500th Air Expeditionary Group
Military unit / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 500th Air Expeditionary Group is a provisional United States Air Force unit. Its last known assignment was at Christchurch, New Zealand, where it was activated for the summer 2005–2006 season.
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (January 2013) |
500th Air Expeditionary Group | |
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Active | 1943–1946; 1963–1964; short periods since 2002 |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Air Force |
Role | Air Refueling |
Motto(s) | Semper Paratus ("Always Prepared") |
Engagements | Pacific Ocean theater of World War II |
Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation |
Insignia | |
500th Air Refueling Wing emblem (Approved 19 February 1964) | |
World War II Tail Marking | Square Z |
The unit's origins lie with its predecessor unit, the United States Army Air Forces 500th Bombardment Group, which was part of Twentieth Air Force during World War II. The 500th engaged in very heavy (Boeing B-29 Superfortress) bombardment operations against Japan. It was awarded two Distinguished Unit Citations for actions in 1945.
The 500th Air Refueling Wing replaced the 4045th Air Refueling Wing as a Strategic Air Command tanker unit at Selfridge Air Force Base, Michigan on 1 January 1963. The two units were consolidated in 1984.
In 2002, the consolidated unit was converted to provisional status as the 500th Air Expeditionary Group. It has been activated several times to support operations in Antarctica.