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The Spokane Air Defense Sector (SPADS) is an inactive Air Defense Command 25th Air Division (25th AD) at Larson Air Force Base, Washington.
SPADS was established in September 1958 assuming responsibility for interceptor aircraft and radar squadrons.
On 8 September the new Semi Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) Direction Center (DC-15) became operational. DC-15 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. However, until March 1960, SPADS did not have operational command over the radar and interceptor aircraft it directed. Instead, they were assigned to the 4700th Air Defense Wing until March 1960. The 4700th was transferred from direct assignment to 25th AD to SPADS briefly before being discontinued in July.
The Sector was inactivated on 1 September 1963 and its units were assigned to the 25th AD.
The Sector's only Geiger Field Washington to provide air defense of the northwestern United States on 1 September 1958.[1] It was assigned two fighter groups flying fighter interceptor aircraft (F-102 Delta Dagger, F-104 Starfighter, and F-106 Delta Dart)[2] and ten radar squadrons to accomplish its mission. When its 498th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (part of the 84th Fighter Group) converted to F-106As, it became the first combat ready squadron flying Delta Darts.[3] In May 1959, the wing's 4721st Air Defense Group at Larson was discontinued and its 538th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron transferred directly to the wing[4]
On 15 March 1960, the wing's 634th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron[5] at Burns AFS, Oregon, in May 1960; the 638th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron[7] at Curlew AFS, Washington in December 1959, the 680th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron[8] at Yaak AFS, Montana in July 1960; the 716th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron[9] at Geiger Field, Washington in May 1959 and the 821st Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron[6] at Baker AFS, Oregon in May 1960.
In May, the wing and its 84th Fighter Group[10] were also transferred, leaving the wing without an operational mission, and it was discontinued on 30 June 1960.
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.
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