314th Air Division
Encyclopedia
The 314th Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Pacific Air Forces, based at Osan AB, South Korea. It was inactivated in September 1986.
The unit's origins begin with its predecessor, the World War II 314th Bombardment Wing (314th BW) was part of Twentieth Air Force
. The 314th BW engaged in very heavy bombardment B-29 Superfortress
operations against Japan.
under Second Air Force
After a period of organization, it was deployed to the Pacific Theater and assigned to Guam in December 1944/January 1945. It was assigned to Twentieth Air Force
, XXI Bombardment Command, with its operational groups being the 19th, 29th 39th and 330th Bombardment Group
s, all equipped with the B-29 Superfortress
bomber.
From then until the end of the war in August 1945, its subordinate units conducted raids against strategic objectives, bombing aircraft factories, chemical plants, oil refineries, and other targets in Japan. These units also participated in several incendiary raids on Tokyo and other Japanese cities. Later in 1945, they mixed their missions between precision attacks against specific targets and fire raids
against urban areas. Immediately after the end of the war, wing aircraft carried supplies to American prisoners of war.
With the postwar consolidation of units, the organization was redesignated 314th Composite Wing in 1946, having both groups and squadrons of varying missions assigned to the wing. For approximately two years (1946–1948) the 314th served as one of Fifth Air Force
's major components. It maintained intensive training schedules, participated in training exercises and took part in the post-hostilities program of mapping Japan.
Activated at Nagoya AB, Japan, on 1 December 1950 as the 314th Air Division, the organization immediately assumed the missions of the air defense of Japan, logistical support for Fifth Air Force during the Korean War
, and airfield construction in Japan. The division maintained assigned and attached forces at a high degree of combat readiness during the Cold War
, March 1955 – September 1986. In fulfilling its mission, the division supported numerous military exercises in the region, such as Commando Bearcat, Commando Jade, and Commando Night.
, 1947, 1949; RB-17, 1947–1948; RB-29, 1947–1948, 1951–1952; RF-51, 1947–1948; RF-61, 1947–1948; RF-80, 1947–1950; B-26
, 1948–1950; F-51, 1950–1951, 1951–1952; C-46, 1950–1951; C-47, 1951; F-86, 1951; WB-29, 1951–1952. F-86, 1955–1958; Matador
, 1959–1962; F-4, O-2, 1971–1974, 1974–1986; OV-10, 1974–1982; F-16, 1981–1986; A-10, 1982–1986.
The unit's origins begin with its predecessor, the World War II 314th Bombardment Wing (314th BW) was part of Twentieth Air Force
Twentieth Air Force
The Twentieth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Global Strike Command . It is headquartered at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming.20 AF's primary mission is Intercontinental Ballistic Missile operations...
. The 314th BW engaged in very heavy bombardment B-29 Superfortress
B-29 Superfortress
The 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...
operations against Japan.
History
Th 314th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) was constituted on 15 April 1944 and activated on 23 April at Peterson Field, ColoradoColorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
under Second Air Force
Second Air Force
The Second Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Air Education and Training Command . It is headquartered at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi....
After a period of organization, it was deployed to the Pacific Theater and assigned to Guam in December 1944/January 1945. It was assigned to Twentieth Air Force
Twentieth Air Force
The Twentieth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Global Strike Command . It is headquartered at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming.20 AF's primary mission is Intercontinental Ballistic Missile operations...
, XXI Bombardment Command, with its operational groups being the 19th, 29th 39th and 330th Bombardment Group
330th Bombardment Group
The 330th Bombardment Group was a bomber group of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. It constituted on 1 July 1942 at Salt Lake City Army Air Base, Utah. The unit fought in the Pacific Theater...
s, all equipped with the B-29 Superfortress
B-29 Superfortress
The 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...
bomber.
From then until the end of the war in August 1945, its subordinate units conducted raids against strategic objectives, bombing aircraft factories, chemical plants, oil refineries, and other targets in Japan. These units also participated in several incendiary raids on Tokyo and other Japanese cities. Later in 1945, they mixed their missions between precision attacks against specific targets and fire raids
Napalm
Napalm is a thickening/gelling agent generally mixed with gasoline or a similar fuel for use in an incendiary device, primarily as an anti-personnel weapon...
against urban areas. Immediately after the end of the war, wing aircraft carried supplies to American prisoners of war.
With the postwar consolidation of units, the organization was redesignated 314th Composite Wing in 1946, having both groups and squadrons of varying missions assigned to the wing. For approximately two years (1946–1948) the 314th served as one of Fifth Air Force
Fifth Air Force
The Fifth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Yokota Air Base, Japan....
's major components. It maintained intensive training schedules, participated in training exercises and took part in the post-hostilities program of mapping Japan.
Activated at Nagoya AB, Japan, on 1 December 1950 as the 314th Air Division, the organization immediately assumed the missions of the air defense of Japan, logistical support for Fifth Air Force during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, and airfield construction in Japan. The division maintained assigned and attached forces at a high degree of combat readiness during the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
, March 1955 – September 1986. In fulfilling its mission, the division supported numerous military exercises in the region, such as Commando Bearcat, Commando Jade, and Commando Night.
Lineage
- Established as 314th Bombardment Wing, Very Heavy on 15 April 1944.
- Activated on 23 April 1944.
- Redesignated 314th Composite Wing on 15 April 1946.
- Inactivated on 20 August 1948.
- Redesignated 314th Air Division on 21 November 1950.
- Activated on 1 December 1950.
- Inactivated on 1 March 1952.
- Activated on 15 March 1955.
- Consolidated (1 July 1978) with organization established as 314th Air Division on 13 August 1948.
- Organized on 18 August 1948, and discontinued on 1 March 1950.
- Inactivated on 8 September 1986
Assignments
- Second Air ForceSecond Air ForceThe Second Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Air Education and Training Command . It is headquartered at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi....
, 23 April – 8 June 1944 - XXI Bomber CommandXXI Bomber CommandThe XXI Bomber Command was a unit of the Twentieth Air Force in Guam for strategic bombing during World War II.- Lineage:* Constituted as XXI Bomber Command on 1 Mar 1944, and activated the same day.-Assignments:...
, 8 June 1944 – 16 July 1945 - Twentieth Air ForceTwentieth Air ForceThe Twentieth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Global Strike Command . It is headquartered at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming.20 AF's primary mission is Intercontinental Ballistic Missile operations...
, 16 July 1945 – 15 May 1946 - Fifth Air ForceFifth Air ForceThe Fifth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Yokota Air Base, Japan....
-
- 15–30 May 1946
- 31 May 1946 – 20 August 1948
- 1 December 1950 – 18 May 1951
- 15 March 1955 – 8 September 1986
- Far East Air Forces, 18 May 1951 – 1 March 1952
Stations
- Peterson Field, ColoradoColoradoColorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, 23 April – 9 December 1944 - North FieldAndersen Air Force BaseAndersen Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately northeast of Yigo in the United States territory of Guam....
, GuamGuamGuam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
, Mariana IslandsMariana IslandsThe Mariana Islands are an arc-shaped archipelago made up by the summits of 15 volcanic mountains in the north-western Pacific Ocean between the 12th and 21st parallels north and along the 145th meridian east...
, 16 January 1945 – 15 May 1946 - Johnson AFB, (later, AB), Japan, 15 May 1946 – 1 March 1950
- Nagoya AB, Japan, 1 December 1950 – 1 March 1952
- Osan Ni (later, Osan) ABOsan Air BaseOsan Air Base , is a United States Air Force facility located in the Songtan section of Pyeongtaek City, South Korea, south of Seoul. Despite its name, Osan AB is not within Osan City, which is to the north. The base is the home of the Pacific Air Forces' 51st Fighter Wing, and a number of tenant...
, South Korea, 15 March 1955 – 7 November 1978 - Yong San, South Korea, 7 November 1978 – 1 April 1979
- Osan AB, South Korea, 1 April 1979 – 8 September 1986.
Wings
- 3d Bombardment Group/Wing (later, 3d Tactical Fighter)3d WingThe 3d Wing is a unit of the United States Air Force, assigned to the Pacific Air Forces Eleventh Air Force. It is stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska....
:
-
- 31 May 1946 – 18 August 1948 (Group)
- 18 August 1948 – 1 March 1950
- 15 March 1971 – 16 September 1974
- 8th Tactical Fighter8th Fighter WingThe United States Air Force 8th Fighter Wing is the host unit at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea and is assigned to Seventh Air Force...
: 16 September 1974 – 8 September 1986 - 18th Fighter-Bomber18th WingThe United States Air Force's 18th Wing is the host wing for Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan and is the Air Force’s largest combat wing. It is the largest and principal organization in the Pacific Air Forces Fifth Air Force....
: 1 March 1955 – 31 January 1957 - 35th Fighter Group/Wing (later, 35th Fighter-Interceptor)35th Fighter WingThe 35th Fighter Wing is an air combat unit of the United States Air Force and the host unit at Misawa Air Base, Japan. The 35 FW is part of Pacific Air Forces Fifth Air Force.-Mission:...
:
- 8th Tactical Fighter
- 31 May 1946 – 18 August 1948 (Group)
- 18 August 1948 – 1 March 1950
- 25 May 1951 – 1 March 1952
- 49th Fighter (later, 49 Fighter-Bomber)49th Fighter WingThe 49th Wing is an air combat unit of the United States Air Force and the host unit at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. The 49 WG is part of the Air Combat Command Twelfth Air Force....
: 18 August 1948 – 1 March 1950. - 51st Air Base (later, 51st Composite; 51st Tactical Fighter)51st Fighter WingThe 51st Fighter Wing is a wing of the United States Air Force and the host unit at Osan Air Base, South Korea.The 51st Fighter Wing is under Pacific Air Forces' Seventh Air Force...
:
- 49th Fighter (later, 49 Fighter-Bomber)
- 1 November 1971 – 8 September 1986
- 58th Fighter-Bomber58th Special Operations WingThe 58th Special Operations Wing is a combat unit of the United States Air Force stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. The 58 SOW is part of the Air Education and Training Command Nineteenth Air Force....
:
- 58th Fighter-Bomber
- Attached 15 March 1955 – 31 December 1956
- Assigned 1 January 1957 – 1 July 1958
- 58th Tactical Missile Group: 24 April 1959 – 25 March 1962
- 116th Fighter-Bomber116th Air Control WingThe United States Air Force's 116th Air Control Wing is a joint active duty/Air National Guard air control wing located at Robins AFB, Georgia.-Mission:...
:
- Activated GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
Air National GuardAir National GuardThe 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...
24 July 1951 – 1 March 1952.- 452d Bombardment452d Air Mobility WingThe 452d Air Mobility Wing is a United States Air Force air mobility unit located at March ARB, California. It is assigned to Air Force Reserve Command , and is operationally gained by Air Mobility Command .-Mission:...
: 1 December 1950 – 25 May 1951
- 452d Bombardment
- 116th Fighter-Bomber
Groups
- 19th Bombardment: 9 December 1944 – 15 May 1946
- 29th Bombardment: 9 November 1944 – 15 May 1946
-
- Not Operational: 12 February – 15 May 1946
- 39th Bombardment39th Air Base WingThe 39th Air Base Wing is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the United States Air Forces in Europe Third Air Force. It is stationed at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey...
: 18 February – 27 December 1945 - 71st Reconnaissance71st Flying Training WingThe 71st Flying Training Wing is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the Air Education and Training Command Nineteenth Air Force. It is stationed at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma where it also is the host unit....
:
- 39th Bombardment
- 15 April 1947 – 18 August 1948
- Not Operational: 15 April – 31 October 1947
- Detached 31 October 1947 – 18 August 1948
- 330th Bombardment330th Aircraft Sustainment WingThe 330th Aircraft Sustainment Wing is a wing of the United States Air Force based out of Robins Air Force Base, Georgia.-Mission:...
: 9 November 1944 – 21 November 1945
- 330th Bombardment
- Not Operational: 12 February – 15 May 1946
Squadrons
- 6th Night Fighter Squadron6th Night Fighter SquadronThe 6th Night Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Seventh Air Force, being inactivated at Wheeler Field, Hawaii on February 20, 1947....
: 10 June 1946 – 20 February 1947 - 8th Photographic Reconnaissance8th Flying Training SquadronThe 8th Flying Training Squadron is part of the 71st Flying Training Wing based at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma. It operates the T-6A Texan II aircraft conducting flight training.-History:...
(later, 8 Tactical Reconnaissance):
-
- 31 May 1946 – 28 February 1947
- Attached 28 February – c. 31 October 1947
- Attached 18 April 1949 – 1 March 1950
- 9th Reconnaissance Squadron: 20 June 1946 – 20 October 1947
- 19th Tactical Air Support: 15 January 1972 – 30 September 1974
- 20th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron: 31 May – 20 June 1946.
- 41st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron: attached 1 December 1950 – 25 May 1951.
- 65th Bombardment Squadron65th Bombardment SquadronThe 65th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 72d Strategic Wing , based at Andersen AFB, Guam. It was inactivated on 15 November 1973.-History:...
: 1–29 January 1947 - 82d Tactical Reconnaissance (later, 82 Reconnaissance)82d Reconnaissance SquadronThe 82d Reconnaissance Squadron is part of the 55th Wing at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. It is geographically separated from the 55th, operating out of Kadena Air Base, Japan. The squadron operates RC-135 aircraft flying reconnaissance missions.-History:The 82d flew antisubmarine patrols off...
:
- 31 May 1946 – 28 February 1947
- Attached 28 February – November 1947
Aircraft and Missiles
B-29, 1944–1946, 1947; B-17, 1946–1947; F-2, 1946–1947; F-6, 1946–1947; F-7, 1946–1947; F-9, 1946–1947; P-47, 1946–1948; P-51, 1946–1948; P-61, 1946–1947; F-13, 1947; F-15F-15 Eagle
The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter designed by McDonnell Douglas to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. It is considered among the most successful modern fighters with over 100 aerial combat victories with no losses in dogfights...
, 1947, 1949; RB-17, 1947–1948; RB-29, 1947–1948, 1951–1952; RF-51, 1947–1948; RF-61, 1947–1948; RF-80, 1947–1950; B-26
A-26 Invader
The 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...
, 1948–1950; F-51, 1950–1951, 1951–1952; C-46, 1950–1951; C-47, 1951; F-86, 1951; WB-29, 1951–1952. F-86, 1955–1958; Matador
Matador
A torero or toureiro is a bullfighter and the main performer in bullfighting, practised in Spain, Colombia, Portugal, Mexico, France and various other countries influenced by Spanish culture. In Spanish, the word torero describes any of the performers who actively participate in the bullfight...
, 1959–1962; F-4, O-2, 1971–1974, 1974–1986; OV-10, 1974–1982; F-16, 1981–1986; A-10, 1982–1986.