Southeast Air Defense Sector
Encyclopedia
The Southeast Air Defense Sector (SEADS), was a unit of the US Air Force located at Tyndall Air Force Base
near Panama City
, Florida
. It provided air defense and surveillance of the southeastern region of the US. SEADS closed in winter 2006, giving up surveillance and control of their airspace to the Eastern Air Defense Sector
(EADS) and the former Northeast Air Defense Sector (NEADS).
units. It's original region consisted of ADC atmospheric forces (fighter-interceptor and radar units) located east of the Mississippi River south of the 34th parallel north
and east to a designated line west of the 86th meridian west
, southeast to the southernmost point of Key Largo
Island, Florida.
It was consolidated on 1 January 1959 with the Shreveport and Miami Air Defense Sectors, defining a region south of 34th parallel north
, bordering on the east along the intersection of the parallel southeast along the Georgia/South Carolina border to the Atlantic coastline. In the west, the Sector was responsible for most of Eastern Texas south of the 34th parallel north
, including the state of Louisiana, eastwards. It operated a Manual Air Direction Center (MDC) at Dobbins AFB, Georgia. The sector's mission was to train and maintain tactical flying units in state of readiness in order to defend Northeast United States while initially continuing to operate the MDC.
Beginning on 1 July 1958 it began operations of a SAGE (Semi-Automatic Ground Environment) Direction Center DC-09 32°45′15"N 086°14′29"W at Gunter AFB, Alabama.
On 1 April 1966, MoADS was inactivated, as did the other 22 sectors in the country. Most of its assets were assumed by the 32d Air Division; the 33d Air Division assumed assets in eastern North and South Carolina. The DC-09 SAGE Direction Center was assigned to the 32d Air Division, remaining in operation until 31 December 1969. Today it is used as offices by Air University, Air Education and Training Command
at Gunter AFB.
(SEADS).
SEADS was responsible for the atmospheric defense of approximately 1000000 square miles (2,589,988.1 km²) of airspace and 3000 miles (4,828 km) of coastline extending from Virginia
to Texas
. It was the busiest of the air defense sectors comprising the NORAD Continental United States North American Aerospace Defense Command Region. It operated a Sector Operations Control Center (SOCC) at Tyndall AFB, part of the Joint Surveillance System
(JSS) which had replaced SAGE in 1983. This system, using the latest advances in computerized airspace control, relied on digitized radar inputs from Air Route Surveillance Radar
(ARSR) sites jointly operated by the Federal Aviation Administration
and the Air Force, and tethered aerostat radar balloons. More than 2,000 aircraft were detected and identified each day by SEADS technicians and operators.
On 1 October 1995, the Southeast Air Defense Sector was reassigned to the Florida Air National Guard
; SEADS re-designated Southeast Air Defense Sector (ANG). It came under the Continental NORAD Region
(CONR) Headquarters at Tyndall AFB, Florida.
On 1 November 2005, SEADS ceased air defense operations and its duties were absorbed into the Northeast Air Defense Sector which is now known as the Eastern Air Defense Sector
. The SEADS transformed into the 601st Air and Space Operations Center
and currently performs the duties as the Air Operations Center for AFNORTH.
Known Air National Guard
units with an air defense mission under EADS were:
Tyndall Air Force Base
Tyndall Air Force Base is a United States Air Force Base located east of Panama City, Florida. The base was named in honor of World War I pilot 1st Lt Frank Benjamin Tyndall...
near Panama City
Panama City
Panama is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Panama. It has a population of 880,691, with a total metro population of 1,272,672, and it is located at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal, in the province of the same name. The city is the political and administrative center of the...
, 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 provided air defense and surveillance of the southeastern region of the US. SEADS closed in winter 2006, giving up surveillance and control of their airspace to the Eastern Air Defense Sector
Eastern Air Defense Sector
The Eastern Air Defense Sector is a United States Air Force unit and a component of the New York Air National Guard. It is stationed at the former Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, New York.-Overview:...
(EADS) and the former Northeast Air Defense Sector (NEADS).
Cold War
The origins of the Southeast Air Defense Sector (SEADS) begin in September 1957 with the formation of its predecessor organization, the Montgomery Air Defense Sector (MoADS) by Air Defense Command (ADC). It was established in September 1957 with a mission to train and maintain tactical flying units in state of readiness in order to defend the Southeastern United States, assuming control of former ADC Central Air Defense ForceCentral Air Defense Force
The Central Air Defense Force is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Air Defense Command being stationed at Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base, Missouri. It was deactivated on July 1, 1960.-History:...
units. It's original region consisted of ADC atmospheric forces (fighter-interceptor and radar units) located east of the Mississippi River south of the 34th parallel north
34th parallel north
The 34th parallel north is a circle of latitude that is 34 degrees north of the Earth's equatorial plane. It crosses Africa, the Mediterranean Sea, Asia, the Pacific Ocean, North America and the Atlantic Ocean....
and east to a designated line west of the 86th meridian west
86th meridian west
The meridian 86° west of Greenwich is a line of longitude that extends from the North Pole across the Arctic Ocean, North America, the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, Central America, the Pacific Ocean, the Southern Ocean, and Antarctica to the South Pole....
, southeast to the southernmost point of Key Largo
Key Largo
Key Largo is an island in the upper Florida Keys archipelago and, at long, the largest of the Keys. It is also the northernmost of the Florida Keys in Monroe County, and the northernmost of the Keys connected by U.S. Highway 1...
Island, Florida.
It was consolidated on 1 January 1959 with the Shreveport and Miami Air Defense Sectors, defining a region south of 34th parallel north
34th parallel north
The 34th parallel north is a circle of latitude that is 34 degrees north of the Earth's equatorial plane. It crosses Africa, the Mediterranean Sea, Asia, the Pacific Ocean, North America and the Atlantic Ocean....
, bordering on the east along the intersection of the parallel southeast along the Georgia/South Carolina border to the Atlantic coastline. In the west, the Sector was responsible for most of Eastern Texas south of the 34th parallel north
34th parallel north
The 34th parallel north is a circle of latitude that is 34 degrees north of the Earth's equatorial plane. It crosses Africa, the Mediterranean Sea, Asia, the Pacific Ocean, North America and the Atlantic Ocean....
, including the state of Louisiana, eastwards. It operated a Manual Air Direction Center (MDC) at Dobbins AFB, Georgia. The sector's mission was to train and maintain tactical flying units in state of readiness in order to defend Northeast United States while initially continuing to operate the MDC.
Beginning on 1 July 1958 it began operations of a SAGE (Semi-Automatic Ground Environment) Direction Center DC-09 32°45′15"N 086°14′29"W at Gunter AFB, Alabama.
On 1 April 1966, MoADS was inactivated, as did the other 22 sectors in the country. Most of its assets were assumed by the 32d Air Division; the 33d Air Division assumed assets in eastern North and South Carolina. The DC-09 SAGE Direction Center was assigned to the 32d Air Division, remaining in operation until 31 December 1969. Today it is used as offices by Air University, Air Education and Training Command
Air Education and Training Command
Air Education and Training Command was established July 1, 1993, with the realignment of Air Training Command and Air University. It is one of the U.S. Air Force's ten major commands and reports to Headquarters, United States Air Force....
at Gunter AFB.
Modern era
On 1 July 1987, the Montgomery Air Defense Sector (MOADS) was reactivated, and co-located with the 23d Air Division. The 23d Air Division was inactivated and all atmospheric defense assets of the Division were transferred to the MOADS, re-designated the Southeast Air Defense SectorSoutheast Air Defense Sector
The Southeast Air Defense Sector , was a unit of the US Air Force located at Tyndall Air Force Base near Panama City, Florida. It provided air defense and surveillance of the southeastern region of the US...
(SEADS).
SEADS was responsible for the atmospheric defense of approximately 1000000 square miles (2,589,988.1 km²) of airspace and 3000 miles (4,828 km) of coastline extending from Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
to Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. It was the busiest of the air defense sectors comprising the NORAD Continental United States North American Aerospace Defense Command Region. It operated a Sector Operations Control Center (SOCC) at Tyndall AFB, part of the Joint Surveillance System
Joint Surveillance System
The Joint Surveillance System is a joint United States Air Force and Federal Aviation Administration system for the atmospheric air defense of North America...
(JSS) which had replaced SAGE in 1983. This system, using the latest advances in computerized airspace control, relied on digitized radar inputs from Air Route Surveillance Radar
Air Route Surveillance Radar
The Air Route Surveillance Radar is used by the United States Air Force and the Federal Aviation Administration to control airspace within and around the borders of the United States....
(ARSR) sites jointly operated by the Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
and the Air Force, and tethered aerostat radar balloons. More than 2,000 aircraft were detected and identified each day by SEADS technicians and operators.
On 1 October 1995, the Southeast Air Defense Sector was reassigned to the Florida Air National Guard
Florida Air National Guard
The Florida Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of Florida. It is, along with the Florida Army National Guard, an element of the Florida National Guard...
; SEADS re-designated Southeast Air Defense Sector (ANG). It came under the Continental NORAD Region
Continental NORAD Region
The Continental NORAD Region is a component of the North American Aerospace Defense Command that provides airspace surveillance and control and directs air sovereignty activities for the continental United States ....
(CONR) Headquarters at Tyndall AFB, Florida.
On 1 November 2005, SEADS ceased air defense operations and its duties were absorbed into the Northeast Air Defense Sector which is now known as the Eastern Air Defense Sector
Eastern Air Defense Sector
The Eastern Air Defense Sector is a United States Air Force unit and a component of the New York Air National Guard. It is stationed at the former Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, New York.-Overview:...
. The SEADS transformed into the 601st Air and Space Operations Center
601st Air and Space Operations Center
The 601 Air and Space Operations Center plans, directs, and assesses air and space operations for the North American Aerospace Defense Command, and the United States Northern Command . The AOC provides aerospace warning and control for NORAD Defensive Counter Air activities...
and currently performs the duties as the Air Operations Center for AFNORTH.
Known Air National Guard
Air National Guard
The Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
units with an air defense mission under EADS were:
- 187th Fighter Wing187th Fighter WingThe United States Air Force's 187th Fighter Wing is a unit located at Dannelly Field, Alabama.-Mission:To provide the state Governor, National Command Authority, and Combatant Commanders with a superbly equipped and trained general purpose F-16C+ Block 30 Aviation Package, associated Expeditionary...
(F-16), Alabama ANG, Montgomery, Alabama - 125th Fighter Wing125th Fighter WingThe United States Air Force's 125th Fighter Wing is a unit of the Florida Air National Guard, operationally-gained by the Air Combat Command . Its primary installation is Jacksonville Air National Guard Base at Jacksonville International Airport, Florida...
(F-16), Florida ANG, Jacksonville, Florida - 183d Fighter Wing183d Fighter WingThe 183d Fighter Wing is an Illinois Air National Guard unit located at Capitol Airport in Springfield, Illinois. The history of this unit spans over 60 years and five aircraft...
(F-16), Illinois ANG, Springfield, Illinois - 159th Fighter Wing159th Fighter WingThe United States Air Force's 159th Fighter Wing is an Air National Guard fighter unit located at NAS New Orleans, Louisiana.-Mission:The mission of the 159th Fighter Wing is to:* Provide mission-ready, deployable forces...
, (F-15), Louisiana ANG, New Orleans, Louisiana - 169th Fighter Wing169th Fighter WingThe United States Air Force's 169th Fighter Wing is an Air National Guard fighter unit located at McEntire Joint National Guard Station, South Carolina...
(F-16), South Carolina ANG, Eastover, South Carolina
Lineage
- Established as: Montgomery Air Defense Sector on 8 September 1957
- Inactivated on 1 April 1966; redesignated as 32d Air Division
- Re-designated as Southeast Air Defense Sector (SEADS) and activated, 1 July 1987
- Inactivated 1 November 2005, assets transferred to Northeast Air Defense Sector
Assignments
- 35th Air Division, 8 September 1951
- 32d Air Division, 15 November 1958
- 26th Air Division, 1 July 1963
- 73d Air Division73d Air DivisionThe 73d Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Air Defense Command, based at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. It was inactivated on 1 April 1966.-World War II:...
, 1 October 1964-1 April 1966 - 23d Air Division, 1 July 1987
- Florida Air National GuardFlorida Air National GuardThe Florida Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of Florida. It is, along with the Florida Army National Guard, an element of the Florida National Guard...
, 1 October 1996-1 November 2005
Stations
- Gunter AFB, Alabama, 8 September 1957-31 December 1969
- Tyndall AFB, Florida, 1 July 1987-1 November 2005
Wing
- 4751st Air Defense Wing (Missile)
- Eglin AFB Auxiliary Field #9Hurlburt FieldHurlburt Field is a U.S. Air Force installation located in Okaloosa County, Florida, immediately west of the Town of Mary Esther. It is part of the greater Eglin Air Force Base reservation, and is home to Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command , the 1st Special Operations Wing , the...
, Florida, 1 October 1959-1 July 1962
Interceptor Squadrons
- 319th Fighter Interceptor Training Squadron
- Homestead AFB, Florida, 1 March 1963-1 December 1969
- 482d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron482d Fighter-Interceptor SquadronThe 482d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Montgomery Air Defense Sector, stationed at Homestead Air Force Base, Florida. It was inactivated on 30 June 1969.-History:...
- 482d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
- Seymour-Johnson AFB, North Carolina, 1 July 1965-30 June 1969
Missile Squadron
- 4751st Air Defense Squadron (Missile)
- Eglin AFB Auxiliary Field #9Hurlburt FieldHurlburt Field is a U.S. Air Force installation located in Okaloosa County, Florida, immediately west of the Town of Mary Esther. It is part of the greater Eglin Air Force Base reservation, and is home to Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command , the 1st Special Operations Wing , the...
, Florida, 1 July 1962-1 July 1963
Radar Squadrons
- 609th Radar Squadron (SAGE)
- Eufaula AFS, Alabama, 1 November 1959-1 April 1966
- 627th Radar Squadron627th Radar SquadronThe 627th Radar Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 32d Air Division, Air Defense Command, stationed at Crystal Springs Air Force Station, Mississippi...
(SAGE)
- 627th Radar Squadron
- Crystal Springs AFS, Mississippi, 1 November 1959-1 April 1966
- 644th Radar Squadron644th Radar SquadronThe 644th Radar Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 20th Air Division, Aerospace Defense Command, stationed at Richmond Air Force Station, Florida...
(SAGE)
- 644th Radar Squadron
- Homestead AFB, Florida, 25 April 1960-1 April 1966
- 657th Radar Squadron (SAGE)
- Houma AFS, Louisiana, 1 November 1959-1 April 1966
- 660th Radar Squadron660th Radar SquadronThe 660th Radar Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 20th NORAD Region , Tactical Air Command, stationed at MacDill AFB, Florida...
(SAGE)
- 660th Radar Squadron
- MacDill AFB, Florida, 1 November 1959-1 April 1966
- 678th Radar Squadron (SAGE)
- Tyndall AFB, Florida, 1 November 1959-1 April 1966
- 679th Radar Squadron679th Radar SquadronThe 679th Radar Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 20th Air Division, Aerospace Defense Command, stationed at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida...
(SAGE)
- 679th Radar Squadron
- NAS Jacksonville, Florida, 1 July 1961-1 April 1966
- 691st Radar Squadron (SAGE)
- Cross City AFS, Florida, 1 November 1959-1 April 1966
- 693d Radar Squadron693d Radar SquadronThe 693d Radar Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 20th Air Division, Aerospace Defense Command, stationed at Dauphin Island Air Force Station, Alabama...
(SAGE)
- 693d Radar Squadron
- Dauphin Island AFS, Alabama, 1 November 1959-1 April 1966
- 698th Radar Squadron (SAGE)
- Thomasville AFS, Alabama, 1 November 1959-1 April 1966
- 702d Radar Squadron702d Radar SquadronThe 702d Radar Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 20th Air Division, Aerospace Defense Command, stationed at Savannah Air Force Station, Georgia...
(SAGE)
- 702d Radar Squadron
- Hunter AFB, Georgia, 1 July 1961-1 April 1966
- 861st Radar Squadron (SAGE)
- Aiken AFS, South Carolina, 1 July 1961-1 April 1966
- 908th Radar Squadron (SAGE)
- Marietta AFS, Georgia, 1 July 1961-1 April 1966
See also
- List of MAJCOM wings of the United States Air Force
- 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...
- Alaskan Air Defense Sector176th Air Control SquadronThe 176th Air Control Squadron is a part of the United States Air National Guard, which provides mission-ready personnel to operate and maintain the Alaskan Region Air Operations Center of the North American Aerospace Defense Command...
(176th Air Control Squadron) - Hawaii Region Air Operations Center (169th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron)
- North American Aerospace Defense CommandNorth American Aerospace Defense CommandNorth 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...
- Western Air Defense SectorWestern Air Defense SectorThe Western Air Defense Sector is a United States Air Force unit and a component of the Washington Air National Guard. It is stationed at McChord Field, Washington-Overview:...
- Eastern Air Defense SectorEastern Air Defense SectorThe Eastern Air Defense Sector is a United States Air Force unit and a component of the New York Air National Guard. It is stationed at the former Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, New York.-Overview:...
- Southwest Air Defense SectorSouthwest Air Defense SectorThe Southwest Air Defense Sector is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the First Air Force, being stationed at March Air Force Base, California...