Sault Sainte Marie Air Defense Sector

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Sault Sainte Marie Air Defense Sector
Emblem of the Sault Sainte Marie Air Defense Sector
Active1958–1966
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Air Force
RoleAir Defense
Part ofAir Defense Command
Map of Sault Sainte Marie ADS

The Sault Sainte Marie Air Defense Sector (SsmADS) is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the 30th Air Division, being stationed at K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base, Michigan.

History[edit]

SsmADS was established in November 1958 assuming control of former ADC Central Air Defense Force units in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The organization provided command and control over several aircraft and radar squadrons.

On 15 June 1960, the new Semi Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) Direction Center (DC-14) became operational. 46°20′47″N 087°23′00″W / 46.34639°N 87.38333°W / 46.34639; -87.38333 (SsmADS-SAGE DC-14) DC-14 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.

The Sector was inactivated on 1 April 1966 as part of an ADC consolidation and reorganization; and its units were reassigned to the 28th and 29th Air Divisions.

Lineage[edit]

  • Established as Sault Sainte Marie Air Defense Sector on 8 November 1958
Inactivated on 15 December 1963

Assignments[edit]

Stations[edit]

Components[edit]

Wings[edit]

K. I. Sawyer AFB, Michigan, 1 February 1961 – 1 October 1963
Kincheloe AFB, Michigan, 1 February 1961 – 1 October 1963

Groups[edit]

K. I. Sawyer AFB, Michigan, 1 April 1960 – 1 February 1961
Kincheloe AFB, Michigan, 1 April 1960 – 1 February 1961

Interceptor squadron[edit]

Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan, 1 April 1960 – 15 July 1963

Missile squadron[edit]

Kincheloe AFB, Michigan, 1 April 1960 – 1 October 1963

Radar squadrons[edit]

See also[edit]

External image
image icon SAGE facilities

References[edit]

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

  • Lloyd H. Cornett and Mildred W. Johnson, A Handbook of Aerospace Defense Organization 1946 - 1980, Office of History, Aerospace Defense Center, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado.
  • Winkler, David F. (1997), Searching the skies: the legacy of the United States Cold War defense radar program. Prepared for United States Air Force Headquarters Air Combat Command.
  • Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947–1977. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-12-9.
  • Radomes.org Sault Sainte Marie Air Defense Sector