314th Troop Carrier Group

314th Operations Group
C-130 Herculeses lined up for takeoff at Little Rock Air Force Base
Active	1942-1957; 1978-1980; 1991-present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Part of	314th Airlift Wing
Motto(s)	Viri Veniente Latin, Men Will Come (1942-1954)
Engagements	European Theater of World War II Mediterranean Theater of Operations Korean War
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Insignia
314th Operations Group emblem (Approved 17 June 1954)
314th Operations Group gaggle patch
314th Troop Carrier Group emblem (Approved 17 August 1942)

European Theater of World War II

The 314th Operations Group (314 OG) is the flying component of the Air Education and Training Command 314th Airlift Wing, stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas.

The group provides C-130 initial and tactical aircrew training in all crew positions for all of the Department of Defense and allied students from 46 nations.

The 314th Operations Group is composed of two flying squadrons and one training squadron.

During World War II the 314th Troop Carrier Group arrived in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations in May 1943, taking part with Twelfth Air Force units in two airborne operations. It flew two major night missions in July 1943 during the Sicily invasion, dropping paratroops of 82d Airborne Division near Gela on 9 July and reinforcements to the area on the 11th.

Later in the year, the group transported paratroops and supplies to Salerno, 14 and 15 September, during the invasion of Italy. Squadrons from the 314th flew additional missions in the Mediterranean before it transferred, in February 1944, to England for further training.

From England, it took part with the Ninth Air Force in the Normandy invasion, flying numerous supply and reinforcement missions in the ensuing period. The 314th dropped paratroops over the Netherlands in September and carried munitions and supplies to the same area. After moving to France in late February 1945, it participated in the airborne crossings of the Rhine River near Wesel on 24 March. The group then brought supplies and equipment to combat units and airlifted wounded U.S. and Allied personnel to rear-area hospitals.