509th Composite Group
| 509th Composite Group | |
|---|---|
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1946 emblem of the 509th Composite Group while part of the 58th Bombardment Wing, Very Heavy
|
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| Active | 17 December 1944 – 10 July 1946 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Army Air Forces |
| Type | Bombardment and air transport composite |
| Role | Atomic warfare |
| Size | 1767 personnel, 15 B-29 and 5 C-54 aircraft |
| Part of |
313th Bombardment Wing Twentieth Air Force |
| Garrison/HQ | North Field (Tinian), Mariana Islands |
| Engagements |
|
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Paul Tibbets |
The 509th Composite Group (509 CG) was a unit of the United States Army Air Forces created during World War II and tasked with the operational deployment of nuclear weapons. It conducted the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, in August 1945.
The group was activated on 17 December 1944 at Wendover Army Air Field, Utah. It was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Paul W. Tibbets. Because it contained flying squadrons equipped with Boeing B-29 Superfortress bombers and C-47 Skytrain and C-54 Skymaster transport aircraft, the group was designated as a "composite" rather than a "bombardment" formation. It operated Silverplate B-29s, which were specially configured to enable them to carry nuclear weapons.
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