World War II

The wing was formed as a World War II command and control organization for newly organized troop carrier groups and glider units being trained for overseas deployment to combat theaters. It deployed to England in 1944^[1] and its units subsequently engaged in combat operations, carrying Army parachutists and towing gliders during Operation Overlord, Operation Market Garden and Operation Varsity. The 53d was also engaged in aerial resupply and casualty evacuation of wounded personnel as well as theater troop transport operations. It operated until V-E Day, then supported occupation units in Germany until fall 1945.

Pennsylvania Air National Guard

The wing was redesignated as a fighter wing and reactivated in 1947 as part of the PA ANG.^[1] It was a command and control organization, controlling one Bombardment Group at Philadelphia International Airport and two Fighter Groups at Greater Pittsburgh International Airport and Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland as its operational components. It was also the headquarters for an Aircraft Control & Warning Group (AC&W Gp)located at Harrisburg State Airport and three Air Service Groups, which were colocated with its flying groups and had flights located with each of the squadrons assigned to the flying groups. Shortly before the wing was inactivated, its 113th Fighter Group was federalized for the Korean War. At the end of October 1950, the ANG converted to the wing-base (Hobson Plan) organization. As a result, the wing was withdrawn from the Air National Guard and inactivated on 31 October 1950. Its personnel and those of its 211th Air Service Group formed the cadre for the 111th Composite Wing, while its elements in Pittsburgh formed the cadre for the 112th Fighter Wing, which were simultaneously allotted to the ANG and activated. The 153d AC&W Gp was transferred directly to the PA ANG.

Assignments

• I Troop Carrier Command, 1 August 1942
• IX Troop Carrier Command, 11 March 1944 – 12 August 1945
• Pennsylvania Air National Guard, 17 January 1947 – 31 October 1950

Components

Stations

Awards

• 
• American Theater of World War II
• 
• European Theater of World War II
• Campaigns^[1]

• 
• World War II Army of Occupation

Bibliography

•  This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency