4758th Defense Systems Evaluation Squadron
Encyclopedia
The 4713th Defense Systems Evaluation Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force
unit. It was last assigned to the 26th Air Division, Aerospace Defense Command
at Holloman AFB, New Mexico. It was inactivated on 31 October 1970.
, Texas in 1939 as the 129th Observation Squadron, part of the ground observation network, Civil Air Patrol
. The squadron was equipped with a single Martin B-10
bomber used for making aerial observations along the Mexican border.
During World War II
, Biggs AAF became a hub of training activity for B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator
s under II Bomber Command
. The squadron's designation was changed to the 6th Tow Target Squadron, flying B-10s and other obsolete aircraft for aerial gunnery practice.
Its aircraft were painted in bright orange on their upper surfaces and were silver underneath. The target banner was launched by having the cable drum draw in a short amount of cable that was threaded out through the tail and attached to the forward end of a folded-up target banner carried inside the canister. Once the target banner was drawn out of the canister, it unfurled in the airstream and the cable drum extended it out to about 5000 feet behind the aircraft. The unit went though several designations at Biggs Field, eventually becoming the 406th Army Air Force Base Unit. In December, 1944 the unit moved to Deming AAF, New Mexico. In September of 1945 the unit returned to Biggs and was redesignated the 27th Tow Target Squadron. Late 1947 brought another name change; the 1st TTS, and was eventually inactivated in October 1949.
. Its mission was to furnish airborne target and tracking missions for the Army Anti-Aircraft Artillery School at Fort Bliss
. During the 1950s, the squadron operated World War II TB-26 Invaders being retired by TAC and B-45 Tornado
s retired by SAC after its B-47s became operational. The squadron was reassigned on 1 January 1958 to Tactical Air Command
, and placed under Twelfth Air Force. Its aircraft were replaced with the B-57E Canberra
. The B-57E (Martin Model 272E) was originally a target-towing version of the B-57B tactical bomber, and could operate at altitudes over 40,000 feet, providing much more realistic combat training than was possible with piston-engined target towing aircraft.
On 30 June 1960 the squadron was re-designated as the 1st Aerial Tracking Squadron. The 1st ATS was additionally equipped with former TAC F-100C Super Sabres, with a mission of providing supersonic target aircraft for Air Defense Command radars, exercising SAGE Direction Centers to vector F-102 and F-106 interceptors to the target aircraft. On 1 June 1962 the squadron was transferred to Air Defense Command, continuing its mission and being re-designated as the 4758th Defense Systems Evaluation Squadron. .
Biggs AFB was closed in April 1966 and the squadron was reassigned to Holloman AFB, New Mexico. At Holloman the squadron operated as a tenant organization being logistically supported by the 6580th Air Base Group, Air Force Systems Command
. The F-100s were sent to the Air National Guard
and the unit continued its training mission with the EB-57Es. It additionally provided training and assistance to Army anti-aircraft missile units at the White Sands Missile Range
. It was inactivated on 31 October 1970, due to budget reductions, its personnel and aircraft being reassigned to the 4677th Defense Systems Evaluation Squadron at Hill AFB, Utah.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
unit. It was last assigned to the 26th Air Division, Aerospace Defense Command
Aerospace Defense Command
Aerospace Defense Command is an inactive United States Air Force Major Command. Established in 1946 under the United States Army Air Forces, its mission was to organize and administer the integrated air defense system of the Continental United States , exercise direct control of all active...
at Holloman AFB, New Mexico. It was inactivated on 31 October 1970.
World War II
The 4758th Defense Systems Evaluation Squadron started life at Biggs Army AirfieldBiggs Army Airfield
Biggs Army Airfield or Biggs AAF is a military airport located at Fort Bliss near El Paso, El Paso County, Texas, in the United States. The airfield was previously Biggs Air Force Base, a Strategic Air Command installation, between 1947 and 1966. The U.S. Army began operations supporting Ft...
, Texas in 1939 as the 129th Observation Squadron, part of the ground observation network, Civil Air Patrol
Civil Air Patrol
Civil Air Patrol is a Congressionally chartered, federally supported, non-profit corporation that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force . CAP is a volunteer organization with an aviation-minded membership that includes people from all backgrounds, lifestyles, and...
. The squadron was equipped with a single Martin B-10
Martin B-10
The Martin B-10 was the first all-metal monoplane bomber to go into regular use by the United States Army Air Corps, entering service in June 1934...
bomber used for making aerial observations along the Mexican border.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Biggs AAF became a hub of training activity for B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator
B-24 Liberator
The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and a small number of early models were sold under the name LB-30, for Land Bomber...
s under II Bomber Command
II Bomber Command
The II Bomber Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to Second Air Force, based at Fort George Wright, Washington. It was inactivated on 6 October 1943....
. The squadron's designation was changed to the 6th Tow Target Squadron, flying B-10s and other obsolete aircraft for aerial gunnery practice.
Its aircraft were painted in bright orange on their upper surfaces and were silver underneath. The target banner was launched by having the cable drum draw in a short amount of cable that was threaded out through the tail and attached to the forward end of a folded-up target banner carried inside the canister. Once the target banner was drawn out of the canister, it unfurled in the airstream and the cable drum extended it out to about 5000 feet behind the aircraft. The unit went though several designations at Biggs Field, eventually becoming the 406th Army Air Force Base Unit. In December, 1944 the unit moved to Deming AAF, New Mexico. In September of 1945 the unit returned to Biggs and was redesignated the 27th Tow Target Squadron. Late 1947 brought another name change; the 1st TTS, and was eventually inactivated in October 1949.
Cold War
The 1 TTS was reactivated in July 1950 as a tenant unit under the 97th Bombardment Wing, Strategic Air CommandStrategic Air Command
The Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
. Its mission was to furnish airborne target and tracking missions for the Army Anti-Aircraft Artillery School at Fort Bliss
Fort Bliss
Fort Bliss is a United States Army post in the U.S. states of New Mexico and Texas. With an area of about , it is the Army's second-largest installation behind the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. It is FORSCOM's largest installation, and has the Army's largest Maneuver Area behind the...
. During the 1950s, the squadron operated World War II TB-26 Invaders being retired by TAC and B-45 Tornado
B-45 Tornado
The North American B-45 Tornado was the United States Air Force's first operational jet bomber, and the first jet aircraft to be refueled in the air. The B-45 was an important part of the United States's nuclear deterrent for several years in the early 1950s, but was rapidly succeeded by the Boeing...
s retired by SAC after its B-47s became operational. The squadron was reassigned on 1 January 1958 to Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...
, and placed under Twelfth Air Force. Its aircraft were replaced with the B-57E Canberra
B-57 Canberra
The Martin B-57 Canberra was a United States-built, twin jet engine light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, which entered service with the United States Air Force in 1953. The B-57 was initially a version of the English Electric Canberra built under license. However, the Glenn L...
. The B-57E (Martin Model 272E) was originally a target-towing version of the B-57B tactical bomber, and could operate at altitudes over 40,000 feet, providing much more realistic combat training than was possible with piston-engined target towing aircraft.
On 30 June 1960 the squadron was re-designated as the 1st Aerial Tracking Squadron. The 1st ATS was additionally equipped with former TAC F-100C Super Sabres, with a mission of providing supersonic target aircraft for Air Defense Command radars, exercising SAGE Direction Centers to vector F-102 and F-106 interceptors to the target aircraft. On 1 June 1962 the squadron was transferred to Air Defense Command, continuing its mission and being re-designated as the 4758th Defense Systems Evaluation Squadron. .
Biggs AFB was closed in April 1966 and the squadron was reassigned to Holloman AFB, New Mexico. At Holloman the squadron operated as a tenant organization being logistically supported by the 6580th Air Base Group, Air Force Systems Command
Air Force Systems Command
Air Force Systems Command is a former United States Air Force command. Its headquarters was located at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland...
. The F-100s were sent to the Air National Guard
Air National Guard
The Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
and the unit continued its training mission with the EB-57Es. It additionally provided training and assistance to Army anti-aircraft missile units at the White Sands Missile Range
White Sands Missile Range
White Sands Missile Range is a rocket range of almost in parts of five counties in southern New Mexico. The largest military installation in the United States, WSMR includes the and the WSMR Otera Mesa bombing range...
. It was inactivated on 31 October 1970, due to budget reductions, its personnel and aircraft being reassigned to the 4677th Defense Systems Evaluation Squadron at Hill AFB, Utah.
Lineage
- Activated as 129th Observation Squadron, 1939
- Re-designated 6th Tow Target Squadron, 1941
- Re-designated 406th Army Air Force Base Unit, undetermined
- Re-designated 27th Tow Target Squadron, September 1945
- Re-designated 1st Tow Target Squadron, 1947
- Inactivated October 1949
- Reactivated, May 1950
- Re-designated 1st Aerial Tracking Squadron, 1 June 1960
- Inactivated 31 May 1962
- Converted to provisional status and allocated to Air Defense Command to activate or inactivate any time after 1 June 1962
- Re-designated as 4758th Defense Systems Evaluation Squadron and activated 1 June 1962
- Inactivated 31 October 1970, assets reassigned to 4677th Defense Systems Evaluation Squadron.
Assignments
- Undetermined 1939-1941
- II Bomber CommandII Bomber CommandThe II Bomber Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to Second Air Force, based at Fort George Wright, Washington. It was inactivated on 6 October 1943....
, 1941- October 1949 - 97th Bombardment Wing, 1 July 1950
- Twelfth Air Force, 1 January 1958
- 4752d Air Base Wing, 1 July 1962
- Detachment of the 4752d Air Defense Wing, Oklahoma City AFS, Oklahoma
- 32d Air Division, 1 September 1962
- 29th Air Division, 25 June 1963
- Fourteenth Air ForceFourteenth Air ForceThe Fourteenth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Space Command . It is headquartered at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California....
, 1 April 1966 - Tenth Air ForceTenth Air ForceThe Tenth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Reserve Command . It is headquartered at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas....
, 1 July 1968 - 27th Air Division, 15 November 1969-31 October 1970
Stations
- Biggs AFB, Texas, 1939
- Deming AAF, New Mexico, December 1944
- Biggs AFB, Texas, September 1945-October 1949; July 1950
- Holloman AFB, New Mexico, 8 April 1966-31 October 1970
Aircraft
- B-10, A-20, L-13, C-45, C-47, 1939-1949
- B-26 InvaderA-26 InvaderThe Douglas A-26 Invader was a United States twin-engined light attack bomber built by the Douglas Aircraft Co. during World War II that also saw service during several of the Cold War's major conflicts...
, 1950-1958 - F-80 Shooting Star, 1950-1958
- B-45 TornadoB-45 TornadoThe North American B-45 Tornado was the United States Air Force's first operational jet bomber, and the first jet aircraft to be refueled in the air. The B-45 was an important part of the United States's nuclear deterrent for several years in the early 1950s, but was rapidly succeeded by the Boeing...
, 1950-1958 - TB-29 SuperfortressB-29 SuperfortressThe B-29 Superfortress is a four-engine propeller-driven heavy bomber designed by Boeing that was flown primarily by the United States Air Forces in late-World War II and through the Korean War. The B-29 was one of the largest aircraft to see service during World War II...
, 1950-1958 - EB-57E CanberraB-57 CanberraThe Martin B-57 Canberra was a United States-built, twin jet engine light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, which entered service with the United States Air Force in 1953. The B-57 was initially a version of the English Electric Canberra built under license. However, the Glenn L...
, 1958-1966 - F-100 Super SabreF-100 Super SabreThe North American F-100 Super Sabre was a supersonic jet fighter aircraft that served with the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1971 and with the Air National Guard until 1979. The first of the Century Series collection of USAF jet fighters, it was the first USAF fighter capable of...
, 1960-1970