582nd Air Resupply Group

• 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. • Formation and Timeline: The unit was constituted on 3 May 1951 and activated on 16 May 1951 at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. • 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. • 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. • Psychological Warfare Missions: The group specialized in leaflet drops, loudspeaker broadcasts, and supply drops behind enemy lines as part of psychological operations (PSYOPs). • 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. • Relocation to Europe: In 1953, the unit moved to RAF Molesworth, England, expanding its role in supporting NATO and European Command special operations planning. • 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. • 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. • 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.