Jump to content

Hobson Plan: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Bwmoll3 (talk | contribs)
137,292 edits
→The Base-Wing plan: edited and expanded
Bwmoll3 (talk | contribs)
137,292 edits
→Objective Organization: edited and expanded
Line 163: Line 163:


====Objective Organization====
====Objective Organization====
In the early 1990s with the declared end of the [[Cold War]] and the continued decline in military budgets, the Air Force restructured to meet changes in strategic requirements, decreasing personnel, and a smaller infrastructure. This major reorganization stressed elimination of unnecessary layers of authority, decentralization of decision-making, and consolidation of functions.<ref name="GTUSAFLH">[http://www.afhra.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-090611-010.pdf Ravenstein, Charles, A Guide to United States Air Force Lineage and Honors]</ref>
⚫
A decision was made in February 1991 to adopt a new wing structure, the "Objective wing", which mimicked the original Hobson Plan groups of 1947. The inactivated Combat Group was re-designated as the "Operations Group" (OG) and was re-activated. The support squadrons were realigned into a Maintenance Group (MXG), Mission Support Group (MSG), and Medical Group (MDG). With their reactivation, the history and lineage of the Wing Combat Group inactivated in the 1950s was transferred from the Wing to the Operations Group.

⚫
The USAF restored a wing organizational structure, called the "objective wing," similar to the original wing-base plan. The inactivated Combat Group was re-designated as the "Operations Group" (OG) and was re-activated. The support squadrons were realigned into a Maintenance Group (MXG), Mission Support Group (MSG), and Medical Group (MDG). With their reactivation, the history and lineage of the Wing Combat Group inactivated in the 1950s was transferred from the Wing to the Operations Group.


In addition to the realignment of support and operational squadrons, the "Tactical", "Strategic" and other descriptors of unit designations were discontinued. For example, the [[354th Tactical Fighter Wing]] became the [[354th Fighter Wing]]; the [[24th Composite Wing]] became the [[24th Wing]]; [[356th Tactical Fighter Squadron]] became the 356th Fighter Squadron, and so on. This returned the unit designations back to their 1947 names.
In addition to the realignment of support and operational squadrons, the "Tactical", "Strategic" and other descriptors of unit designations were discontinued. For example, the [[354th Tactical Fighter Wing]] became the [[354th Fighter Wing]]; the [[24th Composite Wing]] became the [[24th Wing]]; [[356th Tactical Fighter Squadron]] became the 356th Fighter Squadron, and so on. This returned the unit designations back to their 1947 names.

Revision as of 03:56, 30 January 2013

The Hobson Plan was an organizational structure established by the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1948. Known as the "Base-Wing" plan, it replaced the "Base Plan" used by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF), the predecessor organization of the USAF.

Background

United States Army Air Forces

As part of the United States Army, the USAAF operated from facilities known as Army Air Fields. They consisted of a ground station, which consisted of streets, buildings, barracks and the support facilities and organizations. The airfield consisted of the runways, taxiways, hangars, and other facilities used to support flight operations. The Base Commander, commanded the station organizations and was responsible for the facilities. There was a Quartermaster Group; Service Group; Headquarters Group, and a Combat Group.

The Combat Group Commander commanded the flying squadrons, his staff and any other squadron associated with the flying activities. During World War II, it was common to have several Combat Groups stationed at the same Army Airfield, especially at training bases in the United States, where Combat Groups would be trained by Training Groups assigned to the station under the Base Commander.

Creation of the United States Air Force

On September 16, 1947, the United States Air Force was established a separate and equal element of the United States armed forces.

Rapid demobilization after September 1945 meant that a new Air Force had to be built with the remnants of the wartime Army Air Forces. Initially, the Army Air Fields assumed by the USAF were renamed as "Air Force Base"s, however the Army's organizational structure was carried over into the new service. This resulted, however, into an awkward circumstance where the Combat Group commander was reporting to a Base Commander who had no flying experience. Once the United States Air Force became operational as a separate department, Carl Andrew Spaatz, the first Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force established a policy where, "No tactical commander should be subordinate to the station commander."

Spaatz's policy meant that that a new solution would have to be found. Major General Charles Born proposed the creation of the Provisional Wing Plan, which basically reversed the USAAF organization and placed the wing commander over the base commander, although this idea was eventually discarded as it was viewed to be too complex.

The Base-Wing plan

Under the "Base-Wing" plan, the operational combat squadrons were assigned to a Combat Group. The support squadrons on the station were assigned to a Maintenance and Supply Group, a Combat Support Group, and a Medical Group. The four Group Commanders were assigned to a Wing, a new level of Command, headed by a Wing Commander who was an experienced combat flying leader. The Wing would assume the numerical designation of the Combat Group. A Base Commander was established to handle the administrative duties of the Wing Commander and to coordinate with the various Group commanders. In this plan, known as the Hobson Plan the support base and the wing became one unit.

Organizations known as "Wings" had existed in the Air Force since 1918, and new wings were created in the 1920s and 1930s. During World War II numerous wings existed; some provided training in the United States, others controlled combat groups and support organizations overseas. However, the USAF Wings established in 1947 were new organizations and shared no lineage or history with these predecessor units formed under the Army. In 1948 and afterward, some AAF wings were re-designated as Air Divisions, and placed immediately above the USAF Wings and below the Numbered Air Forces in the USAF organizational pyramid.

Another major change implemented by the Hobson Plan was the standardization of designations. For example, the 1st Fighter Wing, Established at March Air Force Base would consist of the 1st Fighter Group (it's Combat Group); the 1st Maintenance and Supply Group, the 1st Combat Support Group (to operate base facilities and services), and the 1st Medical Group. Subordinate to the groups were the 1st Field Maintenance Squadron, 1st Supply Squadron, 1st Engine Squadron, 1st Security Police Squadron, and so on. Operational flying Squadrons retained their historical designations and were assigned to the Combat Group. Units assigned to the base as tenant units, under the command of other Wings, would also retain their designations.[1]

1947 Service Test

The service test of the Hobson Plan in 1947-1948 prompted an important change in the field structure and organization of the Air Force. The Army Air Force (and previous Army Air Corps) Wing organizations supervised a mixture of combat groups and support organizations. None of the subordinate organizations were permanently affiliated with the wings, or possessed similar numerical designations or standard functions. [2]

The USAF Wings organized for the service test of the Hobson Plan featured standard functions. Each wing had its support squadrons organized into the four prescribed Groups, all with identical numerical designations. The temporary service test Combat Wings were:[3]

Wing Designation Experimental Wing Organized Experimental Wing Discontinued Permanent Wing Activated
1st Fighter Wing 15 August 1947 24 August 1948 22 August 1948[4]
2d Bombardment Wing 5 November 1947 12 July 1948 12 July 1948[5]
4th Fighter Wing 15 August 1947 1 August 1948 1 August 1948[6]
7th Bombardment Wing 17 November 1947 1 August 1948 1 August 1948[7]
10th Reconnaissance Wing 3 December 1947 27 Aug 1948 25 August 1948[8]
14th Fighter Wing 15 August 1947 26 July 1948 26 July 1948[9]
20th Fighter Wing 15 August 1947 26 August 1948 24 August 1948[10]
27th Fighter Wing 15 August 1947 1 August 1948 1 August 1948[11]
28th Bombardment Wing 15 August 1947 12 July 1948 12 July 1948[12]
31st Fighter Wing 20 November 1947 25 August 1948 23 August 1948[13]
33d Fighter Wing 5 November 1947 1 August 1948 1 August 1948[14]
43d Bombardment Wing 17 November 1947 1 August 1948 1 August 1948[15]
47th Bombardment Wing 15 August 1947 24 August 1948 22 August 1948[16]
56th Fighter Wing 15 August 1947 1 August 1948 1 August 1948[17]
62d Troop Carrier Wing 15 August 1947 24 August 1948 22 August 1948[18]
67th Reconnaissance Wing 25 November 1947 24 August 1948 22 August 1948[19]
82d Fighter Wing 15 August 1947 1 August 1948 1 August 1948[20]
92d Bombardment Wing 17 November 1947 12 July 1948 12 July 1948[21]
93d Bombardment Wing 15 August 1947 12 July 1948 12 July 1948[22]
97th Bombardment Wing 1 December 1947 12 July 1948 12 July 1948[23]
98th Bombardment Wing 10 November 1947 12 July 1948 12 July 1948[24]
301st Bombardment Wing 5 November 1947 1 August 1948 1 August 1948[25]
307th Bombardment Wing 15 August 1947 12 July 1948 12 July 1948[26]
313th Troop Carrier Wing 15 August 1947 26 August 1948 23 August 1948[27]
316th Troop Carrier Wing 15 August 1947 25 August 1948 23 August 1948[28]
332d Fighter Wing 15 August 1947 28 August 1948 26 August 1948[29]
363d Reconnaissance Wing 15 August 1947 27 Aug 1948 27 Aug 1948[30]
509th Bombardment Wing 17 November 1947 1 August 1948 1 August 1948[31]

Additional Combat Wings Organized Under the Permanent Plan

In the spring of 1948, the Hobson Plan was judged to be successful, and additional Combat Wings were re-organized and established and the Hobson Plan was made permanent.

Wing Designation Wing Organized Major Command
3d Bombardment Wing 18 August 1948 Far East Air Forces[32]
8th Fighter Wing 18 August 1948 Far East Air Forces[33]
18th Fighter Wing 14 August 1948 Far East Air Forces[34]
19th Bombardment Wing 17 August 1948 Far East Air Forces[35]
22d Bombardment Wing 1 August 1948 Strategic Air Command[36]
23d Fighter Wing 16 August 1948 Far East Air Forces[37]
32d Composite Wing 24 August 1948 Far East Air Forces[38]
35th Fighter Wing 18 August 1948 Far East Air Forces[39]
36th Fighter Wing 2 July 1948 Caribbean Air Command[40]
38th Bombardment Wing 18 August 1948 Far East Air Force[41]
49th Fighter Wing 18 August 1948 Far East Air Forces[42]
51st Fighter Wing 18 August 1948 Far East Air Forces[43]
52d Fighter Wing 9 June 1948 Air Defense Command[44]
55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing 19 July 1948 Strategic Air Command[45]
57th Fighter Wing 20 Apr 1948 Alaskan Air Command[46]
60th Troop Carrier Wing 1 July 1948 United States Air Forces Europe[47]
61st Troop Carrier Wing 1 July 1948 United States Air Forces Europe[48]
71st Tactical Reconnaissance Wing 18 August 1948 Far East Air Forces[49]
81st Fighter Wing 1 May 1948 Pacific Air Command[50]
86th Fighter Wing 1 July 1948 United States Air Forces Europe[51]
317th Troop Carrier Wing 18 August 1948 Far East Air Forces[52]
325th Fighter Wing 9 June 1948 Air Defense Command[53]
347th Fighter Wing 18 August 1948 Far East Air Forces[54]
374th Troop Carrier Wing 17 August 1948 Far East Air Forces[55]
475th Fighter Wing 18 August 1948 Far East Air Forces[56]

Major subsequent changes

Over the years, the Hobson Plan has changed and evolved, but its basic concept has remained the same in terms of organization of USAF combat units.

Tri-Deputate organization

In 1952, many of the World War II Combat Groups began to be phased out and inactivated as more wings assumed direct control of the combat squadrons, particularly those assigned to the Strategic Air Command (SAC) and Air Defense Command (ADC). The Maintenance and Supply Groups, Combat Support Groups and Medical Group commanders became the three deputy subordinates to the Wing Commander.

This arrangement, however raised honors and lineage issues, as the Combat Groups, all veterans of World War II combat operations, held collectively many honors, while the postwar wings possessed few if any honors. Both SAC and ADC wanted the history and honors of the Combat Groups retained. In 1954, after review by Headquarters USAF, it was decided to bestow the history and the campaign credits and decorations that had been earned by the group during World War II. In "bestowing" group history and honors on wings, USAF directives did not specify any conditions or limitations except to advise, in letters authorizing such bestowals, that these bestowals were temporary.

In 1962, the Maintenance and Supply Group was split into a "Logistics Group" and a "Maintenance Group", with the Supply, Transportation and Procurement squadrons being assigned to a Deputy Commander for Supply (LGS), and the various aircraft maintenance squadrons being assigned to Deputy Commander for Maintenance (LGM), who reported to Deputy Commander for Logistics (LG) who, in turn, reported to the Wing Commander. In 1978, the Maintenance Group was further re-organized into Production Oriented Maintenance Organizations (POMO), where Sortie-generating aircraft crew chiefs were divided into aircraft maintenance units and were co-located with and dedicated to supporting a particular flying squadron. Backshop maintainers were assigned to functional squadrons within the maintenance organization.

Objective Organization

In the early 1990s with the declared end of the Cold War and the continued decline in military budgets, the Air Force restructured to meet changes in strategic requirements, decreasing personnel, and a smaller infrastructure. This major reorganization stressed elimination of unnecessary layers of authority, decentralization of decision-making, and consolidation of functions.[57]

The USAF restored a wing organizational structure, called the "objective wing," similar to the original wing-base plan. The inactivated Combat Group was re-designated as the "Operations Group" (OG) and was re-activated. The support squadrons were realigned into a Maintenance Group (MXG), Mission Support Group (MSG), and Medical Group (MDG). With their reactivation, the history and lineage of the Wing Combat Group inactivated in the 1950s was transferred from the Wing to the Operations Group.

In addition to the realignment of support and operational squadrons, the "Tactical", "Strategic" and other descriptors of unit designations were discontinued. For example, the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing became the 354th Fighter Wing; the 24th Composite Wing became the 24th Wing; 356th Tactical Fighter Squadron became the 356th Fighter Squadron, and so on. This returned the unit designations back to their 1947 names.

References

Notes

  1. ^ "Squadrons and Services". Loring Military Heritage Center. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  2. ^ Ravenstein
  3. ^ Ravenstein
  4. ^ Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947-1977 (PDF). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. p. 5. ISBN 0-912799-12-9.
  5. ^ Ravenstein, p. 7
  6. ^ Ravenstein, p. 12
  7. ^ Ravenstein, p. 18
  8. ^ Ravenstein, p. 24. The permanent wing was redesignated the 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing
  9. ^ Ravenstein, p. 29
  10. ^ Ravenstein, p. 38
  11. ^ Ravenstein, pp. 49-50
  12. ^ Ravenstein, p. 52
  13. ^ Ravenstein, p. 54
  14. ^ Ravenstein, p. 58
  15. ^ Ravenstein, p. 70
  16. ^ Ravenstein, p. 75
  17. ^ Ravenstein, p. 90
  18. ^ Ravenstein, p. 98
  19. ^ Ravenstein, p. 105. The permanent wing was redesignated 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing
  20. ^ Ravenstein, pp. 117-118
  21. ^ Ravenstein, p. 128
  22. ^ Ravenstein, p. 130
  23. ^ Ravenstein, p. 136
  24. ^ Ravenstein, p. 138
  25. ^ Ravenstein, p. 144
  26. ^ Ravenstein, p. 154
  27. ^ Ravenstein, p. 160
  28. ^ Ravenstein, p. 165
  29. ^ Ravenstein, p. 178
  30. ^ Ravenstein, p. 191, The permanent wing was redesignated 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing
  31. ^ Ravenstein, pp. 275-276
  32. ^ Ravenstein, p. 9
  33. ^ Ravenstein, p. 20
  34. ^ Ravenstein, p. 34
  35. ^ Ravenstein, p. 36
  36. ^ Ravenstein, p. 41
  37. ^ Ravenstein, p. 43
  38. ^ Ravenstein, p. 57
  39. ^ Ravenstein, p. 60
  40. ^ Ravenstein, p. 63
  41. ^ Ravenstein, p. 66
  42. ^ Ravenstein, p. 78
  43. ^ Ravenstein, p. 82
  44. ^ Ravenstein, p. 85
  45. ^ Ravenstein, p. 88
  46. ^ Ravenstein, p. 92
  47. ^ Ravenstein, p. 94
  48. ^ Ravenstein, p. 97
  49. ^ Ravenstein, p. 110
  50. ^ Ravenstein, p. 116
  51. ^ Ravenstein, p. 120
  52. ^ Ravenstein, p. 167
  53. ^ Ravenstein, p. 176
  54. ^ Ravenstein, p. 182
  55. ^ Ravenstein, p. 196
  56. ^ Ravenstein, p. 264
  57. ^ Ravenstein, Charles, A Guide to United States Air Force Lineage and Honors

Bibliography

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

Further Reading
  • Goss, William A (1955). "The Organization and its Responsibilities, Chapter 2 The AAF". In Craven, Wesley F & Cate, James L (ed.). The Army Air Forces in World War II. Vol. Vol. VI, Men & Planes. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. LCCN 48-3657. {{cite book}}: |volume= has extra text (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: editors list (link)
  • Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-02-1.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hobson_Plan&oldid=535627320"