The group was redesignated the 343d Fighter Group (Air Defense) and activated at Duluth International Airport in August 1955, replacing the 515th Air Defense Group and assuming the 515th's personnel and equipment as part of Air Defense Command (ADC)'s Project Arrow, which was designed to bring back on the active list the fighter units which had compiled memorable records in the two world wars.
The 11th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, flying Northrop F-89 Scorpions, was reassigned from the 515th as the group's operational squadron.
The group was also the host organization for active United States Air Force units at Duluth and was assigned several support organizations to fulfill this mission.

In June 1956, the 11th Squadron upgraded from Scorpions to Convair F-102 Delta Daggers.
Flying its new "Deuces" in 1957, group aircraft placed first and second in the Bendix Trophy competition.
In July 1960 the group converted to the Convair F-106 Delta Dart.
Prior to February 1962, ADC required two aircraft of each of its squadrons to be on five-minute alert.
 This requirement was expanded and in addition one third of the groups's interceptor aircraft were placed on fifteen-minute alert.

On 22 October 1962, at the beginning of the Cuban Missile Crisis, when President Kennedy announced the presence of Soviet intermediate-range ballistic missiles in Cuba, Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) directed the dispersal of interceptors within the United States.
 Although the group's planned dispersal base was RCAF Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, dispersed aircraft were not sent to Canadian airfields.
 Instead, the group sent one third of its aircraft to Volk Field, Wisconsin.
 All group aircraft, including those at home and those at Volk Field were armed and placed on fifteen-minute alert status.
 The increased alert posture was maintained through mid-November, when CONAD returned units to their normal alert status, except for those under the control of its 32d Region, which controlled air defense in the Southeastern United States.

The 11th Squadron was discontinued in the fall of 1968 and replaced by the 87th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, which was activated and took over the 11th's personnel and Delta Darts.
The group performed the air defense mission for the upper Great Lakes region of the north central United States until 1970, when it was inactivated.
The 87th Squadron was reassigned directly to the 23d Air Division and the group's support functions, personnel, and equipment at Duluth were transferred to the newly organized 4787th Air Base Group.
The group was redesignated the 343d Fighter Group (Air Defense) and activated at Duluth International Airport in August 1955, replacing the 515th Air Defense Group and assuming the 515th's personnel and equipment as part of Air Defense Command (ADC)'s Project Arrow, which was designed to bring back on the active list the fighter units which had compiled memorable records in the two world wars. The 11th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, flying Northrop F-89 Scorpions, was reassigned from the 515th as the group's operational squadron. The group was also the host organization for active United States Air Force units at Duluth and was assigned several support organizations to fulfill this mission.
In June 1956, the 11th Squadron upgraded from Scorpions to Convair F-102 Delta Daggers. Flying its new "Deuces" in 1957, group aircraft placed first and second in the Bendix Trophy competition. In July 1960 the group converted to the Convair F-106 Delta Dart. Prior to February 1962, ADC required two aircraft of each of its squadrons to be on five-minute alert.  This requirement was expanded and in addition one third of the groups's interceptor aircraft were placed on fifteen-minute alert.
On 22 October 1962, at the beginning of the Cuban Missile Crisis, when President Kennedy announced the presence of Soviet intermediate-range ballistic missiles in Cuba, Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) directed the dispersal of interceptors within the United States.  Although the group's planned dispersal base was RCAF Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, dispersed aircraft were not sent to Canadian airfields.  Instead, the group sent one third of its aircraft to Volk Field, Wisconsin.  All group aircraft, including those at home and those at Volk Field were armed and placed on fifteen-minute alert status.  The increased alert posture was maintained through mid-November, when CONAD returned units to their normal alert status, except for those under the control of its 32d Region, which controlled air defense in the Southeastern United States.
The 11th Squadron was discontinued in the fall of 1968 and replaced by the 87th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, which was activated and took over the 11th's personnel and Delta Darts. The group performed the air defense mission for the upper Great Lakes region of the north central United States until 1970, when it was inactivated. The 87th Squadron was reassigned directly to the 23d Air Division and the group's support functions, personnel, and equipment at Duluth were transferred to the newly organized 4787th Air Base Group.
343d Wing