| 43d Air Division | |
|---|---|
 43d Air Division emblem | |
| Active | 1 March 1952 – 1 October 1957 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Station | Itazuke Air Base, Japan |
| Equipment |
F-94 Starfire (1952–1953) F-86 Sabre (1953–1957) F-100 Super Sabre (1957) |
| Decorations | Korean Service |
| Commanders | |
| Commanders |
Col. Charles W. Stark (1 March 1952) Col. Edward N. Backus (c.1954) Col. Samuel J. Gormly Jr. (by 31 December 1954) Col. James M. Smelley (9 July 1956) Col. Ladson G. Eskridge Jr. (13 August 1956 – 1 October 1957) |
Originally designated as 43d Air Division (Defense) when organized on 1 March 1952, the division was redesignated 43d Air Division on 18 March 1955. The unit was discontinued and inactivated, on 1 October 1957. 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.
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.
See also[]
References[]
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency document "U.S. Air Force Fact Sheet: 43 Air Division". Retrieved on 2012-11-25.
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The original article can be found at 43d Air Division and the edit history here.