4711th Air Defense Wing

The 4711th Air Defense Wing is a discontinued United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the 30th Air Division of Air Defense Command (ADC) at Selfridge Air Force Base, Michigan, where it was discontinued in 1956. It was established in 1952 at Presque Isle Air Force Base, Maine as the 4711th Defense Wing in a general reorganization of ADC, which replaced wings responsible for a base with wings responsible for a geographical area.

4711th Air Defense Wing
F-86Ds of the wing's 37th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron in 1955
Active	1952–1956
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Fighter interceptor and radar headquarters
Role	Air defense
Motto(s)	Tigris in Caelo (Latin for 'Tiger in the Sky')
Insignia
4711th Air Defense Wing emblem

It assumed control of several fighter interceptor squadrons that had been assigned to the 23d Fighter-Interceptor Wing, including two Air National Guard squadrons mobilized for the Korean War. In early 1953 it also was assigned six radar squadrons in Maine, Vermont, and New York and its dispersed fighter squadrons combined with colocated air base squadrons into air defense groups. The wing was redesignated as an air defense wing in 1954. In 1956, as ADC prepared to implement the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) air defense system, the wing lost its combat components and moved to Selfridge, where it was discontinued.

History

The wing was organized as the 4711th Defense Wing at the beginning of February 1952 at Presque Isle Air Force Base, Maine^[1] as part of a major reorganization of ADC responding to ADC's difficulty under the existing wing base organizational structure in deploying fighter squadrons to best advantage.^[2] The wing assumed operational control and the air defense mission of fighter squadrons formerly assigned to the inactivating 23d Fighter-Interceptor Wing.^[3] The 74th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron and 75th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (FIS), flying North American F-86 Sabre aircraft^[4] were at Presque Isle, while the 101st Fighter-Interceptor Wing's 132d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, flying Lockheed F-80 Shooting Stars^[5] was at Dow Air Force Base, Maine, and the 134th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, flying World War II era North American F-51 Mustangs^[5] was at Burlington Municipal Airport, Vermont.^[5][6] The two dispersed squadrons were federalized Air National Guard (ANG) squadrons that had been attached to the 23rd FIW.^[5] The 27th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron at Griffiss Air Force Base, another F-86 squadron,^[7] was transferred to the wing from direct assignment to Eastern Air Defense Force.^[8] The support elements of the 23rd FIW's 23rd Air Base Group and 23rd Maintenance & Supply Group were replaced at Presque Isle by an air base squadron and air base squadrons were activated at Presque Isle and Burlington to support the fighter squadrons at those bases. The wing's mission was to train and maintain tactical units in a state of readiness to intercept and destroy enemy aircraft attempting to penetrate the air defense system in the Northeastern United States.^{[citation needed]}

In June, the 74th FIS converted to Northrop F-89 Scorpion interceptor aircraft, but by fall its F-89Cs had been grounded and the squadron was forced to convert to Lockheed F-94 Starfires.^[4] In November 1952, the wing's two ANG fighter squadrons were returned to the control of their states and replaced by the 37th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron at Ethan Allen and the 49th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron at Dow.^[5][9]

In February 1953, another major reorganization of ADC activated air defense groups at ADC bases with dispersed fighter squadrons. Two groups were assigned to the wing and assumed direct control of the fighter squadrons, as well as support squadrons to carry out their role as the USAF host organizations at their bases. As a result of this reorganization, the 528th Air Defense Group activated at Presque Isle and assumed control of the fighter squadrons there, while the 517th Air Defense Group activated to command the squadron at Ethan Allen AFB.^[10] The reorganization also resulted in the wing adding the radar detection, control and warning mission, and it was assigned six aircraft control & warning squadrons (AC&W Sq) to perform this mission.^[11][12][13] The 49th FIS traded in its F-80s for F-86s in the same month.^[14] Meanwhile, the 75th FIS moved to Suffolk County Air Force Base in October and was reassigned to another wing.^[6]

In 1954, two of the wing's squadrons upgraded to radar equipped and rocket armed fighters. The 49th FIS received later model F-86D Sabres, while the 27th FIS converted to F-94C Starfires.^[7][14]

In 1955, ADC implemented Project Arrow, which was designed to bring back on the active list the fighter units that had compiled memorable records in the two world wars.^[15] As a result of Project Arrow, the 23d Fighter Group (Air Defense), replaced the 528th Air Defense Group at Presque Isle, while the 14th Fighter Group replaced the 517th Air Defense Group at Ethan Allen.^[10][16] In October, a second F-89 squadron, the 465th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, activated at Griffiss AFB.^[17]

In preparation for the implementation of the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) air defense system, the 4711th Wing lost its operational units in March 1956^[13][18] and moved to Selfridge Air Force Base, where it was discontinued shortly thereafter.^[1]

Lineage

• Designated as the 4711th Defense Wing and organized on 1 February 1952

Redesignated as the 4711th Air Defense Wing on 1 September 1954

Discontinued on 8 July 1956^[1]

Assignments

• Eastern Air Defense Force, 1 February 1952^[1]
• 32nd Air Division, 16 February 1953^[1]
• 30th Air Division, 1 March 1956 – 18 October 1956^[1]

Components

Groups

Fighter Groups 14th Fighter Group (Air Defense) Ethan Allen Air Force Base, Vermont, 18 August 1955 – 1 March 1956[19] 23d Fighter Group (Air Defense), 18 August 1955 – 1 March 1956[20][a]

Air Defense Groups 517th Air Defense Group Ethan Allen Air Force Base, Vermont, 16 February 1953 – 18 August 1955 528th Air Defense Group, 16 February 1953 – 18 August 1955

Squadrons

Fighter Squadrons 27th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron[21] Griffiss Air Force Base, New York, 6 February 1952 – 1 March 1956 37th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron[22] Ethan Allen Air Force Base, Vermont, 1 November 1952 – 16 February 1953 49th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron[23] Dow Air Force Base, Maine, 1 November 1952 – 5 November 1955 74th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 6 February 1952 – 16 February 1953[24] 75th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 6 February 1952 – 16 October 1952[25] 132d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron Dow Air Force Base, Maine, 6 February 1952 – 1 November 1952 134th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron Burlington Municipal Airport (later Ethan Allen Air Force Base), Vermont, 6 February 1952 – 1 November 1952 465th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron Griffiss Air Force Base, New York, 8 October 1955 – 1 March 1956 Support Squadrons 75th Air Base Squadron Burlington Municipal Airport (later Ethan Allen Air Force Base), 1 February 1952 – 16 February 1953 85th Air Base Squadron, 1 February 1952 – 16 February 1953

Radar Squadrons 127th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron Fort Williams, Maine, 16 February 1953 – 1 September 1953[11] 128th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron Dow Air Force Base, Maine, 16 February 1953 – 1 September 1953[11] 655th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron Watertown Air Force Station, New York, 16 February 1953 – 1 March 1956[13] 677th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron Fort Williams Air Force Station, Maine, 1 September 1953 – May 1954 679th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron Dow Air Force Base, Maine, 1 September 1953 – December 1953 764th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron Bellevue Hill (later Saint Albans Air Force Station), Vermont, 16 February 1953 – 1 March 1956[12] 765th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron Charleston Air Force Station, Maine, 16 February 1953 – 1 March 1956[12] 766th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron Caswell Air Force Station, Maine, 16 February 1953 – 1 March 1956[12] 792d Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron Ethan Allen Air Force Base, Vermont, 1 November 1953 – December 1953 907th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron Syracuse Air Force Station, New York, November 1954 – February 1955, Bucks Harbor AFS, Maine – 1 March 1956 911th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron Syracuse Air Force Station, New York, June 1955 – 1 March 1956

Stations

• Presque Isle Air Force Base, Maine, 1 February 1952
• Selfridge Air Force Base, Michigan, 1 March 1956 – 8 July 1956

Aircraft

North American F-51D Mustang, 1952–1953 Lockheed F-80C Shooting Star, 1952 North American F-86A Sabre, 1952 North American F-86D Sabre, 1953–1956 North American F-86F Sabre, 1953–1954

Northrop F-89C Scorpion, 1952, 1953–1954 Northrop F-89D Scorpion, 1954–1956 Lockheed F-94B Starfire, 1952–1953 Lockheed F-94C Starfire, 1954–1956

Commanders

• Col. Charles H. McDonald, 1 February 1952 – after March 1952^[26]
• Col. Norvel K. Heath, by July 1952 – 1952^[27]
• Col. James O. Beckwith, 1952 – unknown^[27]

See also

• List of MAJCOM wings of the United States Air Force
• List of United States Air Force Aerospace Defense Command Interceptor Squadrons
• List of United States Air Force aircraft control and warning squadrons

References

Notes

Explanatory notes

1. Subordinate units were stationed with wing headquarters, except as noted.

Citations

1. Cornett & Johnson, p. 67
2. Grant, p. 33
3. Ravenstein, pp. 43–44
4. Cornett & Johnson, p. 118
5. Cornett & Johnson, p. 123
6. Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. pp. 272–274. ISBN 0-405-12194-6.
7. Cornett & Johnson, p. 114
8. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 138.
9. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 176, 213
10. Cornett & Johnson, pp. 82–83
11. Cornett & Johnson, p. 95
12. Cornett & Johnson, p. 165–166
13. Cornett & Johnson, p. 157
14. Cornett & Johnson, p. 116
15. Buss, et al., p. 6
16. Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 58, 74
17. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 572
18. Cornett & Johnson, p. 165–166, 173
19. Robertson, Patsy (6 February 2015). "Factsheet 14 Operations Group (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 27 September 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
20. Robertson, Patsy (7 August 2008). "Factsheet 23 Fighter Group (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 15 November 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
21. Robertson, Patsy, AFHRA Factsheet, 27th Fighter Squadron Archived 23 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine 22 July 2010. Retrieved 8 March 2012
22. Robertson, Patsy, AFHRA Factsheet, 37th Flying Training Squadron Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine 12 November 2007. Retrieved 3 March 2012
23. Robertson, Patsy, AFHRA Factsheet, 49th Fighter Training Squadron Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine 18 December 2007. Retrieved 8 March 2012
24. Robertson, Patsy, AFHRA Factsheet, 74th Fighter Squadron Archived 13 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine 26 February 2008. Retrieved 3 March 2012
25. Robertson, Patsy, AFHRA Factsheet, 75th Fighter Squadron Archived 29 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine 2 /26/2008. Retrieved 3 March 2012
26. "Abstract, History of 4711 Def Wg, Feb 1952 – Mar 1952". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
27. "Abstract, History of 4711 Def Wg, Jul 1952 – Dec 1952". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 13 March 2012.

Bibliography

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

• 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)
• Cornett, Lloyd H; Johnson, Mildred W (1980). A Handbook of Aerospace Defense Organization, 1946–1980 (PDF). Peterson AFB, CO: Office of History, Aerospace Defense Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 February 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
• Grant, C. L. "The Development of Continental Air Defense to 1 September 1954, USAF Historical Study No. 126" (PDF). Research Studies Institute, USAF Historical Division, Air University. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-02-1.
• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6.
• Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947–1977. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-12-9.

Further reading

• Leonard, Barry (2009). History of Strategic Air and Ballistic Missile Defense (PDF). Vol. I. 1945–1955. Fort McNair, DC: Center for Military History. ISBN 978-1-4379-2131-1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
• Leonard, Barry (2009). History of Strategic Air and Ballistic Missile Defense (PDF). Vol. II, 1955–1972. Fort McNair, DC: Center for Military History. ISBN 978-1-4379-2131-1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 December 2019. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
• Redmond, Kent C.; Smith, Thomas M. (2000). From Whirlwind to MITRE: The R&D Story of The SAGE Air Defense Computer. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. ISBN 978-0-262-18201-0.
• Winkler, David F.; Webster, Julie L (1997). Searching the skies: The legacy of the United States Cold War Defense Radar Program. Champaign, IL: US Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratories. LCCN 97020912.^{[dead link]}