515th Air Defense Group
Encyclopedia
The 515th Air Defense Group is a disbanded United States Air Force
organization. Its last assignment was with the 31st Air Division, being stationed at Duluth Municipal Airport, Minnesota
. It was inactivated on 18 August 1955.
Redesignated as an air defense group, reconstituted and activated at Duluth Municipal Airport in 1953 with responsibility for air defense of Great Lakes area. Assigned the 11th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
, which was already stationed at Duluth Airport, and flying F-51 "Mustangs" as its operational component. The 11th FIS had been assigned directly to the 31st Air Division. Converted to F-86 "Sabres" in the fall of 1953. Began Flying F-89 "Scorpions" in June 1955. Replaced 73rd Air Base Squadron as USAF host unit at Duluth Airport. Assigned three squadrons to perform its support responsibilities. Provided air defense of Great Lakes area. Inactivated and replaced by 343d Fighter Group (Air Defense) on 18 August 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 once again in 1984.
Provided air defense of Great Lakes area. Operated Air Force Portion of Duluth Municipal Airport. 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 31st Air Division, being stationed at Duluth Municipal Airport, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
. It was inactivated on 18 August 1955.
History
Activated in 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. Supported one combat group in Italy. Moved to Pacific Theater and provided same support on Okinawa until inactivated in 1945. Disbanded in 1948.Redesignated as an air defense group, reconstituted and activated at Duluth Municipal Airport in 1953 with responsibility for air defense of Great Lakes area. Assigned the 11th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
11th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
The 11th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 343d Fighter Group, stationed at Duluth Airport, Minnesota...
, which was already stationed at Duluth Airport, and flying F-51 "Mustangs" as its operational component. The 11th FIS had been assigned directly to the 31st Air Division. Converted to F-86 "Sabres" in the fall of 1953. Began Flying F-89 "Scorpions" in June 1955. Replaced 73rd Air Base Squadron as USAF host unit at Duluth Airport. Assigned three squadrons to perform its support responsibilities. Provided air defense of Great Lakes area. Inactivated and replaced by 343d Fighter Group (Air Defense) on 18 August 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 once again in 1984.
Lineage
- Activated as 515th Air Service Group on 28 December 1944
- Inactivated on 29 October 1945
- Disbanded on 8 October 1948
- Reconstituted and redesignated 515th Air Defense Group on 21 January 1953
- Activated on 16 February 1953
- Inactivated on 18 August 1955
- Disbanded on 27 September 1984
Assignments
- Air Force Service Command, Mediterranean Theater of Operations, 28 December 1944 - 1945
- Unknown, 1945 - 29 October 1945
- 31st Air Division, 16 February 1953 – 18 August 1955
Stations
- Pomigliano d'Arco AirfieldPomigliano AirfieldPomigliano Airfield was a military airfield and base in Pomigliano d'Arco, southern Italy. It was attacked on several occasions by the United States Army Air Force...
, Italy 28 December 1944 - 1945 - Okinawa, 1945 - 29 October 1945
- Duluth Municipal AirportDuluth Air National Guard BaseDuluth Air National Guard Base is a United States Air National Guard base located on the grounds of Duluth International Airport. It is home to the 148th Fighter Wing.-History:...
, Minnesota, 16 February 1953 – 18 August 1955
Components
- 11th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron11th Fighter-Interceptor SquadronThe 11th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 343d Fighter Group, stationed at Duluth Airport, Minnesota...
, 16 February 1953 – 18 August 1955 - 515th Air Base Squadron, 16 February 1953 - 18 August 1955
- 515th Materiel Squadron, 16 February 1953 - 18 August 1955
- 515th Medical Squadron (later 515th USAF Infirmary), 16 February 1953 - 18 August 1955
- 765th Air Materiel Squadron 28 December 1944 - 29 October 1945
- 941st Air Engineering Squadron 28 December 1944 - 29 October 1945
Operations
Supported one combat group in Italy. Moved to Pacific Theater and provided same support on Okinawa. 1945Provided air defense of Great Lakes area. Operated Air Force Portion of Duluth Municipal Airport. 1953-1955
Aircraft
- F-51D Mustang, 1953
- F-86D Sabre Interceptor, 1953-1955
- F-89D Scorpion, 1955