About this Unit
The 37th Air Defense Missile Squadron was an integral unit of the United States Air Force during the Cold War era. Activated in 1960, the squadron was stationed at Kincheloe Air Force Base, Michigan, and operated the BOMARC surface-to-air missile system. Its primary mission was to provide air defense for the upper Midwest region against potential Soviet bomber attacks. The unit remained active until 1972, when advances in technology and shifting defense priorities led to its inactivation.
Historical Facts
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Formation & Activation: The 37th Air Defense Missile Squadron (ADMS) was activated on 1 February 1960, as part of the United States Air Force’s efforts to enhance continental air defense during the Cold War.
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Location: The squadron was based at Niagara Falls Air Force Missile Site, near Niagara Falls, New York, strategically positioned to defend the industrial Northeast and Great Lakes area.
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Missile System: The 37th ADMS operated the Boeing CIM-10 BOMARC surface-to-air missile, which was the first long-range anti-aircraft missile in the world.
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SAGE Integration: The squadron was integrated into the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) system, a groundbreaking computer network that coordinated radar data and missile launches for North American air defense.
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Warhead Capability: The BOMARC missiles under the squadron’s control could be equipped with either conventional or nuclear warheads, making them a potent deterrent during the Cold War.
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Purpose: The primary mission was to intercept and destroy incoming Soviet bombers before they could reach major American cities and strategic targets.
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Operational Period: The 37th ADMS was active from 1960 until its inactivation on 31 December 1969, as advances in technology and shifting defense priorities made the BOMARC system obsolete.
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Notable Incident: During its operational years, the squadron never fired a missile in anger, but participated in multiple live-fire training exercises and readiness drills.
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Historic Relic: The Niagara Falls missile site’s storage shelters, where the BOMARC missiles were kept, remain visible today and are considered relics of the Cold War era.
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Legacy: The unit’s operations helped pave the way for future air defense technologies and strategies, and its history is preserved in several military archives and museums in New York.
