337th Aeronautical Systems Group

File:Curtiss P-40.jpg

The 337th Fighter Group was activated in July 1942 at Morris Field, North Carolina with the 98th,Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 326–327 303d,Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 367This 303d Fighter Squadron is not related to the current reserve 303d Fighter Squadron, which was a troop carrier unit during World War II. and 304th Fighter SquadronsMaurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 368 assigned. It received its initial cadre from the 20th Fighter Group.{{cite web |url= http://airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/083/826.xml |title=Abstract, History 337 Fighter Group, Jul 1942-Oct 1943|publisher=Air Force History Index|access-date=31 May 2012}} However, two of its squadrons departed Morris Field the day they were activated, with the 303d moving to Spartanburg Army Air Field and the 304th to the Myrtle Beach Bombing Range, both in South Carolina, to be organized. The group's initial equipment was a mix of obsolescent fighter aircraft. Although these were mostly Curtiss P-40 Warhawks, the 304th Squadron also flew Bell P-39 Airacobras and Republic P-43 Lancers.

Two weeks later, the group and the 98th Squadron moved to Drew Field, near Tampa, Florida. The 303d Squadron joined them later that month, while the 304th moved to the Tampa Bay Area, but to Pinellas Army Air Field, on the other side of the bay. The group operated as a Replacement Training Unit (RTU), with the Warhawk. RTUs were oversized units which trained individual pilots or aircrews.Craven & Cate, Vol. VI, Men and Planes, Introduction, p.xxxvi

File:P-51B 42d Fighter Squadron Hillsborough Army Airfield FL 1944.jpg in 1944.]]

In January 1943 the group and the squadrons at Drew Field moved to Sarasota Army Air Field, where the following month the group added a fourth squadron, the 440th Fighter Squadron. In August, the 440th joined the 304th at Pinellas and the group maintained a split operation at Sarasota and Pinellas until it was disbanded.Maurer, p. 545 The group transitioned to North American P-51 Mustangs in early 1944.

However, the Army Air Forces (AAF) was finding that standard military units, which were based on relatively inflexible tables of organization were not proving to be well adapted to the training mission. Accordingly, it adopted a more functional system in which each base was organized into a separate numbered unit.Goss, p. 75 The group and its squadrons were disbanded in May 1944. The 336th AAF Base Unit (Replacement Training Unit, Fighter) assumed the mission of the group at Sarasota,{{cite web |url= http://airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/177/390.xml |title=Abstract, History Sarasota AAF, May 1944|publisher=Air Force History Index|access-date=31 May 2012}} while the 341st AAF Base Unit (Replacement Training Unit, Fighter) took over the group's equipment at Pinellas.{{cite web |url= http://airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/176/591.xml |title=Abstract, History Pinellas AAF, May-Jul 1944|publisher=Air Force History Index|access-date=31 May 2012}}

File:Northrop F-89H-1-NO Scorpion 54-264.jpg

File:460th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron Convair F-102A-90-CO Delta Dagger 57-838.jpg

The group was reconstituted, redesignated as the 337th Fighter Group (Air Defense) and activated at Portland International Airport in August 1955 as part of Air Defense Command's Project Arrow, which was designed to bring back on the active list the fighter units which had compiled memorable records in the two world wars.Buss, et al., p.6 At Portland, the group assumed the personnel and equipment of the inactivating 503d Air Defense Group,Cornett & Johnson, p. 81 while its 460th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, which moved to Portland from McGhee-Tyson Airport,Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 567-568 took over the radar equipped and Mighty Mouse rocket armed Northrop F-89D Scorpion aircraft and personnel of the 503d's 497th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, which moved to Geiger Field, Washington.Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p.599

The group operated interceptors to provide active air defense in the 25th NORAD Region area of responsibility.{{cite web |url= http://airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/435/985.xml |title=Abstract, Final History 337 Fighter Group|publisher=Air Force History Index|access-date=31 May 2012}} It also served as the host organization for regular United States Air Force units at Portland International Airport and was assigned a number of support organizations to perform this mission.Cornett & Johnson, p. 146See {{cite web |url= http://airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/406/943.xml |title=Abstract, History 337 Infirmary, Jul-Dec 1955|publisher=Air Force History Index|access-date=31 May 2012}}See {{cite web |url= http://airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/410/680.xml |title=Abstract, History 337 Air Base Squadron, Jan 1958-Dec 1959|publisher=Air Force History Index|access-date=31 May 2012}} In May 1958, the group converted from F-89Ds to supersonic Convair F-102 Delta Dagger aircraft equipped with data link for interception control through the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment system and capable of launching the AIM-4 Falcon.Cornett & Johnson, p. 129

During the Cuban Missile Crisis, Continental Air Defense Command directed the group to place all its interceptors on five-minute alert. Unlike most ADC groups, however, the group did not disperse part of its strength to other bases. The increased alert posture was maintained through mid-November, when CONAD returned units to their normal alert status, except for those under the control of its 32d Region, which controlled air defense in the Southeastern United States.NORAD/CONAD Response to the Cuban Missile Crisis, pp. 16, 26McMullen, pp. 11-12 (list of planned and actual dispersal bases used during the crisis).

Although the number of ADC interceptor squadrons remained almost constant in the early 1960s, attrition (and the fact that production lines closed in 1961) caused a gradual drop in the number of planes assigned to a squadron, from 24 to typically 18 by 1964. The force reduction continued, finally resulting in a reduction in the number of interceptor units, and the group was inactivated in the spring of 1966.McMullen, pp. 41, 43-45 In 1985 the group was redesignated the 337th Tactical Fighter Group, although it remained inactive.DAF/MPM Letter 648q, 31 July 1985, Subject: Reconstitution, Redesignation, and Consolidation of Selected Air Force Organizations

In 2005, Air Force Materiel Command AFMC formed the Training Aircraft Systems Group as part of the AFMC Transformation initiative, which replaced traditional project offices with wings, groups, and squadrons. In 2006 this new organization was consolidated with the 327th and became the 337th Aeronautical Systems Group.Air Force Organizational Status Change Report, July 2006, Historical Division, Air Force Historical Research Agency, Maxwell AFB AL In 2007, the group's Foreign Military Sales (FMS) team oversaw the effort to provide the Iraqi Air Force with Cessna 172 training aircraft in order to resume flying operations{{cite web |url= https://www.wpafb.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/401097/wright-patt-plays-a-part-in-training-future-iraqi-pilots/ |last1=Marquis|first1=SSG Jared|title=Wright-Patt Plays a Part in Training Future Iraqi Pilots|date=31 October 2007|publisher=88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs|access-date=11 June 2012}} and also sought vendors for Counterinsurgency (COIN) aircraft for Iraq.{{cite web |url= https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=ddd4f97d928bb12f3c0aba61c729c6d6&tab=core&_cview=1 |title=Iraq CounterInsurgency (COIN) Aircraft|date=17 May 2007|publisher=FedBizOpps.gov|access-date=11 June 2012}} The group was inactivated in 2008 and its subordinate units were transferred to the 77th Aeronautical Systems Wing's 877th Aeronautical Systems Group.Air Force Organizational Status Change Report, June 2008, Historical Division, Air Force Historical Research Agency, Maxwell AFB AL

327th Fighter Group

• Constituted as 337th Fighter Group (Single Engine) on 16 July 1942

: Activated on 23 July 1942

: Disbanded on 1 May 1944

• Reconstituted and redesignated 337th Fighter Group (Air Defense), on 20 June 1955

: Activated on 18 August 1955lineage and station information prior to 1957 is at Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 215-216

: Inactivated on 25 March 1966Cornett & Johnson, p. 79

• Redesignated 337th Tactical Fighter Group on 31 July 1985 (not active)

: Consolidated with the Training Aircraft Systems Group on 23 June 2006Air Force Organizational Status Change Report, June 2006, Historical Division, Air Force Historical Research Agency, Maxwell AFB AL

Training Aircraft Systems Group

• Constituted as the Training Aircraft Systems Group on 23 November 2004Air Force Organizational Status Change Report, January 2005, Historical Division, Air Force Historical Research Agency

: Activated on 18 January 2005

: Consolidated with the 337th Tactical Fighter Group on 23 June 2006

• Redesignated 337th Aeronautical Systems Group on 14 July 2006

: Inactivated on 30 June 2008

• III Fighter Command, 23 July 1942 – 1 May 1944
• 25th Air Division, 18 August 1955
• Portland Air Defense Sector, 15 April 1960 - 25 March 1966
• Aeronautical Systems Center, 18 January 2005 - 30 June 2008

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Operational Squadrons

• 98th Fighter Squadron: 21 July 1942 - 1 May 1944
• 303d Fighter Squadron: 21 July 1942 - 1 May 1944
• 304th Fighter Squadron: 21 July 1942 - 1 May 1944
• 440th Fighter Squadron: 24 February 1943 - 1 May 1944
• 460th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron: 18 August 1955 – 25 March 1966

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Support Units

• 337th USAF Infirmary (later 337th USAF Hospital), 18 August 1955 - 25 March 1966{{cite web|url=http://airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/404/541.xml|title=Abstract, Final History 337 Hospital, Jan-Jun 1964|publisher=Air Force History Index|access-date=31 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701154034/http://airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/404/541.xml|archive-date=1 July 2016|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}
• 337th Air Base Squadron (later 337th Combat Support Squadron), 18 August 1955 - 25 March 66
• 337th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 1 September 1957 - 25 March 1966Cornett & Johnson, p. 139
• 337th Materiel Squadron, 18 August 1955 - 1 August 1964
• 337th Supply Squadron, 1 August 1964 – 25 March 1966

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Systems Units

• T-1 Systems Squadron (later 662d Aeronautical Systems Squadron), 18 January 2005 - 30 June 2008
• T-38 Systems Squadron (later 663d Aeronautical Systems Squadron), 18 January 2005 - 30 June 2008
• Joint Primary Aircraft Training Systems Squadron (later 664th Aeronautical Systems Squadron), 18 January 2005 - 30 June 2008

• Morris Field, North Carolina, 23 July 1942
• Drew Field, Florida, 7 August 1942
• Sarasota Army Air Field, Florida, ca. 3 January 1943 - 1 May 1944
• Portland International Airport, Oregon, 18 August 1955 - 30 March 1966
• Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, 18 January 2005 - 30 June 2008

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• Bell P-39 Airacobra, 1942
• Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, 1942–1943
• Republic P-43 Lancer, 1942
• Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, 1943
• North American P-51 Mustang, 1944
• Northrop F-89D Scorpion, 1955–1958
• Convair F-102A Delta Dagger, 1958–1966

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{{unit awards table

|award_image1=AF OUA

|award_name1=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

|award_date1=8 June 1960-30 April 1962

|award_notes1=337th Fighter GroupAir Force Pamphlet 900-2, 15 Jun 71, p. 327

|award_image2=AF OUA

|award_name2=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

|award_date2=1 May 1962-31 July 1963

|award_notes2=337th Fighter Group

}}

• Aerospace Defense Command Fighter Squadrons
• F-89 Scorpion units of the United States Air Force

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{{Reflist|group=note}}

{{Reflist|2}}

{{Air Force Historical Research Agency}}

• Buss, Lydus H.(ed), Sturm, Thomas A., Volan, Denys, and McMullen, Richard F., History of Continental Air Defense Command and Air Defense Command July to December 1955, Directorate of Historical Services, Air Defense Command, Ent AFB, CO, 1956.
• {{cite book|editor1=Craven, Wesley F.|editor2=Cate, James L.|url=http://media.defense.gov/2010/Nov/05/2001329891/-1/-1/0/AFD-101105-019.pdf|access-date=17 December 2016 |title=The Army Air Forces in World War II: Men & Planes |volume=VI |year=1955|publisher=University of Chicago Press|location=Chicago, Illinois|oclc=704158| lccn=48003657}}{{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

:: {{cite book|last=Goss|first=William A|editor=Craven, Wesley F |editor2=Cate, James L|title=The Army Air Forces in World War II: Men & Planes|volume=VI|year=1955|publisher=University of Chicago Press|location=Chicago, Illinois|oclc=704158| lccn=48003657|chapter=The Organization and its Responsibilities, Chapter 2 The AAF}}

• {{cite book|last=Cornett|first=Lloyd H|author2=Johnson, Mildred W|title=A Handbook of Aerospace Defense Organization, 1946 - 1980|url=http://www.usafpatches.com/pubs/handbookofadcorg.pdf|year=1980|publisher=Office of History, Aerospace Defense Center|location=Peterson AFB, CO|access-date=2012-06-11|archive-date=2016-02-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213173347/http://www.usafpatches.com/pubs/handbookofadcorg.pdf|url-status=dead}}
• {{cite book|editor=Maurer, Maurer|title=Air Force Combat Units of World War II|orig-year= 1961|url= http://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001330256/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-044.pdf |archive-url= https://archive.today/20210115181723/https://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001330256/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-044.pdf |url-status= dead |archive-date= 15 January 2021 |edition=reprint|year=1983|publisher=Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-912799-02-1|lccn=61060979}}
• {{cite book|editor=Maurer, Maurer|title=Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II|orig-year=1969|url= http://media.defense.gov/2010/Dec/02/2001329899/-1/-1/0/AFD-101202-002.pdf|archive-url= https://archive.today/20230820144531/https://media.defense.gov/2010/Dec/02/2001329899/-1/-1/0/AFD-101202-002.pdf|url-status= dead|archive-date= 20 August 2023|edition= reprint|year=1982|publisher=Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-405-12194-6|oclc=72556|lccn=70605402}}
• McMullen, Richard F. (1964) "The Fighter Interceptor Force 1962-1964" ADC Historical Study No. 27, Air Defense Command, Ent AFB, CO (Confidential, declassified 22 March 2000)
• NORAD/CONAD Participation in the Cuban Missile Crisis, Historical Reference Paper No. 8, Directorate of Command History Continental Air Defense Command, Ent AFB, CO, 1 Feb 63 (Top Secret NOFORN, declassified 9 March 1996)
• [http://www.usafpatches.com/pubs/AFP900-2Vol1Bk2.pdf AF Pamphlet 900-2, Unit Decorations, Awards and Campaign Participation Credits] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150804134008/http://www.usafpatches.com/pubs/AFP900-2Vol1Bk2.pdf |date=2015-08-04 }} Department of the Air Force, Washington, DC, 15 June 1971

{{USAF Material Command}}

{{Aerospace Defense Command}}

{{USAAF 3d Air Force World War II}}

Category:Aeronautical systems groups of the United States Air Force

Category:1942 establishments in the United States