448th Supply Chain Management Group

{{short description|Inactive US Air Force unit}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}} {{Use American English|date=December 2022}} {{Infobox military unit |unit_name=448th Supply Chain Management Group (formerly 448th Bombardment Group) |image=448bg-b24-1.jpg |image_size=300 |caption=713th Bomb Squadron B-24H Liberator<ref group=note>Aircraft is Ford built Consolidated B-24H-25-FO Liberator, serial 42-95185 "Do Bunny". This aircraft was shot down by a [[Messerschmitt Me 262|Me 262]] on 25 March 1945 over Soltau, Germany.</ref> |dates=1943–1946; 1947–1951; 1955–1957; 2005-2010 |country={{USA}} |branch={{air force|USA}} |type= |role=logistics management |size= |command_structure= |current_commander= |garrison= |nickname= |motto= "Destroy" (World War II)<ref name=Watkins>Watkins, p.94</ref> |colors= |march= |mascot= |battles=[[European Theater of Operations]]<ref name=Maurer448BG>Maurer, ''Combat Units'', pp. 322-323</ref> |notable_commanders= |anniversaries= |decorations=  |identification_symbol=[[File:448 Supply Chain Management Gp emblem.png|165px]] |identification_symbol_label=448th Supply Chain Management Group emblem<ref group=note>While assigned to the 448th Wing, the group uses the wing emblem with the group designation on the scroll. AF Instruction 84-105, Organizational Lineage, Honors and History, 27 April 2017, paragraph 3.3.3</ref> |identification_symbol_2=[[File:448thbombgroup-patch.jpg|165px]] |identification_symbol_2_label=448th Bombardment Group emblem<ref name=Watkins>Watkins, p.94</ref> |identification_symbol_3='''<big>Circle I</big>''' |identification_symbol_3_label=World War II Tail Marking (December 1943-May 1944)<ref name=Watkins/> |identification_symbol_4='''Yellow tail with black diagonal stripe''' |identification_symbol_4_label=World War II Tail Marking (May 1944-June 1945)<ref name=Watkins/> }}

The '''448th Supply Chain Management Group''' is an inactive [[United States Air Force]] unit. Its last assignment was to the [[448th Supply Chain Management Wing]] at [[Tinker Air Force Base]], Texas, where it was inactivated on 30 June 2010.

The [[group (military aviation unit)|group]] was first organized during [[World War II]], as the '''448th Bombardment Group'''. The group engaged in the [[strategic bombing during World War II#US bombing in Europe|strategic bombing campaign against Germany]] with [[Eighth Air Force]], flying [[Consolidated B-24 Liberator]]s from [[RAF Seething]]. The group flew its last combat mission on 25 April 1945, attacking a [[marshalling yard]] at [[Salzburg]], Austria.

It returned to the United States in July 1945, and was assigned to [[Second Air Force]] for [[Boeing B-29 Superfortress]] conversion and training at [[McCook Army Air Field]]. It moved to [[Fort Worth Army Air Field]], where it became one of the original ten B-29 bombardment groups assigned to [[Strategic Air Command]]. The group was inactivated on 4 August 1946 and its aircraft and personnel were reassigned another unit.

Reactivated in 1947 in the [[military reserve force|Air Force reserve]], in 1949 it was reorganized as a [[light bomber]] group, It was [[mobilization|mobilized]] in 1951 with its personnel and aircraft being used to bring other units up to full strength before inactivating. The group was again active in the reserve from 1955 to 1957 as the '''448th Fighter-Bomber Group'''.

The group was redesignated the '''448th Combat Sustainment Group''' and activated at [[Tinker Air Force Base]], Oklahoma in 2006, but was inactivated as the '''448th Combat Sustainment Group''' in 2010.

==History== ===World War II=== [[Image:448bg-b24-2.jpg|thumb|B-24J Liberator of the 713th Bomb Squadron<ref group=note>Aircraft is North American built Consolidated B-24J-1-NT Liberator, serial 42-78491 "Egress U-Uncle" (foreground). One of only three (of eight total) B-24s built by [[North American Aviation]] to survive hostilities in World War II.</ref>]]

====Initial organization and training in the United States==== The [[group (military aviation unit)|group]] was first activated as the '''448th Bombardment Group''' on 1 May 1943 at [[Gowen Field]], Idaho. Its original components were the [[712th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron|712th]],<ref name=Maurer712BS>Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', p. 713</ref> [[713th Fighter-Bomber Squadron|713th]],<ref name=Maurer713BS>Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', pp. 713-714</ref> [[714th Bombardment Squadron|714th]],<ref name=Maurer714BS>Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', p. 714</ref> and [[715th Bombardment Squadron]]s<ref name=Maurer715BS>Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', p. 715</ref><ref name=Maurer448BG/> After completing initial training with [[Consolidated B-24 Liberator]]s, it moved to [[Wendover Field]], Utah for Phase 2 training, and to [[Sioux City Army Air Base]], Iowa for final training. The ground echelon moved to [[Camp Shanks]], New York and sailed for England aboard the {{RMS|Queen Elizabeth}} on 23 November. The air echelon completed final processing at [[Herington Army Air Field]], Kansas and deployed with their Liberators via the southern ferry route.<ref name=Maurer714BS/><ref name=Freeman257>Freeman, pp. 257–258</ref>

====Combat in Europe==== The group was established at [[RAF Seething]] in early December 1943 and flew its first combat mission on 22 December 1943. it was primarily engaged in the [[strategic bombing during World War II#US bombing in Europe|strategic bombing campaign]] against Germany, attacking ball bearing plants in [[Berlin]], [[marshalling yard]]s at [[Cologne]], a [[V-1 flying bomb]] assembly plant at [[Fallersleben]], aircraft factories in [[Gotha]], an [[airfield]] at [[Hanau]], a chemical plant at [[Ludwigshafen]], synthetic [[oil refineries]] near [[Pölitz]], aircraft engine plants at [[Rostock]], among other strategic targets. The squadron participated in [[Big Week]], an intensive campaign against German aircraft manufacturing plants from 20 to 25 February 1944.<ref name=Maurer448BG />

The squadron was occasionally diverted from its strategic bombing mission to fly [[interdiction]] and [[close air support]] missions. It bombed V-weapon launch sites, airfields and transportation facilities to support [[Operation Overlord]], the invasion of Normandy, and on [[D-Day]] attacked [[coastal defence and fortification|coastal defenses]] and choke points on German [[lines of communication]]. It struck enemy positions to assist the [[Battle for Caen|allied attacks on Caen]] and [[Operation Cobra]], the breakout at Saint Lo. It dropped supplies to [[allies of World War II|allied troops]] during [[Operation Market Garden]], the attempt to seize a bridgehead across the [[Rhine]] in the Netherlands. During the [[Battle of the Bulge]], it attacked transportation and communications targets in December 1944 and January 1945. In the spring of 1945, it again dropped supplies to airborne troops in [[Operation Varsity]], the airborne assault across the Rhine near [[Wesel]]. The squadron flew its last combat mission on 25 April 1945, an attack on a railroad yard near [[Salzburg]], Austria.<ref name=Maurer448BG /> The group flew 262 combat [[Military operation|missions]], on which it lost 101 bombers, while claiming the destruction of 44 enemy [[fighter aircraft|fighters]]. [[Joseph C. McConnell]] the leading [[United States Air Force]] [[fighter ace]] during the [[Korean War]], served as a navigator with the group.<ref name=Freeman257 />

===Cold War=== ====Strategic Air Command==== The air echelon began returning to the United States with their planes in June 1945, while the ground echelon sailed from [[Greenock]] on the {{RMS|Queen Mary}} on 6 July. Squadron members were given leave upon arrival in the States and the squadron began to assemble at [[Sioux Falls Army Air Field]], South Dakota in the middle of the month. After training with the [[Boeing B-29 Superfortress]], the squadron moved to [[Fort Worth Army Air Field]], Texas in December 1945. At Fort Worth, it became one of the first units of [[Strategic Air Command]] in March 1946. Although B-29 groups were organized with three squadrons, the squadron maintained its four squadron strength until May 1946, when the 715th Bombardment Squadron transferred to the control of the [[509th Composite Group]] and moved to join the 509th the following month.<ref name=Maurer715BS/><ref group=note>The 715th Squadron continued to be associated with the 509th through 2005.</ref> However, in August the group was inactivated and its personnel and equipment were transferred to the [[92nd Bombardment Group]], which was simultaneously activated.<ref name=Maurer448BG/><ref name=Freeman257/><ref>Maurer, ''Combat Units'', pp. 158-160</ref>

====Air Force reserve==== {{Main|448th Supply Chain Management Wing}} The group was reactivated as a [[military reserve force|reserve]] unit under [[Air Defense Command]] (ADC) at [[Long Beach Army Air Field]], California in April 1947, where its training was supervised by the 416th AAF Base Unit (later the 2347th Air Force Reserve Training Center).<ref>''See'' Ravenstein, p. 244</ref> Although nominally a B-29 unit, it is not clear whether or not the group was fully staffed or equipped.<ref>''See'' Maurer, ''Combat Units'', pp. 322–323 (no aircraft listed as assigned)</ref> In 1948 [[Continental Air Command]] (ConAC) assumed responsibility for managing reserve and [[Air National Guard]] units from ADC.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/896/983.xml |title=Abstract, Mission Project Closeup, Continental Air Command|date=27 December 1961|publisher=Air Force History Index|access-date=March 24, 2014}}</ref> In June 1949 ConAC reorganized its reserve units under the [[Hobson Plan|wing base organization]], and the group became a [[Douglas B-26 Invader]] unit of the [[448th Bombardment Wing]].<ref name=Ravenstein>Ravenstein, p. 244</ref> It replaced its [[41st Bombardment Squadron]] with the [[711th Bombardment Squadron]].<ref name=Maurer41BS>Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', pp. 189–190</ref><ref name=Maurer711BS>Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', pp.712-713</ref> However, its operational squadrons were staffed at 25% of normal strength.<ref>Cantwell, p. 74</ref>

In August 1950, the 448th Wing's companion reserve unit at Long Beach, the [[452d Bombardment Wing]], was [[mobilization|mobilized]] for [[Korean War]] service. In order to bring the 452d Wing to combat strength, skilled reservists and reservists who required 60 or fewer days training to qualify them as fully skilled assigned to the 448th Wing were transferred to the 452d Wing.<ref>Cantwell, pp. 92–93</ref> The group itself was called to active duty in the second wave of mobilization in March 1951 and its personnel who had not been transferred to the 452d Wing were used as fillers for other Air Force organizations, while the squadron was inactivated four days later.<ref name=Maurer448BG/><ref>Cantwell, p. 137</ref>

The reserve mobilization for the Korean War left it without aircraft, and the reserve did not again receive aircraft until July 1952.<ref>Cantwell, p. 139</ref> When aircraft were assigned, six reserve pilot training wings were activated. However, the Air Force desired that all reserve units be designed to augment the regular forces in the event of a national emergency. Because the pilot training wings had no mobilization mission they were discontinued on 18 May 1955, and replaced by fighter-bomber and troop carrier wings.<ref>Cantwell, p. 146</ref> The group was redesignated the '''448th Fighter-Bomber Group''' and again activated as a reserve unit at [[Hensley Field]], Texas when the 448th Fighter-Bomber Wing replaced the 8709th Pilot Training Wing. The group took over the [[North American T-28 Trojan]] aircraft of the 8709th, but soon re-equipped with [[Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star]]s.

Despite its [[fighter bomber]] designation, the squadron was gained on mobilization by Air Defense Command upon mobilization. The group flew the F-80 until 1957, when it began converting to the [[North American F-86 Sabre]].<ref name=Ravenstein/>

However, the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff]] were pressuring the Air Force to provide more wartime airlift. At the same time, about 150 [[Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar]]s became available from the active force. Consequently, in November 1956 the Air Force directed [[Continental Air Command]] to convert three reserve fighter bomber wings to the troop carrier mission by September 1957. In addition, within the Air Staff was a recommendation that the reserve fighter mission given to the [[Air National Guard]] and replaced by the troop carrier mission.<ref>Cantwell, p. 168</ref> As a consequence in November 1957, the 448th<ref name=Maurer711BS/> and the remainder of the 448th Wing were inactivated<ref name=Ravenstein/> when reserve operations at Hensley converted to the [[airlift]] mission.

===Logistics management=== {{Main|448th Supply Chain Management Wing}} In 2005, [[Air Force Materiel Command]] (AFMC) implemented the AFMC Transformation project, which replaced the staff agencies at air logistics centers with wings, groups, and squadrons. The group was redesignated the '''448th Eagle Propulsion Sustainment Group''' and activated at [[Tinker Air Force Base]], Oklahoma on 18 February 2005. It was assigned three newly organized combat sustainment squadrons, the 540th, 541st, and 542nd.<ref name=AFOCRfeb2005>Research Division, Air Force Historical Research Agency, Air Force Organization Change Status Report, February 2005, Maxwell AFB, AL</ref> A little over a year later, AFMC removed the specific systems from the new groups' designations and the 448th became the '''448th Combat Sustainment Group'''.<ref name=AFOCRapr2006>Research Division, Air Force Historical Research Agency, Air Force Organization Change Status Report, April 2006, Maxwell AFB, AL</ref> In 2008, it became the '''448th Supply Chain Management Group''' and its subordinate squadrons were inactivated.<ref name=AFOCRapr2008>Research Division, Air Force Historical Research Agency, Air Force Organization Change Status Report, April 2008, Maxwell AFB, AL</ref> In 2010, AFMC returned some supply management functions to logistics complex staffs, and the group was inactivated.<ref name=AFOCRjun2010>Research Division, Air Force Historical Research Agency, Air Force Organization Change Status Report, June 2010, Maxwell AFB, AL</ref>

==Lineage== * Constituted as the '''448th Bombardment Group''' (Heavy) on 6 April 1943 : Activated on 1 May 1943 : Redesignated '''448th Bombardment Group''', Heavy on 20 August 1943 : Redesignated '''448th Bombardment Group''', Very Heavy on 5 August 1945 : Inactivated on 4 August 1946 * Activated in the reserve on 19 April 1947 : Redesignated '''448th Bombardment Group''', Light on 27 June 1949 : Ordered to active duty on 17 March 1951 : Inactivated on 21 March 1951 * Redesignated '''448th Fighter-Bomber Group''' on 12 April 1955 : Activated on 18 May 1955<ref name=Maurer448BG2>Lineage and station information through 1956 in Maurer, ''Combat Units'', pp. 322-323</ref> : Inactivated on 16 November 1957 : Redesignated '''448th Tactical Fighter Group''' on 31 July 1985<ref name=DAFMPM648q>Department of the Air Force/MPM Letter 648q, 31 July 1985, Subject: Reconstitution, Redesignation, and Consolidation of Selected Air Force Organizations</ref> (remained inactive) * Redesignated '''448th Eagle Propulsion Sustainment Group''' on 31 January 2005 : Activated on 18 February 2005<ref name=AFOCRfeb2005/> : Redesignated '''448th Combat Sustainment Group''' on 14 April 2006<ref name=AFOCRapr2006/> : Redesignated '''448th Supply Chain Management Group''' on 1 April 2008<ref name=AFOCRapr2008/> : Inactivated on 30 June 2010<ref name=AFOCRjun2010/>

===Assignments=== {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=50%}} * [[II Bomber Command]], 1 May 1943 * Second Air Force, 6 October 1943 – November 1943 * [[20th Combat Bombardment Wing]] (later 20th Bombardment Wing), 30 November 1943<ref name=Freeman257/> * [[96th Air Division|96th Bombardment Wing]], 6 July 1945<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=10121 |title=Factsheet 96 Air Division, Bombardment |date=5 October 2007|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120928235311/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=10121 |archive-date=28 September 2012|access-date=1 April 2014}}</ref> * Second Air Force, 23 July 1945 {{Col-break|width=50%}} * [[Fifteenth Air Force]], 21 March – 4 August 1946 * [[304th Bombardment Wing]], 19 April 1947<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=10123 |title=Factsheet 304 Air Division, Bombardment |date=5 October 2007|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120929010045/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=10123 |archive-date=29 September 2012|access-date=28 March 2014}}</ref> * 448th Bombardment Wing, 27 June 1949 – 21 March 1951<ref name=Ravenstein/> * 448th Fighter-Bomber Wing, 18 May 1955 – 16 November 1957<ref name=Ravenstein/> * 448th Combat Sustainment Wing (later 448th Supply Chain Management Wing), 18 February 2005 – 30 June 2010<ref name=AFOCRfeb2005/><ref name=AFOCRjun2010/> {{Col-end}}

===Components=== * 41st Bombardment Squadron, 12 July 1947 – 27 June 1949<ref name=Maurer41BS/> * 540th Combat Sustainment Squadron, 14 April 2006 – 28 April 2008<ref name=AFOCRapr2006/><ref name=AFOCRapr2008/> * 541st Combat Sustainment Squadron, 14 April 2006 – 28 April 2008<ref name=AFOCRapr2006/><ref name=AFOCRapr2008/> * 542d Combat Sustainment Squadron, 14 April 2006 – 28 April 2008<ref name=AFOCRapr2006/><ref name=AFOCRapr2008/> * 546th Combat Sustainment Squadron, 28 Sep 2007 – 28 April 2008<ref>Research Division, Air Force Historical Research Agency, Air Force Organization Change Status Report, September 2007, Maxwell AFB, AL</ref><ref name=AFOCRapr2008/> * 711th Bombardment Squadron (later 711th Fighter-Bomber Squadron): 27 June 1949 – 21 March 1951; 18 May 1955 – 16 November 1957<ref name=Maurer711BS/> * 712th Bombardment Squadron: 1 May 1943 – 4 August 1946; 19 April 1947 – 21 March 1951<ref name=Maurer712BS/> * 713th Bombardment Squadron (later 713th Fighter-Bomber Squadron): 1 May 1943 – 4 August 1946; 19 April 1947 – 21 March 1951; 18 May 1955 – 16 November 1957<ref name=Maurer713BS/> * 714th Bombardment Squadron: 1 May 1943 – 4 August 1946; 19 April 1947 – 21 March 1951<ref name=Maurer714BS/> * 715th Bombardment Squadron: 1 May 1943 – 6 May 1946<ref name=Maurer715BS/>

===Stations=== {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=50%}} * Gowen Field, Idaho, 1 May 1943 * Wendover Field, Utah, c. 3 July 1943 * Sioux City Army Air Base, Iowa, c. 11 September – c. 7 November 1943 * [[RAF Seething]] (USAAF Station 146), England c. 1 December 1943 – c. July 1945 * [[Sioux Falls Army Air Field]], South Dakota, c. 15 July 1945 {{Col-break|width=50%}} * [[McCook Army Air Field]], Nebraska, c. 8 September 1945 * [[Fort Worth Army Air Field]], Texas, c. December 1945 – 4 August 1946 * Long Beach Army Air Base (later Long Beach Air Force Field, Long Beach Airport), California, 19 April 1947 – 21 March 1951. * Hensley Field, Texas, 18 May 1955 – 16 November 1957<ref name=Maurer448BG2/> * Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, 18 February 2005 – 30 June 2010<ref name=AFOCRfeb2005/><ref name=AFOCRjun2010/> {{Col-end}}

===Aircraft assigned=== * Consolidated B-24 Liberator: (1943–1946) * Douglas B-26 Invader: (1949–1951) * North American T-28 Trojan: (1955) * Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star: (1955–1957) * North American F-86 Sabre: (1957)<ref>Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', pp. 712-716</ref>

==References==

===Notes=== ; Explanatory notes {{Reflist|group=note}}

; Citations {{Reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography=== {{Air Force Historical Research Agency}} * {{cite book|last=Cantwell|first=Gerald T.|title=Citizen Airmen: a History of the Air Force Reserve, 1946-1994|url = http://media.defense.gov/2010/Dec/01/2001329894/-1/-1/0/AFD-101201-044.pdf|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161220175928/http://media.defense.gov/2010/Dec/01/2001329894/-1/-1/0/AFD-101201-044.pdf|url-status = dead|archive-date = 20 December 2016|access-date=December 17, 2016|year=1997|publisher=Air Force History and Museums Program|location=Washington, D.C.|isbn=0-16049-269-6}} * {{cite book|last=Freeman|first = Roger A. |author-link1=Roger A. Freeman|title=The Mighty Eighth: Units, Men and Machines (A History of the US 8th Army Air Force)|year=1970 |publisher=Macdonald and Company|location=London, England, UK |isbn= 978-0-87938-638-2 }} * {{cite book|editor=Maurer, Maurer|title=Air Force Combat Units of World War II|orig-year= 1961|url= http://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001330256/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-044.pdf |archive-url= https://archive.today/20210115181723/https://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001330256/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-044.pdf |url-status= dead |archive-date= 15 January 2021 |edition=reprint|year=1983|publisher=Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-912799-02-1|lccn=61060979}} * {{cite book|editor=Maurer, Maurer|title=Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II|orig-year=1969|url= http://media.defense.gov/2010/Dec/02/2001329899/-1/-1/0/AFD-101202-002.pdf|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161220180455/http://media.defense.gov/2010/Dec/02/2001329899/-1/-1/0/AFD-101202-002.pdf|url-status= dead|archive-date= 20 December 2016|edition= reprint|year=1982|publisher=Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-405-12194-6|oclc=72556|lccn=70605402}} * {{cite book|last=Ravenstein|first=Charles A.|title=Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947–1977|url=https://archive.org/details/airforcecombatwi0000rave|year=1984|publisher=Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-912799-12-9|url-access=registration}} * {{cite book|last=Watkins|first=Robert|title=Battle Colors: Insignia and Markings of the Eighth Air Force In World War II |volume=I (VIII) Bomber Command|year=2008|publisher=Shiffer Publishing Ltd.|location=Atglen, PA|isbn=0-7643-1987-6}} ; Further reading * Brett, Jeffrey E. ''The 448th Bomb Group(H): Liberators over Germany in World War II''. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing, 2002. {{ISBN|0-7643-1464-5}}. * {{cite book|last=Freeman|first=Roger A.|author-link1=Roger A. Freeman|title=Airfields of the Eighth: Then and Now|year=1978|publisher=After the Battle|location=Harlow, England|isbn=0-900913-09-6}} * Freeman, Roger A. ''The Mighty Eighth: The Colour Record''. Cassell & Co., 1991 {{ISBN|0-304-35708-1}}.

[[Category:Groups of the United States Air Force]]