43d Air Division

The 43d Air Division assumed responsibility for the air defense of Southwestern Japan (Kyūshū, in March 1952. The 43d also included the western part of Honshū, and most of Shikoku), using radar, fighter aircraft, and ground weapons to prevent or disrupt enemy air attacks. It supported numerous exercises, some involving U.S. and British naval vessels, and training for the Japan Air Self Defense Force. The division also supervised electronic countermeasures (ECM), and weather reconnaissance missions. In the summer of 1957, when the Nagasaki area suffered severe flooding, the 43d assisted Japanese authorities and people by flying numerous airlift missions with helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.

History

Lineage and honors

The 43d was designated a defense division and organized on 1 March 1952. It was redesignated 43 Air Division on 18 March 1955. The unit was discontinued and inactivated, on 1 October 1957.

Service streamers

This unit earned the following organizational service streamers, the Korean Service.

Emblem

A shield argent on a bend azure three futuramic aircraft, in bend, or, between two lightning bolts in saltire gules and a magnetic field of the last with cardinal compass points and pylon of the last. (Approved 19 December 1956)

Assignments

• Japan Air Defense Force (later, Japan Air Self-Defense Force), 1 March 1952;
• Fifth Air Force, 1 September 1954 – 1 October 1957.

Components

Wings

• 8 Fighter Bomber: 1 March 1955 – 1 October 1957.

Squadrons

• 68 Fighter Interceptor: 1 March 1955 – 1 October 1957.

Stations

• Itazuke Air Base, Japan, 1 March 1952 – 1 October 1957.

Aircraft / missiles / space vehicles

• F-94 Starfire, 1952 – 1953;
• F-86 Sabre, 1953 – 1957;
• F-100 Super Sabre, 1957.

Commanders

• Colonel Charles W. Stark, 1 March 1952;
• Colonel Edward N. Backus, c. 1954;
• Colonel Samuel J. Gormly Jr., by 31 December 1954;
• Colonel James M. Smelley, 9 July 1956;
• Colonel Ladson G. Eskridge Jr., 13 August 1956 – 1 October 1957.

See also

• Fifth Air Force
• List of United States Air Force air divisions

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.

External links

• Air Force Historical Research Agency: 43d Air Division