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U.S. Army Air Forces |
Organization of Echelons
Air Division:
3 to 5 Combat Wings (9 to 15 groups) – Used mainly in the European Theater, apparently.
Combat Wing:
3 x Groups – The basic tactical unit of the USAAF. B-36 Wings would have deployed with just two groups.
Group:
4 x Squadrons – The basic operational unit of the USAAF. Usually based at a single airfield.
Organization of Groups
NOTE: All groups operate with 50% reserves; thus a B-29 Bomb Group (VH), with 28 UE would actually have 42 aircraft.
Very Very Heavy
Bombardment Group (Original Plan): 3 Squadrons, each with 6 aircraft
for a total of 18 B-36s
Very Very Heavy Bombardment Group (Late
1948 Plan): 3 Squadrons, each with 10 aircraft for a total of 30
B-36s
Very Heavy Bombardment
Group (1943): 4 squadrons, each with 7 aircraft for a total of 28. (2
crews per UE aircraft)
Very Heavy Bombardment Group (1944): 3
squadrons, each with 10 aircraft for a total of 30. (1.7 crews per UE
aircraft)
Heavy Bombardment Group: 4 Squadrons, each with 12 aircraft for a total of 48.
Medium Bombardment Group: 4 Squadrons, each with 13 aircraft plus HQ element of 5 planes for a total of 57.
Light Bombardment Group: 4 Squadrons, each with 13 aircraft plus HQ element of 5 planes for a total of 57.
Fighter Group: 3 squadrons, each with 25 aircraft for a total of 75.
Troop Carrier Group: 4 Squadrons, each with between 13 planes, for a total of 52.