3rd Operations Group
The 3rd Operations Group is the operational flying component of the United States Air Force's 3rd Wing, responsible for air superiority, air defense, airlift, airborne command and control, and related missions from Alaska.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
The 3rd Operations Group is a United States Air Force flying organization assigned to the 3rd Wing of Pacific Air Forces' Eleventh Air Force. It is based at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson in Alaska and serves as the wing's operational component. The group conducts and supports air superiority, air sovereignty, air battle management, air interdiction, tactical and operational airlift, counter-narcotics activities, and other missions assigned by United States and regional commanders. The organization traces its lineage to the Army Surveillance Group, activated on 1 July 1919. It is regarded as the oldest active group in the United States Air Force and as the first group established after the creation of the United States Air Service. Its early work centered on surveillance of the United States–Mexico border, using aircraft such as the Airco DH-4B. During the 1920s it developed and tested low-level attack methods, including dive bombing, skip bombing, and parafrag attacks. These experiments helped establish techniques that later influenced precision and close-support operations. The unit received successive designations reflecting changes in mission and organization. It became the 3rd Attack Group in the early 1920s, later the 3rd Bombardment Group, and moved through several light, dive, and tactical bombardment classifications. During the interwar period it participated in exercises, equipment tests, aerial demonstrations, mail operations, and border patrols. It operated aircraft including the DH-4, Curtiss A-12 Shrike, Northrop A-17 Nomad, Douglas B-18 Bolo, and other attack and bombardment types. During World War II, the group deployed to the Southwest Pacific. It operated initially from Australia and forward bases in New Guinea, using B-25 Mitchell, A-20 Havoc, and A-24 aircraft. Its operations covered the defense of Australia, attacks on Japanese airfields and shipping, and Allied advances through New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, the Philippines, and surrounding areas. The group participated in actions connected with the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, the fighting around Wewak, attacks on Rabaul and Simpson Harbor, and later operations over the Philippines and Formosa. Major Raymond H. Wilkins received the Medal of Honor posthumously after sacrificing his aircraft during the 2 November 1943 attack on Japanese shipping to protect fellow aircrews. The lineage continued through the Korean War, when the organization operated Douglas A-26 Invaders, later designated B-26s. It participated from the opening bombing operations through the final bombing mission before the 1953 armistice. Captain John S. Walmsley Jr. was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for directing attacks against an enemy supply train after expending his own ammunition. The group was inactivated in 1957 after its operational squadrons were transferred to the 3rd Bombardment Wing. Its lineage was later redesignated the 3rd Tactical Fighter Group and, in 1991, the 3rd Operations Group. It was activated at Elmendorf Air Force Base on 19 December 1991. In the post-Cold War period, the group broadened its mission to include fighter air defense, deep interdiction, airlift, airborne surveillance, identification, and command and control. Its aircraft associations have included F-15E, F-15C/D, F-22A, C-17, C-130, C-12, and E-3B/J platforms. Today, the group organizes and employs several operational and support squadrons, including the 3rd Operations Support Squadron, 90th Fighter Squadron, 517th Airlift Squadron, 525th Fighter Squadron, and 962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron. Its current role combines Alaska air sovereignty and defense with the ability to deploy personnel and aircraft in support of operations across the Pacific and other theaters.
History
The lineage of the 3rd Operations Group begins with the Army Surveillance Group, activated on 1 July 1919. In August of that year it became the 1st Surveillance Group and used DH-4B aircraft to patrol the Mexican border between Brownsville, Texas, and Nogales, Arizona. The patrols responded to instability in Mexico, border violations, and attacks affecting American citizens. The organization was redesignated the 3rd Group (Attack) in 1921 and the 3rd Attack Group in 1923. During the interwar years, the group conducted exercises, evaluated aircraft and weapons, developed attack tactics, participated in aerial reviews, carried mail, and resumed border patrol work. Its aircraft included DH-4s, the XB-1A, GA-1, A-3, Curtiss A-12 Shrikes, and Northrop A-17 Nomads. In 1935 it moved to Barksdale Field, Louisiana, as part of the 3rd Wing. In 1939 it became the 3rd Bombardment Group (Light) and relocated to Savannah, Georgia, where it operated B-18 and B-12 bombers. The group deployed to Australia in early 1942 and entered combat in the Southwest Pacific under Fifth Air Force. It initially flew B-25 Mitchells and later employed A-20 Havocs and A-24 dive bombers. Crews operated from Australia and forward bases in New Guinea against Japanese airfields, shipping, supply routes, and installations. The group supported the Allied advance through Salamaua, Lae, Hollandia, Wakde, Biak, Noemfoor, the Bismarck Archipelago, and the Philippines. It participated in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea and received a Distinguished Unit Citation for its 17 August 1943 attack on Japanese airfields at Wewak despite heavy anti-aircraft fire. The 2 November 1943 attack on shipping at Simpson Harbor, New Britain, became one of the group's best-known actions. Major Raymond H. Wilkins, commander of the 8th Bombardment Squadron, sank two ships and then drew enemy fire away from withdrawing aircraft. He was shot down and later received the Medal of Honor posthumously. In late 1944 the group moved to the Philippines, where it supported ground forces and attacked airfields, railways, industrial targets, shipping, and other military objectives. It moved to Okinawa in August 1945 and subsequently served in Japan as part of the occupation forces. The organization participated in the Korean War with A-26 Invader aircraft, redesignated B-26 after 1948. It flew from the first bombing sortie to the final bombing mission immediately before the 27 July 1953 ceasefire. Captain John S. Walmsley Jr. received the Medal of Honor posthumously for attacking an enemy supply train and directing other aircraft after his ammunition was exhausted. After the Korean War, the group continued in the Cold War structure. It moved from Kunsan Air Base to Johnson Air Base in Japan in 1954 and converted to Martin B-57B Canberra aircraft in 1956. By August 1956 it existed largely as a paper organization, while its squadrons performed operational duties under the 3rd Bombardment Wing. The group was inactivated on 25 October 1957. The lineage was redesignated the 3rd Tactical Fighter Group in 1985 and then the 3rd Operations Group in December 1991. It was activated on 19 December 1991 at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. The reactivated group initially expanded the 3rd Wing's air-defense role and added deep-interdiction and air-to-air capabilities. C-130 and C-12 aircraft brought airlift and remote-site resupply functions in 1992, while E-3B/J aircraft added airborne surveillance and command-and-control capability in 1993. The group has since mobilized, deployed, and employed aircraft worldwide in support of air superiority, air battle management, interdiction, counter-narcotics, airlift, and air sovereignty missions.
- 1991
Reactivated as 3rd Operations Group
[1]The organization was redesignated and activated on 19 December at Elmendorf Air Force Base.
- 1957
Inactivated
[1]The group was inactivated on 25 October after its squadrons were transferred to the wing.
- 1953
Final Korean War bombing mission
[1]The 3rd Bombardment Wing conducted the final bombing mission over North Korea shortly before the ceasefire.
- 1943
Distinguished Unit Citation mission
[1]The group received a Distinguished Unit Citation for its attack on Japanese airfields at Wewak on 17 August.
- 1942
Entered Southwest Pacific combat
[1]The group deployed to Australia and began combat operations against Japan.
- 1935
Moved to Barksdale Field
[1]The group moved to Barksdale Field, Louisiana, as part of the 3rd Wing.
- 1921
Redesignated 3rd Group (Attack)
[1]The organization received an attack designation as its mission evolved beyond border surveillance.
- 1919
Army Surveillance Group activated
[1]The lineage began with the activation of the Army Surveillance Group on 1 July 1919.
Products and positioning
A combat aviation organization focused on defending Alaska, maintaining air superiority and air sovereignty, and providing deployable fighter, airlift, surveillance, and command-and-control capabilities to Pacific and joint operations.
Air superiority and air defense
F-22A Raptor operations
The group operates F-22A Raptor fighter capabilities for air superiority, air defense, and Alaska air-sovereignty missions. These operations form a central part of the group's modern role within the 3rd Wing and can support wider Pacific requirements.
Strategic and tactical airlift
C-17 Globemaster III operations
C-17 operations provide heavy airlift and expeditionary mobility for personnel, equipment, supplies, and operational deployments. The capability supports Pacific Air Forces missions and can be employed beyond Alaska.
Airborne surveillance and battle management · 1993
E-3 airborne warning and control operations
E-3B/J aircraft support long-range surveillance, detection, identification, battle management, and airborne command and control. The capability was added to the group's post-Cold War mission set in 1993.
Marketing campaigns
- 1950Korean War
Korean Peninsula
Operating A-26 and B-26 light bombers, the group's lineage organization conducted interdiction and close-support missions throughout the conflict.
Outcome. Continued operations until the final bombing mission before the 1953 ceasefire.
- 1942Southwest Pacific campaign
Australia · New Guinea · Bismarck Archipelago · Philippines
The group conducted bombing and strafing missions against Japanese airfields, shipping, supply lines, and installations as Allied forces advanced through the Southwest Pacific.
Outcome. Supported Allied advances toward the Philippines and the defeat of Japanese forces in the theater.
- 1919United States–Mexico Border Patrol
United States–Mexico border
The early organization patrolled the border from Brownsville, Texas, to Nogales, Arizona, using aircraft for surveillance during a period of instability and border violence.
Outcome. Established the group's early surveillance and operational aviation identity.
Brand decisions
1993
Addition of airborne command-and-control capabilityStrategyBackground
The 3rd Wing sought an airborne means of detecting, identifying, and coordinating air activity over long distances.
Action taken
E-3B/J aircraft were assigned to provide airborne surveillance, battle management, and command-and-control functions.
Aftermath
The group became a more comprehensive air operations organization supporting air battle management and information superiority.
1992
Addition of airlift capabilityStrategyBackground
The reactivated organization required broader support for Alaska and expeditionary operations.
Action taken
C-130 and C-12 aircraft were added for airdrop, tactical airland, operational support airlift, theater support, and remote radar-site resupply.
Aftermath
The group's mission expanded beyond fighter operations into regional and worldwide air mobility.
1991
Reactivation with an expanded air-defense missionStrategyBackground
After remaining inactive since 1957, the lineage was restored during the post-Cold War reorganization of Air Force operational units.
Action taken
The organization was redesignated the 3rd Operations Group and activated in Alaska to support the 3rd Wing's air-defense, interdiction, and air-to-air roles.
Aftermath
The group became a multi-mission flying organization with fighter, airlift, surveillance, and command-and-control responsibilities.
Recent events
- 1993
Airborne surveillance capability added[1]
Other
The group gained E-3B/J aircraft and expanded into long-range airborne surveillance, detection, identification, and command-and-control missions.
- 1992
3rd Operations Group expands airlift capability[1]
Other
The group added an airlift role using C-130 and C-12 aircraft, supporting combat airdrop, tactical airland missions, operational support airlift, and resupply of remote Alaskan radar sites.
- 1991
3rd Operations Group activated in Alaska[1]
Other
The organization was reactivated at Elmendorf Air Force Base on 19 December 1991 as the 3rd Operations Group, restoring the historic lineage after decades of inactivity.
Sources1 sources
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