682 Radar Squadron (ADC)

• Activation and Purpose: The 682nd Radar Squadron (Air Defense Command) was activated on 1 March 1951, as part of the United States' efforts to build an early warning radar network during the Cold War. • Location: The squadron was stationed at Cut Bank Air Force Station, near Cut Bank, Montana, a remote location chosen for its strategic proximity to the northern U.S. border. • Role in Air Defense: The unit operated long-range search and height-finder radars, providing real-time surveillance data to intercept and identify potential enemy aircraft entering North American airspace. • Part of a Larger Network: The 682nd was part of the Air Defense Command's vast network, which included over 200 radar sites across the United States and Canada during its peak. • Technological Upgrades: Over its operational years, the squadron operated several radar systems, including the AN/FPS-3, AN/FPS-6, and later the more advanced AN/FPS-20 and AN/FPS-66 search radars. • SAGE System Integration: In 1961, the squadron became part of the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) system, which used computers to coordinate air defense responses, making 682nd a key node in the U.S. air defense network. • Cold War Tensions: During periods of heightened Cold War tensions, the squadron frequently operated at increased readiness, tracking both friendly and unidentified aircraft approaching North America from the north and northwest. • Organizational Changes: The squadron was re-designated several times, reflecting changes in its mission and the evolving structure of the Air Defense Command. • Deactivation: As the threat of Soviet bomber attacks decreased and missile technology improved, the 682nd Radar Squadron was inactivated on 1 June 1968, as part of a broader drawdown of the Air Defense Command's radar network. • Legacy: The site of the former Cut Bank Air Force Station is now privately owned, but remnants of the radar station still exist, serving as a reminder of the crucial role the 682nd played in Cold War air defense.