831st Air Division

831st Air Division

Wild Weasel F-4 Phantom at George AFB in 1987
Active 1957–1971
1980–1991
Country  United States
Branch  United States Air Force
Role Command of tactical fighter forces
Part of Tactical Air Command
Decorations Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Commanders
Notable
commanders		 Lt Gen Bradley C. Hosmer
Lt Gen Richard C. Bethurem
Maj Gen Robert F. Worley
Insignia
831st Air Division emblem (Approved 11 March 1958)[1]

The 831st Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Tactical Air Command, assigned to Twelfth Air Force at George Air Force Base, California, where it was inactivated on 31 March 1991.

The division was first activated in October 1957 to command the two North American F-100 Super Sabre wings stationed at George and to provide support for them through its 831st Air Base Group. In 1958, one of its wings converted to the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, While its second wing continued to fly the "Hun" until moving in 1962, when it was replaced by a Republic F-105 Thunderchief wing.

During and after the Cuban Missile Crisis, the division deployed F-104s to Florida to augment the air defense forces there. As United States forces in Southeast Asia grew in size the division's F-105s deployed to support combat operations, with its entire F-105 wing moving in 1964. That year, a wing of McDonnell F-4 Phantom IIs was organized under the division, although a year later the F-4 wing moved to Thailand, leaving two of its squadrons behind.

After 1966, when the division added the 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, the primary mission of the division's wings was training replacement fighter and reconnaissance aircrews, primarily for Southeast Asia operations. During the Pueblo Crisis of 1968, the division gained control of a federalized Air National Guard reconnaissance wing for eighteen months. The division inactivated in 1971 and its two wings were transferred directly to Twelfth Air Force.

The division was activated again at George in 1980, replacing Tactical Training, George, which had been the headquarters for George's training operations. A few months after the division's activation, F-4 training operations were split, with one wing using F-4Es to train United States and foreign fighter aircrews and the other flying F-4Gs to train Wild Weasel crews. In 1989, it was announced that George would be closing. Training operations were consolidated into a single wing and the division was inactivated in 1991 as operations at George were reduced.

History

F-100s on the ramp at George AFB

F-100 era

The 831st Air Division was activated at George Air Force Base, California in October 1957 and assigned to Eighteenth Air Force, when the 413th Fighter-Day Wing was activated as Tactical Air Command (TAC)'s second tactical fighter wing there. The 413th joined the 479th Fighter-Day Wing, which had been at George since 1952.[note 1] The division drew its initial cadre from the headquarters of the 479th Wing and Col George Laven Jr., the 479th's commander, became the first commander of the division.[2] The two wings, which flew the North American F-100 Super Sabre, became the division's initial tactical components, while the 831st Air Base Group was assigned to the division to manage support activities at George. Three months after its activation, the division was reassigned to Twelfth Air Force, which moved without personnel or equipment from Germany to replace Eighteenth Air Force.[3] Late in 1958, when Foster Air Force Base, Texas was shutting down operations, the 450th Tactical Fighter Wing was briefly attached to the 831st.[1][4]

F-104s of the 479th Tactical Fighter Wing[note 2]

Although the 413th continued to fly the F-100 until it was inactivated, in October 1958 the 479th Wing began to convert to the Vulcan cannon armed Lockheed F-104 Starfighter. [2] A few months later, in March 1959, the 413th Wing and its components were inactivated and its mission, personnel and aircraft transferred to the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing, which moved to George from Turner Air Force Base, Georgia without personnel or equipment, when TAC transferred Turner to Strategic Air Command.[5][6] The 31st Wing moved to Homestead Air Force Base, Florida at the end of May 1962 and was reassigned, ending the Super Sabre era at George.[6]

Deployments and contingencies

F-105 at George AFB[note 3]

The 831st's time with only a single wing assigned was brief, however, for in July 1962 the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing was organized under the 831st at George and began to equip with the Republic F-105 Thunderchief. The 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron had been activated in April to begin F-105 operations and was transferred from the division to the 355th Wing when the wing was activated. After becoming combat ready with the Thunderchief, the wing began deploying its squadrons to Southeast Asia. The wing itself moved to McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas in December 1964, although most of its fighters had been operating from bases in Thailand and Viet Nam since early 1964.[1][7]

During the Cuban Missile Crisis, the division deployed a squadron of F-104s to Key West Naval Air Station to augment Navy interceptors there.[2] Following the removal of Soviet missiles from Cuba, Air Defense Command (ADC) still maintained a squadron of F-104As at Homestead Air Force Base, Florida, primarily to defend against the possibility of Cuban fighter aircraft striking across the Straits of Florida. However, the F-104A was armed only with AIM-9 Sidewinders, which were not effective against fighters, so the Air Force decided to modify these interceptors by adding cannon armament. From February through April of 1964, eight of the division's cannon-armed F-104s were dispatched to Homestead to stand alert there while ADC's Starfighters were being modified.[8]

In 1964, the Air Force implemented Project Clearwater, which withdrew Convair F-102 Delta Daggers from overseas, primarily to reduce military spending abroad, which was causing negative trade balances.[note 4] Although the returning planes were distributed throughout ADC, three interceptor squadrons and the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing were transferred to George on paper to make up a new McDonnell F-4 Phantom II wing.[9] Because Phantoms were available before the 8th Wing could be transferred from Itazuke Air Base in July, TAC activated the 32d Tactical Fighter Wing to manage the initial work up with F-4s. When the 8th arrived, the 32d's aircraft and personnel were transferred to it along with the former F-102 squadrons, while the 32d inactivated.[1][10]

Division F-104s deployed to the Pacific in 1965 to provide air defense of the Taiwan Straits and the northern provinces of South Viet Nam.[2]

The 8th Wing moved to Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base in December 1965,[11] briefly leaving the 831st with command of a single wing on a single base. However, in April 1966 the 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at Mountain Home Air Force Base was assigned to the division. Until it was inactivated in 1971, the 831st would command wings at two bases.[1] Not all Phantoms left George with the 8th Wing's departure, for the 479th added two squadrons to train crews on the F-4 Phantom.

123d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing RF-101 over Asia c. 1968[note 5]

During the Pueblo Crisis, the division's reconnaissance capability was increased when the 123d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing of the Kentucky Air National Guard was called to active duty and moved to Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base, Missouri along with three National Guard reconnaissance squadrons flying the McDonnell RF-101 Voodoo. The 123d continued on active duty until July 1969, when it returned to its home station at Standiford Field.[1]

Fighter and reconnaissance training

RF-4C of the 67th Tac Recce Wing[note 6]

In addition to participating in deployments with the Starfighter, as soon as it was activated the division's 479th Wing began training foreign air forces on the export versions of the fighter.[2]

The 831st became the active duty advisor for training two airlift wings of the Air Force Reserve early in 1965. The 349th Troop Carrier Wing was at Hamilton Air Force Base and the 452d Troop Carrier Wing was at March Air Force Base, both in California, far from the nearest TAC airlift wing, which was located in west Texas.[1][note 7]

When the 8th Wing moved to Ubon at the end of 1965, not all Phantoms left George with the 8th Wing's departure, for the 479th added two squadrons to train crews on the F-4 Phantom. These squadrons were initially assigned to the division and attached to the 479th, but in 1968 they were assigned directly to the wing.[2] Three months after the 479th added the two squadrons it began to operate a formal F-4 Replacement Training Unit, winding down its F-104 operations by July 1967.[2] Shortly after its assignment to the 831st, the 67th Wing at Mountain Home assumed the mission of training RF-4 aircrews.[12]

In 1969 the 479th Wing once again began to train airmen from foreign nations, this time training aircrew and maintenance personnel on the Phantom, continuing the training through 1971 when the division was inactivated and its wings were reassigned directly to Twelfth Air Force.[1][2][12]

Reactivation

The division was reactivated in 1980 when it absorbed the mission, personnel and equipment of Tactical Training, George and was assigned the 35th and 37th Tactical Fighter Wings.[note 8][13] In addition to maintaining a capability to deploy world-wide, it trained fighter and Wild Weasel aircrews. Wild Weasel aircraft were used to destroy enemy-controlled surface-to-air missiles The Wild Weasel aircraft were initially specially modified F-105s. but the division switched to F-4Gs in 1981. Fighter training was performed with F-4Es and included training for German Air Force crews.[1][14]

In 1985, Detachment 1 (Air Warrior) of the division was activated to act as the liaison with the Commander of the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California. The detachment planned, coordinated and controlled close air support for exercises in the Mojave Desert involving all the Army's combat arms. In July, responsibility for Air Warrior was transferred to the division's 35th Tactical Fighter Wing.[15] Air Warrior exercises continued, with aircraft from various TAC wings staging from George for the exercises.[16][note 9]

In early 1989, Secretary of Defense Frank Carlucci announced that George Air Force Base was being considered for closure.[14] In October, the 37th Wing shut down its operations at George and both fighter and Wild Weasel training were again consolidated under the 35th Wing. However, closure plans were put on hold in August 1990, when the division deployed personnel and aircraft from the 35th Wing to Southwest Asia in support of Desert Shield and later, Desert Storm.[1] The 831st was inactivated in March 1991 and its remaining responsibilities at George were transferred to the 35th Wing until George closed the following year.[1][17]

Lineage

Activated on 8 October 1957
Inactivated on 20 April 1971
Inactivated on 31 March 1991[18]

Assignments

Stations

Components

Wings

Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho
Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base, Missouri
Foster Air Force Base, Texas

Groups

Squadrons

Other


Aircraft

  • North American F-100 Super Sabre, 1957–1962
  • Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, 1958–1967
  • Republic F-105 Thunderchief, 1962–1964, 1980–1981
  • McDonnell F-4 Phantom II, 1964–1971, 1980–1991
  • McDonnell RF-4 Phantom II, 1966–1971
  • McDonnell RF-101 Voodoo, 1968–1969[18]

Commanders

Awards and campaigns

Award streamer Award Dates Notes
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 January 1988 – 15 June 1989[1]

See also

References

Notes

  1. ↑ The 413th Wing's 413th Fighter-Day Group had been stationed at George since November 1954. Maurer Combat Units, pp. 297–298.
  2. ↑ Aircraft are Lockheed F-104C-5-LOs from George AFB, California. Taken in 1960.
  3. ↑ Aircraft is F-105G Serial 63-8320
  4. ↑ The term current at the time for negative balances of trade was "gold flow". McMullen, p. 60.
  5. ↑ Aircraft is McDonnell RF-101H Voodoo serial 54-1486 from the 165th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron.
  6. ↑ Aircraft is McDonnell RF-4C-27-MC Phantom II serial 65-922, taken in 1970.
  7. ↑ The 516th Troop Carrier Wing was stationed at Dyess Air Force Base. Mueller, p. 121
  8. ↑ The 35th Wing was split four months after the division activated, with Wild Weasel operations being transferred to the newly-activated 37th Wing. "Abstract (Unclassified), Volume 1, History 831 Air Division Jan–Mar 1981 (Secret)". Air Force History Index. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  9. ↑ For example, in 1989 TAC units flying from George AFB participated in fourteen Air Warrior exercises. Abstract, TAC 1989 History.
  10. ↑ The schools were "named functions," rather than units. Although they acted as units, they were manned by personnel assigned to the division. See Tactical Air Command Special Order G-2 4 January 1965 (discontinuing the school)

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Factsheet 831 Air Division". Air Force Historical Research Agency. October 11, 2007. Archived from the original on October 30, 2012. Retrieved March 25, 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Ravenstein, pp. 266–267
  3. ↑ Kane, Robert (March 30, 2010). "Factsheet Eighteenth Air Force (Air Forces Transportation)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Abstract, History 831 Air Division Jul–Dec 1957". Air Force History Index. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  5. ↑ Ravenstein, pp. 222–223
  6. 1 2 Ravenstein, pp. 34–37
  7. ↑ Ravenstein, pp. 189–191
  8. ↑ McMullen, pp. 22–23
  9. ↑ McMullen, pp. 60–61
  10. ↑ Ravenstein, pp. 37–38
  11. ↑ Ravenstein, pp. 20–22
  12. 1 2 Ravenstein, pp. 105–107
  13. ↑ "Abstract (Unclassified), Volume 1, History 831 Air Division Oct–Dec 1980 (Secret)". Air Force History Index. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  14. 1 2 3 "Abstract (Unclassified), Volume 1, History 831 Air Division Jan–Jun 1989 (Secret)". Air Force History Index. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  15. 1 2 Cleary, Mark C. (September 17, 1985). "Abstract, Oral History Interview with Lt. Cols. Gary T. Hawes and Robert E. Bryan". Air Force History Index. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Abstract, Vol. I, History Tactical Air Command CY 1989". Air Force History Index. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  17. ↑ "Abstract (Unclassified), Volume 1, History 831 Air Division Jan–Mar 1991 (Secret)". Air Force History Index. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Lineage, including assignments, stations, components, aircraft and commanders in AFHRA Factsheet 831 Air Division
  19. ↑ Tactical Air Command General Order 54, 2 October 1957 (activating the group and assigning it to the 831st Air Division)
  20. ↑ "Abstract, History 2067 Communications Squadron Jan–Sep 1990". Air Force History Index. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  21. 1 2 "Abstract, History 831 Tactical Hospital Jan–Jun 1959". Air Force History Index. Retrieved March 15, 2015. (replacement of 4452d USAF Hospital by 831st Tactical Hospital)
  22. ↑ "Abstract (Unclassified), Volume 1, History 831 Air Division Jan–Jun 1987 (Secret)". Air Force History Index. Retrieved March 16, 2015. (redesignation of hospital as a group)

Bibliography

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.

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