3d Air Division (United States)

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3d Air Division
Official emblem of the 3d Air Division
Active	30 August 1943-21 November 1945 23 August 1948-1 May 1951 8 October 1953-1 March 1954 8 June 1954-1 April 1970 1 January 1975-1 April 1992
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

1 History
- 1.1 Background of Name
- 1.2 In Popular Culture
2 Lineage and Honors
3 Assignments
4 Components
5 Stations
6 Commanders
7 Aircraft / Missiles / Space Vehicles
8 References
9 External links

[edit] History

The division entered combat in September 1943, performing strategic bombardment against Axis targets in the European theater of operations. During the weeks immediately preceding D-Day (6 June 1944), division aircraft bombed tactical targets such as German communications centers and lines of support, and on D-Day hit targets on the Cherbourg Peninsula immediately behind the landing beaches.

In August 1948, the division assumed the job of administering and controlling attached Strategic Air Command (SAC) bombardment, fighter, and reconnaissance organizations deployed in England for training. From 3 January 1949-21 January 1951, as a major command the division controlled large numbers of USAF organizations based in the United Kingdom and supervised a tremendous airfield construction program. It also provided aircraft maintenance support for C-54 aircraft used in the Berlin Airlift. When the Berlin Airlift ended in 1949, the division participated in the Military Assistance Program in England and began an extensive air base construction program through May 1951.

It moved to Guam and gained most of the resources of the former Far East Air Forces Bomber Command (Provisional) in June 1954. The division exercised operational control over numerous deployed tactical components, since all SAC operations in the region came under its jurisdiction. It also supported air refueling needs of all United States military agencies operating in or transiting the region. In mid 1958, the deployment of entire SAC wings to Guam was replaced by an "Air Mail" alert program, whereby several B-47 wings in the U.S. maintained a specific number of B-47s and KC-97s at Andersen AFB to meet both routine and alert requirements. In April 1964, the division switched from "Air Mail" B-47 / KC-97 to "Reflex" B-52 / KC-135 alert forces, again with aircraft and crews furnished in deployed status from U.S. based SAC wings. In 1965, it became heavily involved in Arc Light and Young Tiger operations in the Far East and SE Asia (SEA). Strategic Air Command wings in the U.S. furnished the aircrews and aircraft for these operations. The first elements of the 3d Air Division to enter combat in SEA were the tanker forces under Young Tiger. In June 1965, Arc Light B-52s struck suspected Viet Cong targets in South Vietnam, commencing the first SAC combat missions. B-52s began striking targets in North Vietnam on 11 April 1966; the initial attack against the Mu Gia Pass marked the largest single bomber raid since World War II. By late 1969, most Arc Light operations staged from U Tapao, Thailand, while others were mounted from Kadena and Andersen. Andersen AFB remained the primary base for deployed forces from the U.S., however, and aircraft and crews were sent from Guam to Kadena and U Tapao for combat missions.

On 1 April 1970 the 3d Air Division's resources passed to the Eighth Air Force. Effective 1 January 1975, 3d Air Division again controlled all SAC operations in the Western Pacific, Far East, and Southeast Asia. Additionally, it assumed responsibility for air refueling support of all U.S. military forces in these areas. During Persian Gulf operations in late 1990 through early 1991, it tasked and supported numerous sorties supporting the deployment in the Pacific Area of Responsibility (AOR).

[edit] Background of Name

[edit] In Popular Culture

[edit] Lineage and Honors

Established as 3 Bombardment Division on 30 August 1943; Activated on 13 September 1943; Redesignated 3 Air Division on 1 January 1945; Inactivated on 21 November 1945.

Organized on 23 August 1948; Discontinued on 1 May 1951.

Redesignated 3 Air Division (Operational) on 8 October 1953; Activated on 25 October 1953; Inactivated on 1 March 1954.

Redesignated 3 Air Division on 8 June 1954; Activated on 18 June 1954; Inactivated on 1 April 1970.

Activated on 1 January 1975; Inactivated on 1 April 1992.

[edit] Service Streamers

World War II European African Middle Eastern (EAME) Theater

[edit] Campaign Streamers

none

[edit] Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers

none

[edit] Decorations

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device: 2 March 1969-31 March 1970
Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards (3): 18 June 1965-1 March 1966; 2 March 1966-1 March 1968; 2 March 1968-1 March 1969

[edit] Awards

[edit] Emblem

Azure, three lightning bolts, points to base, radiating to chief or. (Approved 14 March 1955)

[edit] Assignments

VIII Bomber Command (later, Eighth Air Force), 13 September 1943; VIII Fighter Command, 16 July 1945-21 November 1945.

United States Air Forces in Europe, 23 August 1948; United States Air Force, 3 January 1949; United States Air Forces in Europe, 21 January 1951-1 May 1951.

United States Air Forces in Europe, 25 October 1953-1 March 1954.

Strategic Air Command, 18 June 1954-1 April 1970.

Strategic Air Command, 1 January 1975; Fifteenth Air Force, 31 January 1982-1 April 1992.

[edit] Components

Wings:

1 Bombardment: 12 August 1945-c.26 August 1945
2 Bombardment: 12 August 1945-c.26 August 1945
4 Combat Bombardment: 13 September 1943-18 June 1945 (not operational, 18 November 1944-9 February 1945)
4 Bombardment Provisional: 18 November 1944-10 February 1945
5 Strategic Reconnaissance: attached 14 January 1955-12 April 1955
6 Bombardment (later, 6 Strategic Reconnaissance): attached 14 January 1955-12 April 1955; assigned 9 August 1990-1 April 1992
9 Bombardment: attached 3 October 1955-22 October 1955; attached 1 October 1957-c.10 January 1958
13 Combat Bombardment (later, 13th Bombardment): 13 September 1943-c.6 August 1945
14 Bombardment: 16 June 1945-26 August 1945
20 Bombardment: 16 June 1945-26 August 1945
22 Bombardment: attached 1 April 1957-5 July 1957; attached 6 February 1968-c.15 April 1968
28 Strategic Reconnaissance: attached 14 April 1955-24 July 1955
31 Fighter Escort: attached 3 January 1951-10 February 1951
43 Bombardment (later, 43 Strategic, 43 Bombardment): attached 1 July 1957-October 1957; assigned 1 January 1975-30 September 1990
45 Combat Bombardment: 13 September 1943-18 June 1945
55 Strategic Reconnaissance: attached 15 January 1951-10 February 1951
65 Fighter: 1 June 1945-1 November 1945 (not operational, 28 August 1945-1 November 1945)
66 Fighter: 15 September 1944-1 November 1945 (not operational, c.16 October 1945-1 November 1945)
67 Fighter: 12 August 1945-1 November 1945 (not operational, 16 October 1945-1 November 1945)
91 Bombardment: attached 5 February 1968-15 April 1968
91 Strategic Reconnaissance: attached 16 January 1951-10 February 1951
92 Bombardment: attached 16 October 1954-12 January 1955; attached 26 April 1956-6 July 1956
92 Combat Bombardment: 31 March 1944-c.13 June 1945 (not operational, 18 November 1944-c.13 June 1945)
93 Bombardment: attached c.20 January 1950-1 February 1951
93 Combat Bombardment: 10 January 1944-c.13 July 1945 (not operational, 24 May 1945-c. 13 July 1945)
95 Bombardment: attached 26 July 1955-14 November 1955
96 Bombardment: attached 10 January 1957-7 April 1957
97 Bombardment: attached c.26 July 1950-10 February 1951
99 Bombardment: attached 29 January 1956-25 April 1956
301 Bombardment: attached c.3 July 1950-1 December 1950
303 Bombardment: attached 4 July 1956-4 October 1956; attached 5 April 1958-4 July 1958
307 Strategic: 1 January 1975-30 September 1975
320 Bombardment: attached 5 October 1956-11 January 1957
341 Bombardment: attached 9 January 1958-c.4 April 1958
376 Strategic: 1 January 1975-30 October 1991
401 Provisional Combat, Bombardment: 13 September 1943-14 September 1943
402 Provisional Combat, Bombardment: 13 September 1943-14 September 1943
403 Provisional Combat, Bombardment: 13 September 1943-14 September 1943
509 Bombardment: attached 1 February 1951-1 May 1951; attached 11 July 1954-15 October 1954
3960 Air Base (later, 3960 Air Base Group; 3960 Strategic Wing; 3960 Combat Support Group; 3960 Strategic Wing): 1 April 1955-1 April 1970
4252 Strategic: 12 January 1965-1 April 1970
4258 Strategic: 2 June 1966-1 April 1970 (detached 2 June 1966-c.25 October 1966)
Bombardment Wing Provisional, 4133: attached 1 February 1966-1 April 1970

Groups:

2 Bombardment: attached 23 August 1948-17 November 1948; attached 21 February 1950-c.15 May 1950.
4 Fighter: 16 October 1945-1 November 1945.
20 Fighter Bomber: attached 20 July 1950-10 December 1950.
22 Bombardment: attached 19 November 1948-14 February 1949; attached 17 November 1949-17 February 1950.
28 Bombardment: attached 23 August 1948-18 October 1948.
43 Bombardment: attached 20 August 1949-18 November 1949.
92 Bombardment: attached 6 February 1949-6 May 1949.
94 Bombardment: 13 September 1943-14 September 1943; 18 June 1945-12 August 1945; 28 September 1945-1 November 1945.
95 Bombardment: 13 September 1943-14 September 1943.
96 Bombardment: 13 September 1943-14 September 1943; 18 June 1945-12 August 1945; 28 September 1945-1 November 1945.
97 Bombardment: attached 4 November 1948-15 February 1949.
98 Bombardment: attached 18 May 1949-18 August 1949.
100 Bombardment: 13 September 1943-14 September 1943; 18 June 1945-12 August 1945; 28 September 1945-1 November 1945.
301 Bombardment: attached 19 October 1948-17 January 1949; attached 19 May 1950-c.3 July 1950.
307 Bombardment: attached 23 August 1948-4 November 1948; attached 15 February 1949-30 April 1949.
339 Fighter: 14 April 1944-c.6 August 1944.
355 Fighter: 16 July 1945-October 1945.
385 Bombardment: 13 September 1943-14 September 1943.
388 Bombardment: 13 September 1943-14 September 1943.
390 Bombardment: 13 September 1943-14 September 1943.
479 Fighter: 16 July 1945-October 1945.
493 Bombardment: 1 January 1944-10 January 1944.
509 Bombardment: attached 4 May 1949-30 August 1949.

Squadrons:

2 Air Refueling: attached 6 April 1950-c.15 May 1950.
23 Strategic Reconnaissance: attached 22 December 1949-6 March 1950.
36 Bombardment: 12 August 1945-1 September 1945.
72 Strategic Reconnaissance: attached 1 June 1950-15 November 1950.
82 Strategic Reconnaissance: 25 August 1967-2 January 1968.
301 Air Refueling: attached 19 May 1950-c.3 July 1950.
652 Bombardment (Weather Reconnaissance): 25 August 1945-1 September 1945; 12 October 1945-1 November 1945.
653 Bombardment (Weather Reconnaissance): 12 October 1945-1 November 1945.
862 Bombardment: attached 17 February 1945-7 May 1945.

[edit] Stations

Camp Blainey, England, 13 September 1943; RAF Honington, England, c.27 October 1945-21 November 1945.

RAF Marham, England, 23 August 1948; Bushy Park, England, 8 September 1948; Victoria Park Estate (later, USAF Station), South Ruislip, England, 15 April 1949-1 May 1951.

Wiesbaden Army Airfield, Germany, 25 October 1953-1 March 1954.

Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, 18 June 1954-1 April 1970.

Andersen AFB, Guam, 1 January 1975; Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, 12 September 1988-1 April 1992.