46th Operations Group

The 46th Operations Group was a United States Air Force organization whose history spans two distinct periods of service. Its predecessor was established in 1943 as the 46th Bombardment Training Wing and was subsequently redesignated the 46th Bombardment Operational Training Wing. During World War II, the organization provided command and control for replacement training units preparing aircrew and other personnel for bomber operations. Its training system supported personnel working with Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, Consolidated B-24 Liberator, and Boeing B-29 Superfortress aircraft. Graduates were sent to combat organizations in overseas theaters as replacement personnel. The wartime organization operated from bases in Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado before being inactivated in April 1946 and later disestablished in 1948. The unit was reestablished and redesignated the 46th Operations Group in 1993. It was activated at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, as the flying component of the 46th Test Wing. In this later role, it designed and conducted flight and ground testing and evaluation for United States Air Force conventional munitions and electronic countermeasures. Its work involved aircraft, test crews, instrumentation, weapons systems, and associated operational procedures rather than commercial products or consumer services. The modern group included the 39th Test Squadron, later known as the 39th Flight Test Squadron; the 40th Test Squadron, later the 40th Flight Test Squadron; and, for a period, the 337th Flight Test Squadron. The 40th squadron operated a mixed fleet that included F-15 and F-16 fighters, NC-130 aircraft, and A-10 attack aircraft. The group also operated or supported testing involving F/EF-111 aircraft during the early part of its modern existence. The organization remained assigned to the 46th Test Wing until 1 October 2012, when it was inactivated and its functions were transferred to the 96th Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base. As a result, the 46th Operations Group is a defunct military organization rather than an active commercial brand.

The organization was established as the 46th Bombardment Training Wing on 15 February 1943 and activated six days later, on 21 February, under II Bomber Command. On 15 April 1943 it was redesignated the 46th Bombardment Operational Training Wing. Its wartime purpose was to provide command and control for replacement training units. These units prepared personnel associated with heavy bomber operations, including crews trained on the B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberator, and B-29 Superfortress. After completing training, graduates were assigned as replacement personnel to combat units serving in overseas theaters. The wing initially operated from Dalhart Army Air Field, Texas. It moved to Ardmore Army Air Field, Oklahoma, on 15 September 1943, and was associated with I Bomber Command, later XX Bomber Command, before assignment to the Second Air Force on 6 October 1943. Its listed wartime components included the 19th Bombardment Group, assigned from September 1943 to April 1944, and the 302d Bombardment Group, assigned from September to December 1943. The organization later moved to Colorado Springs Army Air Base, Colorado, on 21 June 1945. It was inactivated on 9 April 1946 while assigned to Strategic Air Command and was disestablished on 8 October 1948. The organization was reestablished and redesignated the 46th Operations Group on 31 August 1993, then activated on 8 September 1993 at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. In this incarnation it formed the flying element of the 46th Test Wing. Its mission was to design and execute flight and ground test and evaluation of Air Force conventional munitions and electronic countermeasures. The group’s activities supported the operational assessment of weapons, aircraft capabilities, and electronic-warfare systems. The modern organization included the 39th Test Squadron, redesignated the 39th Flight Test Squadron before its inactivation or reassignment in 1999; the 40th Test Squadron, later the 40th Flight Test Squadron, which remained with the group through 2012; and the 337th Flight Test Squadron, assigned between 1994 and 1997. Aircraft associated with the group included F-15 and F-16 fighters, NC-130 aircraft, and A-10 aircraft. F/EF-111 aircraft were part of the group’s aircraft inventory during the period from 1993 to 1995. The 46th Operations Group continued at Eglin as part of the 46th Test Wing until 1 October 2012. It was then inactivated, and its functions were transferred to the 96th Test Wing at the same base. The group therefore has no current operating status and does not offer commercial products or services.

• 2012

  Inactivated at Eglin Air Force Base

  [1]46th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The 46th Operations Group was inactivated on 1 October 2012, with its functions transferred to the 96th Test Wing.

• 1993

  Reestablished as the 46th Operations Group

  [1]46th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The group was reestablished on 31 August 1993 and activated at Eglin Air Force Base on 8 September as the flying component of the 46th Test Wing.

• 1946

  Wartime organization inactivated

  [1]46th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The predecessor organization was inactivated on 9 April 1946 after the end of World War II.

• 1945

  Moved to Colorado Springs Army Air Base

  [1]46th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The wartime organization moved to Colorado Springs Army Air Base, Colorado, on 21 June 1945.

• 1943

  Established as the 46th Bombardment Training Wing

  [1]46th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The organization was established on 15 February 1943 and activated on 21 February under II Bomber Command.

• 1943

  Redesignated as the 46th Bombardment Operational Training Wing

  [1]46th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  On 15 April 1943, the unit received a designation reflecting its role in operational replacement training for bomber personnel.

A United States Air Force operational and test organization focused first on bomber replacement training and later on flight and ground test and evaluation of conventional munitions and electronic countermeasures.

• Military testing · 1993

  Flight and ground test and evaluation

  The group’s principal modern output was not a commercial product but testing and evaluation work for United States Air Force conventional munitions and electronic countermeasures. This included planning and executing flight and ground tests used to assess weapons, aircraft-related capabilities, and electronic-warfare systems.

• 2012

  Transfer of group functions to the 96th Test WingStrategy

  Background

  The Air Force reorganized the test functions located at Eglin Air Force Base after the 46th Operations Group had served as the flying component of the 46th Test Wing.

  Action taken

  The 46th Operations Group was inactivated on 1 October 2012, and its functions were transferred to the 96th Test Wing.

  Aftermath

  The 46th Operations Group ceased to exist as an active organization.

  Source

• 2012

  46th Operations Group inactivated and functions transferred to the 96th Test Wing[1]46th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org

  Other · Leadership change

  The 46th Operations Group was inactivated at Eglin Air Force Base on 1 October 2012. Its functions were transferred to the 96th Test Wing.

1. 146th Operations Groupen.wikipedia.org