478 Aeronautical Systems Wing (AFMC)

Lineage. Established as 478 Fighter Group (TE) on 12 Oct 1943. Activated on 1 Dec 1943. Disestablished on 31 Mar 1944. Reestablished, and redesignated 478 Fighter Group (Air Defense) on 11 Dec 1956. Activated on 8 Feb 1957. Discontinued, and inactivated, on 1 Feb 1961. Consolidated (31 Jan 1984) with the 478 Fighter-Day Wing, which was established on 23 Mar 1953. Redesignated 478 Fighter Wing (Air Defense), and activated, on 28 Dec 1960. Organized on 1 Feb 1961. Discontinued, and inactivated, on 1 Jul 1963. Redesignated 478 Aeronautical Systems Wing on 16 Mar 2007. Activated on 2 Apr 2007.

Assignments. IV Fighter Command, 1 Dec 1943; San Francisco Fighter Wing, Dec 1943; Seattle Fighter Wing, Feb 1944; Fourth Air Force, 1-31 Mar 1944. 31 Air Division (Defense), 8 Feb 1957; 29 Air Division (Defense), 1 Jan 1959; Grand Forks Air Defense Sector, 1 Jul 1959-1 Jul 1963. Aeronautical Systems Center, 2 Apr 2007-.

Components. Squadrons. 18 Fighter-Interceptor, 1 May 1960-1 Jul 1963. 454 Fighter, 1 Dec 1943-31 Mar 1944 (detached 10 Jan 1944-unkn). 544 Fighter, 1 Dec 1943-31 Mar 1944. 545 Fighter, 1 Dec 1943-31 Mar 1944. 546 Fighter, 1 Dec 1943-31 Mar 1944.

Stations. Hamilton Field, CA, 1 Dec 1943; Santo Rosa AAFld, CA, 12 Dec 1943; Redmond AAFld, OR, 3 Feb-31 Mar 1944. Grand Forks AFB, ND, 8 Feb 1957-1 Jul 1963. Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, 2 Apr 2007-.

Commanders. Col John W. Weltman, 7 Dec 1943; Lt Col Ernest C. Young, 31 Jan-31 Mar 1944. Capt John F. Alleman (acting), Feb 1957; Lt Col Everett E. Binford, 11 Feb 1958; Lt Col Dale E. Altman, by Dec 1958; Lt Col John B. Rose Jr., by Mar 1959; Col Leon G. Lewis, 19 Jun 1959; Col Robert J. Ahern, by Jul 1961; Col Raymond S. Brown, by Jul 1962; Col George O. Commenator, by Sep 1962-c. Jul 1963.

Aircraft. P-39, 1944. F-102, 1960; F-101, 1960-1963.

Operations. Provided replacement training in P-39 aircraft, 1944. Not operational at Grand Forks AFB until May 1960. Provided air defense for a segment of north-central United States, 1960-1963.

Service Streamers. None.

Campaign Streamers. None.

Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.

Decorations. None.

Lineage, Assignments, Components, Stations, and Honors through 26 Mar 2007.

Commanders, Aircraft, and Operations through 1 Jul 1963.

Supersedes statement prepared on 8 Apr 1980. 

Emblem. None on file. Wing may design and request approval of an emblem in accordance with AFI 84-105, Chapter 3. 

Prepared by Patsy Robertson. 

Reviewed by Daniel Haulman.