4th Operations Group
4th Operations Group
The 4th Operations Group (4 OG) is the flying portion of the U.S. Air Force’s 4th Fighter Wing. Based at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina, it operates F-15E Strike Eagles and trains crews for worldwide combat roles.
History in brief
- World War II era: The group began in England in 1942 as part of the Eagle Squadrons made up of American volunteers flying with the Royal Air Force. It became part of the U.S. Army Air Forces and the Eighth Air Force, flying Spitfires, then switching to P-47s and later P-51s. The unit earned a strong combat record in Europe, supporting bombers and engaging enemy aircraft during key campaigns like Big Week, Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge, and the Rhine crossing. Donald Blakeslee became a notable commander in 1944, helping the group rise to fame.
- Cold War era: The original group was inactivated in 1945 and reactivated in 1946. Under the Hobson Plan, it became part of a larger wing organization and began using jets, starting with the F-80 and later the F-86 Sabre. In Korea (1950–1953), the 4th Fighter-Interceptor Group was among the first to deploy Sabres, achieving significant air-to-air success and earning a place as a top fighter unit of the war. The group moved to Japan after Korea and was inactivated in 1957 as part of a broader reorganization.
- Modern era (1991–present): The 4th Operations Group was activated on April 22, 1991, as the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing reorganized. It later became the 4th Operations Group under the Air Combat Command. Today, it includes four F-15E squadrons and a training/squadron support structure at Seymour Johnson AFB, continuing to train and prepare crews for worldwide operations. The group also supports rapid-deployment and expeditionary missions as part of the Air Force’s evolving force structure.
Key roles today
- Aircraft and squadrons: The 4 OG runs four F-15E squadrons (333rd, 334th, 335th, and 336th) and an Operations Support Squadron. It has a training mission to prepare pilots for real-world combat.
- Global operations: Since 2001, the group has taken part in Homeland Defense sorties, operations in the Middle East, and ongoing training to maintain readiness for worldwide missions.
- Notable operations: The group supported the early stages of the Global War on Terrorism, including operations in Southwest Asia, Afghanistan, and Iraq, and it has conducted close air support and battlefield air operations in multiple campaigns.
Lineage at a glance
- Constituted as the 4th Fighter Group in 1942.
- Activated in 1942; inactivated in 1945.
- Reactivated in 1946; redesignated several times as aircraft and missions changed.
- Redesignated 4th Operations Group in 1991 and activated that year.
- Based at Seymour Johnson AFB since 1991.
Where it has been stationed
- England (numerous airfields during WWII)
- Various U.S. bases (Selfridge, Andrews, Langley)
- Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina (1991–present)
Aircraft historically associated with the unit
- Spitfire, P-47 Thunderbolt, P-51 Mustang (WWII period)
- F-80 Shooting Star, F-86 Sabre (early jet era)
- F-15E Strike Eagle (current/modern era)
- KC-10 Extender (air refueling support in some periods)
Awards and honors
- Presidential Unit Citation
- Air Force Meritorious Unit Award
- Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
- Korea-related and European campaign recognitions
- Various other honors reflecting long service and combat excellence
Notes
- The 4th Operations Group traces its roots to the World War II-era Eagle Squadrons, the original RAF-based American volunteers who helped form the early 4th Fighter Group before becoming a U.S. unit.
- Today, the group remains a key combat-ready element of the Air Force, focused on training, air defense, and rapid deployment for global missions.
This page was last edited on 29 January 2026, at 09:55 (CET).