514th Air Defense Group

514th Air Defense Group
Active 1944-1946, 1953–1955
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
Type Fighter Interceptor
Role Air Defense
Part of Air Defense Command

The 514th Air Defense Group is a disbanded United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the 31st Air Division, being stationed at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, Minnesota. It was inactivated on 18 August 1955

Contents

History

Activated in late 1944[1] as part of a reorganization of Army Air Forces (AAF) support groups in which the AAF replaced Service Groups that included personnel from other branches of the Army and supported two combat groups with Air Service Groups including only Air Corps units. Drew its personnel and equipment from the disbanded 306th Service Group[2] Designed to support a single combat group.[3] Its 940th Air Engineering Squadron provided maintenance that was beyond the capability of the combat group, its 764th Air Materiel Squadron handled all supply matters, and its Headquarters & Base Services Squadron provided other support.[4] Supported 319th Bombardment Group in Italy, then returned to the United States for transfer to the Pacific Theater.[5] The group sailed from Naples, Italy to Boston, MA and Staged through Fort Lawton, WA and the Caroline Islands before arriving on Okinawa.[6] Performed same mission on Okinawa. Awarded credit for participation in the Ryukus Campaign.[7] Disbanded in 1948.[8]

Redesignated as an air defense group, reconstituted and activated at Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport in 1953 [9] with responsibility for air defense for Upper Midwestern United States. Assigned the 18th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (FIS), which was already stationed at Minneapolis-St Paul Airport, and flying outmoded F-51 "Mustangs"[10] as its operational component.[11] The 18th FIS had been assigned directly to the 31st Air Division. The 18th FIS upgraded to F-86 "Sabres" in July[12] then to a later model F-86 in December. [13] It finally replaced its F-86s with F-89 "Scorpions" in January 1954.[14] In September 1954, the 18th FIS moved to Alaska and was reassigned.[15] A second operational squadron, the 337th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, was activated and assigned to the group in 1954.[16] The 337th FIS flew F-89s while assigned to the group.[17] Replaced the 72nd Air Base Squadron as host active duty USAF unit at Minneapolis-St Paul Airport. Assigned three squadrons to perform its support responsibilities.[18] Inactivated with personnel and equipment being transferred to 475th Fighter Group (Defense) in 1955[19]as part of Air Defense Command's Project Arrow which was designed to bring back on the active list the fighter units which had compiled memorable records in the two world wars.[20] Disbanded once again in 1984.[21]

Lineage

Activated on 27 Dec 1944
Inactivated on 4 Jan 1946
Disbanded on 8 Oct 1948
Activated on 18 Feb 1953
Inactivated on 18 Aug 1955
Disbanded on 27 Sep 1984

Assignments

Components

Stations

Aircraft

References

  1. ^ Abstract, History of 514th Air Service Group, Dec 1944-Jun 1945 [1] (accessed 4 Jan 2012)
  2. ^ Ibid.
  3. ^ Coleman, The Development of Tactical Services in the Army Air Forces, 1950, p.208
  4. ^ Ibid.
  5. ^ Abstract, History of 514th Air Service Group, Dec 1944-Jun 1945
  6. ^ Ibid.
  7. ^ AF Pamphlet 900-2, p. 415
  8. ^ Department of the Air Force Letter, 322 (AFOOR 887e), 8 October 1948, Subject: Disbandment of Certain Inactive Air Force Units
  9. ^ Cornett & Johnson, A Handbook of Aerospace Defense Organization 1946-1980, p.82
  10. ^ Ibid. p.114
  11. ^ Maurer (ed.), Combat Squadrons of the Air Force in World War II, p.99
  12. ^ Cornett & Johnson, p. 114
  13. ^ Ibid.
  14. ^ Ibid.
  15. ^ Maurer (ed.), p.99
  16. ^ Ibid. p.417
  17. ^ Cornett & Johnson, p. 127
  18. ^ Ibid. p.147
  19. ^ Maurer (ed.), Air Force Combat Units of World War II p.349
  20. ^ Buss, Lydus (ed.), Sturm, Volan, & McMullen, History of Continental Air Defense Command and Air Defense Command July to December 1955, p.6
  21. ^ Department of the Air Force/MPM Letter 575q, 27 Sep 1984, Subject: Disbandment of Units
  22. ^ Abstract, History of 764th Air Materiel Squadron, Dec 1944-Jun 1945 [2] (accessed 4 Jan 2012)
  23. ^ Abstract, History of 514th Air Service Group Dec 1944-Jun 1945

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

External links

United States Air Force portal
Military of the United States portal