 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (December 2012) |
| 113th Operations Group | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | 1942–1945; 1946–1952; 1952–1974; 1993–present |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  Air National Guard |
| Type | Composite Unit |
| Role | Fighter and Airlift |
| Part of | District of Columbia Air National Guard |
| Garrison/HQ | Joint Base Andrews, Maryland |
| Nickname(s) | Blue nosed Bastards of Bodney (WW II) |
| Motto(s) | Second to None (WW II) Custodes Pro Defensione Latin Guardians for Defense |
| Engagements | European Theater of Operations |
| Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation French Croix de Guerre with Palm |
| Insignia | |
| 113th Wing emblem (Approved 9 March 1954)[1][note 3] |  |
| Tail Markings | DC Red tailstripe with stars |
The 113th Operations Group is a flying group of the United States Air Force. It provides air sovereignty forces to defend District of Columbia and also provides fighter, airlift and support forces capable of local, national and global employment.
The group's primary mission is training of air combat and operational airlift crews for national defense. The group also provides a ready response force of fighters for the defense of the District of Columbia area. Members of the group also assist local and federal law enforcement agencies in combating drug trafficking in the District of Columbia on a case by case basis.
Its predecessor, the 352nd Fighter Group, was one of the most highly decorated United States Army Air Forces Fighter Groups in World War II, producing many leading aces of the war. The 352d was composed of three squadrons: (the 328th, 486th and 487th Fighter Squadrons). Once deployed to the European Theater of Operations (ETO), the group was eventually headquartered in RAF Bodney, England before being forward deployed to Belgium. It performed a variety of missions for the Eighth Air Force, but predominantly served as bomber escort.
The 121st Fighter Squadron of the 113th Operations Group, is a descendant organization of the 121st Observation Squadron, established on 10 July 1940. It is one of the National Guard observation squadrons formed before World War II
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- ^ Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 231–233