Western Air Defense Sector
Encyclopedia
The Western Air Defense Sector (WADS) is a United States Air Force
unit and a component of the Washington Air National Guard
. It is stationed at McChord Field, Washington
(NORAD) and the Continental NORAD Region
for peacetime air sovereignty, strategic air defense, and airborne counter-drug operations in the continental United States. The other sector is the Eastern Air Defense Sector
(EADS).
It operates a Sector Operations Control Center (SOCC) at McChord AFB, as part of the Joint Surveillance System
(JSS) which had replaced SAGE in 1983. This system enjoins state-of-the-art air defense systems and cutting-edge computer technology to significantly increase surveillance and identification capabilities, and better protect the nation's airways from intrusion and attack. It relies on digitized radar inputs from Air Route Surveillance Radar
(ARSR) sites jointly operated by the Federal Aviation Administration
and the Air Force, and tethered aerostat radar balloons. It is fully integrated with the E-3A
Airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system and the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (E-8 Joint STARS
).
The SOCC employs 27 NORAD contingency suites, and 31 Battle Control System-Fixed (BCS-F) displays. A next-generation air sovereignty system, BCS-F fuses data from airborne, ground and naval elements and civil air traffic sensors into an integrated air picture. This allows commanders to surveil and monitor the airspace above, beyond and within U.S. and Canadian borders, providing a major component for homeland defense.
It also incorporates a newly-developed situational awareness system that gives WADS unprecedented tools and technology to assist state and local responders in dealing with natural disasters. It has the redundant capability to cover the EADS if the call arises.
WADS is a Washington Air National Guard
unit which reports directly to AFNORTH/1st Air Force
at Tyndall AFB, Florida. The Sector reports to Air Combat Command
(ACC) and to NORAD headquarters, in Colorado Springs, Colorado
in its federal role. NORAD is a bi-national United States
and Canadian organization charged with the missions of aerospace warning and aerospace control for North America
.
Other NORAD air defense organizations include the Eastern Air Defense Sector
(EADS), the Hawaii Region Air Operations Center (HIRAOC), the Alaska Region Air Operations Center (AKRAOC) and the Canada Air Defense Sector (CADS).
west to the Pacific Ocean
, and from the Canadian border south to the Mexican border.
The WADS works closely with other federal agencies including the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), Secret Service
and U.S. Customs Service as well as its sister military services – the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army and U.S. Coast Guard.
As part of the Washington Air National Guard, WADS reports to the Governor through the Washington National Guard
offices at Camp Murray. The Sector works with state agencies to provide rapid response in the event natural or manmade disasters, and participate in disaster preparedness exercises. The Sector is able to provide an air picture to help in rescue operations in the event of disasters.
units aligned under 1AF (AFNORTH)
with an air defense mission under WADS are:
units located in western Washington west of the Cascade Range
. The Sector was inactivated on 1 April 1966 as part of an ADC consolidation and reorganization; and its units were reassigned to the 25th Air Division.
Beginning on 1 July 1958 it began operations of a SAGE (Semi-Automatic Ground Environment) Direction Center DC-1247°07′18"N 122°30′14"W at McChord AFB. It also operated a SAGE Combat Center (CC-03). SAGE inactivated 31 August 1983
On 1 April 1966, SEADS was inactivated, as did the other 22 sectors in the country. Most of its assets were assumed by the 25th Air Division. The DC-12 SAGE Direction Center was assigned to the 25th Air Division, remaining in operation until 31 December 1969. Today it is used as the Western Air Defense Sector (WADS) Joint Surveillence System (JSS) Sector Operations Control Center (SOCC)
On 1 January 1995, the Northwest Air Defense Sector consolidated with the Southwest Air Defense Sector
, its counterpart at March AFB, California, to become the Western Air Defense Sector (WADS). WADS assumed responsibility for the air sovereignty of the western United States from Texas around the west coast and across to North Dakota. Its area of responsibility is approximately 1.9 million square miles, about 63% of the continental United States.
On 1 October 1997, the Western Air Defense Sector completed a seamless transition from the active duty Air Force to the Air National Guard. Citizen-soldiers of the Washington Air National Guard are currently guarding America’s skies. The Continental NORAD Region
(CONR) has responsibility for the Western Air Defense Sector and Eastern Air Defense Sector. It is headquartered at Tyndall AFB, Florida.
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...
unit and a component of the Washington Air National Guard
Washington Air National Guard
The Washington Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of Washington. It is, along with the Washington Army National Guard, an element of the Washington National Guard...
. It is stationed at McChord Field, Washington
Overview
The Western Air Defense Sector (WADS) is one of two Sectors responsible to the North American Aerospace Defense CommandNorth American Aerospace Defense Command
North American Aerospace Defense Command is a joint organization of Canada and the United States that provides aerospace warning, air sovereignty, and defense for the two countries. Headquarters NORAD is located at Peterson AFB, Colorado Springs, Colorado...
(NORAD) and the Continental NORAD Region
Continental NORAD Region
The Continental NORAD Region is a component of the North American Aerospace Defense Command that provides airspace surveillance and control and directs air sovereignty activities for the continental United States ....
for peacetime air sovereignty, strategic air defense, and airborne counter-drug operations in the continental United States. The other sector is the Eastern Air Defense Sector
Eastern Air Defense Sector
The Eastern Air Defense Sector is a United States Air Force unit and a component of the New York Air National Guard. It is stationed at the former Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, New York.-Overview:...
(EADS).
It operates a Sector Operations Control Center (SOCC) at McChord AFB, as part of the Joint Surveillance System
Joint Surveillance System
The Joint Surveillance System is a joint United States Air Force and Federal Aviation Administration system for the atmospheric air defense of North America...
(JSS) which had replaced SAGE in 1983. This system enjoins state-of-the-art air defense systems and cutting-edge computer technology to significantly increase surveillance and identification capabilities, and better protect the nation's airways from intrusion and attack. It relies on digitized radar inputs from Air Route Surveillance Radar
Air Route Surveillance Radar
The Air Route Surveillance Radar is used by the United States Air Force and the Federal Aviation Administration to control airspace within and around the borders of the United States....
(ARSR) sites jointly operated by the Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
and the Air Force, and tethered aerostat radar balloons. It is fully integrated with the E-3A
E-3 Sentry
The Boeing E-3 Sentry is an airborne warning and control system developed by Boeing as the prime contractor. Derived from the Boeing 707, it provides all-weather surveillance, command, control and communications, and is used by the United States Air Force , NATO, Royal Air Force , French Air Force...
Airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system and the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (E-8 Joint STARS
E-8 Joint STARS
The Northrop Grumman E-8 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System is a battle management and command and control aircraft of the United States Air Force...
).
The SOCC employs 27 NORAD contingency suites, and 31 Battle Control System-Fixed (BCS-F) displays. A next-generation air sovereignty system, BCS-F fuses data from airborne, ground and naval elements and civil air traffic sensors into an integrated air picture. This allows commanders to surveil and monitor the airspace above, beyond and within U.S. and Canadian borders, providing a major component for homeland defense.
It also incorporates a newly-developed situational awareness system that gives WADS unprecedented tools and technology to assist state and local responders in dealing with natural disasters. It has the redundant capability to cover the EADS if the call arises.
WADS is a Washington Air National Guard
Washington Air National Guard
The Washington Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of Washington. It is, along with the Washington Army National Guard, an element of the Washington National Guard...
unit which reports directly to AFNORTH/1st Air Force
First Air Force
The First Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Air Combat Command . It is headquartered at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida....
at Tyndall AFB, Florida. The Sector reports to 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 ....
(ACC) and to NORAD headquarters, in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and most populous city of El Paso County, Colorado, United States. Colorado Springs is located in South-Central Colorado, in the southern portion of the state. It is situated on Fountain Creek and is located south of the Colorado...
in its federal role. NORAD is a bi-national United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canadian organization charged with the missions of aerospace warning and aerospace control for North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
.
Other NORAD air defense organizations include the Eastern Air Defense Sector
Eastern Air Defense Sector
The Eastern Air Defense Sector is a United States Air Force unit and a component of the New York Air National Guard. It is stationed at the former Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, New York.-Overview:...
(EADS), the Hawaii Region Air Operations Center (HIRAOC), the Alaska Region Air Operations Center (AKRAOC) and the Canada Air Defense Sector (CADS).
Mission
The Sector’s primary mission is Guarding America’s Skies. This 24/7 guardian role involves the use of radar and communications systems to monitor air traffic from the Mississippi RiverMississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
west to the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
, and from the Canadian border south to the Mexican border.
The WADS works closely with other federal agencies including the Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
(FAA), Secret Service
Secret Service
Secret Service may refer to:* Secret service, umbrella term for various kinds of police or intelligence organizationsAny of the following specific organizations:* Australian Secret Intelligence Service, intelligence agency...
and U.S. Customs Service as well as its sister military services – the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army and U.S. Coast Guard.
As part of the Washington Air National Guard, WADS reports to the Governor through the Washington National Guard
Washington National Guard
The Washington National Guard is headquartered at Camp Murray, Washington and is defined by its state and federal mission. At the call of the Governor, the Washington National Guard will mobilize and deploy during times of state emergency to augment local jurisdictions and responders in their...
offices at Camp Murray. The Sector works with state agencies to provide rapid response in the event natural or manmade disasters, and participate in disaster preparedness exercises. The Sector is able to provide an air picture to help in rescue operations in the event of disasters.
Units
Air National GuardAir 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...
units aligned under 1AF (AFNORTH)
First Air Force
The First Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Air Combat Command . It is headquartered at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida....
with an air defense mission under WADS are:
- 144th Fighter Wing144th Fighter WingThe United States Air Force's 144th Fighter Wing is a unit of the California Air National Guard, operationally gained by the Air Combat Command and located at Fresno Air National Guard Base / Fresno Yosemite International Airport in Fresno, California....
(F-16), California ANG, Fresno ANGB, California - 140th Wing140th WingThe United States Air Force's 140th Wing is a fighter unit of the Colorado Air National Guard, located at Buckley AFB, in Aurora, Colorado....
(F-16), Colorado ANG, Buckley AFB, Colorado - 132d Fighter Wing132d Fighter WingThe 132d Fighter Wing is a United States Air Force unit located at Des Moines International Airport, Iowa.-Major Command:*Air National Guard/Air Combat Command *Air National Guard/Tactical Air Command -Previous designations:...
(F-16), Iowa ANG, Des Moines, Iowa - 120th Fighter Wing120th Fighter WingThe United States Air Force's 120th Fighter Wing is a unit located at Great Falls International Airport, Montana.-Mission:The 120th Fighter Wing, as part of the Montana Air National Guard,serves a dual mission:...
(F-16), Montana ANG (F-15), Great Falls, Montana - 150th Fighter Wing150th Fighter WingThe 150th Fighter Wing provides air interdiction support to the Twelfth Air Force and Air Combat Command with worldwide deployment capability. In addition, the wing maintains a Defense Systems Evaluation tasking and conducts testing of different domestic and foreign surface-to-air missile systems...
(F-16), New Mexico ANG, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico
- 138th Fighter Wing138th Fighter WingThe United States Air Force's 138th Fighter Wing is a fighter unit located at Tulsa International Airport in Tulsa, Oklahoma. An Air National Guard unit operationally-gained by the Air Combat Command , the wing flies the F-16 Fighting Falcon multirole fighter.-Mission:The federal mission of the...
(F-16), Oklaholma ANG, Tulsa, Oklaholma - 142d Fighter Wing142d Fighter WingThe United States Air Force's 142d Fighter Wing is a unit located in Oregon.-Mission:To serve the nation, State, and community by providing mission-ready units, personnel and equipment for:* Air defense of the Pacific Northwest....
(F-15), Oregon ANG, Portlnd, Oregon - 173d Fighter Wing173d Fighter WingThe United States Air Force's 173d Fighter Wing is a unit located at Kingsley Field, Klamath Falls, Oregon.-Mission:Train the Best Air-to-Air Combat Pilots, Train Flight Doctors, and Serve Our State and Nation in Times of Peace and War.-History:...
(F-15), Oregon ANG, Klamath Falls, Oregon - 144th Fighter Wing144th Fighter WingThe United States Air Force's 144th Fighter Wing is a unit of the California Air National Guard, operationally gained by the Air Combat Command and located at Fresno Air National Guard Base / Fresno Yosemite International Airport in Fresno, California....
(F-16), South Dakota ANG, Sioux Falls, South Dakota - 149th Fighter Wing149th Fighter WingThe United States Air Force's 149th Fighter Wing is a Texas Air National Guard unit located at Kelly Field Annex, Lackland AFB, in San Antonio, Texas.-Mission:...
(F-16), Texas ANG, Lackland AFB, Texas
History
Cold War
It was established in January 1958 with a mission to train and maintain tactical flying units in state of readiness in order to defend the Southeastern United States, assuming control of former ADC Western Air Defense ForceWestern 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 :...
units located in western Washington west of the Cascade Range
Cascade Range
The Cascade Range is a major mountain range of western North America, extending from southern British Columbia through Washington and Oregon to Northern California. It includes both non-volcanic mountains, such as the North Cascades, and the notable volcanoes known as the High Cascades...
. The Sector was inactivated on 1 April 1966 as part of an ADC consolidation and reorganization; and its units were reassigned to the 25th Air Division.
Beginning on 1 July 1958 it began operations of a SAGE (Semi-Automatic Ground Environment) Direction Center DC-1247°07′18"N 122°30′14"W at McChord AFB. It also operated a SAGE Combat Center (CC-03). SAGE inactivated 31 August 1983
On 1 April 1966, SEADS was inactivated, as did the other 22 sectors in the country. Most of its assets were assumed by the 25th Air Division. The DC-12 SAGE Direction Center was assigned to the 25th Air Division, remaining in operation until 31 December 1969. Today it is used as the Western Air Defense Sector (WADS) Joint Surveillence System (JSS) Sector Operations Control Center (SOCC)
Modern era
On 1 July 1987, the Seattle Air Defense Sector (SEADS) became the Northwest Air Defense Sector or NWADS, and was assigned to 25th Air Division, co-locating with the 25th AD. The 25th Air Division was inactivated on 30 September 1990, transferring its assets and responsibility for atmospheric defense to NWADS.On 1 January 1995, the Northwest Air Defense Sector consolidated with the Southwest Air Defense Sector
Southwest Air Defense Sector
The Southwest Air Defense Sector is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the First Air Force, being stationed at March Air Force Base, California...
, its counterpart at March AFB, California, to become the Western Air Defense Sector (WADS). WADS assumed responsibility for the air sovereignty of the western United States from Texas around the west coast and across to North Dakota. Its area of responsibility is approximately 1.9 million square miles, about 63% of the continental United States.
On 1 October 1997, the Western Air Defense Sector completed a seamless transition from the active duty Air Force to the Air National Guard. Citizen-soldiers of the Washington Air National Guard are currently guarding America’s skies. The Continental NORAD Region
Continental NORAD Region
The Continental NORAD Region is a component of the North American Aerospace Defense Command that provides airspace surveillance and control and directs air sovereignty activities for the continental United States ....
(CONR) has responsibility for the Western Air Defense Sector and Eastern Air Defense Sector. It is headquartered at Tyndall AFB, Florida.
Lineage
- Established as Seattle Air Defense Sector on 8 January 1958
- Inactivated on 1 April 1966
- Redesignated as Northwest Air Defense Sector (NWADS) and activated, 1 July 1987
- Re-designated as Western Air Defense Sector (WADS), 1 October 1997
Assignments
- 25th Air Division, 8 January 1958-1 April 1966
- 25th Air Division, 1 July 1987
- First Air ForceFirst Air ForceThe First Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Air Combat Command . It is headquartered at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida....
, 1 October 1990-Present
Stations
- McChord AFB (later McChord Field), Washington, 8 January 1958–1 April 1966; 1 July 1987–Present
Wing
- 325th Fighter Wing325th Fighter WingThe 325th Fighter Wing is a wing of the United States Air Force based out of Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.-Mission:The 325th Fighter Wing’s primary mission is to provide air dominance training for F-22 Raptor pilots and maintenance personnel and air battle managers to support the combat Air...
(Air Defense)
- McChord AFB, Washington, 10 February 1960 – 1 April 1966
Groups
- 57th Fighter Group (Air Defense)
- Paine FieldPaine FieldPaine Field, also known as Snohomish County Airport is a public airport located in unincorporated Snohomish County, between Mukilteo and Everett, Washington...
, Washington, 1 April 1961-1 April 1966
- 326th Fighter Group326th Fighter GroupThe 57th Fighter Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 25th Air Division, Air Defense Command. It was last stationed at Paine Air Force Base, Washington. It was inactivated on 30 September 1968....
(Air Defense)
- Paine FieldPaine FieldPaine Field, also known as Snohomish County Airport is a public airport located in unincorporated Snohomish County, between Mukilteo and Everett, Washington...
, Washington, 10 February 1960-1 April 1961
Radar Squadrons
- 635th Radar Squadron635th Radar SquadronThe 635th Radar Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 20th Air Division, Aerospace Defense Command, stationed at Dauphin Island Air Force Station, Alabama. It was inactivated on 1 July 1974...
(SAGE)
- Fort Lawton AFS, Washington, 11 June 1960-1 January 1963
- 636th Radar Squadron (SAGE)
- Condon AFS, Oregon, 1 June 1963-1 April 1966
- 637th Radar Squadron637th Radar SquadronThe 637th Radar Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 25th Air Division, Aerospace Defense Command, stationed at Othello Air Force Station, Washington. Because it was at a Backup Interceptor Control site, it was inactivated in 1970 and replaced by the...
(SAGE)
- 637th Radar Squadron
- Othello AFS, Washington, 1 September 1963-1 April 1966
- 757th Radar Squadron (SAGE)
- Blaine AFS, Washington, 1 March 1960-1 April 1966
- 758th Radar Squadron (SAGE)
- Makah AFS, Washington, 1 March 1960-1 April 1966
- 759th Radar Squadron (SAGE)
- Naselle AFS, Washington, 1 March 1960-1 April 1966
- 822d Radar Squadron (SAGE)
- Cottonwood AFS, Idaho, 1 June 1963-25 June 1965
- 917th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron917th Aircraft Control and Warning SquadronThe 917th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the Seattle Air Defense Sector, Air Defense Command, stationed at Puntzi Mountain Air Force Station, British Columbia...
- 917th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
- Puntzi Mountain AS, British Columbia, 1 March 1960-1 February 1963
- 918th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron918th Aircraft Control and Warning SquadronThe 918th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the Seattle Air Defense Sector, Air Defense Command, stationed at Baldy Hughes Air Station, British Columbia, Canada...
- 918th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
- Baldy Hughes AS, British Columbia, 1 March 1960-1 March 1963
See also
- List of MAJCOM wings of the United States Air Force
- List of United States Air Force aircraft control and warning squadrons
- 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...
- Alaskan Air Defense Sector
- Hawaii Region Air Operations Center
- North American Aerospace Defense CommandNorth American Aerospace Defense CommandNorth American Aerospace Defense Command is a joint organization of Canada and the United States that provides aerospace warning, air sovereignty, and defense for the two countries. Headquarters NORAD is located at Peterson AFB, Colorado Springs, Colorado...
- Eastern Air Defense SectorEastern Air Defense SectorThe Eastern Air Defense Sector is a United States Air Force unit and a component of the New York Air National Guard. It is stationed at the former Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, New York.-Overview:...
- Southwest Air Defense SectorSouthwest Air Defense SectorThe Southwest Air Defense Sector is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the First Air Force, being stationed at March Air Force Base, California...
- Southeast Air Defense SectorSoutheast Air Defense SectorThe Southeast Air Defense Sector , was a unit of the US Air Force located at Tyndall Air Force Base near Panama City, Florida. It provided air defense and surveillance of the southeastern region of the US...