353d Special Operations Group

353d Special Operations Group
Emblem of the 353d Special Operations Group
Active	1944–1946; 1967–1970; 1989–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Special operations forces
Role	Special operations
Garrison/HQ	Kadena Air Base, Japan
Nickname(s)	BATCATS
Decorations	AFMUA AFOUA w/V Device AFOUA PR PUC RVGC w/ Palm

The 353d Special Operations Group (353 SOG) is an operational unit of the United States Air Force Special Operations Command. It is stationed at Kadena Air Base, Japan.

The 353 SOG is the United States Air Force special forces contribution to the U.S. Special Operations Command, Pacific (SOCPAC), a subcommand of the United States Pacific Command.

The group's origins date to 1944 as the 3d Air Commando Group. The unit was assigned to Fifth Air Force in the Philippines in 1944 for operations with P-51 Mustangs, C-47 Skytrains, and L-5 Sentinel aircraft. It attacked Japanese airfields and installations in the Philippines, supported ground forces on Luzon, and provided escort for missions to Formosa and the China coast. It also made raids on airfields and railways on Formosa, and furnished cover for convoys. In addition, the group transported personnel, dropped supplies to ground troops and guerrilla forces, evacuated casualties from front-line strips, adjusted artillery fire, and flew courier and mail routes.

The 353d Special Operations Group consists of the following squadrons:

When activated, the 3d Air Commando Group trained to establish and maintain an airstrip behind enemy lines, to provide for its own supply and air defense, to attack targets in the enemy's rear areas, and to furnish air support for ground operations. The group's headquarters, liaison, and airdrome squadrons, as well as its medical dispensary and the ground echelons of the 3d Fighter Squadron and 318th Troop Carrier Squadron sailed from the west coast in early November 1944, arriving on Leyte on 1 December 1944. The ground echelon of the 4th Fighter Squadron sailed a week later and arrived on Leyte in early January 1945. The flying personnel of the 3d and 4th Fighter Squadrons, as well as some enlisted members of their engineering sections, were air-transported to Nadzab, New Guinea, where they received the group's new P-51 aircraft.