325th Operations Group

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title: "325th Operations Group" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["operations-groups-of-the-united-states-air-force", "military-units-and-formations-in-florida"] topic_path: "geography/united-states" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/325th_Operations_Group" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox military unit"]

FieldValue
unit_name325th Operations Group
imageF-15 and F-22.JPG
image_size290
caption43d Fighter Squadron F-22 Raptor with a group F-15 EagleAircraft in foreground is Lockheed Martin F/A-22A LRIP Lot 2 Block 10 Raptor 02-2029.
dates1942–1945, 1947–1952, 1955–1960, 1991–present
country
branch
roleFighter
command_structureAir Combat Command
Ninth Air Force
325th Fighter Wing
garrisonTyndall Air Force Base
nicknameCheckertail Clan (World War II)
mottoLocare et Liquidare Latin Locate and Liquidate (1951-present) Consilium Conficitur Plan - Contest (World War II)
battlesWorld War II Mediterranean Theater of Operations
decorationsDistinguished Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
identification_symbol[[File:USAF - 325th Operations Group.png
identification_symbol_label325th Operations Group emblemApproved 1 October 1951.
identification_symbol_2[[File:325 Fighter Gp emblem.png
identification_symbol_2_label325th Fighter Group emblem (World War II)
::

|unit_name=325th Operations Group |image=F-15 and F-22.JPG |image_size = 290 |caption=43d Fighter Squadron F-22 Raptor with a group F-15 EagleAircraft in foreground is Lockheed Martin F/A-22A LRIP Lot 2 Block 10 Raptor 02-2029. |dates= 1942–1945, 1947–1952, 1955–1960, 1991–present |country= |branch= |type= |role=Fighter |size= |command_structure=Air Combat Command Ninth Air Force 325th Fighter Wing |current_commander= |garrison=Tyndall Air Force Base |nickname=Checkertail Clan (World War II) |motto=Locare et Liquidare Latin Locate and Liquidate (1951-present) Consilium Conficitur Plan - Contest (World War II) |colors= |march= |mascot= |battles=World War II Mediterranean Theater of Operations |notable_commanders= |anniversaries= |decorations=Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |battle_honours= |identification_symbol=[[File:USAF - 325th Operations Group.png|165px]] |identification_symbol_label=325th Operations Group emblemApproved 1 October 1951. |identification_symbol_2=[[File:325 Fighter Gp emblem.png|165px]] |identification_symbol_2_label=325th Fighter Group emblem (World War II)

The 325th Operations Group is the flying component of the 325th Fighter Wing, assigned to Air Combat Command of the United States Air Force. The group is stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. It conducts training on the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor and commands one operational Raptor squadron. It directs the flying and support operations of two F-22 squadrons, a fighter training squadron, an operations support squadron and a training support squadron.

The group was first activated in August 1942 as the 325th Fighter Group at Mitchel Field, New York. After training at Hillsgrove Army Air Field, Rhode Island, the group moved to North Africa in 1943, where it flew combat missions with the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, earning a Distinguished Unit Citation for actions over Sardinia for engaging a superior force of enemy aircraft and destroying more than half of them. The group was withdrawn from combat in the fall of 1943 and re-equipped with the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. After moving to Italy, the group re-entered combat, earning a second Distinguished Unit Citation in January 1944. The group continued in combat until VE Day, returning to the United States in the fall for inactivation.

The 325th was again activated in 1947 as an all-weather fighter unit, moving late in the year to Hamilton Air Force Base. California. It assumed responsibility for air defense of the northern Pacific coast after moving to [[Larson Air Force Base]], Washington. With the beginning of the Korean War, a number of Air National Guard units were activated, one of which was attached to the group. In December 1951, the group dispatched one of its squadrons to Korea to provide all-weather air defense for the Seoul region. However, Air Defense Command (ADC) was finding that the single group and wing organization did not fit its model of dispersed fighter squadrons. Accordingly, it replaced its fighter wings and groups with regionally oriented defense wings and inactivated the group in February 1952.

In 1955, ADC implemented Project Arrow, which replaced its Air Defense Groups organized in the early 1950s with fighter groups that had been active during World War II. The 325th was activated once again at McChord Air Force Base, Washington to replace the 567th Air Defense Group, whose personnel, equipment and mission it assumed. The following year, the 325th Fighter Wing was again activated, and until 1957 the group was a paper organization, used to staff various wing offices. It was inactivated in 1960, with its sole remaining squadron assigned directly to the 325th Wing.

The 325th remained in inactive status until 1991 when it was again activated as the 325th Operations Group.

Assigned units

The 325th Operations Group commands three flying squadrons and two support squadrons.

  • 95th Fighter Squadron "Mr. Bones" : The 95th Fighter Squadron activated in June 2023 as an operational F-35A squadron.
  • 325th Training Support Squadron "Black Bears" : The 325th Training Support Squadron manages training resources and conducts academic and simulator training for F-22 pilots, air battle managers and intelligence officers.
  • 325th Operations Support Squadron : The 325th Operations Support Squadron supports F-35 pilots. The squadron controls all air traffic at Tyndall, manages the airfield complex, and provides weather observation and forecasting. The squadron also provides operations, weapons and tactics, life support and water survival training and scheduling.

History

World War II

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c9/Curtiss_TP-40N-40CU_Warhawk_Engine_Warmup_01_FOF_05March2011_(14403854589).jpg" caption="Restored Curtiss P-40"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/39/325fightergroup-p-47-1943.jpg" caption="325th Fighter Group P-47 at an Allied airfield in Italy"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/01/325fightergroup-p-51-1945.jpg" caption="325th Fighter Group P-51D Mustang"] ::

The 325th was first activated as the 325th Fighter Group at Mitchel Field, New York in August 1942 with the 317th, 318th, and 319th Fighter Squadrons assigned. It trained at Hillsgrove Army Air Field with Curtiss P-40 Warhawk aircraft before moving to North Africa by ship and transport planes in January through February 1943. The group entered combat in April 1943 and began escorting medium bombers, flying strafing missions, and conducting sea sweeps from bases in Algeria and Tunisia. The 325th participated in the defeat of Axis forces in Tunisia, the reduction of Pantelleria, and the conquest of Sicily. The 325th received a Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC) for action over Sardinia on 30 July 1943 when the group, using diversionary tactics, forced a superior number of enemy planes into the air and destroyed more than half of them. The group did not fly combat missions from the end of September to mid-December 1943 as the 325th converted to Republic P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft and moved to Italy.

The 325th began operations with Fifteenth Air Force in December 1943, and primarily engaged in bomber escort operations. It received a second DUC for a mission on 30 January 1944 when the group flew more than 300 miles at very low altitude to surprise the enemy fighters that were defending German airfields near Villaorba, Italy; by severely damaging the enemy's force, the 325th enabled heavy bombers to strike vital targets in the area without encountering serious opposition. The group converted to North American P-51 Mustang aircraft in May 1944 and provided the fighter escort on the first shuttle bombing mission from Italy to Russia in early June 1944, and became the first American group to score a victory while flying from a Russian base.Abstract, History of 325th Fighter Group, June 1944]. Retrieved 24 May 2012 It escorted heavy bombers during long-range missions to attack the Messerschmitt factory at Regensburg, the Daimler-Benz tank factory at Berlin, oil refineries at Vienna, and other targets, such as airfields, marshalling yards, and communications targets in Italy, France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, Romania, and Yugoslavia. It also covered operations of reconnaissance aircraft and strafed such targets as trains, vehicles, and airfields. The group continued combat operations until May 1945. The group moved back to the U.S. and was inactivated after V-E Day.

325th Ftr Gp Aerial Victories ::data[format=table]

Aerial VictoriesNumberNote
Group Hq19
317th Fighter Squadron209
318th Fighter Squadron173
319th Fighter Squadron119
Group Total520
::

Cold War

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5d/318th_Fighter_Squadron_P-61B-20-NO_Black_Widow_43-8293.jpg" caption="318th Fighter Squadron P-61BAircraft is P-61B-20-NO Black Widow serial 43-8293 at Hamilton Field"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/76/317th_FAWS_North_American_F-82F_Twin_Mustang_46-418_with_F-94_Starfires.jpg" caption="325th Fighter Group F-94 Starfires and F-82 Twin Mustang"] ::

The group was inactive from 1945 until 1947, when it was activated as an all-weather fighter group equipped with Northrop P-61 Black Widows. In 1948, the group converted to North American F-82 Twin Mustang aircraft and moved to Washington, to provide air defense for the Atomic Energy Commission Hanford Plant. In 1948, the US Air Force unified operational and support organizations under a single wing under what is called the Hobson Plan. As a result, the 325th Fighter Wing became the parent for the 325th Group and three other supporting groups

Beginning in Spring 1949, it conducted the All Weather Combat Crew Training School, while participating in air defense operations, exercises and training. Although the 123d received some day fighter North American F-86 Sabres in July, it continued to fly Mustangs while attached to the 325th.

In December 1951, Fifth Air Force, engaged in the Korean War, indicated to Headquarters, United States Air Force that it needed all-weather interceptors to defend the Seoul area. In response, ADC dispatched the group's 319th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron to Suwon Air Base, although the squadron remained assigned to the 325th group. The 325th group and wing inactivated in February 1952 as part of a major Air Defense Command (ADC) reorganization that replaced its fighter wings with regional air defense wings, responding to ADC's difficulty under the existing wing base organizational structure in deploying fighter squadrons to best advantage. Its operational squadrons were transferred to the 4704th Defense Wing at McChord Air Force Base and the 4703d Defense Wing at Larson Air Force Base, Washington.

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/eb/318th_Fighter_Interceptor_Squadron_Convair_F-102A-75-CO_Delta_Daggers.jpg" caption="F-102s of the group's 318th FIS in 1958"] ::

In 1955 the personnel and equipment of the inactivating 567th Air Defense Group, including the 317th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron were transferred to the newly designated 325th Fighter Group (Air Defense), which activated once again at McChord as result of ADC's Project Arrow, which was designed to bring back on the active list the fighter units which had compiled memorable records in the two world wars. Because one purpose of Project Arrow was to reunite fighter squadrons with their traditional groups, Both of the group's squadrons flew the radar equipped and rocket armed F-86D version of the Sabre. At the same time it conducted air defense operations.

The group became subordinate to the 325th Fighter Wing again in October 1956 and was non-operational as all group headquarters personnel were used to man the wing headquarters until about June 1957. The group regained control over its tactical squadrons in June 1957 and continued air defense operations of the wing, with annual squadron deployments to Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida for firing practice. Just before the group was discontinued, the 64th Squadron moved to Paine Field, Washington, where it was reassigned to the 326th Fighter Group. The group was in the process of converting to Convair F-106 Delta Darts when it was discontinued in March 1960, with its remaining tactical squadron being transferred directly to 325th Fighter Wing control.

Reactivation

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7f/Tyndall-f-15C-80-060.jpg" caption="McDonnell Douglas F-15D Eagle, 325th Operations Group"] ::

On 1 September 1991, the group was redesignated the 325th Operations Group and activated when the 325th Fighter Wing implemented the USAF Objective Wing organization.

In October 2012, the Air Force combined both combat and training F-22 Raptor squadrons into a single group, and realigned the group under Air Combat Command.

Lineage

  • Constituted as the 325th Fighter Group on 24 June 1942 : Activated on 3 August 1942 : Inactivated on 28 October 1945
  • Redesignated 325th Fighter Group (All Weather) on 2 May 1947 : Activated on 21 May 1947 : Redesignated: 325th Fighter Group, All Weather, on 10 May 1948 : Redesignated: 325th Fighter-All Weather Group on 20 January 1950 : Redesignated: 325th Fighter-Interceptor Group on 1 May 1951 : Inactivated on 6 February 1952
  • Redesignated 325th Fighter Group (Air Defense) on 20 June 1955 : Activated on 18 August 1955 : Discontinued on 25 March 1960The group is not related to a 325th Fighter Group (Air Defense), Provisional that was organized at McChord on 1 November 1960 and discontinued on 1 February 1961. see Cornett & Johnson, p. 78.
  • Redesignated 325th Tactical Training Group on 31 July 1985 (remained inactive)
  • Redesignated 325th Operations Group on 1 September 1991 : Activated on 1 September 1991.

Assignments

Components

Operational Squadrons

Support Units

  • 325th USAF Hospital: 18 August 1955 - 18 October 1956
  • 325th Air Police Squadron: 18 August 1955 – 18 October 1956
  • 325th Armament & Electronics Maintenance Squadron: 15 November 1958 - 25 June 1960
  • 325th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron: 8 September 1957 - 15 November 1958
  • 325th Field Maintenance Squadron: 18 August 1955 - 18 October 1956
  • 325th Food Service Squadron: 18 August 1955 – 18 October 1956
  • 325th Installations Squadron: 18 August 1955 – 18 October 1956
  • 325th Transportation Squadron: 18 August 1955 – 18 October 1956
  • 325th Organizational Maintenance Squadron: 15 November 1958 – 25 June 1960
  • 325th Operations Squadron (later 325th Operations Support Squadron): 18 August 1955 – 18 October 1956, 1 September 1991 – present
  • 325th Supply Squadron: 18 August 1955 – 18 October 1956
  • 325th Tactical Training Squadron (later 325th Training Squadron, 325th Air Control Squadron, 325th Training Support Squadron), 1 September 1991 – 1 October 2012
  • 625th Field Maintenance Squadron: 15 November 1958 – 25 June 1960

Stations

Aircraft

  • P-40 Warhawk, 1942–1943
  • P-47 Thunderbolt, 1943–1944)
  • P-51D Mustang, 1944–1945, 1951–1952
  • P-61 Black Widow, 1947–1948
  • F-82 Twin Mustang, 1948–1951
  • F-94A Starfire, 1950–1952
  • F-86E Sabre, 1951
  • F-86D Sabre, 1955–1957
  • F-102 Delta Dagger, 1956–1960
  • F-106 Delta Dart, 1960
  • McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, 1991–2010
  • Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, 2003–present
  • Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II, 2023–present

Awards and campaigns

|award_image1=AF PUC |award_name1=Distinguished Unit Citation |award_date1=30 July 1943 |award_notes1=Sardinia, 325th Fighter Group |award_image2=AF PUC |award_name2=Distinguished Unit Citation |award_date2=30 January 1944 |award_notes2=Italy, 325th Fighter Group |award_image3=AF OUA |award_name3=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |award_date3=1 July 1993–30 June 1995 |award_notes3=355th Operations Group |award_image4=AF OUA |award_name4=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |award_date4=1 July 1995–30 June 1996 |award_notes4=355th Operations Group |award_image5=AF OUA |award_name5=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |award_date5=1 July 1996–30 June 1997 |award_notes5=355th Operations Group |award_image6=AF OUA |award_name6=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |award_date6=1 July 1997–30 June 1999 |award_notes6=355th Operations Group |award_image7=AF OUA |award_name7=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |award_date7=1 July 1999–30 June 2001 |award_notes7=355th Operations Group |award_image8=AF OUA |award_name8=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |award_date8=1 July 2001–30 June 2002 |award_notes8=355th Operations Group |award_image9=AF OUA |award_name9=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |award_date9=1 July 2002–30 June 2004 |award_notes9=355th Operations Group |award_image10=AF OUA |award_name10=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |award_date10=1 July 2004–30 June 2005 |award_notes10=355th Operations Group |award_image11=AF OUA |award_name11=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |award_date11=1 July 2005–30 June 2006 |award_notes11=355th Operations Group |award_image12=AF OUA |award_name12=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |award_date12=1 July 2006–30 June 2007 |award_notes12=355th Operations Group |award_image13=AF OUA |award_name13=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |award_date13=1 July 2008–30 June 2009 |award_notes13=355th Operations Group

::data[format=table]

Campaign StreamerCampaignDatesNotes
[[File:Streamer AC.PNG200px]]American Theater without inscription3 August 1942 – 7 February 1946
[[File:European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal streamer.png200px]]Tunisia28 February 1943 – 13 May 1943
[[File:European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal streamer.png200px]]Sicily14 May 1943 – 17 August 1943
[[File:European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal streamer.png200px]]Naples-Foggia18 August 1943 – 21 January 1944
[[File:European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal streamer.png200px]]Rome-Arno22 January 1944 – 9 September 1944
[[File:European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal streamer.png200px]]Southern France15 August 1944 – 14 September 1944
[[File:European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal streamer.png200px]]North Apennines10 September 1944 – 4 April 1945
[[File:European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal streamer.png200px]]Central Europe22 March 1944 – 21 May 1945
[[File:European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal streamer.png200px]]Po Valley3 April 1945 – 8 May 1945
[[File:European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal streamer.png200px]]Air Combat, EAME Theater28 February 1943 – 11 May 1945
[[File:European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal streamer.png200px]]Normandy6 June 1944 – 24 July 1944
[[File:European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal streamer.png200px]]Northern France25 July 1944 – 14 September 1944
[[File:European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal streamer.png200px]]Rhineland15 September 1944 – 21 March 1945
[[File:European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal streamer.png200px]]Air Offensive, Europe28 February 1943 – 5 June 1944
::

References

Notes

; Explanatory notes

; Citations

Bibliography

; Further reading

References

  1. Watkins, p. 40
  2. (14 January 2011). "Factsheet 325 Operations Group (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency.
  3. "Historic ‘Boneheads’ Squadron Reactivated at Tyndall, With F-35s Coming in August". Air & Space Forces Magazine.
  4. (4 December 2014). "Factsheet 325th Training Support Squadron". Tyndall AFB Public Affairs.
  5. (26 July 2013). "Factsheet 325th Operations Support Squadron". Tyndall AFB Public Affairs.
  6. Maurer, pp. 386–387
  7. Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', pp. 388-389
  8. Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', pp. 390-391
  9. Maurer, ''Combat Units'', pp. 206–208
  10. Newton & Senning, p. 599
  11. Newton & Senning, pp. 594-596
  12. Newton & Senning, pp. 597-598
  13. Newton & Senning, pp. 598-599
  14. "Abstract, History 325 Fighter Group(AW) Jul-Dec 1948". Air Force History Index.
  15. Ravenstein, p. 10
  16. In 1951, as ADC expanded its mission, the Federalized [[123d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron]], flying World War II era F-51Ds, was attached to the group (now named the '''325th Fighter-Interceptor Group''').Cornett & Johnson, p. 122
  17. Meanwhile, the other three squadrons of the 325th converted from their Twin Mustangs to early model [[Lockheed F-94 Starfire]]s in June and December 1951.Cornett & Johnson, p. 125
  18. Endicott, p. 65
  19. Grant, p. 33
  20. Cornett & Johnson, p. 66
  21. Cornett & Johnson, p. 85
  22. Buss, ''et al''., p.6
  23. the 318th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron was moved from [[Presque Isle Air Force Base]]. to assume the personnel and equipment of the 567th's [[465th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron]].Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', pp. 571-572
  24. The 325th served as the USAF "host" group at McChord Air Force Base until October 1956, when the 325th Fighter Wing was reactivated and was assigned several support organizations to fulfill its duties.Cornett & Johnson, p. 138
  25. Cornett & Johnson, p. 151
  26. [http://airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/404/503.xml Abstract, History of 325th USAF Hospital, Jul-Dec 1955] {{webarchive. link. (13 December 2013 . Retrieved 23 May 2012)
  27. (4 October 2012). "325th FW reassigned to ACC in ceremony". 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs.
  28. Lineage, including assignments, components, stations and aircraft in Kane, AFHRA Factsheet 325 Operations Group, except as noted.
  29. (2 January 2008). "Factsheet 1 Fighter Squadron". Air Force Historical Research Agency.
  30. (18 December 2006). "Factsheet, 1st Fighter Squadron (Inactivated December 15, 2006)". 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs.
  31. (17 March 2015). "Factsheet 2 Fighter Squadron". Air Force Historical Research Agency.
  32. (16 March 2015). "Factsheet 43 Fighter Squadron (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency.
  33. (30 January 2009). "Factsheet 64 Aggressor Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency.
  34. (20 February 2015). "Factsheet 95 Fighter Squadron". Air Force Historical Research Agency.
  35. Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', pp. 390-391. The online copy includes a handwritten notation of the attachment of the squadron.
  36. ''See'' Mueller, p. 395 for a list of support units activated in August 1955 along with the group.
  37. (7 July 2009). "Factsheet 325 Air Control Squadron (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency.
  38. Cornett & Johnson, p. 142

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