113th Operations Group
The 113th Operations Group is a United States Air Force flying group responsible for air sovereignty, aircrew training, and deployable fighter, airlift, and support capabilities.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
The 113th Operations Group is a flying organization of the United States Air Force associated with the District of Columbia Air National Guard. Based at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, the group supports the defense of the National Capital Region and maintains forces capable of employment at local, national, and global levels. Its missions include air sovereignty for the District of Columbia, training air-combat and operational-airlift crews, maintaining a ready fighter response capability, and supporting civil and federal law-enforcement agencies in counterdrug activities when requested and authorized. The group carries a substantial World War II heritage through the lineage of the 352d Fighter Group. Constituted in 1942 and activated at Mitchel Field, New York, the 352d trained with Republic P-47 Thunderbolts before deploying to the European Theater of Operations in 1943. Operating primarily with the Eighth Air Force, it conducted fighter-escort and related missions for bomber formations. In 1944 it transitioned to the North American P-51 Mustang and became identified by its distinctive blue nose markings and the nickname “Blue Nosed Bastards of Bodney.” The group produced several highly decorated fighter pilots and participated in major operations over northwest Europe. One of the unit’s best-known actions occurred on New Year’s Day 1945 during the Luftwaffe’s Operation Bodenplatte. At the forward airfield designated Y-29 near As, Belgium, the group’s pilots responded to a large German fighter attack and claimed the destruction of 24 enemy aircraft. The 487th Fighter Squadron received a Distinguished Unit Citation, while several group personnel received high individual decorations. The 352d remained in Europe until after the German surrender, returned to the United States, and was inactivated in November 1945. In 1946 the World War II lineage was redesignated as the 113th Fighter Group and allotted to the National Guard. The reconstituted organization became part of the District of Columbia Air National Guard and operated from Andrews Field. During the Korean War it was federalized, assigned to Air Defense Command, redesignated as a fighter-interceptor group, and equipped successively with F-84 Thunderjets and F-94B Starfires. It was inactivated in February 1952 as part of an Air Defense Command reorganization. After returning to District of Columbia control, the organization resumed fighter operations with F-51H Mustangs and later entered the jet era with North American F-86 Sabres. During the 1950s it maintained an air-defense alert at Andrews and subsequently shifted toward a tactical-air-support mission under Tactical Air Command. The group received F-100C Super Sabres in 1960. It was federalized during the 1968 Pueblo Crisis and moved to Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, South Carolina, before returning to Andrews in 1969, where it transitioned to Republic F-105D Thunderchiefs. The group was inactivated in 1974 when its operational squadron was assigned directly to the wing. It was reactivated on 1 January 1993 as the 113th Operations Group under the Air Force’s objective-wing structure. In its current form, the organization provides the operational component of the 113th Wing, with responsibilities centered on air defense of the capital region, readiness, training, and the provision of forces for contingency employment. Unlike a commercial brand, it does not sell products or services in a consumer market; its identity is institutional and military, grounded in lineage, mission readiness, and service to national defense.
History
The modern 113th Operations Group traces its institutional lineage to the 352d Fighter Group, a United States Army Air Forces organization formed during World War II. The 352d was constituted on 29 September 1942 and activated at Mitchel Field, New York, on 1 October. It moved among several northeastern airfields while assembling personnel, aircraft, and supporting elements, eventually concentrating at Westover Field and other Connecticut and Massachusetts locations for advanced training. Its original combat equipment was the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. The group deployed to the European Theater in July 1943 aboard the RMS Queen Elizabeth and joined the Eighth Air Force in England. Its first combat missions began in September 1943, initially involving escort of B-17 bomber formations returning from operations over continental Europe. The group later operated from RAF Bodney and deployed forward to Belgium. In April 1944 it exchanged its P-47s for North American P-51 Mustangs. The aircraft received blue nose markings that became the group’s most recognizable visual identifier and led to its informal nickname, the “Blue Nosed Bastards of Bodney.” The 352d performed fighter escort, fighter-sweep, and ground-support missions through the European campaign. Its ranks included several high-scoring and decorated pilots, among them George Preddy and John C. Meyer. On 1 January 1945, during Operation Bodenplatte, German fighters attacked Allied airfields across the Low Countries. At the Y-29 airfield near As, Belgium, the 352d mounted an immediate defense despite difficult weather and the surprise nature of the attack. The group reported 24 German aircraft destroyed. The 487th Fighter Squadron received the Distinguished Unit Citation, and members of the group received awards including the Distinguished Service Cross and Silver Star. The engagement became a defining episode in the group’s historical reputation. Following Victory in Europe, the group remained in the theater for several months before returning to the United States. It was inactivated at the New York Port of Embarkation on 10 November 1945. On 24 May 1946, the lineage was redesignated as the 113th Fighter Group and allotted to the National Guard. The organization received federal recognition in Maryland in October 1946 and became part of the District of Columbia Air National Guard structure. Its assigned squadrons included the 121st Fighter Squadron, whose antecedent was the 121st Observation Squadron established in 1940, as well as other fighter units from neighboring states during the postwar reorganization. The Korean War brought a major change in status. The 113th was federalized on 1 February 1951 and assigned to Air Defense Command. It was redesignated the 113th Fighter-Interceptor Group, while its operational elements operated alongside Air National Guard units from Delaware and Pennsylvania. The organization flew F-84C Thunderjets and later converted to Lockheed F-94B Starfires, an all-weather interceptor type. It was inactivated on 6 February 1952 as Air Defense Command reorganized its wing and group structure to improve the deployment of fighter squadrons. The organization returned to District of Columbia control and was reactivated in November 1952. It operated F-51H Mustangs until receiving North American F-86A Sabres in 1954. During the mid-1950s it maintained a scheduled air-defense alert at Andrews, with aircraft and crews ready during daylight hours. Later Sabre variants followed, including the F-86E and F-86H. In late 1958 the group’s gaining command changed from Air Defense Command to Tactical Air Command, and its principal mission shifted toward tactical air support, although air defense remained an important secondary responsibility. The group entered the supersonic era with the North American F-100C Super Sabre in 1960. It was federalized again during the Pueblo Crisis in January 1968 and moved to Myrtle Beach Air Force Base while the associated active-duty wing deployed to South Korea. The organization returned to Andrews in June 1969 and began operating the Republic F-105D Thunderchief, a large and technically demanding aircraft that was being withdrawn from regular Air Force service. In December 1974 the group was inactivated and the 121st Tactical Fighter Squadron was assigned directly to the 113th Tactical Fighter Wing. The Air Force’s objective-wing reorganization during the early 1990s restored functional groups as the principal operational elements of wings. Accordingly, the 113th Operations Group was redesignated and activated on 1 January 1993. In its current role, it provides the operational structure for the 113th Wing’s flying and mission-support activities. Its enduring responsibilities combine capital-region air defense, crew proficiency, readiness, and the ability to generate forces for broader national and international operations.
- 1993
Activation as the 113th Operations Group
[1]The group was reactivated on 1 January under the objective-wing organizational model.
- 1974
Group inactivated
[1]The 113th Tactical Fighter Group was inactivated and its fighter squadron was assigned directly to the wing.
- 1969
Return to Andrews and F-105 transition
[1]The group returned to Andrews and transitioned to the Republic F-105D Thunderchief.
- 1968
Pueblo Crisis activation
[1]The group was federalized during the Pueblo Crisis and moved to Myrtle Beach Air Force Base while supporting wider tactical-air-force deployments.
- 1960
Transition to the F-100C
[1]The group received North American F-100C Super Sabres, bringing supersonic fighters into its operational inventory.
- 1954
Jet air-defense modernization
[1]After operating F-51H Mustangs, the group began receiving F-86A Sabres and resumed jet-fighter operations.
- 1951
Korean War federalization
[1]The group entered federal service, joined Air Defense Command, and became the 113th Fighter-Interceptor Group.
- 1946
Redesignation as the 113th Fighter Group
[1]The World War II lineage was redesignated as the 113th Fighter Group and allotted to the National Guard.
- 1945
Defense of Y-29 during Operation Bodenplatte
[1]On New Year’s Day, the group engaged German fighters attacking the Y-29 airfield in Belgium and was credited with 24 enemy aircraft destroyed.
- 1944
Conversion to P-51 Mustangs
[1]The group replaced its P-47 Thunderbolts with P-51 Mustangs and adopted the blue nose marking associated with its wartime identity.
Products and positioning
A United States Air Force operational organization positioned around homeland air defense, aircrew training, readiness, and deployable military capability rather than commercial products or services.
Military mission
Air sovereignty and air-defense readiness
The group provides ready fighter forces for protection of the District of Columbia and the National Capital Region. This mission involves maintaining trained personnel, serviceable aircraft, alert procedures, and command relationships capable of responding to aerial threats. It is a defense function rather than a commercial offering.
Training mission
Aircrew training
A central responsibility of the group is the training and operational readiness of air-combat and airlift crews. Training supports national defense requirements and helps preserve the proficiency needed for local alert duties and wider deployments.
Expeditionary military capability
Deployable fighter, airlift, and support capability
The group maintains forces that can be employed beyond the National Capital Region at national or global scale. The capability encompasses flying operations and supporting personnel needed for contingency, training, and expeditionary missions.
Marketing campaigns
- 1968Pueblo Crisis activation
United States · South Korea
The group was called to active service during the Pueblo Crisis and moved to Myrtle Beach Air Force Base while related tactical forces deployed to South Korea.
Outcome. The group returned to Andrews in June 1969 and subsequently transitioned to the F-105D.
- 1951Korean War air-defense activation
United States air defense
The 113th Fighter Group was federalized after the outbreak of the Korean War, redesignated as a fighter-interceptor group, and assigned to Air Defense Command.
Outcome. The group operated in the air-defense structure until its inactivation during the 1952 reorganization.
- 1945Operation Bodenplatte defense at Y-29
Belgium · European Theater
The group responded to the Luftwaffe’s New Year’s Day attack on Allied forward airfields. Pilots from the 487th Fighter Squadron launched under difficult conditions and engaged German fighters over the base.
Outcome. The group was credited with 24 German aircraft destroyed; the 487th Fighter Squadron received a Distinguished Unit Citation and several personnel received individual decorations.
- 1944P-51 Mustang fighter operations
European Theater
After converting from P-47 Thunderbolts to P-51 Mustangs, the group expanded its fighter-escort and offensive-counterair capabilities and became known for its blue-nosed aircraft.
Outcome. The group continued high-tempo operations against German air and ground forces.
- 1943Eighth Air Force bomber escort operations
European Theater
The predecessor 352d Fighter Group began combat operations with the Eighth Air Force, escorting heavy bombers and conducting fighter operations over northwest Europe.
Outcome. The group established a significant combat record and continued operations through the end of the European war.
Brand decisions
1993
Reactivation under the objective-wing structureStrategyBackground
The Air Force restored functional groups as operational components of wings during its early-1990s objective-wing reorganization.
Action taken
The former 113th fighter-group lineage was reactivated as the 113th Operations Group on 1 January.
Aftermath
The group resumed an operational role focused on air sovereignty, training, readiness, and deployable forces.
1958
Transition from air defense to tactical air supportStrategyBackground
The Air Force changed the group’s gaining command from Air Defense Command to Tactical Air Command.
Action taken
The group adopted a tactical-air-support mission while retaining air defense as a secondary responsibility.
Aftermath
The organization moved through F-86 and F-100 operations and later received the F-105D Thunderchief.
1951
Shift to the fighter-interceptor missionStrategyBackground
The Korean War prompted the federalization of many Air National Guard organizations and increased emphasis on continental air defense.
Action taken
The group joined Air Defense Command, was redesignated as the 113th Fighter-Interceptor Group, and operated F-84C and F-94B aircraft.
Aftermath
The group was inactivated in February 1952 during an Air Defense Command structural reorganization.
1944
Conversion from P-47 Thunderbolt to P-51 MustangGeneration changeBackground
The predecessor 352d Fighter Group required a longer-range and higher-performance fighter for its European escort and offensive missions.
Action taken
The group exchanged its radial-engine P-47s for North American P-51 Mustangs and adopted blue nose markings.
Aftermath
The conversion supported the group’s later combat reputation and its recognizable wartime identity.
Sources1 sources
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