The 473rd Fighter Group was a unit of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. Activated in 1943, it primarily operated the P-51 Mustang aircraft and was involved in various missions, including air superiority and ground support. The group was stationed in the European Theater, contributing to the Allied efforts against Axis powers. After the war, the 473rd Fighter Group was inactivated in 1946. It was later reactivated as part of the Air National Guard and has undergone several redesignations. The group continues to serve in various capacities, maintaining its legacy in U.S. military aviation.