116th Operations Group
The 116th Operations Group is a Georgia Air National Guard operational flying group responsible for the 116th Air Control Wing's Joint STARS mission.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
The 116th Operations Group is a Georgia Air National Guard unit assigned to the 116th Air Control Wing and based at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. Its present mission centers on operating and controlling the wing's Northrop Grumman E-8C Joint STARS airborne battle-management aircraft. Joint STARS provides wide-area surveillance, ground moving-target indication, command-and-control support, and battlefield information to military commanders. The group operates as part of the United States Air Force's broader total-force structure and has worked alongside active-duty personnel through successive organizational arrangements. The group's current designation dates from the early 1990s, when the Air Force adopted the Objective Wing structure. Its institutional lineage, however, reaches back to the 353d Fighter Group, a World War II fighter organization constituted in September 1942 and activated the following month. The wartime group trained in the eastern United States before moving to England in 1943 as part of VIII Fighter Command's Eighth Air Force. Initially equipped with Republic P-47 Thunderbolts, it conducted fighter sweeps, bomber-escort missions, counter-air operations, and attacks against ground targets in occupied Europe. It later converted to North American P-51 Mustangs and continued escort and fighter-bomber duties through the final campaigns of the European war. The 353d Fighter Group played a prominent role during the Normandy campaign, the Battle of the Bulge, and Operation Varsity. It received a Distinguished Unit Citation for its support of Operation Market Garden in September 1944, attacking German anti-aircraft positions and protecting Allied airborne and transport aircraft. The group flew its final combat mission in April 1945 and was inactivated at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, in October of that year. In the postwar period, the lineage was redesignated the 116th Fighter Group and allotted to the Georgia Air National Guard. It was organized in Georgia in 1946 and operated tactical fighter units from Marietta and, through associated formations, Savannah. Federal mobilization during the Korean War transformed it into the 116th Fighter-Bomber Group, and the organization moved to George Air Force Base while supporting a wing that included units from several Air National Guard states. After returning to Georgia in 1952, it served successively as a fighter-interceptor, air-defense, air-transport, military-airlift, and tactical-fighter organization. The transport period began in 1961, when the group exchanged interceptor aircraft for Boeing C-97 Stratofreighters. It later became the first Air National Guard group to receive the Douglas C-124 Globemaster II, undertaking long-distance missions in support of Air Force requirements. Following the Vietnam War era, the organization returned to a fighter role with the North American F-100 Super Sabre, but it was inactivated in December 1974 as the Air National Guard reorganized tactical groups at locations that also contained wing headquarters. The group was reactivated in the early 1990s and moved from Dobbins Air Reserve Base to Robins Air Force Base during a major mission transition. It first operated McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagles, then converted to Rockwell B-1 Lancers before adopting the E-8C Joint STARS mission in 2002. That year, the 116th Wing participated in a blended active-duty and Air National Guard arrangement with the former 93d Air Control Wing. In 2010, the Air Force replaced the blended-wing model with an active-associate structure. Active-duty squadrons were subsequently aligned with the 461st Air Control Wing, while the 116th and 461st continued to cooperate in carrying out the shared Joint STARS mission. The group is therefore best understood not as a commercial brand, but as a continuously evolving military aviation organization whose identity is expressed through lineage, operational missions, aircraft, and service affiliations.
History
The lineage of the 116th Operations Group begins with the 353d Fighter Group, constituted on 29 September 1942 and activated at Mitchel Field, New York, on 1 October. The group trained in the Mid-Atlantic region, initially using Curtiss P-40N Warhawks before transitioning to Republic P-47B and P-47D Thunderbolts. Its original squadrons were the 350th, 351st, and 352d Fighter Squadrons. The group moved to England during May and June 1943 and joined VIII Fighter Command as a P-47 unit of the Eighth Air Force. From bases including Metfield and Raydon, it flew fighter sweeps, bomber escorts, counter-air missions, and attacks on ground targets across France and the Low Countries. Its wartime activities included support for the Normandy breakout, the Battle of the Bulge, and Operation Varsity. In 1944, a temporary group of specially selected pilots known as Bill's Buzz Boys developed low-level strafing techniques intended to suppress enemy aircraft and airfields before German fighters could be effectively deployed. The 353d received a Distinguished Unit Citation for its performance during Operation Market Garden from 17 to 23 September 1944. The group attacked anti-aircraft positions threatening Allied airborne landings and later provided cover for troop-carrier aircraft. In October 1944 it began converting from the P-47 to the North American P-51 Mustang, while continuing escort and fighter-bomber duties. The group flew its 448th and final combat mission on 25 April 1945. After the end of hostilities in Europe, it prepared for possible reassignment to the Pacific but was inactivated at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, on 18 October 1945. The wartime organization was redesignated the 116th Fighter Group and allotted to the National Guard in May 1946. It was organized in Georgia and received federal recognition later that year. During the Korean War, it was federalized in October 1950 and redesignated the 116th Fighter-Bomber Group. It operated within a wing structure that incorporated Air National Guard units from Georgia, Florida, and California, and was stationed at George Air Force Base. The group returned to the Georgia Air National Guard in July 1952. During the 1950s, the group served in fighter-interceptor and air-defense roles, operating aircraft including the P-51H Mustang, Republic F-84 Thunderjet, and North American F-86L Sabre. In 1961, it became an air-transport organization and received Boeing C-97 Stratofreighters. Its missions extended to areas including the Caribbean, Europe, Greenland, and the Middle East. In 1966, as the 116th Military Airlift Group, it became the first Air National Guard group to receive the Douglas C-124 Globemaster II. The group returned to tactical fighters in 1973 with the North American F-100 Super Sabre and was inactivated in December 1974 during an Air National Guard reorganization. The 116th Operations Group was reactivated in the early 1990s under the Objective Wing system and assigned to the 116th Air Control Wing. The wing moved from Dobbins to Robins Air Force Base, first changing from McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle fighters to Rockwell B-1 Lancer bombers and then adopting the E-8C Joint STARS mission in 2002. The 116th operated within a blended active-duty and Guard arrangement involving the 93d Air Control Wing. In 2010, the Air Force shifted to an active-associate model, aligning active-duty elements with the 461st Air Control Wing while maintaining cooperation between the two wings for Joint STARS operations.
- 2010
Active-associate wing model introduced
[1]The 116th Air Control Wing shifted from a blended-wing model to an active-associate arrangement involving the 461st Air Control Wing.
- 2002
Joint STARS conversion
[1]The group moved to Robins Air Force Base and adopted E-8C Joint STARS airborne battle-management operations.
- 1993
116th Operations Group activated
[1]The current group designation was activated as part of the Objective Wing reorganization.
- 1974
Tactical fighter group inactivated
[1]The tactical fighter group was inactivated during an Air National Guard restructuring.
- 1966
First Air National Guard group to receive the C-124
[1]The group received Douglas C-124 Globemaster II strategic heavy airlifters.
- 1961
Transition to air transport
[1]The organization exchanged interceptor aircraft for C-97 transports and became the 116th Air Transport Group.
- 1950
Korean War federalization
[1]The group was mobilized, moved to George Air Force Base, and redesignated as the 116th Fighter-Bomber Group.
- 1946
Redesignated as the 116th Fighter Group
[1]The wartime lineage was allotted to the National Guard and organized as a Georgia Air National Guard fighter group.
- 1944
Distinguished Unit Citation for Operation Market Garden
[1]The group was recognized for attacks on German flak positions and protection of Allied airborne operations during Market Garden.
- 1944
Conversion to the P-51 Mustang
[1]The group transitioned from the P-47 Thunderbolt to the North American P-51 Mustang for escort and fighter-bomber operations.
Products and positioning
A military operational group rather than a commercial brand, positioned as a Georgia Air National Guard aviation organization supporting airborne command, control, surveillance, and battle-management missions.
Airborne battle-management aircraft · 2002
E-8C Joint STARS
The E-8C Joint STARS is the group's principal modern operational platform. It supports airborne surveillance, command and control, battlefield management, and detection and tracking of ground activity. The aircraft enables commanders to coordinate air and ground operations over a broad area and forms the central capability of the 116th Air Control Wing's shared Guard and active-duty mission.
Fighter aircraft
Republic P-47 Thunderbolt
The P-47 Thunderbolt was the principal fighter of the 353d Fighter Group during its early European operations. The group used it for bomber escort, counter-air sweeps, ground attack, and close support during the Normandy and Market Garden campaigns.
Fighter aircraft
North American P-51 Mustang
The group converted to the P-51 in late 1944 and used the aircraft for long-range escort, fighter-bomber, and counter-air missions during the final phase of the European war.
Transport aircraft · 1961
Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter
The C-97 marked the group's postwar shift from fighter operations to long-range air transport. Missions supported Air Force requirements across the Caribbean, Europe, Greenland, and the Middle East.
Strategic airlift aircraft · 1966
Douglas C-124 Globemaster II
The C-124 provided heavy strategic airlift capability during the group's military-airlift period and made the organization an early Air National Guard operator of the type.
Marketing campaigns
- 1950Korean War mobilization
Japan · Korean peninsula
The group was federalized and deployed within the United States Air Force structure during the Korean War as a fighter-bomber organization.
Outcome. The group returned to the Georgia Air National Guard in 1952.
- 1945Operation Varsity
Germany
The group supported the Allied airborne assault across the Rhine with fighter cover and related combat missions.
Outcome. The operation formed part of the group's final major combat period in Europe.
- 1944Normandy campaign
Western Europe
The 353d Fighter Group supported Allied operations during the Normandy campaign and the subsequent breakthrough at Saint-Lô through fighter-bomber and ground-support missions.
Outcome. The group contributed air support to the Allied advance in France.
- 1944Operation Market Garden
Netherlands
The group attacked anti-aircraft positions threatening Allied airborne landings and protected transport aircraft supporting the airborne assault around Arnhem and Nijmegen.
Outcome. The unit received a Distinguished Unit Citation for its performance during the operation.
- 1944Battle of the Bulge
Belgium · Luxembourg · Western Europe
The group continued fighter-escort, counter-air, and ground-attack activities during the German Ardennes offensive and the Allied response.
Outcome. The group remained operational through the winter campaign.
Brand decisions
2010
Transition from blended wing to active-associate modelStrategyBackground
The Air Force revised the organizational model used to combine active-duty and Air National Guard personnel in the Joint STARS mission.
Action taken
The 116th Air Control Wing was designated an active-associate wing, and active-duty squadrons were aligned with the 461st Air Control Wing.
Aftermath
The 116th and 461st continued operating together to perform the shared Joint STARS mission.
2002
Conversion to Joint STARS operationsGeneration changeBackground
The 116th Wing transitioned from fighter and bomber missions as part of the Air Force's airborne surveillance and battle-management force.
Action taken
The group moved to Robins Air Force Base and began operating E-8C Joint STARS aircraft.
Aftermath
The group became responsible for the wing's operational Joint STARS aircraft and worked in a Guard-active-duty blended arrangement.
1992
Adoption of the Objective Wing structureStrategyBackground
The Air Force reorganized wings after the Cold War and created operations groups to consolidate operational flying functions.
Action taken
The 116th Operations Group was reactivated under the 116th Wing's new organizational structure.
Aftermath
The group became the operational component of the 116th Wing and later the 116th Air Control Wing.
Recent events
- 2010
Active-associate structure replaced the blended-wing arrangement[1]
Leadership change
The Chief of Staff of the Air Force designated the 116th Air Control Wing as an active-associate wing, with active-duty squadrons subsequently aligned with the 461st Air Control Wing.
- 2002
116th Wing transitioned to the E-8C Joint STARS mission[1]
Product generation
The 116th Wing moved from fighter and bomber operations into airborne battle management and was equipped with E-8C Joint STARS aircraft.
- 1993
116th Operations Group activated under the Objective Wing structure[1]
Other
The organization was activated as the 116th Operations Group during the post-Cold War adoption of the Air Force Objective Wing structure.
Sources1 sources
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