23rd ADC (SAGE)

The 23rd Air Division (SAGE), established in 1966, was a key component of the United States Air Force Air Defense Command during the Cold War. Headquartered at Duluth Air Force Station, Minnesota, the division was responsible for the air defense of the upper Midwest, utilizing the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) system to coordinate radar detection, interceptor aircraft, and missile responses. The 23rd ADC oversaw multiple radar squadrons and interceptor wings to protect U.S. airspace from potential Soviet bomber threats. The division remained active until 1983, when changes in defense strategy and technology led to its inactivation.