302d Operations Group
The 302d Operations Group is the operational flying component of the United States Air Force Reserve's 302d Airlift Wing.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
The 302d Operations Group is a flying organization of the United States Air Force Reserve and the operational component of the 302d Airlift Wing. It is based at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado and supports airlift training, contingency operations, humanitarian missions, and airborne wildfire suppression. Its principal flying unit is the 731st Airlift Squadron, which operates C-130 Hercules aircraft configured for the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System mission. The organization traces its lineage to the Second World War, when it was constituted as the 302d Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 28 January 1942 and activated on 1 June of that year. Rather than serving as an overseas combat bombardment group, the wartime organization operated as a replacement training unit for Consolidated B-24 Liberator crews. It began under Second Air Force, moved through bomber training commands, and was reassigned to First Air Force in December 1943. It was inactivated on 10 April 1944 during a broader Army Air Forces restructuring intended to streamline training organizations and manpower use. The lineage returned in the Air Force Reserve in 1949 as the 302d Troop Carrier Group. It was activated on 27 June 1949 and redesignated as a medium troop carrier group in 1950. The group was ordered to active service during the Korean War period on 1 June 1951, but its personnel were used to reinforce other units and the group was inactivated only one week later. It was reactivated in the reserve on 14 June 1952, again performing airlift training and operating in the troop carrier role. This incarnation ended on 14 April 1959 when Continental Air Command reorganized operational wings under a dual-deputy structure in which flying squadrons reported directly to wing headquarters. The inactive organization was redesignated the 302d Tactical Airlift Group in 1985. On 1 August 1992, it was redesignated the 302d Operations Group and activated as part of the Air Force Reserve's Combat Wing reorganization. Since that reactivation, the group has been aligned with the 302d Airlift Wing. Its structure has included the 302d Operations Support Squadron, formerly and at times additionally designated as an operations support flight, as well as the 731st Airlift Squadron. The group also had historical associations with the 7th Space Operations Squadron and the 302d Airlift Control Flight during the 1990s. The group is not a commercial brand and does not sell products or services in the ordinary marketplace. Its identity is institutional and military: it organizes and directs flying operations, supports readiness and training, and provides specialized C-130 capabilities. Through the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System mission, its personnel can contribute to national wildfire response by deploying an aircraft-based firefighting system. The group also participates in tactical airlift exercises and in domestic and overseas contingency and humanitarian airlift operations.
History
The 302d Operations Group originated during the Second World War as the 302d Bombardment Group (Heavy). Constituted on 28 January 1942 and activated on 1 June 1942, it was assigned to the bomber training establishment rather than deployed as an independent combat group. Its principal wartime function was replacement training for Consolidated B-24 Liberator personnel. The group initially belonged to Second Air Force, transferred through the 16th Bombardment Training Wing and the 46th Bombardment Operational Training Wing, and was reassigned to First Air Force on 17 December 1943. It was inactivated on 10 April 1944 when the Army Air Forces consolidated and reorganized training units to improve efficiency. The lineage was revived in the reserve on 27 June 1949 under the designation 302d Troop Carrier Group, Medium. It became a heavy troop carrier group on 28 January 1950. On 1 June 1951, during the Korean War mobilization, the group was ordered to active duty. Its personnel were used as fillers for other organizations, and the group itself was inactivated on 8 June 1951. It returned to reserve status on 14 June 1952 as the 302d Troop Carrier Group, Medium, and continued airlift training until 14 April 1959. That inactivation followed Continental Air Command's adoption of a dual-deputy wing organization, under which operational squadrons reported directly to wing headquarters rather than through a group structure. The organization remained inactive while its lineage was preserved. It was redesignated the 302d Tactical Airlift Group on 31 July 1985. On 1 August 1992, as the Air Force Reserve implemented the Combat Wing organizational model, it was redesignated the 302d Operations Group and activated at the same time. It was assigned to the 302d Airlift Wing and has remained associated with that wing. In its current form, the group coordinates and supports the wing's operational flying activities. The 731st Airlift Squadron provides the group's primary flying capability with C-130 Hercules aircraft and has the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System mission. That role gives the group a specialized national emergency-response function in addition to conventional tactical airlift. Group personnel also train for contingency and humanitarian airlift missions in the United States and abroad. The group has included several support and associated units over time. The 302d Operations Support Squadron has been part of the organization since its 1992 activation, with periods in which it was designated an operations support flight. The 302d Airlift Control Flight was associated with the group from 1992 until approximately 1997. The 7th Space Operations Squadron was assigned from 1 May 1993 to 1 September 1997. Earlier lineage components included the 355th, 356th, and 357th Bombardment or Troop Carrier Squadrons and the 420th Bombardment Squadron. These historical changes reflect shifts in aircraft roles, reserve organization, and the Air Force's changing command and training structures rather than commercial brand development.
- 1992
Activation as the 302d Operations Group
[1]The organization was redesignated and activated as the 302d Operations Group on 1 August 1992 under the Air Force Reserve Combat Wing reorganization.
- 1959
Inactivation under the dual-deputy system
[1]The group was inactivated on 14 April 1959 after Continental Air Command reorganized operational wings.
- 1952
Reserve reactivation for airlift training
[1]It was reactivated on 14 June 1952 as a medium troop carrier group and resumed reserve airlift training.
- 1951
Temporary active-duty service
[1]The group was ordered to active service on 1 June 1951 and inactivated on 8 June after its personnel were used to reinforce other units.
- 1949
Return as a reserve troop carrier group
[1]The lineage was reactivated in the Air Force Reserve on 27 June 1949 as the 302d Troop Carrier Group, Medium.
- 1944
World War II inactivation
[1]The group was inactivated on 10 April 1944 during an Army Air Forces reorganization of training units.
- 1942
Constitution as a heavy bombardment group
[1]The organization was constituted as the 302d Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 28 January 1942.
- 1942
Activation as a B-24 replacement training unit
[1]It was activated on 1 June 1942 and began service as a Consolidated B-24 Liberator replacement training unit.
Products and positioning
A United States Air Force Reserve operational flying group focused on C-130 airlift readiness, specialized airborne firefighting, and contingency and humanitarian support.
Military airlift capability
C-130 Hercules airlift operations
The group's 731st Airlift Squadron operates C-130 Hercules aircraft in support of tactical airlift training, contingency missions, and humanitarian operations. The aircraft provide the group's principal operational flying capability and support the broader readiness requirements of the 302d Airlift Wing.
Aerial firefighting mission
Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System
The group supports the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System mission, allowing suitably equipped C-130 aircraft to contribute to wildfire suppression. This specialized capability extends the unit's role beyond military airlift and enables support to domestic emergency response when requested.
Operational support
Tactical and humanitarian airlift
The group conducts and supports training for tactical airlift as well as contingency and humanitarian airlift operations at home and abroad. These activities are intended to maintain reserve readiness and provide transport support during military, disaster-response, and humanitarian missions.
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