39th Air Division explained

Unit Name:39th Air Division
Dates:1952–1968
Country: United States
Role:Command of tactical and air defense forces
Command Structure:Pacific Air Forces
Identification Symbol Label: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

Redesignated as: 39th Air Division on 18 March 1955

Discontinued and inactivated on 15 January 1968[1]

Assignments

Stations

Components

Wings

Squadrons

Aircraft

See also

References

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Factsheet 39 Air Division . 5 October 2007. Air Force Historical Research Agency . https://web.archive.org/web/20121023025633/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=10093 . 23 October 2012. 9 April 2014.