Southwest Air Defense Sector

The Los Angeles Air Defense Sector (SAGE) (LAADS) was designated by Air Defense Command in February 1959 while NORAD's July 25, 1958, SAGE Geographic Reorganization Plan was being implemented.[1] Assuming control of former ADC Western Air Defense Force units, the sector's region consisted of ADC atmospheric forces (fighter-interceptor and radar units) located in southern California north to Santa Barbara and the southern Central Valley. The Manual Air Direction Center (MDC) was at Norton AFB, California, until the Air Defense Direction Center (DC-17) was completed in 1959 for the Semi Automatic Ground Environment.

On April 1, 1966, LAADS was inactivated, as did the other 22 sectors in the country. Most of its assets were assumed by the 27th Air Division.

SWADS Region shown in NORAD Region/Sector Configuration, 1987–2005

Reactivated as the Southwest Air Defense Sector (SWADS) on July 1, 1987 at March AFB, California, in the 26th Air Division; the sector received the 26th AD assets when it became inactive on September 30, 1990. SWADS was responsible for the atmospheric defense of approximately one-fourth of the Continental United States. Its eastern border was at the intersection of the 36th parallel north and 97th meridian west south to the Gulf of Mexico at the 28th parallel north. Its region extended west to include the region south of the 36th parallel north to the Pacific Ocean at the 122nd meridian west. It came under the Continental NORAD Region (CONR) Headquarters at Tyndall AFB, Florida. The Joint Surveillance System Sector Operations Control Center (SOCC) was at March AFB and Air Route Surveillance Radar (ARSR) data from several JSS radar stations and tethered aerostat radar balloons (e.g., Ground Equipment Facility J-31 near Los Angeles).

On January 1, 1995, the SWADS consolidated with the Northwest Air Defense Sector, headquartered at McChord AFB, Washington and the combined command was designated as the Western Air Defense Sector (WADS).

Air National Guard units aligned under 1AF (AFNORTH) formerly with an air defense mission under SWADS were:

• 144th Fighter Wing (F-16), California ANG, Fresno ANGB, California
• 150th Fighter Wing (F-16), New Mexico ANG, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico
• 138th Fighter Wing (F-16), Oklaholma ANG, Tulsa, Oklaholma
• 149th Fighter Wing (F-16), Texas ANG, Lackland AFB, Texas

• Eastern Air Defense Sector
• List of MAJCOM wings of the United States Air Force
• List of United States Air Force Aerospace Defense Command Interceptor Squadrons
• Southeast Air Defense Sector
• United States general surveillance radar stations
• Western Air Defense Sector

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

• A Handbook of Aerospace Defense Organization 1946–1980, by Lloyd H. Cornett and Mildred W. Johnson, Office of History, Aerospace Defense Center, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado
• Winkler, David F. (1997), Searching the skies: the legacy of the United States Cold War defense radar program. Prepared for United States Air Force Headquarters Air Combat Command.}
• Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-89201-092-4.
• Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947–1977. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-12-9.
• Radomes.org Los Angeles Air Defense Sector

External image
Photos of Los Angeles Air Defense Sector SAGE facilities