474th Air Expeditionary Group

The 474th Air Expeditionary Group is a provisional United States Air Force unit assigned to Air Combat Command. Unlike a commercial brand, it is a military organizational identity whose designation, lineage, honors, and associated squadrons represent operational capabilities rather than consumer products. Because it is provisional, the group may be activated or inactivated when required by Air Force operational plans. The unit traces its principal lineage to the 474th Fighter Group, constituted on 26 May 1943 and activated on 1 August 1943 at Glendale Airport, California. Equipped with Lockheed P-38 Lightnings, it trained with the 428th, 429th, and 430th Fighter Squadrons before deploying to England in early 1944. Assigned to Ninth Air Force's 70th Fighter Wing and IX Tactical Air Command, the group performed bomber escort but specialized primarily in tactical ground attack. From RAF Warmwell, which personnel commonly associated with the nearby Moreton railway station, it attacked bridges, railways, roads, troop concentrations, airfields, and other targets in occupied France. The group flew its first combat mission on 25 April 1944 and supported the Normandy invasion through coastal patrols, invasion-force cover, and attacks on German communications and defensive positions. It later supported the Allied breakout at Saint-Lô, the advance across France, the British operations in the Netherlands, the Battle of the Bulge, and the airborne crossing of the Rhine. A notable 23 August 1944 mission against German forces retreating through the Falaise–Argentan area earned the group a Distinguished Unit Citation. The unit also received the Belgian Army Order of the Day twice for operations during the 1944 Normandy and northern European campaigns and the winter 1944–45 fighting. The 474th moved from England to France in August 1944 and continued tactical air support for the First United States Army until the end of the European war. It returned to the United States in November 1945 and was inactivated at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, on 8 December 1945. The formation was reactivated at Misawa Air Base, Japan, on 10 July 1952 as the 474th Fighter-Bomber Group. It absorbed personnel and Republic F-84G Thunderjets associated with the returning 116th Fighter-Bomber Group and moved with the 474th Fighter-Bomber Wing to Kunsan Air Base, Korea. Entering combat in August 1952, it conducted attacks against bridges, bunkers, artillery, troop concentrations, and transportation targets. During 1953, changes to the reinforced fighter-bomber wing structure redistributed squadrons, personnel, and aircraft among the 474th, 49th, and later 58th Fighter-Bomber Wings. The group received a Distinguished Unit Citation for Korean War operations from December 1952 through April 1953 and a Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation for service from July 1952 through March 1953. After leaving Korea, the group returned to the United States in late 1954 and became an operational training organization for F-100 aircraft supporting the 312th Fighter-Bomber Wing at Clovis Air Force Base, New Mexico. It was inactivated on 8 October 1957 and replaced by the 474th Fighter-Bomber Wing. The lineage was later redesignated as the 474th Tactical Fighter Group in 1985 and converted to provisional status as the 474th Air Expeditionary Group by September 2004. The group has been associated with Twelfth Air Force and, from August 2007, the 12th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force. Public reference material does not identify a continuously active present-day headquarters or a specific current deployment.

The 474th's lineage began with the constitution of the 474th Fighter Group on 26 May 1943 and its activation at Glendale Airport, California, on 1 August. Its original combat components were the 428th, 429th, and 430th Fighter Squadrons. The group trained on the Lockheed P-38 Lightning and deployed to England in February and March 1944, joining Ninth Air Force's 70th Fighter Wing and IX Tactical Air Command. At RAF Warmwell, the group prepared for tactical operations over continental Europe. Although capable of bomber escort, its principal employment was ground attack. Its P-38s used heavy nose armament and could carry two 1,000-pound bombs, making them useful against bridges, railways, roads, troop concentrations, and fortified positions. The first mission took place on 25 April 1944. Operations intensified before and during the Normandy invasion, including patrols over the invasion fleet, attacks on German communications, and close support for Allied landings on 5–6 June. The group continued supporting Allied ground forces through the Saint-Lô breakout and the advance across France. On 23 August 1944, it repeatedly attacked German forces and equipment trapped near the Seine during the retreat from the Falaise–Argentan area. Despite anti-aircraft defenses, the attacks struck motor transport, barges, bridges, and other targets and contributed to the disruption of the German withdrawal. This action resulted in a Distinguished Unit Citation. The group also supported operations in the Netherlands, the Battle of the Bulge, and the airborne assault across the Rhine. It moved to Saint-Lambert Airfield in France in August 1944 and remained in continental Europe until V-E Day, supporting the First United States Army. It returned to the United States and was inactivated at Camp Kilmer on 8 December 1945. The organization was redesignated the 474th Fighter-Bomber Group on 25 June 1952 and activated at Misawa, Japan, on 10 July. It took over personnel and F-84G Thunderjets associated with the 116th Fighter-Bomber Group and moved with the 474th Fighter-Bomber Wing to Kunsan Air Base in Korea. Combat began in August 1952. Missions included bombing and strafing bridges, bunkers, artillery positions, troop concentrations, and transportation networks. A 1953 reorganization of the reinforced fighter-bomber wing structure redistributed the group's squadrons and resources. The 428th and 429th squadrons were redesignated and associated with the 49th Fighter-Bomber Wing, while the 430th moved to Taegu and exchanged equipment and personnel with other formations. The 474th subsequently became part of the restructured 58th Fighter-Bomber Wing arrangement. It was recognized with a Distinguished Unit Citation for operations from 1 December 1952 to 30 April 1953 and a Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation for service from 10 July 1952 to 30 March 1953. The group moved back to the United States during November and December 1954 and supported F-100 operational training for the 312th Fighter-Bomber Wing at Clovis Air Force Base, New Mexico. It was inactivated on 8 October 1957 and replaced by the 474th Fighter-Bomber Wing. The designation was later changed to 474th Tactical Fighter Group in 1985. By September 2004, Air Combat Command had converted the lineage to the provisional 474th Air Expeditionary Group. The provisional structure permits the Air Force to activate or deactivate the group for specific expeditionary requirements. Public sources associate it with Twelfth Air Force and, from 2007, with the 12th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force, but do not establish a permanent current station or continuous activation.

• 2004

  Conversion to an air expeditionary group

  [1]474th Air Expeditionary Groupen.wikipedia.org

  Air Combat Command converted the lineage to provisional 474th Air Expeditionary Group status.

• 1985

  Tactical fighter redesignation

  [1]474th Air Expeditionary Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The lineage was redesignated as the 474th Tactical Fighter Group.

• 1957

  Cold War inactivation

  [1]474th Air Expeditionary Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The fighter-bomber group was inactivated and replaced by the 474th Fighter-Bomber Wing.

• 1954

  Return to the United States

  [1]474th Air Expeditionary Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The group returned from East Asia and assumed an operational training role for F-100 aircraft at Clovis Air Force Base.

• 1952

  Reactivation for the Korean War

  [1]474th Air Expeditionary Groupen.wikipedia.org

  Redesignated the 474th Fighter-Bomber Group, it was activated at Misawa and moved to Kunsan, Korea, entering combat in August.

• 1945

  End of European operations and inactivation

  [1]474th Air Expeditionary Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The group supported the First United States Army until V-E Day, returned to the United States, and was inactivated on 8 December.

• 1944

  Deployment to England and first combat missions

  [1]474th Air Expeditionary Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The group joined Ninth Air Force in England, flew its first mission on 25 April, and began tactical operations over France.

• 1944

  Normandy and European ground-support operations

  [1]474th Air Expeditionary Groupen.wikipedia.org

  It supported the Normandy invasion, the Saint-Lô breakout, the advance across France, the Netherlands campaign, the Battle of the Bulge, and the Rhine crossing.

• 1943

  474th Fighter Group constituted and activated

  [1]474th Air Expeditionary Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The unit was constituted on 26 May and activated on 1 August at Glendale Airport, California, with three fighter squadrons and P-38 Lightnings.

A deployable United States Air Force combat formation organized for tactical air support, fighter operations, and expeditionary missions rather than commercial activity.

• World War II fighter aircraft · 1943

  Lockheed P-38 Lightning

  The P-38 was the group's principal aircraft during its World War II service. Its twin-engine design, concentrated forward-firing armament, and bomb-carrying capacity suited bomber escort and especially tactical ground attack. The group used Lightnings against bridges, railways, roads, troop concentrations, and other targets in the European theater from England and later France.

• Korean War fighter-bomber aircraft · 1952

  Republic F-84 Thunderjet

  The group operated Republic F-84G Thunderjets after its 1952 reactivation in Japan and transfer to Korea. The aircraft supported bombing and strafing missions against bridges, bunkers, artillery, troop concentrations, and transportation targets.

• Cold War fighter aircraft · 1955

  North American F-86 Sabre

  The F-86 is listed among the aircraft associated with the group's later Cold War period before its 1957 inactivation. The group subsequently served as an operational training organization connected with F-100 operations.

• 1952Korean War

  Korean Peninsula · Japan

  The reactivated fighter-bomber group attacked bridges, bunkers, troop concentrations, artillery positions, and transportation targets from Korean bases.

  Outcome. The group received United States and Republic of Korea unit citations for its combat service.

  Source
• 1945Central Europe and Rhine airborne assault

  Germany

  The group supported the airborne assault across the Rhine and continued tactical support for the First United States Army until the end of the European war.

  Outcome. Operations continued until V-E Day.

  Source
• 1944Normandy

  France · United Kingdom

  The group patrolled over the invasion fleet, provided air cover, and attacked German bridges, railways, roads, and defensive positions during the Normandy invasion.

  Outcome. The operations supported Allied landings and the establishment of the Normandy bridgehead.

  Source
• 1944Northern France

  France

  The group conducted tactical air support during the Allied breakout, including attacks supporting the advance from Saint-Lô and operations against retreating German forces.

  Outcome. The 23 August action in the Falaise–Argentan area earned the group a Distinguished Unit Citation.

  Source
• 1944Ardennes-Alsace

  Belgium · France

  During the Battle of the Bulge, the group escorted bombers and attacked enemy transportation near Malmedy, St. Vith, and Schleiden.

  Outcome. The operations supported Allied forces during the winter counteroffensive.

  Source

• 2004

  Conversion to provisional expeditionary statusStrategy

  Background

  Air Combat Command maintains provisional expeditionary organizations that can be tailored to operational requirements.

  Action taken

  The 474th Tactical Fighter Group lineage was redesignated and converted into the provisional 474th Air Expeditionary Group.

  Aftermath

  The group became available for activation or inactivation as directed by Air Combat Command.

  Source

• 1953

  Reorganization of fighter-bomber resourcesStrategy

  Background

  Far East Air Forces introduced a reinforced fighter-bomber wing structure intended to simplify maintenance and support.

  Action taken

  Squadrons, personnel, and aircraft were redistributed among the 474th, 49th, and 58th Fighter-Bomber Wings, with the 430th moving to Taegu.

  Aftermath

  The 474th and 49th Wings were placed on inactive status after the formation of the 58th Fighter-Bomber Wing.

  Source

• 1952

  Reactivation as a fighter-bomber groupStrategy

  Background

  The Air Force needed a combat formation in the Far East after the 116th Fighter-Bomber Group returned to state control.

  Action taken

  The lineage was redesignated the 474th Fighter-Bomber Group, activated at Misawa, and transferred with its wing to Kunsan for Korean War operations.

  Aftermath

  The group entered combat in August 1952 and continued operating through the 1953 wing reorganization.

  Source

• 2004

  474th Air Expeditionary Group receives provisional designation[1]474th Air Expeditionary Groupen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Air Combat Command redesignated the historical tactical fighter lineage as a provisional air expeditionary group, allowing activation or inactivation as operational requirements change.

• 1952

  474th Fighter-Bomber Group enters Korean War combat[1]474th Air Expeditionary Groupen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Reactivated at Misawa and transferred to Korea, the group began attacks against transportation, fortifications, artillery, and troop concentrations.

• 1944

  474th Fighter Group begins combat operations in the European theater[1]474th Air Expeditionary Groupen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The World War II predecessor began combat missions from RAF Warmwell, using P-38 Lightnings for escort and ground-attack operations in support of Ninth Air Force.

• 1944

  474th Fighter Group supports the Normandy invasion[1]474th Air Expeditionary Groupen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The group patrolled over the invasion fleet, provided air cover, and attacked bridges, railways, roads, and German positions during the Normandy campaign.

1. 1474th Air Expeditionary Groupen.wikipedia.org