About this Unit
The 763rd Radar Squadron was a unit of the United States Air Force, first activated in 1951 during the early years of the Cold War. Stationed at Lockport Air Force Station in New York, the squadron was tasked with providing radar surveillance and air defense for the northeastern United States as part of the Air Defense Command. The unit operated various radar systems to detect and track potential airborne threats, contributing to the nation’s early warning network. The 763rd Radar Squadron was inactivated in 1979 as advancements in technology and changes in defense strategies led to the consolidation of radar sites.
Historical Facts
• Establishment: The 763rd Radar Squadron was activated on 1 February 1951 as part of the United States Air Force's Air Defense Command during the early years of the Cold War.
• Primary Mission: Its main mission was to provide general radar surveillance for air defense, detecting and tracking potential enemy aircraft entering U.S. airspace.
• Location: The squadron was stationed at Lockport Air Force Station, located near Lockport, New York, which was strategically positioned to monitor the northeastern approaches to the U.S.
• Radar Technology: The unit operated a variety of radar systems over its lifetime, including the AN/FPS-20 search radar and the AN/FPS-6 height-finder radar, which were state-of-the-art at the time.
• SAGE System: In the late 1950s, the squadron became part of the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) system, a revolutionary computer network that automated the process of detecting and intercepting enemy bombers.
• 24/7 Operations: The squadron operated around the clock, with personnel working in shifts to ensure continuous monitoring of the skies during a period of heightened tension with the Soviet Union.
• Cuban Missile Crisis: During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, the 763rd Radar Squadron played a role in the increased alert status, providing vital early warning coverage for the northeastern United States.
• Community Impact: The unit was a significant presence in the Lockport area, contributing to the local economy and fostering close relationships between squadron personnel and the community.
• Deactivation: The squadron was inactivated on 1 June 1979 as advances in radar and satellite technology, along with changing defense strategies, rendered many of the older radar sites obsolete.
• Legacy: Although the Lockport Air Force Station is now closed, the 763rd Radar Squadron is remembered for its critical role in North American air defense during some of the most tense periods of the Cold War.
