The organization was originally activated in April 1943 as the 18th Air Support Communication Squadron. The squadron trained in the southeastern United States under
Third Air Force until February 1944, when it deployed to the
Mediterranean Theater of Operations and was assigned to
XII Air Support Command. The unit was redesignated the 18th Tactical Air Communications Squadron and moved to Italy in April. It was disbanded in Italy in June 1944.[1]
The squadron was reconstituted and activated in Germany on 15 April 1945, where it became part of
Ninth Air Force. It returned to the United States in July and was inactivated in the summer of 1946. The squadron was disbanded while inactive in October 1948.[1]
In June 1992, the unit was reconstituted and redesignated as the 18th Air Support Group. It assumed much of the responsibilities of the inactivating
507th Air Control Wing. It was redesignated 18th Air Support Operations Group on 1 July 1994.[1]
Organization
In addition to group headquarters, the 18th ASOG includes a number of subordinate squadrons. These units are located at Pope Field except as indicated and include the following.[2]