I Tactical Air Division

History

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

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.

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.

Lineage

Constituted as 4 Air Support Command on 21 August 1941

Activated on 3 September 1941Redesignated 4 Ground Air Support Command 30 April 1942Redesignated IV Air Support Command 12 September 1942Redesignated III Tactical Air Division 4 September 1943Redesignated I Tactical Air Division in April 1944Inactivated on 22 December 1945Disbanded on 8 October 1948

Assignments

Fourth Air Force, 3 September 1941

Second Air Force, 12 August 1942

Desert Training Center, 21 January 1943

Second Air Force, 1 December 1943

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

Components

12th Bombardment Group, 3 September 1941 – 21 January 1942

47th Bombardment Group, 3 September 1941 – 15 February 1942

69th Observation Group, 3 September 1941 – 21 August 1942

70th Observation Group, 13 September 1941 – November 1942

71st Observation Group, March 1942 – August 1942

85th Bombardment Group, November 1942 – January 1943

10th Air Support Communications Squadron, 7 September 1941 – unknown

31st Observation Squadron, 3 September 1941 – 29 March 1943 (attached to 69th Observation Group after December 1941)

835th Engineer Aviation Battalion, c. 16 April 1942 – c. January 1943

319th Signal Company, Air Wing, 3 September 1941 – unknown

Tow Target Detachment, March Field (later 7th Tow Target Squadron), 3 September 1941 – November 1943

Tow Target Detachment, McChord Field (later 8th Tow Target Squadron), 3 September 1941 – July 1942