363d Air Expeditionary Operations Group - History

History

The 363d Air Expeditionary Operations Group has its origins to World War II 363d Fighter Group, being activated on 1 August 1943 at Hamilton Field, California. Initially a IX Fighter Command tactical fighter group, the unit was credited with 41 victories but lost 43 of its own aircraft in the process.

The pressing need for tactical aerial reconnaissance during the Normandy Campaign led the group to be converted to a photo-reconnaissance Group with the 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group being formed at Le Mans, France in late 1944. The 363d TRG was the 'eyes' of General George S. Patton's Third Army during its advance through France, and later during the Allied invasion of Germany in 1945.

Reactivated in 1948, the 363d TRG flew photographic, electronic and electronic intelligence missions to support both air and ground operations by American or Allied ground forces during the early years of the Cold War.

During the modern era, the unit was reactivated in 1993 as part of the USAF Objective Wing organization as the 363d Operations Group, and in Southwest Asia as the 363d Expeditionary Operations Group, flying a variety of fighter aircraft (F-16, A-10, F-15 and others) on operational missions. Today the unit trains airmen of allied and friendly nations.