About this Unit
Headquarters, 25th Air Division was activated on 25 October 1948, at Silver Lake, Washington, as part of the Air Defense Command. Its primary mission was the air defense of the Pacific Northwest, including the states of Washington, Oregon, and parts of Idaho and Montana. Over the years, the division operated and controlled several radar stations, fighter-interceptor squadrons, and missile sites to provide early warning and defense against potential air threats during the Cold War. The 25th Air Division continued its mission until it was inactivated on 30 September 1990 as part of the post-Cold War restructuring of U.S. air defense forces.
Historical Facts
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Formation and Mission: The Headquarters, 25th Air Division was activated on October 25, 1948, with the mission of air defense of the Pacific Northwest, including Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana.
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Cold War Role: During the height of the Cold War, the 25th Air Division was a crucial command and control center for the air defense of America’s northwestern approaches against potential Soviet bomber attacks.
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SAGE System: The Division played a leading role in the implementation of the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) system, an advanced computerized network for radar and interceptor coordination, housed at McChord Air Force Base.
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Radar Network: The 25th Air Division oversaw a vast network of radar stations and interceptor units, stretching from northern California to Alaska, providing early warning and airspace control.
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Vietnam War Support: Many personnel from units under the 25th Air Division were deployed or provided support during the Vietnam War, especially in radar and communications roles.
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Joint Operations: The Division frequently coordinated with Canadian air defense forces, reflecting the close NORAD partnership for North American airspace security.
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Aircraft Types: Over the years, squadrons under the Division flew a variety of interceptors, including the F-94 Starfire, F-102 Delta Dagger, F-106 Delta Dart, and F-15 Eagle.
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9/11 Response: Though officially inactivated in 1990, the legacy of the division’s command and control structures influenced NORAD and Air National Guard responses to the September 11, 2001 attacks.
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Notable Commanders: Among its commanders was General Benjamin O. Davis Jr., a pioneering African American officer and leader of the famed Tuskegee Airmen.
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Inactivation and Legacy: The 25th Air Division was inactivated on October 1, 1990, but its history is preserved at the McChord Air Museum, where its contributions to continental air defense are commemorated.
