Phoenix Air Defense Sector

The Phoenix Air Defense Sector (PhADS) is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the Air Defense Command 28th Air Division, being stationed at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. It was inactivated on 1 April 1966

Phoenix Air Defense Sector
Emblem of the Phoenix Air Defense Sector
Active1960–1966
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Air Force
RoleAir Defense
Part ofAir Defense Command
Map of Phoenix ADS

History

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PhADS was established in June 1959 assuming control of former ADC Western Air Defense Force units in Arizona; southwestern California; southern Nevada and southwestern Utah. The organization provided command and control over several aircraft and radar squadrons.

On 15 June the new Semi Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) Direction Center (DC-21) became operational. 33°32′34″N 112°21′27″W / 33.54278°N 112.35750°W / 33.54278; -112.35750 (PhADS-SAGE DC-21) DC-21 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; then redesignated as 27th Air Division.

Lineage

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  • Established as Phoenix Air Defense Sector on 15 June 1959
Inactivated on 1 April 1966

Assignments

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Stations

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Components

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Interceptor units

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Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, 1 May 1961 – 4 December 1964

Radar stations

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See also

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References

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

  • A Handbook of Aerospace Defense Organization 1946 - 1980, by Lloyd H. Cornett and Mildred W. Johnson, 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.
  • Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-89201-092-4.
  • 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 Phoenix Air Defense Sector
External image
  SAGE facilities