The 433rd Operations Group is the operational flying component of the

United States Air Force Reserve The Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) is a major command (MAJCOM) of the United States Air Force, with its headquarters at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. It is the federal Air Reserve Component (ARC) of the U.S. Air Force, consisting of commis ...

433rd Airlift Wing. It is stationed at

Lackland Air Force Base Lackland Air Force Base is a United States Air Force (USAF) base located in Bexar County, Texas, United States. The base is under the jurisdiction of the 802d Mission Support Group, Air Education and Training Command (AETC) and an enclave of ...

Texas Texas ( , ; or ) is the most populous U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. It borders Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the we ...

. During

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, as the 433rd Troop Carrier Group, the

group A group is a number of persons or things that are located, gathered, or classed together. Groups of people * Cultural group, a group whose members share the same cultural identity * Ethnic group, a group whose members share the same ethnic iden ...

operated primarily in the

Southwest Pacific Theater The South West Pacific theatre, during World War II, was a major theatre of the war between the Allies and the Axis. It included the Philippines, the Dutch East Indies (except for Sumatra), Borneo, Australia, its mandate Territory of New Guin ...

transporting such things as gasoline, ammunition, medicine, rations, communications equipment, construction materials and evacuating wounded personnel during numerous campaigns. It was awarded the

Philippine Presidential Unit Citation The Philippine Presidential Unit citation BadgeThe AFP Adjutant General, ''Awards and Decorations Handbook'', 1997, OTAG, p. 65. is a unit decoration of the Republic of the Philippines. It has been awarded to certain units of the United States ...

for its role in the liberation of the Philippines during 1944-1945. After the war, the unit served in the reserves and was called to active service during the

Korean War The Korean War (25 June 1950 – 27 July 1953) was an armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula fought between North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea; DPRK) and South Korea (Republic of Korea; ROK) and their allies. North Korea was s ...

. It returned to reserve duty until its inactivation in 1959. It was reactivated in 1992 when the reserves implemented the Objective Wing organization.

Overview

The 433 OG operates two flying squadrons with a total of 8 Lockheed C-5M Galaxy strategic airlift aircraft, transporting personnel and cargo on a worldwide basis. Component squadrons are: * 68th Airlift Squadron *

356th Airlift Squadron The 356th Airlift Squadron is a United States Air Force Reserve squadron, assigned to the 433d Operations Group Air Force Reserve Command, stationed at Kelly Field Annex, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. The 356th is a Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, C-5M Su ...

* 733rd Training Squadron * 433rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron * 433rd Airlift Control Flight * 433rd Operations Support Squadron

History

World War II

Trained to tow gliders and to transport and drop supplies and paratroops, February–July 1943. Air echelon flew Group's

Douglas C-47 Skytrain The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota ( RAF designation) is a military transport aircraft developed from the civilian Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II. During the war the C-47 was used for tro ...

s to New Guinea, via Hawaii, the

Fiji Islands Fiji, officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about north-northeast of New Zealand. Fiji consists of an archipelago of more than 330 islands—of which about ...

, and Australia, August–September 1943, and began operations with

Fifth Air Force The Fifth Air Force (5 AF) is a Numbered Air Force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). It is headquartered at Yokota Air Base, Japan. It is the U.S. Air Force's oldest continuously serving Numbered Air Force. The organ ...

. Ground echelon sailed from the West Coast on 25 September 1943, arriving in

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...

on 10 October 1943. By early November 1943, the two echelons had rejoined at

Nadzab Airfield Complex Officially named Nadzab Tomodachi International Airport, Nadzab Airport is a regional airport located at Nadzab outside Lae, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea along the Highlands Highway. It is served by both private and regional aircraft with do ...

, New Guinea. Transported troops and carried cargo, such as gasoline, ammunition, medicine, food, equipment, and construction materials; and evacuated wounded personnel. From November 1943 to February 1945, the group was assigned six troop carrier squadrons, rather than the more normal four. Lost operational control of two squadrons, July–November 1944. Squadrons moved, October 1944-January 1945, to

Biak Island Biak is the main island of Biak Archipelago located in Cenderawasih Bay near the northern coast of Papua (province), Papua, an Indonesian province, and is just northwest of New Guinea. Biak has many atolls, reefs, and corals. The largest popula ...

, and January–February 1945 to the Philippines. Operations in the Philippines included delivering ammunition, food, and other items to Filipino

guerrilla Guerrilla warfare is a form of unconventional warfare in which small groups of irregular military, such as rebels, Partisan (military), partisans, paramilitary personnel or armed civilians, which may include Children in the military, recruite ...

forces; evacuating former allied prisoners of war and civilian internees; transporting combat units from New Guinea, the Netherlands East Indie], and the

Solomon Islands Solomon Islands, also known simply as the Solomons,John Prados, ''Islands of Destiny'', Dutton Caliber, 2012, p,20 and passim is an island country consisting of six major islands and over 1000 smaller islands in Melanesia, part of Oceania, t ...

. Group flew its one combat glider tow mission on 23 June 1945 to Aparri,

Luzon Luzon ( , ) is the largest and most populous List of islands in the Philippines, island in the Philippines. Located in the northern portion of the List of islands of the Philippines, Philippine archipelago, it is the economic and political ce ...

. Transported troops to

Okinawa most commonly refers to: * Okinawa Prefecture, Japan's southernmost prefecture * Okinawa Island, the largest island of Okinawa Prefecture * Okinawa Islands, an island group including Okinawa itself * Okinawa (city), the second largest city in th ...

, June–August 1945 and occupation forces to

Japan Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...

after

V-J Day Victory over Japan Day (also known as V-J Day, Victory in the Pacific Day, or V-P Day) is the day on which Imperial Japan surrendered in World War II, in effect bringing the war to an end. The term has been applied to both of the days on wh ...

Air Force reserve

Activated as a reserve organization in Ohio on 6 July 1947. Ordered to active service and moved to

North Carolina North Carolina ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, South Carolina to the south, Georgia (U.S. stat ...

in October 1950; received

Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar The Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar (Navy and Marine Corps designation R4Q) is an American military transport aircraft developed from the World War II-era Fairchild C-82 Packet, designed to carry cargo, personnel, Litter (rescue basket), litte ...

aircraft the following month. Tactical training began in March 1951. Transported personnel and supplies to Army units in the field. Airdropped personnel and equipment during army exercises. Moved to Germany and participated with US, British, and French units in field training until inactivated. By 1958, flew airlift missions and participated in tactical exercises. Beginning August 1992, the group participated in airlift missions worldwide, including numerous humanitarian missions. The final C-5A Galaxy aircraft (tail number 70-0448) departed Kelly Field on September 28, 2016. The first of the eight Lockheed Martin

C-5M Super Galaxy The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is a large military transport aircraft designed and built by Lockheed Corporation, Lockheed, and now maintained and upgraded by its successor, Lockheed Martin. It provides the United States Air Force (USAF) with a heavy ...

aircraft, arrived June 2016.

Lineage

* Established as the 433rd Troop Carrier Group on 22 January 1943 : Activated on 9 February 1943 : Inactivated on 15 January 1946 * Activated in the reserve on 6 July 1947 : Redesignated 433rd Troop Carrier Group, Medium on 27 June 1949 : Ordered to active service on 15 October 1950 : Inactivated on 14 July 1952 * Activated in the reserve on 18 May 1955 : Inactivated on 14 April 1959 : Redesignated: 433rd Tactical Airlift Group on 31 July 1985 (remained inactive) * Redesignated: 433rd Operations Group on 1 August 1992 : Activated in the reserve on 1 August 1992

Assignments

I Troop Carrier Command The I Troop Carrier Command is a disbanded United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Continental Air Forces, at Stout Field, Indiana, where it was disbanded in November 1945, and its resources transferred to IX Troop Carrier C ...

, 9 February 1943 * 52nd Troop Carrier Wing, February 1943 *

50th Troop Carrier Wing The 50th Troop Carrier Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. The wing was formed in 1941 as the 50th Transport Wing, a headquarters for air transport organizations of the Air Corps. In 1942, it became a training organization for tr ...

, c. 19 March 1943 * 53rd Troop Carrier Wing, 15 April 1943 * 50th Troop Carrier Wing, 2 June 1943 *

, c. September 1943 * 54th Troop Carrier Wing, 4 October 1943 – 15 January 1946 *

Eleventh Air Force The Eleventh Air Force (11 AF) is a Numbered Air Force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). It is headquartered at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson, Alaska.This unit is not related to the Eleventh Air Force headquart ...

, 6 July 1947 * 69th Troop Carrier Wing (later 69th Air Division), 17 October 1947 * 433rd Troop Carrier Wing, 27 June 1949 – 14 July 1952 * 433rd Troop Carrier Wing, 18 May 1955 – 14 April 1959 * 433rd Airlift Wing, 1 August 1992 – present

Components

* 5th Troop Carrier Squadron: 28 October 1948 – 28 March 1949 * 65th Troop Carrier Squadron: 9 November 1943 – 20 February 1945 *

66th Troop Carrier Squadron The 66th Training Squadron is an active unit of the United States Air Force. Its current assignment is with the 336th Training Group at Fairchild Air Force Base where is performs the training for the SERE instructor course for the USAF. Histor ...

: 9 November 1943 – 20 February 1945 * 67th Troop Carrier Squadron: 9 February 1943 – 15 January 1946 (detached July–November 1944); 6 July 1947 – 14 July 1952; 18 May 1955 – 14 April 1959 * 68th Troop Carrier Squadron (later 68th Airlift Squadron): 9 February 1943 – 15 January 1946; 3 August 1947 – 14 July 1952; 18 May 1955 – 14 April 1959; 1 August 1992–present. * 69th Troop Carrier Squadron: 9 February 1943 – 15 January 1946; 3 August 1947 – 14 July 1952; 25 March 1956 – 14 April 1959 * 70th Troop Carrier Squadron: 9 February 1943 – 15 January 1946 (detached July–November 1944); 3 August 1947 – 3 October 1950 * 315th Troop Carrier Squadron: 28 October 1948 – 28 March 1949 *

, 9 Jan 2007 – present

Stations

* Florence Army Air Field, South Carolina, 9 February 1943 *

Sedalia Army Air Field Sedalia is the name of several places: Canada *Sedalia, Alberta, a hamlet in Alberta, Canada United States *Sedalia, Colorado *Sedalia, Indiana *Sedalia, Kentucky *Sedalia, Missouri, the largest US city named Sedalia *Sedalia, North Carolina * Sed ...

, Missouri, 19 March 1943 * Laurinburg-Maxton Army Air Base, North Carolina, 1 June 1943 *

Baer Field Baer (or Bär, from ) or Van Baer is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: Baer * Alan Baer, American tuba player * Arthur "Bugs" Baer (1886–1969), American journalist and humorist * Buddy Baer (1915–1986), American boxer * ...

, Indiana, 1 August-7 September 1943 *

Port Moresby Airfield Complex The Port Moresby Airfield Complex was a World War II military airfield complex, built near Port Moresby in the Territory of Papua and New Guinea. It was used during the Battle of New Guinea as a base of Allied air operations primarily in 1942 an ...

, New Guinea, late August 1943 (air echelon) * Nadzab Airfield Complex, New Guinea, November 1943 *

Mokmer Airfield Frans Kaisiepo Airport is an airport on Biak island, in Papua, Indonesia. It is also known as Mokmer Airport. The airport is named after Frans Kaisiepo (1921–1979), the fourth Governor of Papua. The airport has seven aircraft parking s ...

Biak Biak is the main island of Biak Archipelago located in Cenderawasih Bay near the northern coast of Papua (province), Papua, an Indonesian province, and is just northwest of New Guinea. Biak has many atolls, reefs, and corals. The largest popula ...

, Netherlands East Indies, 7 November 1944 * Tanauan Airfield,

Leyte Leyte ( ) is an island in the Visayas group of islands in the Philippines. It is eighth-largest and sixth-most populous island in the Philippines, with a total population of 2,626,970 as of 2020 census. Since the accessibility of land has been ...

, Philippines, 11 February 1945 *

Clark Field Clark is an English language surname with historical links to England, Scotland, and Ireland, ultimately derived from the Latin ''clericus'' meaning "scribe", "secretary" or a scholar within a religious order, referring to someone who was educated ...

, Philippines, June 1945 *

Tachikawa Air Base is an aerodrome, airfield in the city of Tachikawa, Tokyo, Tachikawa, in the western part of Tokyo, Japan. Currently under the administration of the Ministry of Defense (Japan), Ministry of Defense, it has also served as a civilian airport with ...

, Japan, 30 September 1945 – 15 January 1946 * Akron Airport, Ohio, 6 July 1947 * Cleveland Municipal Airport, Ohio, 27 June 1949 * Greenville Air Force Base (later

Donaldson Air Force Base Donaldson Air Force Base is a former facility of the United States Air Force located south of Greenville, South Carolina. It was founded in 1942 as Greenville Army Air Base; it was deactivated in 1963 and converted into a civilian airport. It ...

, South Carolina, 16 October 1950 – 20 July 1951 *

Rhein-Main Air Base Rhein-Main Air Base was a United States Air Force air base near the city of Frankfurt am Main, Germany. It was a Military Airlift Command (MAC) and United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) installation, occupying the south side of Frankfurt ...

, Germany, 5 August 1951 – 14 July 1952 *

Brooks Air Force Base Brooks Air Force Base was a United States Air Force facility located in San Antonio, Texas, southeast of Downtown San Antonio. In 2002, Brooks Air Force Base was renamed Brooks City-Base when the property was conveyed to the Brooks Developm ...

, Texas, 18 May 1955 – 14 April 1959 *

Kelly Air Force Base Kelly Field (formerly Kelly Air Force Base) is a Joint-Use facility located in San Antonio, Texas. It was originally named after George E. M. Kelly, the first member of the U.S. military killed in the crash of an airplane he was piloting. I ...

(later Kelly Annex,

, Texas, 1 August 1992 – present

Aircraft

* C-53 Skytrooper, 1943 * C-47 Skytrain, 1943–1945 * B-17 Flying Fortress, 1944 * C-46 Commando, 1944–1945; 1949–1950; 955-1958 * C-119 Flying Boxcar, 1950–1952; 1958–1959 * C-45 Expeditor, 1955-c. 1956 * C-5 Galaxy, 1992–2006 *

Lockheed C-5M Super Galaxy The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is a large military transport aircraft designed and built by Lockheed, and now maintained and upgraded by its successor, Lockheed Martin. It provides the United States Air Force (USAF) with a heavy intercontinental-rang ...

(2016 - Present)

References

; Notes ; Citations

Bibliography

* * *

External links

433rd Operations Group Factsheet
{{USAAF 1st Air Force World War II Operations groups of the United States Air Force