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28th Air Division (United States)
Encyclopedia
The 28th Air Division (28th AD) is an inactive United States Air Force
organization. Its last assignment was with Tactical Air Command
, being stationed at Tinker Air Force Base
, Oklahoma
. It was inactivated on 29 May 1992.
, Utah
, Nevada
, Colorado
, and Arizona
. It became part of the Western Air Defense Force
in 1950. With no fighter interceptor squadrons directly assigned, the division used interceptors of the 78th Fighter Wing, based at Hamilton Air Force Base
, California
, as well as Air National Guard
interceptors based within its geographical area.
By November 1954 its geographical boundaries included northern California, southern Oregon
, and parts of Nevada and Utah. The division participated frequently in air defense exercises with U.S. Army artillery, U.S. Navy interceptors, and Strategic Air Command
bombers.
On 15 February 1959, it added the San Francisco Air Defense Sector
to its components, and the geographical area expanded to include California and Arizona, and parts of Oregon
, Idaho
, Nevada
, and New Mexico
.
The division gained the Los Angeles, Phoenix
, and Reno Air Defense Sector
s and also the 552d Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing, whose RC-121 Constellation AWACS aircraft augmented naval picket ships in providing radar coverage seaward from the west coast of the United States. During 1961, it transitioned to a SAGE
system in all four of its sectors. Reorganization in 1963 altered the 28th's boundaries to include the states of Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and parts of California, Oregon, Idaho, Montana
, Wyoming
, Colorado
, and New Mexico
.
On 1 April 1966, the 28th was reassigned, in name only, to Malmstrom Air Force Base
, Montana
, and replaced the Great Falls Air Defense Sector
. The division's area included Montana
and part of North Dakota
, and later, parts of South Dakota
, Nebraska
, and Wyoming
. Assumed additional designation of 28th NORAD Region after activation of the NORAD Combat Operations Center at Cheyenne Mountain
, Colorado and reporting was transferred to NORAD from ADC at Ent AFB in April 1966.
The division in the 1960s and 1970s deployed aircraft and personnel from subordinate units in support of the Vietnam War
. Became part of ADTAC on 1 October 1979 with the inactivation of ADC and the incorporation of the CONUS air defense mission into Tactical Air Command
. Beginning in April 1985, the 28th provided theater and Air Force commands with airborne forces for surveillance, warning, command and control, communications, and electronic combat operations. It was the Tactical Air Command single manager for the E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS), EC-130H Compass Call
, EC-130E Airborne Battlefield Command and Control Center (ABCCC)
, and EC-135K Tactical Deployment Control Squadron (TDCS)
in support of unified and specified commands.
Inactivated on 29 May 1992 as part of the inactivation of ADTAC, its mission being incorporated into the Air Combat Command
Western Air Defense Sector
.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
organization. Its last assignment was with Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...
, being stationed at Tinker Air Force Base
Tinker Air Force Base
Tinker Air Force Base is a major U.S. Air Force base, with tenant U.S. Navy and other Department of Defense missions, located in the southeast Oklahoma City, Oklahoma area, directly south of the suburb of Midwest City, Oklahoma.-Overview:...
, Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
. It was inactivated on 29 May 1992.
History
Established in December 1949, the Air Defense Command 28th Air Division assumed responsibility for conducting the air defense of an area that embraced CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
, Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, and Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
. It became part of the Western Air Defense Force
Western Air Defense Force
The Western Air Defense Force is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Air Defense Command being stationed at Hamilton Air Force Base, California. It was inactivated on July 1, 1960.- History :...
in 1950. With no fighter interceptor squadrons directly assigned, the division used interceptors of the 78th Fighter Wing, based at Hamilton Air Force Base
Hamilton Air Force Base
Hamilton Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base located along the western shore of San Pablo Bay, south of Novato, California.-History:...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, as well as Air National Guard
Air National Guard
The Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
interceptors based within its geographical area.
By November 1954 its geographical boundaries included northern California, southern Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, and parts of Nevada and Utah. The division participated frequently in air defense exercises with U.S. Army artillery, U.S. Navy interceptors, and Strategic Air Command
Strategic Air Command
The Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
bombers.
On 15 February 1959, it added the San Francisco Air Defense Sector
San Francisco Air Defense Sector
The San Francisco Air Defense Sector is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the 28th Air Division, being stationed at Beale Air Force Base, California.- History :...
to its components, and the geographical area expanded to include California and Arizona, and parts of Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
, Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
, and New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
.
The division gained the Los Angeles, Phoenix
Phoenix Air Defense Sector
The Phoenix Air Defense Sector 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...
, and Reno Air Defense Sector
Reno Air Defense Sector
The Reno Air Defense Sector is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the 28th Air Division, being stationed at Stead Air Force Base, Nevada.-History:...
s and also the 552d Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing, whose RC-121 Constellation AWACS aircraft augmented naval picket ships in providing radar coverage seaward from the west coast of the United States. During 1961, it transitioned to a SAGE
Semi Automatic Ground Environment
The Semi-Automatic Ground Environment was an automated control system for tracking and intercepting enemy bomber aircraft used by NORAD from the late 1950s into the 1980s...
system in all four of its sectors. Reorganization in 1963 altered the 28th's boundaries to include the states of Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and parts of California, Oregon, Idaho, Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
, Wyoming
Wyoming
Wyoming is a state in the mountain region of the Western United States. The western two thirds of the state is covered mostly with the mountain ranges and rangelands in the foothills of the Eastern Rocky Mountains, while the eastern third of the state is high elevation prairie known as the High...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, and New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
.
On 1 April 1966, the 28th was reassigned, in name only, to Malmstrom Air Force Base
Malmstrom Air Force Base
Malmstrom Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base and census-designated place in Cascade County, Montana, United States. It was named in honor of World War II POW Colonel Einar Axel Malmstrom...
, Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
, and replaced the Great Falls Air Defense Sector
Great Falls Air Defense Sector
The Great Falls Air Defense Sector is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the Air Defense Command 29th Air Division, being stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base , Montana...
. The division's area included Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
and part of North Dakota
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
, and later, parts of South Dakota
South Dakota
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
, Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
, and Wyoming
Wyoming
Wyoming is a state in the mountain region of the Western United States. The western two thirds of the state is covered mostly with the mountain ranges and rangelands in the foothills of the Eastern Rocky Mountains, while the eastern third of the state is high elevation prairie known as the High...
. Assumed additional designation of 28th NORAD Region after activation of the NORAD Combat Operations Center at Cheyenne Mountain
Cheyenne Mountain
Cheyenne Mountain is a mountain located just outside the southwest side of Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S., and is home to the Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station and its Cheyenne Mountain Directorate, formerly known as the Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center .Throughout the Cold War and...
, Colorado and reporting was transferred to NORAD from ADC at Ent AFB in April 1966.
The division in the 1960s and 1970s deployed aircraft and personnel from subordinate units in support of the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. Became part of ADTAC on 1 October 1979 with the inactivation of ADC and the incorporation of the CONUS air defense mission into Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...
. Beginning in April 1985, the 28th provided theater and Air Force commands with airborne forces for surveillance, warning, command and control, communications, and electronic combat operations. It was the Tactical Air Command single manager for the E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS), EC-130H Compass Call
EC-130H Compass Call
-See also:- External links :* * * * * *...
, EC-130E Airborne Battlefield Command and Control Center (ABCCC)
EC-130 Commando Solo
The Lockheed Martin EC-130 series comprises several slightly different versions of the C-130 that have been and continue to be operated by the U.S. Air Force and, until the 1990s, the U.S...
, and EC-135K Tactical Deployment Control Squadron (TDCS)
Boeing EC-135
The Boeing EC-135 was a command & control version of the C-135 Stratolifter. Modified for the "Looking Glass" program, during the Cold War EC-135 were airborne 24 hours a day to serve as flying command platforms for the military in the event of nuclear war...
in support of unified and specified commands.
Inactivated on 29 May 1992 as part of the inactivation of ADTAC, its mission being incorporated into the Air Combat Command
Air Combat Command
Air Combat Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. ACC is one of ten major commands , reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force ....
Western Air Defense Sector
Western Air Defense Sector
The Western Air Defense Sector is a United States Air Force unit and a component of the Washington Air National Guard. It is stationed at McChord Field, Washington-Overview:...
.
Lineage
- Established as 28 Air Division (Defense) on 8 November 1949
- Activated on 8 December 1949
- Inactivated on 1 February 1952
- Organized on 1 February 1952
- Redesignated: 28 Air Division (SAGE) on 1 July 1960
- Redesignated: 28 Air Division on 1 April 1966
- Additional designation 28th NORAD Region, effective 1 April 1966
- Absorbed personnel, units and equipment of the Great Falls Air Defense SectorGreat Falls Air Defense SectorThe Great Falls Air Defense Sector is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the Air Defense Command 29th Air Division, being stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base , Montana...
- Absorbed personnel, units and equipment of the Great Falls Air Defense Sector
- Inactivated on 19 November 1969
- Activated on 1 April 1985
- Inactivated on 29 May 1992
Assignments
- Fourth Air ForceFourth Air ForceThe Fourth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Reserve . It is headquartered at March Air Reserve Base, California....
, 8 December 1949 - Western Air Defense ForceWestern Air Defense ForceThe Western Air Defense Force is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Air Defense Command being stationed at Hamilton Air Force Base, California. It was inactivated on July 1, 1960.- History :...
, 1 August 1950 – 1 July 1960 - Air Defense Command, 1 July 1960
- Tenth Air ForceTenth Air ForceThe Tenth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Reserve Command . It is headquartered at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas....
, 1 April 1966 – 19 November 1969 - Tactical Air CommandTactical Air CommandTactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...
, 1 April 1985 – 29 May 1992.
Stations
- Hamilton AFB, CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, 8 December 1949 – 1 April 1966 - Malmstrom AFB, MontanaMontanaMontana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
, 1 April 1966 – 19 November 1969 - Tinker AFB, OklahomaOklahomaOklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
, 1 April 1985 – 29 May 1992.
Sectors
- Los Angeles Air Defense Sector (LAADS)
- Norton AFB, California, 1 July 1960-1 April 1966
- Phoenix Air Defense SectorPhoenix Air Defense SectorThe Phoenix Air Defense Sector 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...
(PhADS)
- Phoenix Air Defense Sector
- Luke AFB, Arizona, 1 July 1960-1 April 1966
- Reno Air Defense SectorReno Air Defense SectorThe Reno Air Defense Sector is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the 28th Air Division, being stationed at Stead Air Force Base, Nevada.-History:...
(ReADS)
- Stead AFB, Nevada, 1 July 1960-1 April 1966
- San Francisco Air Defense SectorSan Francisco Air Defense SectorThe San Francisco Air Defense Sector is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the 28th Air Division, being stationed at Beale Air Force Base, California.- History :...
(SFADS)
- San Francisco Air Defense Sector
- Beale AFB, California, 15 February 1959-1 August 1963
Wings
- 78th Fighter Wing (Air Defense)
- Hamilton AFB, California, 18 October 1956-1 July 1960; 1 August 1963-1 April 1966
- 552d Early Warning and Control Wing
- McClellan AFB, California, 1 July 1960-1 April 1966; 1 April 1985-29 May 1992
Groups
- 78th Fighter Group78th Fighter GroupThe 78th Fighter Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 78th Fighter Wing, being assigned to Hamilton Air Force Base, California. It was inactivated on 1 February 1961....
(Air Defense)
- Hamilton AFB, California, 18 August 1955-18 October 1956
- 408th Fighter Group408th Fighter GroupThe 408th Fighter Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 25th Air Division , based at Kingsley Field, Oregon. It was inactivated on 1 January 1970-History:...
(Air Defense)
- 408th Fighter Group
- Kingsley Field, Oregon, 8 April 1956-1 March 1959
- 542d Aircraft Control and Warning Group542d Aircraft Control and Warning GroupThe 542d Aircraft Control and Warning Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 28th Air Division, stationed at Hamilton Air Force Base, California. It was inactivated on 6 February 1952....
- Hamilton AFB, California, 1 January 1951-6 February 1952
- 566th Air Defense Group
- Hamilton AFB, California, 7 November 1952-18 August 1955
Interceptor squadrons
- 5th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
- Minot AFB, North Dakota, 1 April 1966-19 November 1969
- 13th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron13th Fighter-Interceptor SquadronThe 13th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the Minot Air Defense Sector, stationed at Glasgow Air Force Base, Montana. It was inactivated on 30 June 1968-History:...
- 13th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
- Minot AFB, North Dakota, 1 April 1966-30 June 1968
- 18th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
- Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota, 15 September-19 November 1969
- 29th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron29th Fighter-Interceptor SquadronThe 29th Training Systems Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit. Its assignment is with the 53d Test Management Group, based at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.-Overview:...
- 29th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
- Malmstrom AFB, Montana, 1 April 1966-30 June 1968
Radar squadrons
- 658th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
- Winnemucca AFS, Nevada, 1 February 1956-1 July 1960
- 666th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
- Mill Valley AFS, California, 6 February 1952-1 July 1960
- 668th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron668th Aircraft Control and Warning SquadronThe 668th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the San Francisco Air Defense Sector, Air Defense Command, stationed at Mather Air Force Base, California...
- 668th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
- Mather AFB, California. 6 February 1952-1 July 1960
- 682d Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
- Almaden AFS, California, 1 September 1957-1 July 1960
- 694th Radar Squadron
- Lewistown AFS, Montana, 1 April 1966-19 November 1969
- 716th Radar Squadron
- Kalispell AFS, Montana, 1 April 1966-19 November 1969
- 774th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
- Madera AFS, California, 6 February 1952-1 July 1960
- 775th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
- Cambria AFS, California, 6 February 1952-1 October 1954
- 776th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
- Point Arena AFS, California, 6 February 1952-1 July 1960
- 777th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
- Klamath AFS, Oregon, 6 February 1952-1 March 1959
- 778th Radar Squadron
- Harve AFS, Montana, 1 April 1966-19 November 1969
- 779th Radar Squadron
- Opheim AFS, Montana, 1 April 1966-19 November 1969
- 780th Radar Squadron
- Fortuna AFS, North Dakota, 1 April 1966-19 November 1969
- 785th Radar Squadron
- Finley AFS, North Dakota, 15 September 1969-19 November 1969
- 786th Radar Squadron
- Minot AFS, North Dakota, 1 April 1966-19 November 1969
- 801st Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
- Malmstrom AFB, Montana, 1 April 1966-31 December 1969; 30 June 1971-1 July 1974
- 827th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
- Keno AFS, Oregon, 1 September 1957-1 March 1959
- 858th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
- Fallon AFS, Nevada, 8 October 1955-1 July 1960
- 859th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
- Red Bluff AFS, California, 1 April 1956-1 March 1959
- 866th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
- Tonopah AFS, Nevada, 1 October 1956-1 July 1960
- 902d Radar Squadron
- Miles City AFS, Montana, 1 April 1966-18 June 1968
Radar Evaluation Squadron
- 4754th Radar Evaluation Squadron
- Hill AFB, Utah, 1 July 1961-1 April 1966
See also
- List of USAF Aerospace Defense Command General Surveillance Radar Stations
- Aerospace Defense Command Fighter SquadronsAerospace Defense Command Fighter SquadronsThe second iteration of Aerospace Defense Command was established on 21 March 1946 as a component of the United States Army Air Forces, with the mission of planning for and executing the air defense of the United States...
- List of United States Air Force air divisions