1st Combat Evaluation Group

The 1st Combat Evaluation Group (1CEVG) was a United States Air Force unit established in 1961 to enhance the effectiveness of Strategic Air Command's (SAC) bomber and missile forces during the Cold War. The group was responsible for operational evaluation, radar bomb scoring, and electronic countermeasure tests, ensuring SAC aircrews maintained combat readiness and precision. Headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, 1CEVG operated numerous radar sites across the United States and abroad, providing realistic training and assessment. The unit played a vital role in improving U.S. strategic deterrence capabilities until its inactivation in 1992 following the end of the Cold War and the restructuring of Air Force evaluation programs.