317th Airlift Group

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 317th Airlift Group


caption= Official crest of the 317th Airlift Group
dates= 10 August 1948–14 September 1949
3 July 1952–25 September 1958
13 March 1963–18 August 1993
31 March 1997–
country= United States
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branch= United States Air Force
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command_structure= Air Mobility Command
15th Air Force
garrison= Dyess AFB
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equipment= C-130 Hercules
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see "Lineage and honors" section below
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The 317th Airlift Group is a tactical airlift organization of the United States Air Force, flying the C-130 Hercules out of Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. It comprises the 39th and 40th Airlift Squadrons, 317th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 317th Maintenance Squadron, 317th Operations Support Squadron and the 317th Maintenance Operations Squadron. The group comes under the operational control of 18th Air Force and Air Mobility Command.

Since Dec 2003, the 317th has been in a continuously deployed status in support of the Iraq War, the war in Afghanistan, as well as other contingencies around the world.

History

Provided airlift service in the Far East, 1948. At the end of 1948, moved to Germany, where it participated in the Berlin Airlift from January until inactivation in September 1949. From July 1952 to September 1958, provided airlift service for USAFE, NATO and the UN, participating in numerous training exercises and humanitarian missions. From April 1963 to June 1964, provided airlift for USAFE. Moved to Ohio in June 1964, becoming involved in the Tactical Air Command's worldwide airlift operations, with emphasis on airborne training. Provided C-130 crew replacement training support for PACAF, October 1965–July 1971 and August 1971–December 1971. Trained C-123 combat crews for the U.S. and Republic of Vietnam between September 1969 and August 1971. Tested adverse weather delivery system (AWADS) equipment in combat operations in Southeast Asia from September 1977 to January 1978, and trained aircrews in the system for a C-130 squadron in Europe. Since 1979, supported the nation's new rapid deployment forces. Participated in exercises with other Air Force commands, sister services, and with U.S. allies. Provided airlift, combat control, medical evacuation, and security police support for Operation Urgent Fury, the rescue and evacuation of American citizens from Grenada, October–November 1983. Between 1983 and 1993, participated in training exercises, special assignment airlift missions, channel missions for Military Airlift Command and Air Mobility Command, and national airlift competitions. Crews and aircraft of assigned squadrons rotated periodically to England for European intratheater airlift. Trained jointly with Army airborne forces from Fort Bragg, NC. Tested container delivery system for parachute dropping of heavy equipment. Deployed crews and aircraft worldwide as needed. Took part in Operation Just Cause in Panama. After an Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, transported troops, equipment, and supplies to Southwest Asia as part of Operation Desert Shield. Participated in Operation Desert Storm in 1991. In 1992, took part in humanitarian airlifts to Bosnia (Operation Provide Promise) and Somalia (Operation Provide Relief). Transported relief workers and supplies to Florida after Hurricane Andrew. From 1997 to present, deployed personnel and equipment worldwide to provide all phases of combat delivery, air-land, airdrop, airlift maintenance and recovery, operations support and deployable air mobility command and control.

Mission

Operations

Lineage and honors

Established as 317th Troop Carrier Wing, Heavy, on 10 August 1948.Activated on 18 August 1948.Inactivated on 14 September 1949.

Redesignated 317th Troop Carrier Wing, Medium, on 3 July 1952.Activated on 14 July 1952.Inactivated on 25 September 1958.

Activated on 13 March 1963.Organized on 15 April 1963.Redesignated: 317th Troop Carrier Wing on 1 March 1966; 317th Tactical Airlift Wing on 1 May 1967; 317th Airlift Wing on 1 January 1992.Inactivated on 18 August 1993.

Redesignated 317th Airlift Group on 31 March 1997.Activated on 1 April 1997.

Bestowed Honors: Authorized to display honors earned by the 317th Troop Carrier Group prior to 18 August 1948 ("italicized"}.

Service streamers

This unit earned the following organizational service streamers:

none

Campaign streamers

This unit earned the following organizational campaign streamers:

* "World War II Asiatic-Pacific Theater: Air Offensive, Japan; Papua; New Guinea; Northern Solomons; Bismarck Archipelago; Western Pacific; Leyte; Luzon; Southern Philippines."
* Berlin: Berlin Airlift.
* Southwest Asia: Defense of Saudi Arabia; Liberation and Defense of Kuwait.

Armed forces expeditionary streamers

* Grenada 1983;
* Panama 1989-1990.

Decorations

This unit earned the following unit decorations:

* "Distinguished Unit Citation (3): Papua, January 1943; New Guinea, 30 January 1943–1 February 1943; Philippine Islands, 16 February 1945–17 February 1945."
* "Philippine Presidential Unit Citation."
* Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (14): 1 April 1964–30 June 1965; 1 May 1972–30 April 1973; 1 May 1973–30 April 1975; 1 May 1975–30 April 1977; 1 June 1979–31 May 1981; 1 June 1982–31 May 1984; 1 March 1987–31 March 1988; 6 October 1989–13 January 1990; 1 July 1997–30 June 1999; 1 July 1999–30 June 2000; 1 July 2001–30 June 2002; 1 July 2002–30 June 2003; 1 July 2003–30 June 2004; 1 July 2004–30 June 2005.

Awards

Emblem

Approved on 15 May 1958.

Assignments

Fifth Air Force, 18 August 1948;1 Air Lift Task Force, 8 January 1949–14 September 1949.

Twelfth Air Force, 14 July 1952 (attached to 322 Air Division [Combat Cargo] , 1 April 1954–31 July 1955);
322 Air Division (Combat Cargo), 1 August 1955–25 September 1958.

United States Air Forces in Europe, 13 March 1963;322 Air Division (Combat Cargo), 15 April 1963;United States Air Forces in Europe, 1 April 1964 (attached to 322 Air Division [Combat Cargo] , 1 April 1964–20 June 1964);
Ninth Air Force, 20 June 1964;
840th Air Division, 1 October 1964;Ninth Air Force, 24 December 1969;
839th Air Division, 31 March 1970;
Twenty-First Air Force, 31 December 1974–18 August 1993 (attached to Operating Location A, Headquarters Twenty-First Air Force, 31 December 1974–30 June 1975).

Fifteenth Air Force, 1 April 1997;
Eighteenth Air Force, 1 October 2003–.

Components

Historical

Groups:
* 317th Troop Carrier: 18 August 1948–14 September 1949 (detached 21 September 1948–8 January 1949; not operational c.31 August 1949–14 September 1949); 14 July 1952–12 March 1957 (not operational 8 May 1955–12 March 1957); 15 September 1978–1 April 1980 (not operational 15 September 1978–30 September 1978).

Squadrons:
* 18th Troop Carrier: 1 April 1965–25 June 1967.
* 37th Tactical Airlift: 15 September 1975–1 October 1977.
* 39th Troop Carrier (later, 39 Tactical Airlift, 39 Airlift): attached 8 May 1955–23 June 1956; assigned 8 July 1957–25 September 1958; assigned 15 April 1963–31 July 1971 (detached c. February 1965–c. May 1965, 13 May 1968–18 July 1968 and 15 April 1969–22 July 1969; not operational 1 June 1971–31 July 1971); assigned 31 August 1971–1 October 1978 (detached 12 December 1973–17 February 1974, 9 July 1974–15 September 1974, 12 July 1975–14 September 1975, 12 April 1976–14 June 1976, 4 January 1977–4 March 1977, and 1 October 1977–15 December 1977); assigned 1 April 1980–1 January 1992 (detached 8 October 1980–13 December 1980, 3 February 1982–14 April 1982, 4 June 1983–13 August 1983, 1 October 1984–12 December 1984, 2 February 1986–15 April 1986, 3 March 1987–15 May 1987, 3 June 1988–10 August 1988, 6 August 1989–10 October 1989, 1 June 1991–9 July 1991); assigned 1 April 1997–.
* 40th Troop Carrier (later, 40 Tactical Airlift, 40 Airlift): attached 21 September 1948–15 November 1948; attached 8 May 1955–11 March 1957, assigned 12 March 1957–25 September 1958 (detached 10 April 1957–7 July 1957); assigned 15 April 1963–1 October 1978 (detached 24 November 1964–19 February 1965, 16 March–26 May 1968; not operational, 12 August 1971–30 August 1971; detached 31 August 1971–17 October 1971, 7 April 1973–16 June 1973; 4 March 1975–7 May 1975, 12 January 1976–15 March 1976, 4 October 1976–15 December 1976, and 26 April 1977–15 July 1977); assigned 1 April 1980–1 January 1992 (detached 7 June 1980–8 August 1980, 3 October 1981–16 December 1981, 3 February 1983–14 April 1983, 7 April 1984–17 June 1984, 4 August 1985–16 October 1985, 5 October 1986–10 December 1986, 20 November 1987–10 February 1988, 4 February 1989–12 April 1989, 31 March 1990–9 April 1990, 9 July 1991–10 August 1991); assigned 1 April 1997–.
* 41st Troop Carrier (later, 41 Tactical Airlift): attached 8 May 1955–11 March 1957, assigned 12 March 1957–25 September 1958 (detached 15 March 1957–7 July 1957); assigned 15 April 1963–21 November 1965 (detached 6 September 1964–21 December 1964); assigned 31 August 1971–1 October 1978 (detached 6 November 1971–12 January 1972, 4 June 1972–16 August 1972, 5 February 1973–14 April 1973, 9 August 1973–15 October 1973, 11 March 1974–16 May 1974, 11 November 1974–15 January 1975, 4 October 1975–15 December 1975, 13 July 1976–10 September 1976, 5 March 1977–25 April 1977, and 2 May 1978–22 July 1978); assigned 1 April 1980–1 January 1992 (detached 3 April 1981–14 June 1981, 3 August 1982–14 October 1982, 4 December 1983–15 February 1984, 10 February 1984–10 April 1985, 25 May 1986–13 August 1986, 1 August 1987–14 October 1987, 2 October 1988–15 December 1988, 3 December 1989–15 February 1990).
* 46th Troop Carrier: attached 18 August 1948–30 September 1948.
* 52d Troop Carrier: attached 15 April 1963–31 March 1964.
* 780th Troop Carrier: 8 July 1957–8 March 1958.
* 781st Troop Carrier: 8 July 1957–8 March 1958.
* 782d Troop Carrier: 8 July 1957–20 December 1957.
* 4408th Combat Crew Training: 22 September 1969–15 August 1971.

Current

* 39th Airlift Squadron
* 40th Airlift Squadron
* 317th Maintenance Squadron
* 317th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
* 317th Maintenance Operations Squadron
* 317th Operations Support Squadron

Stations

Tachikawa AB, Japan, 18 August 1948–2 December 1948;
Celle RAF Station, Germany, 9 January 1949–14 September 1949.

Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany, 14 July 1952;
Neubiberg Air Base, Germany, 17 March 1953;
Évreux-Fauville Air Base, France, 17 April 1957–25 September 1958.

Évreux-Fauville Air Base, France, 15 April 1963–20 June 1964;Lockbourne Air Force Base (currently, Rickenbacker International Airport), Ohio, 20 June 1964;
Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina, 31 August 1971–18 August 1993.

Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, 1 April 1997–.

Aircraft

C-46 Commando, 1948;
C-54 Skymaster, 1948–1949.

C-119 Flying Boxcar, 1952–1957, 1957–1958;
C-130 Hercules, 1957–1958.

C-130 Hercules, 1963–1964, 1964–1971, 1971–1993;
C-124 Globemaster II, 1963–1964;
C-123 Provider, 1969–1971.

C-130H Hercules, 1997–.

Commanders

Colonel Thomas K. Hampton, 18 August 1948;Colonel William A. Ross, c.15 August 1949–c.14 September 1949.

Colonel Donald J. French, 14 July 1952;Colonel Harry M. Pike, 23 July 1954;Colonel Clarence B. Hammerle Jr., 29 July 1954;Colonel JoSeptemberh A. Cunningham, 9 September 1954 (additional duty only, 8 April 1957–16 April 1957);None (not manned), 17 April 1957–7 July 1957;Colonel Robert D. Forman, 8 July 1957;Colonel John B. Wallace, 11 September 1958–25 September 1958.

None (not manned), 13 March 1963–14 April 1963;Colonel Arthur C. Rush, 15 April 1963;Colonel George W. Kinney, 20 June 1963;Colonel Harry S. Dennis Jr., 27 December 1965;Colonel Robert M. Levy, 29 July 1966;Colonel Jack J. Schneider, 13 September 1967;Colonel James A. Giles, 28 September 1967;Colonel Bill M. Richardson, 18 December 1967;Colonel James A. Giles, 20 May 1968;Colonel Bill M. Richardson, 19 June 1968;Colonel Richard J. Downs, 2 January 1970;Colonel Thomas G. Cline, 14 July 1971;Colonel Billie J. Norwood, 31 August 1971;Colonel Edwin F. Rumsey, 13 April 1973;Colonel Stewart Young, 14 September 1973;Brigadier General Robert F. Coverdale, 6 June 1975;Colonel Benjamin Kraljev Jr., 8 August 1977;Brigadier General Duane H. Erickson, 28 February 1979;Colonel Robert B. Patterson, 29 March 1980;Colonel Edsel R. Field, 27 February 1981;Colonel Frank E. Willis, 18 February 1983;Colonel Rolland F. Clarkson Jr., 29 February 1984;Colonel Ronnie C. Peoples, 23 September 1985;Colonel Edward N. Brya, 26 March 1987;Colonel Frederick N. Buckingham, 19 April 1988;Colonel Daniel E. Sowada, 20 June 1989;Colonel Maxwell C. Bailey, 18 June 1990;Colonel George N. Williams, 20 July 1992;Colonel Thomas A. Samples, 29 March 1993–18 August 1993.

* Colonel Jimmie C. Jackson Jr., 1 April 1997;
* Colonel Douglas L. Miller, 26 August 1998;
* Colonel John A. Tappan, 10 May 2000;
* Colonel Richard C. Johnston, 9 July 2002;
* Colonel Paul J. Montgomery, 15 March 2004;
* Colonel Kevin E. "Moondog" Jackson, 10 January 2006;
* Colonel Bernard E. Mater, 16 January 2008.

ee also

* 840th Air Division, 1 Oct 1964-24 Dec 1969
* 839th Air Division, 31 Mar 1970-31 Dec 1974

References

External links

* [http://www.dyess.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3807 Dyess Air Force Base: 317 Airlift Group factsheet]
* [http://www.maxwell.af.mil/au/afhra/rso/wings_groups_pages/0317ag.asp Air Force Historical Research Agency: 317 Airlift Group]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usaf/317ag.htm GlobalSecurity.org: 317 Airlift Group]