4730th Air Defense Group
Military unit
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 4730th Air Defense Group is a discontinued United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the New York Air Defense Sector at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, where it was discontinued in 1959.
| 4730th Air Defense Group | |
|---|---|
| |
| Active | 1957–59 |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Air Force |
| Type | Fighter interceptor |
| Role | Air defense |
| Insignia | |
| Patch with the 4730th Air Defense Group emblem |  |
The group was formed to provide a single command and support organization for the two fighter interceptor squadrons of Air Defense Command that were tenants at McGuire, a Military Air Transport Service base. It was also assigned a squadron to perform aircraft maintenance. The 4730th was discontinued when the 332d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron moved in 1959, leaving only a single fighter squadron at McGuire.
History
The 4730th Air Defense Group was established to provide a headquarters for the two Air Defense Command (ADC) Fighter-Interceptor Squadrons (FIS) stationed at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey,[1] a Military Air Transport Service (MATS) base.[2] MATS' 1611th Air Base Group acted as host base organization for McGuire.[3] The group was assigned the 332d and 539th Fighter-Interceptor Squadrons (FIS), flying radar equipped and Mighty Mouse rocket armed North American F-86D Sabre aircraft as its operational components.[4][5] Some of the Sabres were F-86Ls, which were equipped with a data link for interception control through the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment system.[6][7] The group mission was to train and maintain tactical flying units to defend the Mid-Atlantic United States. The two fighter squadrons were already stationed at McGuire and had been assigned to the New York Air Defense Sector.[6][7]
Maintenance for the two squadrons was provided by the 601st Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (CAMS), which was activated at McGuire along with the rest of the group.[8] The 332d FIS converted to Convair F-102 Delta Dagger aircraft in July 1957,[4] while the 539th FIS retained its F-86s until the Spring of 1959, when it converted to Convair F-106 Delta Darts.[5]
The group was discontinued shortly after the 332d FIS departed for England Air Force Base, Louisiana, leaving only a single operational ADC squadron at McGuire.[1][6] The 601st CAMS was inactivated with the group, while the 539th FIS was assigned directly to the New York Air Defense Sector.[7][8]
Lineage
- Designated as the 4730th Air Defense Group and organized on 8 February 1957
- Discontinued on 1 August 1959[1]
Assignments
- New York Air Defense Sector, 8 February 1957 – 1 August 1959[1]
Components
- 332d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 8 February 1957 – 10 July 1959[6]
- 539th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 8 February 1957 – 1 August 1959[7]
- 601st Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 8 February 1957 – 1 August 1959[8]
Stations
- McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, 8 February 1957 – 1 August 1959[1]