482d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
Encyclopedia
The 482d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force
unit. Its last assignment was with Montgomery Air Defense Sector, stationed at Homestead Air Force Base, Florida
. It was inactivated on 30 June 1969.
P-38 Lightning
Replacement Training Unit (RTU). Trained P-38 pilots until phaseout of Lightning training in March 1944.
Reactivated in 1955 as an Air Defense Command interceptor squadron. Performed air defense mission over the Mid-Atlantic states with F-102 Delta Dagger
s. Deployed to Miami during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis
providing air defense over South Florida.
In July 1965 was moved to Homestead AFB, Florida, where it flew F-104A Starfighters. In addition, the squadron received the two-seat, dual-control, combat trainer F-104B. The performance of the F-104B was almost identical to that of the F-104A, but the lower internal fuel capacity reduced its effective range considerably. It was decided after the Cuban Missile Crisis to establish permanently assigned interceptors to Homestead to counter any air intrusion by Soviet/Cuban fighters. These ADC F-104As remained in service for several years until inactivated in June 1969 with the phaseout of the F-104.
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. Its last assignment was with Montgomery Air Defense Sector, stationed at Homestead Air Force Base, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. It was inactivated on 30 June 1969.
History
Activated in 1943 as a IV Fighter CommandIV Fighter Command
The IV Fighter Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to Fourth Air Force, based at Oakland Airport, California...
P-38 Lightning
P-38 Lightning
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a World War II American fighter aircraft built by Lockheed. Developed to a United States Army Air Corps requirement, the P-38 had distinctive twin booms and a single, central nacelle containing the cockpit and armament...
Replacement Training Unit (RTU). Trained P-38 pilots until phaseout of Lightning training in March 1944.
Reactivated in 1955 as an Air Defense Command interceptor squadron. Performed air defense mission over the Mid-Atlantic states with F-102 Delta Dagger
F-102 Delta Dagger
The Convair F-102 Delta Dagger was a US interceptor aircraft built as part of the backbone of the United States Air Force's air defenses in the late 1950s. Entering service in 1956, its main purpose was to intercept invading Soviet bomber fleets...
s. Deployed to Miami during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a confrontation among the Soviet Union, Cuba and the United States in October 1962, during the Cold War...
providing air defense over South Florida.
In July 1965 was moved to Homestead AFB, Florida, where it flew F-104A Starfighters. In addition, the squadron received the two-seat, dual-control, combat trainer F-104B. The performance of the F-104B was almost identical to that of the F-104A, but the lower internal fuel capacity reduced its effective range considerably. It was decided after the Cuban Missile Crisis to establish permanently assigned interceptors to Homestead to counter any air intrusion by Soviet/Cuban fighters. These ADC F-104As remained in service for several years until inactivated in June 1969 with the phaseout of the F-104.
Lineage
- Constituted 482d Fighter Squadron on 12 October 1943
- Activated or 1 November 1943
- Disbanded on 31 March 1944
- Reconstituted, and redesignated 482d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, on November 1955
- Activated on 8 April 1956
- Inactivated on 30 June 1969
Assignments
- 473rd Fighter Group, 1 November 1943-31 March 1944
- 85th Air Division, 8 April 1956
- 35th Air Division, 1 September 1958
- 32nd Air Division, 15 November 1959
- Washington Air Defense SectorWashington Air Defense SectorThe Washington Air Defense Sector is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the Air Defense Command 26th Air Division, being stationed at Fort Lee Air Force Station, Virginia...
, 1 July 1961 - Montgomery Air Defense Sector, 1 July 1965-30 June 1969
Stations
- Grand Central Air Terminal, CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, 1 November 1943 - Moses Lake AAF, Washington, 31 March 1944
- Seymour Johnson AFB, North CarolinaNorth CarolinaNorth Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, 8 April 1956
- Detachment operated from Miami International AirportMiami International AirportMiami International Airport , also known as MIA and historically Wilcox Field, is the primary airport serving the South Florida area...
, FloridaFloridaFlorida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, 1 July-31 December 1961 - Detachment operated from Homestead AFB, FloridaFloridaFlorida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, 1 January 1962, 30 June 1965- Homestead AFB, FloridaFloridaFlorida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, 1 July 1965-30 June 1969
- Homestead AFB, Florida
Aircraft
- P-38 LightningP-38 LightningThe Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a World War II American fighter aircraft built by Lockheed. Developed to a United States Army Air Corps requirement, the P-38 had distinctive twin booms and a single, central nacelle containing the cockpit and armament...
, 1944 - P-39 Aircobra, 1944
- F-102 Delta DaggerF-102 Delta DaggerThe Convair F-102 Delta Dagger was a US interceptor aircraft built as part of the backbone of the United States Air Force's air defenses in the late 1950s. Entering service in 1956, its main purpose was to intercept invading Soviet bomber fleets...
, 1957–1965 - F-104A/B Starfighter, 1965–1969