46th Air Defense Missile Squadron

• Formation and Role: The 46th Air Defense Missile Squadron was activated in 1960 as part of the United States Air Force's efforts to bolster continental air defense during the Cold War. • Location: The squadron was stationed at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey, a strategic location for defending the northeastern United States. • BOMARC Missiles: The 46th operated the CIM-10 BOMARC, the first long-range anti-aircraft missile in the world, designed to intercept Soviet bombers. • Unique Facility: The squadron's site included rows of hardened missile shelters, some of which were equipped for nuclear-tipped missiles, reflecting the era's high-stakes defense posture. • Integration with SAGE: The unit was integrated into the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) defense network, an early computer system that coordinated air defense across North America. • Cuban Missile Crisis: During the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, the squadron was on heightened alert, with missiles ready for launch in case of Soviet attack. • Environmental Legacy: After deactivation, the missile site became the subject of environmental cleanup due to the use of hazardous chemicals in missile maintenance. • Deactivation: The 46th Air Defense Missile Squadron was inactivated in 1972 as advances in missile and bomber technology made the BOMARC system obsolete. • Historical Marker: Today, the former missile site is marked by a small monument and is sometimes visited by military historians and veterans. • Cold War Legacy: The squadron is remembered as part of the last line of defense for the U.S. mainland during the most tense periods of the Cold War, symbolizing the technological and strategic race between superpowers.