Spokane Air Defense Sector facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Spokane Air Defense Sector
Emblem of the Spokane Air Defense Sector
Active	1958–1963
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Fighter Interceptor and Radar
Role	Air Defense
Part of	Air Defense Command

Map of Spokane ADS, showing the area it protected.

The Spokane Air Defense Sector (SPADS) was a special unit of the United States Air Force. It was created to help protect the skies over parts of the United States. Its last job was with the Air Defense Command at Larson Air Force Base in Grant County, Washington. This unit was active from 1958 to 1963.

History of Air Defense

Protecting the Skies with SAGE

The Spokane Air Defense Sector (SPADS) started in September 1958. Its main job was to protect the air over Eastern Washington, North Idaho, and Western Montana. This meant keeping an eye out for any unknown aircraft. SPADS also helped control many interceptor aircraft (fighter jets) and radar stations.

On September 8, 1958, a new computer system called Semi Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) became active. This system, known as DC-15, used powerful AN/FSQ-7 computers. These computers helped SPADS track planes and direct fighter jets. The unit's daily work involved training pilots to fly jet interceptors like the F-94 Starfire, F-102 Delta Dagger, and F-106 Delta Dart. They practiced missions and exercises, pretending to stop enemy planes.

For a while, SPADS directed these planes and radar units, but they weren't officially in charge of them. This changed in March 1960, when SPADS gained full control. The Spokane Air Defense Sector was eventually closed down on September 1, 1963. Its units then joined the 25th Air Division.

The 4700th Air Defense Wing

The 4700th Air Defense Wing was another important unit that worked with SPADS. It was set up at Geiger Field in Washington in September 1958. Its mission was to defend the air over the northwestern United States.

This wing had two groups of fighter jets and ten radar squadrons. They flew planes like the F-102 Delta Dagger, F-104 Starfighter, and F-106 Delta Dart. One of its squadrons, the 498th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, was the first to be ready for combat using the F-106 Delta Dart jets.

Over time, some of the wing's units moved to other commands. In March 1960, several radar squadrons and the 538th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron were transferred to SPADS. Other radar units went to different Air Defense Command groups. The 4700th Air Defense Wing itself was closed down on June 30, 1960.

Where They Were and What They Had

The Spokane Air Defense Sector was based at Larson AFB in Washington from 1958 to 1963. They were part of the 25th Air Division.

They worked with different types of military units, including:

• The 4700th Air Defense Wing, which was at Geiger Field.
• The 84th Fighter Group, also at Geiger Field.
• The 538th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, which flew fighter jets from Larson AFB.

SPADS also directed several radar squadrons located in different places, helping them watch the skies. These included radar units in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and even British Columbia and Alberta in Canada.