Reno Air Defense Sector

Reno Air Defense Sector
Emblem of the Reno Air Defense Sector
Active	1959–1966
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Air Defense
Part of	Air Defense Command

Map of Phoenix ADS

The Reno Air Defense Sector (ReADS) is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the 28th Air Division, being stationed at Stead Air Force Base, Nevada.

History

ReADS was established in February 1959 assuming control of former ADC Western Air Defense Force units in Nevada, most of Oregon east of the Cascade Range; southwestern Idaho and areas of California east of the Sierra Nevada and the northern Central Valley. Also operated a Semi Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) direction center.

The Sector was inactivated on 1 April 1966 as part of an ADC consolodation and reorganization; and its units were reassigned to the 26th Air Division. .

Lineage

• Established as Reno Air Defense Sector on 15 February 1959

Inactivated on 1 April 1966

Assignments

• 25th Air Division, 15 February 1959
• 28th Air Division, 1 July 1960 – 1 April 1966

Components

Radar facilities

• SAGE Direction Center (DC-16) located at: 39°39′04″N 119°53′00″W

Active February 15, 1959, and disestablished in 1966

Operated: AN/FSQ-7 Computer

The SAGE blockhouse housed the Desert Research Institute (DRI), weather station until 2000. Now houses the Nevada Terawatt Facility (Zebra), relocated from Los Alamos National Laboratory.

• 866th Radar Squadron, 15 February 1959 – 1 April 1966 (Tonopah Air Force Station)

Other radar sites in the ReADS Sector:

• Baker, OR AFS SM-149
• Burns, OR AFS M-118
• Boise, ID FAA Z-223
• Battle Mountain, NV FAA Z-214

• Fallon NAS, NV (SM-156) 1956-1975 39°24′20″N 118°43′15″W

Radars: FPS-35 (FPS-66A ); FPS-6

858th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron

Current Use: Still active. This now-FAA long-range radar site is now data-tied into the Joint Surveillance System (post 9/11)

Gap Filler

Gabbs, NV (SM-156A): 38°46′28″N 118°01′17″W

• Tonopah AFS, NV (SM-164) 1957-1961 39°24′20″N 118°43′15″W

Radars: FPS-7C; FPS-90

866th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron

Current Use: Commercial transmitter site.

• Winnemucca AFS, NV (M-127) 1956-1968 41°00′40″N 117°46′03″W

Radars: FPS-66; FPS-90

658th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron

Current Use: Commercial transmitter site

Gap Fillers

Quinn River Crossing, NV (M-127A): 41°27′57″N 118°17′00″W

Unionville, NV (M-127B): 40°33′45″N 118°03′08″W

• Red Bluff AFS, CA (SM-157) 1956-1970 37°55′26″N 122°35′49″W

Radars: FPS-67B; FPS-6; FPS-90

859th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron

Current Use: Still active. This now-FAA long-range radar site is now data-tied into the Joint Surveillance System (post 9/11).

Gap Fillers

Janesville, CA (SM-157A) 40°15′38″N 120°33′26″W

Whitmore, CA (SM-157B) 40°44′33″N 121°47′24″W

Hayfork, CA (SM-157C) 40°39′32″N 123°13′10″W

Stations

• Stead AFB, Nevada, 15 February 1959 – 1 April 1966

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

• Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0892010924.
• Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947–1977. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0912799129.
• Radomes.org Reno Air Defense Sector

External links

• Photos of Reno Air Defense Sector SAGE facilities