4731st Air Defense Group
Encyclopedia
The 4731st Air Defense Group is a discontinued United States Air Force
organization. Its last assignment was with the 64th Air Division, being stationed at Ernest Harmon Air Force Base
, Newfoundland
, Canada
. It was last active 1 July 1960.
. Was a tenant organization at Ernest Harmon AFB, a Strategic Air Command
base, and whose 4081st Air Base Group acted as the host base organization. Controlled both radar and fighter squadrons in Canada. Assigned the 61st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, flying F-89 "Scorpion" aircraft, which was already stationed at Harmon, and two remote Aircraft Control & Warning Squadrons as operational elements. These units were transferred from NEAC. In October 1957, the 61st FIS moved to Wisconsin to replace the 323d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
, which moved from Wisconsin in a swap of stations. The 323d FIS, however, flew F-102 "Delta Darts. Provided air defense of northeast North America. Discontinued in 1960 and subordinate units assigned to Goose Air Defense Sector
.
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 64th Air Division, being stationed at Ernest Harmon Air Force Base
Ernest Harmon Air Force Base
Ernest Harmon Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force base located in Stephenville, Newfoundland and Labrador. The base was built by the United States Army Air Forces in 1941 under the Destroyers for Bases Agreement with the United Kingdom....
, Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It was last active 1 July 1960.
History
Formed when Air Defense Command assumed responsibility for air defense of Newfoundland from Northeast Air CommandNortheast Air Command
The Northeast Air Command was a short-lived organization in the United States Air Force tasked with the operation and defense of air bases in Greenland, Labrador and Newfoundland. It was formed in 1950 from the facilities of the United States established during World War II in Northeast Canada,...
. Was a tenant organization at Ernest Harmon AFB, a Strategic Air Command
Strategic Air Command
The Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
base, and whose 4081st Air Base Group acted as the host base organization. Controlled both radar and fighter squadrons in Canada. Assigned the 61st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, flying F-89 "Scorpion" aircraft, which was already stationed at Harmon, and two remote Aircraft Control & Warning Squadrons as operational elements. These units were transferred from NEAC. In October 1957, the 61st FIS moved to Wisconsin to replace the 323d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
323d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
The 323d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Air Defense Command stationed at Ernest Harmon Air Force Base, Newfoundland. It was inactivated on July 1, 1960-History:...
, which moved from Wisconsin in a swap of stations. The 323d FIS, however, flew F-102 "Delta Darts. Provided air defense of northeast North America. Discontinued in 1960 and subordinate units assigned to Goose Air Defense Sector
Goose Air Defense Sector
The Goose Air Defense Sector is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the 26th Air Division, being stationed at Goose Air Force Base, Labrador, Canada. It was inactivated on 1 April 1966 and replaced by the 37th Air Division.-History:Command and control...
.
Lineage
- Organized as 4731st Air Defense Group on 1 April 1957
- Discontinued on 1 July 1960
Components
- 61st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 1 April-15 October 1957
- 323d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 15 October 1957-6 June 1960
- 640th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, 1 April 1957-6 June 1960, Stephenville AS
- 642d Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, 1 April 1957-6 June 1960, Red Cliff AS
Stations
- Ernest Harmon Air Force Base|Ernest Harmon AFB, Newfoundland, Canada, 1 April 1957 – 1 July 1960
See also
- List of MAJCOM wings
- List of USAF Aerospace Defense Command General Surveillance Radar Stations
- Aerospace Defense Command Fighter SquadronsAerospace Defense Command Fighter SquadronsThe second iteration of Aerospace Defense Command was established on 21 March 1946 as a component of the United States Army Air Forces, with the mission of planning for and executing the air defense of the United States...