Sault Sainte Marie Air Defense Sector facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sault Sainte Marie Air Defense Sector  |
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Emblem of the Sault Sainte Marie Air Defense Sector
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| Active | 1958–1966 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Role | Air Defense |
| Part of | Air Defense Command |
The Sault Sainte Marie Air Defense Sector (SsmADS) was a special part of the United States Air Force. It was created to help protect the skies over the United States. This group was based at K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base in Michigan. Its main job was to watch for and respond to any enemy aircraft that might try to enter American airspace.
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Protecting the Skies: A Look at SsmADS
The Sault Sainte Marie Air Defense Sector started in November 1958. It took over the job of watching the skies in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This group was in charge of many aircraft and radar units. Their goal was to keep the area safe from air threats.
How SsmADS Tracked Planes
On June 15, 1960, a new system called the Semi Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) Direction Center (DC-14) began working. This was a very advanced computer system. It used two powerful AN/FSQ-7 Computers. These computers helped track planes and guide interceptor jets.
Training for Air Defense
The SsmADS team worked hard every day. They trained pilots and maintained special jet planes called interceptors. These planes included the F-94 Starfire, F-102 Delta Dagger, and F-106 Delta Dart. Their job was to be ready to fly at any moment. They practiced by doing training missions and exercises. These drills often involved pretending to stop enemy planes.
The End of SsmADS
The Sault Sainte Marie Air Defense Sector was closed down on April 1, 1966. This happened because the Air Defense Command (ADC) was reorganizing. The jobs and units from SsmADS were then given to other groups, like the 28th and 29th Air Divisions.
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