Country United States | Type Transport | |
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Active 1942–1945; 1946–1948; 1948–1949; 1952–1955; 1978-1992 Branch United States Air Force | ||
The 313th Tactical Airlift Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was to the 322d Airlift Division at RAF Mildenhall, England. It was inactivated on 1 February 1992.
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During World War II, the group was assigned to both Twelfth and Ninth Air Forces in North Africa, Italy and Western Europe. The 313 TCG was highly decorated for its combat parachute infantry drops during the Invasion of Sicily (Operation Husky); Invasion of Italy (Operation Avalanche); Invasion of France (Operation Overlord); the airborne invasion of the Netherlands (Operation Market-Garden); and the airborne crossing of the Rhine River, (Operation Varsity).
History
For additional history and lineage, see 313th Tactical Airlift WingWorld War II
Trained for overseas duty with C-47's and C-53's. Moved to North Africa, April–May 1943, and assigned to Twelfth Air Force.
Trained for the invasion of Sicily and entered combat on the night of 9 July 1943 by dropping paratroops near Gela. Although attacked by ground and naval forces while carrying reinforcements to Sicily on the night of II Jul, the group completed the mission and received a DUC for the performance. Transported supplies and evacuated wounded in the Mediterranean area until late in Aug when the group moved to Sicily for the invasion of Italy. Dropped paratroops of 82d Airborne Division south of Salerno on the night of 13 September 1943 and flew a reinforcement mission the following night.
Resumed transport activities in the theater until February 1944, and then joined Ninth Air Force in England. Prepared for the invasion of France and on D-Day 1944, released paratroops near Picauville; dropped reinforcements over the same area on 7 June, being awarded second DUC for its part in the invasion.
Dropped paratroops near Arnhem and Nijmegen on 17 September during the airborne attack on the Netherlands and released gliders carrying reinforcements to that area on 18 and 23 September Moved to France, February–March 1945, and received C- 46's for the airborne assault across the Rhine; dropped paratroops of 17th Airborne Division near Wesel on 24 March as part of Operation Varsity.
When not engaged in airborne operations the group evacuated wounded personnel and ex-prisoners of war, and also transported cargo such as ammunition, gasoline, medical supplies, and food until after V-E Day.
Returned to the US, August–September 1945. Inactivated on 15 November 1945.
Cold War
Activated in Austria on 30 September 1946. Assigned to United States Air Forces in Europe Army of Occupation and equipped with C-47 and C-54 aircraft was assigned to Tulln Air Base, becoming host unit.
Transferred, without personnel and equipment, to the US on 25 June 1947 and assigned to Tactical Air Command. Trained with gliders and C-82's. Redesignated 313th Troop Carrier Group, (Heavy) in July 1948. Moved to Germany, October–November 1948, and joined United States Air Forces in Europe for participation in the Berlin airlift. Transported cargo such as coal, food, and medicine into West Berlin from November 1948 to September 1949. Redesignated 313th Troop Carrier Group (Special) in February 1949. Inactivated in Germany on 18 September 1949.
Redesignated 313th Troop Carrier Group (Medium), Activated in the US on February 1953. Assigned to Tactical Air Command. Trained with C-119's. Inactivated on 8 June 1955 when 313th Troop Carrier Wing converted to Tri-Deputate organization and assigned all operational components directly to the wing.
Reactivated in 1978 at RAF Mildenhall, England to manage Military Airlift Command activities at the aerial port, operating a terminal that handled C-5 Galaxy and C-141 Starlifter flights to and from the United States. Also hosted the "Bravo" squadron at Mildenhall that operated 16 C-130E/H Hercules transports on a rotational basis from the United States. Inactivated in 1992 as part of the inactivation of MAC, mission taken over by USAFE.