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{{Use American English|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox Military Unit
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name= 65th Air Division
|unit_name= 65th Air Division
| image=EC-130H 66th ECW landing at Sembach 1989.JPEG
|image= [[Image:65th Air Division crest.jpg|250px]]
| image_size = 290
|caption= Official crest of the 65th Air Division
|caption=an [[EC-130H]] of the division's [[66th Electronic Combat Wing]] landing at [[Sembach AB]]
|dates= [[25 March]] [[1943]]&ndash;[[21 November]] [[1945]]; <br />[[17 April]] [[1952]]&ndash;[[8 March]] [[1954]]; <br />[[8 April]] [[1957]]&ndash;[[1 January]] [[1965]]; <br />[[1 June]] [[1985]]&ndash;[[30 June]] [[1991]]
|dates=1943–1945; 1952–1954; 1957–1965; 1985–1991
|country= [[United States]]
|country={{USA}}
|allegiance=
|branch={{air force|USA}}
|branch= [[United States Air Force|Air Force]]
|role=Command of [[electronic warfare]] units
|type=
|role=
|size=
|command_structure=
|size=
|garrison=
|command_structure= see "[[#Assignments|Assignments]]" section below
|garrison_label=
|garrison= see "[[#Stations|Stations]]" section below
|nickname=
|garrison_label=
|motto=
|nickname=
|patron=
|colors=
|colors_label=
|motto=
|colors=
|march=
|mascot=
|colors_label=
|equipment=
|march=
|equipment_label=
|mascot=
|battles=[[European Theater of World War II]]
|equipment= see "[[#Aerospace vehicles|Aerospace vehicles]]" section below
|anniversaries=
|equipment_label=
|decorations=[[Air Force Outstanding Unit Award]]
|battles=
|battle_honours=
|anniversaries=
|decorations= [[Image:EAMERib.gif|59px]][[Image:Outstanding Unit ribbon.svg|59px]] <br />see "[[#Lineage and honors|Lineage and honors]]" section below
|battle_honours=
<!-- Commanders -->
|commander1=
|commander1_label= Current commander
|commander2=
|commander2_label= Current vice-commander
|commander3=
|commander3_label= Current command chief
|notable_commanders=
<!-- Insignia -->
<!-- Insignia -->
|identification_symbol=
|identification_symbol=[[File:65th Air Division crest.jpg|165px]]
|identification_symbol_label=65th Air Division emblem<ref group=note>Approved 1 August 1961.</ref><ref name=65ADfacts>{{cite web |url=http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=10114 |title=Factsheet 65 Air Division (Defense) |date=5 October 2007|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121014002646/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=10114 |archive-date=14 October 2012|access-date=2 April 2014}}</ref>
|identification_symbol_label=
|identification_symbol_2=
|identification_symbol_2=
|identification_symbol_2_label=
|identification_symbol_2_label=
<!-- Aircraft -->
|aircraft_attack=
|aircraft_bomber=
|aircraft_electronic=
|aircraft_fighter=
|aircraft_interceptor=
|aircraft_patrol=
|aircraft_recon=
|aircraft_trainer=
|aircraft_transport=
}}
}}


The '''65th Air Division''' is an inactive [[United States Air Force]] organization. Its last assignment was with [[United States Air Forces in Europe]], assigned to [[Seventeenth Air Force]], being stationed at [[Lindsey Air Station]], Germany. It was inactivated on 30 June 1991.
<!-- Introduction and summary -->


==History==
Established as the '''4 Air Defense Wing''', the unit was not activated or manned. Redesignated as the '''65th Fighter Wing''', the wing and its subordinate units transferred to England and was assigned to [[VIII Fighter Command]] in June 1943 and began flying combat missions. "Subordinate units escorted bombers, flew counter air patrols, and dive bombing missions. They attacked airdromes, marshaling yards, missile sites, industrial areas, ordnance depots, oil refineries, trains, and highways. During [[Big Week]] [in late] February 1944, the 65th participated in the assaults against the German Air Force and the German aircraft industry. Its units supported the [[invasion of Normandy|Allied invasion of Normandy]] (June 1944); the Allied ground troops during the [[Battle of the Bulge]] (December 1944 through January 1945); the Allied airborne attack on the Netherlands ([[Operation Market Garden]], September 1944); the defense of the [[Ludendorff Bridge|Remagen bridgehead]] against German air attacks (March 1945); and the [[Operation Lumberjack|airborne attack across the Rhine]] (March 1945)."<ref name=65ADfacts/>


"As an Air Division, it carried out air defense operations in Iceland from 1952 to 1954. Activated three years later it transferred to Spain, where it cooperated with [[Spanish Air Force]] units in the Air Defense Direction Centers (ADDCs). The 65th Air Division directed base construction, and the establishment of off base housing and radar sites. Its fighter squadrons flew air defense interceptions over Spanish airspace."<ref name=65ADfacts/>
== History ==
{{sectionstub}}


The air division "also controlled the operations of attached tactical fighter squadrons deployed to Spain for temporary duty. Assigned or attached units of the division participated in numerous exercises with the Spanish Air Defense Command, and in some instances, with the [[United States Sixth Fleet]]. In June 1985, the 65th assumed responsibility for integrating the [[United States Air Forces in Europe]]'s electronic combat systems to maximize overall warfighting potential."<ref name=65ADfacts/> In this role, it supervised the [[66th Electronic Combat Wing]] and [[601st Tactical Control Wing]].


The division was inactivated in June 1991 as the Air Force eliminated air divisions to shorten the chain of command.<ref name=65ADfacts/>
== Mission ==
{{sectionstub}}


==Lineage==
* Established as the 4th Air Defense Wing on 25 March 1943
: Activated on 27 March 1943
: Redesignated 65th Fighter Wing on 24 July 1943
: Inactivated on 21 November 1945
* Redesignated 65th Air Division (Defense) on 17 April 1952
: Organized on 24 April 1952
: Discontinued on 8 March 1954
* Activated on 8 April 1957
: Discontinued and inactivated on 1 January 1965
* Redesignated 65th Air Division and activated on 1 June 1985
: Inactivated on 30 June 1991<ref name=65ADfacts/>


== Operations ==
===Assignments===
* [[Fourth Air Force]], 27 March 1943
* [[Army Service Forces]], Port of Embarkation 6 May 1943
* [[Eighth Air Force]], 2 June 1943
* [[VIII Fighter Command]], 4 June 1943
* [[2d Air Division|2 Bombardment (later, 2 Air) Division]], 15 September 1944
* [[3d Air Division|3 Air Division]], 1 June – 21 November 1945
* [[Iceland Air Defense Force]], 24 April 1952 – 8 March 1954
* [[Sixteenth Air Force]], 8 April 1957
* [[United States Air Forces in Europe]], 1 July 1960 – 1 January 1965
* [[Seventeenth Air Force]], 1 June 1985 – 30 June 1991<ref name=65ADfacts/>


===Components===
The 65th wing and its subordinate units transferred to England in June [[1943 in aviation|1943]] and began flying combat missions. Subordinate units escorted bombers, flew counter air patrols, and dive bombing missions. They attacked airdromes, marshalling yards, missile sites, industrial areas, ordnance depots, oil refineries, trains, and highways. During "[[Big Week]]" (February [[1944 in aviation|1944]]), the 65th participated in the assaults against the German Air Force and the German aircraft industry. Its units supported the [[Battle of Normandy|Allied invasion of Normandy]] (June 1944); the Allied ground troops during the [[Battle of the Bulge]] (December 1944 through January [[1945 in aviation|1945]]); the Allied airborne attack on Holland ([[Operation Market Garden]], September 1944); the defense of the [[Ludendorff Bridge|Remagen bridgehead]] against German air attacks (March 1945); and the [[Operation Lumberjack|airborne attack across the Rhine]] (March 1945). As an Air Division, it carried out air defense operations in Iceland from [[1952 in aviation|1952]] to [[1954 in aviation|1954]]. Activated three years later it transferred to Spain, where it cooperated with [[Spanish Air Force]] units in the Air Defense Direction Centers (ADDCs). The 65th Air Division directed base construction, and the establishment of off base housing and radar sites. Its fighter squadrons flew air defense interceptions over Spanish airspace. The 65th also controlled the operations of attached tactical fighter squadrons deployed to Spain for temporary duty. Assigned or attached units of the division participated in numerous exercises with the Spanish Air Defense Command, and in some instances, with the [[United States Sixth Fleet|U.S. Sixth Fleet]]. In June [[1985 in aviation|1985]], the 65th assumed responsibility for integrating [[United States Air Forces in Europe|USAFE's]] electronic combat systems to maximize overall warfighting potential.
'''Wings'''
* [[52d Tactical Fighter Wing]]: 1 June 1985 – 30 June 1991
* [[66th Electronic Combat Wing]]: 1 June 1985 – 30 June 1991
* [[601st Tactical Control Wing]]: 1 June 1985 – 31 July 1987<ref name=65ADfacts/>


'''Groups'''
* [[4th Fighter Group]], c. 7 August 1943 – c. 31 May 1945
* [[56th Fighter Group]], c. 7 August 1943 – c. 31 May 1945
* [[78th Fighter Group]], c. 24 July 1943 – c. 18 August 1943
* [[355th Fighter Group]], c. 18 August 1943 – c. 31 May 1945
* [[356th Fighter Group]], c. 31 October 1943 – c. 8 August 1944
* [[361st Fighter Group]], c. 8 August 1944 – c. 24 December 1944; c. 10 April 1945 – c. 31 May 1945
* [[479th Fighter Group]], 31 May 1944 – 31 May 1945<ref name=65ADfacts/>


'''Flight'''
== Lineage and honors ==
* 1 Gunnery and Tow Flight: 17 November 1944 – 29 May 1945<ref name=65ADfacts/>


'''Squadrons'''
Established as '''4 Air Defense Wing''' on [[25 March]] [[1943]].
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
Activated on [[27 March]] [[1943]].
* [[1st Fighter-Day Squadron]] (later 1st Tactical Fighter Squadron): attached 27 June 1958 – c.12 November 1958.
Redesignated '''65 Fighter Wing''' on [[24 July]] [[1943]].
* [[82d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron]]: 1 April 1953 – 8 March 1954.
Inactivated on [[21 November]] [[1945]].
* [[157th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron]]: 23 November 1961 – 17 July 1962.
* [[307th Tactical Fighter Squadron]]: attached 13 March 1959 – c.31 July 1959.
* [[308th Tactical Fighter Squadron]]: attached c. August 1959 – 16 November 1959.
* [[334th Tactical Fighter Squadron]]: attached 1 April 1963 – 13 August 1963.
* [[336th Tactical Fighter Squadron]]: attached 13 August 1963 – 6 January 1964.
* [[430th Tactical Fighter Squadron]]: attached 25 September 1961 – 25 November 1961.
* [[431st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron]]: assigned 1 September 1958 – 1 July 1960; attached 1 July 1960 – c.18 May 1964.
* [[434th Tactical Fighter Squadron]]: attached 18 March 1960 – unknown; 14 August 1961 – 25 September 1961.
* [[435th Tactical Fighter Squadron]]: attached 15 December 1960 – 14 April 1961; 6 August 1962 – 1 November 1962; 2 April 1964 – 18 June 1964.
* [[436th Tactical Fighter Squadron]]: attached 1 November 1962 – 3 April 1963.
* [[474th Tactical Fighter Squadron]]: attached 15 November 1958 – 14 March 1959.
* [[476th Tactical Fighter Squadron]]: attached 16 November 1959 – 18 March 1960; 16 April 1961 – 11 August 1961; 6 January 1964 – 2 April 1964.
* [[497th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron]]: 5 July 1958 – 1 July 1960; attached 1 July 1960 – 17 June 1964<ref name=65ADfacts/>
* 871st Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron,
: Villatobas Air Station, Spain
* 872d Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron,
: Constantina Air Station, Spain
* 874th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron,
: Inoges Air Station, Spain
* 875th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron,
: Rosas Air Station, Spain
* 876th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron,
: Alcoy Air Station, Spain
* 877th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron,
: Elizondo Air Station, Spain
* 880th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron,
: Soller Air Station, Mallorca, Spain
{{div col end}}


===Stations===
Redesignated '''65 Air Division (Defense)''' on [[17 April]] [[1952]].
{{Col-begin}}
Organized on [[24 April]] [[1952]].
{{Col-break|width=50%}}
Discontinued on [[8 March]] [[1954]].
* [[Hamilton Air Force Base|Hamilton Field]], California, 27 March – 6 May 1943
* [[RAF Debden]] (AAF-356), England, 4 June 1943
* [[Saffron Walden]] (AAF-370), England, c. 17 June 1943
* [[Elveden Hall]], England (AAF-116), c. 1 September 1945
* [[RAF Troston]], England (AAF-595), c. 25 October – 21 November 1945
{{Col-break|width=50%}}
* [[Naval Air Station Keflavik|Keflavik Airport]], Iceland, 24 April 1952 – 8 March 1954
* [[Madrid]], Spain, 8 April 1957
* [[Torrejon Air Base]], Spain, 1 October 1957 – 1 January 1965
* [[Sembach Air Base]], Germany, 1 June 1985
* [[Lindsey Air Station]], Germany, 1 October 1987 – 30 June 1991<ref name=65ADfacts/>
{{col-end}}


==See also==
Activated on [[8 April]] [[1957]].
* [[List of United States Air Force air divisions]]
Discontinued, and inactivated, on [[1 January]] [[1965]].


==References==
Redesignated '''65 Air Division''' and activated on [[1 June]] [[1985]].
===Notes===
Inactivated on [[30 June]] [[1991]].
; Explanatory notes
{{Reflist|group=note}}


; Citations
{{Reflist}}


=== Service streamers ===
===Bibliography===
{{Air Force Historical Research Agency}}
This unit earned the following [[United States Air Force organizational service streamer|organizational service streamers]]:
* {{cite book|editor=Maurer, Maurer|title=Air Force Combat Units of World War II|orig-year= 1961|url= http://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001330256/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-044.pdf |edition=reprint|year=1983|publisher=Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-912799-02-1|lccn=61060979}}
* {{cite book|editor=Maurer, Maurer|title=Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II|orig-year=1969|url= http://media.defense.gov/2010/Dec/02/2001329899/-1/-1/0/AFD-101202-002.pdf|edition= reprint|year=1982|publisher=Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-405-12194-6|oclc=72556|lccn=70605402}}
* {{cite book|last=Ravenstein|first=Charles A.|title=Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947-1977|url=https://archive.org/details/airforcecombatwi0000rave|year=1984|publisher=Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-912799-12-9|url-access=registration}}


{{USAAF 8th Air Force UK}}
* World War II European-African Middle Eastern (EAME) Theater.
{{USAAF 2d Air Force World War II}}


[[Category:Air divisions of the United States Air Force|065]]
=== Campaign streamers ===
[[Category:1945 establishments in the United States]]
This unit earned the following [[United States Air Force organizational campaign streamer|organizational campaign streamers]]:

none

=== Armed forces expeditionary streamers ===
This unit earned the following organizational expeditionary streamers:

none

=== Decorations ===
This unit earned the following [[Awards and decorations of the United States Air Force#Air Force unit awards|organizational decorations]]:

* Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards (x2): [[20 March]] [[1961]]&ndash;[[9 February]] [[1962]]; [[15 April]] [[1989]]&ndash;[[14 April]] [[1991]].

=== Awards ===
<!-- Unit awards received, i.e. MAJCOM competition trophies, etc. -->


== Emblem ==

Per bend azure and gules, issuant from base in pale a closed helmet in profile supporting an antenna argent emitting two lightning flashes bendwise, one to dexter chief, one to sinister base and one bend sinisterwise to chief or, in chief an eight pointed mullet of the third and all within a diminished bordure of the fourth. (Approved [[1 August]] [[1961]]).

== Assignments ==

[[Fourth Air Force]], [[27 March]] [[1943]];
[[Army Service Forces]], [[6 May]] [[1943]];
[[Eighth Air Force]], [[2 June]] [[1943]];
[[VIII Fighter Command]], [[4 June]] [[1943]];
2 Bombardment (later, [[2d Air Division (United States)|2 Air]]) Division, [[15 September]] [[1944]];
[[3d Air Division (United States)|3 Air Division]], [[1 June]] [[1945]]&ndash;[[21 November]] [[1945]].

[[Iceland Defense Force|Iceland Air Defense Force]], [[24 April]] [[1952]]&ndash;[[8 March]] [[1954]].

[[Sixteenth Air Force]], [[8 April]] [[1957]];
[[United States Air Forces in Europe]], [[1 July]] [[1960]]&ndash;[[1 January]] [[1965]].

[[Seventeenth Air Force]], [[1 June]] [[1985]]&ndash;[[30 June]] [[1991]].


== Components ==

'''Wings:'''
* [[52d Fighter Wing|52 Tactical Fighter]]: [[1 June]] [[1985]]&ndash;[[30 June]] [[1991]].
* 66 Electronic Combat: [[1 June]] [[1985]]&ndash;[[30 June]] [[1991]].
* 601 Tactical Control: [[1 June]] [[1985]]&ndash;[[31 July]] [[1987]].

'''Groups:'''
* 4 Fighter: by [[31 October]] [[1943]]&ndash;c.[[31 May]] [[1945]].
* 56 Fighter: by [[31 October]] [[1943]]&ndash;by [[31 May]] [[1945]].
* 78 Fighter: c.[[24 July]] [[1943]]&ndash;unkn.
* 355 Fighter: by [[31 October]] [[1943]]&ndash;by [[31 May]] [[1945]].
* 356 Fighter: by [[31 October]] [[1943]]&ndash;by [[31 August]] [[1944]].
* 361 Fighter: by [[31 August]] [[1944]]&ndash;by [[31 January]] [[1945]]; by [[30 April]] [[1945]]&ndash;by [[31 May]] [[1945]].
* 479 Fighter: by [[31 May]] [[1944]]&ndash;by [[31 May]] [[1945]].

'''Squadrons:'''
* 1 Fighter Day (later, 1 Tactical Fighter): attached [[27 June]] [[1958]]&ndash;c.[[12 November]] [[1958]].
* 82 Fighter-Interceptor: [[1 April]] [[1953]]&ndash;[[8 March]] [[1954]].
* 157 Fighter-Interceptor: [[23 November]] [[1961]]&ndash;[[17 July]] [[1962]].
* 307 Tactical Fighter: attached [[13 March]] [[1959]]&ndash;c.[[31 July]] [[1959]].
* 308 Tactical Fighter: attached c. August 1959&ndash;[[16 November]] [[1959]].
* 334 Tactical Fighter: attached [[1 April]] [[1963]]&ndash;[[13 August]] [[1963]].
* 336 Tactical Fighter: attached [[13 August]] [[1963]]&ndash;[[6 January]] [[1964]].
* 430 Tactical Fighter: attached [[25 September]] [[1961]]&ndash;[[25 November]] [[1961]].
* 431 Fighter-Interceptor: [[1 September]] [[1958]]&ndash;[[1 July]] [[1960]]; attached [[1 July]] [[1960]]&ndash;c.[[18 May]] [[1964]].
* 434 Tactical Fighter: attached [[18 March]] [[1960]]&ndash;unkn; [[14 August]] [[1961]]&ndash;[[25 September]] [[1961]].
* 435 Tactical Fighter: attached [[15 December]] [[1960]]&ndash;[[14 April]] [[1961]]; [[6 August]] [[1962]]&ndash;[[1 November]] [[1962]]; [[2 April]] [[1964]]&ndash;[[18 June]] [[1964]].
* 436 Tactical Fighter: attached [[1 November]] [[1962]]&ndash;[[3 April]] [[1963]].
* 474 Tactical Fighter: attached [[15 November]] [[1958]]&ndash;[[14 March]] [[1959]].
* 476 Tactical Fighter: attached [[16 November]] [[1959]]&ndash;[[18 March]] [[1960]]; [[16 April]] [[1961]]&ndash;[[11 August]] [[1961]]; [[6 January]] [[1964]]&ndash;[[2 April]] [[1964]].
* 497 Fighter-Interceptor: [[5 July]] [[1958]]&ndash;[[1 July]] [[1960]]; attached [[1 July]] [[1960]]&ndash;[[17 June]] [[1964]].

'''Flight:'''
* 1 Gunnery and Tow: [[17 November]] [[1944]]&ndash;[[29 May]] [[1945]].


== Stations ==

[[Hamilton Air Force Base|Hamilton Field]], [[California]], [[27 March]] [[1943]]&ndash;[[6 May]] [[1943]];
Debden, [[England]], [[4 June]] [[1943]];
Saffron Walden, England, c.[[17 June]] [[1943]];
Elvedon Hall, England, c.[[1 September]] [[1945]];
Trosten, England, c.[[25 October]] [[1945]]&ndash;[[21 November]] [[1945]].

[[Keflavík International Airport]], [[Iceland]], [[24 April]] [[1952]]&ndash;[[8 March]] [[1954]].

Madrid, [[Spain]], [[8 April]] [[1957]];
[[Madrid-Torrejón Airport|Torrejon Air Base]], Spain, [[1 October]] [[1957]]&ndash;[[1 January]] [[1965]].

[[Sembach Air Base]], [[Germany]], [[1 June]] [[1985]];
[[Europaviertel (Wiesbaden)|Lindsey Air Station]], Germany, [[1 October]] [[1987]]&ndash;[[30 June]] [[1991]].


== Aerospace vehicles ==

[[P-38 Lightning]], 1944;
[[P-47 Thunderbolt]], 1943&ndash;1945;
[[P-51 Mustang]], 1944&ndash;1945.

[[F-94 Starfire]], 1952&ndash;1954;
[[F-86 Sabre]], 1953&ndash;1954.

F-86 Sabre, 1957-1960;
[[F-100 Super Sabre]], 1958&ndash;1961;
[[F-104 Starfighter]], 1959&ndash;1964;
[[F-102 Delta Dagger]], 1960&ndash;1964;
[[F-105 Thunderchief]], 1963&ndash;1964.

[[CH-53 Sea Stallion]], 1985&ndash;1987;
[[EF-111 Raven]], 1985&ndash;1991;
[[F-4 Phantom II]], 1985&ndash;1987;
[[EC-130 Commando Solo]], 1987&ndash;1991;
[[F-16 Fighting Falcon]], 1987&ndash;1991.


== Commanders ==

''Unknown'', [[27 March]] [[1943]];
Colonel Jesse Auton, [[10 April]] [[1943]];
'''Brigadier General [[Ross G. Hoyt]]''', [[4 June]] [[1943]];
'''Brigadier General [[Jesse Auton]]''', [[6 September]] [[1943]];
Colonel William L. Curry, [[29 July]] [[1945]]&ndash;unkn.

1st Lieutenant John J. Brody, [[24 April]] [[1952]];
Colonel Meredith H. Shade, [[10 October]] [[1952]];
Colonel Emmett S. Davis, [[5 September]] [[1953]]&ndash;unkn.

Captain Newell H. Beaty, [[8 April]] [[1957]];
Colonel Clay Tice Jr., [[15 May]] [[1957]];
'''Brigadier General [[Andrew J. Evans Jr.]]''', [[1 July]] [[1960]];
Colonel Thomas L. Hayes, [[25 September]] [[1963]]&ndash;[[1 January]] [[1965]].

''Unknown'', [[1 June]] [[1985]]&ndash;[[14 July]] [[1985]];
'''Major General [[John C. Scheidt Jr.]]''', [[15 July]] [[1985]];
'''Brigadier General [[Philip M. Drew]]''', [[12 August]] [[1986]];
'''Brigadier General [[John A. Corder]]''', [[3 August]] [[1987]];
'''Brigadier General [[Gerald A. Daniel]]''', [[22 April]] [[1988]];
'''Brigadier General [[Glenn A. Profitt II]]''', [[24 January]] [[1989]]&ndash;unkn.


== See also ==
{{portal|United States Air Force|Seal of the US Air Force.svg}}
<!-- Links to other Wikipedia (or inter-Wiki) articles -->
{{clear}}


== References ==
<references/>

{{User:NDCompuGeek/templates/Template:AFHRA}}

== External links ==

* [http://www.maxwell.af.mil/au/afhra/rso/airdivision_pages/0065ad.asp Air Force Historical Research Agency: 65th Air Division (Defense)]

[[Category: Divisions of the United States Air Force|Air 0065]]

Latest revision as of 03:02, 28 November 2023

65th Air Division
an EC-130H of the division's 66th Electronic Combat Wing landing at Sembach AB
Active1943–1945; 1952–1954; 1957–1965; 1985–1991
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleCommand of electronic warfare units
EngagementsEuropean Theater of World War II
DecorationsAir Force Outstanding Unit Award
Insignia
65th Air Division emblem[note 1][1]

The 65th Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with United States Air Forces in Europe, assigned to Seventeenth Air Force, being stationed at Lindsey Air Station, Germany. It was inactivated on 30 June 1991.

History

[edit]

Established as the 4 Air Defense Wing, the unit was not activated or manned. Redesignated as the 65th Fighter Wing, the wing and its subordinate units transferred to England and was assigned to VIII Fighter Command in June 1943 and began flying combat missions. "Subordinate units escorted bombers, flew counter air patrols, and dive bombing missions. They attacked airdromes, marshaling yards, missile sites, industrial areas, ordnance depots, oil refineries, trains, and highways. During Big Week [in late] February 1944, the 65th participated in the assaults against the German Air Force and the German aircraft industry. Its units supported the Allied invasion of Normandy (June 1944); the Allied ground troops during the Battle of the Bulge (December 1944 through January 1945); the Allied airborne attack on the Netherlands (Operation Market Garden, September 1944); the defense of the Remagen bridgehead against German air attacks (March 1945); and the airborne attack across the Rhine (March 1945)."[1]

"As an Air Division, it carried out air defense operations in Iceland from 1952 to 1954. Activated three years later it transferred to Spain, where it cooperated with Spanish Air Force units in the Air Defense Direction Centers (ADDCs). The 65th Air Division directed base construction, and the establishment of off base housing and radar sites. Its fighter squadrons flew air defense interceptions over Spanish airspace."[1]

The air division "also controlled the operations of attached tactical fighter squadrons deployed to Spain for temporary duty. Assigned or attached units of the division participated in numerous exercises with the Spanish Air Defense Command, and in some instances, with the United States Sixth Fleet. In June 1985, the 65th assumed responsibility for integrating the United States Air Forces in Europe's electronic combat systems to maximize overall warfighting potential."[1] In this role, it supervised the 66th Electronic Combat Wing and 601st Tactical Control Wing.

The division was inactivated in June 1991 as the Air Force eliminated air divisions to shorten the chain of command.[1]

Lineage

[edit]
  • Established as the 4th Air Defense Wing on 25 March 1943
Activated on 27 March 1943
Redesignated 65th Fighter Wing on 24 July 1943
Inactivated on 21 November 1945
  • Redesignated 65th Air Division (Defense) on 17 April 1952
Organized on 24 April 1952
Discontinued on 8 March 1954
  • Activated on 8 April 1957
Discontinued and inactivated on 1 January 1965
  • Redesignated 65th Air Division and activated on 1 June 1985
Inactivated on 30 June 1991[1]

Assignments

[edit]

Components

[edit]

Wings

Groups

Flight

  • 1 Gunnery and Tow Flight: 17 November 1944 – 29 May 1945[1]

Squadrons

Villatobas Air Station, Spain
  • 872d Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron,
Constantina Air Station, Spain
  • 874th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron,
Inoges Air Station, Spain
  • 875th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron,
Rosas Air Station, Spain
  • 876th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron,
Alcoy Air Station, Spain
  • 877th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron,
Elizondo Air Station, Spain
  • 880th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron,
Soller Air Station, Mallorca, Spain

Stations

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
Explanatory notes
  1. ^ Approved 1 August 1961.
Citations
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Factsheet 65 Air Division (Defense)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. 5 October 2007. Archived from the original on 14 October 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2014.

Bibliography

[edit]

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

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