| Unit Name: | 1st Air Support Operations Group |
| Dates: | 1942–1945; 1992–present |
| Type: | Group |
| Role: | Control of close air support |
| Command Structure: | Pacific Air Forces |
| Garrison: | Joint Base Lewis-McChord |
| Motto: | Ready First |
| Battles: | CBI Theater[1] |
| Identification Symbol Label: | 1st Air Support Operations Group emblem[2] |
The United States Air Force's 1st Air Support Operations Group is a combat support unit located at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. The group provides tactical command and control of airpower assets to the Joint Forces Air Component Commander and Joint Forces Land Component Commander for combat operations.[3]
The group directs four squadrons operating from 11 locations in Washington, Alaska, Hawaii and Japan. The group provides an Air Support Operations Center and Tactical Air Control Parties to US Army combat units at multiple echelons including United States Army Pacific, I Corps, and nine aviation, airborne, infantry and Stryker brigade combat teams of the 2nd and 25th Infantry Divisions. The 1st Weather Squadron provides operational and staff weather services for Army combat units across the Pacific Command area of responsibility. In addition, they train and maintain combat readiness for worldwide battlefield weather deployments. The groups Air Liaison Officers and Joint Terminal Attack Controllers advise Army commanders and staffs on all aspects of joint airpower employment, integrating and synchronizing close air support, air mobility, and intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities into strategy, plans, and operations.[4]
Prior to the reformation of the Special Operations Weather career field into the new Special Reconnaissance field, the group operated a small contingent of special operations weather technician airmen.[5]
The group is assigned to the 354th Fighter Wing at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska.[4] The group is stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.
Activated on 23 April 1942
Redesignated 1st Air Support Communication Squadron on 11 January 1943
Redesignated 1st Tactical Air Communications Squadron on 1 April 1944
Inactivated on 29 October 1945
Disbanded on 8 October 1948
Redesignated 1st Air Support Operations Group on 1 July 1994[1]