20th Air Base Group
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The 20th Air Base Group is a disbanded group of the United States Air Force. It was part of the Far East Air Force, during World War II. The group was based at Nichols Field, in the Philippines. It surrendered to the Japanese in the spring of 1942, but was kept on the rolls as an active unit until April 1946. It was disbanded in 1984.
20th Air Base Group | |
---|---|
Active | 1918, 1921-1946 |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Army Air Corps |
Type | Support |
Role | Maintenance and Base Administration |
Part of | Far East Air Force |
Engagements | Southwest Pacific Theater |
Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation |
Insignia | |
Base Headquarters & 20th Air Base Sq emblem[1] |
The Unit's first predecessor, the 66th Aero Squadron served at a training base during World War I. It was consolidated with the 66th Service Squadron, which had provided maintenance support at Nichols Field since 1921. In the late 1930s, the unit assumed administrative support functions as well and was expanded to a group.
The first unit holding the name 20th Air Base Group was active up until 1942, and is where the majority of this article focuses. However, a second unit, the 20th Airdrome Group, was renamed the 20th ABG in 1948, remaining as part of the 20th Fighter Wing. It later became the 20th Mission Support Group, and is still supporting the 20th Fighter Wing.