64th Air Expeditionary Group

The 64th Air Expeditionary Group is a provisional United States Air Force group, most recently assigned to Air Forces Northern (AFNORTH). Supporting Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) operations, the group deployed medical and support personnel to hospitals in California to assist civilian staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the number of United States citizens with COVID-19 declined, the group transitioned to establishing Air Force-led COVID-19 Community Vaccination Center sites.

Prior to supporting FEMA during the COVID-19 pandemic, the last activation was in direct support of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing at Eskan Village, near Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It was inactivated in 2014.

The group was first activated in December 1940 as the 64th Transport Group, a year before the Attack on Pearl Harbor. During the Second World War it fought primarily with Twelfth Air Force, earning a Distinguished Unit Citation.

It was constituted as the 64th Transport Group on 20 November 1940 and later activated on 4 December 1940. The group operated Douglas C-47 aircraft for training and transport missions within the United States.

Redesignated 64th Troop Carrier Group in July 1942. Moved to England in August 1942 and received additional training. Became part of Twelfth Air Force. Moved to the Mediterranean theater, November–December 1942. Flew first mission on 11 November, landing paratroops at Maison Blanche Airport. Dropped paratroops to capture airfields during the battle for Tunisia. Released paratroops near Gela and Catania when the Allies invaded Sicily in July 1943. Dropped paratroops near Avellino during the invasion of Italy in September 1943 to destroy a bridge on the enemy's supply line to Salerno. Participated in the assault on southern France in August 1944 by releasing gliders and paratroops in the battle zone. Supported the partisans in northern Italy early in 1945 by dropping paratroops, supplies, and propaganda leaflets behind enemy lines.

When not engaged in airborne combat operations, the group continually transported men and supplies to the front lines and evacuated wounded personnel.

Most of the group was on detached service in the China Burma India Theater from April–June 1944, while a remnant remained in Sicily. With its squadrons operating from separate bases in India, the group aided the Allied offensive in Burma. It was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for flying unarmed over rugged enemy territory to carry food, clothing, medical supplies, guns, ammunition, and mules to the combat zone and to evacuate wounded personnel.

The group moved to Trinidad in June 1945 and was assigned to Air Transport Command. Inactivated on 31 July 1945.