Aerospace Defense Command
 Aerospace Defense Command Air Defense Command |
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The Air Defense Command organization was subvided into Air Division units designated for CONUS geographic areas. In 1959 during the SAGE Geographic Reorganization (above), the largest number of subdivisions were planned (the planned Denver Air Defense Sector didn't activate.)
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| Active | 1946–1950; 1951–1980 March 31 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch |
United States Army Air Force (1946–1947) United States Air Force (1947–1948) (1951–1980) |
| Type | 1975: Specified Command 1946: Major Command |
| Garrison/HQ |
1966 April 20: Chidlaw Building, Colorado |
1966 April 20: Chidlaw Building, Colorado
1951 January 8: Ent AFB, Colorado
Aerospace Defense Command was a major command of the United States Air Forces, responsible for continental air defence. It was activated in 1968 and disbanded in 1980. Its predecessor, Air Defense Command, was established in 1946, briefly inactivated in 1950, reactivated in 1951, and then redesignated Aerospace rather than Air in 1968. Its mission was to provide air defense of the Continental United States (CONUS). It directly controlled all active measures, and was tasked to coordinate all passive means of air defense.
Continental United States air defense forces during World War II were initially under the command of the four air districts - Northeast Air District, Northwest Air District, Southeast Air District, and Southwest Air District. The air districts established on 16 January 1941 before the Pearl Harbor attack. The four air districts also handled USAAF combat training with the Army Ground Forces and "organization and training of bomber, fighter and other units and crews for assignments overseas". The air districts were redesignated on 26 March 1941 as the 1st Air Force, 2nd Air Force, 3rd Air Force, & 4th Air Force, First and Fourth Air Forces, through their interceptor commands, managed the civilian Aircraft Warning Service on the West and East Coasts.
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