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 * Post 1948 List of United States Wings and Independent Groups

In 1947 (on an experimental basis) and in 1948 (on a permanent basis), the United States Air Force reorganized from a system in which the group was the primary combat unit to one in which the wing, which included both combat and support elements was the primary unit. The new 1948 wings created by the Air Force took the numbers of the World War II groups that formed their combat elements, that were numbered in a single series from 1 through 513 (with some omissions). However, this series expanded by including units that were not considered "combat" units in World War II (like strategic airlift and rescue units), but were later seen as the equivalent of fighter and bomber units. Other units that were considered "combat" units, but still numbered separately (like photographic reconnaissance and combat cargo units) were also included.

Most groups since 1948 take their numbers from their parent wing. For example, the 1st Fighter Wing includes or has included the 1st Mission Support Group (earlier the 1st Airdrome Group, 1st Air Base Group, 1st Combat Support Group, 1st Support Group); The 1st Maintenance Group (earlier the 1st Maintenance & Supply Group, 1st Logistics Group); and the 1st Medical Group (two different units. One was originally the 1st Station Medical Group, then became the 1st USAF Hospital, 1st Tactical Hospital, 1st Air Transportable Hospital.  The other was the USAF Regional Hospital, Langley, becoming the USAF Hospital, Langley, then the 1st Medical Group). It has also included the 1st Rescue Group in the past. These units are "dependent" groups.

Other groups were formed that were not assigned to like numbered wings were assigned numbers in the series of 1948, rather than the numbers of parent wings, even though they were too small to be wings. These were "independent" groups. Some of these groups have held both statuses, such as the 1st Rescue Group mentioned above, which has also served under headquarters that did not supply its number.

Listings
Units are listed in numerical order.


 * Wings are listed before groups with the same number.
 * Units with the same number and at the same level (wing/group) are listed in alphabetical order.
 * Units are listed by the most recent designation of the unit since 1948, unless the unit has existed as both a wing and a group, in which case, its most recent designation as a wing is used, even if was later active as a group.
 * Other names of a unit under this number are listed in chronological order, but if a unit has had a particular name more than once, it is only listed once. If a unit has had another number since 1948, it will appear in the notes if was an name just before or after the unit's designation under the listed number.
 * From 1948 through the early 1990s, Major Commands were authorized to organize wings and groups. They were allotted blocks of numbers between 1001 and 9999 for the units they formed.  These units are not included as separate entries in this list.  Major Commands retain this authority, but it is limited to provisional units and the numbers are assigned on a geographic basis.

Disbanded units are lined through, as are organizational actions that were later revoked or rescinded, as the Air Force treats them as if they never happened.

Series starting at 1
Not all independent wings and groups were or are listed in the single series. Most of these units were unique, or only two or three units were created in the series. Exceptions were:
 * Weather Wings, numbered from 1 to 9 (no 8).
 * Aeromedical Evacuation Groups, numbered from 1 to 10, with gaps and others with higher numbers that were expanded squadrons and retained their squadron number.
 * Air Rescue Groups, numbered from 1 to 14 (1 through 12 were expanded squadrons).
 * Communications Groups, numbered from 1 to 12, with gaps. Mobile/Combat Communications Groups numbered from 1 to 5.
 * Hospital Groups, numbered from 1 to 8, with gaps.
 * Weather Groups, numbered from 1 to 10.

Series not starting at 1

 * Tactical Control Groups and Aircraft Control & Warning Groups were numbered in a single series starting with 501. Others were formed later starting with 601 and expanding with both higher and lower numbers.
 * Air Defense Groups were first formed in 1953 and numbered starting with 501. A number were Air Base Groups, formed in 1952 by Air Defense Command (ADC) that were reconstituted Air Service Groups from late in World War II, then assigned operational squadrons and redesignated in 1953.  When they were joined by other units in 1953, more Air Service Groups starting with 501 were reconstituted as Air Defense Groups.   ADC formed Air Defense Groups in 1970 at Backup Interceptor Control sites, these groups took their numbers from the Radar Squadrons already located there, and numbered in a series starting at 601.
 * Missile Wings formed in the late 1950s were numbered starting with 701.
 * Starting in 1952, Strategic Air Command (SAC) Air Base Groups (later Combat Support Groups) at bases with two wings were numbered starting with 801. An 800th group was added in 1988.
 * Starting in the late 1950s, SAC Medical Groups were numbered starting with 801.
 * All reserve units were mobilized for the Korean War. When 1951 Continental Air Command (ConAC) began to reform reserve units in 1951, its Reserve Training Wings were numbered starting with 901 and its specialized reserve training wings and groups were numbered starting with 951, although its Reserve Depot Training Wings were renumbered starting with 941 before activating.
 * In 1963 dispersed ConAC reserve Troop Carrier Groups were also numbered starting with 901.