671st Radar Squadron

• Formation and Activation: The 671st Radar Squadron was activated on 1 June 1962 as part of the United States Air Force's Air Defense Command. • Location: The unit was stationed at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida, playing a key role in continental air defense at a strategic southern point. • Motto and Mission: The squadron’s primary mission was general radar surveillance, providing early warning and airspace control during the height of the Cold War. • SAGE Integration: The 671st Radar Squadron was a part of the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) system, which was a revolutionary computer-based air defense network. • Cuban Missile Crisis Role: The squadron’s location and radar coverage were critical during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, monitoring airspace for potential Soviet threats. • Equipment: The unit operated long-range search radars such as the AN/FPS-66 and height-finder radars like the AN/FPS-26. • Command Assignments: Over its history, the squadron reported to several higher commands, including the Montgomery Air Defense Sector and the 32nd Air Division. • Disbandment: The 671st Radar Squadron was inactivated on 30 June 1980, as advances in technology and changes in strategic defense lessened the need for its mission. • Legacy: Veterans of the unit remember the squadron as a tight-knit group contributing to the broader mission of North American air defense during tense periods of the Cold War. • Historical Recognition: While not as widely known as some units, the 671st Radar Squadron is occasionally referenced in military histories and veterans’ accounts as a symbol of the quiet vigilance of domestic air defense forces.