354th Operations Group
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The 354th Operations Group is a component of the
354th Fighter Wing The 354th Fighter Wing is a United States Air Force wing that is part of Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). It is the host wing at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, and is assigned to the Eleventh Air Force (11 AF). The wing replaced the 343d Fighter W ...
, assigned to the
United States Air Force The United States Air Force (USAF) is the Aerial warfare, air military branch, service branch of the United States Armed Forces, and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Originally created on 1 August 1907, as a part ...
Pacific Air Forces Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) is a Major Command (MAJCOM) of the United States Air Force and is also the air component command of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM). PACAF is headquartered at Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam (f ...
. The group is stationed at
Eielson Air Force Base Eielson Air Force Base is a United States Air Force (USAF) base located approximately 26 miles (42 km) southeast of Fairbanks, Alaska and just southeast of Moose Creek, Alaska. It was established in 1943 as Mile 26 Satellite Field and redes ...
, Alaska.


Overview

The 354th Operations Group provides air-bridge support and realistic combat flying training in support of 354th Fighter Wing, Air Force and national objectives. The Group's major mission is RED FLAG-Alaska, 10-day air combat training exercise held up to four times a year. Each exercise is a multi-service, multi-platform coordinated, combat operations exercise and corresponds to the designed operational capability of participating units. In other words, exercises often involve several units whose military mission may differ significantly from that of other participating units. RED FLAG-Alaska planners take those factors into consideration when designing exercises so participants get the maximum training possible without being placed at an unfair advantage during simulated combat scenarios.


Assigned units

The 354 OG (Tail Code: AK) is the flying component of the 354th Fighter Wing. Its component units are: *
18th Aggressor Squadron The 18th Aggressor Squadron (18 AGRS) is a subordinate unit of the 354th Fighter Wing based at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, and flies the Block 30 General Dynamics F-16C/D aircraft. Mission The 18th Aggressor Squadron prepares combat Air ...
(18 AGRS) (Block 30 F-16C Falcon) : Aircraft are painted in a grey, black and white aggressor color scheme. About three or four aircraft wear a unique Arctic aggressor scheme which uses black, white and grey. "AK" tail codes. * 355th Fighter Squadron (F-35A Lightning II) * 356th Fighter Squadron (F-35A Lightning II) * 354th Operations Support Squadron *
353d Combat Training Squadron The 353rd Combat Training Squadron is a United States Air Force training squadron responsible for Exercise RED FLAG – ALASKA held annually in Alaska. Overview All the activities on Alaska's three weapons training ranges – incorporating ...


History


World War II

: ''see also: Colonel James H. Howard,
Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest military decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valo ...
recipient'' The 354th Fighter Group was constituted on 12 November 1942 and activated on 15 November 1942. They trained on the
Bell P-39 Airacobra The Bell P-39 Airacobra is a fighter produced by Bell Aircraft for the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. It was one of the principal American fighters in service when the United States entered combat. The P-39 was used by t ...
and served as part of the Western Air Defense Force. The three operational squadrons of the group were the 353rd FS ("FT"), the 355th FS ("GQ") and the 356th FS ("AJ") Fighter Squadrons. On 4 November 1943, the group was moved to Portland AAF,
Oregon Oregon () is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. The Columbia River delineates much of Oregon's northern boundary with Washington, while the Snake River delineates much of its eastern boundary with Idaho. T ...
and were informed that they were to fly the brand new
North American P-51B Mustang Over twenty variants of the North American P-51 Mustang fighter were produced from 1940, when it first flew, to after World War II, some of which were employed also in the Korean War and in several other conflicts. Allison-engined Mustangs NA ...
. This was a big change of equipment for the Fighter Group—the Mustang being a more capable aircraft with excellent high-altitude performance that would be required for escorting heavy bomber groups of the Eighth Air Force against Germany. The 354th FG was then transferred to RAF Greenham Common in England, but only remained at that base for a few days, next being transferred to
RAF Boxted Royal Air Force Boxted or more simply RAF Boxted is a former Royal Air Force station located north-northeast of Colchester, Essex England. Opened in 1943, it was used by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). RAF Boxted has the distinction ...
in Essex on 13 November 1943. At RAF Boxted, the 354th provided long-range escort for USAAF heavy bombers and received a Distinguished Unit Citation for its activities up to mid-May 1944, during which the 354th was instrumental in the development of the P-51 for use in long-range missions to escort heavy bombers on raids deep into enemy territory. As a result, priority for the Mustang was shifted from the Ninth to the Eighth Air Force, which eventually converted 14 of its 15 Fighter Groups to the P-51. The 354th also gained the distinction of destroying more enemy aircraft in aerial combat than any other USAAF fighter group (701 enemy aircraft). During that same period, Colonel
James H. Howard James Howell Howard (April 8, 1913 – March 18, 1995) was a general in the United States Air Force and the only fighter pilot in the European Theater of Operations in World War II to receive the Medal of Honor — the United States military ...
won the
Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest military decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valo ...
for his single-handed efforts defending a bomber formation that was attacked by a large force of enemy planes while on a mission to
Oschersleben Oschersleben () is a town in the Börde district, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. The population in 1905 was 13,271, in 2020 about 19,000. History On November 23, 994 Oschersleben was first mentioned in a document by the Emperor Otto III. In 1235 ...
, Germany on 11 January 1944. Colonel Howard single-handedly attacked a formation of thirty German aircraft. Pressing home the attack for more than thirty minutes, he destroyed three aircraft, and even when he was low on fuel and his ammunition was exhausted, he continued his aggressive tactics to protect the bombers. In mid-April 1944, the 354th flew south to
RAF Lashenden The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's Air force, air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the World War I, First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal ...
in Kent prior to moving to the continent after the invasion of Normandy. Although assigned to
Ninth Air Force The Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) is a Numbered Air Force of the United States Air Force headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. It is the Air Force Service Component of United States Central Command (USCENTCOM), a joint De ...
, the 354th was under the operational control of the Eighth Fighter Command and many missions flown by the 354th in April and May were long-range escorts of Eighth Air Force heavy B-17 and B-24 bombers. It was on these occasions that the group displayed its expertise in air fighting. On 25 April on an escort to
Mannheim Mannheim (; Palatine German: or ), officially the University City of Mannheim (german: Universitätsstadt Mannheim), is the second-largest city in the German state of Baden-Württemberg after the state capital of Stuttgart, and Germany's ...
. The group returned to RAF Lashenden with claims of 18 destroyed, five probably destroyed and 31 damaged. all for the loss of two Mustangs. On 11 May, claims of 11
Luftwaffe The ''Luftwaffe'' () was the aerial-warfare branch of the German ''Wehrmacht'' before and during World War II. Germany's military air arms during World War I, the ''Luftstreitkräfte'' of the Imperial Army and the '' Marine-Fliegerabtei ...
aircraft destroyed on another long-range escort included the 354th's 100th victory. Yet another high score resulted from an air battle near
Magdeburg Magdeburg (; nds, label=Low Saxon, Meideborg ) is the capital and second-largest city of the German state Saxony-Anhalt. The city is situated at the Elbe river. Otto I, the first Holy Roman Emperor and founder of the Archdiocese of Magdebu ...
on 28 May when 19 enemy aircraft were credited as shot down. An increasing number of dive-bombing missions were flown during the weeks prior to the invasion, each Mustang carrying two 250 or 500 pound bombs on wing racks, the targets being frequently rail installations. When D-Day arrived, the 354th's pilots were disappointed to be kept on the ground until 21:00 hours, when they took off to escort Douglas C-47 Skytrains towing gliders for a landing on the
Cotentin Peninsula The Cotentin Peninsula (, ; nrf, Cotentîn ), also known as the Cherbourg Peninsula, is a peninsula in Normandy that forms part of the northwest coast of France. It extends north-westward into the English Channel, towards Great Britain. To its w ...
near
Cherbourg Naval Base Cherbourg Naval Base is a naval base in Cherbourg Harbour, Cherbourg, Manche department, Normandy. The town has been a base of the French Navy since the opening of the military port in 1813. History Early works Cherbourg had been a stronghold ...
. Following the invasion, the group's Mustangs found their primary tasks were patrols over the battlefield areas. These were often uneventful as far as contact with enemy aircraft was concerned. The 354th group headquarters had learned that they would probably be one of the first Ninth Air Force flying units to move to one of the advanced landing strips being prepared in the Normandy bridgehead, and the advance party left Lashenden for Criqueville, France (ALG A-2) on 13 June 1944. The main party moved on 17 June, although the group's P-51s continued to return to RAF Lashenden throughout the following week. During its stay at RAF Lashenden, the 354th FG lost 23 aircraft, but was credited with destroying 68 of the enemy. The group's operations from France assisted the Allied drive across France by flying close-support, armed-reconnaissance, fighter-sweep, dive-bombing, strafing, and escort missions. The 354th Fighter Group received a Distinguished Unit Citation for a series of fighter sweeps in which the group destroyed a large number of enemy aircraft in the air and on the ground on 25 August. The unit flew missions to support the airborne attack on the Netherlands in September, and it attacked and destroyed many enemy barges, locomotives, vehicles, buildings, and troops to assist the Allied assault on the Siegfried Line. The group participated in the
Battle of the Bulge The Battle of the Bulge, also known as the Ardennes Offensive, was the last major German offensive campaign on the Western Front during World War II. The battle lasted from 16 December 1944 to 28 January 1945, towards the end of the war in ...
by supporting ground forces and by conducting armed reconnaissance operations to destroy enemy troops, tank artillery, and rail lines. Assisted ground forces in their advance to and across the
Rhine ), Surselva, Graubünden, Switzerland , source1_coordinates= , source1_elevation = , source2 = Rein Posteriur/Hinterrhein , source2_location = Paradies Glacier, Graubünden, Switzerland , source2_coordinates= , so ...
and was based at Herzogenaurach, Germany (ALG R-29) when
V-E Day Victory in Europe Day is the day celebrating the formal acceptance by the Allies of World War II of Germany's unconditional surrender of its armed forces on Tuesday, 8 May 1945, marking the official end of World War II in Europe in the Easte ...
arrived. By war's end, the 354th FG was officially credited by USAAF Command with the highest number of enemy aircraft destroyed in the air (701 confirmed kills) of any U.S. Fighter Group in the ETO during World War II.By counting aircraft destroyed both in the air ''and'' on the ground, the 56th Fighter Group claimed the highest number of kills in the ETO during World War II. After hostilities ended, the 354th Fighter Group served with
United States Air Forces in Europe United may refer to: Places * United, Pennsylvania, an unincorporated community * United, West Virginia, an unincorporated community Arts and entertainment Films * ''United'' (2003 film), a Norwegian film * ''United'' (2011 film), a BBC Two f ...
army of occupation until February 1946, being returned to the United States and inactivated on 31 March 1946.


Cold War

: ''see also: Brigadier General James F. Hackler, commander of the 354th Fighter-Day Group (1956–1957)'' On 19 November 1956 the Air Force replaced the 342d Fighter-Day Wing at
Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Myrtle Beach Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base located near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Early history On 16 October 1939, Myrtle Beach Town Council resolved that the community "is in dire need of a modern municipal airport". The ...
, South Carolina with the 354th Fighter-Day Wing. The 342d Fighter-Day Group's fighter squadrons ( 33d, 572d and 573d) were replaced by the 353d, 355th and 356th Fighter-Day Squadrons and assigned to the 354th Fighter-Day Group. In addition, the 352d Fighter-Day Squadron was activated and assigned to the Group. Upon activation the new group was assigned to the wing. The group was active for a brief period training in fighter operations. It was inactivated on 25 September 1957 and its components assigned directly the wing when the Air Force reorganized its wings into the dual deputate system.


Modern era

On 20 August 1993, the 354th Operations Group was activated as part of the 354th Fighter Wing's activation at
Eielson Air Force Base Eielson Air Force Base is a United States Air Force (USAF) base located approximately 26 miles (42 km) southeast of Fairbanks, Alaska and just southeast of Moose Creek, Alaska. It was established in 1943 as Mile 26 Satellite Field and redes ...
, Alaska, replacing the organization and components of the 343d Wing. This change was part of a service-wide effort to preserve the lineage of the Air Force's most honored wings. Upon activation, the 354th OG was bestowed the history, lineage and honors of the 354th Fighter Group from the 354 FW. The 353d and 355th Fighter Squadrons were also reactivated at Eielson and assigned to the 354 OG under the objective wing structure. The group trained for close air support, battlefield air interdiction, and anti-maritime operations. In 1994, the 353d was redesignated as a Combat Training Squadron. Its assigned mission was to coordinate and direct PACAF's premier training exercise, COPE THUNDER. Additionally, it was given oversight and management of the largest air training complex in the world, the Pacific Alaska Range Complex. Though the exercise has been renamed RED FLAG-Alaska, the 353 CTS mission remains unchanged. In 2003 it was reassigned to the
3d Wing The 3rd Wing is a unit of the United States Air Force, assigned to the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) Eleventh Air Force. It is stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. The Wing is the largest and principal unit within 11th Air For ...
at
Elmendorf AFB Elmendorf Air Force Base is a United States Air Force (USAF) facility in Anchorage, Alaska. Originally known as Elmendorf Field, it became Elmendorf Air Force Base after World War II. It is the home of the Headquarters, Alaskan Air Command (AL ...
. Under BRAC 2005 the 354th's 355th Fighter Squadron was inactivated on 24 August 2007, and its Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft sent to
Moody Air Force Base Moody Air Force Base (AFB) is a United States Air Force installation near Valdosta, Georgia. Geography The base is in northeastern Lowndes County, Georgia, with the eastern border of the base following the Lanier County line. Georgia State Rout ...
, Georgia, becoming part of the 23d Fighter Group. The same day, the 18th Fighter Squadron became the 18th Aggressor Squadron and reequipped with Block 30 General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, sending its newer Block 40s to
Kunsan Air Base Kunsan K-8 Air Base is a United States Air Force base located at Gunsan Airport, on the west coast of the South Korean peninsula bordered by the Yellow Sea. It is located in the town of Gunsan (also romanized as Kunsan), about south of Seoul. ...
, South Korea and becoming part of
Red Flag - Alaska Red is the color at the long wavelength end of the visible spectrum of light, next to orange and opposite violet. It has a dominant wavelength of approximately 625–740 nanometres. It is a primary color in the RGB color model and a seconda ...
.


Lineage

* Established as the 354th Fighter Group on 12 November 1942 : Activated on 15 November 1942 : Redesignated 354th Fighter Group, Single Engine on 20 August 1943 : Inactivated on 31 March 1946The group was redesignated 117th Fighter Group, Single Engine and allotted to the National Guard on 24 May 1946. On 28 September 1956, the designation and allotment of the group to the National Guard were revoked. The 117th Fighter Group was simultaneously constituted retroactive to 24 May 1946 and allotted to the National Guard. All organizational actions between 1946 and 1956 pertaining to the 117th Group then applied to the "new" 117th, which is not related to the 354th. Maurer, p. 235. * Redesignated 354th Fighter-Day Group on 28 September 1956 : Activated on 19 November 1956 : Inactivated on 25 September 1957 * Redesignated 354th Tactical Fighter Group on 31 July 1985 (Remained inactive) * Redesignated 354th Operations Group on 1 August 1993 : Activated on 20 August 1993


Assignments

*
IV Fighter Command The IV Fighter Command is a disbanded United States Air Force unit. It was activated under Fourth Air Force at March Field, California in June 1941, when it replaced a provisional organization. It was responsible for training fighter units and ...
, 15 November 1942 *
Ninth Air Force The Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) is a Numbered Air Force of the United States Air Force headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. It is the Air Force Service Component of United States Central Command (USCENTCOM), a joint De ...
, c. 3 November 1943 *
IX Fighter Command The IX Fighter Command was a United States Army Air Forces formation. Its last assignment was with the Ninth Air Force, based at Erlangen, Germany, wheret was inactivated on 16 November 1945. IX Fighter Command was the primary tactical fighter ...
, November 1943 * 100th Fighter Wing, 27 November 1943 *
70th Fighter Wing The 70th Fighter Wing (70th FW) is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the United States Air Forces in Europe, based at Neubiberg Air Base, Germany. It was inactivated on 25 September 1947. History Established ...
, 2 December 1943 * 100th Fighter Wing, 15 April 1944 (under operational control of
70th Fighter Wing The 70th Fighter Wing (70th FW) is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the United States Air Forces in Europe, based at Neubiberg Air Base, Germany. It was inactivated on 25 September 1947. History Established ...
, c. 22 June–19 August 1944) *
XII Tactical Air Command The XII Tactical Air Command was a formation of the United States Army Air Forces. Its last assignment was with the United States Air Forces in Europe at Bad Kissingen, Germany, where it was inactivated on 10 November 1947. History The 12th Gr ...
, 4 July 1945 *
Continental Air Forces Continental Air Forces (CAF) was a United States Army Air Forces major command, active 1944–1946. It was tasked with combat training of bomber and fighter personnel, and for Continental United States (CONUS) air defense after the Aircraft Wa ...
(later Strategic Air Command), 15 February 1946 – 31 March 1946 * 354th Fighter-Day Wing, 19 November 1956 – 25 September 1957 * 354th Fighter Wing, 20 August 1993 – present


Components

* 3d Air Support Operations Squadron, 20 August 1993 – 1 July 1994, 14 February 2003 – 1 October 2008 * 18th Fighter Squadron (later 18th Aggressor Squadron): 20 August 1993–present * 352d Fighter-Day Squadron, 19 November 1956 – 25 September 1957 * 353d Fighter Squadron (later 353d Fighter-Day Squadron, 353d Fighter Squadron, 353d Combat Training Squadron): 15 November 1942 – 31 March 1946; 19 November 1956 – 25 September 1957; 20 August 1993 – present * 355th Fighter Squadron (later 355th Fighter-Day Squadron, 355th Fighter Squadron): 15 November 1942 – 31 March 1946; 19 November 1956 – 25 September 1957; 20 August 1993 – 15 August 2007 * 356th Fighter Squadron (later 356th Fighter-Day Squadron): 15 November 1942 – 31 March 1946; 19 November 1956 – 25 September 1957; 10 October 2019 – present * 354th Operations Support Squadron: 20 August 1993 – present


Stations

* Hamilton Field, California, 15 November 1942 *
Tonopah Army Air Field Tonopah may refer to: * Tonopah, Arizona, a community * Tonopah, Nevada, a community and eponym of the Boston-Tonopah Mining Company and Tonopah Club ** Tonopah Airport Committee, a community group for acquiring a 1940s airstrip ** Tonopah Tim ...
, Nevada, 19 January 1943 *
Santa Rosa Army Air Field Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, or simply Santa, is a legendary figure originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring children gifts during the late evening and overnight ...
, California, 2 March 1943 *
Portland Army Air Base Portland most commonly refers to: * Portland, Oregon, the largest city in the state of Oregon, in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States * Portland, Maine, the largest city in the state of Maine, in the New England region of the northeas ...
, Oregon, 2 June – 5 October 1943 *
RAF Greenham Common Royal Air Force Greenham Common or RAF Greenham Common is a former Royal Air Force station in the civil parishes of Greenham and Thatcham in the English county of Berkshire. The airfield was southeast of Newbury, about west of London. Opened ...
(AAF-486),Station number in Anderson. England, 4 November 1943 *
RAF Boxted Royal Air Force Boxted or more simply RAF Boxted is a former Royal Air Force station located north-northeast of Colchester, Essex England. Opened in 1943, it was used by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). RAF Boxted has the distinction ...
(AAF-150), England, 13 November 1943 *
RAF Lashenden The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's Air force, air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the World War I, First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal ...
(AAF-410), England, 17 April 1944 * Cricqueville Airfield (A-2),Station number in Johndson. France, c. 22 June 1944 *
Gael Airfield Gael Airfield is an abandoned World War II military airfield, which is located near the commune of Gaël in the Brittany region of northern France. History The airfield was originally built by the French Air Force in the 1930s. It was used by ...
(A-31), France, 13 August 1944 *
Orconte Airfield Orconte Airfield is an abandoned World War II military airfield, which is located near the commune of Orconte in the Marne department of northern France. Located probably north of the commune, it was a United States Army Air Force temporary ...
, France (A-66), 17 September 1944 * Rosieres En Haye Airfield, France (A-98), c.1 December 1944 *
Ober Olm Airfield Mainz-Finthen Airport ''(German: Flugplatz Mainz-Finthen)'' is an airport in Germany, located about southwest of Mainz and approximately southwest of Berlin. The airport serves the general aviation community, with no commercial airline servic ...
(Y-64), Germany, 8 April 1945 * Ansbach Airfield (R-45), Germany, 30 April 1945 * AAF Station Herzogenaurach, Germany, 18 May 1945 – 15 February 1946 *
Bolling Field The origins of the surname Bolling: English: from a nickname for someone with close-cropped hair or a large head, Middle English bolling "pollard", or for a heavy drinker, from Middle English bolling "excessive drinking". German (Bölling): from ...
, Washington, DC, 15 February 1931 March 1946 * Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, South Carolina, 19 November 1956 – 25 September 1957 * Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, 20 August 1993 – present


Aircraft

* Bell P-39 Airacobra, 1943 * North American P-51B Mustang, 1943 * North American P-51C Mustang, 1944, 1945–1946 * North American P-51D Mustang, 1944, 1945–1946 *
Republic P-47D Thunderbolt The P-47 Thunderbolt was a World War II fighter aircraft built by Republic Aviation from 1941 to 1945. Early designs XP-47 (AP-10) In response to a USAAC requirement for a new fighter aircraft, Republic Aviation engineer Alexander Kartveli p ...
, 1944–1945 *
North American F-100D Super Sabre The North American F-100 Super Sabre is an American supersonic jet fighter aircraft that served with the United States Air Force (USAF) from 1954 to 1971 and with the Air National Guard (ANG) until 1979. The first of the Century Series of ...
, 1956–1957 * North American F-100F Super Sabre, 1956–1957 * Fairchild Republic A/OA-10 Thunderbolt II, 1993–2007 * Block 40 F-16C/D Fighting Falcon, 1993–2007 * Block 30 F-16C/D Fighting Falcon, 2007–present


References

; Notes ; Citations


Bibliography

* * Blake, Steve (2008). ''The Pioneer Mustang Group: The 354th Fighter Group in World War II''. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing. . * Brown, Arthur F. (ed.) (1946). ''History in the Sky: 354th Pioneer Mustang Fighter Group''. San Angelo, TX: Newsfoto Publishing. * Hess, William N. (2002). ''354th Fighter Group''. Oxford: Osprey Publishing. . * * Morris, Danny (1972). ''Aces and Wingmen: Men, Machines and Units of the United States Army Air Forces, Eight Fighter Command and 354th Fighter Group, Ninth Air Force, 1943-5''. London: Spearman. * * * * *


External links


354th Fighter Wing
(official site)
Heroes of the 354th Fighter Group (Video)


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