345th Bombardment Group (345th BG) "Air Apaches"
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force (5th AF)

Background
On September 6, 1942 constituted as the 345th Bombardment Group (Medium) by in the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) by 3rd Air Force (3rd AF) order No. 275. On November 11, 1942 activated at Columbia Army Air Base, South Carolina under Commanding Officer (C.O.) Col. Jarred V. Crabb. The 345th Bomb Group (345th BG) included the Headquarters Squadron (HQ), 498th Bombardment Squadron (498th BS), 499th Bombardment Squadron (499th BS), 500th Bombardment Squadron (500th BS) and 501st Bombardment Squadron (501th BS).

The cadre of 40 officers and 350 enlisted men were drawn from the 309th Bombardment Group (309th BG), a training unit at the same location. At full strength, the group would have roughly 250 officers and 1,250 enlisted men. In April 1943 began a movement to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA). During December 1945 returned to the United States. On December 29, 1945 inactivated.

Nicknamed "Air Apaches". In late September 1944, the group insignia became of an Apache warrior wearing a headdress in profile designed by Sgt Charles O. Metzel and was painted on the tail of B-25 Mitchells in the group. The Type I version was an Apache warrior wearing a headdress in profile, inside a circle with a border. The Type II version was a more stylized version inside a circle with white border.

Headquarters Squadron (HQ Squadron)
On June 5, 1943 the entire group with B-25s arrives from United States to Port Moresby.

498th Bombardment Squadron (498th BS) "Falcons"
The 498th Bombardment Squadron (498th BS) flew combat missions in the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) during World War II.

499th Bombardment Squadron (499th BS) "Bat Outta Hell"
The 499th Bombardment Squadron (499th BS) flew combat missions in the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) during World War II.

500th Bombardment Squadron (500th BS) "Rough Raiders"
The 500th Bombardment Squadron (500th BS) flew combat missions in the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) during World War II.

501th Bombardment Squadron (501th BS) "Black Panthers"
The 501th Bombardment Squadron (501th BS) flew combat missions in the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) during World War II.

Commanding Officers (C.O.)
Col. Jarred V. Crabb

References
Warpath Across The Pacific (2008) definitive unit history of the 345th BG