Ben MacDonald

The 56th Combat Support Group was first activated in 1952 at Selfridge Air Force Base, Michigan, as part of the 56th Fighter-Interceptor Wing. Its primary mission was to provide essential base support functions, including logistics, security, and maintenance, to ensure the operational readiness of fighter units during the early years of the Cold War. Over the years, the group underwent several redesignations and relocations in support of evolving Air Force missions. Eventually, its lineage and honors became associated with the 56th Mission Support Group at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, where it continues to deliver vital support to flying training and operational squadrons.

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.

The 667th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron (AC&W Sq) was a United States Air Force unit activated on December 8, 1949. Stationed at Lajes Field in the Azores, Portugal, its primary mission was to provide early warning radar surveillance and air defense for the North Atlantic region during the early years of the Cold War. The squadron played a key role in monitoring air traffic and potential threats, supporting both U.S. and NATO operations. The 667th AC&W Squadron was inactivated on June 1, 1961, as advances in radar technology and changes in strategic priorities rendered some overseas warning sites less critical.

**743rd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron (AC&W) - Military History:** The 743rd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron was activated in 1953 as part of the United States Air Force's efforts to enhance continental air defense during the early Cold War. Stationed at Duncanville Air Force Station, Texas, the squadron operated radar systems to detect, track, and identify aircraft approaching U.S. airspace, providing vital information to interceptor units. As a component of the Air Defense Command, the 743rd played a crucial role in protecting North America from potential Soviet bomber attacks. The unit was inactivated in 1964 as advances in radar technology and changes in defense strategies led to the consolidation and closure of many radar sites.

The 1989th Communications Squadron was a United States Air Force unit responsible for providing critical communications support to military operations. Activated during the Cold War era, the squadron played a vital role in managing secure and reliable communications at its assigned installations. Its personnel maintained and operated various communications systems, ensuring uninterrupted command and control for both peacetime and contingency missions. The 1989th Communications Squadron was eventually inactivated or redesignated as communications technology and organizational structures evolved within the Air Force.