302nd Operations Group


The 302d Operations Group is the operational flying component of the 302d Airlift Wing of the United States [Air Force Reserve]. It is stationed at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado.
The group was activated during World War II as the 302d Bombardment Group, a Consolidated B-24 Liberator replacement training unit. It was originally a Second Air Force unit, it was reassigned to First Air Force in 1943. The group was inactivated in 1944 when the Army Air Forces reorganized its training units to make more efficient use of its manpower.
The group was redesignated the 302d Troop Carrier Group and activated in the Air Force Reserve in 1949. The group was called to active duty in June 1951 and its personnel used as fillers for other units before the 302d was inactivated a week later.
The group was again activated in the reserves in 1952 and trained as an airlift unit until it was inactivated in 1958 when Continental Air Command converted its operational wings to the dual deputy system in which squadrons reported directly to wing headquarters.
The group was activated again when Air Force Reserve Command reorganized under the Combat Wing reorganization.

Mission

The 302 OG consists of one C-130 Hercules squadron, the 731st Airlift Squadron, which has the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System mission. The group's personnel take part in tactical airlift training exercises and contingency and humanitarian airlift operations, both at home and abroad.

History

The group was activated during World War II as the 302d Bombardment Group, a Consolidated B-24 Liberator replacement training unit. It was originally a Second Air Force unit, it was reassigned to First Air Force in 1943. The group was inactivated in 1944 when the Army Air Forces reorganized its training units to make more efficient use of its manpower.
The group was redesignated the 302d Troop Carrier Group and activated in the Air Force Reserve in 1949. The group was called to active duty in June 1951 and its personnel used as fillers for other units before the 302d was inactivated a week later.
The group was again activated in the reserves in 1952 and trained as an airlift unit until it was inactivated in 1958 when Continental Air Command converted its operational wings to the dual deputy system in which squadrons reported directly to wing headquarters.
The group was activated again in 1992 when Air Force Reserve Command reorganized under the Combat Wing reorganization.

Lineage

  • Constituted as the 302d Bombardment Group on 28 January 1942
  • Redesignated 302d Troop Carrier Group, Medium on 16 May 1949
  • Redesignated 302d Troop Carrier Group, Heavy on 28 January 1950
  • Redesignated 302d Troop Carrier Group, Medium on 26 May 1952
  • Redesignated 302d Tactical Airlift Group on 31 July 1985
  • Redesignated: 302d Operations Group on 1 August 1992 and activated in the reserve

Assignments

Components

Stations

Aircraft

  • B-18, 1942
  • C-78, 1942
  • B-24, 1942–1943, 1943–1944
  • C-82, 1949
  • C-54, 1949–1950
  • C-46, 1952–1957
  • C-119, 1956–1959
  • C-130, 1992–present