San Francisco Air Defense Sector

San Francisco Air Defense Sector
Emblem of the San Francisco Air Defense Sector
Active1959–1963
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Air Force
RoleAir Defense
Part ofAir Defense Command
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Carroll W. McColpin

The San Francisco Air Defense Sector (SFADS) is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the 28th Air Division, being stationed at Beale Air Force Base, California.

The sector was established in February 1959 assuming control of former ADC Western Air Defense Force units in California west of the Sierra Nevada; north of Santa Barbara and south of Eureka. The organization controlled several aircraft and radar squadrons.

On 1 December 1960 the new Semi Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) Direction Center (DC-18) became operational. 39°06′35″N 121°23′49″W / 39.10972°N 121.39694°W / 39.10972; -121.39694 (SFADS-SAGE DC-18) DC-18 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); (2 F-101B Voodoo Squadrons) in a state of readiness with training missions and series of exercises with SAC and other units simulating interceptions of incoming enemy aircraft.

The 83d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron and 84th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron at Hamilton AFB, Ca., both were part of the sector's forces, under the command of the 78th Fighter Wing.

The Sector was inactivated on 1 August 1963 as part of an ADC consolidation and reorganization; and its units were assigned to 28th Air Division at Hamilton Air Force Base, California.