917th Fighter Group

The 917th Fighter Group was an inactive United States Air Force Reserve Command unit whose lineage began as the 917th Operations Group on 1 August 1992. It was based at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana and was associated with the 917th Fighter Wing before being assigned to the 442d Fighter Wing in January 2011. Although designated a fighter group, its responsibilities changed during its relatively short existence and included tactical aircraft training, deployed close-air-support operations, and oversight of a strategic-bomber component. The group’s principal operational focus was the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II. Its mission included training reserve pilots for close air support and battlefield interdiction, roles in which the A-10 was intended to support ground forces and attack targets in proximity to friendly troops. The group’s component structure initially included the 46th Fighter Training Squadron and the 47th Fighter Squadron. The 46th Fighter Training Squadron remained with the organization from its activation until 1 October 1993, while the 47th Fighter Squadron was listed as a continuing component. The group also supported the deployment of A-10 aircraft and personnel to Italy for NATO operations connected with the Balkans between 1993 and 1996. In 1993, the organization acquired a second and substantially different mission when it gained Boeing B-52 Stratofortress bombers and a bombardment role. The 93d Bomb Squadron formed part of the group from 1 October 1993 until 8 January 2011. The group therefore combined reserve fighter training and close-air-support responsibilities with the administration of a heavy-bomber element for much of its history. The A-10 training mission was conducted until 1 October 1993 and resumed after October 1996, according to the unit’s historical account. On 13 January 2011, the 917th Operations Group was redesignated the 917th Fighter Group and transferred from the 917th Fighter Wing to the 442d Fighter Wing. The B-52 squadron was transferred to the 307th Operations Group on 8 January 2011, separating the bomber component from the group’s remaining fighter-oriented identity. The 917th Fighter Group was ultimately inactivated on 26 September 2013. Its aircraft were transferred to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona under the 924th Fighter Group. As a military organization rather than a commercial brand, it had no consumer products, commercial sales, public stock listing, or conventional brand-management structure.

The 917th Fighter Group was an Air Force Reserve Command organization stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. Its lineage began on 1 August 1992, when it was established and activated as the 917th Operations Group in the Reserve. It operated under the 917th Fighter Wing until 13 January 2011 and was then assigned to the 442d Fighter Wing until its inactivation on 26 September 2013. The group was created to conduct close-air-support and battlefield-interdiction work and to provide A-10 Thunderbolt II training for reserve pilots. Its early component structure included the 46th Fighter Training Squadron and the 47th Fighter Squadron. The 46th Fighter Training Squadron served with the group from 1 August 1992 through 1 October 1993, while the 47th Fighter Squadron was listed as a continuing component. The A-10 training mission was performed until 1 October 1993 and resumed after October 1996. From 1993 through 1996, the group deployed A-10 aircraft and personnel to Italy in support of NATO operations in the Balkans. This deployment reflected the unit’s role in providing reserve combat capability and tactical air support for alliance operations. The group’s responsibilities expanded in 1993 when it acquired Boeing B-52 Stratofortress bombers and a bombardment mission. The 93d Bomb Squadron was associated with the group from 1 October 1993 until 8 January 2011, giving the organization a heavy-bomber function alongside its A-10-oriented work. The organization underwent a formal redesignation on 13 January 2011, becoming the 917th Fighter Group. On the same date, it moved from the 917th Fighter Wing to the 442d Fighter Wing. The B-52 component was transferred to the 307th Operations Group on 8 January 2011, shortly before the redesignation, leaving the group’s later identity more closely tied to fighter operations and the A-10 mission. The 917th Fighter Group was inactivated on 26 September 2013. Its aircraft were transferred to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, under the 924th Fighter Group. Because it was a military unit, the group did not function as a commercial brand, did not sell products to consumers, and had no corporate executives, financial disclosures, or publicly traded securities. Its historical significance lies in the changing organization of Air Force Reserve combat and training capabilities, including the combination of A-10 operations, NATO support, and a period of B-52 bombardment responsibility.

• 2013

  Inactivated

  [1]917th Fighter Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The 917th Fighter Group was inactivated on 26 September 2013, with its aircraft transferred to the 924th Fighter Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

• 2011

  Redesignated and reassigned

  [1]917th Fighter Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The 917th Operations Group became the 917th Fighter Group on 13 January 2011 and was assigned to the 442d Fighter Wing.

• 2011

  93d Bomb Squadron transferred

  [1]917th Fighter Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The group’s B-52-equipped 93d Bomb Squadron transferred to the 307th Operations Group on 8 January 2011.

• 1993

  Added B-52 bombardment responsibilities

  [1]917th Fighter Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The group gained Boeing B-52 Stratofortress aircraft and a bombardment mission, while continuing its association with A-10 close-air-support activities.

• 1993

  Began NATO-related Balkan deployments

  [1]917th Fighter Groupen.wikipedia.org

  A-10 aircraft and personnel deployed to Italy to support NATO operations in the Balkans, with the deployment period extending through 1996.

• 1992

  Established as the 917th Operations Group

  [1]917th Fighter Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The organization was established and activated in the Air Force Reserve on 1 August 1992 at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.

A United States Air Force Reserve operational and training unit focused primarily on A-10 close air support, battlefield interdiction, and reserve pilot training, with a temporary B-52 bombardment responsibility.

• Close-air-support aircraft

  Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II

  The A-10 Thunderbolt II was the group’s principal aircraft type and supported its close-air-support, battlefield-interdiction, reserve pilot-training, and deployed NATO missions. The group operated and trained reserve personnel on the type during its fighter-oriented phases.

• Strategic bomber

  Boeing B-52 Stratofortress

  The B-52 Stratofortress was associated with the group after it assumed a bombardment mission in 1993. The 93d Bomb Squadron operated within the organization until its transfer to the 307th Operations Group on 8 January 2011.

• 1993NATO operations in the Balkans

  Italy · Balkans · NATO area of operations

  The group deployed A-10 aircraft and personnel to Italy in support of NATO operations in the Balkans. The documented deployment period ran from 1993 to 1996.

  Outcome. The deployment concluded in 1996; the group later continued its reserve A-10 training role.

  Source

• 2013

  Inactivated the group and transferred its aircraftOther

  Background

  The Air Force Reserve reorganized the relevant aircraft and organizational responsibilities after the group’s period under the 442d Fighter Wing.

  Action taken

  The 917th Fighter Group was inactivated on 26 September 2013, and its aircraft were transferred to the 924th Fighter Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

  Aftermath

  The 917th Fighter Group ceased to operate as an active Air Force Reserve unit.

  Source

• 2011

  Separated the B-52 component and changed organizational designationStrategy

  Background

  The 93d Bomb Squadron transferred to the 307th Operations Group on 8 January 2011, followed by the group’s redesignation and reassignment on 13 January.

  Action taken

  The 917th Operations Group was redesignated the 917th Fighter Group and assigned to the 442d Fighter Wing.

  Aftermath

  The group’s remaining identity centered on fighter and A-10-related reserve responsibilities until its inactivation in 2013.

  Source

• 1993

  Added a B-52 bombardment missionStrategy

  Background

  After beginning with an A-10-oriented close-air-support and training mission, the group gained B-52 bombers and a bombardment responsibility in 1993.

  Action taken

  The organization incorporated the 93d Bomb Squadron and operated with both fighter-related and heavy-bomber responsibilities.

  Aftermath

  The B-52 component remained associated with the group until its transfer to the 307th Operations Group in January 2011.

  Source

1. 1917th Fighter Groupen.wikipedia.org