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. The organization provided command and control over several aircraft and radar squadrons.
On 15 February the new Semi Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) Direction Center (DC-16) became operational. DC-16 was equipped with dual AN/FSQ-7 Computers. The day-to-day operations of the command was to train and maintain tactical flying units flying jet interceptor aircraft (F-94 Starfire; F-102 Delta Dagger; F-106 Delta Dart) in a state of readiness with training missions and series of exercises with SAC and other units simulating interceptions of incoming enemy aircraft.
The Sector was inactivated on 1 April 1966 as part of an ADC consolidation 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
Stations
Stead AFB, Nevada, 15 February 1959 – 1 April 1966
Components
Radar squadrons
634th Radar Squadron
Burns AFS, Oregon, 15 September 1960-1 April 1966
658th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
Winnemucca AFS, Nevada, 15 September 1960-1 April 1966
821st Radar Squadron
Baker AFS, Oregon, 15 September 1960-1 April 1966
858th Radar Squadron
Fallon AFS, Nevada, 15 September 1960-1 April 1966
866th Radar Squadron
Tonopah AFS, Nevada, 15 September 1960-1 April 1966
See also
List of USAF Aerospace Defense Command General Surveillance Radar Stations
Aerospace Defense Command Fighter Squadrons
References
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. . Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947–1977. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. . Radomes.org Reno Air Defense Sector