About this Unit
The 701st Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron (701st ACWRON) was a United States Air Force unit assigned to the Air Defense Command (ADC). Activated in 1953, the squadron was responsible for operating radar sites to provide early warning and airspace surveillance during the Cold War, playing a key role in continental air defense. The unit was stationed at Fort Fisher Air Force Station, North Carolina, where it monitored and tracked potentially hostile aircraft approaching the U.S. East Coast. The 701st ACWRON was inactivated in 1970 as advances in radar technology and changes in defense priorities led to the consolidation of air defense assets.
Historical Facts
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Activation and Role: The 701st Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron (701st ACWRON) was activated on 1 December 1953, serving as an integral part of the United States Air Defense Command (ADC).
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Location: The squadron was stationed at Fort Fisher Air Force Station near Kure Beach, North Carolina, a strategic site along the Atlantic coast.
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Mission: Its primary mission was to operate radar systems for early detection and tracking of potential airborne threats during the Cold War, providing information to interceptor aircraft.
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SAGE System Integration: In the late 1950s, the 701st became part of the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) network, one of the first computer-aided air defense systems in the world.
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Equipment: The unit operated various radar systems, including the AN/FPS-3, AN/FPS-8, and AN/FPS-20 search radars, as well as height-finder radars like the AN/FPS-6.
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24/7 Vigilance: Personnel worked around the clock in shifts, maintaining constant watch for unidentified aircraft, often in challenging weather and under high-stress conditions.
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Contribution to Cuban Missile Crisis: During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, the 701st ACWRON played a vital role in monitoring increased air activity along the Southeast U.S. coastline.
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Community Relations: The squadron was known for its engagement with the local Kure Beach community, participating in civic events and fostering positive civilian-military relations.
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Deactivation: The 701st ACWRON was inactivated on 1 August 1970 as advances in radar technology and changes in air defense strategy reduced the need for such units.
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Legacy: The site of Fort Fisher AFS is now part of a state recreational area, but the legacy of the 701st ACWRON endures in the memories of veterans and in the history of U.S. continental air defense.
