Unit Name: | 314th Operations Group |
Dates: | 1942–1957; 1978–1980; 1991–present |
Country: | United States |
Command Structure: | 314th Airlift Wing |
Motto: | Viri Veniente Latin, Men Will Come (1942–1954) |
Battles: | European theater of World War IIMediterranean Theater of Operations Korean War |
Decorations: | Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation |
Identification Symbol Label: | 314th Operations Group emblem (Approved 17 June 1954)[1] [2] |
Identification Symbol 2 Label: | 314th Operations Group gaggle patch |
Identification Symbol 3 Label: | 314th Troop Carrier Group emblem (Approved 17 August 1942) |
The 314th Operations Group (314 OG) is the flying component of the Air Education and Training Command 314th Airlift Wing, stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas.
The group provides C-130 initial and tactical aircrew training in all crew positions for all of the Department of Defense and allied students from 46 nations.
The 314th Operations Group is composed of one flying squadron and one training squadron.
See the 314th Airlift Wing for additional history and lineage
During World War II the 314th Troop Carrier Group arrived in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations in May 1943, taking part with Twelfth Air Force units in two airborne operations. It flew two major night missions in July 1943 during the Sicily invasion, dropping paratroops of 82d Airborne Division near Gela on 9 July and reinforcements to the area on the 11th.
Later in the year, the group transported paratroops and supplies to Salerno, 14 and 15 September, during the invasion of Italy. Squadrons from the 314th flew additional missions in the Mediterranean before it transferred, in February 1944, to England for further training.
From England, it took part with the Ninth Air Force in the Normandy invasion, flying numerous supply and reinforcement missions in the ensuing period. The 314th dropped paratroops over the Netherlands in September and carried munitions and supplies to the same area. After moving to France in late February 1945, it participated in the airborne crossings of the Rhine River near Wesel on 24 March. The group then brought supplies and equipment to combat units and airlifted wounded U.S. and Allied personnel to rear-area hospitals.
After the termination of hostilities, it evacuated prisoners of war from German camps and flew regular personnel and freight service. It transferred without personnel or equipment (WOPE) to the United States in February 1946, and in September again transferred WOPE, to the Panama Canal Zone, where the 314th operated air terminals under Caribbean Air Command. It moved back to the United States in October 1948 for further training.
Transferring without personnel or equipment (WOPE) to US in February 1946, and in Sep, again WOPE, to the Canal Zone, the 314th operated air terminals under Caribbean Air Command. It moved back to the US in October 1948 for further training.
The group served in Japan during the Korean War, participating in two major airborne operations, at Sunchon in October 1950 and at Munsan-ni in March 1951. It later transported supplies to Korea and evacuated prisoners of war. In 1954, it again transferred, without personnel or equipment to the US where it participated in a continuous stream of tactical exercises and inspections until October 1957.
The group flew worldwide airlift and provided all C-130 aircrew training to U.S. and allied aircrews, September 1978 – June 1980 and from December 1991 to present.
Activated on 2 March 1942
Redesignated: 314th Troop Carrier Group on 4 July 1942
Redesignated: 314th Troop Carrier Group, Heavy on 26 July 1948
Redesignated: 314th Troop Carrier Group, Medium on 19 November 1948
Inactivated on 8 October 1957
Activated on 15 September 1978
Inactivated on 15 June 1980
Attached to Far East Air Forces, 7 September 1950
Attached to FEAF Combat Cargo Command, 10 September 1950
Attached to 314th Air Division, 1 December 1950
Attached to 315th Air Division, 25 January 1951 – c. 1 November 1952
Attached to 483d Troop Carrier Wing, 1 January 1953 – 15 November 1954