Spokane Air Defense Sector

SPADS was established in September 1958, assuming responsibility for air defense in Eastern Washington, North Idaho, and Western Montana. The organization eventually also provided command and control over several interceptor aircraft and radar squadrons.

On 8 September the new Semi Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) Direction Center (DC-15) became operational. 47°10′53″N 119°19′16″W DC-15 was equipped with dual AN/FSQ-7 Computers. The day-to-day operations of the command was to train and maintain tactical flying units flying jet interceptor aircraft (F-94 Starfire; F-102 Delta Dagger; F-106 Delta Dart) in a state of readiness with training missions and series of exercises with SAC and other units simulating interceptions of incoming enemy aircraft. However, until March 1960, SPADS did not have operational command over the radar and interceptor aircraft it directed. Instead, they were assigned to the 4700th Air Defense Wing until March 1960. The 4700th was transferred from direct assignment to 25th AD to SPADS briefly before being discontinued in July.

The Sector was inactivated on 1 September 1963 and its units were assigned to the 25th AD.

The Sector's only wing was designated and organized as 4700th Air Defense Wing at Geiger Field Washington to provide air defense of the northwestern United States on 1 September 1958.[1] It was assigned two fighter groups flying fighter interceptor aircraft (F-102 Delta Dagger, F-104 Starfighter, and F-106 Delta Dart)[2] and ten radar squadrons to accomplish its mission. When its 498th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (part of the 84th Fighter Group) converted to F-106As, it became the first combat ready squadron flying Delta Darts.[3] In May 1959, the wing's 4721st Air Defense Group at Larson was discontinued and its 538th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron transferred directly to the wing[4]

On 15 March 1960, the wing's 636th,[5] 637th,[5] 822d[6] and 823d Aircraft Control and Warning Squadrons[6] and 538th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron[4] were transferred to SPADS. Other radar units assigned to the wing, however, were transferred to other ADC organizations. The 634th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron[5] at Burns AFS, Oregon, in May 1960; the 638th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron[7] at Curlew AFS, Washington in December 1959, the 680th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron[8] at Yaak AFS, Montana in July 1960; the 716th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron[9] at Geiger Field, Washington in May 1959 and the 821st Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron[6] at Baker AFS, Oregon in May 1960.

In May, the wing and its 84th Fighter Group[10] were also transferred, leaving the wing without an operational mission, and it was discontinued on 30 June 1960.

• 25th Air Division, 8 September 1958 – 1 September 1963

• Larson AFB, Washington, 8 September 1958 – 1 September 1963

• 4700th Air Defense Wing

Geiger Field, Washington, 15 May 1960 – 1 July 1960

• 84th Fighter Group (Air Defense)

Geiger Field, Washington, 1 July 1960 – 15 July 1963

• 538th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron

Larson AFB, Washington, 15 May 1960 – 1 July 1960

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.

• Cornett, Lloyd H; Johnson, Mildred W (1980). A Handbook of Aerospace Defense Organization, 1946–1980 (PDF). Peterson AFB, CO: Office of History, Aerospace Defense Center.
• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. p. 645. ISBN 0-405-12194-6.

Further Reading

• Leonard, Barry (2009). History of Strategic Air and Ballistic Missile Defense (PDF). Vol II, 1955–1972. Fort McNair, DC: Center for Military History. ISBN 978-1-437-92131-1.
• 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.
• Winkler, David F.; Webster, Julie L (1997). Searching the skies: The legacy of the United States Cold War Defense Radar Program. Champaign, IL: US Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratories. LCCN 97020912.
• Radomes.org Spokane Air Defense Sector

External image
SAGE facilities