518th Air Defense Group
Encyclopedia
The 518th Air Defense Group is a disbanded United States Air Force
organization. Its last assignment was with the 4707th Air Defense Wing
, being stationed at Niagara Falls Municipal Airport, New York. It was inactivated on 18 August 1955.
Redesignated as an air defense group, reconstituted and activated at Niagara Falls Municipal Airport in 1953 with responsibility for air defense of Niagara Falls, Toronto, Western and upper New York area. Assigned the 47th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, which was already stationed at Niagara Falls, and flying F-47 "Thunderbolts" as its operational component. The 47th FIS had been assigned to the 4708th Defense Wing. Converted the same month to F-86 "Sabre" aircraft. Upgraded to a later version of the "Sabre" in September 1953, but replacement aircraft not delivered until early 1954. Replaced 76th Air Base Squadron as on-base host unit at Niagara Falls Municipal Airport. Assigned three squadrons to perform its support responsibilities. Was replaced by 15th Fighter Group (Air Defense) as part of ADC 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 Niagara Falls, Toronto, Western and upper New York area and served as USAF host unit at Niagara Falls 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 4707th Air Defense Wing
4707th Air Defense Wing
The 4707th Air Defense Wing is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the 26th Air Division, being stationed at Stewart Air Force Base, New York...
, being stationed at Niagara Falls Municipal Airport, New York. 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 the 465th Bombardment Group in Italy. Moved to the Caribbean and provided support for flying units redeploying from Europe to the United States. It was disbanded in 1948.Redesignated as an air defense group, reconstituted and activated at Niagara Falls Municipal Airport in 1953 with responsibility for air defense of Niagara Falls, Toronto, Western and upper New York area. Assigned the 47th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, which was already stationed at Niagara Falls, and flying F-47 "Thunderbolts" as its operational component. The 47th FIS had been assigned to the 4708th Defense Wing. Converted the same month to F-86 "Sabre" aircraft. Upgraded to a later version of the "Sabre" in September 1953, but replacement aircraft not delivered until early 1954. Replaced 76th Air Base Squadron as on-base host unit at Niagara Falls Municipal Airport. Assigned three squadrons to perform its support responsibilities. Was replaced by 15th Fighter Group (Air Defense) as part of ADC 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 518th Air Service Group on 25 January 1945
- Inactivated on 31 July 1945
- Disbanded on 8 October 1948
- Reconstituted and redesignated 518th Air Defense Group on 21 January 1953
- Activated on 16 February 1953
- Inactivated on 18 August 1955
- Disbanded on 27 September 1984
Assignments
- Unknown 25 Jan 1945 - 1945
- Caribbean Division, Air Transport CommandAir Transport CommandAir Transport Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its mission was to meet the urgent demand for the speedy reinforcement of the United States' military bases worldwide during World War II, using an air supply system to supplement surface transport...
1945 - 31 July 1945 - 4707th Defense Wing (later 4707th Air Defense Wing)4707th Air Defense WingThe 4707th Air Defense Wing is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the 26th Air Division, being stationed at Stewart Air Force Base, New York...
, 16 February 1953 – 18 August 1955
Stations
- Pantanella Airfield, Italy 25 January 1945 - 1945
- Waller Field, Trinidad 1945 - 31 July 1945
- Niagara Falls Municipal AirportNiagara Falls Air Reserve StationNiagara Falls Air Reserve Station is a United States Air Force base, located at Niagara Falls International Airport, New York. It is located east-northeast of Niagara Falls, New York.-Overview:...
, New York, 16 February 1953 – 18 August 1955
Components
- 47th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 16 February 1953 – 18 August 1955
- 518th Air Base Squadron, 16 February 1953 - 18 August 1955
- 518th Materiel Squadron, 16 February 1953 - 18 August 1955
- 518th Medical Squadron (later 518th USAF Infirmary), 16 February 1953 - 18 August 1955
- 768th Air Materiel Squadron, 25 January 1945 - 31 July 1945
- 944th Air Engineering Squadron, 25 January 1945 - 31 July 1945
Operations
Provided support for one combat group in Italy. Provided support for flying units redeploying from Europe to the United States. 1945Provided air defense of Niagara Falls, Toronto, Western and upper New York area and served as USAF host unit at Niagara Falls Municipal Airport. 1953-1955
Aircraft
- F-47D Thunderbolt, 1953
- F-86A Sabre, 1953 (-1954)
- F-86D Sabre Interceptor, 1953 (1954)-1955