1155th Tech Ops

• Origins: The 1155th Technical Operations Squadron (1155th Tech Ops) was originally activated in 1959 under the U.S. Air Force, specializing in atomic energy detection missions during the Cold War. • Secretive Mission: The unit was part of the 9th Weather Reconnaissance Wing and had a highly classified role, primarily monitoring for nuclear tests worldwide. • Home Bases: The squadron was based at McClellan Air Force Base in California for most of its operational life, a hub for many secret reconnaissance units. • Aircraft Used: The 1155th Tech Ops operated WC-135 Constant Phoenix aircraft, specially equipped to collect atmospheric samples and detect radioactive debris. • Cuban Missile Crisis: During the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, the squadron played a critical role in verifying Soviet nuclear activity through atmospheric sampling. • Global Reach: Their missions took them across the globe, from the Arctic to the South Pacific, tracking suspected nuclear tests by adversaries and allies alike. • Operation Dominic: The unit was heavily involved in Operation Dominic, a series of U.S. nuclear tests in the early 1960s, monitoring fallout and environmental effects. • Deactivation: The 1155th Tech Ops was inactivated in September 1973 as nuclear detection technology evolved and the need for manned atmospheric sampling decreased. • Legacy: The squadron’s work laid the groundwork for modern nuclear treaty verification methods and atmospheric monitoring programs. • Recognition: Despite its secretive nature, the 1155th Tech Ops received multiple commendations for its vital contributions to national security during the height of the Cold War.