824th Combat Support Group

• Formation and Purpose: The 824th Combat Support Group (CSG) was established to provide base operations and support functions for U.S. Air Force units, particularly during the Cold War era. • Location: The group was primarily stationed at Turner Air Force Base, Georgia, which was an important Strategic Air Command (SAC) installation. • Activation Date: The 824th CSG was activated on 2 February 1963, coinciding with the reorganization of Turner AFB under SAC control. • Support to Bombardment Wing: The group provided logistical, administrative, and operational support to the 484th Bombardment Wing, which operated B-52 Stratofortress bombers and KC-135 Stratotankers. • Role in Strategic Air Command: As part of SAC, the 824th CSG played a crucial role in maintaining the readiness of America’s nuclear deterrent forces during the height of the Cold War. • Key Components: The group consisted of squadrons such as the Civil Engineering Squadron, Security Police Squadron, and Services Squadron, which ensured the base remained mission-ready. • Notable Exercises: The 824th CSG participated in strategic readiness exercises, simulating rapid deployment and emergency response scenarios to test and improve its capabilities. • Humanitarian Efforts: Members of the group contributed to disaster relief and community support operations in Georgia, enhancing civil-military relations. • Inactivation: The 824th Combat Support Group was inactivated on 25 June 1967, following the closure of Turner AFB as part of post-Cold War drawdowns. • Legacy: Though inactivated, the 824th CSG’s history is preserved in Air Force records, illustrating the vital role of support units in sustaining operational missions and base communities.