39th Air Division

39th Air Division
39th Air Division F-100 Super Sabre deployed to Korea
Active1952–1968
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleCommand of tactical and air defense forces
Part ofPacific Air Forces
Insignia
39th Air Division emblem (Approved 25 June 1954)[1]

The 39th Air Division (39th AD) is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Fifth Air Force at Misawa Air Base, Japan. It was inactivated on 15 January 1968.

History

"Throughout the 1950s and 1960s the 39th Air Division controlled all of the units responsible for the air defense of north Japan, which included northern Honshu and Hokkaido islands and the contiguous territorial waters."[1]

"In this role the 39th trained the assigned units and controlled aerial interception missions when Japanese air space was violated. The division also controlled air refueling and ECM missions, and trained personnel of the Japanese Air Self Defense Force in flying operations, radar operations and maintenance, and proper radio procedures."[1]

"After the Soviet Union shot down an RB-29 aircraft on 7 November 1954, the 39th provided fighter escort for all friendly reconnaissance aircraft flying near Soviet territory and the Northern Air Defense Sector."[1]

"The division also supported combat operations during the Vietnam War."[1]

Lineage

  • Designated as the 39th Air Division (Defense) and organized on 1 March 1952
Redesignated as: 39th Air Division on 18 March 1955
Discontinued and inactivated on 15 January 1968[1]

Assignments

  • Japan Air Defense Force, 1 March 1952
  • Fifth Air Force, 1 September 1954 – 15 January 1968[1]

Stations

Components

Wings

Squadrons

Aircraft

See also

References

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Factsheet 39 Air Division". Air Force Historical Research Agency. 5 October 2007. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2014.

Bibliography

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