86th Air Division

86th Air Division
86th Air Division, 526th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron F-102A Delta Dagger - 56-1211 about 1965
Active	1960-1968
Country	United States
Branch	Air Force
Type	Air Division
Role	Air Defense
Part of	United States Air Forces in Europe
Garrison/HQ	Ramstein Air Base
Insignia
86th Air Division Emblem
86th Air Division Gaggle Emblem
Aircraft flown
Interceptor	Convair F-102 Delta Dagger, Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, North American F-86D Sabre

The 86th Air Division (86 AD) is a former designation of the 86th Airlift Wing, a United States Air Force organization. It was assigned to United States Air Forces in Europe at Ramstein Air Base, West Germany. It was inactivated on 14 November 1968.

The 86th Air Division (Defense) was a re-designation of the 86th Fighter-Interceptor Wing at Ramstein Air Base, West Germany, on 18 November 1960 when the 86th FIW was combined with the ground radar functions of the 501st Tactical Control Wing. Its mission was to upgrade the air defense capabilities of Western Europe.

Unlike other USAFE organizations, the 86th AD had a complex chain of command. Air defense missions were directed by the U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff from The Pentagon in Washington, D.C.. Since the components of the division would be committed to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in time of war, USAFE NATO missions came under the direction of the Supreme Allied Commander, Supreme Headquarters, Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE). Thus all 86 AD units came under a dual command structure.

Under NATO, the Allied Air Forces Central Europe (AAAFCE) was divided into the 2nd Allied Tactical Air Force (2ATAF) and the 4th ATAF, commanded by the Allied Forces Central Europe (AFCENT). Fighter-Interceptor units in Spain, however, were not part of AFCENT, and operated under a separate command structure of the 65th Air Division at Torrejon Air Base, Spain.

The 86th AD units in West Germany reported to NATO 4ATAF, and its interceptor units operated in Air Defense Sector 3 (Central and Southern West Germany). The 32d FIS in The Netherlands reported to NATO 2ATAF, and operated in Air Defense Sector 1 (Benelux, Northern West Germany). USAFE FIS units in Spain were not part of the NATO air defense system, but were charged with the protection of USAF units in Spain and operated as part of the Spanish Air Defense System.