Aerospace Defense Command
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| Aerospace Defense Command | |
|---|---|
 Emblem of Aerospace Defense Command |
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| Active | 1946 - 1980 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Army Air Forces (1946-1947) United States Air Force (1947 - 1948) (1951 - 1980) |
| Type | Major Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Ent Air Force Base Colorado |
Aerospace Defense Command (ADC), was a major command of the United States Air Force. Its mission was to provide the USAF air defense role of the United States.
Contents |
[edit] Timeline
- 27 March 1946
- The United States Army Air Force activates the Air Defense Command at Mitchel Field (later, Mitchel Air Force Base), New York
- 1 December 1948
- The United States Air Force establishes the Continental Air Command under both the Air Defense Command and Tactical Air Command
- 27 June 1950
- United States air defense systems begins 24-hour operations two days after the start of the Korean War
- 1 July 1950
- Air Defense Command deactivated because the Continental Air Command gradually assumed ful charge of United States air defense
- 1 January 1951
- Air Defense Command re-established, again at Mitchel Field
- 8 January 1951
- Air Defense Command headquarters moves from Mitchel Field to Ent Air Force Base, Colorado
- 14 July 1952
- Air Defense Command begins 24-hour Ground Observer Corps operations
- 1 September 1954
- The Continental Air Defense Command is established at Ent Air Force Base as a joint-service force, taking control of Air Force Air Defense Command forces, Army Anti-Aircraft Command forces, and Naval air defense forces
- 12 September 1957
- The North American Air Defense Command is established at Ent Air Force Base as an international organization, taking operational control of Canadian Air Defense Command air defense units and United States Continental Air Defense Command air defense units
- 31 July 1959
- The Ground Observer Corps, active since July 1952, is abolished because of improvements in radar technology
- 15 January 1968
- Air Defense Command is redesignated as Aerospace Defense Command
- 1 July 1973
- Continental Air Defense Command and Aerospace Defense Command headquarters begins consolidation and streamlining
- 4 February 1974
- The Department of Defense announces plans for cutbacks in air defense forces showing increasing emphasis on ballistic missile attack warning and decreasing emphasis on bomber defense
- 30 June 1974
- Continental Air Defense Command dis-established
- 1 July 1975
- Aerospace Defense Command designated a "Specified Command" taking over Continental Air Defense Command roles and responsibilities
- 1 October 1979
- Aerospace Defense Command inactivated as a Major Command; Air Defense, Tactical Air Command established as a Numbered Air Force equivalent under Tactical Air Command
[edit] History
[edit] World War II
The organization was created by the War Department as the Air Defense Command on 26 February 1940. As a component of the U.S. First Army, its mission was to plan for and execute the air defense of the continental United States.
During World War II, the ADC operated four distinct air defense districts within the US. These were:
- Northeast Air District - assigned to First Air Force
- Northwest Air District - assigned to Second Air Force
- Southeast Air District - assigned to Third Air Force
- Southwest Air District - assigned to Fourth Air Force
The primary mission of these Air Districts initially was to fly antisubmarine patrols. By the fall of 1942 these patrols, in conjunction with naval operations, had succeeded in driving off the German U-boat packs that had been taking such a heavy toll of shipping in the western Atlantic Ocean. In addition, ADC flew patrols in the Gulf of Mexico, in the Caribbean Sea, and along the west coast of the United States.
The antisubmarine mission was turned over to the Navy in 1943, and for the balance of the war, these commands trained aircrews for overseas deployments to the various war theaters. Later, as the threat of an attack by enemy forces on the US homeland diminished, they were primarily engaged in replacement crew training.
The ADC Air District structure was abolished in April 1944 along with Air Defense Command. The numbered air forces and their training mission was turned over to the USAAF Continental Air Forces training command.
[edit] Postwar History
The second iteration of Air Defense Command (ADC) was established on 21 March 1946 as a component of the United States Army Air Forces, again with the mission of planning for and executing the air defense of the United States. ADC was headquartered at Mitchel Army Airfield, New York.
On 1 December 1948, ADC became a subordinate component of the Continental Air Command and delegated supervision of the build-up of the air defense system. On 1 January 1951, Air Defense Command was reestablished as a major air command at Ent AFB, Colorado.
[edit] Fighter Defense
The growth and development of the ADC air defense system grew steadily throughout the Cold War era. From four day-type fighter squadrons (FDS) in 1946, the ADC interceptor force grew to nintey-three (93) active Air Force fighter interceptor squadrons, seventy-six (76) Air National Guard Squadrons, several Naval Squadrons, radar squadrons, training squadrons and numerous support units that have played important roles in our nation's defense.
Interceptor aircraft of Aerospace Defense Command were:
- Republic F-47D/N Thunderbolt
- North American F-51D/H Mustang
- Northrup F-61C Black Widow
With the end of World War II, large numbers of wartime pistoned-engined fighters were allocated for air defense mission. The long range P-47N/P-51H models, developed for the invasion of Japan, were especially well-suited for the air defense role and were used into the mid-1950s by Air National Guard units. Generally P-47s were based east of the Mississippi River, while P-51s were stationed to the west. The twin-engined P-61 night fighter was the first American aircraft specifically designed from the outset for the night fighting role, and with its long range was also well-suited for air defense. On 11 June 1948, the newly-formed United States Air Force eliminated the P-for-pursuit category and replaced it with F-for-fighter.
- North American F-82F/G Twin Mustang
In 1948, the F and G night-fighter versions of the Twin Mustang were placed in service with the Air Defense Command. They were painted all-black and had flame-damped exhausts and replaced the F-61 Black Widow by 1949. It was anticipated that the service life of the Twin Mustang would be relatively brief, since the F-82 was seen as only an interim type, filling in the gap only until adequate numbers of jet fighters could be made available. In 1950, some units based in the USA were already beginning to replace their Twin Mustangs with jets.
- Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star
In 1948, F-80Cs began to reach operational ADC units, the first being the 57th Interceptor Group (64th, 65th, and 66th Squadrons) based in Alaska. However, during the Korean War the introduction of the MiG-15 into Korean combat On 1 November 1950 proved to be a nasty surprise. It was soon apparent that the F-80C was no match for the swept-wing MiG-15, being almost 100 mph slower than its Russian-built opponent. F-80s were withdrawn from Korea and served in ADC units for a few years before being sent to Air Force Reserve squadrons where they were flown until the late 1950s.
- Lockheed F-94 Starfire
Between 1950 and 1953, the F-94 played a vital role in the defense of the continental United States from attack by nuclear-armed Soviet Tu 4 bombers. It was the only jet-powered all-weather interceptor available in quantity at that time, and filled in a vital gap until more advanced equipment could be provided.
- Republic F-84 Thunderjet
Versions of the F-84 were used by ADC groups in the early 1950s, however during the Korean War it was found that the straight-winged F-84E was much too slow to match the swept-wing Soviet MiG-15. The total air-to-air score ended up as nine MiGs downed as opposed to 18 Thunderjets lost, which gave the Thunderjet a 2 to 1 inferiority against the MiG-15.
- Northrup F-89 Scorpion
The Northrop F-89 Scorpion was one of the primary defenders of North American airspace during the Cold War. Production was authorized in January 1949, with the first production F-89A entering USAF service in September 1950. The final production model, the F-89H served with the ADC through 1959 and with the Air National Guard through 1969.
- North American F-86A/E/F/H Sabre
The Sabrejet started to reach ADC units during the Korean War as the A models were replaced with E and F versions. Later, as the North American F-100 Super Sabre was introduced, TAC units sent their advanced Sabres to ADC to fly air defense missions.
- North American F-86D/L Sabre
The F-86D was the interceptor version of the F-86 Sabre air superiority fighter. The F-86D was originally designated as the F-95A, however for political reasons the designation of the F-95 was changed to F-86D on 24 July 1950. The F-86D entered ADC service in 1953 however it only saw active ADC service for a few years. The phaseout of the F-86D from the ADC began in August 1956, and was essentially complete by April 1958. As ADC F-86Ds were phased out, some of them were turned over to the Air National Guard. Many of the ANG's F-86Ds were quickly supplanted by F-86Ls, and by June 1961, the F-86D no longer appeared on either the USAF or ANG rolls. The F-86L was the designation given to late-1950s conversions of existing USAF F-86Ds to use the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) datalink system. During the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, six ANG F-86L squadrons were on alert. The last F-86Ls were withdrawn from ANG service during the summer of 1965.
- Lockheed F-104A Starfighter
By 1958 delays in the delivery and development of the Convair F-106A Delta Dart Mach 2+ fighter-interceptor for ADC Command had at that time become worrisome, and the USAF decided to go ahead and accept the F-104As originally destined for the TAC and assign them to the ADC as a stopgap measure. The selection of the F-104A for the ADC was sort of curious, since it had not been originally designed as an interceptor and it lacked an adequate endurance and had no all-weather capability. However, its high climb rate made it attractive to the ADC and it was hoped that the Starfighter could fill in until the F-106 became available. The F-104A was not very well suited for service as an interceptor. Its low range was a problem for North American air defense, and its lack of all-weather capability made it incapable of operating in conjunction with the SAGE (Semi-Automatic Ground Environment) system. Most F-104As were replaced by the end of 1960, however the 319th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron at Homestead AFB Florida retained their F-104As until the unit was deactivated in 1969.
- Convair F-102 Delta Dagger
The F-102 was part of the backbone of the United States air defenses beginning with its introduction in 1956. F-102s served in large numbers with both Air Force and Air National Guard units well into the 1970s. George W. Bush, later President of the United States, flew the F-102 as part of his Air National Guard service in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
- McDonnell F-101B/F Voodoo
With the relative failure of the F-104A in the interceptor role, ADC units were re-equipped with the F-101B Voodoo. The F-101Bs were modified versions of the SAC F-101A nuclear attack aircraft (designed for one-way missions carring tactical nuclear weapons) by modifying the avionics systems and fire control systems for air to air missiles. The last F-101Bs were delivered in March 1961, and once the teething troubles with its fire control system issues were corrected, the F-101B proved to be a quite successful interceptor. Along with the F-101Bs, The dual-seat F-101F trainer was also flown. F-101Fs were equipped with dual controls, but carried the same armament as the F-101B and were fully combat-capable.
- Convair F-106A Delta Dart
The Convair F-106A Delta Dart was considered by many as being the finest all-weather interceptor ever built. It was the primary air defense interceptor aircraft for the US Air Force from the 1960s through the early 1980s. It was also was the last dedicated interceptor in U.S. Air Force service to date. It was gradually retired during the 1980s, though the QF-106 drone conversions of the aircraft were used until 1998 as aireal targets.
[edit] RADAR Defense
- See also: Pinetree Line, Distant Early Warning Line, Texas Towers, and Ballistic Missile Early Warning System
By 1953, a modern United States continental RADAR system had been completed and additional radar units were programmed to blanket the country with medium and high-altitude radar cover. At the same time, the decision was made to extend radar coverage as far from the American borders as possible. An agreement with Canada for mutual defense resulted in the extension of radar coverage into southern Canada in 1952 (the Pinetree Line), and permission was granted by the USAF to erect the Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line, which became operational under ADC control in 1958. The DEW line consisted of radars and continuous-wave stations along the Arctic Circle from Alaska to Greenland.
The massive construction project employed over 25,000 people. The line consisted of sixty-three stations stretching from Alaska to Baffin Island, covering almost 10,000 km. The project was finished in 1957 and was considered an engineering marvel. The next year, the line became a cornerstone of the new NORAD organization of joint continental air defence.
Quite quickly after its completion, the DEW line lost much of its purpose. It was useless against ICBMs and submarine-launched attacks. A number of stations were decommissioned, but the bulk were retained to monitor potential Soviet air activities and to assert Canada's sovereignty in the Arctic.
Work was begun in 1953 to erect a number of off-shore radars platforms known as Texas Towers to extend the range of RADAR into the Atlantic Ocean. To provide even more distant off-shore coverage, the Airborne Early Warning program was begun, consisting of two wings of Lockheed RC-121 Warning Stars. The RC-121s and Texas Towers, it was believed, would contribute to extending contiguous east-coast radar coverage some 300 to 500 miles seaward. In terms of the air threat of the 1950’s, this meant a gain of at least 30 extra minutes warning time of an oncoming bomber attack.
One of the Texas Towers (TT-4) collapsed into the Atlantic Ocean with significant loss of life in January 1961. The tragedy of TT-4, as much as anything else, sealed the fate of the others. While both remaining towers were immediately checked for safety and structural strength, and pronounced sound in this regard, their days were numbered. The entire project was ended in 1963, and the remaining facilities were decomissioned and sunk in 1964.
To provide far distant early warning of missile attacks, the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System (BMEWS) was begun in 1958, with huge radar stations destined for Alaska, Greenland and England. These radars were capable of detecting missiles in flight, deep in the Soviet Union or in other similarly distant territory.
[edit] SAGE Air Defense System
In 1953, development of the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) system began. It was destined to become the nerve center of air defense. It was an automated control system used by NORAD for collecting, tracking and intercepting enemy bomber aircraft from the late 1950s into the 1980s. In later versions, the system could automatically direct aircraft to an interception by sending commands directly to the aircraft's autopilot.
The first of the SAGE sectors was put into operation in July 1958, and was rapidly joined by others in the eastern and northern United States during 1959 and 1960. This electronic network is based on the provision of digital computers and ancillary data-transmitting equipment at strategic locations throughout the country. A major purpose of this system is to provide instantaneous information to interceptor aircraft in flight as well as trigger other defensive measures.
By the time it was fully operational the Soviet bomber threat had been replaced by the Soviet missile threat, for which SAGE was entirely inadequate. Nevertheless, SAGE was tremendously important. It led to huge advances in online systems and interactive computing, real-time computing, and data communications using modems. It is generally considered to be one of the most advanced and successful large computer systems ever developed.
[edit] Anti-Aircraft Missiles
- See also: Bomarc Missile Program
The Bomarc Missile Program (BOMARC IM-99A) was a joint United States of America-Canada effort between 1957 and 1971 to protect against the USSR bomber threat. It involved the deployment of tactical stations armed with Bomarc missiles along the east and west coasts of North America and the central areas of the continent. BOMARC and the SAGE guidance system were phased out in the late sixties as they were ineffective and costly.
The supersonic Bomarc missiles were the first long-range anti-aircraft missiles in the world. They were capable of carrying conventional or nuclear warheads. Their intended role in defence was in an intrusion prevention perimeter. Bomarcs aligned on the eastern and western coasts of North America would theoretically launch and destroy enemy bombers before the bombers could drop their payloads on industrial regions.
[edit] NORAD Development
The command and control of the massive North American air defense system was a significant challenge. Discussions and studies of joint systems between the United States and Canada had been ongoing since the early 1950s and culminated on 1 August 1957, with the announcement by the U.S. and Canada to establish an integrated command, the North American Air Defense Command. On 12 September operations commenced in Colorado. A formal NORAD agreement between the two governments was signed on 12 May 1958.
[edit] Deactivation
The ADC was renamed the Aerospace Defense Command on 15 January 1968. However, with the development of accurate, long-range Intercontinental ballistic missiles, the threat of enemy aircraft over United States airspace sharply diminished. Most ADC units were inactivated by 1970, and the air defense of the US shifted more to the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, and the need for ADC diminished.
As part of realignment of military assets the air assets of ADC were assigned to Tactical Air Command in 1979. With this move many Air National Guard units that had an air defense mission also came under the control of TAC, which established a component called Air Defense, Tactical Air Command (ADTAC). ADTAC was headquartered at North American Aerospace Defense Command, Ent AFB Colorado. In essence, Tactical Air Command became the old Continental Air Command.
The Aerospace Defense Command was inactivated on 31 March 1980.
[edit] Aerospace Defense Command Air Divisions
ADC established Air Divsions to provide command and control over various Air Defense Regions of the United States. These Air Divisions were similar to Numbered Air Forces. Most were inactivated by 1970 due to the introduction of ICBMs and the almost null threat of enemy aircraft over United States airspace. The Northwest and Western Air Defense Regions remained active up to the 1979 deactivation of ADC and were transferred to ADTAC.
- 25th Air Division
(1948-1979) Washington, Oregon, and parts of Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, California and Nevada
- 26th Air Division
(1948-1979) Performed air defense over an area that covered much of the industrial northeast, including New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. It employed off shore naval picket ships, fixed "Texas Tower" radar sites.
- 28th Air Division
(1949-1963) California, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, and Arizona
(1963-1966) Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and parts of California, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.
(1966-1969) Montana and part of North Dakota, and later, parts of South Dakota, Nebraska, and Wyoming.
- 29th Air Division
(1951-1953) Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and parts of Nevada, Utah, and Colorado
(1953-1966) Added North and South Dakota and Nebraska.
(1966-1969) Included Minnesota, parts of Wisconsin, and North Dakota, and further expanded to cover most of Iowa.
- 30th Air Division
(1949-1968) Kentucky to Minnesota, and from Nebraska to New York
- 32d Air Division
(1949-1966) Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and part of New York
(1966-1969) Expanded to include Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and parts of South Carolina, Louisiana and Florida.
- 33d Air Division
(1951-1966) Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, and parts of Kansas, Missouri, and Mississippi
(1966-1969) North and South Carolina and Virginia.
- 64th Air Division
(1952-1963) eastern Canada and later the northeastern United States.
 25th AD Emblem. |
 26th AD Emblem. |
 28th AD Emblem. |
 29th AD Emblem. |
 30th AD Emblem. |
 32d AD Emblem. |
 33d AD Emblem. |
 64th AD Emblem. |
[edit] Aerospace Defense Command CONUS Bases
[edit] See Also
- Continental Air Command
- Tactical Air Command
- North American Aerospace Defense Command
- Air National Guard
[edit] References
- Baugher, Joe. USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers--1908 to present. Retrieved on January 30, 2007.
- Joe Baugher's Encyclopedia Of Military Aircraft
- Donald, David, "Century Jets - USAF Frontline Fighters of the Cold War".
- Maurer Maurer, Air Force Combat Units Of World War II, Office of Air Force History, 1983
- Menard, David W., USAF Plus Fifteen - A Photo History 1947 - 1962, 1993
- Martin, Patrick, Tail Code: The Complete History Of USAF Tactical Aircraft Tail Code Markings, 1994
- Ravenstein, Charles A., Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947-1977, Office of Air Force History, 1984
- United States Air Force Historical Research Agency Research Division, Organizational History Branch
