9th Operations Group

9th Operations Group
U-2 Dragon Lady 80-1080 from the 9th Reconnaissance Wing
Active1922–1948; 1949–1952; 1991–present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleReconnaissance
Part ofAir Combat Command
9th Reconnaissance Wing
Motto(s)Semper Paratus Latin Always Ready[1]
EngagementsWorld War IIAmerican Theater (1941–1943)
Asiatic-Pacific Theater
DecorationsDistinguished Unit Citation
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award[2]
Insignia
9th Operations Gp emblem[note 1][note 2]
WW II Tail MarkingCircle K
RQ-4 Global Hawk
MC-12W Liberty

The 9th Operations Group is the operational flying component of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, stationed at Beale Air Force Base, California.

The 9th OG's mission is to organize, train and equip Lockheed U-2R, RQ-4 Global Hawk and MC-12W Liberty combat elements for peacetime intelligence gathering, contingency operations, conventional war fighting and Emergency War Order support.

It is a descendant organization of the 9th Group (Observation), one of the 15 original combat air groups formed by the Army before World War II. It is the fourth oldest active group in the USAF, and the seventh created following the establishment of the U.S. Air Service. During World War II, the 9th Bombardment Group, Very Heavy was a B-29 Superfortress group assigned to Twentieth Air Force flying bombardment operations against Japan. Its aircraft were identified by a "X" inside a Circle painted on the tail.

  1. ^ Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 49–50
  2. ^ Robertson, Patsy (22 January 2017). "Factsheet 9 Operations Group (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 23 March 2017.


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