502d Air Defense Group
Encyclopedia
The 502d Air Defense Group is a disbanded United States Air Force
organization. Its last assignment was with the 4708th Air Defense Wing
, being stationed at Youngstown Municipal Airport, Ohio
. It was inactivated on 18 August 1955.
in Germany in 1945 until returning to US for inactivation. It was disbanded in 1948.
Redesignated as an air defense group, reconstituted and activated at Youngstown Municipal Airport in 1953 to provide air defense of Pittsburgh, Western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio area. Assigned the 86th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
, which was already stationed at Youngstown Municipal Airport, flying F-84 "Thunderjets." as its operational component. The 86th had previously been assigned directly to the 4708th Defense Wing. In July 1953, the 86th replaced its F-84s with F-86 "Sabres." Replaced 88th Air Base Squadron as USAF host unit at Youngstown. Assigned three squadrons to perform its support responsibilities. Inactivated and replaced by 79th Fighter Group
(Air Defense) 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 Pittsburgh, Western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio area 1952-1955.
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 4708th Air Defense Wing
4708th Air Defense Wing
The 4708th Air Defense Wing is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the 30th Air Division, being stationed at Selfridge Air Force Base, Michigan...
, being stationed at Youngstown Municipal Airport, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. It was inactivated on 18 August 1955.
History
Activated shortly after V-E 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. Supported 404th Fighter Group404th Fighter Group
The 404th Fighter Group is an inactive United States Army Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with III Fighter Command, stationed at Drew Field, Florida. It was inactivated on 9 November 1945....
in Germany in 1945 until returning to US for inactivation. It was disbanded in 1948.
Redesignated as an air defense group, reconstituted and activated at Youngstown Municipal Airport in 1953 to provide air defense of Pittsburgh, Western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio area. Assigned the 86th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
86th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
The 86th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 79th Fighter Group, stationed at Youngstown Air Force Base, Ohio...
, which was already stationed at Youngstown Municipal Airport, flying F-84 "Thunderjets." as its operational component. The 86th had previously been assigned directly to the 4708th Defense Wing. In July 1953, the 86th replaced its F-84s with F-86 "Sabres." Replaced 88th Air Base Squadron as USAF host unit at Youngstown. Assigned three squadrons to perform its support responsibilities. Inactivated and replaced by 79th Fighter Group
79th Fighter Group
The 79th Fighter Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the Air Defense Command 30th Air Division, being assigned to Youngstown Air Force Base, Ohio. It was inactivated on 1 March 1960.-World War II:...
(Air Defense) 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 502nd Air Service Group on 16 December 1944
- Activated on 1 June 1945
- Inactivated about 9 November 1945
- Disbanded on 8 October 1948
- Reconstituted on 21 January 1953 and redesignated 502d Air Defense Group
- Activated on 16 February 1953
- Inactivated on 18 August 1955
- Disbanded on 27 September 1984
Assignments
- Unknown 1945
- 4708th Defense Wing (later 4708th Air Defense Wing), 16 February 1953 - 18 August 1955
Stations
- AAF Station Fritzlar, Germany, 1 Jun 1945 - summer 1945
- Unknown, 1945 - November 1945
- Youngstown Municipal Airport, Ohio, 16 February 1953 - 18 August 1955
Components
- 86th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 16 February 1953 - 18 August 1955
- 502nd Air Base Squadron, 16 February 1953 - 18 August 1955
- 502nd Materiel Squadron, 16 February 1953 - 18 August 1955
- 502nd Medical Squadron (later 502nd USAF Infirmary), 16 February 1953 - 18 August 1955
- 744th Air Materiel Squadron, 1 Jun 1945 - 1945
- 920th Air Engineering Squadron, 1 Jun 1945 - 1945
Operations
Provided support for one combat group in Germany 1945.Provided air defense of Pittsburgh, Western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio area 1952-1955.