85th Air Division
85th Air Division
 |
|
|---|---|
|
|
| Active | 1943–1948; 1955–1958 |
| Country |
 United States
|
| Branch |
 United States Air Force
|
| Part of | Air Defense Command |
| Engagements | South West Pacific Theater of World War II |
| Decorations | Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation |
| Insignia | |
| 85th Air Division emblem (Approved 26 December 1956) |  |
The 85th Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Eastern Air Defense Force of Air Defense Command at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland. It was inactivated on 1 September 1958.
During World War II, the 85th Fighter Wing was a command and control organization of Fifth Air Force, operating primarily in the Southwest Pacific Theater. Its assigned units "participated in aerial combat in New Guinea and the Philippine Islands (February 1944 – August 1945) [flying] cover missions for convoys, patrols, escorted bombers, attacked enemy airfields, and supported ground forces."
"After the war's end, the organization provided fighter protection for the Philippine Islands and conducted an intensive training program in aerial combat, gunnery, and instrument flying, until [the units inactivation in] June 1948."
During the Cold War the unit was reactivated as an Air Division by Air Defense Command. "It was assigned to the Eastern Air Defense Force in September 1955 with a mission to intercept unidentified aircraft over the Washington, D.C. area. It participated in numerous training exercises. It also took part in gunnery and air-launched training and readiness tests." Inactivated in September 1958.
Wing
Groups
Squadrons
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.
...
Wikipedia