53d Wing
| 53d Wing | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Active | 1941–1944; 1955–1960; 1963–present |
| Country |
 United States
|
| Branch |
 United States Air Force
|
| Role | Operational test and evaluation |
| Size | 2100 |
| Part of | Air Combat Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Eglin Air Force Base |
| Motto(s) | Defense by Offense (1941–1960) |
| Decorations |
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Organizational Excellence Award |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Colonel Adrian Spain |
| Notable commanders |
Paul V. Hester Ronald Keys |
| Insignia | |
| 53d Wing emblem (Approved 26 May 1964) |  |
The 53d Wing (53 WG) is a wing of the United States Air Force based at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The wing reports to the United States Air Force Warfare Center at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, which reports to Headquarters Air Combat Command.
The 53d Wing serves as the focal point for the combat air forces in electronic warfare, armament and avionics, chemical defense, reconnaissance, and aircrew training devices. The wing is also responsible for Operational Testing and Evaluation (OT&E) of new equipment and systems proposed for use by these air forces. Current wing initiatives include advanced self-protection systems for combat aircraft, aircrew life support systems, aerial reconnaissance improvements, new armament and weapons delivery systems, and improved maintenance equipment and logistics support. The 53d Wing, which consists of four groups, numbers almost 2,000 military and civilians at 17 locations throughout the United States.
The group was activated in 1941 as the 53d Pursuit Group with the 13th,14th, and 15th Pursuit Squadrons assigned. The 53d trained fighter pilots with Seversky P-35 and Curtiss P-40 Warhawk aircraft from its activation until December 1941. After the United States entered World War II the group moved to the Panama Canal Zone to fly patrols in defense of the Panama Canal. In conjunction with the move, the group converted to Bell P-39 Airacobra aircraft. There it was redesignated as the 53d Fighter Group. The group returned to Florida in November 1942, where it became a Replacement Training Unit (RTU) training replacement fighter pilots. RTUs were oversized units whose mission was to train individual pilots or aircrews. It used P-39s until June 1943 and Republic P-47 Thunderbolts thereafter. In early 1943, the group added a fourth squadron, the 438th Fighter Squadron.
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Wikipedia