23th Air Division
Lineage
Established as 23 Air Division on 18 Nov 1969. Activated on 19 Nov 1969. Inactivated on 1 Jul 1987..
Assignments
Aerospace Defense Command, 19 Nov 1969; Tactical Air Command, 1 Oct 1979; First Air Force, 6 Dec 1985-1 Jul 1987.
Components
Wing. 1 Fighter: 1-31 Dec 1969.
Group. 343 Fighter: 19 Nov 1969-28 Aug 1970.
Squadrons. 2 Fighter Interceptor: 1 Jul 1971-31 Mar 1973.
37 Air Defense Missile: 19 Nov 1969-31 Jul 1972.
48 Fighter Interceptor: 1 Mar 1983-1 Jul 1987.
62 Fighter Interceptor: 19 Nov 1969-30 Apr 1971.
74 Air Defense Missile: 19 Nov 1969-30 Apr 1972.
87 Fighter Interceptor: 28 Aug 1970-1 Aug 1981.
94 Fighter Interceptor: 1 Dec 1969-1 Jul 1971.
Stations
Duluth International Airport, MN, 19 Nov 1969; Tyndall AFB, FL, 15 Apr 1982-1 Jul 1987.
Commanders
Brig Gen Clayton M. Isaacson, 19 Nov 1969; Brig Gen
Guy Hurst Jr., 1 Aug 1970; Brig Gen Louis G. Leiser, 13 Mar 1972; Col
James J. Kleckner, 26 Jul 1974 (interim); Brig Gen George C. Cannon
Jr., 19 Aug 1974; Brig Gen Mervin M. Taylor, 12 Jul 1976; Col Kenneth
W. Ohlinger, 27 Sep 1976 (temporary); Brig Gen Edward L. Ellis, 7 Mar
1977; Col Rondall H. Stull, 22 Jan 1979; Brig Gen Charles E. Bishop, 28
Jan 1980; Col John F. Manning, 23 Nov 1981; None (not manned), 15 Apr
1982-Feb 1983; Brig Gen Paul D. Wagoner, 1 Mar 1983; Brig Gen Charles
A. Horner, 23 May 1983; Brig Gen Donald R. Delauter, 11 Oct 1983; Brig
Gen James M. Rhodes Jr., 11 Apr 1986-1 Jul 1987.
Aircraft and Missiles
BOMARC, 1969-1972; F-106, 1969-1981; F-15, 1983-1987.
Operations
The 23d assumed responsibility for the air defense of
Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, and
parts of Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, and Kentucky on 19 Nov 1969. By
1973, this area expanded to include parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas,
Tennessee, and Mississippi. The division and its subordinate units
participated in numerous exercises such as Amalgam Fairplay, Feathered
Indian, and Feathered Brave. In addition, its subordinate units
exercised with surface to air missiles.
Service Streamers. None.
Campaign Streamers. None.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.
Decorations. None.
Emblem
Azure, issuing from sinister base a demi sphere
bendwise vert gridlined and rimmed or edged with a styled cloud
formation argent, surmounted by a lightning flash originating in base
and extending to chief in bend of the last voided gules and charged in
base with an oval of the first bearing a mullet argent, all within a
diminished bordure of the like. (Approved 28 Jul 1970.)
Lineage, Assignments, Components, Stations, and Honors through
1 Jul 1987.
Commanders, Aircraft, and Operations through
1 Jul 1987.