The 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group is a
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force (USAF) is the Air force, air service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is one of the six United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Tracing its ori ...
unit that reports to the
53rd Wing. It is stationed at
Tyndall Air Force Base
Tyndall Air Force Base is a United States Air Force Base located east of Panama City, Florida. The base was named in honor of World War I pilot 1st Lt. Frank Benjamin Tyndall. The base operating unit and host wing is the 325th Fighter Wing (3 ...
, Florida. The unit is part of
Air Combat Command
The Air Combat Command (ACC) is one of nine List of Major Commands of the United States Air Force, Major Commands (MAJCOMs) in the United States Air Force, reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force (HAF) at the Pentagon. It is the prim ...
.
The unit was known as the 475th Fighter Group during
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, when it operated primarily in the
Southwest Pacific Theater
The South West Pacific theatre, during World War II, was a major theatre of the war between the Allies and the Axis. It included the Philippines, the Dutch East Indies (except for Sumatra), Borneo, Australia, its mandate Territory of New Guin ...
. The 475th was perhaps the best known of the theater's
Lockheed P-38 Lightning
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning is an American single-seat, twin piston-engined fighter aircraft that was used during World War II. Developed for the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) by the Lockheed Corporation, the P-38 incorporated a distinc ...
groups since its personnel included the top
flying ace
A flying ace, fighter ace or air ace is a military aviation, military aviator credited with shooting down a certain minimum number of enemy aircraft during aerial combat; the exact number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an ...
s in the Pacific:
Richard I. Bong (40 kills) and
Thomas B. McGuire, Jr. (38 kills), both
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest Awards and decorations of the United States Armed Forces, military decoration and is awarded to recognize American United States Army, soldiers, United States Navy, sailors, Un ...
recipients.
By the war's end, 38 other pilots from the 475th had achieved ace status in P-38s. The group's commander for 20 months, Colonel
Charles H. MacDonald, scored 27 kills in his famous "Putt Putt Maru" and was the seventh-ranking American ace.
The group remained in the Far East until 1949 as part of the
occupation forces
Military occupation, also called belligerent occupation or simply occupation, is temporary hostile control exerted by a ruling power's military apparatus over a sovereign territory that is outside of the legal boundaries of that ruling powe ...
.
From 1955 to 1956, the group was an
Air Defense Command
Aerospace Defense Command was a major command (military formation), command of the United States Air Force, responsible for air defense of the continental United States. It was activated in 1968 and disbanded in 1980. Its predecessor, Air De ...
interceptor group stationed at
Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport. It was inactivated in 1958 when the
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force (USAF) is the Air force, air service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is one of the six United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Tracing its ori ...
withdrew its regular units from this civilian field.
As the 475th Weapons Evaluation Group, then the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group, the group has performed its current mission at Tyndall since 1983.
Overview
The 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group is made up of five squadrons and two detachments and conducts the Air Force's air-to-air weapon system evaluation program, known as Combat Archer, and the Air Force's air-to-ground weapon system evaluation program, known as Combat Hammer. It also supports weapons instructor air-to-air training. Unit personnel provide all Air Force aerial target support for
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense (DoD, USDOD, or DOD) is an United States federal executive departments, executive department of the federal government of the United States, U.S. federal government charged with coordinating and superv ...
(DoD) users in the Gulf Ranges and targets for testing at the
White Sands Missile Range
White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) is a United States Army military testing area and firing range located in the US state of New Mexico. The range was originally established in 1941 as the Alamogordo Bombing and Gunnery Range, where the Trinity t ...
in New Mexico. The group also plans, manages and executes the
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force (USAF) is the Air force, air service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is one of the six United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Tracing its ori ...
(USAF) air-to-air Weapons Meet, William Tell.
Units
*53rd Test Support Squadron. The 53rd is responsible for technical and staff functions to support USAF's air-to-air and air-to-ground operational test programs, including the weapon system evaluation program and other DoD weapons tests. It also provides technical, engineering, acquisition, logistics, data automation (
local area network
A local area network (LAN) is a computer network that interconnects computers within a limited area such as a residence, campus, or building, and has its network equipment and interconnects locally managed. LANs facilitate the distribution of da ...
, system
configuration control) and strategic planning support for the group. It manages programs for all Gulf Range air-to-air systems, range control systems, aerial target systems and payloads, missile scoring and data analysis
telemetry
Telemetry is the in situ collection of measurements or other data at remote points and their automatic transmission to receiving equipment (telecommunication) for monitoring. The word is derived from the Greek roots ''tele'', 'far off', an ...
, and communications systems. It is also the primary manager for the USAF air-to-air weapons meet, William Tell.
* 81st Air Control Squadron. Air Combat Command's only
radar
Radar is a system that uses radio waves to determine the distance ('' ranging''), direction ( azimuth and elevation angles), and radial velocity of objects relative to the site. It is a radiodetermination method used to detect and track ...
control squadron tasked to support live-fire testing and evaluation of air-to-air weapons against targets designed to represent anticipated threats. Using the call sign "Wetstone", it provides technical and
ground-controlled interception
Ground-controlled interception (GCI) is an air defence tactic whereby one or more radar stations or other observational stations are linked to a command communications centre which guides interceptor aircraft to an airborne target. This tactic wa ...
support to Air Force's air-to-air operational test and evaluation programs including the weapon system evaluation program and other DoD weapons tests. It provides range control and
flight safety
Aviation safety is the study and practice of managing risks in aviation. This includes preventing aviation accidents and incidents through research, educating air travel personnel, passengers and the general public, as well as the design of airc ...
monitoring for more than 330 live missile firings and 3,000 combat training and test sorties annually. The squadron is responsible for the daily operation of the range control system, and directs acquisition, logistics and budgeting for range control system modernization.
*
82nd Aerial Targets Squadron
The 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group and stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.
The squadron (aviation), squadron was first activated as the 82nd Pursuit ...
. The 82nd operates DoD's only full-scale aerial target program, maintaining 50 modified
QF-16 drone aircraft for this purpose. It also provides
Composite Materials BQM-167 Streaker subscale aerial targets at
Tyndall Air Force Base
Tyndall Air Force Base is a United States Air Force Base located east of Panama City, Florida. The base was named in honor of World War I pilot 1st Lt. Frank Benjamin Tyndall. The base operating unit and host wing is the 325th Fighter Wing (3 ...
. These full-scale and subscale targets are provided to USAF,
Navy
A navy, naval force, military maritime fleet, war navy, or maritime force is the military branch, branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval warfare, naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake-borne, riverine, littoral z ...
, and
Army
An army, ground force or land force is an armed force that fights primarily on land. In the broadest sense, it is the land-based military branch, service branch or armed service of a nation or country. It may also include aviation assets by ...
customers for developmental and operational tests. The squadron also provides target support for the USAF weapon evaluation program, the USAF weapons instructor course, and William Tell. The squadron maintains three 120-foot drone recovery vessels and two smaller patrol vessels to recover aerial targets and support range safety and salvage operations. Squadron members also operate the Air Force's only two
DeHavilland E-9A Widget airborne surveillance and telemetry relay aircraft. These aircraft provide ocean surface surveillance and relay missile and target telemetry for over-the-horizon coverage of the Gulf Range and also support over-land telemetry missions for the weapons system evaluation program at
Holloman Air Force Base
Holloman Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base established in 1942 located six miles (10 km) southwest of the central business district of Alamogordo, which is the county seat of Otero County, New Mexico, United States. The b ...
, New Mexico, and the
Utah Test and Training Range
The Utah Test and Training Range (UTTR) is a Department of Defense military testing and training area located in Utah's West Desert, approximately west of Salt Lake City, Utah. UTTR is currently the largest contiguous block of over-land superso ...
near
Hill Air Force Base
Hill Air Force Base is a major U.S. Air Force (USAF) base located in Davis County, Utah, just south of the city of Ogden, and bordering the Cities of Layton, Clearfield, Riverdale, Roy, and Sunset with its largest border immediately adja ...
. The squadron is a mix of contract personnel and military personnel. The squadron's Detachment 1 at Holloman operates and maintains some QF-4s for use on the White Sands Missile Range. In addition to Air Force programs, the detachment also supports Army
surface-to-air missile
A surface-to-air missile (SAM), also known as a ground-to-air missile (GTAM) or surface-to-air guided weapon (SAGW), is a missile designed to be launched from the ground or the sea to destroy aircraft or other missiles. It is one type of anti-ai ...
programs and foreign military customers.
*
83rd Fighter Weapons Squadron. The 83rd conducts the Air Force air-to-air weapon system evaluation program. It evaluates the total weapons system including aircraft, weapon delivery system, weapon, aircrew, support equipment, technical data and maintenance. The squadron hosts 38 weapon evaluation program deployments annually at Tyndall. It evaluates all Air Force air-to-air capabilities for the
AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile, the
AIM-9 Sidewinder
The AIM-9 Sidewinder is a short-range air-to-air missile. Entering service with the United States Navy in 1956 and the Air Force in 1964, the AIM-9 is one of the oldest, cheapest, and most successful air-to-air missiles. Its latest variants rema ...
missile and aircraft guns, and also provides live missile training for combat USAF crews as a secondary objective. Squadron personnel verify weapon system performance, determine reliability, evaluate capability and limitations, identify deficiencies, recommend corrective action, and maintain data. The squadron investigates missile envelopes and evaluates capabilities and limitations to determine future firing requirements. They provide liaison support for forces participating in weapon system evaluation program, William Tell and WIC missile firing programs.
*
86th Fighter Weapons Squadron. The 86th conducts the Air Force air-to-ground weapon system evaluation program. It evaluates air-to-ground precision guided munitions including weapon buildup, weapon loading, aircraft, aircrew employment procedures, support equipment, technical data and maintenance actions. The squadron hosts active duty and
Air National Guard
The Air National Guard (ANG), also known as the Air Guard, is a Reserve components of the United States Armed Forces, federal military reserve force of the United States Air Force, as well as the air militia (United States), militia of each U.S. ...
weapon system evaluation program deployments at
Eglin Air Force Base
Eglin Air Force Base is a United States Air Force (USAF) base in the western Florida panhandle, located about southwest of Valparaiso, Florida, Valparaiso in Okaloosa County, Florida, Okaloosa County.
The host unit at Eglin is the 96th Test ...
and Hill Air Force Base. The annual launching of 450-plus precision guided munitions evaluates the Air Force's air-to-ground precision capabilities and also provides full-scale precision guided munition employment training for combat Air Force crews as a secondary objective.
[The weapons being evaluated as of October 2012 include the ]GBU-10
The GBU-10 Paveway II is an American Paveway-series laser-guided bomb, based on the Mk 84 general-purpose bomb, but with laser seeking capabilities and wings for guidance. Introduced into service c. 1976, it is used today by the USAF, US Navy, US ...
and GBU-12 Paveway II, GBU-24 and GBU-27 Paveway III, GBU-28, GBU-31 Joint Direct Attack Munition, AGM-65 Maverick
The AGM-65 Maverick is an air-to-ground missile (AGM) designed for close air support. It is the most widely produced precision-guided missile in the Western world, and is effective against a wide range of tactical targets, including armor, a ...
, AGM-86 Conventional Air Launched Cruise Missile, AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon
The AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) is a glide bomb that resulted from a joint venture between the United States Navy and Air Force to deploy a standardized medium-range precision-guided weapon, especially for engagement of defended target ...
, AGM-88 High-Speed Antiradiation Missile, and the Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser. Squadron personnel verify weapon system performance, determine reliability, evaluate capability and limitations, identify deficiencies, recommend corrective action, and maintain Combat Air Force-wide data. The squadron investigates precision guided munition envelopes and evaluates capabilities and limitations to determine future employment requirements. It provides liaison support for pre-deployment, employment, and redeployment of Air Combat Command, United States Air Forces in Europe, Pacific Air Forces, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve assets participating in WSEP.
History
World War II

In 1943 Japanese air strength in the
South West Pacific theatre of World War II
The South West Pacific theatre, during World War II, was a major theatre of the war between the Allies and the Axis. It included the Philippines, the Dutch East Indies (except for Sumatra), Borneo, Australia, its mandate Territory of New Guin ...
was powerful, and they were capable of launching large scale attacks against Allied ground forces and installations at any time. On
New Guinea
New Guinea (; Hiri Motu: ''Niu Gini''; , fossilized , also known as Papua or historically ) is the List of islands by area, world's second-largest island, with an area of . Located in Melanesia in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, the island is ...
, the Japanese had many bases from which to launch their air strikes.

The swiftest and most effective means of gaining control of the air was to bomb those Japanese strongholds and destroy as many aircraft on the ground as possible. Such bombing strikes could best be accomplished during daylight hours, when fighter escort was essential. The only fighter aircraft then in the Southwest Pacific with sufficient range to escort bombers to and from
Rabaul
Rabaul () is a township in the East New Britain province of Papua New Guinea, on the island of New Britain. It lies about to the east of the island of New Guinea. Rabaul was the provincial capital and most important settlement in the province ...
and
Wewak
Wewak is the capital of the East Sepik province of Papua New Guinea. It is on the northern coast of the island of New Guinea. It is the largest town between Madang and Jayapura. It is the see city (seat) of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wewak. ...
was the
Lockheed P-38 Lightning
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning is an American single-seat, twin piston-engined fighter aircraft that was used during World War II. Developed for the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) by the Lockheed Corporation, the P-38 incorporated a distinc ...
. However, the limited P-38 strength in the
Fifth Air Force
The Fifth Air Force (5 AF) is a Numbered Air Force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). It is headquartered at Yokota Air Base, Japan. It is the U.S. Air Force's oldest continuously serving Numbered Air Force. The organ ...
in April 1943 consisted of only three squadrons, (the
80th Fighter Squadron
The 80th Fighter Squadron (traditionally nicknamed the "Headhunters", and since 1971 also the "Juvats") is a General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter squadron of the United States Air Force, currently part of the 8th Operations Group of ...
of the
8th Fighter Group; the
39th Fighter Squadron of the
35th Fighter Group; and the
9th Fighter Squadron 009 may refer to:
* OO9, gauge model railways
* O09, FAA identifier for Round Valley Airport
* 0O9, FAA identifier for Ward Field, see List of airports in California
* British secret agent 009, see 00 Agent
* BA 009, see British Airways Flight 9
* ...
of the
49th Fighter Group). The limited number of spare Lightnings available during late 1942 and early 1943 had to be used to make up attrition in these squadrons.
To augment the small force, the 475th Fighter Group was activated in Australia as a P-38 unit on 14 May 1943 at
Amberley Airfield in Queensland, Australia.
[ The operational squadrons of the 475th were the 431st,][Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', pp. 532–533] 432d and 433d Fighter Squadrons. However, the continuing shortage of P-38s forced the 35th and 49th Fighter Groups to convert their single P-38 squadrons to P-47Ds, thus leaving the Fifth Air Force at the end of 1943 with only the 475th Fighter Group, and the 80th Fighter Squadron of the 8th Fighter Group.
The group was specifically trained to provide long-range escort for bombers during daylight raids on Japanese airfields and strongholds in the Netherlands East Indies and the Bismarck Archipelago
The Bismarck Archipelago (, ) is a group of islands off the northeastern coast of New Guinea in the western Pacific Ocean and is part of the Islands Region of Papua New Guinea. Its area is about .
History
The first inhabitants of the archipela ...
.[ On 14 August 1943, the 475th Fighter Group and its 431st, 432d and 433d Fighter Squadrons transferred from Amberley Airfield to the Dobodura Airfield Complex, in New Guinea. The 431st and 432d operated from Port Moresby. The 431st operated until October 1943 and the 432d until September 1943. The 433d squadron flew its first mission on 15 August 1943.
The 475th received a ]Distinguished Unit Citation
The Presidential Unit Citation (PUC), originally called the Distinguished Unit Citation, is awarded to units of the uniformed services of the United States, and those of allied countries, for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed e ...
(DUC) for missions in August 1943 when the group not only protected North American B-25 Mitchell
The North American B-25 Mitchell is an American medium bomber that was introduced in 1941 and named in honor of Brigadier General Billy Mitchell, William "Billy" Mitchell, a pioneer of U.S. military aviation. Used by many Allies of World War ...
s that were engaged in strafing attacks on airdromes at Wewak
Wewak is the capital of the East Sepik province of Papua New Guinea. It is on the northern coast of the island of New Guinea. It is the largest town between Madang and Jayapura. It is the see city (seat) of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wewak. ...
but also destroyed a number of the enemy fighter planes that attacked the formation.[
The group received a second DUC for intercepting and destroying many of the planes the Japanese sent against American shipping in ]Oro Bay
Oro Bay is a bay in Oro Province, Papua New Guinea, located southeast of Buna. The bay is located within the larger Dyke Ackland Bay. A port is operated by PNG Ports Corporation Limited with limited wharf facilities, located at .
History
Du ...
on 15 and 17 October 1943. It covered landings in New Guinea, New Britain
New Britain () is the largest island in the Bismarck Archipelago, part of the Islands Region of Papua New Guinea. It is separated from New Guinea by a northwest corner of the Solomon Sea (or with an island hop of Umboi Island, Umboi the Dampie ...
, and the Schouten Islands
The Biak Islands (, also Schouten Islands or Geelvink Islands) are an island group of Southwest Papua province, eastern Indonesia in the Cenderawasih Bay (or Geelvink Bay) 50 km off the north-western coast of the island of New Guinea. Th ...
. After moving to Mokmer Airfield
Frans Kaisiepo Airport is an airport on Biak island, in Papua, Indonesia. It is also known as Mokmer Airport. The airport is named after Frans Kaisiepo (1921–1979), the fourth Governor of Papua. The airport has seven aircraft parking s ...
on Biak Island
Biak is the main island of Biak Archipelago located in Cenderawasih Bay near the northern coast of Papua (province), Papua, an Indonesian province, and is just northwest of New Guinea. Biak has many atolls, reefs, and corals.
The largest popula ...
in July 1944, the group flew escort missions and fighter sweeps to the southern Philippines, Celebes
Sulawesi ( ), also known as Celebes ( ), is an island in Indonesia. One of the four Greater Sunda Islands, and the world's 11th-largest island, it is situated east of Borneo, west of the Maluku Islands, and south of Mindanao and the Sulu Archi ...
, Halmahera
Halmahera, formerly known as Jilolo, Gilolo, or Jailolo, is the largest island in the Maluku Islands. It is part of the North Maluku Provinces of Indonesia, province of Indonesia, and Sofifi, the capital of the province, is located on the west coa ...
, and Borneo
Borneo () is the List of islands by area, third-largest island in the world, with an area of , and population of 23,053,723 (2020 national censuses). Situated at the geographic centre of Maritime Southeast Asia, it is one of the Greater Sunda ...
.[
For a while, the 475th included among its personnel the famous pilot ]Charles Lindbergh
Charles Augustus Lindbergh (February 4, 1902 – August 26, 1974) was an American aviator, military officer, and author. On May 20–21, 1927, he made the first nonstop flight from New York (state), New York to Paris, a distance of . His aircra ...
. He was serving with the Group as a technical representative from the United Aircraft Corporation. Lindbergh flew a number of combat missions with the Group in June/August 1944 as a civilian to instruct pilots on how to use cruise control to get maximum range and endurance from their P-38Js. On 28 July, Lindbergh was credited with shooting down a Japanese Mitsubishi Ki-51
The Mitsubishi Ki-51 (Army designation "Type 99 Assault Plane"; Allied reporting name Sonia) was a light bomber/dive bomber in service with the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. It first flew in mid-1939. Initially deployed against Ch ...
over Elpaputih Bay in the Netherlands East Indies in a 433rd Fighter Squadron P-38 42-104995.
The group moved to the Philippines in October 1944 and received another DUC for bombing and strafing enemy airfields and installations, escorting bombers, and engaging in aerial combat during the first stages of the Allied campaign to recover the Philippines, October–December 1944.[
]
Major Thomas B. McGuire, Jr. was awarded the Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest Awards and decorations of the United States Armed Forces, military decoration and is awarded to recognize American United States Army, soldiers, United States Navy, sailors, Un ...
for missions on 25 and 26 December 1944 leading flights of P-38's escorting bombers that struck Mabalacat Airdrome and Clark Field
Clark is an English language surname with historical links to England, Scotland, and Ireland, ultimately derived from the Latin ''clericus'' meaning "scribe", "secretary" or a scholar within a religious order, referring to someone who was educated ...
. He scored three confirmed victories on that Christmas day, and on the following day, he scored four more against Japanese fighters. On 7 January 1945, while attempting to save a fellow flyer from attack during a fighter sweep over Negros Island in the Philippines, Maj McGuire risked a hazardous maneuver at low altitude, crashed, and was killed.[
The group flew many missions to support ground forces on ]Luzon
Luzon ( , ) is the largest and most populous List of islands in the Philippines, island in the Philippines. Located in the northern portion of the List of islands of the Philippines, Philippine archipelago, it is the economic and political ce ...
during the first part of 1945. It also flew escort missions to China and attacked railways on Formosa
Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a country in East Asia. The island of Taiwan, formerly known to Westerners as Formosa, has an area of and makes up 99% of the land under ROC control. It lies about across the Taiwan Strait f ...
. It began moving to Ie Shima
, previously romanized in English as Ie Shima, is an island in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, lying a few kilometers off the Motobu Peninsula on Okinawa Island. The island measures in circumference and covers . As of December 2012 the island had ...
near Okinawa
most commonly refers to:
* Okinawa Prefecture, Japan's southernmost prefecture
* Okinawa Island, the largest island of Okinawa Prefecture
* Okinawa Islands, an island group including Okinawa itself
* Okinawa (city), the second largest city in th ...
in August but the war ended before the movement was completed.[
During World War II, the 475th Fighter Group was engaged in combat for approximately two years. The group completed 3042 missions, (21,701 Sorties) and shot down 551 Japanese aircraft. On the other hand, the Group lost only 56 Planes to the Japanese. During the war, the Group took part in seven campaigns, and was awarded three Distinguished Unit Citations for outstanding performance of duty in action. In addition to Majors Bong and McGuire, the unit boasted such "Aces" of the Pacific War as Col. Charles MacDonald (27), Capt. Daniel T. Roberts (14), Lt. Francis J. Lent (11), Lt. Col. John S. Loisel (11), Capt. Elliot Summer (10), plus many more.
475th Fighter Gp
]
Occupation
After active combat ended, on 22 September 1945, the 475th moved to Seoul Airfield, Korea for occupation duty as part of the 308th Bombardment Wing of Far East Air Forces
The Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) is a Major Command (MAJCOM) of the United States Air Force and is also the air component command of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM). PACAF is headquartered at the Hickam AFB portion of Join ...
(FEAF). The group moved to Kimpo Airfield
Gimpo International Airport , sometimes referred to as Seoul–Gimpo International Airport but formerly rendered in English as Kimpo International Airport, is located in the far western end of Seoul, some west of the central district of Seou ...
on 7 January 1946, where it converted to the long-range P-51H Mustang.[ The following March, the group added an ]airlift
An airlift is the organized delivery of Materiel, supplies or personnel primarily via military transport aircraft.
Airlifting consists of two distinct types: strategic and tactical. Typically, strategic airlifting involves moving material lo ...
mission when the 46th Troop Carrier Squadron at Kimpo was detached from its parent group in Japan and attached to the 475th.[ In November 1947, the 433rd Fighter Squadron moved to Itazuke Airfield and was detached to the 347th Fighter Group.]
However, in August 1948 the group joined the 433rd at Itazuke and the squadron returned to the group's control.[ The same month, FEAF organized its combat units under the wing base organization system and the group became a subordinate unit of 475th Fighter Wing, as did the units supporting it. The 475th Fighter Group was inactivated on 1 April 1949 at ]Ashiya Air Base
is a military airdrome of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force . It is located north of Ashiya in the Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan.
History
Ashiya Airfield was established as a Japanese Army Air Force facility in 1944 and was used primarily as a de ...
, Japan.[
]
Cold War
In 1955, Air Defense Command
Aerospace Defense Command was a major command (military formation), command of the United States Air Force, responsible for air defense of the continental United States. It was activated in 1968 and disbanded in 1980. Its predecessor, Air De ...
(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. As part of this project, on 18 August 1955, the 475th Fighter Group (Air Defense) was activated at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport,[ where it assumed the mission, personnel and equipment of the 514th Air Defense Group, which was simultaneously inactivated. Because Project Arrow was also intended to unite squadrons with their historical groups, the 432nd Fighter-Interceptor Squadron moved on paper from Truax Field, Wisconsin to join the group at Minneapolis,][Cornett & Johnson, p. 128] where it replaced the 337th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, which departed for McGuire Air Force Base
McGuire AFB/McGuire, the common name of the McGuire unit of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, is a United States Air Force base in Burlington County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, approximately south-southeast of Trenton. McGuire is unde ...
, New Jersey. The group also assumed host responsibility for regular USAF units at Minneapolis and was assigned several support units to carry out this responsibility.[Cornett & Johnson, p. 140][Cornett & Johnson, P. 146]
The group took over the 514th's airborne interception radar
Radar is a system that uses radio waves to determine the distance ('' ranging''), direction ( azimuth and elevation angles), and radial velocity of objects relative to the site. It is a radiodetermination method used to detect and track ...
equipped and Mighty Mouse rocket armed Northrop F-89D Scorpions. By June 1956, the group was flying a mix of F-89Ds and F-89H's. The H model could carry AIM-4 Falcon
The Hughes AIM-4 Falcon was the first operational guided air-to-air missile of the United States Air Force. Development began in 1946; the weapon was first tested in 1949. The missile entered service with the USAF in 1956.
Produced in both heat- ...
s in addition to the unguided Mighty Mice. Two months later the group was completely equipped with H models.[ In the late 1950s, ADC began withdrawing from civilian airports, partly because of security concerns arising from the nuclear capability its ]interceptor aircraft
An interceptor aircraft, or simply interceptor, is a type of fighter aircraft designed specifically for the defensive interception role against an attacking enemy aircraft, particularly bombers and reconnaissance aircraft. Aircraft that are c ...
were beginning to acquire. In January 1958, the group and its subordinate units were inactivated.
Modern era
From 1983 to the present, group responsibilities included management of the Air Force weapon system evaluation program, range control for live-firing missile programs on the Gulf Range, and providing aerial targets support for special test projects, which included full-scale and sub-scale drones.
Lineage
* 475th Fighter Group
** Constituted as the 475th Fighter Group (Twin Engine) on 15 May 1943[Per Robertson, in the AFHRA Factsheet. However, Maurer states that the group was not constituted until 15 May, the day after Fifth Air Force activated the group, and that Fifth had special authority granted to it to form the unit in the combat zone before the War Department constituted it. Maurer, ''Combat Units'', p. 347.]
: Activated on 14 May 1943
: Redesignated: 475th Fighter Group, Twin Engine on 20 August 1943
: Redesignated: 475th Fighter Group, c. 29 December 1943
: Inactivated on 1 April 1949
* Redesignated 475th Fighter Group (Air Defense) on 20 June 1955
: Activated on 18 August 1955
: Inactivated on 2 January 1958
* Redesignated 475th Weapons Evaluation Group on 14 October 1983
: Activated on 15 October 1983
: Inactivated on 20 November 1998
* Consolidated with the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group as the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group on 25 July 2000[Except as noted, lineage including assignment, components, stations and aircraft are in Robertson, AFHRA Factsheet]
*53rd Weapons Evaluation Group
* Constituted as the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group on 1 November 1998
: Activated on 20 November 1998
* Consolidated with the 475th Weapons Evaluation Group on 25 July 2000
: Consolidated Group retains designation 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group[
]
Assignments
* V Fighter Command, 14 May 1943
: Attached to: First Air Task Force, c. 14 August 1943-c. 31 January 1944
: Attached to: 308 Bombardment Wing, c. 1 February-24 March 1944
: Attached to: 310th Bombardment Wing, c. 14 May – 16 June 1944
* 85th Fighter Wing, 16 June 1944
* V Fighter Command, 18 May 1945
: Attached to: 309th Bombardment Wing, 29 May-23 September 1945
: Attached to: 308th Bombardment Wing, c. 23 September 1945-c. 31 January 1946
* 308th Bombardment Wing, c. 1 February 1946
* Fifth Air Force
The Fifth Air Force (5 AF) is a Numbered Air Force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). It is headquartered at Yokota Air Base, Japan. It is the U.S. Air Force's oldest continuously serving Numbered Air Force. The organ ...
, 22 March 1947
* 475th Fighter Wing, 18 August 1948 – 1 April 1949
* 31st Air Division
The 31st Air Division (31st AD) is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Air Defense Command, assigned to Tenth Air Force, being stationed at Sioux City Municipal Airport, Iowa. It was inactivated on 3 ...
, 18 August 1955 – 2 January 1958
* USAF Air Defense Weapons Center, 15 October 1983
* USAF Tactical Air Warfare Center (later, USAF Air Warfare Center; 53rd Wing), 23 January 1991 – 20 November 1998
* 53rd Wing, 20 November 1998 – present[
]
Components
* 46th Troop Carrier Squadron: (attached 22 March 1947 – c. 1 August 1948)
* 80th Fighter Squadron: (attached 13 December 1943 – 24 February 1944)[So in Robertson, Factsheet 53 Weapons Evaluation Group. However, Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', pp. 282–283; ; all show the 80th not detached from the 8th Fighter Group during this period.]
* 81st Range Control Squadron (later Test Support Squadron, Range Control Squadron): 15 October 1983 – 20 November 1998, 20 November 1998 – present
* 82nd Tactical Aerial Targets Squadron (later, 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron): 15 October 1983 – 20 November 1998, 20 November 1998 – present
: Detachment 1 at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico[
* 83rd Fighter Weapons Squadron: 15 October 1983 – 20 November 1998, 20 November 1998 – present
* 84th Test Squadron (later Test and Evaluation Squadron), 15 April 1993 – 1 April 2001
* 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron: 23 August 1999 – present
: Eglin Air Force Base, Florida][
: Detachment 1 at Hill Air Force Base, Utah][
* 431st Fighter Squadron: 14 May 1943 – 1 April 1949 (detached 15 November 1947 – 28 August 1948)
* 432nd Fighter Squadron (later 432nd Fighter-Interceptor Squadron): 14 May 1943 – 1 April 1949; 18 August 1955 – 2 January 1958
* 433rd Fighter Squadron: 14 May 1943 – 1 April 1949 (not operational, 1 November 1945 – 17 April 1946 and 18 July 1946 – 11 September 1946; detached to 347th Fighter Group 18 November 1947 – 28 August 1948)][
* 475th USAF Infirmary][ (later 475th USAF Dispensary):][ 18 August 1955 – 1 April 1960
* 475th Air Base Squadron: 18 August 1955 – 2 January 1958
* 475th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron: 8 July 1957 – 2 January 1958][
* 475th Materiel Squadron: 18 August 1955 – 2 January 1958][
* 475th Test Support Squadron (later 53rd Test Support Squadron): 15 October 1983 – 20 November 1998, 28 January 2004 – present
]
Stations
* Amberley Airfield, Australia, 14 May 1943
* Dobodura Airfield Complex, New Guinea, 14 August 1943
* Nadzab Airfield Complex, New Guinea, 24 March 1944
* Hollandia Airfield Complex, Netherlands East Indies, 15 May 1944
* Mokmer Airfield, Biak Island, Netherlands East Indies, c. 14 July 1944
* Dulag Airfield, Leyte
Leyte ( ) is an island in the Visayas group of islands in the Philippines. It is eighth-largest and sixth-most populous island in the Philippines, with a total population of 2,626,970 as of 2020 census.
Since the accessibility of land has been ...
, Philippines, 28 October 1944
* McGuire Field, Mindoro
Mindoro is the seventh largest and eighth-most populous island in the Philippines. With a total land area of 10,571 km2 ( 4,082 sq.mi ), it has a population of 1,408,454, as of the 2020 census. It is located off the southwestern coast of ...
, Philippines, 5 February 1945
* Clark Field
Clark is an English language surname with historical links to England, Scotland, and Ireland, ultimately derived from the Latin ''clericus'' meaning "scribe", "secretary" or a scholar within a religious order, referring to someone who was educated ...
, Luzon
Luzon ( , ) is the largest and most populous List of islands in the Philippines, island in the Philippines. Located in the northern portion of the List of islands of the Philippines, Philippine archipelago, it is the economic and political ce ...
, Philippines, 28 February 1945
* Lingayen Airfield, Luzon
Luzon ( , ) is the largest and most populous List of islands in the Philippines, island in the Philippines. Located in the northern portion of the List of islands of the Philippines, Philippine archipelago, it is the economic and political ce ...
, Philippines, c. 20 April 1945
* Ie Shima Airfield, Ryukyu Islands, 8 August 1945
* Kimpo Airfield, South Korea, c. 23 September 1945
* Itazuke Air Base, Japan, 28 August 1948
* Ashiya Air Base, Japan, 25 March-1 April 1949
* Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, Minnesota, 18 August 1955 – 2 January 1958
* Tyndall AFB, Florida, 15 October 1983 – 20 November 1998; 20 November 1998 – present[
]
Aircraft
* P-38 Lightning
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning is an American single-seat, twin piston-engined fighter aircraft that was used during World War II. Developed for the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) by the Lockheed Corporation, the P-38 incorporated a distinc ...
, 1943–1946
* P-51 Mustang
The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang is an American long-range, single-seat fighter aircraft, fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II and the Korean War, among other conflicts. The Mustang was designed in 1940 by a team headed ...
, 1946–1949
* F-89 Scorpion
The Northrop F-89 Scorpion is an all-weather, twin-engined interceptor aircraft designed and produced by the American aircraft manufacturer Northrop Corporation. It was the first jet-powered aircraft to be designed for the interceptor role f ...
, 1955–1958
* F-15 Eagle
The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is an American twin-engine, all-weather fighter aircraft designed by McDonnell Douglas (now part of Boeing). Following reviews of proposals, the United States Air Force (USAF) selected McDonnell Douglas's des ...
, 1994–1998, 1998–present
* F-117 Nighthawk
The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk is an officially retired American single-seat, subsonic, twin-engined, stealth attack aircraft developed by Lockheed's secretive Skunk Works division and operated by the United States Air Force (USAF). It was ...
, 1993–1998, 1998–2006
* HH-60 Pave Hawk, 1997–1998, 1998–present
* DeHavilland E-9A Widget[
Drones
* QF-102 Delta Dagger, 1983–1984
* QF-100 Super Sabre, 1983–1993; QF-106, 1991–1996
* QF-4 Phantom II, 1996–1998, 1998 – 2016
* QF-16, 2013–present
* Numerous subscale drones, 1983–1998, 1998–present][
]
Awards and campaigns
References
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)
*
*
*
* Newton, Wesley P., Jr. and Senning, Calvin F., (1963
USAF Credits for the Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II, USAF Historical Study No. 85
*
; Further reading
* Brammeier, Major Charles L. (1987) ''USAAF Fighter Operations in the Southwest Pacific: The Role of the 475th Fighter Group''. Air University, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
* Stanaway, John. ''Possum, Clover & Hades: The 475th Fighter Group in World War II''. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing, 1993. .
* Stanaway, John. ''475th Fighter Group''. Botley, Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing Ltd., 2007. .
* Yoshino, Ronald W. ''Lightning Strikes: The 475th Fighter Group in the Pacific War, 1943–1945''. Manhattan, Kansas: Sunflower University Press, 1987.
* Zbiegniewski, Andre R. ''475 FG'' (bilingual Polish/English text). Lublin, Poland: Oficyna Wydawnicza Kagero, 2003. .
* USAF Aerospace Defense Command publication, ''The Interceptor'', Volume 21, Number 1, January 1979.
External links
*
*
* (from Yoshino)
* (from Yoshino)
*
{{USAAF 5th Air Force World War II
053 53 may refer to:
* 53 (number)
* one of the years 53 BC, AD 53, 1953, 2053
* FiftyThree, an American privately held technology company that specializes in tools for mobile creation and visual thinking
* 53rd Regiment Alabama Cavalry
* 53rd Regiment ...
Test groups of the United States Air Force
Military units and formations in Florida