528th Air Defense Group
Encyclopedia
The 528th Air Defense Group is a disbanded United States Air Force
organization. Its last assignment was with the 4711th Air Defense Wing, being stationed at Presque Isle Air Force Base
, Maine
. It was inactivated on 18 August 1955.
Redesignated as an air defense group, reconstituted and activated at Presque Isle AFB in 1953 with responsibility for air defense of of Northeastern US. Assigned the 74th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, which was already stationed at Presque Isle AFB, and flying F-94 "Starfires" as its operational component. The 74th FIS had been assigned directly to the 4711th Defense Wing. The following month, the 57th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
, flying F-89 "Scorpions" was activated at Presque Isle as the group's second operational squadron. In June 1953, the 74th FIS converted to "Scorpions" as well. The 74th FIS moved to Greenland and was reassigned away from the group in August 1954. A few days earlier, in a swap of units, the 318th Fighter Interceptor Squadron
had moved from Greenland and was reassigned to the group to replace the 74th FIS. Upon arrival at Presque Isle, the 318th FIS converted to newer "Scorpions." A second swap of units began when the 82d Fighter Interceptor Squadron arrived from Iceland the same day the 74th FIS left, and also converted to "Scorpions". The 57th FIS then moved to Iceland and was reassigned away from the group in November of the same year. Replaced 85th Air Base Squadron as USAF host organization at Presque Isle AFB. Assigned three squadrons to perform its support responsibilities. Replaced by the 23d Fighter Group
(Air Defense), 18 August 1955 as result 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.
Was USAF host organization at Presque Isle AFB and provided air defense fo the Northeastern US. 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 4711th Air Defense Wing, being stationed at Presque Isle Air Force Base
Presque Isle Air Force Base
Presque Isle Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force base, located in the city of Presque Isle, Maine.-History:Presque Isle Air Force Base was originally built in 1930 by the Civilian Conservation Corps as Presque Isle Airport, a commercial airport located west of the "business center."...
, Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
. It was inactivated on 18 August 1955.
History
Activated about VE Day 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. Provided support for 97th Bombardment Group in Italy in 1945. It was disbanded in 1948.Redesignated as an air defense group, reconstituted and activated at Presque Isle AFB in 1953 with responsibility for air defense of of Northeastern US. Assigned the 74th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, which was already stationed at Presque Isle AFB, and flying F-94 "Starfires" as its operational component. The 74th FIS had been assigned directly to the 4711th Defense Wing. The following month, the 57th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
57th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
The 57th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, also known as "The Black Knights of Keflavik", is an inactive United States Air Force unit. The 57 FIS was last stationed at Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland. It was inactivated on 1 March, 1995.-World War II:...
, flying F-89 "Scorpions" was activated at Presque Isle as the group's second operational squadron. In June 1953, the 74th FIS converted to "Scorpions" as well. The 74th FIS moved to Greenland and was reassigned away from the group in August 1954. A few days earlier, in a swap of units, the 318th Fighter Interceptor Squadron
318th Fighter Interceptor Squadron
The 318th Fighter Interceptor Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 25th Air Division based at McChord AFB, Washington. The squadron was inactivated on December 7, 1989.-World War II:...
had moved from Greenland and was reassigned to the group to replace the 74th FIS. Upon arrival at Presque Isle, the 318th FIS converted to newer "Scorpions." A second swap of units began when the 82d Fighter Interceptor Squadron arrived from Iceland the same day the 74th FIS left, and also converted to "Scorpions". The 57th FIS then moved to Iceland and was reassigned away from the group in November of the same year. Replaced 85th Air Base Squadron as USAF host organization at Presque Isle AFB. Assigned three squadrons to perform its support responsibilities. Replaced by the 23d Fighter Group
23d Fighter Group
The 23d Fighter Group is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 23d Wing and stationed at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia....
(Air Defense), 18 August 1955 as result 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 528th Air Service Group on 18 May 1945
- Inactivated on or about 18 October 1945
- Disbanded on 8 October 1948
- Reconstituted and redesignated as: 528th Air Defense Group on 21 January 1953
- Activated on 16 February 1953
- Inactivated on 18 August 1955
- Disbanded on 27 September 1984
Assignments
- Unknown, 18 May 1945 - 1945
- 4711th Defense Wing (later 4711th Air Defense Wing), 15 February 1953 – 18 August 1955
Stations
- AmendolaAmendolaAmendola may refer to:*Buddy Amendola — college football coach*Danny Amendola — professional football player*Ferruccio Amendola — Italian actor*Giorgio Amendola — son of the Italian politician, Communist writer...
, Italy, 18 May 1945 - 1945 - Presque Isle AFB, Maine, 15 February 1953 – 18 August 1955
Components
- 57th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 27 March 1953 – 12 Nov 1954
- 74th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 16 February 1953 – 21 August 1954
- 82d Fighter Interceptor Squadron, 21 August 1954 – 18 August 1955
- 318th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, 8 August 1954 – 18 August 1955
- 528th Air Base Squadron, 16 February 1953 - 18 August 1955
- 528th Materiel Squadron, 16 February 1953 - 18 August 1955
- 528th Medical Squadron (later 528th USAF Infirmary), 16 February 1953 - 18 August 1955
- 778th Air Materiel Squadron, 18 May 1945 - 1945
- 954th Air Engineering Squadron, 18 May 1945 - 1945
Operations
Provided support for one combat group in Italy. 1945Was USAF host organization at Presque Isle AFB and provided air defense fo the Northeastern US. 1953-1955