Distinguished Unit Citation (5x) Air Force Meritorious Unit Award Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (3x) Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation (2x)
During World War II, the unit's predecessor unit, the 49th Fighter Group, operated primarily in the Southwest Pacific Theater as part of the Fifth Air Force. The group earned three Distinguished Unit Citations (DUC) for engaging the enemy in frequent and intense aerial combat in numerous campaigns between 1942 and 1945. During the Korean War, the unit initially covered the evacuation of civilian personnel from Kimpo and Suwon in 1950, later flying missions in support of UN ground forces, hitting gun positions, troop concentrations, and other objectives until the 1953 Armistice, remaining in South Korea for a time afterward.
The 49th Operations Support Squadron is made up of seven flights including Weather, Aircrew Flight Equipment, Airfield Operations, White Sands Radar, Intelligence, Current Operations and Weapons and Tactics. These flights support the wing, tenant units and Army's White Sands Missile Range. The Weather Flight provides operational observing, forecasting and staff weather support. They provide 26 specific types of weather warnings and advisories to 60 base agencies to ensure resource protection and flight safety of base assets worth over $7 billion.[1]
A USAF FTU (Formal Training Unit) where pilots and sensor operators undergo Initial Qualification Training to operate the MQ-9 Reaper. On 23 October 2009, the 6th was reactivated as the 6th Reconnaissance Squadron at Holloman AFB, and assumed its mission of providing Initial Qualification Training for pilots and sensor operators learning to operate the MQ-1 Predator remotely piloted aircraft. It eventually retired the MQ-1 and began training students on the MQ-9.
On 4 October 2012, the 9th Fighter Squadron was redesignated and activated as the 9th Attack Squadron which will train new pilots and sensor operators for the MQ-9 Reaper.[2]
Provides academic and simulator instruction to pilots and sensor operators learning to fly the MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft, using the Predator Mission Aircrew Training System.[3]
The 49th Operations Group traces its origins to the formation of the 49th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) at Selfridge Field, Michigan on 20 November 1940. The group trained with Seversky P-35s and consisted of three operational squadrons (7th, 8th, and 9th).[4]
P-40E of the 7th Fighter Squadron – 49th Fighter Group – Australia – March 1942
With the advent of World War II, the group moved to Australia and became part of Fifth Air Force in January 1942. It was re-designated as the 49th Fighter Group in May 1942. The unit received Curtiss P-40 Warhawks in Australia and, after training for a short time, provided air defense for the Northern Territory, being awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for engaging the enemy in frequent and intense aerial combat while operating with limited materiel and facilities for the period March–August 1942.[4]
The group moved to New Guinea in October 1942 to help stall the Japanese drive southward from BunatoPort Moresby. Engaged primarily in air defense of Port Moresby; also escorted bombers and transports, and attacked enemy installations, supply lines, and troop concentrations in support of Allied ground forces.[4]
The 49th participated in the Allied offensive that pushed the Japanese back along the Kokoda Track, took part in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea in March 1943, fought for control of the approaches to Huon Gulf, and supported ground forces during the campaign in which the Allies eventually recovered New Guinea. It covered the landings on Noemfoor and had a part in. the conquest of Biak.[4]
Other missions from the Philippines included strikes against industry and transportation on Formosa and against shipping along the China coast. By the war's end, the group's pilots destroyed 668 enemy aircraft (there may be some disagreement here as the 49th group site lists 678 but most sources agree at 668),[5][6] a record surpassing that of any other fighter group in the Pacific Theater. The group's World War II activities merited two Philippines Republic Presidential Unit Citations, three U.S. Distinguished Unit Citations, and 10 battle honors. Among the unit's 43 aces were Lt. Colonel Boyd D. "Buzz" Wagner, the first World War II ace in the Pacific Theater, and Major Richard I. Bong, whose 40 kills made him America's number one ace (a record that still stands). The 49th soon became endeared to the American people through the nickname, "Fighting 49ers."[4]
8th Fighter Squadron F-117A Nighthawk stealth fighter 86-0840 landing at Holloman AFB, New Mexico, 2000.
The 49th moved to Okinawa in August 1945 and to Japan in September. As part of the Army of occupation in Japan, the 49th Fighter Group trained, took part in maneuvers, and flew surveillance patrols, as part of Far East Air Forces. The group was equipped with North American P-51 Mustangs in 1946, with Lockheed F-80 Shooting Stars being added in 1948.[4]
On 10 August 1948, with the adoption of the Hobson Plan, the United States Air Force49th Fighter Wing was activated, with the 49th Fighter Group being assigned as its combat group. From this point, the history of the 49th Fighter Group is indistinguishable from that of the 49th Fighter Wing. Significant changes to the organization were:
On 1 February 1950, the group was re-designated as the 49th Fighter-Bomber Group
On 10 December 1957, the 49th Fighter-Bomber Group was inactivated when the wing adopted the Dual Deputy Organization and assigned all combat squadrons directly to the wing; the combat group commander becoming the wing Deputy Commander for Operations (DCO). The honors and history of the Group were temporarily bestowed to the 49th Fighter-Bomber Wing upon inactivation of the Group.
On 31 July 1985, while inactive, the group was re-designated as the 49th Tactical Fighter Group[4]
On 1 November 1991, the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing adopted the Air Force Objective Organization plan and the 49th Tactical Fighter Group was re-designated as the 49th Operations Group and re-activated. The operational squadrons of the wing came under the control of the Operations Group. The 49th Operations Group was transferred the lineage, honors and history of the 49th Fighter Group.[4]
^Kane, Robert B. (1 March 2016). "16 Training Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
Ferguson, Steve W. and William K. Pascalis. Protect & Avenge: The 49th Fighter Group in World War II. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing, 1995. ISBN0-88740-750-1.
Hess, William N. 49th Fighter Group: Aces of the Pacific. Botley, Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing Ltd., 2004. ISBN1-84176-785-9.
McAuliffe, Lt Col Jerome J. (2005). "Chapter 5, Etain-Rouvres Air Base". U.S. Air Force in France 1950–1967. San Diego, CA: Milspec Press. ISBN978-0-9770371-1-7.
McDowell, Ernest R. 49th Fighter Group. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal, Inc., 1989. ISBN0-89747-221-7.
United States
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
