Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, flying Convair F-102 Delta Daggers moved to Grand Forks from Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan and was assigned to the group. With its arrival the 478th's mission expanded to train and maintain combat ready aircrews for the defense of the United States. Upon arrival at Grand Forks, the 18th began conversion to McDonnell F-101B Voodoos, completing the transition by June. The group's host responsibilities grew as well when SAC's 4133d wing became operational, adding the 905th Air Refueling Squadron and four maintenance squadrons. The growth of the support mission at Grand Forks was recognized in April 1961 when ADC activated the 478th Fighter Wing and a number of subordinate units to replace the group. Although the number of ADC interceptor squadrons remained almost constant in the early 1960s, attrition (and the fact that production lines closed in 1961) caused a gradual drop in the number of planes assigned to a squadron, from 24 to typically 18 by 1964. These reductions made it apparent that the primary mission of Grand Forks would be to support SAC and resulted in the inactivation of the wing and, because of its expanding role at Grand Forks, SAC assumed control of the base from ADC and the wing and all the wing's support units were transferred to SAC and were inactivated. The 18th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron transferred to the direct control of Grand Forks Air Defense Sector. Systems Development The wing was redesignated the 478th Aeronautical Systems Wing and activated at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio in 2007 and was assigned three groups. The wing focused on systems development and procurement for the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor aircraft. It was inactivated along with the 778th and 878th groups in 2009 and its mission and personnel transferred to its subordinate 478th Aeronautical Systems Group as the Raptor approached operational capability. Lineage 478th Fighter Group Constituted as the 478th Fighter Group (Two Engine) on 12 October 1943 Activated on 1 December 1943 Disbanded on 31 March 1944 Reconstituted and redesignated 478th Fighter Group (Air Defense), on 11 December 1956 Activated on 28 February 1957 Inactivated 1 February 1961 Consolidated 31 January 1984 with the 478th Fighter Wing (Air Defense) 478th Fighter Wing Constituted as the 478th Fighter-Day Wing on 25 March 1953 Redesignated 478th Fighter Wing (Air Defense) on 28 December 1960 and activated (not organized) Activated on 1 February 1961 Inactivated on 1 July 1963