The 53d Wing serves as the focal point for the combat air forces in electronic warfare, armament and avionics, chemical defense, reconnaissance, and aircrew training devices. The wing is also responsible for operational testing and evaluation (OT&E) of new equipment and systems proposed for use by these air forces. Current wing initiatives include advanced self-protection systems for combat aircraft, aircrew life support systems, aerial reconnaissance improvements, new armament and weapons delivery systems, and improved maintenance equipment and logistics support. The 53d Wing, which consists of four groups, numbers almost 2,000 military and civilians at 17 locations throughout the United States.
The AAF found that standard military units, based on relatively inflexible tables of organization were proving less well adapted to the training mission. Accordingly, a more functional system was adopted in which each base was organized into a separate numbered unit.[10] The group was disbanded in as a result of this reorganization in 1944[1] and its personnel, equipment and mission were assumed by the 338th AAF Base Unit (Replacement Training Unit, Fighter).[11]
Cold War Air Defenseedit
The group was reconstituted, redesignated as the 53d Fighter Group (Air Defense) and activated[6] to replace the 521st Air Defense Group[12] at Sioux City Municipal Airport as part of Air Defense Command's Project Arrow to bring back on the active list fighter units that had achieved memorable records in the two World Wars.[13] The 14th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (FIS), already at Sioux City transferred from the 521st,[4] while the 13th FIS moved to Sioux City to replace the 519th FIS.[3] Both squadrons flew rocket armed and radar equipped F-86D Sabres.[14] Between August 1955 and April 1960 the 53d served as an air defense unit, participating in North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) exercises and testing automated air defense systems.[1] It also was the host organization for the USAF and was assigned several support units to carry out this function.[15][16][17][18] In the fall of 1957 both of the group's squadrons upgraded their Sabres to F-86L models with data link for interception control through the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment system.[14] In July 1959 the 13th FIS moved to Glasgow AFB, Montana and was reassigned. The group and its remaining components were inactivated in 1960.[1] In 1985, the group was redesignated as the 53d Tactical Fighter Group, but it was never active under that designation.[1]
Test and Evaluationedit
The USAF Tactical Air Warfare Center was activated in 1963 to improve use of USAF tactical aviation in support of ground forces by operationally testing weapon systems and tactics for the joint U.S. Strike Command. It employed a cross-section of tactical aircraft from Tactical Air Command (TAC) bases across the country.[1] During the Vietnam War it tested tactical weapons systems and tactics for use in Southeast Asia.[1] After the war it continued operational testing of new tactical aviation weapon systems. In 1977 the center began an annual series of Air Force-wide exercises to improve command, control, communications, and intelligence (C3I) techniques.[1] Around the same time it embarked on the electronic warfare evaluation program, and continued OT&E of aviation weapon systems for TAC and later Air Combat Command, the Department of Defense, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.[1] From 1983 to present, responsible for the operational testing and evaluation (OT&E) of all Air Force aircraft/weapons systems, and providing range control for live-firing missile programs on the Gulf range and aerial targets, using full scale and subscale drones.[1] In September 1995, the 53d Tactical Fighter Group and USAF Air Warfare Center were consolidated and the consolidated unit was redesignated as the 53d Wing the following month.[1]
^ abcBray, Capt Savannah (1 October 2021). "53d Test Management Group now the 753d Test and Evaluation Group". 53rd Wing public Affairs. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
^"Abstract, History Sections T and O 338 AAF Base Unit (Replacement Training Unit, Fighter)". Air Force History Index. 1 May 1944. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
^Lahue, Melissa (14 December 2021). "Factsheet 15 Test and Evaluation Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
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). (PDF). Peterson AFB, CO: Office of History, Aerospace Defense Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 November 2006. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
Craven, Wesley F; Cate, James L, eds. (1955). The Army Air Forces in World War II. Vol. VI, Men & Planes. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. LCCN 48003657.
Hagendorn, Dan (1995). Alae Supra Canalem: Wings Over the Canal. ingram Publishing Services. ISBN978-1563111532.
Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II(PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN0-912799-02-1. LCCN 61060979.
Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II(PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556.
Rogers, Brian (2005). United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978. Hinkley, UK: Midland Publications. ISBN1-85780-197-0.
External linksedit
53d Wing Home Page
December 10, 2023
53rd, wing, wing, united, states, force, based, eglin, force, base, florida, wing, reports, united, states, force, warfare, center, nellis, force, base, nevada, which, turn, reports, headquarters, combat, command, 31st, test, evaluation, squadron, lightning, n. The 53rd Wing is a wing of the United States Air Force based at Eglin Air Force Base Florida The wing reports to the United States Air Force Warfare Center at Nellis Air Force Base Nevada which in turn reports to Headquarters Air Combat Command 53rd Wing31st Test and Evaluation Squadron F 35 Lightning II note 1 Active1941 1944 1955 1960 1963 presentCountry United StatesBranch United States Air ForceRoleOperational test and evaluationSize2100Part ofAir Combat CommandGarrison HQEglin Air Force BaseMotto s Defense by Offense 1941 1960 DecorationsAir Force Outstanding Unit Award Organizational Excellence AwardCommandersCurrentcommanderColonel Matthew BradleyNotablecommandersPaul V Hester Ronald KeysInsignia53d Wing emblem note 2 1 The 53d Wing serves as the focal point for the combat air forces in electronic warfare armament and avionics chemical defense reconnaissance and aircrew training devices The wing is also responsible for operational testing and evaluation OT amp E of new equipment and systems proposed for use by these air forces Current wing initiatives include advanced self protection systems for combat aircraft aircrew life support systems aerial reconnaissance improvements new armament and weapons delivery systems and improved maintenance equipment and logistics support The 53d Wing which consists of four groups numbers almost 2 000 military and civilians at 17 locations throughout the United States Contents 1 Units 2 History 2 1 World War II 2 2 Cold War Air Defense 2 3 Test and Evaluation 3 Lineage 4 Assignments 5 Stations 6 Components 6 1 Wing 6 2 Groups 6 3 Squadrons 6 4 Flight 6 5 Support Units 7 Aircraft flown 7 1 Awards and campaigns 8 References 8 1 Notes 8 2 Bibliography 9 External linksUnits edit53d Test and Evaluation Group28th Test and Evaluation Squadron 59th Test and Evaluation Squadron 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron 88th Test and Evaluation Squadron 418th Test and Evaluation Squadron 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron 556th Test and Evaluation Squadron Operational Flight Program Combined Test Force53d Weapons Evaluation Group53d Test Support Squadron 81st Air Control Squadron 82d Aerial Targets Squadron 83d Fighter Weapons Squadron Combat Archer 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron Combat Hammer 753d Test and Evaluation Group 2 15th Test and Evaluation Squadron 29th Test and Evaluation Squadron 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron 53rd Computer Systems Squadron 72d Test and Evaluation Squadron 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron 410th Test and Evaluation Squadron 417th Test and Evaluation SquadronHistory editWorld War II edit The group was activated in 1941 as the 53d Pursuit Group with the 13th 3 14th 4 and 15th Pursuit Squadrons 5 assigned 6 The 53d trained fighter pilots with Seversky P 35 and Curtiss P 40 Warhawk aircraft from its activation until December 1941 1 7 After the United States entered World War II the group moved to the Panama Canal Zone to fly patrols in defense of the Panama Canal 1 In conjunction with the move the group converted to Bell P 39 Airacobra aircraft 7 There it was redesignated as the 53d Fighter Group 6 The group returned to Florida in November 1942 where it became a Replacement Training Unit RTU training replacement fighter pilots RTUs were oversized units whose mission was to train individual pilots or aircrews 8 It used P 39s until June 1943 and Republic P 47 Thunderbolts thereafter 7 In early 1943 the group added a fourth squadron the 438th Fighter Squadron 9 The AAF found that standard military units based on relatively inflexible tables of organization were proving less well adapted to the training mission Accordingly a more functional system was adopted in which each base was organized into a separate numbered unit 10 The group was disbanded in as a result of this reorganization in 1944 1 and its personnel equipment and mission were assumed by the 338th AAF Base Unit Replacement Training Unit Fighter 11 Cold War Air Defense edit The group was reconstituted redesignated as the 53d Fighter Group Air Defense and activated 6 to replace the 521st Air Defense Group 12 at Sioux City Municipal Airport as part of Air Defense Command s Project Arrow to bring back on the active list fighter units that had achieved memorable records in the two World Wars 13 The 14th Fighter Interceptor Squadron FIS already at Sioux City transferred from the 521st 4 while the 13th FIS moved to Sioux City to replace the 519th FIS 3 Both squadrons flew rocket armed and radar equipped F 86D Sabres 14 Between August 1955 and April 1960 the 53d served as an air defense unit participating in North American Air Defense Command NORAD exercises and testing automated air defense systems 1 It also was the host organization for the USAF and was assigned several support units to carry out this function 15 16 17 18 In the fall of 1957 both of the group s squadrons upgraded their Sabres to F 86L models with data link for interception control through the Semi Automatic Ground Environment system 14 In July 1959 the 13th FIS moved to Glasgow AFB Montana and was reassigned The group and its remaining components were inactivated in 1960 1 In 1985 the group was redesignated as the 53d Tactical Fighter Group but it was never active under that designation 1 Test and Evaluation edit The USAF Tactical Air Warfare Center was activated in 1963 to improve use of USAF tactical aviation in support of ground forces by operationally testing weapon systems and tactics for the joint U S Strike Command It employed a cross section of tactical aircraft from Tactical Air Command TAC bases across the country 1 During the Vietnam War it tested tactical weapons systems and tactics for use in Southeast Asia 1 After the war it continued operational testing of new tactical aviation weapon systems In 1977 the center began an annual series of Air Force wide exercises to improve command control communications and intelligence C3I techniques 1 Around the same time it embarked on the electronic warfare evaluation program and continued OT amp E of aviation weapon systems for TAC and later Air Combat Command the Department of Defense and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization 1 From 1983 to present responsible for the operational testing and evaluation OT amp E of all Air Force aircraft weapons systems and providing range control for live firing missile programs on the Gulf range and aerial targets using full scale and subscale drones 1 In September 1995 the 53d Tactical Fighter Group and USAF Air Warfare Center were consolidated and the consolidated unit was redesignated as the 53d Wing the following month 1 In 2021 on the activation of the 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing the 53rd Electronic Warfare Group was inactivated broken up and its units transferred to the new wing Lineage editGroup Constituted as the 53d Pursuit Group Interceptor on 20 November 1940Activated on 15 January 1941 Redesignated as the 53d Fighter Group on 15 May 1942 Disbanded on 1 May 1944Reconstituted and redesignated as the 53d Fighter Group Air Defense on 20 June 1955Activated on 18 August 1955 Discontinued on 1 April 1960 Redesignated as the 53d Tactical Fighter Group on 31 July 31 1985 Consolidated with the USAF Air Warfare Center on 25 September 1995 consolidated unit designated the USAF Air Warfare Center 1 Center Designated and organized as the USAF Tactical Air Warfare Center on 1 November 1963Redesignated as the USAF Air Warfare Center on 1 October 1991 Consolidated with the 53d Tactical Fighter Group on 25 September 1995 1 Consolidated Wing Redesignated as the 53d Wing on 1 October 1995 1 Assignments edit22d Pursuit Wing 15 January 1941 3d Interceptor later III Fighter Command 2 October 1941 Caribbean later Sixth Air Force 1 January 1942 26th Interceptor later 26th Fighter XXVI Fighter Command 6 March 1942 III Fighter Command 26 November 1942 1 May 1944 31st Air Division 18 August 1955 20th Air Division 1 March 1956 Kansas City Air Defense Sector 1 January 1960 1 April 1960 Tactical Air Command 1 November 1963 Air Combat Command 1 June 1992 United States Air Force Warfare Center 1 October 1985 present 1 Stations editMacDill Field Florida 15 January 1941 Dale Mabry Field Tallahassee Florida 8 May 1941 8 December 1941 Howard Field Panama Canal Zone 1 January 1942 10 November 1942 Dale Mabry Field Florida 26 November 1942 Drew Field Tampa Florida 7 January 1943 Fort Myers Army Air Field later Page Field Florida 6 February 1943 1 May 1944 Sioux City Municipal Airport Iowa 18 August 1955 1 April 1960 Eglin Air Force Base Florida 1 November 1963 present 1 Components editWing edit 4485th Test Wing 16 March 1964 30 June 1965Groups edit 41st Training Group see 4441st Tactical Training Group 53rd Electronic Warfare Group November 1998 25 June 2021 formed from personnel and assets of 68th Electronic Combat Group 53d Test and Evaluation Group see 4443d Test and Evaluation Group 53d Test Management Group 1 October 2002 1 October 2021 2 53d Weapons Evaluation Group See 475th Weapons Evaluation Group 57th Test Group 1 October 1996 1 August 1997 68th Electronic Combat Group activated 15 April 1993 inactivated on 20 November 1998 personnel and assets to 53rd Electronic Warfare Group 79th Test and Evaluation Group see 4443d Test and Evaluation Group 475th Weapons Evaluation Group later 53d Weapons Evaluation Group 23 January 1991 present 505th Air Control Group see 4442nd Tactical Control Group0 753d Test and Evaluation Group 1 October 2021 present 2 4441st Tactical Training Group Blue Flag later 41st Training Group 1 March 1977 15 April 1993 4442nd Tactical Control Group later 505th Air Control Group 505th Command and Control Evaluation Group 1 March 1980 1 October 1997 4443d Test and Evaluation Group later 79th Test and Evaluation Group 53d Test and Evaluation Group 1 July 1988 present 1 Squadrons edit Fighter Squadrons13th Pursuit Squadron later 13th Fighter Squadron 13th Fighter Interceptor Squadron 15 January 1941 1 May 1944 18 August 1955 1 July 1957 14th Pursuit Squadron later 14th Fighter Squadron 14th Fighter Interceptor Squadron 15 January 1941 1 May 1944 18 August 1955 1 April 1960 15th Pursuit Squadron later 15th Fighter Squadron 15 January 1941 1 May 1944 438th Fighter Squadron 20 February 1943 1 May 1944 1 Test Squadrons31st Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 June 1992 15 April 1993 49th Test Squadron 1 June 1992 15 April 1993 513th Test Squadron 1 June 1992 15 April 1993 727th Tactical Control Squadron Test 1 October 1979 1 March 1980 3907th Systems Evaluation Squadron 1 June 1992 15 April 1993 4484th Fighter Weapons Squadron 1 October 1978 1 June 1984 4484th Test Squadron 15 October 1983 1 August 1988 4485th Test Squadron 12 April 1971 1 August 1988 4486th Fighter Weapons Squadron 1 October 1985 1 August 1988 later 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron 4487th Electronic Warfare Aggressor later 87th Electronic Warfare Aggressor Squadron 1 October 1990 15 April 1993 1 Flight edit 15th Test Flight 1 March 2016 1 October 2021 19 Support Units edit 53d USAF Infirmary 15 later 53d USAF Dispensary 16 18 August 1955 1 April 1960 53d Air Base Squadron 18 August 1955 1 April 1960 53d Materiel Squadron 18 August 1955 1 April 1960 18 53d Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron 8 July 1957 1 May 1959 17 Aircraft flown editP 35 1941 P 39 Airacobra 1942 1943 P 40 Warhawk 1941 P 47 Thunderbolt 1943 1944 P 51 Mustang 1943 F 86 Sabre 1955 1959 C 119 Flying Boxcar 1956 1963 1973 C 45 Expeditor 1957 T 33 Shooting Star 1957 1963 1973 A 4 Skyhawk 1963 1973 A 37 Dragonfly 1963 1973 B 57 Canberra 1963 1973 C 123 Provider 1963 1973 C 124 Globemaster II 1963 1973 H 3 Sea King 1963 1973 CH 21 Shawnee 1963 1973 F 100 Super Sabre 1963 1973 F 101 Voodoo 1963 1973 F 104 Starfighter 1963 1973 F 105 Thunderchief 1963 1973 O 1 Bird Dog 1963 1973 OV 10 Bronco 1963 1973 RB 66 Destroyer 1963 1973 UH 1 Iroquois 1963 1973 C 130 Hercules 1964 1974 F 111 Aardvark 1968 1978 F 86 Sabre 1955 1959 RF 4 1964 1994 F 5 Freedom Fighter 1965 1978 A 7 Corsair II 1972 1974 AC 130 Spectre 1972 1978 McDonnell Douglas F 15 Eagle 1976 present General Dynamics F 16 Fighting Falcon 1978 present Fairchild Republic A 10 Thunderbolt II 1978 present Boeing E 3 Sentry 1980 SR 71 Blackbird 1986 89 F 15 Strike Eagle 1988 present E 9 1996 present F 117 Nighthawk 1996 2008 HH 60 Pave Hawk 1996 present 1 HC 130J Combat King II 2010 present F 22A Raptor 2010 present F 35A Lightning II 2014 present F 15EX Eagle II 2021 present Awards and campaigns edit Award streamer Award Dates Notes nbsp Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 June 1998 31 May 2000 53d Wing 1 nbsp Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 June 2002 31 May 2004 53d Wing 1 nbsp Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 June 2004 31 May 2006 53d Wing 1 nbsp Air Force Organizational Excellence Award 1 January 1981 1 January 1983 53d Wing 1 nbsp Air Force Organizational Excellence Award 28 February 1984 28 February 1986 USAF Tactical Air Warfare Center 1 nbsp Air Force Organizational Excellence Award 1 March 1986 28 February 1988 USAF Tactical Air Warfare Center 1 nbsp Air Force Organizational Excellence Award 1 January 1989 31 December 1990 USAF Tactical Air Warfare Center 1 nbsp Air Force Organizational Excellence Award 1 January 1992 31 December 1993 USAF Tactical Air Warfare Center 1 nbsp Air Force Organizational Excellence Award 1 January 1994 30 April 1995 USAF Air Warfare Center 1 Campaign Streamer Campaign Dates Notes nbsp Antisubmarine 7 December 1941 10 November 1942 53d Pursuit Group later 53d Fighter Group 1 References editNotes edit Explanatory notes Aircraft is Lockheed Martin F 35A Lighting II serial 09 5006 Approved 26 May 1964 Citations a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af Robertson Patsy 24 February 2009 Factsheet 53 Wing ACC Air Force Historical Research Agency a b c Bray Capt Savannah 1 October 2021 53d Test Management Group now the 753d Test and Evaluation Group 53rd Wing public Affairs Retrieved 5 April 2022 a b Maurer Combat Squadrons p 73 a b Maurer Combat Squadrons p 78 Maurer Combat Squadrons pp 83 84 a b c Maurer Combat Units pp 115 116 a b c Abstract History 53 Fighter Group 1941 1944 Air Force History Index Retrieved 4 May 2012 Craven amp Cate Vol VI p xxxvi Maurer Combat Squadrons p 543 Craven amp Cate p 75 Abstract History Sections T and O 338 AAF Base Unit Replacement Training Unit Fighter Air Force History Index 1 May 1944 Retrieved 16 November 2012 Cornett amp Johnson p 82 Buss ed Sturm Volan amp McMullen p 6 a b Cornett amp Johnson p 114 a b See Abstract History 53 Infirmary Jul Dec 1956 Air Force History Index Retrieved 4 May 2012 a b Abstract History 53 Infirmary Jul Dec 1959 Air Force History Index Retrieved 4 May 2012 a b Cornett amp Johnson p 136 a b Cornett amp Johnson p 145 Lahue Melissa 14 December 2021 Factsheet 15 Test and Evaluation Squadron ACC Air Force Historical Research Agency Retrieved 6 April 2022 Bibliography edit nbsp 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 23 November 2006 Retrieved 4 May 2012 Craven Wesley F Cate James L eds 1955 The Army Air Forces in World War II Vol VI Men amp Planes Chicago IL University of Chicago Press LCCN 48003657 Hagendorn Dan 1995 Alae Supra Canalem Wings Over the Canal ingram Publishing Services ISBN 978 1563111532 Maurer Maurer ed 1983 1961 Air Force Combat Units of World War II PDF reprint ed Washington DC Office of Air Force History ISBN 0 912799 02 1 LCCN 61060979 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 0 405 12194 6 LCCN 70605402 OCLC 72556 Rogers Brian 2005 United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978 Hinkley UK Midland Publications ISBN 1 85780 197 0 External links edit53d Wing Home Page Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 53rd Wing amp oldid 1185443737, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
