The division was activated in February 1958 as the headquarters for the 363d and 432d Tactical Reconnaissance Wings at Shaw. It was also responsible for the Air Force's Advanced Tactical Reconnaissance Flying Training School, which was managed by the 432d Wing until the wing was inactivated in June 1959, then by the 4411th Combat Crew Training Group.
During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, the division deployed most of its 363d Wing to MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, from which it conducted low altitude reconnaissance missions over harbors and military sites in Cuba. Shortly after the end of the crisis, in February 1963, the division was inactivated and its resources transferred to the USAF Tactical Air Reconnaissance Center, which was simultaneously activated at Shaw.
In March 1958, the Air Force's advanced tactical reconnaissance school was assigned to the division, but was operated by the 432d Wing.[1][4] The 4411th Combat Crew Training Group was organized and assigned to the division on 8 April 1959 and began preparations to manage the advanced flying school. In June, the 432d Wing was inactivated and the 4411th Group assumed command of the school from the division.[1][5]
363d Wing reconnaissance photo of a missile launch site in Cuba
Before President Kennedy announced the presence of Soviet intermediate-range ballistic missiles in Cuba, the division and its 363d wing were notified of the high altitude reconnaissance missions by Lockheed U-2 aircraft of Strategic Air Command, which had indicated the construction of missile sites in Cuba, and began preparing target materials for possible low-level reconnaissance flights over the island. On 21 October 1962, the 363d Wing deployed RB-66s and RF-101s to MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, along with photographic interpreters and equipment from its 363d Reconnaissance Technical Squadron. For three weeks, beginning on 26 October, the wing conducted an intensive low level reconnaissance campaign over Cuba to detect missiles and short range Soviet Ilyushin Il-28 bombers. These sorties also provided the first evidence of a buildup of air defenses in Cuba when it detected SA-2surface-to-air missiles.[1][6][7]
The division was inactivated in February 1963[1] and its personnel formed the cadre for the USAF Tactical Air Reconnaissance Center, which was activated at Shaw the same day.[8] The 4411th Combat Crew Training Group and the 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing were assigned to the new center.[6] Brigadier General Aynesworth, the division commander, became the commander of the center.[9]
Lineageedit
Established as the 837 Air Division on 16 January 1958
Activated on 8 February 1958
Discontinued and inactivated on 1 February 1963[10]
^Aircraft is McDonnell RF-101C-65-MC Voodoo, serial 56-068. Now on display at Keesler AFB Air Park. Baugher, Joe (19 May 2023). "1956 USAF Serial Numbers". Joe Baugher. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
^Approved 4 August 1958. Description: Per bendazure and sable, a ray of ten segments gules, issuing from dexterchief to sinister basefimbriatedor; overall an aerial camera of the last [color mentioned] bearing at honor three fleurs de lis, two and one, of the second [color mentioned] all within a diminished border of the fourth [color mentioned].
^Aircraft is Douglas RB-66B-DL serial 53-415. This plane crashed on a night air refueling mission on 24 June 1969. Baugher, Joe (5 August 2023). "1953 USAF Serial Numbers". Joe Baugher. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
^Aircraft is Republic RF-84F-10-RE Thunderflash, serial 51-1875. This plane crashed near Wright-Patterson AFB Baugher, Joe (13 August 2023). "1951 USAF Serial Numbers". Joe Baugher. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
^The 432d Wing's 432d Tactical Reconnaissance Group had been at Shaw since March 1954. Maurer, Combat Units, p. 302.
Citations
^ abcdefghi. Air Force Historical Research Agency. 11 October 2007. Archived from the original on 30 October 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
^ ab"Biography, Brigadier General Horace D. Aynesworth". United States Air Force. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
^ abcdefLineage, including components, aircraft and commanders in AFHRA Factsheet, except as noted
Bibliographyedit
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency.
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.
Mueller, Robert (1989). Air Force Bases, Vol. I, Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982(PDF). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN0-912799-53-6.
Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947-1977. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN0-912799-12-9.
Russell, Edward T. (2000). "The Cuban Missile Crisis". In Warnock, A. Timothy (ed.). Short of War: Major USAF Contingency Operations 1947-1997. Maxwell AFG, AL: Air University Press. ISBN978-0160504112. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
December 15, 2023
837th, division, inactive, united, states, force, organization, last, assignment, with, tactical, command, ninth, force, shaw, force, base, south, carolina, where, inactivated, february, 1963, voodoo, 363d, tactical, reconnaissance, wing, shaw, active1958, 196. The 837th Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force organization Its last assignment was with Tactical Air Command s Ninth Air Force at Shaw Air Force Base South Carolina where it was inactivated on 1 February 1963 837th Air DivisionRF 101 Voodoo of the 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at Shaw AFB a Active1958 1963Country United StatesBranch United States Air ForceRoleCommand of tactical reconnaissance forcesInsignia837th Air Division emblem b 1 The division was activated in February 1958 as the headquarters for the 363d and 432d Tactical Reconnaissance Wings at Shaw It was also responsible for the Air Force s Advanced Tactical Reconnaissance Flying Training School which was managed by the 432d Wing until the wing was inactivated in June 1959 then by the 4411th Combat Crew Training Group During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 the division deployed most of its 363d Wing to MacDill Air Force Base Florida from which it conducted low altitude reconnaissance missions over harbors and military sites in Cuba Shortly after the end of the crisis in February 1963 the division was inactivated and its resources transferred to the USAF Tactical Air Reconnaissance Center which was simultaneously activated at Shaw Contents 1 History 2 Lineage 2 1 Assignments 2 2 Stations 2 3 Components 2 4 Aircraft 2 5 Commanders 3 See also 4 References 4 1 Notes 4 2 BibliographyHistory edit nbsp RB 66B Destroyer c nbsp 363 Tac Recce Wing RF 84F at Shaw AFB d The 837th Air Division was activated at Shaw Air Force Base on 9 February 1958 when the 432d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing was activated as Tactical Air Command TAC s second tactical reconnaissance wing there e The 432d joined the 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing which had been at Shaw since April 1951 The two wings were equipped with a variety of reconnaissance aircraft including both WB 66 and RB 66 Destroyers Republic RF 84F Thunderflash aircraft and McDonnell RF 101 Voodoos 1 The division s 837th Air Base Group absorbed the resources of the inactivating 363d Air Base Group and became the host unit for active duty United States Air Force units stationed at Shaw 2 Brigadier General Mack the commander of the 363d Wing became the first commander of the division 3 The division s units performed visual photographic electronic and weather reconnaissance 1 In March 1958 the Air Force s advanced tactical reconnaissance school was assigned to the division but was operated by the 432d Wing 1 4 The 4411th Combat Crew Training Group was organized and assigned to the division on 8 April 1959 and began preparations to manage the advanced flying school In June the 432d Wing was inactivated and the 4411th Group assumed command of the school from the division 1 5 nbsp 363d Wing reconnaissance photo of a missile launch site in CubaBefore President Kennedy announced the presence of Soviet intermediate range ballistic missiles in Cuba the division and its 363d wing were notified of the high altitude reconnaissance missions by Lockheed U 2 aircraft of Strategic Air Command which had indicated the construction of missile sites in Cuba and began preparing target materials for possible low level reconnaissance flights over the island On 21 October 1962 the 363d Wing deployed RB 66s and RF 101s to MacDill Air Force Base Florida along with photographic interpreters and equipment from its 363d Reconnaissance Technical Squadron For three weeks beginning on 26 October the wing conducted an intensive low level reconnaissance campaign over Cuba to detect missiles and short range Soviet Ilyushin Il 28 bombers These sorties also provided the first evidence of a buildup of air defenses in Cuba when it detected SA 2 surface to air missiles 1 6 7 The division was inactivated in February 1963 1 and its personnel formed the cadre for the USAF Tactical Air Reconnaissance Center which was activated at Shaw the same day 8 The 4411th Combat Crew Training Group and the 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing were assigned to the new center 6 Brigadier General Aynesworth the division commander became the commander of the center 9 Lineage editEstablished as the 837 Air Division on 16 January 1958Activated on 8 February 1958 Discontinued and inactivated on 1 February 1963 10 Assignments edit Ninth Air Force 8 February 1958 1 February 1963 1 Stations edit Shaw Air Force Base South Carolina 8 February 1958 1 February 1963 1 Components edit Wings363d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing 8 February 1958 1 February 1963 432d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing 8 February 1958 18 June 1959 10 Groups837th Air Base Group later 837th Combat Support Group 8 February 1958 1 February 1963 2 4411th Combat Crew Training Group 8 April 1959 1 February 1963 10 OtherUSAF Advanced Flying Training School Tactical Reconnaissance March 1958 c 18 June 1959 10 Aircraft edit Douglas RB 66 Destroyer 1958 1963 Douglas WB 66 Destroyer 1958 1963 Republic RF 84F Thunderflash 1958 McDonnell RF 101 Voodoo 1958 1963 10 Commanders edit Brig Gen Stephen B Mack 8 February 1958 Brig Gen Thomas R Ford 25 June 1958 10 Brig Gen Horace D Aynesworth 1 August 1960 1 February 1963 9 See also editList of United States Air Force air divisionsReferences editNotes edit Explanatory notes Aircraft is McDonnell RF 101C 65 MC Voodoo serial 56 068 Now on display at Keesler AFB Air Park Baugher Joe 19 May 2023 1956 USAF Serial Numbers Joe Baugher Retrieved 17 August 2023 Approved 4 August 1958 Description Per bend azure and sable a ray of ten segments gules issuing from dexter chief to sinister base fimbriated or overall an aerial camera of the last color mentioned bearing at honor three fleurs de lis two and one of the second color mentioned all within a diminished border of the fourth color mentioned Aircraft is Douglas RB 66B DL serial 53 415 This plane crashed on a night air refueling mission on 24 June 1969 Baugher Joe 5 August 2023 1953 USAF Serial Numbers Joe Baugher Retrieved 17 August 2023 Aircraft is Republic RF 84F 10 RE Thunderflash serial 51 1875 This plane crashed near Wright Patterson AFB Baugher Joe 13 August 2023 1951 USAF Serial Numbers Joe Baugher Retrieved 17 August 2023 The 432d Wing s 432d Tactical Reconnaissance Group had been at Shaw since March 1954 Maurer Combat Units p 302 Citations a b c d e f g h i Factsheet 837 Air Division Air Force Historical Research Agency 11 October 2007 Archived from the original on 30 October 2012 Retrieved 25 March 2014 a b Mueller p 527 Biography Brigadier General Stephen B Mack United States Air Force Retrieved 7 September 2015 Ravenstein pp 225 227 Abstract History 4411 Combat Crew Training Group Apr Jun 1959 Air Force History Index Retrieved 7 September 2015 a b Ravenstein pp 191 194 Russell pp 33 36 Mueller p 533 a b Biography Brigadier General Horace D Aynesworth United States Air Force Retrieved 7 September 2015 a b c d e f Lineage including components aircraft and commanders in AFHRA Factsheet except as noted Bibliography edit nbsp This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency 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 Mueller Robert 1989 Air Force Bases Vol I Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982 PDF Washington DC Office of Air Force History ISBN 0 912799 53 6 Ravenstein Charles A 1984 Air Force Combat Wings Lineage amp Honors Histories 1947 1977 Washington DC Office of Air Force History ISBN 0 912799 12 9 Russell Edward T 2000 The Cuban Missile Crisis In Warnock A Timothy ed Short of War Major USAF Contingency Operations 1947 1997 Maxwell AFG AL Air University Press ISBN 978 0160504112 Retrieved 7 September 2015 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 837th Air Division amp oldid 1171174225, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
