and subordinate squadrons. The organization traces its lineage to the 2d Group (Observation), activated at Luke Field in Hawaii on 15 August 1919. It was redesignated the 5th Group (Observation) in 1921 and later became the 5th Group (Pursuit and Bombardment) and the 5th Group (Composite). During the interwar period, its crews flew aircraft including the De Havilland DH-4 and participated in training, Army-Navy exercises, aerial reviews, patrol work, and territorial activities. In 1935, aircraft from the group helped protect Hilo during the eruption of Mauna Loa by dropping bombs to divert lava flows away from the city. The unit entered the Second World War equipped with B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-18 Bolos. It suffered severe losses and damage during the Japanese attack on Hawaii on 7 December 1941, but its aircrews were among the first American military aviators to take to the air after the attack. The group subsequently flew patrol, reconnaissance, and bombing missions across the Southwest Pacific. It participated in operations around the Solomon Islands, Guadalcanal, Bougainville, New Britain, New Ireland, Woleai, Yap, Truk, Palau, the Netherlands Indies, Borneo, the Philippines, and other locations. As the war progressed, B-24 Liberators increasingly replaced the group's B-17s because of their range, speed, and payload advantages in the Pacific theater. The wartime organization flew more than 1,000 combat missions, participated in ten major campaigns, received two Distinguished Unit Citations, and was awarded the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation. After the war, the lineage passed through several reconnaissance and bombardment designations. The group performed long-range strategic reconnaissance with aircraft such as RB-17 and RB-29 variants during the late 1940s and early 1950s. It was inactivated on 16 June 1952 during implementation of the Tri-Deputate organizational structure. The group was redesignated the 5th Operations Group on 29 August 1991 and activated on 1 September 1991 as the 5th Bomb Wing's operational element. In the modern era, the group has supported major United States operations and global deterrence missions with B-52H aircraft. Following the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, its wing deployed bomber forces for Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2003, the wing deployed B-52s and personnel in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, conducting more than 120 combat missions and employing a range of conventional weapons and targeting systems. Later deployments included operations from Guam and support for United States Central Command activities in Afghanistan. The group's operational role combines conventional strike, long-range bomber presence, training, readiness, and nuclear deterrence. Its subordinate units include the 23d Bomb Squadron, the 69th Bomb Squadron, and the 5th Operations Support Squadron. The unit's emblem, approved in 1924, features a winged death's head reflecting its combat mission.

The 5th Operations Group is the successor organization of one of the United States military's early combat air groups. Its lineage begins with the 2d Group (Observation), organized in Hawaii on 15 August 1919. The organization was redesignated several times during the interwar years as its mission expanded from observation to pursuit and bombardment. It operated aircraft such as the De Havilland DH-4 and took part in exercises, patrols, aerial demonstrations, and territorial support activities. A notable peacetime mission occurred in 1935, when aircraft dropped bombs near the advancing lava of Mauna Loa to help divert the flow away from Hilo. The group became the 5th Bombardment Group in 1938 and received successive medium, heavy, and very heavy designations as its aircraft and mission changed. By late 1941 it operated B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-18 Bolos. The Japanese attack on 7 December 1941 caused major casualties and equipment losses, but the group's aircrews quickly resumed operations. Initially assigned to patrol and search duties around Hawaii, the group also participated in the Battle of Midway. Its high-altitude B-17 attacks against maneuvering Japanese naval forces demonstrated the limitations of that method against ships at sea. In November 1942, the organization moved into the Southwest Pacific and operated from bases including Pekoa Airfield on Espíritu Santo. It conducted patrols, photographic reconnaissance, attacks on Japanese shipping, and strikes against airfields and installations. During 1943, B-24 Liberators increasingly replaced B-17s because their range and payload better suited Pacific operations. The group attacked Woleai, Bougainville, New Britain, New Ireland, Yap, Truk, Palau, the Netherlands Indies, and Borneo, while later supporting Allied advances through the Philippines and other parts of the region. Its attack on Balikpapan oil facilities on 30 September 1944 earned a Distinguished Unit Citation, as did its earlier action at Woleai. By the end of the war, the group had flown more than 1,000 combat missions, taken part in ten major campaigns, and accumulated more than 13,300 medals and decorations among its personnel. After World War II, the organization remained in the Far East before transitioning through bombardment and reconnaissance roles. It operated long-range reconnaissance aircraft, including RB-17 and RB-29 variants, from 1947 into the early 1950s. The group was inactivated on 16 June 1952 when the 5th Reconnaissance Wing implemented a structure that assigned flying units directly to the wing. It was later redesignated the 5th Operations Group and reactivated on 1 September 1991 under the Objective Wing structure, becoming the operational element of the 5th Bomb Wing. Since reactivation, the group has centered on B-52H Stratofortress operations. Its forces have supported Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Pacific deployments from Guam, Afghanistan-related combat operations, and recurring readiness exercises. The group performs both conventional and nuclear-capable bomber training and contributes to the United States strategic bomber force alongside B-1B and B-2 aircraft. The 23d Bomb Squadron, 69th Bomb Squadron, and 5th Operations Support Squadron are its principal current components. The group's heraldry, featuring a winged death's head approved in 1924, links the active organization to its early combat lineage.

• 2016

  Prairie Vigilance readiness exercise

  [1]5th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  Twelve B-52H bombers launched rapidly during a major exercise testing conventional and nuclear-capable readiness.

• 2003

  Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment

  [1]5th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The wing deployed B-52 aircraft and personnel for combat operations in the Iraq war.

• 1996

  72d Bomb Squadron inactivated

  [1]5th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  Force reductions led to the inactivation of the 72d Bomb Squadron and retirement of its twelve aircraft.

• 1991

  5th Operations Group activated

  [1]5th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The group was redesignated on 29 August and activated on 1 September as the operational component of the 5th Bomb Wing.

• 1952

  Group inactivated

  [1]5th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The reconnaissance group was inactivated on 16 June during a wing-level organizational restructuring.

• 1944

  Distinguished Unit Citation operations

  [1]5th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  Operations at Woleai and the Balikpapan oil facilities were recognized with Distinguished Unit Citations.

• 1941

  Pearl Harbor attack and immediate combat response

  [1]5th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The group suffered heavy losses during the Japanese attack but became one of the first American formations to launch aircraft afterward.

• 1938

  Redesignated 5th Bombardment Group

  [1]5th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The organization formally adopted a bombardment-group designation on 9 March.

• 1935

  Support during Mauna Loa eruption

  [1]5th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  Ten bombers dropped bombs around a lava flow in an effort to help protect Hilo.

• 1921

  Redesignated 5th Group (Observation)

  [1]5th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The group adopted the 5th Group designation as its observation role continued in Hawaii.

• 1919

  2d Group (Observation) organized

  [1]5th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The predecessor organization was organized at Luke Field in the Territory of Hawaii on 15 August 1919.

A United States Air Force operational organization positioned around long-range bomber employment, strategic deterrence, conventional strike, and expeditionary readiness.

• Strategic bomber

  B-52H Stratofortress

  The B-52H Stratofortress is the group's principal aircraft and supports long-range conventional strike, strategic deterrence, expeditionary deployments, and nuclear-capable training. The platform can employ multiple weapon categories, including precision-guided munitions, air-launched cruise missiles, gravity weapons, and other mission equipment.

• World War II heavy bomber

  B-24 Liberator

  B-24 Liberators became the group's principal Pacific theater bomber during World War II as B-17s were progressively withdrawn. Their longer range, higher speed, and greater bomb load made them suitable for operations across the wide distances of the Southwest Pacific.

• World War II heavy bomber

  B-17 Flying Fortress

  B-17 Flying Fortresses equipped the group before and during the early part of World War II. They conducted patrol and bombing missions from Hawaii and the Southwest Pacific, including attacks associated with the Battle of Midway.

• Strategic reconnaissance aircraft

  RB-17 and RB-29 reconnaissance aircraft

  The group's postwar reconnaissance formations operated RB-17 and RB-29 variants for long-range strategic reconnaissance and photographic missions from the late 1940s into the early 1950s.

• 2009

  Relief of the 5th Bomb Wing commander

  The wing commander was relieved on 30 October 2009 over concerns involving organizational culture, strategic-mission focus, and performance during nuclear surety inspections.

  Source

• 2008

  Failed nuclear surety inspection

  The wing failed a Defense Threat Reduction Agency inspection in May 2008 after the nuclear weapons incident. It nevertheless retained certification for nuclear weapons missions and training.

  Source

• 2007

  2007 United States Air Force nuclear weapons incident

  The 5th Bomb Wing was associated with an incident involving negligent handling of nuclear weapons that breached established safety and security procedures. The event led to the removal of the wing commander and intensified scrutiny of nuclear surety practices.

  Source

Read more

• 2005Afghanistan combat support deployment

  Afghanistan · United States Central Command

  Aircraft and personnel forward deployed to support combat operations, flying close-air-support and strike missions.

  Outcome. The crews supported ground forces and their operational objectives in Afghanistan.

  Source
• 2003Operation Iraqi Freedom

  Iraq · United States European Command region

  The wing deployed approximately 550 personnel and 14 B-52 aircraft and conducted more than 120 combat missions.

  Outcome. B-52 crews delivered more than three million pounds of weapons and used a Litening II targeting pod in a combat strike for the first time in 5th Bomb Wing history.

  Source
• 2001Operation Enduring Freedom

  Afghanistan

  B-52 crews deployed to a forward operating location and attacked strategic targets during the campaign against the Taliban regime.

  Outcome. The deployment provided long-range bomber support to the opening phase of the Afghanistan campaign.

  Source
• 1944Southwest Pacific strategic bombing campaign

  Woleai · Bougainville · Borneo · Philippines · Palau

  The group attacked Japanese bases, oil facilities, shipping, and other installations while supporting Allied offensives across the Pacific.

  Outcome. The group received Distinguished Unit Citations for actions at Woleai and Balikpapan and contributed to the neutralization of Japanese bases before later Allied invasions.

  Source
• 1942Southwest Pacific operations

  Solomon Islands · Coral Sea · New Hebrides

  The group moved from Hawaii to the Southwest Pacific and conducted patrols, photographic missions, shipping attacks, and strikes against Japanese airfields.

  Outcome. Operations supported the Allied advance through the Solomon Islands region.

  Source
• 1941Pacific defensive operations

  Hawaii · Central Pacific

  After the attack on Hawaii, the group conducted search, patrol, and defensive missions and participated in operations connected with the Battle of Midway.

  Outcome. The missions helped establish early American air response in the Pacific, although high-altitude B-17 attacks against maneuvering ships were ineffective.

  Source

• 2016

  Prairie Vigilance readiness exerciseOther

  Background

  The wing required an exercise to evaluate readiness for both conventional and nuclear-capable bomber operations.

  Action taken

  Twelve B-52H aircraft launched in rapid succession without advance notice to aircrews.

  Aftermath

  The exercise demonstrated the group's ability to generate bomber sorties under demanding readiness conditions.

  Source

• 2003

  Combat employment of the Litening II targeting podProduct launch

  Background

  The Iraq deployment required flexible precision targeting in support of conventional air operations.

  Action taken

  A 5th Bomb Wing B-52 crew used a Litening II targeting pod to strike an Iraqi airfield on 11 April.

  Aftermath

  The mission marked the first combat use of the system by a 5th Bomb Wing crew.

  Source

• 1996

  B-52 force reductionStrategy

  Background

  Budget reductions required the Air Force to reduce the 5th Bomb Wing's B-52H fleet.

  Action taken

  The 72d Bomb Squadron was inactivated and twelve aircraft were retired.

  Aftermath

  The wing operated with a smaller bomber fleet while retaining its long-range strike and deterrence roles.

  Source

• 1991

  Reactivation under the Objective Wing structureStrategy

  Background

  The Air Force reorganized the 5th Bomb Wing so that its flying elements were consolidated in an operations group.

  Action taken

  The former lineage was redesignated as the 5th Operations Group on 29 August and activated on 1 September.

  Aftermath

  The group became the operational headquarters for the wing's bomber squadrons.

  Source

1. 15th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org