64th Air Expeditionary Group

64th Air Expeditionary Group
64th group photo, November 2010
Active	1940-1945, 1947-1948, 1952-1954, 1991-1997. 2001-present as needed
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Force protection and support
Garrison/HQ	Eskan Village, Saudi Arabia
Motto(s)	Hardest Target in the Kingdom
Engagements	European Theater of Operations, Mediterranean Theater of Operations Global War on Terrorism (2005-TBD)
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation 7 April – 15 June 1944 Meritorious Unit Award 1 June 2005 – 31 May 2006 1 June 2006 – 31 May 2007 1 June 2007 – 31 May 2008 1 June 2008 – 31 May 2009 1 June 2009 – 31 May 2010 Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards 1 July 1992 – 30 June 1993 1 October 1995 – 30 September 1997
Insignia
64th Air Expeditionary Wing emblem
(approved 16 June 1942)	Group emblem not available

Distinguished Unit Citation 7 April – 15 June 1944

The 64th Air Expeditionary Group is a United States Air Force unit subordinate to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, stationed at Eskan Village, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The group was first activated prior to World War II as the 64th Transport Group During World War II the group (military aviation unit) engaged in combat operations, primarily with Twelfth Air Force during the war, earning a Distinguished Unit Citation.

It was reported that in May 2014 the 64th Group was inactivated.

The group is made up of about 300 security forces, support airmen, and civilians in two squadrons: the 64th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron and the 64th Expeditionary Support Squadron. Their mission is to stand guard, providing integrated defense, emergency response, and combat support for the base, which houses military and host-nation tenant agencies. Most days the Airmen are fighting the Global War on Terrorism in extreme temperatures of more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

The 64th Air Expeditionary Group is a provisional unit and uses the emblem of the inactive 64th Flying Training Wing.

Constituted as the 64th Transport Group on 20 November 1940. Activated on 4 December 1940. Used C-47’s for training and flying transport missions in the US.

Redesignated 64th Troop Carrier Group in July 1942. Moved to England in August 1942 and received additional training. Became part of Twelfth Air Force. Moved to the Mediterranean theater, November–December 1942. Flew first mission on 11 November, landing paratroops at Maison Blanche Airport. Dropped paratroops to capture airfields during the battle for Tunisia. Released paratroops near Gela and Catania when the Allies invaded Sicily in July 1943. Dropped paratroops near Avellino during the invasion of Italy in September 1943 to destroy a bridge on the enemy’s supply line to Salerno. Participated in the assault on southern France in August 1944 by releasing gliders and paratroops in the battle zone. Supported the partisans in northern Italy early in 1945 by dropping paratroops, supplies, and propaganda leaflets behind enemy lines.