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4707th Air Defense Wing

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4707th Air Defense Wing Airdefensecommand-logo
437th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron F-89D 53-2629
Active 1952-1956
Country  United States
Branch  United States Air Force
Type Fighter Interceptor and Radar
Role Air Defense
Part of Air Defense Command

The 4707th Air Defense Wing is a discontinued United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the 26th Air Division of Air Defense Command (ADC) at Otis Air Force Base (AFB), Massachusetts where it was discontinued in 1956. The wing was established in 1952 at Otis as the 4707th Defense Wing in a general reorganization of Air Defense Command (ADC), which replaced wings responsible for a base with wings responsible for a geographical area. It assumed control of several fighter Interceptor squadrons that had been assigned to the 33d Fighter-Interceptor Wing. In early 1953 it also was assigned six radar squadrons in New England, some of which were Air National Guard squadrons mobilized for the Korean War and its dispersed fighter squadrons were combined with colocated air base squadrons into air defense groups. The wing was discontinued in 1956 and its units transferred to other ADC commands, primarily the 33d Fighter Wing for units at Otis and the 26th Air Division for units at other locations.

History[]

Origin[]

F-94Bs of the wing's 59th FIS

F-94Bs of the wing's 59th FIS

The wing was organized at the beginning of February 1952[1] as part of a major reorganization of ADC fighter units responding to ADC's difficulty under the existing wing base organizational structure in deploying fighter squadrons to best advantage.[2] The wing replaced the 33d Fighter-Interceptor Wing (FIW) at Otis AFB five days later and assumed control of the 33 FIW's operational elements.[1][3] The wing's 564th Air Base Group assumed support responsibilities for Otis AFB from the inactivating 33rd Air Base Group and 33rd Maintenance & Supply Gp.[4] The operational squadrons transferred from the 33rd FIW were the 58th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (FIS) and 59th FIS at Otis AFB and the 60th FIS at Westover AFB, Massachusetts.[5][6] The 58th and 60th FIS flew F-86 Sabre aircraft,[7] while the 59th FIS was equipped with F-94 Starfire aircraft.[7] The wing also was assigned a federalized Air National Guard (ANG) squadron from the 101st FIW, the 133d FIS at Grenier AFB, New Hampshire flying World War II era F-47 Thunderbolt aircraft.[8] The wing mission was to train and maintain tactical flying units in state of readiness in order to defend the northeastern United States.

Shortly after joining the wing, the 58th FIS converted from F-86 to F-94 aircraft.[7] Although it remained assigned to the wing until February 1953, the 59th FIS moved to Goose Bay Airport, Labrador on 28 October 1952 and was detached from the wing to Northeast Air Command (NEAC) until it was reassigned. In November its place at Otis AFB was taken by the newly activating 437th FIS. The same month the 48th FIS activated at Grenier AFB, New Hampshire[9] to replace the 133rd FIS, which was inactivated and returned to the control of the ANG.[8]

1953-1954 changes[]

F-47D of the wing's 47th FIS

F-47D of the wing's 47th FIS

The wing was reassigned to 32d Air Division as part of complete reorganization of Eastern Air Defense Force in February 1953. This reorganization also resulted in the activation of Air Defense Groups (Air Def Gp) at ADC fighter bases, and the new groups assumed direct command of the fighter squadrons at these stations. The 564th Air Base Group redesignated as the 564th Air Def Gp[4] and the 58th FIS was reassigned to it at Otis AFB,[6] The 518th Air Defense Group activated at Niagara Falls Municipal Airport, New York[10] and was assigned the 47th FIS, which had been assigned to another wing.[11] Another result of this reorganization is that the wing was assigned the radar detection, warning, and control mission and assigned six Aircraft Control & Warning Squadrons (AC&W Sq) to perform this mission.[12][13][14][15] Two of these squadrons, the 113th AC&W Sq and the 119th AC&W Sq, were federalized ANG squadrons, which were returned to state control in December,[12] while their personnel and equipment were transferred to the 700th AC&W Sq.[16] In the spring of 1953, five new AC&W Sqs were activated at Grenier AFB for transfer to stations in Canada.[17] These squadrons were all reassigned to NEAC shortly after their activation.[17] The 614th AC&W Sq moved to Georgia and was reassigned later in December.[13] The wing was assigned an additional Air Defense Group in September 1954 when the 4700th Air Base Group at Stewart AFB, New York was assigned an operational fighter squadron and redesignated the 4700th Air Defense Group.[18] The 4707th was also assigned an additional radar unit two months later.[19]

Project Arrow and replacement[]

F-86Ds of the wing's 324th FIS

F-86Ds of the wing's 324th FIS

In 1955, ADC implemented 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] As a result of Project Arrow, the 15th Fighter Group (Air Defense)[21] replaced the 518th Air Def Gp at Niagara Falls,[10] the 33d Fighter Group (Air Defense)[22] replaced the 564th Air Def Gp at Otis AFB[4] and the 4700th Air Def Gp at Stewart AFB[18] was replaced by the 329th Fighter Group (Air Defense),[23] although the 329th Ftr Gp(AD) was assigned to another wing until mid-1956 due to shifting areas of air defense responsibility. Because Project Arrow called for fighter squadrons to be assigned to their traditional group headquarters, the 60th FIS at Westover AFB returned to Otis AFB and was replaced at Westover by the 337th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, which took over its personnel and aircraft.[24][25] Later in 1955, the wing assumed command of two other fighter squadrons, the 49th FIS at Laurence G. Hanscom Airport, Massachusetts,[7][26] and the 324th FIS, which activated at Westover AFB, both flying F-86D aircraft[7][27]

The wing was again reassigned to 26th Air Division in March 1956[1] when the 26th Air Division region of responsibility was extended, resulting in reassignment of radar and interceptor aircraft units as well.[14][28][29][30] Shortly thereafter, ADC reactivated Fighter Wings at its large installations and the wing was discontinued later that year[1] with its equipment and personnel being reassigned to the unit it had originally replaced, now designated the 33d Fighter Wing (Air Defense).[3]

Lineage[]

  • Designated as the 4707th Defense Wing and organized on 1 February 1952
Redesignated 4707th Air Defense Wing on 1 September 1954
Discontinued on 18 October 1956

Assignments[]

Components[]

If no station is given, units were at Otis AFB

Groups[]

Fighter groups

  • 15th Fighter Group (Air Defense)[31]
Niagara Falls Airport, New York, 18 August 1955 – 1 March 1956
Suffolk County AFB, New York, 1 March 1956 - 8 July 1956[30]
  • 329th Fighter Group (Air Defense)[34]
Stewart AFB, New York, 8 July 1956 – 18 October 1956

Air defense groups

  • 518th Air Defense Group
Niagara Falls Airport, New York, 16 February 1953 – 18 August 1955
  • 564th Air Base Group (later 564th Air Defense Group), 1 February 1952 – 18 August 1955
  • 4700th Air Defense Group, 20 September 1954 – 18 August 1955
Stewart AFB, New York, 20 September 1954 – 18 August 1955

Squadrons[]

Fighter squadrons[]
  • 47th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron[35]
Niagara Falls Municipal Airport, New York, 1 December 1952 – 16 February 1953
  • 48th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron[36]
Grenier AFB, New Hampshire, 1 November 1952 – 14 January 1953
  • 49th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron[37]
Laurence G. Hanscom Airport, Massachusetts, 15 November 1955 – 16 June 1956
  • 58th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 6 February 1952 - 16 February 1953[38]
  • 59th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 6 February 1952 - 1 February 1953[39]
  • 60th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron[40]
Westover AFB, Massachusetts, 6 February 1952 – 18 August 1955
  • 133rd Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
Grenier AFB, New Hampshire, 6 February 1952 – 1 November 1952
  • 324th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
Westover AFB, Massachusetts, 18 October 1955 – 18 October 1956
  • 337th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron[41]
Westover AFB, Massachusetts, 18 August 1955 – 18 October 1955
  • 437th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 27 November 1952 – 16 February 1953

Support squadrons[]
  • 76th Air Base Squadron
Niagara Falls Municipal Airort, New York, 1 February 1952 – 18 February 1953
  • 4681st Air Base Squadron
Grenier AFB, New Hampshire, 1 February 1952 – 16 February 1953
Radar squadrons[]

  • 113th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron
Grenier AFB, New Hampshire, 16 February 1953 - 1 December 1953[12]
  • 119th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron, 16 February 1953 - 1 December 1953[12]
  • 614th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron
Grenier AFB, New Hampshire, 16 February 1953 - 24 December 1953[13]
  • 644th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron
Syracuse AFS, New York, 1 October 1954 - July 1955, Portsmouth (later Rye AFS), New Hampshire - 18 October 1956[19]
  • 648th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron
Benton AFS, Pennsylvania, 8 July 1956 - 18 October 1956[28]
  • 654th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron
Brunswick Naval Air Station, Maine, 16 February 1953 - 1 March 1956[14]
  • 656th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron
Schuylerville (later Saratoga Springs AFS), New York, 16 February 1953 - 18 October 1956[14]
  • 700th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron
Grenier AFB, New Hampshire, 1 December 1953 - 1 May 1954[16]
  • 762d Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron
North Truro AFS, Massachusetts, 16 February 1953 - 18 October 1956[15]
  • 763d Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron
Shawnee (later Lockport AFS), New York, 16 February 1953 - 1 July 1956[15]
  • 773d Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron
Montauk AFS, New York, 1 March 1956 - 18 October 1956[29]
  • 921st Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron
Grenier AFB, 26 May 1953 - 1 October 1953[17]
  • 922d Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron
Grenier AFB, 26 May 1953 - 1 October 1953[17]
  • 923d Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron
Grenier AFB, 13 June 1953 - 1 November 1953[17]
  • 924th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron
Grenier AFB, 13 June 1953 - 1 December 1953[17]
  • 926th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron
Grenier AFB, 13 June 1953 - 1 December 1953[17]

Stations[]

  • Otis AFB, Massachusetts, 6 February 1952 – 18 October 1956

Aircraft[]

  • F-47D, 1952-1953
  • F-80C, 1952-1953
  • F-86A, 1952
  • F-86D, 1953-1956
  • F-86E, 1952-1953
  • F-89D, 1955-1956
  • F-89H, 1956
  • F-94B, 1952-1953
  • F-94C, 1953-1955

See also[]

References[]

Notes[]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Cornett, Lloyd H; Johnson, Mildred W (1980). A Handbook of Aerospace Defense Organization, 1946-1980. Peterson AFB, CO: Office of History, Aerospace Defense Center. p. 66. http://www.usafpatches.com/pubs/handbookofadcorg.pdf. 
  2. ↑ Grant, C.L., (1961) The Development of Continental Air Defense to 1 September 1954, USAF Historical Study No. 126 , p. 33
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947-1977. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. p. 59. ISBN 0-912799-12-9. http://www.airforcehistory.hq.af.mil/Publications/fulltext/combat_wings.pdf. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Cornett & Johnson. p. 84
  5. ↑ Maurer, Maurer, ed (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. pp. 233, 235. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. http://www.airforcehistory.hq.af.mil/Publications/fulltext/combat_sq_of_the_af_wwii.pdf. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 231
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Cornett & Johnson, pp. 116-117
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Cornett & Johsnon, p. 123
  9. ↑ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 209-210
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Cornett & Johnson, p. 82
  11. ↑ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 206
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Cornett & Johnson, p. 94
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Cornett & Johnson, p. 154
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Cornett & Johnson, p. 157
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Cornett & Johnson, p. 165
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Cornett & Johnson, p. 100
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 17.6 Cornett & Johnson, pp. 104-105
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Cornett & Johnson, p. 88
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Cornett & Johnson, p. 155
  20. ↑ Buss, Lydus H.(ed), Sturm, Thomas A., Volan, Denys, and McMullen, Richard F., History of Continental Air Defense Command and Air Defense Command July to December 1955, Directorate of Historical Services, Air Defense Command, Ent AFB, CO, (1956), p.6
  21. ↑ Factsheet, 15th Wing. Retrieved 20 February 2012
  22. ↑ Factsheet, 33rd Operations Group. Retrieved 20 February 2012
  23. ↑ Factsheet, 329th Armament Systems Group. Retrieved 20 February 2012
  24. ↑ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 417
  25. ↑ Cornett & Johnson, p. 127
  26. ↑ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 213
  27. ↑ Cornett & Johnson, p. 125
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Cornett & Johnson, p. 156
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 Cornett & Johnson, p. 167
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 Factsheet, 52nd Operations Group. Retrieved 3 March 2012
  31. ↑ AFHRA Factsheet, 15th Wing. Retrieved 3 March 2012
  32. ↑ AFHRA Factsheet, 33rd Operations Group. Retrieved 7 March 2012
  33. ↑ AFHRA Factsheet, 52nd Operations Group. Retrieved 3 March 2012
  34. ↑ AFHRA Factsheet, 329th Armament Systens Group. Retrieved 12 March 2012
  35. ↑ AFHRA Factsheet, 47th Fighter Squadron. Retrieved 3 March 2012
  36. ↑ AFHRA Factsheet, 48th Flying Training Squadron. Retrieved 12 March 2012
  37. ↑ AFHRA Factsheet, 49th Flying Training Squadron. Retrieved 12 March 2012
  38. ↑ AFHRA Factsheet, 58th Fighter Squadron. Retrieved 12 March 2012
  39. ↑ AFHRA Factsheet, 59th Test & Evaluation Squadron. Retrieved 12 March 2012
  40. ↑ AFHRA Factsheet, 60th Fighter Squadron. Retrieved 12 March 2012
  41. ↑ AFHRA Factsheet, 337th Flight Test Squadron. Retrieved 12 March 2012

Bibliography[]

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.

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