About this Unit
The 674th Radar Squadron was an Air Force unit activated in 1950 during the early years of the Cold War. Assigned to the Air Defense Command, the squadron operated radar sites as part of the United States' continental air defense network, tasked with detecting and tracking potential aerial threats. Stationed at Osceola Air Force Station, Wisconsin, the 674th played a key role in the Ground-Control Intercept (GCI) mission, providing critical data to guide interceptor aircraft. The unit was inactivated in 1968 as advances in technology and changes in defense priorities led to the reorganization of air defense forces.
Historical Facts
• Activation Date: The 674th Radar Squadron was first activated on 1 March 1951 during the height of the Cold War, as part of the United States’ expanding radar defense network.
• Location: The unit was stationed at Osceola Air Force Station, near Osceola, Wisconsin, a key site for air defense in the upper Midwest.
• Role: Its primary mission was to operate long-range radar systems to detect and track potential enemy aircraft, providing early warning and guiding interceptor aircraft.
• Air Defense Command: The squadron operated under the Air Defense Command (ADC), which was responsible for defending North American airspace against Soviet bomber threats.
• SAGE System: In 1959, the 674th was integrated into the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) system, one of the world’s first large-scale computer networks, to automate air defense operations.
• Deactivation: The squadron was inactivated on 30 September 1975, as advances in technology and changes in strategic threats led to the consolidation and closure of many radar stations.
• Radar Equipment: The unit operated various radar systems over its history, including the AN/FPS-3, AN/FPS-20, and AN/FPS-27 search radars, as well as height-finder radars like the AN/FPS-6.
• Community Impact: The Osceola Air Force Station and the 674th brought economic and social changes to the small Osceola community, including employment opportunities and cultural exchange.
• Cold War Alerts: Personnel at the 674th often participated in simulated "scrambles" and alert exercises, and were on heightened alert during tense periods such as the Cuban Missile Crisis.
• Legacy: Although the squadron was inactivated, its history is preserved by local historical societies and veterans organizations, and parts of the former radar station have been repurposed for civilian use.
