4780th Air Defense Wing

The 4780th Air Defense Wing was an important unit of the United States Air Force, activated on 1 July 1962 at Perrin Air Force Base, Texas. Its primary mission was to provide interceptor pilot training for the Air Defense Command, employing aircraft such as the F-102 Delta Dagger and F-106 Delta Dart. The wing played a vital role during the Cold War, ensuring a steady pipeline of skilled pilots trained to defend North American airspace against potential threats. The 4780th Air Defense Wing was inactivated on 30 June 1971, coinciding with the closure of Perrin AFB.