About this Unit
The **582nd Air Resupply Group** was a United States Air Force unit established during the early years of the Cold War. Activated in 1951, the group was assigned to the Air Resupply and Communications Service (ARCS) and stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. Its primary mission centered on unconventional warfare support, including psychological operations, airdrop of supplies, and insertion and extraction of special operations forces behind enemy lines. The group operated a variety of aircraft, including B-29 Superfortresses and C-119 Flying Boxcars, before it was inactivated in 1956 as the Air Force restructured its special operations capabilities.
Historical Facts
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Special Operations Focus: The 582nd Air Resupply Group was a specialized unit of the United States Air Force, primarily tasked with psychological warfare, unconventional warfare, and special operations during the early Cold War era.
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Formation and Timeline: The unit was constituted on 3 May 1951 and activated on 16 May 1951 at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho.
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Korean War Era Service: While not directly deployed to Korea, the group provided critical support for special operations related to the Korean conflict, including resupply missions and personnel insertion/extraction for covert operations.
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Aircraft Used: The 582nd operated a diverse fleet, including the C-119 Flying Boxcar, B-29 Superfortress, SA-16 Albatross, and C-47 Skytrain, each suited for different clandestine roles.
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Psychological Warfare Missions: The group specialized in leaflet drops, loudspeaker broadcasts, and supply drops behind enemy lines as part of psychological operations (PSYOPs).
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Training with the CIA and Special Forces: Members of the 582nd worked closely with CIA operatives and Army Special Forces, reflecting the highly classified and joint nature of their missions.
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Relocation to Europe: In 1953, the unit moved to RAF Molesworth, England, expanding its role in supporting NATO and European Command special operations planning.
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Inactivation and Legacy: The group was inactivated on 18 September 1956, but its legacy continues in modern Air Force Special Operations units, which trace some lineage and mission sets back to the 582nd.
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Innovative Equipment: The unit was among the early adopters of modified aircraft for clandestine missions, using blacked-out planes and specialized navigation and communications gear for undetected operations.
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Decorations and Honors: The 582nd received several commendations and was recognized for its pioneering integration of airpower with psychological and unconventional warfare during a critical period of the Cold War.
