In early 1953 it also was assigned five radar squadrons in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey and its fighter squadron at New Castle combined with the colocated air base squadron into an air defense group. The wing was redesignated as an air defense wing in 1954. In the spring of 1956, its subordinate units were reassigned and it moved to O'Hare as ADC prepared for the implementation of the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) air defense system.
At the beginning of 1953, the 48th FIS, which was converting from World War II era F-47 Thunderbolts to F-84 Thunderjet aircraft,[12] moved from Grenier AFB, New Hampshire to Langley AFB, Virginia and was assigned to the wing.[13] In February 1953, another major reorganization of ADC activated Air Defense Groups at ADC bases with dispersed fighter squadrons. Air Defense Groups were assigned to defense wings and assumed direct control of the fighter squadrons at those bases, as well as support squadrons to carry out their role as the USAF host organizations at the bases. As a result of this reorganization, the 525th Air Defense Group activated at New Castle.[14] The reorganization also resulted in the wing adding the radar detection, control and warning mission, and it was assigned four Aircraft Control & Warning Squadrons (AC&W Sq) to perform this mission, although one was reassigned a few months later.[15][16] In the same reorganization, the wing was reassigned to the 26th Air Division.[1] Fighter squadrons of the wing converted to newer aircraft during the year, the 48th FIS joined the other squadrons of the wing in flying Starfires,[12] although the 95th FIS abandoned its Starfires for F-86 Sabres.[17]
In 1955, ADC implemented 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.[18] As a result of this project, the 82nd Fighter Group (Air Defense) replaced the 525th Air Def Gp at New Castle, but because of impending changes in air defense system boundaries, it was soon assigned directly to the 26th Air Division.[14][19]
^ abcdCornett, Lloyd H; Johnson, Mildred W (1980). A Handbook of Aerospace Defense Organization, 1946–1980(PDF). Peterson AFB, CO: Office of History, Aerospace Defense Center. p. 67. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 February 2016. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
^Grant, C.L., (1961) The Development of Continental Air Defense to 1 September 1954, USAF Historical Study No. 126, p. 33
^Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II(PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. p. 232. ISBN 978-0-912799-02-5.
^Endicott, Judy G., ed. (2001). The USAF in Korea, Campaigns, Units and Stations 1950–1953(PDF). Maxwell AFB, AL: Air Force Historical Research Agency. p. 59. ISBN 978-0-16-050901-8.
^Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947–1977. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. pp. 13–14. ISBN 978-0-912799-12-4.
^ abAbstract, History of 4710th Def Wg, Mar–Jun 1952 (retrieved 1 March 2012)
^ abMaurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II(PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. p. 204. ISBN 978-0-405-12194-4.
^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), p.6
^Robertson, Patsy, Factsheet, 48 Flying Training Squadron Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine 7 October 2010 (retrieved 12 March 2012)
^Factsheet, 95 Fighter Squadron Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine 1 April 2008 (retrieved 12 March 2012)
^Haulman, Daniel L., Factsheet, 96 Flying Training Squadron Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine 26 December 2007 (retrieved 3 March 2012)
^Abstract, History of 4710 Def Wg, Feb 1952 – Mar 1952 (retrieved 1 March 2012)
^"US Air Force Biography Brigadier Milton Herbert Ashkins". (retrieved 16 December 2012)
Bibliographyedit
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 27 February 2012.
Endicott, Judy G., ed. (2001). The USAF in Korea, Campaigns, Units and Stations 1950–1953(PDF). Maxwell AFB, AL: Air Force Historical Research Agency. ISBN 978-0-16-050901-8.
Grant, C.L., (1961) The Development of Continental Air Defense to 1 September 1954, USAF Historical Study No. 126
Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II(PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 978-0-912799-02-5.
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 978-0-405-12194-4.
Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947–1977. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 978-0-912799-12-4.
Further readingedit
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]