9th Operations Group
The 9th Operations Group is the operational flying component of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, stationed at Beale Air Force Base, California.
| 9th Operations Group | |
|---|---|
U-2 Dragon Lady 80-1080 from the 9th Reconnaissance Wing | |
| Active | 1922–1948; 1949–1952; 1991–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Role | Reconnaissance |
| Part of | Air Combat Command 9th Reconnaissance Wing |
| Motto(s) | Semper Paratus Latin Always Ready |
| Engagements | World War IIAmerican Theater (1941–1943) Asiatic-Pacific Theater |
| Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Meritorious Unit Award Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |
| Insignia | |
| 9th Operations Gp emblem | |
| WW II Tail Marking | Circle K |
The 9th OG's mission is to organize, train and equip Lockheed U-2R, RQ-4 Global Hawk and MC-12W Liberty combat elements for peacetime intelligence gathering, contingency operations, conventional war fighting and Emergency War Order support.
It is a descendant organization of the 9th Group (Observation), one of the 15 original combat air groups formed by the Army before World War II. It is the fourth oldest active group in the USAF, and the seventh created following the establishment of the U.S. Air Service. During World War II, the 9th Bombardment Group, Very Heavy was a B-29 Superfortress group assigned to Twentieth Air Force flying bombardment operations against Japan. Its aircraft were identified by a "X" inside a Circle painted on the tail.