# 5th Operations Group

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5th Operations Group Emblem of the 5th Operations Group[1][a][2] Active 1919–1952; 1991–present Country United States Branch United States Air Force Role strategic bombardment Part of Air Force Global Strike Command Motto Kiai O Ka Lewa (Hawaiian for 'Guardians of the Upper Realm')[2] Engagements Southwest Pacific Theater[1] Decorations Distinguished Unit Citation Navy Presidential Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation[1]

Military unit

Boeing B-52H-145-BW Stratofortress 60-0033, from the 5th Operations Group takes-off homeward bound after a deployment to [RAF Fairford](/source/RAF_Fairford), England.

The **5th Operations Group (5 OG)** is an operational component of the [United States Air Force](/source/United_States_Air_Force) [5th Bomb Wing](/source/5th_Bomb_Wing), stationed at [Minot Air Force Base](/source/Minot_Air_Force_Base), [North Dakota](/source/North_Dakota). Its mission is to manage and operate [B-52H Stratofortress](/source/B-52H_Stratofortress) bombers serve as part of the Air Force's conventional and strategic combat force.

The group is one of the oldest units in the United States Air Force, being a successor organization of the **5th Group (Composite)**, one of the 15 original combat air groups formed by the Army before World War II.

## Units

The 5 OG commands the following squadrons (Tail Code: MT):

- [23d Bomb Squadron](/source/23d_Bomb_Squadron)

- [69th Bomb Squadron](/source/69th_Bomb_Squadron)

- 5th Operations Support Squadron

## Heraldry

The group's emblem, approved in 1924, features a winged death's head as an uncompromising symbol of its combat mission.

## History

- *For additional lineage and history, see [5th Bomb Wing](/source/5th_Bomb_Wing)*

The 5th Operations Group's history dates back more than eight decades to the infancy of military aviation. It originally activated as the 2nd Group (Observation) 15 August 1919, at Luke Field in the [Territory of Hawaii](/source/Hawaii). In 1921, the group was redesignated the 5th Group (Observation). A year later, it became the 5th Group (Pursuit and Bombardment) with its crews flying [DeHaviland DH-4](/source/Airco_DH.4) aircraft.

Activities included training, participating in Army-Navy maneuvers, staging aerial reviews and sowing seeds from the air for the Territorial Forestry Division. In 1935, the group helped save the city of [Hilo](/source/Hilo%2C_Hawaii), Hawaii, during the eruption of the [Mauna Loa](/source/Mauna_Loa) [volcano](/source/Volcano). Ten [Keystone B-3](/source/Keystone_B-3) and [B-4](/source/Keystone_B-4) bombers from the group's 23d and [72d Bombardment Squadrons](/source/72d_Bombardment_Squadron) dropped 20, 600-pound bombs around the volcano to divert molten lava away from the town. Redesignated 5th Bombardment Group in March 1938, 5th Bombardment Group (Medium) in December 1939, and 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy) in November 1940. Equipped with [Boeing](/source/Boeing) [B-17 Flying Fortresses](/source/B-17_Flying_Fortress) and [Douglas B-18 Bolos](/source/B-18_Bolo) by December 1941.

Army Air Force Aircraft at Luke Field[3] Dates Unit Aircraft 1918-1920 6th Aero Squadron N-9, R-6, HS2L 1920-1926 6th Fighter Squadron DH-4, HS2L, JN-6, MB-3, Fokker D-VII 1922-1939 23d Bomb Squadron NBS-1, JN-6, DH-4 1923-1939 72d Bomb Squadron DH-4, NBS-1, LB-5 1929-1937 4th Observation Squadron O-19, OA-1, B-12, P-12 1930-1936 431st Bomb Squadron O-19

### World War II

A 5th Bomb Group B-24 Liberator preparing to take off from Munda Airfield, New Georgia, Solomon Islands on 27 March 1944.

The 5th Bombardment Group suffered devastating casualties and equipment damage during the [Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor](/source/Attack_on_Pearl_Harbor), [Hickam Field](/source/Hickam_AFB) and other targets on the island of Oahu on 7 December 1941. However, the group's aircrews went on to become the first U.S. military forces to take to the air following the attack.

Assigned to [Seventh Air Force](/source/Seventh_Air_Force) in February 1942. Engaged primarily in search and patrol missions off Hawaii from December 1941 to November 1942. In Hawaii, the B-17E-equipped 5th and 11th Bombardment Groups were used in the [Battle of Midway](/source/Battle_of_Midway) to attack Japanese surface fleets. High-altitude bombing attacks against moving ships capable of evasive action proved to be completely unsuccessful at Midway. Although several attacks were made by the B-17s, none of their bombs actually hit a single Japanese ship. An attack against naval vessels at sea was found to be a job best done by low-altitude [North American B-25 Mitchell](/source/North_American_B-25_Mitchell)/[Martin B-26 Marauder](/source/Martin_B-26_Marauder) [medium bombers](/source/Medium_bomber) or by [Douglas A-24 Banshee](/source/Douglas_SBD_Dauntless) [dive bombers](/source/Dive_bomber).

Left Hawaii in November 1942 and, operating primarily from [Pekoa Airfield](/source/Santo-Pekoa_International_Airport), [Espírito Santo](/source/Esp%C3%ADrito_Santo) in the [New Hebrides Islands](/source/New_Hebrides_Islands) with a mix of B-17 and B-24 aircraft, served in combat with [Thirteenth Air Force](/source/Thirteenth_Air_Force) during the Allied drive from the Solomons to the [Philippines](/source/Philippines). Flew long patrol and photographic missions over the Solomon Islands and the [Coral Sea](/source/Coral_Sea), attacked Japanese shipping off [Guadalcanal](/source/Guadalcanal), and raided airfields in the northern Solomons until August 1943. Then struck enemy bases and installations on [Bougainville](/source/Bougainville_Island), [New Britain](/source/New_Britain), and [New Ireland](/source/New_Ireland_(island)).

The group moved between various bases in the Southwest Pacific and by mid-1943, most B-17s were withdrawn in favor of the longer-ranged [Consolidated B-24 Liberator](/source/B-24). The B-24 was better suited for operations in the Pacific, having a higher speed and a larger bomb load at medium altitudes. In addition, the losses in Europe were reaching such magnitudes that the entire B-17 production was urgently needed for replacements and training in that theatre.

The 5th raided the heavily defended Japanese base on [Woleai](/source/Woleai) during April and May 1944 and received a [Distinguished Unit Citation](/source/Distinguished_Unit_Citation) for the action. Helped to neutralize enemy bases on [Yap](/source/Yap) and in the [Truk](/source/Chuuk_Lagoon) and [Palau](/source/Palau) Islands, June–August 1944, preparatory to the invasion of [Peleliu](/source/Peleliu) and [Leyte](/source/Leyte). Flew missions to the [Netherlands Indies](/source/Netherlands_Indies), receiving a DUC for an attack, conducted through heavy flak and fighter defenses, on oil installations at [Balikpapan](/source/Balikpapan), [Borneo](/source/Borneo), on 30 September 1944. Completed a variety of missions from October 1944 until the end of the war, these operations including raids on enemy bases and installations on [Luzon](/source/Luzon), [Ceram](/source/Seram_Island), [Halmahera](/source/Halmahera), and [Formosa](/source/Taiwan); support for ground forces in the [Philippines](/source/Philippines) and Borneo; and patrols off the China coast. Moved to the Philippines in 1945 till the end of the war.

During the nearly four years of war, the group participated in 10 major campaigns, flew more than 1,000 combat missions and earned two Distinguished Unit Citations and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation. During the time, its members accumulated more than 13,300 medals and decorations.

### Post/Cold War

Remained in the theater as part of [Far East Air Forces](/source/Far_East_Air_Force_(United_States)) after the war, but all personnel evidently had been withdrawn by early in 1946. Redesignated 5th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) in April 1946, and 5th Reconnaissance Group in February 1947.

Between 1947 and 1958, the group underwent several name and assignment changes while continually upgrading its aircraft. Performed long-range strategic reconnaissance, July 1949 – October 1955, with some limited reconnaissance to September 1958. Operational squadrons were 23d, 31st and [72d Strategic Reconnaissance](/source/72d_Test_and_Evaluation_Squadron) flying [Boeing RB-17G/F-2/F-9/F-13](/source/B-17) aircraft (1947–49) and beginning in 1948, [Boeing RB-29](/source/B-29) aircraft until 1951. Not operational from 10 February 1951 until the group was inactivated on 16 June 1952 when the 5th Reconnaissance Wing implemented the Tri-Deputate organization plan and assigned all flying elements directly to the wing.

### Modern era

A 5th BW B-52H Stratofortress, pictured at RAF Fairford loaded with 750 lb bombs during Operation 'Nole Anvil', the [NATO bombing of Yugoslavia](/source/NATO_bombing_of_Yugoslavia)

Reactivated in September 1991 when the 5th Bombardment Group implemented the Objective Wing organization, assigning all flying units to the **5th Operations Group**.

Budgetary cuts in 1996 led to a need for further force reductions which reduced the 5th's B-52H fleet. The [72d BS](/source/72d_Test_and_Evaluation_Squadron) was inactivated late in the year and their 12 aircraft were retired.

In the weeks following the [terrorist attacks against the United States on 11 September 2001](/source/11_September_2001_attacks), the 5th BW deployed in support of [Operation Enduring Freedom](/source/Operation_Enduring_Freedom). Flying from a forward operating location, bomber crews attacked strategic targets in [Afghanistan](/source/Afghanistan) to topple the [Taliban](/source/Taliban) regime.

In 2003, the wing deployed approximately 550 people and 14 B-52s to the U.S. European Command region in support of [Operation Iraqi Freedom](/source/Operation_Iraqi_Freedom). During the war, the wing's B-52s flew more than 120 combat missions and logged more than 1,600 combat flying hours. The bombers dropped more than 3 million pounds of weaponry, including conventional air-launched cruise missiles, joint direct attack munitions, gravity weapons, laser-guided bombs and leaflet dispensers. For the first time in combat history, a 5th BW crew employed a Litening II targeting pod to strike targets at an Iraqi airfield 11 April 2003.

In March 2004, the wing sent six B-52s and over 300 support personnel to [Andersen AFB](/source/Andersen_AFB), [Guam](/source/Guam). The aircraft and crews supported U.S. Pacific Command operations to provide a stabilizing military force in the region.

In April 2005, the wing forward deployed aircraft and personnel to the 40th Air Expeditionary Wing in support of U.S. Central Command combat operations in Afghanistan. Flying a mix of close air support and strike missions, 5th BW crews ensured success of ground combat units in meeting their objectives.

Today, the 5th's B-52Hs are a major component of the USAF's strategic bombing force, alongside the [Rockwell B-1B Lancer](/source/B-1_Lancer) and the [Northrop B-2A Spirit](/source/B-2_Spirit). The USAF is currently considering converting some of its B-52Hs to EB-52Hs to act as a stand-off electronic warfare platform. During Operation Allied Force (the bombing of [Serbia](/source/Serbia) undertaken in an attempt to halt the ethnic cleansing of [Kosovo](/source/Kosovo)), the USAF found that additional jamming aircraft were needed to supplement the current fleet of [Grumman EA-6A/B Prowler](/source/EA-6B). With modern technology and advanced weapons like the [JDAM](/source/JDAM) and [JASSM](/source/JASSM), the 5th's B-52 are expected to remain operational until the year 2040.

B-52H's during Exercise Prairie Vigilance 16-1 at Minot Air Force Base, N.D.

In 2007 the Wing lost its commanding officer after Colonel Bruce Emig was removed in connection with the [2007 United States Air Force nuclear weapons incident](/source/2007_United_States_Air_Force_nuclear_weapons_incident), when negligent handling of nuclear weapons breached safety and security procedures. Emig was replaced by Joel S. Westa. Following that incident, the wing failed a nuclear surety inspection conducted by the [Defense Threat Reduction Agency](/source/Defense_Threat_Reduction_Agency) in May 2008. The wing, however, kept its certification to perform missions and training with nuclear weapons.[4]

On 30 October 2009 Westa was relieved as commander of the 5th Bomb Wing by Major General Floyd L. Carpenter, commander of 8th Air Force. Carpenter stated that Westa was relieved due to his "inability to foster a culture of excellence, a lack of focus on the strategic mission ... and substandard performance during several nuclear surety inspections, including the newly activated 69th Bomb Squadron." Colonel Douglas Cox was appointed new wing commander.[5]

16 September 2016 saw one of the 5th OG's largest annual readiness exercise dubbed "Exercise Prairie Vigilance" take place. The annual exercise is designed to test the wing's combat readiness and ability to conduct conventional and nuclear-capable bomber operations. With no prior notice for aircrew, 12 B-52H bombers took off in rapid succession.[6]

### Lineage

- Authorized (established) as **2d Group (Observation)**, and organized, on 15 August 1919

- Redesignated: **5th Group (Observation)** on 14 March 1921

- Redesignated: **5th Group (Pursuit and Bombardment)**, c. 9 June 1922

- Redesignated: **5th Group (Composite)** on 11 July 1922

- Redesignated: **5th Composite Group** on unknown date

- Redesignated: **5th Bombardment Group** on 9 March 1938

- Redesignated: **5th Bombardment Group (Medium)** on 6 December 1939

- Redesignated: **5th Bombardment Group (Heavy)** on 20 November 1940

- Redesignated: **5th Bombardment Group, Heavy** on 12 September 1944

- Redesignated: **5th Bombardment Group, Very Heavy** on 30 April 1946

- Redesignated: **5th Reconnaissance Group, Very Long Range, Photographic** on 11 March 1947

- Redesignated: **5th Strategic Reconnaissance Group** on 16 July 1949

- Redesignated: **5th Strategic Reconnaissance Group, Heavy** on 14 November 1950

- Inactivated on 16 June 1952

- Redesignated **5th Operations Group** on 29 August 1991

- Activated on 1 September 1991.

### Assignments

Hawaiian Department, 15 August 1919 18th Composite Wing (later, 18th Wing; 18th Bombardment Wing), 1 May 1931 VII Bomber Command, 29 January 1942 Thirteenth Air Force, 4 January 1943 XIII Bomber Command, 13 January 1943 Far East Air Forces (later, Pacific Air Command, U.S. Army), 15 December 1945 Thirteenth Air Force, 15 May 1946 313th Bombardment Wing, 10 June 1946 Thirteenth Air Force, 5 February 1947 313th Bombardment Wing, 15 March 1947 Attached to Thirteenth Air Force, 7 August-31 December 1947 Thirteenth Air Force, 1 January 1948 Far East Air Forces, 1 December 1948 Attached to 18th Fighter Wing, 1 December 1948 – 16 May 1949 Thirteenth Air Force, 16 May 1949 311th Air Division, 26 May 1949 5th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, 16 July 1949 – 16 June 1952 Attached to 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, 9 November 1949 – 10 February 1951 5th Wing (later, 5th Bomb) Wing, 1 September 1991–present

### Components

****United States Army Air Service/Corps/Air Forces****

- [4th Aero (later, 4th Squadron; 4th Observation; 4th Reconnaissance; 394th Bombardment Squadron)](/source/394th_Combat_Training_Squadron): 15 December 1919 – 31 January 1922 (detached 15 December 1919 – 23 January 1920); 11 January 1927 – 11 October 1938, attached 12 October 1938 – 24 February 1942, assigned 25 February 1942 – 29 April 1946

- [6th Aero (later, 6th Squadron; 6th Pursuit) Squadron](/source/6th_Night_Fighter_Squadron): 15 September 1919 – 11 January 1927

- [19th Pursuit Squadron](/source/19th_Pursuit_Squadron): 15 January 1924 – 11 January 1927

- [23d Squadron (later, 23d Bombardment; 23d Reconnaissance; 23d Strategic Reconnaissance; 23d Bombardment; 23d Bomb) Squadron](/source/23d_Bomb_Squadron): 29 March 1922 – 7 May 1929, attached 8 May 1929 – 11 October 1938, assigned 12 October 1938 – 10 March 1947 (not operational, 1946-10 March 1947); assigned 20 October 1947 – 16 June 1952 (detached August 1948-16 March 1949 and 10 February 1951 – 16 June 1952); 1 September 1991–present

- [26th Attack (later, 26th Bombardment) Squadron](/source/26th_Bombardment_Squadron): 1 September 1930 – 31 January 1940 (detached entire period)

- [31st Bombardment (later, 31st Strategic Reconnaissance; 31st Bombardment) Squadron](/source/31st_Test_and_Evaluation_Squadron): 1 February 1938 – 10 March 1947; 1 December 1949 – 16 June 1952 (detached December 1949-16 November 1950 and 10 February 1951 – 16 June 1952)

- [50th Observation (later, 50th Reconnaissance; 5th Reconnaissance) Squadron](/source/5th_Reconnaissance_Squadron_(Very_Long_Range%2C_Photographic)): 1 November 1930 – 11 October 1938, attached 12 October 1938 – 31 January 1940; assigned 3 February-20 October 1947

- [72d Bombardment (later, 72d Strategic Reconnaissance; 72d Bombardment; 72d Bomb) Squadron](/source/72d_Test_and_Evaluation_Squadron): 1 May 1923 – 7 May 1929, attached 8 May 1929 – 11 October 1938, assigned 12 October 1938 – 10 March 1947; assigned 28 June 1949 – 16 June 1952 (detached 10 February 1951 – 16 June 1952); assigned 1 December 1994 – 1 July 1996

****United States Air Force****

- [38th Reconnaissance Squadron](/source/38th_Reconnaissance_Squadron): 20 April 1947 – 26 May 1949

- [58th Bombardment Squadron](/source/58th_Bombardment_Squadron): attached 1941-11 July 1942

- [69th Bomb Squadron](/source/69th_Bomb_Squadron), 3 September 2009–present

- [338th Reconnaissance Squadron](/source/338th_Reconnaissance_Squadron): 15 March 1947 – 26 May 1949

- [906th Air Refueling Squadron](/source/906th_Air_Refueling_Squadron): 1 September 1991 – 1 June 1992.

### Stations

Luke Field, Hawaii (Territory), 15 August 1919 Hickam Field, Hawaii (Territory), 1 January 1939 Pekoa Airfield, Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, 1 December 1942 Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, 19 August 1943 Munda Airfield, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, 4 February 1944 Momote Airfield, Los Negros, Admiralty Islands, 7 April 1944 Wakde Airfield, Wakde, Netherlands East Indies, 17 August 1944 Kornasoren (Yebrurro) Airfield Noemfoor, Schouten Islands, 22 September 1944 Wama Airfield, Morotai, Molucca Islands, 16 October 1944 Guiuan Airfield, Samar, Philippine Islands, 5 March 1945 Clark Field, Luzon, Philippine Islands, December 1945-6 May 1949 Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, 26 May 1949 Fairfield-Suisun (later, Travis) AFB, California, 9 November 1949 – 16 June 1952 Minot AFB, North Dakota, 1 September 1991–present

### Aircraft

DH-4, 1919–1929 HS-2L (flying boat), 1919–1926 N-9, 1919–1920 R-6, 1919–1920 Fokker D-VII, 1920–1926 JN-6, 1920–1929 MB-3, 1920–1926 NBS-1, 1922–1929 LB-5, 1923–1929 SE-5, 1924–1926 PW-9, 1927 B-4, 1929–1937 B-5, 1929–1937 LB-6, 1929–1934 OA-1, 1929–1937 O-19, 1929–1937 Boeing P-12, c. 1930–1937 Martin B-12, c. 1934–1939 A-3 Falcon, 1936–1938 B-18 Bolo, 1938–1942 B-17 Flying Fortress, 1941–1943; 1947–1949 B-24 Liberator, 1943–1945 LB-30 Liberator, 1942 C-46 Commando, 1947–1948 F-2 Expeditor, 1947–1949 F-9 Flying Fortress, 1947 F-13 Superfortress, 1947–1948 RB-29 Superfortress, 1948–1951 RB-36 Peacemaker, 1951 B-52H Stratofortress, 1991–present KC-135, 1991–1992 T-38 Talon, 1994–1995.

## References

### Notes

**Explanatory notes**

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Approved 21 June 1924, current version, 5 February 2019. Description: Party [per pale](/source/Pale_(heraldry)#Derived_terms) [nebuly](/source/Line_(heraldry)#Wavy_and_nebuly) [vert](/source/Vert_(heraldry)) and [sable](/source/Sable_(heraldry)) a death's head [argent](/source/Argent), winged [or](/source/Or_(heraldry)). Crest (no longer current): On a wreath of the colors (argent and vert) a bull's head caboshed [azure](/source/Azure_(heraldry)) and armed or.

**Citations**

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-5OGfacts_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-5OGfacts_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-5OGfacts_1-2) Bailey, Carl E. (7 May 2018). ["Factsheet 5 Operations Group (ACC)"](https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/434139/5-operations-group-acc/). Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 18 April 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Maurer5BG_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Maurer5BG_3-1) Maurer, *Combat Units*, pp. 38-39

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Aircraft Stationed at Hickam AFB/Luke Field"](http://hawaii.gov/hawaiiaviation/hawaii-airfields-airports/oahu-pre-world-war-ii/hickam-field-air-force-base/aircraft-stationed-at-hickam-afb-luke-field). State of Hawaii Department of Transportation, Airports Division. Retrieved 18 May 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Associated Press, "Air Force wing in nuclear goof has more trouble", Hoffman, "Minot’s 5th Bomb Wing flunks nuclear inspection"

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Rolfsen, Bruce, "[5th Bomb Wing CO relieved of command](http://militarytimes.com/news/2009/10/airforce_westa_fired_minot_103009w/)", *[Military Times](/source/Military_Times)*, 1 November 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Prairie Vigilance 16: Anytime, Anywhere"](https://www.minot.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/948150/prairie-vigilance-16-anytime-anywhere/). *Minot Air Force Base*. Retrieved 26 August 2019.

### Bibliography

This article incorporates [public domain material](/source/Copyright_status_of_works_by_the_federal_government_of_the_United_States) from the [Air Force Historical Research Agency](https://www.afhra.af.mil/)

- Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. [*Air Force Combat Units of World War II*](https://web.archive.org/web/20161220180735/http://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001330256/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-044.pdf) (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-912799-02-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-912799-02-1). [LCCN](/source/LCCN_(identifier)) [61060979](https://lccn.loc.gov/61060979). Archived from [the original](http://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001330256/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-044.pdf) (PDF) on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2016.

- Davis, Major Fred. (ed). *History of the Fifth Bomb Group (Heavy): History of the Bomber Barons of the 13th "Jungle" Air Force*. Raleigh, North Carolina: Hillsbourough House, 1946.

- Rogers, Brian. (2005). *United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978*. Hinkley, UK: Midland Publications. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-85780-197-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-85780-197-0).

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Bong (unbuilt) Schilling Stead Turner Walker Wurtsmith overseas Strategic Air Command in the United Kingdom RAF Bassingbourn Ben Guerir Boulhaut RAF Brize Norton RAF Bruntingthorpe RAF Burtonwood RAF Chelveston RAF Greenham Common Goose Ernest Harmon RAF High Wycombe RAF Upper Heyford Torrejón RAF Manston Morón Nouasseur Rabat-Salé RAF Scampton RAF Sculthorpe Sidi Slimane RAF South Ruislip U-Tapao RAF Waddington RAF Woodbridge RAF Wyton Zaragoza Units Air Forces Second Air Force Eighth Air Force Fifteenth Air Force Sixteenth Air Force Twentieth Air Force Divisions Air 3d 4th 5th 6th 7th 12th 14th 17th 19th 21st 36th 40th 42d 45th 47th 57th 100th 311th 801st 802d 806th 817th 822d 823d 4310th Strategic aerospace 1st 18th 22d 810th 813th 816th 818th 819th 820th 821st 825th Strategic missile 13th Wings Bombardment 2d 5th 7th 9th 17th 19th 22d 28th 39th 40th 42d 43d 68th 70th 72d 92d 93d 96th 97th 99th 303d 319th 320th 340th 379th 380th 397th 410th 416th 449th 450th 454th 456th 461st 465th 484th 494th 509th Fighter 1st 4th 12th 27th 31st 33d 56th 71st Strategic Reconnaissance (Fighter) 82d 407th 506th 508th Missile 44th 90th 91st 308th 321st 341st 351st 381st 389th 390th 392d 451st 455th 702d 703d 704th 705th 706th 4320th Strategic Wing (Missile) Reconnaissance 6th Strategic Reconnaissance 26th Strategic Reconnaissance 55th Strategic Reconnaissance 544th Aerospace Reconnaissance Technical Refueling 11th 100th 301st 305th 384th 452d 497th 499th 500th Strategic Aerospace 310th 385th 462d AFCON 95th 98th 306th 307th 376th MAJCOM 3918th 3920th 3960th 3970th 3973d 4026th 4038th 4039th 4042d 4043d 4047th 4080th 4081st 4082d 4083d 4123d 4126th 4128th 4130th 4133d 4134th 4135th 4136th 4137th 4138th 4141st 4157th 4158th 4170th 4228th 4238th 4239th 4241st 4245th 4252nd 4258th 4321st USAAF Groups *= initial assigned unit upon SAC's activation Bombardment 2d (7/47) 7th (10/46) 28th (8/46) 40th (3/46*) 43rd (10/46) 44th (3/46*) 92nd (10/46) 93d (3/46*) 97th (8/46) 98th (7/47) 301st (8/46) 307th (8/46) 444th (3/46*) 448th (3/46*) 449th (3/46*) 467th (3/46*) 485th (3/46*) 498th (3/46*) 509th Composite (3/46*) Fighter 27th (6/47) 55th (2/47) Reconnaissance 91st Strategic Reconnaissance (1/47) Major weapon systems Bombers Rockwell B-1 Lancer Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit Boeing B-29 Superfortress Convair B-36 Peacemaker North American B-45 Tornado Boeing B-47 Stratojet Boeing B-50 Superfortress Boeing B-52 Stratofortress Convair B-58 Hustler General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark Command & Control Lockheed DC-130 Boeing E-4 Boeing EC-135 Boeing RC-135 Fighters North American F-2 Mustang North American F-82 Twin Mustang Republic F-84F Thunderstreak North American F-86 Sabre Convair F-102 Delta Dagger General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark Missiles ADM-20 AGM-28 AGM-69 AGM-84 AGM-86 AGM-129 HGM-16 LGM-30A/B LGM-30F LGM-30G LGM-118A SM-62 PGM-17A PGM-19A Reconnaissance Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird Lockheed TR-1 Lockheed U-2 Martin RB-57D Canberra Boeing RB-17 Boeing RB-29 Tankers Boeing KB-29 Superfortress Boeing KB-50 McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender Boeing KC-97 Stratofreighter Lockheed HC-130 Lockheed Martin KC-130 Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker Transport Beechcraft C-45 Douglas C-47 Skytrain Douglas C-54 Skymaster Fairchild C-82 Packet Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter Douglas C-118 Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar Douglas C-124 Globemaster II Convair C-131 Samaritan Boeing C-135 Stratolifter Commanders George Kenney Curtis LeMay Power Ryan Joseph J. Nazzaro Bruce K. Holloway John C. Meyer Russell E. Dougherty Richard H. Ellis Bennie L. Davis Larry D. Welch John T. Chain, Jr, George Lee Butler Emblems Strategic Air Command Emblem Gallery United States military aircraft designation systems v t e USAAF Thirteenth Air Force in World War II Airfields Pacific USAAF in the South Pacific USAAF in the Southwest Pacific Units Commands XIII Bomber XIII Fighter Groups Fighter 18th Fighter 347th Fighter 414th Fighter Bomber 5th Bombardment 11th Bombardment 42d Bombardment 307th Bombardment Reconnaissance 4th Reconnaissance Troop Carrier 403d Troop Carrier Squadrons Bombardment 100th Bombardment 868th Bombardment Night Fighter 418th Night Fighter 419th Night Fighter 550th Night Fighter Reconnaissance 4th Photographic Charting 17th Photographic Reconnaissance 36th Photographic Reconnaissance 38th Photographic Reconnaissance Troop Carrier 13th Troop Carrier United States Army Air Forces First Second Third Fourth Fifth Sixth Seventh Eighth Ninth Tenth Eleventh Twelfth Thirteenth Fourteenth Fifteenth Twentieth v t e USAAF Seventh Air Force in World War II Previously: Hawaiian Air Force (1940-1942) Airfields Hawaii Bellows Hickam Wheeler Okinawa Ie Shima Yontan Pacific USAAF in the Central Pacific USAAF in the Southwest Pacific Units Commands VII Bomber VII Fighter Wings 7th Fighter Groups Bombardment 5th Bombardment 11th Bombardment 30th Bombardment 41st Bombardment 307th Bombardment 494th Bombardment Fighter 15th Fighter 18th Fighter 21st Fighter 318th Fighter 508th Fighter Troop Carrier 419th Troop Carrier Squadrons Reconnaissance 28th Reconnaissance 41st Reconnaissance 43d Reconnaissance Transport 9th Troop Carrier 311th Troop Carrier 316th Troop Carrier Night Fighter 6th Night Fighter 548th Night Fighter 549th Night Fighter United States Army Air Forces First Second Third Fourth Fifth Sixth Seventh Eighth Ninth Tenth Eleventh Twelfth Thirteenth Fourteenth Fifteenth Twentieth

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [5th Operations Group](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5th_Operations_Group) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5th_Operations_Group?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.