MISSION
We Provide Combat Air Power
VISION
To Be the World's Premiere Air Power Provider
UNITS
The 477th Fighter Group employs more than 300 Airmen, including civilians, throughout six units: the 302nd Fighter Squadron, 477th Maintenance Squadron, 477th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, the 477th Aerospace Medicine Flight, 477th Force Support Squadron and the 477th Operations Support Flight.
HISTORY
The 477th Fighter Group was originally known as the 477th Bombardment Group (Medium) and was manned by the famed African-American aviators known as the Tuskegee Airmen. The 477th BG was established May 13, 1943. It was activated June 1, 1943, inactivated Aug. 25, 1943, and then reactivated Jan. 15, 1944. It was redesignated the 477th Composite Group June 22, 1945 and inactivated again July 1, 1947.
The unit was assigned to Third Air Force, June 1 - Aug. 25, 1943; First Air Force, Jan. 15, 1944; and to Ninth Air Force, Jan. 1 - July 1, 1947.
The 477 FG was made up of the 99th Fighter Squadron from June 22, 1945 - July 1, 1947. The 616th Bombardment Group belonged to the 477 FG from June 1 - Aug. 25, 1943 and Jan. 15, 1944 - June 22, 1945. The 617th BG belonged to the 477 FG from June 1 - Aug. 25, 1943 and from April 15, 1944 - July 1, 1947. The 618th BG was assigned to the 477 FG June 1 - Aug. 25, 1943 and once again from May 15, 1944 - Oct. 8, 1945. The 619th BG was also attached to the 477 FG from June 1 - Aug. 25, 1943 and from May 27 - June 22, 1945.
The 477 FG was located at MacDill Field, Florida from June 1 - Aug. 25, 1943; relocated to Selfridge Field, Michigan Jan. 15, 1944; and then to Godman Field, Kentucky May 6, 1944. Two years later it was relocated again to Lockbourne Air Force Base, Ohio where it remained from March 13, 1946 until July 1, 1947.
The group was commanded by Lt. Col. Andrew O. Lerche in 1943, followed by Col. Robert R. Selway Jr. on Jan. 21, 1944. Col. Benjamin O. Davis Jr. was the commander from June 21, 1945 until deactivation on July 1, 1947.
On Oct. 1, 2007, the 477 FG was reactivated as an associate unit at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, designed to support active duty by flying and maintaining the F-22A Raptor fighter jet.
AIRCRAFT
The B-26 was the original airframe used by 477th Bombardment Group members in 1943, followed by the B-25 from 1944 - 1947. The P-47 replaced the B-25 in 1945 and was flown until deactivation in 1947. On Oct. 1, 2007, the 477 FG became the first unit in Air Force Reserve history to acquire the F-22A Raptor mission.
The 477 FG service streamers include World War II American Theater and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.