8th Air Division
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| 8th Air Division | |
|---|---|
 Official crest of the 8th Air Force |
|
| Active | 7 April 1949–1 August 1950 19 April 1954–1 July 1957 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Garrison/HQ | see "Stations" section below |
| Equipment | see "Aircraft / Missiles / Space Vehicles" section below |
| Decorations | see "Lineage and Honors" section below |
Contents |
[edit] History
Established in 1949 to train units for the air defense of the continental United States. From May 1954–1957, division components flew early warning missions in RC-121 "flying radar stations" off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the United States.
[edit] Background of Name
[edit] In Popular Culture
[edit] Lineage and Honors
Established as 8 Air Division (Tactical) on 7 April 1949. Activated on 1 May 1949. Inactivated on 1 August 1950.
Redesignated 8 Air Division (Airborne Early Warning and Control) on 19 April 1954. Activated on 1 May 1954. Inactivated on 1 July 1957.
[edit] Service Streamers
none
[edit] Campaign Streamers
none
[edit] Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers
none
[edit] Decorations
[edit] Awards
[edit] Emblem
On a shield argent, a compass rose gules between two falcon heads, erased in fess, sable, eyes and beaks outlined or, one to the dexter, one to the sinister; on a chief of the second, ten bolts of lightning radiating or; a point in base envecked azure. (Approved 21 June 1957)
[edit] Assignments
Fourteenth Air Force, 1 May 1949–1 August 1950.
Western Air Defense Force, 1 May 1954; Aerospace Defense Command, 1 May 1955–1 July 1957.
[edit] Components
Wings:
- 551 Airborne Early Warning and Control: 18 December 1954–1 July 1957.
- 552 Airborne Early Warning and Control: 8 July 1955–1 July 1957.
Squadrons:
- 963 Airborne Early Warning and Control: 8 March 1955–8 July 1955.
- 964 Airborne Early Warning and Control: 8 March 1955–8 July 1955.
- 4701 Airborne Early Warning and Control: 1 May 1954–8 March 1955.
- 4712 Airborne Early Warning and Control: 25 May 1954–8 March 1955.
[edit] Stations
Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina, 1 May 1949–1 August 1950.
McClellan Air Force Base, California, 1 May 1954–1 July 1957.
[edit] Commanders
Unknown, 1 May 1949–1 August 1950.
Unknown, 1 May 1954–19 May 1954; Brigadier General Kenneth H. Gibson, 19 May 1954–1 July 1957.
[edit] Aircraft / Missiles / Space Vehicles
C-47 Skytrain, 1954–c. 1957; RC-121 Constellation, 1954–1957.
