375th Operations Group


The 375th Operations Group is the operational flying component of the United States Air Force 375th Air Mobility Wing. It is stationed at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.
The unit's World War II predecessor unit, the 375th Troop Carrier Group operated primarily in the Southwest Pacific Theater transporting men, supplies and ammunition to forward bases in New Guinea, New Britain and in the Solomon and Admiralty Islands. In 1943, the unit took part in the first airborne operation in the Southwest Pacific, dropping paratroops to seize enemy bases and cut overland supply lines in New Guinea. It was awarded the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation for its role in the liberation of the Philippines during 1944–1945. After the war, the unit served in the reserves and was elevated to active service during the Korean War. It returned to reserve duty until its inactivation in 1957; then again since 1991 after its reactivation.

Overview

The 375th Operations Group is a diverse group of over 500 military, civilian, and contract personnel in six squadrons and one Detachment, located at three different locations within the U.S. The primary missions of the group is to provide aeromedical evacuation, aeromedical evacuation training, executive and operational support airlift, flight inspection, and air refueling of critical DoD assets. The Group’s medical personnel provide rapid aeromedical evacuation support for stateside and/or worldwide contingencies on six different mobility aircraft, in addition to conducting initial qualification training to aeromedical evacuation personnel. The group's two Total Force Integration squadrons conduct Executive Airlift with four AFRC-owned C-40C aircraft and air refueling with eight ANG-owned KC-135R aircraft. The group also provides CONUS/OCONUS operational support airlift to priority passengers from Scott AFB and one overseas deployed location with its 14 C-21A aircraft. In coordination with the DoD and FAA, the group is also responsible for the delivery of worldwide combatant commander contingency flight inspection jointly with the FAA. Finally, the group has responsibility for all airfield operations and management, including air traffic control of the shared-use Scott AFB/Mid America Airport called home by three flying wings.458th Airlift Squadron C-21A54th Airlift Squadron C-40C375th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron C-21A, [Boeing Boeing C-17 Globemaster III|C-17 Globemaster III|C-17], [Lockheed Lockheed C-130 Hercules|C-130 Hercules|C-130], and KC-135

History

Initially trained for overseas duty and moved to the Pacific theater, June–July 1943. Operated from New Guinea and Biak, July 1943 – February 1945, transporting troops, supplies, and equipment to forward bases on New Guinea, New Britain, the Solomon Islands, and the Admiralty Islands. Flew armed B-17 Flying Fortress's for the more hazardous missions that involved landing on fields that were under enemy attack. Took part in the first airborne operation in the Southwest Pacific, seizing enemy bases and cutting supply lines at Nadzab, New Guinea, on 5 September 1943.
Moved to the Philippines in February 1945, and during the next few months most of its missions were supply flights to ground forces on Luzon and neighboring islands. Transported cargo to forces in the Ryukyus, June–July 1945. After the war, transferred troops from Luzon to the Ryukyus for staging to Japan. Also ferried liberated prisoners from Okinawa to Luzon. Moved to Japan in September 1945, flying supply missions and courier flights until inactivated.
Trained in the Reserve from August 1947 until the group was called to active duty in October 1950. After a period of intensive training, the group supplied airlift for troop movements throughout the United States. Reallotted to the Reserve for training from July 1952 – November 1957.
Conducted operational support, aeromedical, and training missions from December 1991.

Lineage

  • Established as 375th Troop Carrier Group on 12 November 1942
  • Assigned and activated in the Reserve on 3 August 1947
  • Activated in the Reserve on 14 July 1952
  • Redesignated 375th Aeromedical Airlift Group on 31 July 1985
  • Redesignated 375th Operations Group, and activated on 1 December 1991.

Assignments

Components

  • 11th Aeromedical Airlift : 1 December 1991 – 30 September 2003
  • 14th Fighter: 30 September 1947 – 27 June 194954th Airlift: 30 September 2004 – present
  • 55th Troop Carrier: 18 November 1942 – 25 March 1946; 9 August 1947 – 16 November 1957
  • 56th Troop Carrier: 18 November 1942 – 25 March 1946; 3 August 1947 – 16 November 1957
  • 57th Troop Carrier: 18 November 1942 – 25 March 1946; 3 August 1947 – 1 April 1954
  • 58th Troop Carrier: 18 November 1942 – 25 March 1946; 30 September 1947 – 3 October 1950311th Airlift: 15 June 2005 – present
  • 375th Flying Training: 1 December 1991 – 1 July 1994457th Airlift: 1 December 1991 – 1 April 1993; 1 April 1997 – present458th Airlift: 1 December 1991 – present
  • 459th Airlift: 1 December 1991 – 1 April 1993.906th Air Refueling: 2 October 2009 – present

Stations

Aircraft

  • C-47, 1942–1946
  • B-17, 1944
  • C-46, 1944–1946; 1948–1950; 1952–1955
  • C-82, 1950–1952
  • C-45, 1951
  • C-119, 1954–1957
C-118 prior to the * C-9,1991–2003
  • C-12, 1991–1994
  • C-21, 1991-present
  • KC-135, 2009-present