528th Air Defense Group

History

World War II

The group was first activated in Italy as the 528th Air Service Group about VE Day in a reorganization of Army Air Forces (AAF) 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 and designed to support a single combat group. Its 954th Air Engineering Squadron provided maintenance that was beyond the capability of the combat group, its 778th Air Materiel Squadron handled all supply matters, and its Headquarters & Base Services Squadron provided other support.

Cold War

The group was reconstituted during the Cold War, redesignated as the 528th Air Defense Group, and activated at Presque Isle Air Force Base, Maine in 1953 with responsibility for air defense of Northeastern US. The 529th was assigned the 74th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (FIS), which was already stationed at Presque Isle flying cannon armed and airborne intercept radar equipped Lockheed F-94 Starfires as its operational component. The 74th FIS had been assigned directly to the 4711th Defense Wing. The group also replaced the 85th Air Base Squadron as USAF host organization at Presque Isle. it was assigned three squadrons to perform its support responsibilities.

In March 1953, the 57th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, flying Northrop F-89 Scorpions was activated at Presque Isle as the group's second operational squadron. In June, the 74th FIS also converted to Scorpions. 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 model Scorpions armed with Mighty Mouse rockets. A second swap of units began when the 82d Fighter Interceptor Squadron arrived from Iceland the same day the 74th FIS left for Greenland, 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. The group was inactivated and replaced by the 23d Fighter Group (Air Defense) in 1955 as result of Air Defense Command'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. The group was disbanded once again in 1984.

Lineage

• Constituted as 528th Air Service Group : Activated on 18 May 1945 : Inactivated c. 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

• Amendola, Italy, 18 May 1945 – 1945
• Presque Isle Air Force Base, Maine, 15 February 1953 – 18 August 1955

Components

Operational Squadrons

• 57th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 27 March 1953 – 12 November 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

Support Units

• 528th Air Base Squadron, 16 February 1953 – 18 August 1955
• 528th Materiel Squadron, 16 February 1953 – 18 August 1955 included base flight and aero repair
• 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

Aircraft

• Northrop F-89C Scorpion, 1953–1954
• Northrop F-89D Scorpion, 1954–1955
• Lockheed F-94B Starfire, 1953, 1954

References

Notes

; Explanatory notes

; Citations

Bibliography

• Buss, Lydus H.(ed), Sturm, Thomas A., Volan, Denys, and McMullen, Richard F., History of Continental Air Defense Command and Air Defense Command July to December 1955, Directorate of Historical Services, Air Defense Command, Ent AFB, CO, (1956)

References

1. Baugher, 1951 Serial Numbers
2. "Abstract, History 528 Air Service Group May–Jun 1945". Air Force History Index.
3. Coleman, p. 208
4. The group provided support for [[97th Bombardment Group]] in Italy in 1945. It was disbanded in 1948.Department of the Air Force Letter, 322 (AFOOR 887e), 8 October 1948, Subject: Disbandment of Certain Inactive Air Force Units
5. Cornett& Johnson, p. 83
6. Cornett & Johnson, p.118
7. Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', p. 272
8. Cornett & Johnson, p.147
9. "Abstract, History 528 Infirmary Jan–Jun 1955". Air Force History Index.
10. Cornett & Johnson, p.116
11. Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', p.228
12. Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', p.389
13. Cornett & Johnson, pp. 124-125
14. Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', p.287
15. Cornett & Johnson, p.119
16. Maurer, ''Combat Units'', p. 74
17. (7 August 2008). "Factsheet 23 Fighter Group (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency.
18. Buss, Sturm, Volan, & McMullen, p.6
19. Department of the Air Force/MPM Letter 575q, 27 September 1984, Subject: Disbandment of Units
20. (26 February 2008). "Factsheet 74 Fighter Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency.
21. (26 December 2007). "Factsheet 82 Aerial Targets Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency.