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.
History
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. It had no units assigned before departing overseas from California. In the Southwest Pacific Area its units fought in "New Guinea and the Philippine Islands (February 1944 – August 1945) [flying] cover missions for convoys, patrols, escorted bombers, attacked enemy airfields, and support[ing] 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.
Lineage
Established as the 85th Fighter Wing on 4 November 1943
Activated on 10 November 1943
Inactivated on 30 June 1948
Redesignated 85 Air Division (Defense) on 3 May 1955
Activated on 8 September 1955
Inactivated on 1 September 1958
Assignments
Fourth Air Force, 10 November 1943
IV Fighter Command, 28 November 1943 – 10 January 1944
Army Service Forces, Port of Embarkation, 10 January – 17 February 1944
Fifth Air Force, 18 February 1944
Far East Air Forces, 11 May 1945
Thirteenth Air Force, 1 September 1945
Fifth Air Force, 1 June 1947 – 30 June 1948
Eastern Air Defense Force, 8 September 1955 – 1 September 1958
Stations
Hamilton Field, California, 10 November 1943
San Francisco Airport, California, 10 November 1943 – 10 January 1944
Gusap Airfield, New Guinea, 25 February 1944
Hollandia Airfield Complex, New Guinea, 24 July 1944
Bayug Airfield, Leyte, Philippines, 24 October 1944
Fort William McKinley, Luzon, Philippines, c. 15 June 1945
Basa Air Base, Luzon, Philippines, c. 15 July 1946
Nagoya Airfield, Japan, 1 June 1947 – 30 June 1948
Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, 8 September 1955 – 1 September 1958
Components
Wing
4625th Air Defense Wing (later Washington Air Defense Sector): 1 December 1956 – 1 September 1958