HQ 25th Air Division

• 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • Joint Operations: The Division frequently coordinated with Canadian air defense forces, reflecting the close NORAD partnership for North American airspace security. • 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. • 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. • Notable Commanders: Among its commanders was General Benjamin O. Davis Jr., a pioneering African American officer and leader of the famed Tuskegee Airmen. • 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.