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9th Space Division (United States)
Encyclopedia
The 9th Space Division (9th SD) is an inactive United States Air Force
organization. Its last assignment was with Air Force Space Command
, being stationed at Patrick Air Force Base
, Florida
. It was inactivated on 1 October 1991.
Air Defense Command (ADC) at Pope AFB, North Carolina, the command was assigned command and control over air defense units in the Carolinas and southeast Atlantic Coast. It was inactivated in August 1950 with its mission taken over by Eastern Air Defense Force
(EADF).
It was reactivated in October 1954 by Western Air Defense Force
(WADF), ADC, at Geiger Field, Washington, taking over control of air defense units in eastern Washington, Oregon and Idaho from the 25th Air Division, after the 25th AD was realigned over the Washington and Oregon coastal area west of the Cascade Mountains. It participated in the United States Air Force collateral mission of antisubmarine warfare and administered, equipped, and trained for combat. It was inactivated in 1958 when the Spokane Air Defense Sector
was established by ADC taking over its responsibilities.
The second incarnation of the organization began in 1961 with its re-activation as the 9th Aerospace Defense Division was associated with the North American Aerospace Defense Command
by ADC, assuming responsibility for the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System
, the Missile Defense Alarm System
, the Space Detection and Tracking System, the NORAD Combat operations Center, the Bomb Alarm System
, and the Nuclear Detonation System
. It was inactivated in 1968 when its mission was elevated to a Numbered Air Force level, being assumed by the Fourteenth Aerospace Force on 1 July.
The most recent incarnation the 9th Space Division began in 1990 when Air Force Space Command
(AFSPACECOM) re-activated the organization with an action mechanism to "operationalize" the space launch capabilities of Eastern Space and Missile Center and Western Space and Missile Center units transferred to AFSPACECOM during 1990–1991. ESMC and WSMC became respectively the 45th Space Wing
and 30th Space Wing
within two months of the Division's deactivation in 1991.
Wings
Groups
Squadrons
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
organization. Its last assignment was with Air Force Space Command
Air Force Space Command
Air Force Space Command is a major command of the United States Department of the Air Force, with its headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. AFSPC supports U.S. military operations worldwide through the use of many different types of satellite, launch and cyber operations....
, being stationed at Patrick Air Force Base
Patrick Air Force Base
Patrick Air Force Base is a United States Air Force Base located between Satellite Beach and Cocoa Beach, in Brevard County, Florida, United States. It was named in honor of Major General Mason Patrick. An Air Force Space Command base, it is home to the 45th Space Wing...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. It was inactivated on 1 October 1991.
History
The organization has had several periods of activation over its lifetime. Initially established in April 1949 as the 9th Air Division (Defense) under Fourteenth Air ForceFourteenth Air Force
The Fourteenth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Space Command . It is headquartered at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California....
Air Defense Command (ADC) at Pope AFB, North Carolina, the command was assigned command and control over air defense units in the Carolinas and southeast Atlantic Coast. It was inactivated in August 1950 with its mission taken over by Eastern Air Defense Force
Eastern Air Defense Force
The Eastern Air Defense Force is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Air Defense Command being stationed at Stewart Air Force Base, New York. It was inactivated on July 1, 1960.-History:...
(EADF).
It was reactivated in October 1954 by Western Air Defense Force
Western Air Defense Force
The Western Air Defense Force is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Air Defense Command being stationed at Hamilton Air Force Base, California. It was inactivated on July 1, 1960.- History :...
(WADF), ADC, at Geiger Field, Washington, taking over control of air defense units in eastern Washington, Oregon and Idaho from the 25th Air Division, after the 25th AD was realigned over the Washington and Oregon coastal area west of the Cascade Mountains. It participated in the United States Air Force collateral mission of antisubmarine warfare and administered, equipped, and trained for combat. It was inactivated in 1958 when the Spokane Air Defense Sector
Spokane Air Defense Sector
The Spokane Air Defense Sector is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the Air Defense Command 25th Air Division, being stationed at Larson Air Force Base, Washington.-History:...
was established by ADC taking over its responsibilities.
The second incarnation of the organization began in 1961 with its re-activation as the 9th Aerospace Defense Division was associated with the North American Aerospace Defense Command
North American Aerospace Defense Command
North American Aerospace Defense Command is a joint organization of Canada and the United States that provides aerospace warning, air sovereignty, and defense for the two countries. Headquarters NORAD is located at Peterson AFB, Colorado Springs, Colorado...
by ADC, assuming responsibility for the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System
Ballistic Missile Early Warning System
The United States Air Force Ballistic Missile Early Warning System was the first operational ballistic missile detection radar. The original system was built in 1959 and could provide long-range warning of a ballistic missile attack over the polar region of the Northern Hemisphere. They also...
, the Missile Defense Alarm System
Missile Defense Alarm System
The Missile Defense Alarm System was an American system of 12 early-warning satellites that provided limited notice of Soviet intercontinental ballistic missile launches between 1960 and 1966...
, the Space Detection and Tracking System, the NORAD Combat operations Center, the Bomb Alarm System
Bomb Alarm System
The Bomb Alarm System was a US and UK network of optical sensors intended to confirm the detonation of an enemy nuclear weapon near cities or military installations within the US or at US operated early warning radar sites in the UK or Greenland.The BAS was designed by Western Union in 1959 and...
, and the Nuclear Detonation System
Bhangmeter
A bhangmeter is a type of photometer used on reconnaissance satellites that is intended to detect atmospheric nuclear detonations.The first satellites which incorporated bhangmeters were the Advanced Vela satellites...
. It was inactivated in 1968 when its mission was elevated to a Numbered Air Force level, being assumed by the Fourteenth Aerospace Force on 1 July.
The most recent incarnation the 9th Space Division began in 1990 when Air Force Space Command
Air Force Space Command
Air Force Space Command is a major command of the United States Department of the Air Force, with its headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. AFSPC supports U.S. military operations worldwide through the use of many different types of satellite, launch and cyber operations....
(AFSPACECOM) re-activated the organization with an action mechanism to "operationalize" the space launch capabilities of Eastern Space and Missile Center and Western Space and Missile Center units transferred to AFSPACECOM during 1990–1991. ESMC and WSMC became respectively the 45th Space Wing
45th Space Wing
The 45th Space Wing is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the Fourteenth Air Force, stationed at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida. It is also the host unit at Patrick AFB.-Overview:...
and 30th Space Wing
30th Space Wing
The 30th Space Wing is an air force wing forming a subordinate unit of the Fourteenth Air Force of the Air Force Space Command of the United States Air Force...
within two months of the Division's deactivation in 1991.
Lineage
- Established as 9 Air Division (Tactical) on 7 April 1949
- Activated on 1 May 1949
- Inactivated on 1 August 1950
- Redesignated 9 Air Division (Defense) on 21 June 1954
- Activated on 8 October 1954
- Inactivated on 15 August 1958
- Redesignated 9 Aerospace Defense Division, and activated on 14 July 1961
- Organized on 15 July 1961
- Discontinued, and inactivated, on 1 July 1968
- Redesignated 9 Space Division on 11 September 1990
- Activated on 1 October 1990
- Inactivated on 1 October 1991.
Assignments
- Fourteenth Air ForceFourteenth Air ForceThe Fourteenth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Space Command . It is headquartered at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California....
, 1 May 1949 – 1 August 1950 - Western Air Defense ForceWestern Air Defense ForceThe Western Air Defense Force is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Air Defense Command being stationed at Hamilton Air Force Base, California. It was inactivated on July 1, 1960.- History :...
, 8 October 1954 – 15 August 1958 - Air (later, Aerospace) Defense Command (ADCOM), 14 July 1961 – 1 July 1968
- Air Force Space CommandAir Force Space CommandAir Force Space Command is a major command of the United States Department of the Air Force, with its headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. AFSPC supports U.S. military operations worldwide through the use of many different types of satellite, launch and cyber operations....
, 1 October 1990 – 1 October 1991.
Stations
- Pope AFB, North CarolinaNorth CarolinaNorth Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, 1 May 1949 – 1 August 1950 - Geiger Field, Washington, 8 October 1954 – 15 August 1958
- Ent AFB, ColoradoColoradoColorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, 15 July 1961 – 1 July 1968 - Patrick AFB, FloridaFloridaFlorida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, 1 October 1990 – 1 October 1991.
Components
Centers- Eastern Space and Missile Center45th Space WingThe 45th Space Wing is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the Fourteenth Air Force, stationed at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida. It is also the host unit at Patrick AFB.-Overview:...
: 1 October 1990 – 1 October 1991
- Patrick AFB, FloridaFloridaFlorida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
- Western Space and Missile Center30th Space WingThe 30th Space Wing is an air force wing forming a subordinate unit of the Fourteenth Air Force of the Air Force Space Command of the United States Air Force...
: 1 October 1990 – 1 October 1991
- Western Space and Missile Center
- Vandenberg AFB, CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
Wings
- 71 Surveillance (later, 71 Missile Warning) Wing71st Flying Training WingThe 71st Flying Training Wing is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the Air Education and Training Command Nineteenth Air Force. It is stationed at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma where it also is the host unit....
: January 1962 – 1 July 1968
- Ent AFB, ColoradoColoradoColorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
- 73d Aerospace Surveillance Wing: 1 January 1967 – 1 July 1968.
- Ent AFB, ColoradoColoradoColorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
Groups
- 10th Aerospace Defense Group10th Aerospace Defense GroupThe 10th Aerospace Defense Group is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with 9th Air Division, being stationed at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California...
: 1 January 1967 – 1 July 1968
- Vandenburg AFB, CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
- 530th Air Defense Group: 18 February 1953
- Redesignated: 84th Fighter Group84th Fighter GroupThe 84th Fighter Group is an active United States Air Force organization. It is assigned to the 84th Combat Sustainment Wing, stationed at Hill Air Force Base, California. It was last active as a Fighter Group on 15 July 1963.-History:...
(Air Defense), 18 August 1955 - 15 August 1958 - Geiger Field, Washington
- 4721st Air Defense Group4721st Air Defense GroupThe 4721st Air Defense Group is a discontinued United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the 4700th Air Defense Wing, being stationed at Larson Air Force Base, Washington...
: 1 December 1956 – 15 August 1958.
- 4721st Air Defense Group
- Larson AFB, Washington
Squadrons
- 1 Aerospace Surveillance and Control (later, l Aerospace Control)1st Space Operations SquadronThe United States Air Force's 1st Space Operations Squadron is a space operations unit located at Schriever AFB, Colorado. The squadron is also responsible for performance launch, on-orbit, emergency, end-of-life testing and disposal operations providing warning, navigation, R&D, surveillance...
: 1 October 1961 – 1 July 1968
- Ent AFB, ColoradoColoradoColorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
- 2 Surveillance (Sensor)2d Space Operations SquadronThe 2d Space Operations Squadron is a unit of the United States Air Force at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. Its mission is to manage the Navstar Global Positioning System satellite constellation for global navigation, time transfer, and nuclear detonation detection.2 SOPS is augmented by...
: 1 February 1962 – 1 January 1967
- 2 Surveillance (Sensor)
- Ent AFB, ColoradoColoradoColorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
- 10 Aerospace Defense: 1 August 1964 – 1 January 1967
- Vandenberg AFB, CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
- 31st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron31st Fighter-Interceptor SquadronThe 31st Tactical Reconnaissance Training Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing stationed at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina...
: 8 October 1954 – 18 August 1955
- 31st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
- Larson AFB, Washington
- 322d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron322d Fighter-Interceptor SquadronThe 322d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Air Defense Command stationed at Kingsley Field, Oregon. It was inactivated on 1 July 1968.-History:...
: 18 August 1955 – 1 December 1956
- 322d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
- Larson AFB, Washington
- 323d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron323d Fighter-Interceptor SquadronThe 323d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Air Defense Command stationed at Ernest Harmon Air Force Base, Newfoundland. It was inactivated on July 1, 1960-History:...
: 8 October 1954 – 18 August 1955
- 323d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
- Larson AFB, Washington
- 538th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron538th Fighter-Interceptor SquadronThe 538th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron is provisional unt of United States Air Force. It is assigned to the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing, and is currently located at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan.-Overview:...
: 18 August 1955 – 1 December 1956
- 538th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
- Larson AFB, Washington
- 4755th Ground Observer Squadron: 1 January 1955-25 March 1959
- Geiger Field, Washington
- 634th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron: 20 October 1954 – 15 August 1958
- McChord AFB, Washington
- 636th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron: 8 October 1954 – 15 August 1958
- Condon AFS, OregonOregonOregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
- 637th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron: 8 October 1954 – 15 August 1958
- Othello AFS, Washington
- 638th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron: 8 October 1954 – 15 August 1958
- Curlew AFS, Washington
- 760th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron: 8 October 1954 – 15 August 1958
- Colville AFS, Washington
- 821st Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron: 8 September 1957 – 15 August 1958
- Baker AFS, OregonOregonOregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
- 822d Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron: 8 September 1956 – 15 August 1958
- Cottonwood AFS, IdahoIdahoIdaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
- 823d Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron: 8 April 1955 – 15 August 1958
- Mica Peak AFS, Washington
See also
- List of United States Air Force air divisions
- List of USAF Aerospace Defense Command General Surveillance Radar Stations
- Aerospace Defense Command Fighter SquadronsAerospace Defense Command Fighter SquadronsThe second iteration of Aerospace Defense Command was established on 21 March 1946 as a component of the United States Army Air Forces, with the mission of planning for and executing the air defense of the United States...
External links
- http://www.maxwell.af.mil/au/afhra/rso/airdivision_pages/0009sd.asp Air Force Historical Research Agency: 9th Space Division