409th Air Expeditionary Group
The 409th Air Expeditionary Group is a provisional United States Air Force organization that provides expeditionary air operations, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, air-base support, security, and related capabilities when activated.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
The 409th Air Expeditionary Group is a provisional United States Air Force group assigned to United States Air Forces Europe and available for activation or inactivation as operational requirements change. Unlike a commercial brand, it is a military organization whose identity represents a lineage, mission set, and command capability rather than a consumer product or service. Its modern functions have included expeditionary command and control, air refueling support, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, air-base operations, force protection, and support for humanitarian or multinational activities. The unit's lineage began on 1 June 1943, when the 409th Bombardment Group (Light) was constituted and activated at Will Rogers Field, Oklahoma, during the Second World War. Initially assigned four bombardment squadrons, the group trained with Douglas A-20 Havoc light bombers. It moved to the United Kingdom in early 1944 and joined the Ninth Air Force. From April 1944 until the end of the European war, it conducted more than 100 combat missions against targets associated with the German war effort, including coastal defenses, airfields, V-1 and V-2 launch facilities, railways, bridges, communications nodes, troop concentrations, flak positions, fortified locations, and supply depots. The group supported major Allied operations in western Europe, including the Normandy campaign, the fighting around Caen, Operation Cobra, and the advance of the United States Third Army toward Germany. It moved from RAF Little Walden in England to Bretigny Airfield in France in September 1944. During the winter Battle of the Bulge, it continued close-support and interdiction missions while transitioning from the A-20 to the Douglas A-26 Invader. Its final wartime mission was flown on 3 May 1945 against an ammunition depot in Czechoslovakia. After Victory in Europe Day, the group returned to the United States and was inactivated at Westover Field, Massachusetts, on 7 November 1945. The lineage was revived in the twenty-first century when the organization was converted to provisional status and redesignated the 409th Air Expeditionary Group. United States Air Forces Europe activated it in November 2001 at Camp Sarafovo, Bulgaria, as an expeditionary air-refueling organization. Operating from Burgas Airport, it used six McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender aircraft deployed from McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, to refuel coalition aircraft supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom and associated regional air routes. The group was inactivated in 2003 but was subsequently activated for exercises, deployments, command functions, and African operations. Later activations included participation in the RESCUER/MEDCEUR multinational exercise in Georgia, a similar activation in 2005, a temporary command headquarters role at Keflavik Air Station in Iceland in 2007, and a short deployment to Accra, Ghana, in 2008. In 2011, it was activated at Arba Minch, Ethiopia, with an air-base squadron and detachments in the Seychelles and Djibouti. In March 2012, the 324th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron was added to its structure. Air Force reporting described the group as providing primary intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support across the United States Air Forces Africa area of responsibility from multiple locations as required. The group has subsequently been associated with expeditionary units in Niger, Italy, and other locations. Listed components include the 324th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, operating MQ-9 Reaper aircraft from Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy; the 409th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron; the 724th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron at Nigerien Air Base 201 in Agadez; and the 768th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron at Nigerien Air Base 101. Because its provisional status allows activation and inactivation as needed, the exact contemporary structure, location, and command relationships may change over time.
History
The 409th was constituted as the 409th Bombardment Group (Light) and activated on 1 June 1943 at Will Rogers Field, Oklahoma. Its original combat components were the 640th, 641st, 642d, and 643d Bombardment Squadrons. After receiving personnel and equipment, it trained with Douglas A-20 Havoc aircraft before moving to RAF Little Walden in Essex in February 1944 and entering combat under the Ninth Air Force in April. During the 1944 campaign in western Europe, the group attacked coastal defenses, airfields, missile-launch installations, rail lines, bridges, communications facilities, troop positions, and supply sites. It supported the Normandy invasion and subsequent Allied operations around Caen and Saint-Lô, including Operation Cobra. In September 1944, it moved to Bretigny Airfield in France to support the Third Army's advance. The group began converting to Douglas A-26 Invaders in December, but continued A-20 close-support missions during the Battle of the Bulge. It later operated A-26 aircraft from Bretigny and Laon-Couvron, flying its final combat mission on 3 May 1945. The group returned to the United States after the war and was inactivated on 7 November 1945. On 5 February 2001, the lineage was converted to provisional status and redesignated the 409th Air Expeditionary Group. United States Air Forces Europe activated it on 15 November 2001 at Camp Sarafovo, Bulgaria. The group conducted air-refueling operations from Burgas Airport, using six KC-10 Extenders deployed from McGuire Air Force Base to support coalition aircraft and routes associated with Operation Iraqi Freedom. It was inactivated in 2003, then activated briefly for the RESCUER/MEDCEUR exercise in Georgia, again for a similar exercise in 2005, and at Keflavik, Iceland, in 2007. A further activation took place at Accra, Ghana, from January to March 2008. The group returned to African operations in 2011 at Arba Minch, Ethiopia, with supporting detachments in the Seychelles and Djibouti. In 2012, the 324th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron was assigned to it. Air Force descriptions identified the group as a provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions across the U.S. Air Forces Africa area of responsibility. Its listed modern components have included MQ-9 reconnaissance, security forces, and air-base squadrons in Italy and Niger. As a provisional formation, its activation dates, subordinate units, and deployment locations are subject to operational decisions by the Air Force.
- 2012
Reconnaissance capability added
[1]The 324th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron was added to the group's structure.
- 2011
Expansion into African operations
[1]The group activated at Arba Minch, Ethiopia, with supporting detachments in the Seychelles and Djibouti.
- 2003
Multinational exercise deployment
[1]The group participated in the RESCUER/MEDCEUR exercise at Vaziani Military Base, Georgia.
- 2001
Conversion to provisional expeditionary status
[1]The lineage was redesignated the 409th Air Expeditionary Group and the group was activated in Bulgaria for air-refueling support.
- 1945
End of World War II service
[1]After its final European combat mission on 3 May, the group returned to the United States and was inactivated on 7 November.
- 1944
Arrival in the European theater
[1]The group moved to RAF Little Walden and began combat operations with the Ninth Air Force in April.
- 1943
Constitution and activation
[1]The 409th Bombardment Group (Light) was constituted and activated at Will Rogers Field, Oklahoma, on 1 June.
Products and positioning
A provisional U.S. Air Force expeditionary organization designed to provide flexible air operations, reconnaissance, refueling, security, and base-support capabilities across European, African, and adjacent theaters.
World War II light bomber · 1943
Douglas A-20 Havoc
The A-20 Havoc was the group's principal aircraft during training and most of its World War II combat service. The group used it for low-level attack and medium-altitude bombing against tactical and operational targets in France and Germany.
World War II light bomber · 1944
Douglas A-26 Invader
The A-26 Invader was introduced during the group's conversion late in 1944. Despite the transition, the unit continued supporting ground operations during the Battle of the Bulge and flew its final wartime missions with the A-26 from French bases.
Aerial refueling aircraft · 2001
McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender
Six KC-10 Extenders deployed from McGuire Air Force Base supported the group's Bulgarian activation in 2001–2003. Their role was to refuel coalition aircraft and sustain long-distance air routes supporting operations in the Middle East.
Unmanned reconnaissance aircraft
MQ-9 Reaper
MQ-9 Reaper aircraft are associated with the 324th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, one of the group's listed modern components. The squadron operates from Naval Air Station Sigonella and contributes to expeditionary intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
Marketing campaigns
- 2011African regional ISR and expeditionary support
Ethiopia · Seychelles · Djibouti · Niger · Italy
The group supported U.S. Air Forces Africa missions through air-base operations, detachments, security, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
Outcome. Established a flexible platform for operations from multiple African locations.
- 2005Regional Partnership for Peace exercise
Georgia
The group was activated at Vaziani for a similar multinational exercise.
Outcome. Provided temporary expeditionary support before inactivation later that month.
- 2003Operation Iraqi Freedom support
Bulgaria · Middle East
The group coordinated KC-10 air-refueling operations from Bulgaria to help coalition aircraft reach and operate in the theater.
Outcome. Provided expeditionary tanker support before the group's 2003 inactivation.
- 2003RESCUER/MEDCEUR 03
Georgia
The group supported a U.S.-sponsored, Georgian-hosted multinational exercise conducted in the spirit of Partnership for Peace.
Outcome. Completed its temporary exercise activation in September 2003.
- 1944Normandy campaign
France
The group attacked coastal defenses, rail infrastructure, communications targets, and other objectives in preparation for and during the Allied invasion of Normandy.
Outcome. Supported Allied ground operations during the invasion and subsequent advance.
- 1944Operation Cobra
France
The group struck enemy troops, flak positions, fortified villages, and supply dumps during the Allied breakout at Saint-Lô.
Outcome. Contributed tactical air support to the breakout from the Normandy bridgehead.
- 1944Battle of the Bulge
Belgium · Luxembourg · Germany
The group continued close air support and attacks on lines of communication while beginning its transition from the A-20 to the A-26.
Outcome. Maintained combat support during the German winter offensive.
Brand decisions
2012
Expansion of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilityStrategyBackground
U.S. Air Forces Africa required persistent reconnaissance coverage across a large and geographically dispersed area of responsibility.
Action taken
The 324th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron was added to the group, associated with MQ-9 operations.
Aftermath
The group was described as a primary provider of ISR missions from multiple locations as required.
2001
Conversion to provisional expeditionary statusStrategyBackground
United States Air Forces Europe required a formation that could be activated for changing overseas missions.
Action taken
The World War II lineage was converted to provisional status and redesignated as the 409th Air Expeditionary Group.
Aftermath
The group became available for episodic activations supporting refueling, exercises, reconnaissance, and African expeditionary operations.
2001
Adoption of an air-refueling mission in BulgariaStrategyBackground
Coalition air operations required tanker support for aircraft moving through southeastern Europe toward the Middle East.
Action taken
The group operated from Camp Sarafovo and Burgas Airport with six deployed KC-10 Extenders.
Aftermath
The organization supported coalition aircraft routes until its inactivation in 2003.
Recent events
- 2012
324th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron added to 409th[1]
Other
The MQ-9-equipped reconnaissance squadron joined the group's structure as the organization developed a broader intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance role in Africa.
- 2011
409th expands African expeditionary operations[1]
Other
The group activated at Arba Minch, Ethiopia, with an air-base squadron and detachments in the Seychelles and Djibouti, supporting U.S. Air Forces Africa activities.
- 2007
409th provides expeditionary headquarters support in Iceland[1]
Other
At Keflavik Air Station, the group served as a command headquarters for temporarily deployed fighter and air-refueling elements.
- 2003
409th supports coalition air routes from Bulgaria[1]
Other
The group used KC-10 Extender aircraft deployed from New Jersey to refuel coalition aircraft operating through Bulgaria and toward the Middle East.
- 2003
409th participates in RESCUER/MEDCEUR exercise in Georgia[1]
Other
The organization was activated at Vaziani Military Base for a regional multinational exercise conducted under the Partnership for Peace framework.
- 2001
409th Air Expeditionary Group activated in Bulgaria for air-refueling support[1]
Other
United States Air Forces Europe activated the provisional group at Camp Sarafovo, Bulgaria, to support regional air operations and the buildup associated with Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sources1 sources
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