This is the complete unit history of the ADC, from 1948 to 1980. Sections include an overview of air defense in the United States from the end of World War I through the Cold War Era, a chronology... More > of changes in ADC organization, and individual lineages for all the ADC units. The latter includes ADCOM regions, Air Divisions, Air Defense Sectors, Centers, Wings, Groups, Air Force Bands, Squadrons, Flights, and Schools.< Less
The F-89 Scorpion was the first multi-seat, all-weather jet interceptor in the U.S. Air Force.
It also became the first aircraft ever equipped with a nuclear air-to-air weapon — the 1.5 kiloton... More > Genie missile. The F-89 made its debut in 1948, joined the Air Force in 1950, and then served as the mainstay of Air Defense Command for 17 years. Over 1,000 F-89s were produced, including 350
of the “J” model equipped with pylons to
carry the Genie. (One F-89 did fire the missile as part of Operation Plumbob in 1957.) Originally printed by Northrop and the USAF, this F-89 Flight Operating Manual taught pilots everything they needed to know before entering the cockpit. Classified “Restricted”, the manual was recently declassified and is here reprinted in book form.
This affordable facsimile has been reformatted and color images appear in black and white. Care has been taken however to preserve the integrity of the text.< Less
Capable of speeds in excess of 1200 miles per hour, the F-101 Voodoo was originally designed as a long-range bomber escort. Shortly after the plane’s debut in 1957, however, Strategic Air... More > Command determined that jet escorts for the B-52 were unnecessary. The F-101 was then reconfigured as an air-defense interceptor, fighter-bomber, and reconnaissance platform. Known by its pilots as the “one oh one wonder” for its performance capabilities, the Voodoo flew with distinction in Vietnam, and performed recon missions over Cuba. Over 880 F-101s were built, flying for the USAF and RCAF as late as 1984. Originally printed by McDonnell and the USAF, this F-101 Voodoo Flight Operating Manual was classified “Restricted”. It is now declassified and is here reprinted in book form. This affordable facsimile has been reformatted and color images appear in black and white. Care has been taken however to preserve the integrity of the text.< Less
The world’s first all-weather, supersonic jet interceptor, the F-102 Delta Dagger was built at the height of the Cold War. The initial mission of the “Deuce”, as the F-102 came to... More > be known, was to intercept and destroy incoming Soviet bombers. During the Vietnam conflict however, the F-102
found a new role as a fighter and as an escort for B-52 bombers. The F-102 debuted on Oct. 24, 1953 and deployed as part of Air Defense Command in 1956. In 1973, the USAF began converting F-102s into target drones. They flew in this configuration as late as 1986. Originally printed by Convair and the USAF, this F-102 Flight Operating Manual taught pilots everything
they needed to know before entering the cockpit. Classified “Restricted”, the manual was recently declassified and is here reprinted in book form.
This affordable facsimile has been reformatted and color images appear in black and white. Care has been taken however to preserve the integrity of the text.< Less
This is the story of the Naval Air Development Unit (NADU) that operated at Naval Air Station South Weymouth, Massachusetts between 1953 and 1961. NADU was a little-known regular Navy command that... More > provided flight testing support for secret military R&D projects associated with the MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Office of Naval Research, Naval Research Laboratory, Air Force Cambridge Research Center, MITRE Corporation, and similar organizations. Perhaps the most important project that NADU was involved with was the pioneering computerized Semi-Automatic Ground Environment or "SAGE" air defense system. Though largely forgotten today, NADU had one of the most diverse fleets of aircraft in the Navy. NADU operated jet fighters, radar picket aircraft, anti-submarine aircraft, transports, and blimps. This 571 page book is a comprehensive illustrated history of NADU, telling its complete story for the first time ever using detailed narrative, 405 illustrations, and personal remembrances from NADU veterans.< Less
This is the story of the Naval Air Development Unit (NADU) that operated at Naval Air Station South Weymouth, Massachusetts between 1953 and 1961. NADU was a little-known regular Navy command that... More > provided flight testing support for secret military R&D projects associated with the MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Office of Naval Research, Naval Research Laboratory, Air Force Cambridge Research Center, MITRE Corporation, and similar organizations. Perhaps the most important project that NADU was involved with was the pioneering computerized Semi-Automatic Ground Environment or "SAGE" air defense system. Though largely forgotten today, NADU had one of the most diverse fleets of aircraft in the Navy. NADU operated jet fighters, radar picket aircraft, anti-submarine aircraft, transports, and blimps. This 571 page book is a comprehensive illustrated history of NADU, telling its complete story for the first time ever using detailed narrative, 405 illustrations, and personal remembrances from NADU veterans.< Less
The height of the F-86D era was a high point in Air Force colors and markings. The squadrons complemented the polished aluminum airframe with large areas of color, often times covering the entire... More > vertical tail. In addition to squadron, group, or wing markings, many Sabre Dogs also had personal names and nose art appied, drawing from popular cartoon figures and celebritites, as well as wives and girlfriends. The design of the F-86D lent itself well to the application of sharkmouth designs, and many units carried those in all shapes and sizes. This first book in the ADC Interceptor Series documents these colors and markings, for both USAF and foreign operators. With over 200 profile illustrations and dozens of color photographs, this is the most thorough reference on the colors and markings of the F-86D/L available.< Less
The air campaign mounted against North Vietnam between 1965 and 1972 was the first time that an integrated air defense system based around radar-controlled guns and surface-to-air missiles had been... More > encountered. Proponents of surface-to-air missiles had claimed that their lethality would drive manned aircraft from the battlefield.
The U.S. Air Force was hard-pressed to neutralize North Vietnam's radar-controlled defenses, but did prevail and successfully delivered punishing blows during Operation Linebacker II in December 1972.
Electronic countermeasures support for the air war against North Vietnam included stand-off jamming, Wild Weasel operations, the use of self-protection pods, and the employment of chaff. Using all these techniques, Linebacker II saw the B-52s of Strategic Air Command facing the most effective air defense system the Soviet Union could provide. The B-52s won; the much-heralded surface-to-air missiles were scoring a lower kill rate than German defenses in World War Two< Less
The air campaign mounted against North Vietnam was the first time that an integrated air defense system based around radar-controlled guns and surface-to-air missiles had been encountered. ... More > Proponents of surface–to-air missiles had claimed that their lethality would drive manned aircraft from the battlefield. At first, the U.S. Air Force was hard-pressed to neutralize North Vietnam's radar-controlled defenses, but did prevail. Electronic countermeasures support for the air war against North Vietnam included stand-off jamming, Wild Weasel operations, the use of self protection pods, and the employment of chaff. Using all these techniques, Linebacker II saw the B-52s of Strategic Air Command facing the most effective air defense system the Soviet Union could provide. The B-52s won; the much-heralded surface-to-air missiles were scoring a lower kill rate than German defenses in World War Two. This campaign laid the foundations for the technology used by the USAF to neutralize enemy defenses ever since.< Less
