| 4730th Air Defense Group | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | 1957–59 |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Air Force |
| Type | Fighter interceptor |
| Role | Air defense |
| Insignia | |
| Patch with the 4730th Air Defense Group emblem |  |
The4730th Air Defense Group is a discontinuedUnited States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with theNew York Air Defense Sector atMcGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, where it was discontinued in 1959.
Thegroup was formed to provide a single command and support organization for the twofighter interceptor squadrons ofAir Defense Command that were tenants at McGuire, aMilitary Air Transport Service base. It was also assigned a squadron to perform aircraft maintenance. The 4730th was discontinued when the332d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron moved in 1959, leaving only a single fightersquadron at McGuire.
The4730th Air Defense Group was established to provide aheadquarters for the twoAir Defense Command (ADC) Fighter-Interceptor Squadrons (FIS) stationed atMcGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey,[1] aMilitary Air Transport Service (MATS) base.[2] MATS' 1611th Air Base Group acted as host base organization for McGuire.[3] Thegroup was assigned the332d and539th Fighter-Interceptor Squadrons (FIS), flyingradar equipped andMighty Mouse rocket armedNorth American F-86D Sabre aircraft as its operational components.[4][5] Some of the Sabres were F-86Ls, which were equipped with adata link for interception control through theSemi-Automatic Ground Environment system.[6][7] The group mission was to train and maintain tactical flying units to defend the Mid-Atlantic United States. The two fighter squadrons were already stationed at McGuire and had been assigned to the New York Air Defense Sector.[6][7]
Maintenance for the two squadrons was provided by the 601st Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (CAMS), which was activated at McGuire along with the rest of the group.[8] The 332d FIS converted toConvair F-102 Delta Dagger aircraft in July 1957,[4] while the 539th FIS retained its F-86s until the Spring of 1959, when it converted toConvair F-106 Delta Darts.[5]
The group was discontinued shortly after the 332d FIS departed forEngland Air Force Base, Louisiana, leaving only a single operational ADC squadron at McGuire.[1][6] The 601st CAMS was inactivated with the group, while the 539th FIS was assigned directly to theNew York Air Defense Sector.[7][8]
Assignments
Components
Stations
