501st Air Defense Group
Encyclopedia
The 501st Air Defense Group is a disbanded United States Air Force
organization. Its last assignment was with the 4706th Air Defense Wing
, being stationed at O'Hare International Airport
, Illinois
. It was inactivated on 18 August 1955.
Redesignated as an air defense group, reconstituted and activated at O'Hare International Airport on 18 February 1953 with responsibility for air defense of the Great Lakes area. Assigned 62d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, which was already stationed at O'Hare, flying F-86 "Sabres" as its operational component. The 62d had been assigned directly to the 4706th Defense Wing. Added the 42d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, which was activated at O'Hare eight days later and also Flew F-86s. In March 1953, the 62d FIS converted to a newer model F-86. Replaced 83rd Air Base Squadron a USAF host organization at O'Hare IAP. Assigned three squadrons to perform its support responsibilities. Replaced by 56th Fighter Group, in 1955 as part of ADC'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. Disbanded again in 1984.
Provided air defense of Great Lakes area 1953-1955.
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...
organization. Its last assignment was with the 4706th Air Defense Wing
4706th Air Defense Wing
The 4706th Air Defense Wing is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the 30th Air Division, being stationed at Kincheloe Air Force Base, Michigan...
, being stationed at O'Hare International Airport
O'Hare International Airport
Chicago O'Hare International Airport , also known as O'Hare Airport, O'Hare Field, Chicago Airport, Chicago International Airport, or simply O'Hare, is a major airport located in the northwestern-most corner of Chicago, Illinois, United States, northwest of the Chicago Loop...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. It was inactivated on 18 August 1955.
History
Provided support for flying units in Germany and Austria 1945-1948 as part of a reorganization of Army Air Forces 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. Designed to support a single combat group. Its Air Engineering Squadron provided maintenance that was beyond the capability of the combat group, its Air Materiel Squadron handled all supply matters, and its Headquarters & Base Services Squadron provided other support. Replaced by elements of the 7150th AF Composite Wing in Wing/Base reorganization (Hobson Plan) in 1948. Disbanded later in 1948.Redesignated as an air defense group, reconstituted and activated at O'Hare International Airport on 18 February 1953 with responsibility for air defense of the Great Lakes area. Assigned 62d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, which was already stationed at O'Hare, flying F-86 "Sabres" as its operational component. The 62d had been assigned directly to the 4706th Defense Wing. Added the 42d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, which was activated at O'Hare eight days later and also Flew F-86s. In March 1953, the 62d FIS converted to a newer model F-86. Replaced 83rd Air Base Squadron a USAF host organization at O'Hare IAP. Assigned three squadrons to perform its support responsibilities. Replaced by 56th Fighter Group, in 1955 as part of ADC'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. Disbanded again in 1984.
Lineage
- Established as 501st Air Service Group on 16 December 1944
- Activated on 1 June 1945
- Inactivated on 1 July 1948
- Disbanded on 8 October 1948
- Reconstituted and redesignated 501st Air Defense Group on 21 January 1953
- Activated on 16 February 1953
- Inactivated on 18 August 1955
- Disbanded on 27 September 1984
Assignments
- Unknown (probably European Air Transport Service) 1 June 1945 - about June 1946
- Headquarters Command, United States Air Forces Europe about June 1946 - 1 July 1948
- 4706th Defense Wing (later 4706th Air Defense Wing), 16 February 1953 – 18 August 1955
Stations
- BensheimBensheimBensheim is a town in the Bergstraße district in southern Hesse, Germany. Bensheim lies on the Bergstraße and at the edge of the Odenwald mountains while at the same time having an open view over the Rhine plain...
, Germany 1945 - Tulln Air Base, Austria Aug 1945 - June 1946
- Wiesbaden Air Base, Germany June 1946 - 1 July 1948
- O'Hare International Airport, Illinois, 16 February 1953 – 18 August 1955
Components
- 42d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 24 February 1953 – 18 August 1955
- 62d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 16 February 1953 – 18 August 1955
- 501st Air Base Squadron 16 February 1953 - 18 August 1955
- 501st Materiel Squadron 16 February 1953 - 18 August 1955
- 501st Medical Squadron (later 501st USAF Infirmary) 16 February 1953 - 18 August 1955
- 743rd Air Materiel Squadron 1 June 1945 - 1 July 1948
- 919th Air Engineering Squadron 1 June 1945 - 1 July 1948
Operations
Provided support for flying units in Germany and Austria 1945-1948.Provided air defense of Great Lakes area 1953-1955.