The division was activated in February 1958 as the headquarters for the 363d and 432d Tactical Reconnaissance Wings at Shaw. It was also responsible for the Air Force's Advanced Tactical Reconnaissance Flying Training School, which was managed by the 432d Wing until the wing was inactivated in June 1959, then by the 4411th Combat Crew Training Group.
During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, the division deployed most of its 363d Wing to MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, from which it conducted low altitude reconnaissance missions over harbors and military sites in Cuba. Shortly after the end of the crisis, in February 1963, the division was inactivated and its resources transferred to the USAF Tactical Air Reconnaissance Center, which was simultaneously activated at Shaw.
History
RB-66B Destroyer[c]363 Tac Recce Wing RF-84F at Shaw AFB[d]
In March 1958, the Air Force's advanced tactical reconnaissance school was assigned to the division, but was operated by the 432d Wing.[1][4] The 4411th Combat Crew Training Group was organized and assigned to the division on 8 April 1959 and began preparations to manage the advanced flying school. In June, the 432d Wing was inactivated and the 4411th Group assumed command of the school from the division.[1][5]
363d Wing reconnaissance photo of a missile launch site in Cuba
Before President Kennedy announced the presence of Soviet intermediate-range ballistic missiles in Cuba, the division and its 363d wing were notified of the high altitude reconnaissance missions by Lockheed U-2 aircraft of Strategic Air Command, which had indicated the construction of missile sites in Cuba, and began preparing target materials for possible low-level reconnaissance flights over the island. On 21 October 1962, the 363d Wing deployed RB-66s and RF-101s to MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, along with photographic interpreters and equipment from its 363d Reconnaissance Technical Squadron. For three weeks, beginning on 26 October, the wing conducted an intensive low level reconnaissance campaign over Cuba to detect missiles and short range Soviet Ilyushin Il-28 bombers. These sorties also provided the first evidence of a buildup of air defenses in Cuba when it detected SA-2surface-to-air missiles.[1][6][7]
The division was inactivated in February 1963[1] and its personnel formed the cadre for the USAF Tactical Air Reconnaissance Center, which was activated at Shaw the same day.[8] The 4411th Combat Crew Training Group and the 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing were assigned to the new center.[6] Brigadier General Aynesworth, the division commander, became the commander of the center.[9]
Lineage
Established as the 837 Air Division on 16 January 1958
Activated on 8 February 1958
Discontinued and inactivated on 1 February 1963[10]
^Aircraft is McDonnell RF-101C-65-MC Voodoo, serial 56-068. Now on display at Keesler AFB Air Park. Baugher, Joe (19 May 2023). "1956 USAF Serial Numbers". Joe Baugher. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
^Approved 4 August 1958. Description: Per bendazure and sable, a ray of ten segments gules, issuing from dexterchief to sinister basefimbriatedor; overall an aerial camera of the last [color mentioned] bearing at honor three fleurs de lis, two and one, of the second [color mentioned] all within a diminished border of the fourth [color mentioned].
^Aircraft is Douglas RB-66B-DL serial 53-415. This plane crashed on a night air refueling mission on 24 June 1969. Baugher, Joe (5 August 2023). "1953 USAF Serial Numbers". Joe Baugher. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
^Aircraft is Republic RF-84F-10-RE Thunderflash, serial 51-1875. This plane crashed near Wright-Patterson AFB Baugher, Joe (13 August 2023). "1951 USAF Serial Numbers". Joe Baugher. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
^The 432d Wing's 432d Tactical Reconnaissance Group had been at Shaw since March 1954. Maurer, Combat Units, p. 302.
United States
United States Air Force
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