1st Strategic Aerospace Division

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1st Strategic Aerospace Division
Official crest of the 1st Strategic Aerospace Division
Active	30 August 1943–31 October 1945 7 June 1946–1 December 1948 1 July 1954–1 April 1955 15 April 1955–20 May 1956 15 April 1957–1 September 1991
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

Activated 30 August 1943, the 1st Strategic Aerospace Division (1 SAD) supervised and directed heavy bombardment serving in this role until 31 October 1945. Reactivated on 7 June 1946, the unit assumed fighter reconnaissance, bomber organization and air defense of the Ryukyu (Japan) Islands from the Eighth Air Force. After again disbanding, the unit later performed a variety of missions, including a holding unit for the Eighth Air Force, meteorological survey, and the first division-level unit supervising IRBM and ICBM units. In January 1958, the unit became an operational unit under the Strategic Air Command (SAC) undertaking operations testing of missile systems, support of missile launchings by SAC and other agencies and the training of SAC missileers. These missions continued until the final disbandment on 1 September 1991.

Contents 1 History 2 Lineage and Honors 2.1 Service Streamers 2.2 Campaign Streamers 2.3 Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers 2.4 Decorations 2.5 Awards 2.6 Emblem 3 Assignments 4 Components 5 Stations 6 Commanders 7 Aircraft / Missiles / Space Vehicles 8 See also 9 References 10 External links

[edit] History

The division directed and supervised heavy bombardment (1943-1945) and fighter (1944-1945) operations during World War II in the European Theater. Replacing the Eighth Air Force in Okinawa in June 1946, the division directed fighter reconnaissance and bomber organizations, and provided air defense for the Ryukyu Islands, Japan until December 1948. From 1954 to 1955, the division served as a holding unit at Westover Air Force Base, Massachusetts, for personnel of Eighth Air Force, who moved to the base as part of a transfer of Eighth's headquarters from Carswell Air Force Base, Texas. Activated again under the Air Research and Development Command in April 1957, it was the first division level organization controlling intermediate range and intercontinental ballistic missiles. It became an operational component of Strategic Air Command (SAC) in January 1958 and began operational testing of missile systems, supporting missile launchings by SAC and other agencies, and training SAC missilemen.

[edit] Lineage and Honors

Established as 1 Bombardment Division on 30 August 1943. Activated on 13 September 1943. Redesignated 1 Air Division on 19 December 1944. Inactivated on 31 October 1945.

Activated on 7 June 1946. Inactivated on 1 December 1948.

Activated on 1 July 1954. Inactivated on 1 April 1955.

Redesignated 1 Air Division (Meteorological Survey) on 12 April 1955. Activated on 15 April 1955. Inactivated on 20 May 1956.

Redesignated 1 Missile Division on 18 March 1957. Activated on 15 April 1957. Redesignated 1 Strategic Aerospace Division on 21 July 1961. Redesignated Strategic Missile Center on 31 July 1990. Inactivated on 1 September 1991.

[edit] Service Streamers

• World War II: European African Middle Eastern (EAME) Theater.

[edit] Campaign Streamers

none

[edit] Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers

none

[edit] Decorations

• Distinguished Unit Citation: Germany, 11 January 1944.
• Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards (6): 1 January 1970–30 June 1971; 1 July 1974–30 June 1976; 1 July 1977–30 June 1979; 1 July 1982–30 June 1983; 1 July 1984–30 June 1986; 1 July 1986–30 June 1988.

[edit] Awards

[edit] Emblem

Per fess nebuly abased azure and or fimbriated argent, issuant from base a demi sphere with grid lines and land masses of the third, the latter outlined of the first and water areas proper, heightened and encircled by two olive branches vert nerved of the second; surmounting the sphere in pale, a lightning flash gules terminating in chief accosted by two smaller flashes of the like in base radiant from the sphere; in dexter chief a descending nose cone in band proper, with seven streaks of the third; in sinister chief four mullets of the like, all within a diminished border of the last. (Approved on 17 August 1959)

[edit] Assignments

VIII Bomber Command (later, Eighth Air Force), 13 September 1943; VIII Fighter Command, 16 July 1945–31 October 1945.

Pacific Air Command, U.S. Army (later, Far East Air Forces), 7 June 1946–1 December 1948.

Eighth Air Force, 1 July 1954–1 April 1955.

Strategic Air Command, 15 April 1955–20 May 1956.

Air Research and Development Command, 15 April 1957; Strategic Air Command, 1 January 1958; Fifteenth Air Force, 1 September 1988–1 September 1991.

[edit] Components

Divisions:

• 301 Fighter (Provisional): 18 August 1948–16 September 1948 (not operational entire period).

Wings:

• 1 Combat Bombardment (later, 1 Bombardment): 13 September 1943–12 August 1945.
• 2 Bombardment: 31 July 1945–12 August 1945.
• 32 Composite: 24 August 1948–1 December 1948.
• 40 Combat Bombardment (later, 40 Bombardment): 13 September 1943–26 September 1945.
• 41 Combat Bombardment (later, 41 Bombardment): 13 September 1943–1 June 1945.
• 51 Fighter: 18 August 1948–1 December 1948.
• 67 Fighter: attached 6 October 1944–31 December 1944, assigned 1 January 1945–12 August 1945.
• 71 Tactical Reconnaissance: 18 August 1948–25 October 1948 (not operational, and detached, 24 August 1948–25 October 1948).
• 92 Combat Bombardment: 1 December 1943–c.11 December 1943.
• 94 Combat Bombardment (later, 94 Bombardment): 12 December 1943–18 June 1945.
• 301 Fighter: 7 June 1946–1 December 1948 (not operational, 18 August 1948–1 December 1948).
• 316 Bombardment: 7 June 1946–21 June 1948.
• 392 Strategic Missile: 18 October 1961–20 December 1961.
• 456 Troop Carrier: attached c.15 April 1955–26 March 1956.
• 703 Strategic Missile: 25 September 1958–15 January 1959.
• 704 Strategic Missile: 1 August 1957–1 July 1959 (not operational 6 April 1959–1 July 1959).
• 706 Strategic Missile: 23 February 1958–16 January 1959.
• 4320 Strategic (Missile): 1 February 1958–23 February 1958.
• 101 Provisional Heavy Bombardment Combat: attached 13 September 1943–16 September 1943.
• 102 Provisional Heavy Bombardment Combat: attached 13 September 1943–16 September 1943.
• 103 Provisional Heavy Bombardment Combat: attached 13 September 1943–16 September 1943.
• Strategic Missile, Provisional: attached 1 January 1958–1 February 1958.

Groups:

• 6 Bombardment: 1 June 1947–18 October 1948 (not operational).
• 71 Tactical Reconnaissance: attached 18 August 1948–1 November 1948.
• 93 Bombardment: attached 24 May 1948–25 August 1948.
• 94 Bombardment: 12 August 1945–26 September 1945.
• 96 Bombardment: 12 August 1945–26 September 1945.
• 98 Bombardment: attached 25 August 1948–1 December 1948.
• 100 Bombardment: 12 August 1945–26 September 1945.

Squadrons:

• 6 Troop Carrier: attached 10 June 1946–c. April 1947.
• 25 Liaison: 30 March 1947–15 September 1947.
• 36 Bombardment: 21 November 1943–27 February 1944 (detached 4 December 1943–27 February 1944); 1 January 1945–12 August 1945; 1 September 1945–October 1945.
• 392 Missile Training: attached 6 April 1959–30 June 1959, assigned 1 July 1959–18 October 1961; assigned 20 December 1961–1 February 1963.
• 394 Missile Training (later, 394 Strategic Missile; 394 ICBM Test Maintenance): attached 6 April 1958–15 December 1958; assigned 1 July 1960–18 October 1961; assigned 20 December 1961–1 September 1991.
• 395 Missile Training (later 395 Strategic Missile): attached 6 April 1959–30 June 1959, assigned 1 July 1959–18 October 1961; assigned 20 December 1961–31 December 1969.
• 406 Bombardment: c.11 November 1943–26 February 1944 (detached 4 December 1943–21 February 1944); 30 December 1944–5 August 1945.
• 576 Strategic Missile: attached 6 April 1959–30 June 1959, assigned 1 July 1959–18 October 1961; assigned 20 December 1961–2 April 1966.
• 644 Strategic Missile: attached 6 April 1959–30 June 1959, assigned 1 July 1959–1 November 1959 (never operational).
• 652 Bombardment: 13 July 1945–25 August 1945; 1 September 1945–12 October 1945.
• 857 Bombardment: attached 10 March 1945–c. August 1945.
• 864 Strategic Missile (later, 864 Technical Training): attached 1 November 1958–30 June 1959, assigned 1 July 1959–1 June 1960.
• 865 Strategic Missile (later, 865 Technical Training): attached 1 November 1958–30 June 1959, assigned 1 July 1959–1 November 1959.
• 866 Strategic Missile (later, 866 Technical Training): attached 1 November 1958–30 June 1959, assigned 1 July 1959–25 May 1962 (not operational, 17 May 1962–25 May 1962).
• 4315 Student (later, 4315 Combat Crew Training): attached 6 April 1959–30 Jun 1959, assigned 1 July 1959–18 October 1961; assigned 20 December 1961–31 March 1970; assigned 14 January 1975–1 September 1991.

[edit] Stations

Brampton Grange, England, 13 September 1943; Alconbury, England, 16 September 1945–31 October 1945.

Kadena (later, Kadena Army Air Base; Kadena Air Base), Okinawa, 7 June 1946–1 December 1948.

Westover AFB (later Westover Air Reserve Base), Massachusetts, 1 July 1954–1 April 1955.

Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, 15 April 1955–20 May 1956.

Inglewood, California, 15 April 1957; Cooke (later, Vandenberg) AFB, California, 16 July 1957–1 September 1991.

[edit] Commanders

• Brigadier General Robert B. Williams, 13 September 1943;
• Brigadier General Robert F. Travis, 18 December 1943;
• Major General Robert B. Williams, 1 January 1944;
• Major General Howard M. Turner, 22 October 1944;
• Brigadier General Bartlett Beaman, 9 March 1945 (temporary);
• Major General Howard M. Turner, c.1 April 1945;
• Brigadier General Bartlett Beaman, 8 June 1945;
• Major General Howard M. Turner, 3 July 1945;
• Brigadier General Bartlett Beaman, 26 September 1945–31 October 1945.

• Brigadier General Patrick W. Timberlake, 7 June 1946;
• Major General Albert F. Hegenberger, 20 September 1946;
• Major General Charles T. Myers, 6 December 1947–1 December 1948.

• None (not manned), 1 July 1954–2 January 1955;
• Lieutenant Colonel Robert G. Bradley, 3 January 1955–1 April 1955.

• Brigadier General William P. Fisher, 15 April 1955–20 May 1956.

• Colonel William A. Sheppard, 15 April 1957;
• Major General David Wade, 1 January 1958;
• Major General Joseph J. Preston, 1 July 1961;
• Brigadier General Richard 0. Hunziker, 22 July 1963;
• Major General Selmon W. Wells, 29 July 1963;
• Brigadier General William S. Rader, 27 September 1965;
• Major General Harold E. Humfeld, 27 November 1965;
• Brigadier General William S. Rader, 23 January 1967;
• Major General William B. Martensen, 27 June 1967;
• Colonel George Pfeiffer Jr., 24 June 1968;
• Major General Paul K. Carlton, 19 August 1968;
• Colonel George Pfeiffer Jr., 10 March 1969;
• Major General Gerald W. Johnson, 1 April 1969;
• Major General William C. Garland, 28 July 1969;
• Major General Salvador E. Felices, 31 July 1972;
• Major General Leo C. Lewis, 14 June 1973 (temporary);
• Major General Salvador E. Felices, 13 August 1973;
• Colonel Miles C. Wiley Jr., 25 August 1973;
• Major General John W. Pauly, 3 September 1973;
• Colonel Miles C. Wiley Jr., 18 June 1974;
• Major General William M. Schoning, 13 July 1974;
• Colonel Charles E. McCartney Jr., 12 July 1975;
• Brigadier General Stuart H. Sherman Jr., 27 July 1975;
• Major General David L. Gray, 21 November 1977;
• Major General Edwin A. Coy, 26 October 1978;
• Major General Jack L. Watkins, 25 November 1980;
• Major General Donald O. Aldridge, 1 October 1986;
• Major General Arlen D. Jameson, 31 August 1988;
• Brigadier General Thomas E. Kuenning, 15 January 1991–1 September 1991.

[edit] Aircraft / Missiles / Space Vehicles

B-17 Flying Fortress, 1943-1945; B-24 Liberator, 1943-1945; P-47 Thunderbolt, 1944; P-51 Mustang, 1944-1945.

primarily B-29 Superfortress, 1946-1948; P-47 Thunderbolt, 1946-1948; P(later, F)-61 Black Widow, 1946-1948; F-80 Shooting Star, 1947-1948; but also flew B/ERB-17 Flying Fortress, 1946-1948; B-25 Mitchell, 1946; B-29 Superfortress/F-13 Superfortress, 1946-1947; C-45 Expeditor, 1946; C-46 Commando, 1946-1947; L-4 Grasshopper, 1946; L-5 Sentinel, 1946-1948; OA-10 Catalina, 1946-1947; R-6, 1946; B/FB-17 Flying Fortress, 1948; RB-29 Superfortress, 1948; F-2 Expeditor (FotoRecon), 1948.

C-119 Flying Boxcar, 1955-1956.

PGM-17 Thor, 1958-1962; SM-68 Atlas, 1958-1966; PGM-19 Jupiter, 1958-1962; SM-68 Titan, 1960-1969; LGM-30 Minuteman, 1961-1975; LGM-25C Titan II, 1962-1977; LGM-30F Minuteman II, 1966; LGM-30G Minuteman III, 1971-1991.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

This article incorporates text from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website which, as a United States government publication, is in the public domain.

[edit] External links

• Air Force Historical Research Agency: 1st Strategic Aerospace Division