Aerial view of Adair AFS, 1960
By 1959, the SAGE Computer (AN-FSQ 7) installation and operation at the Direction Center 13 “blockhouse” was complete, with full integration and administrative control of subordinate stations occurring in 1960. The purpose of the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) was to protect the US from long-range bombers and other weapons by coordinating data from radar sites and processing it to create a single image of the airspace before sending the data to HQ NORAD at Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado Springs, CO. Each Direction Center was capable of sending fighter-interceptor aircraft or launch missiles at incoming targets. SAGE was the largest, most powerful, most expensive computer system at the time. It linked 23 other Direction Centers across the US and Canada.
Most of the support buildings were complete by 1959, with the most notable exception being the Base Chapel and Annex (built 1961-1962). The BOMARC missile program was canceled in 1960.
By 1959 services for those stationed there and their families were available: Commissary, Laundry/Dry Cleaning, Base Exchange, Barber Shop, Snack Bar, Gym, Bowling Alley, NCO Club, Officers Club, Chapel, gas station, scouting, teen club, baseball and softball fields, community garden, hobby shop, horse stables, theater, library… The two housing areas (NCO, Officer) consisted of 150 family units.
(Note: Biographies of the following commanders are available upon request at dennismemerson@gmail.com)
4625th Support Squadron
Commanded by the “Base Commander” (similar to a Mayor of a city), this unit was responsible for supporting personnel assigned to operations of HQ POADS. The squadron’s responsibilities were finance, personnel, housing, transportation, air police, fire department, civil engineering, social activities such as Officer’s, NCO and Serviceman’s Clubs (and affiliated Wives Clubs), Chapel, and recreational activities such as the gymnasium and bowling alley. This unit also supported social programs such as scouting, teen club, etc… The 645th USAF Dispensary was organized separately but still supported the 4625th Support Squadron.
Is there any history on the airpolice Squadron? Any shoulder or chest patches
My recollection is that the Air Police unit was not a squadron as such, but rather a squadron section working under the base commander.
I watched the thunderbirds perform there in the 60’s but can’t find a record of the show?
I was the last photographer stationed at Adair. Flew a U3A to Portland met the Thunderbirds. Took aerial photos of Adair 2 months before they performed. They blew off my hat.
They did a fly over show when heading from California to Washington state in 1967. They were flying F-100’s then. I was stationed there then. They
The 40 th Artillery Brigade Air Defense was located in the San Francisco area. It had a detachment at Adair AFS Sage site that controlled the Nike Hercules batteries around San Francisco. their job was to coordinate Army Air Defense missiles and Air Force interceptors.