85th Air Division

History

During World War II, the 85th Fighter Wing was a command and control organization of Fifth Air Force, operating primarily in the Southwest Pacific Theater. It had no units assigned before departing overseas from California. In the Southwest Pacific Area its units fought in "New Guinea and the Philippine Islands (February 1944 – August 1945) [flying] cover missions for convoys, patrols, escorted bombers, attacked enemy airfields, and support[ing] ground forces."

"After the war's end, the organization provided fighter protection for the Philippine Islands and conducted an intensive training program in aerial combat, gunnery, and instrument flying, until [the units inactivation in] June 1948."

During the Cold War the unit was reactivated as an Air Division by Air Defense Command. "It was assigned to the Eastern Air Defense Force in September 1955 with a mission to intercept unidentified aircraft over the Washington, D.C. area. It participated in numerous training exercises. It also took part in gunnery and air-launched training and readiness tests." Inactivated in September 1958.

Lineage

• Established as the 85th Fighter Wing on 4 November 1943 : Activated on 10 November 1943 : Inactivated on 30 June 1948
• Redesignated 85 Air Division (Defense) on 3 May 1955 : Activated on 8 September 1955 : Inactivated on 1 September 1958

Assignments

• Fourth Air Force, 10 November 1943
• IV Fighter Command, 28 November 1943 – 10 January 1944
• Army Service Forces, Port of Embarkation, 10 January – 17 February 1944
• Fifth Air Force, 18 February 1944
• Far East Air Forces, 11 May 1945
• Thirteenth Air Force, 1 September 1945
• Fifth Air Force, 1 June 1947 – 30 June 1948
• Eastern Air Defense Force, 8 September 1955 – 1 September 1958

Stations

• Hamilton Field, California, 10 November 1943
• San Francisco Airport, California, 10 November 1943 – 10 January 1944
• Gusap Airfield, New Guinea, 25 February 1944
• Hollandia Airfield Complex, New Guinea, 24 July 1944
• Bayug Airfield, Leyte, Philippines, 24 October 1944
• Fort William McKinley, Luzon, Philippines, c. 15 June 1945
• Basa Air Base, Luzon, Philippines, c. 15 July 1946
• Nagoya Airfield, Japan, 1 June 1947 – 30 June 1948
• Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, 8 September 1955 – 1 September 1958

Components

Wing

• 4625th Air Defense Wing (later Washington Air Defense Sector): 1 December 1956 – 1 September 1958

Groups

• 18th Fighter Group: 15 March 1946 – 1 May 1947
• 49th Fighter Group: 19 April – 5 June 1944
• 348th Fighter Group: 7 November 1944 – 8 February 1945
• 414th Fighter Group: c. 15 December 1945-c. 30 September 1946
• 475th Fighter Group: 16 June 1944 – 18 May 1945

Squadrons

• 17th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron: 1 February – 22 March 1946
• 48th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron: 1 March 1956 – 1 September 1958
• 95th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron: 1 March 1956 – 1 September 1958
• 419th Night Fighter Squadron: 10 January 1946 – 20 February 1947
• 482d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron: 8 April 1956 – 1 September 1958
• 550th Night Fighter Squadron: 7 April-c. 30 June 1945

References

Notes

; Explanatory notes

; Citations

Bibliography

References

1. (5 October 2007). "Factsheet 85 Air Division (Defense)". Air Force Historical Research Agency.