I Tactical Air Division

The I Tactical Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to Second Air Force, based at Biggs Field, Texas. It was inactivated on 22 December 1945.

I Tactical Air Division
Active	1941–1945
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army Air Forces
Role	Command of tactical forces

History

The air division was activated at Fresno Army Air Base, California as the 4th Ground Air Support Command in September 1941,[1] drawing its cadre from the 15th Bombardment Wing, which was simultaneously inactivated. It was one of five such commands activated that month.[2]

Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the command's observation units performed antisubmarine patrols off the Pacific coast. These patrols continued until January 1943.[2]

At various times, supervised heavy bomber flights to Hawaii, gave air support to ground units in training, participated in air-ground maneuvers, and put on air support demonstrations.[1]

Lineage

• Constituted as 4 Air Support Command on 21 August 1941

Activated on 3 September 1941

Redesignated 4 Ground Air Support Command 30 April 1942[2]

Redesignated IV Air Support Command 12 September 1942[2]

Redesignated III Tactical Air Division 4 September 1943[2][3]

Redesignated I Tactical Air Division in April 1944

Inactivated on 22 December 1945

Disbanded on 8 October 1948[1][2]

Assignments

• Fourth Air Force, 3 September 1941[4]
• Second Air Force, 12 August 1942[5]
• Desert Training Center, 21 January 1943[2]
• Second Air Force, 1 December 1943[2]
• Third Air Force, April 1944
• Second Air Force, 23 November – 22 December 1945

Stations

• Fresno Army Air Base, California, 3 September 1941
• Hamilton Field, California, 11 September 1941
• Presidio of San Francisco, California, 7 February 1942
• Thermal Army Airfield, California, 20 January 1943
• Camp Young, California, c. September 1943
• Thermal Army Air Field, California, c. 15 December 1943
• Esler Field, Louisiana, c. 13 April 1944
• Alexandria Army Air Base, Louisiana, September 1945
• Barksdale Field, Louisiana, c. 16 November 1945
• Biggs Field, Texas, c. 23 November – 22 December 1945[1]

Components

• 12th Bombardment Group, 3 September 1941 – 21 January 1942[6]
• 47th Bombardment Group, 3 September 1941 – 15 February 1942[7]
• 69th Observation Group, 3 September 1941 – 21 August 1942[8]
• 70th Observation Group, 13 September 1941 – November 1942[9]
• 71st Observation Group, March 1942 – August 1942[10]
• 85th Bombardment Group, November 1942 – January 1943[2]
• 10th Air Support Communications Squadron, 7 September 1941 – unknown[2]
• 31st Observation Squadron, 3 September 1941 – 29 March 1943 (attached to 69th Observation Group after December 1941)[11]
• 835th Engineer Aviation Battalion, c. 16 April 1942 – c. January 1943[2]
• 319th Signal Company, Air Wing, 3 September 1941 – unknown[2]
• Tow Target Detachment, March Field (later 7th Tow Target Squadron), 3 September 1941 – November 1943[2]
• Tow Target Detachment, McChord Field (later 8th Tow Target Squadron), 3 September 1941 – July 1942[2]

References

Notes

1. Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 432–433
2. "Abstract, History 4 Air Support Command Sep 1941 – Sep 1943". Air Force History Index. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
3. Maurer indicates this redesignation occurred in August
4. Butler, William M. (May 8, 2008). "Factsheet Second Air Force (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on September 27, 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
5. Butler, William M. (March 13, 2012). "Factsheet Second Air Force (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on September 27, 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
6. Robertson, Patsy (February 6, 2015). "Factsheet 12 Operations Group (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
7. Bailey, Carl E. (September 10, 2008). "Factsheet 47 Operations Group (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on February 22, 2013. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
8. Robertson, Patsy (April 9, 2012). "Factsheet 69 Reconnaissance Group (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on September 27, 2015. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
9. Kane, Robert B. (April 18, 2012). "Factsheet 70 Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Wing (AFISRA)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2013.
10. Robertson, Patsy (June 10, 2011). "71 Operations Group (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on September 27, 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
11. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p.155

Hammer Field

Bibliography

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

• 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.

External links