20th Air Division

The 20th Air Division was an air defense unit of the United States Air Force, originally activated in 1942 during World War II as part of the continental air defense system. After periods of inactivation and reactivation, it played a significant role during the Cold War, overseeing fighter-interceptor squadrons and missile units tasked with protecting the central United States from potential Soviet air attacks. Assigned to Air Defense Command, the division controlled radar stations and coordinated air defense operations in the Midwest, including management of the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) system. The 20th Air Division was finally inactivated in 1983 as the threat of manned bomber attacks diminished and air defense priorities shifted.