The mission of the 305th Operations Group is to deploy worldwide from America’s Eastern Gateway, to perform aerial refueling and airlift in support of tactical, strategic, reconnaissance, transport, and bombardment forces in high-threat and chemical warfare environments.
The group is comprised of the 2nd Air Refueling Squadron, the 6th Airlift Squadron, the 32d Air Refueling Squadron, and the 305th Operations Support Squadron.
The group flies the C-17 Globemaster III and KC-46 Pegasus in support of worldwide operations. The first 2 KC-46’s arrived to the Group on 9 November 2021, to be flown by the 2nd Air Refueling Squadron.
2nd Air Refueling Squadron
The 2d Air Refueling Squadron carries on a proud heritage as the oldest air refueling squadron in the Air Force. Originally instituted as the 2d Aero Squadron on Dec. 1, 1915, the 2d ARS relocated to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst on Oct. 1, 1994. “The Duce” is committed to its professional Airmen and has a legacy of providing “Second to None” service to the United States in support of national security objectives. Teamed with the new aerial refueling platform, the KC-46, the 2d ARS and its personnel enable unrivaled Global Reach for America.
6th Airlift Squadron
The 6th Airlift Squadron is the oldest airlift squadron in the Air Force, serving with distinction since October 1, 1933, providing expert airlift in an ever-evolving global environment. The squadron executed rapid-response airlift and humanitarian missions following the September 11, 2001 attacks and supported relief operations in response to the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and recently during Operation Allies Refuge, one of the largest airlifts in history. It continues its legacy of exceptional combat airlift by supporting ongoing operations throughout the Middle East and around the world. To this day, the 6th Airlift Squadron continues to “Generate Violence and Deliver Hope” by executing combat airlift and humanitarian relief around the globe.
32nd Air Refueling Squadron
The 32d Air Refueling Squadron was the first unit to receive the KC-10 Extender (now retired) and has been “Linking the Continents” since its re-activation in 1981. The sustained operational excellence of the 32d ARS was highlighted in 2012 when Air Mobility Command awarded it the General Carl A. Spaatz Trophy for being the Best Air Refueling Squadron in Air Mobility Command.
The 32d ARS is comprised of proud, dedicated professionals providing Global Reach for America through individual excellence and teamwork. It can rapidly mobilize, deploy and operate aircraft while supporting personnel providing air refueling and strategic airlift capabilities to theater, combatant and coalition commanders around the world. Whenever or wherever the need, the 32d ARS stands poised to undertake any endeavor and meet any challenge at a moment’s notice.
305 Operations Support Squadron
The 305th Operations Support Squadron was originally constituted as the 305th Airdrome Squadron on April 1, 1943, and was primarily tasked with operating airfields in New Guinea and the Philippines during World War II. Deactivated after the war, the squadron was reconstituted as the 305th Operations Support Squadron in 1991, and relocated to McGuire AFB in 1994. The squadron combines numerous support activities into a single unit to integrate training, planning, and operations support for JB MDL's active duty and reserve flying squadrons. The squadron provides support to an entire fleet of C-17 and KC-46 aircraft on their worldwide missions. The squadron has received a Presidential Unit Citation and 13 Outstanding Unit Awards.
(Current as of June 2023)