Army Air Defense Command

The Army Air Defense Command (ARADCOM) was a major command of the United States Army established in 1957 to oversee the nation's ground-based air defense units during the Cold War. Its primary mission was to protect key cities, industrial centers, and military installations from potential Soviet bomber attacks using surface-to-air missile systems, such as the Nike missile series. At its peak, ARADCOM managed hundreds of missile batteries across the continental United States, integrating advanced radar and command systems to enhance response capabilities. As the threat of manned bomber attacks diminished and strategic priorities shifted, ARADCOM was gradually reduced in size and eventually inactivated in 1974.