The 459th Operations Group is a reserve component of the United States Air Force. It is assigned to the 459th Air Refueling Wing, Fourth Air Force of Air Force Reserve Command, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. If mobilized, the Wing is gained by Air Mobility Command. The group's mission is to recruit, train and equip its citizen airmen to fly and maintain the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker to help the Air Force protect its interests in air and space power. It consists of the 756th Air Refueling Squadron, 459th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, and the 459th Operations Support Flight. History World War II The group was first activated as the 459th Bombardment Group on 1 July 1943 at Alamogordo Army Air Field, along with its component 756th, 757th, 758th, and 759th Bombardment Squadrons. The group trained with Consolidated B-24 Liberators under Second Air Force Until October, when it moved to Westover Field, Massachusetts. The group flew long-range convoy escort missions over area between the Newfoundland Banks and Long Island Sound in November and December 1943 while Giulia Airfield, its station in Italy, was being constructed. In January 1944, the group began its overseas movement. The 459th Group arrived in Italy in February 1944 and began flying combat missions in March. It engaged in very long range strategic bombing missions to enemy military, industrial and transportation targets in Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, and Yugoslavia, bombing railroad marshalling yards, oil refineries, airfields, heavy industry, and other strategic objectives. In April 1944, the 459th Group led the 304th Bombardment Wing in an attack on an airfield and aircraft factory at Bad Vöslau, Austria through heavy flak and fighter attacks. It was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for this action. In addition to strategic missions, the group also carried out support and interdiction operations. In March 1944, the 459th attacked railroads used to supply enemy forces surrounding the Anzio beachhead. In August, it struck bridges, harbors, and troop concentrations to aid Operation Dragoon, the invasion of Southern France. It also hit communications lines and other targets during March and April 1945 to support the advance of British Eighth Army and American Fifth Army in northern Italy. By the time it ceased combat operations in April 1945, it had flown nearly 200 combat missions. The group returned to the United States in August 1945, being programmed for deployment to the Pacific Theater as a Boeing