| Unit Name: | 65th Air Base Group |
| Dates: | 1952–1953, 1982–present |
| Type: | Base Support |
| Command Structure: | United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa |
| Current Commander: | Colonel Daniel Furleigh |
| Garrison: | Lajes Field, Portugal |
| Decorations: | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |
| Identification Symbol Label: | 65th Air Base Group emblem (Approved 15 June 2007) |
| Identification Symbol 2 Label: | 65th Air Base Wing emblem (Approved 15 June 2007)[1] |
The 65th Air Base Group is a group of the United States Air Force based at Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal.
The group provides base and en route support for the U.S. Department of Defense, allied nations and other authorized aircraft in transit, including those from the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, France, Italy, Colombia, Germany, Venezuela and Great Britain.
The 65th was first organized at Mitchel Air Force Base, New York as the 65th Troop Carrier Wing in 1952. It conducted "reserve training toward proficiency with troop carrier aircraft from 1952–1953. However, the wing was never fully manned or equipped."[1]
The 1605th Military Airlift Support Wing replaced the 1605th Air Base Wing as the Military Airlift Command unit managing facilities at Lajes Field in January 1982. Ten years later, the two units were consolidated as the 65th Support Wing.[1]
It has "provided en route support for aircraft transiting Lajes Air Base from 1982 to the present." Its commander also serves as Commander, United States Forces Azores. The unit also "provided base support to elements of the United States Army and U.S. Navy in the area." The 65th "supported deployment of personnel and equipment through Lajes during operations in the Persian Gulf from August 1990 – April 1991"[1] and in support of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) (Operation Enduring Freedom) and the War in Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom) since 2001 and 2003 respectively.
On 14 August 2015, the wing was redesignated as a group and reassigned to the 86th Airlift Wing.[3]
On 21 August 2015, Airman 1st Class Spencer Stone, a medical technician of the 65th Medical Operations Squadron was one of 6 passengers, including three Americans who thwarted the attack on a high speed train travelling from Brussels to Paris by an armed gunman by tackling and subduing him, then helping to provide medical aid to a wounded passenger.[4] On 16 September 2015, he received the Airman's Medal and a Purple Heart medal from U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter at the Pentagon.[5]
65th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing
Activated in the Reserve on 14 June 1952
Inactivated on 1 April 1953
65th Air Base Group
Redesignated 65th Support Wing on 27 January 1992
Redesignated 65th Air Base Wing on 1 October 1993[1]
Redesignated 65th Air Base Group 11 August 2015[3]