35th Operations Group
The 35th Operations Group is the operational flying component of the United States Air Force's 35th Fighter Wing, based at Misawa Air Base in Japan.
Last updated October 14, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
The 35th Operations Group is a United States Air Force operational unit assigned to the 35th Fighter Wing of Pacific Air Forces. Based at Misawa Air Base, Japan, it provides fighter operations, air-control capability, intelligence, tactical planning, airfield management, weapons and tactics support, and weather services for the wing. Its present operational structure includes the 13th Fighter Squadron, the 14th Fighter Squadron, the 35th Operations Support Squadron, and the 610th Air Control Flight. The fighter squadrons operate F-16CJ aircraft configured for the suppression of enemy air defenses, commonly associated with the Wild Weasel mission, and maintain the ability to deploy for air operations beyond Japan. The organization traces its lineage to the 35th Pursuit Group (Interceptor), activated at Moffett Field, California, on 1 February 1940. The original group trained with several early American fighter types before the United States entered the Second World War. Its 21st and 34th Pursuit Squadrons were sent to the Philippines in 1941 and fought during the Japanese invasion. Many members became ground troops during the defense of Bataan, and surviving personnel endured the Bataan Death March or escaped through the Philippines and Australia. Group headquarters and the 70th Pursuit Squadron returned to the United States after the attack on Pearl Harbor and subsequently moved to Australia. During the Second World War, the group operated with the Fifth Air Force from bases in Australia, New Guinea, the Schouten Islands, Morotai, and the Philippines. It initially flew Bell P-39 Airacobras and Lockheed P-38 Lightnings, transitioned to Republic P-47 Thunderbolts in late 1943, and received North American P-51 Mustangs in 1945. Its missions included fighter escort, bomber and transport protection, patrols, attacks on airfields and supply routes, and support for Allied amphibious operations. The group participated in the campaigns to halt Japanese advances in Papua, recover New Guinea, and retake the Philippines. It later operated from Okinawa against targets in Japan and Korea. Its wartime service brought a United States Distinguished Unit Citation and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation. The group returned to combat during the Korean War in July 1950. Flying Lockheed F-80 Shooting Stars and later North American F-51 Mustangs, it supported United Nations ground forces through close air support and attacks on supply lines, troop concentrations, and communications. It operated from locations in Japan and Korea, and the Royal Australian Air Force's No. 77 Squadron was attached for Korean War operations. The group received a second Distinguished Unit Citation for its Korean service. After returning to Japan in 1951, it later performed air-defense duties over central Japan before becoming inactive in 1957. A separate 35th Tactical Group was organized in 1963 to support United States Air Force activities in Thailand and assist in training the Royal Thai Air Force. It was discontinued in 1965. The tactical group and the earlier fighter-interceptor group were consolidated in 1984, although the consolidated organization remained inactive. The 35th Operations Group designation was established in 1993. The group briefly managed an F-15C fighter squadron and an HH-60G rescue squadron in Iceland from 1993 to 1994, then activated at Misawa on 1 October 1994 as part of the reconstituted 35th Fighter Wing. Since its reactivation at Misawa, the group has supported the air defense of northern Japan and cooperation with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. It has also deployed aircraft and personnel to Southwest Asia for Operations Northern Watch and Southern Watch, which enforced no-fly zones over Iraq, and for later missions associated with the global war on terrorism. The group is therefore best understood not as a commercial brand but as a military organizational identity whose significance derives from its lineage, combat honors, deployed operations, and continuing role in regional air defense and expeditionary air power.
History
The unit's lineage began with the establishment of the 35th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) on 22 December 1939 and its activation at Moffett Field, California, on 1 February 1940. The group initially included pursuit squadrons equipped with aircraft such as the Seversky P-35, Curtiss P-36, Bell P-39, and Curtiss P-40. In late 1941, elements were sent to the Philippines. The 21st and 34th Pursuit Squadrons fought in the Philippine campaign after the Japanese attack, while group headquarters and the 70th Pursuit Squadron returned to the United States and later moved to Australia. The group reorganized in Australia and entered combat under the Fifth Air Force. It operated from Australia, New Guinea, Owi, Morotai, and the Philippines, using P-39s and P-38s before re-equipping with P-47 Thunderbolts in late 1943 and P-51 Mustangs in March 1945. Its duties ranged from defensive patrols around Port Moresby to bomber escort, transport escort, fighter sweeps, attacks on Japanese airfields and supply networks, and direct support of Allied landings. Operations expanded across New Guinea and the southern Philippines, and the group later supported the campaign on Luzon. From Okinawa in the final months of the war, it attacked targets in Kyushu and Korea. Following Japan's surrender, it participated in occupation-related flying, training, maneuvers, and surveillance over Japan. The organization was redesignated the 35th Fighter Group in 1942 and the 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group in 1950. It entered the Korean War in July 1950, flying F-80s and subsequently F-51s from bases in Japan and Korea. Its pilots attacked enemy communications, supply lines, and troop concentrations in support of United Nations ground forces. No. 77 Squadron of the Royal Australian Air Force served with the group during the conflict. The group returned to Japan in May 1951 and performed air-defense duties before becoming inactive on 1 October 1957. The 35th Tactical Group was separately activated in 1963. It supported training for the Royal Thai Air Force and exercised operational control over United States Air Force units and detachments in Thailand associated with the 2d Air Division. That group was discontinued in 1965. In 1984, the 35th Tactical Group was consolidated with the inactive 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group. The 35th Operations Group designation was established in April 1993, and the group activated on 31 May 1993. From May 1993 through October 1994, it managed an F-15C fighter squadron and an HH-60G rescue squadron in Iceland under the 35th Wing. On 1 October 1994, it inactivated in Iceland and activated at Misawa Air Base, Japan, as part of the 35th Fighter Wing. The move accompanied the replacement of the 432d Fighter Wing and the transfer of personnel and F-16C/D aircraft to the new organization. At Misawa, the group became responsible for fighter operations supporting the air defense of northern Japan and cooperation with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. Its modern structure centers on the 13th Fighter Squadron, known as the Panthers, the 14th Fighter Squadron, known as the Fightin' Samurai, the 35th Operations Support Squadron, and the 610th Air Control Flight. The group has deployed personnel and aircraft to Southwest Asia for Operations Northern Watch and Southern Watch and for missions connected with the global war on terrorism. Its historical honors include two United States Distinguished Unit Citations and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.
- 1994
Reactivation at Misawa
[1]The group inactivated in Iceland and activated at Misawa Air Base, Japan, on 1 October as part of the 35th Fighter Wing.
- 1993
Operations Group designation established
[1]The 35th Operations Group was redesignated on 9 April and activated on 31 May.
- 1984
Lineage consolidation
[1]The 35th Tactical Group and 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group were consolidated on 31 January.
- 1963
35th Tactical Group activated
[1]The separate 35th Tactical Group was activated to support United States operations and Royal Thai Air Force training.
- 1957
Inactivation
[1]The 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group became inactive on 1 October.
- 1950
Korean War combat
[1]The group entered Korean War operations in July, flying F-80s and later F-51s in support of United Nations forces.
- 1945
Mustang operations and Okinawa
[1]The group received P-51 Mustangs and later operated from Okinawa against targets in Japan and Korea.
- 1943
Transition to P-47 Thunderbolts
[1]The group re-equipped with Republic P-47 Thunderbolts while operating in the Southwest Pacific.
- 1942
Redesignated as a fighter group
[1]The organization was redesignated the 35th Fighter Group on 15 May.
- 1941
Philippine campaign
[1]Elements of the group deployed to the Philippines and fought during the Japanese invasion and the defense of Bataan.
Products and positioning
A combat-ready United States Air Force fighter group focused on northern Japan air defense, suppression of enemy air defenses, regional deterrence, and deployable air operations worldwide.
Multirole fighter aircraft
F-16CJ Fighting Falcon
The group's principal modern combat aircraft are F-16CJ fighters operated by the 13th and 14th Fighter Squadrons. In the Wild Weasel role, these aircraft support suppression of enemy air defenses and can conduct air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. The type provides the group with a flexible platform for Japanese air defense, regional deterrence, training, and expeditionary deployments.
Air-superiority fighter aircraft
F-15C Eagle
During its 1993–1994 period in Iceland, the group managed an F-15C fighter squadron. The aircraft provided an air-superiority capability while the group operated under the 35th Wing before its relocation to Misawa.
Combat rescue helicopter
HH-60G Pave Hawk
The group also managed an HH-60G rescue squadron during its Iceland-based organization from 1993 to 1994. This gave the temporary organization a combat-rescue component in addition to its fighter mission.
Second World War fighter aircraft
P-47 Thunderbolt
The group operated Republic P-47 Thunderbolts from late 1943 during Southwest Pacific operations. The aircraft supported escort, patrol, ground-attack, and interdiction missions against Japanese forces and infrastructure.
Second World War fighter aircraft · 1945
P-51 Mustang
North American P-51 Mustangs entered group service in March 1945. They were used for long-range fighter operations, escort, sweeps, and attacks during the final phase of the Pacific War.
Marketing campaigns
- 2001Global war on terrorism support
Southwest Asia
The group deployed personnel and aircraft in support of operations associated with the global war on terrorism.
Outcome. The group continued to provide a deployable fighter capability alongside its standing mission in Japan.
- 1997Operations Northern Watch and Southern Watch
Iraq · Southwest Asia
After reactivation at Misawa, the group deployed aircraft and personnel to support United States no-fly-zone operations over Iraq.
Outcome. The deployments extended the group's role from Japanese air defense to sustained expeditionary operations in Southwest Asia.
- 1950Korean War
Korean Peninsula · Japan
The group flew combat missions against North Korean supply lines, troop concentrations, and communications in support of United Nations ground forces.
Outcome. The group earned a second Distinguished Unit Citation and returned to Japan in May 1951.
- 1945Luzon and Okinawa operations
Luzon · Okinawa · Japan · Korea
The group supported ground forces on Luzon, escorted bombers, flew sweeps toward Formosa and China, and later attacked railways and airfields from Okinawa.
Outcome. The group received major campaign recognition, including a Distinguished Unit Citation and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.
- 1944Philippines and Southwest Pacific operations
Philippines · Halmahera · Borneo
The group conducted long-range missions against Japanese airfields and installations in preparation for the Allied return to the Philippines.
Outcome. Its operations supported the broader Allied advance toward the Philippines.
- 1942Southwest Pacific campaign
Australia · New Guinea
The group joined Fifth Air Force operations from Australia and New Guinea, flying patrol, escort, interdiction, and close-support missions.
Outcome. The group contributed to halting Japanese advances in Papua and the subsequent Allied offensive in New Guinea.
- 1941Battle of the Philippines
Philippines
Elements of the group fought the Japanese invasion of the Philippines. Personnel from the 21st and 34th Pursuit Squadrons later served as ground troops during the defense of Bataan.
Outcome. The campaign resulted in the loss or capture of many group personnel; survivors included men subjected to the Bataan Death March and others who escaped to Australia.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/35th-operations-group · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled