674th Radar Squadron

• 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.