About this Unit
The 646th Aircraft Control and Warning (AC&W) Squadron was activated by the United States Air Force during the early years of the Cold War, first organized in 1950. Stationed at Highlands Air Force Station, New Jersey, the squadron was tasked with providing radar surveillance and airspace control as part of the Air Defense Command’s network along the eastern seaboard. The 646th played a critical role in monitoring for potential Soviet bomber incursions and ensuring the integrity of U.S. airspace during a period of heightened geopolitical tension. The unit was inactivated in 1966 as technological advancements and changes in air defense strategy led to the consolidation of radar sites across the country.
Historical Facts
• Origins in the Cold War: The 646th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron (later renamed 646th Air Defense Squadron or ACD) was activated during the height of the Cold War, tasked with providing air defense radar coverage for the United States.
• Strategic Location: The 646th Squadron was stationed at Highlands Air Force Station, New Jersey, a key site for monitoring the approaches to major East Coast cities like New York and Philadelphia.
• Role in SAGE: The unit played an integral part in the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) air defense network, which was a groundbreaking computer system for detecting and intercepting enemy bombers.
• Operation of Advanced Radars: The squadron operated several radar systems, including the AN/FPS-20 search radar and AN/FPS-6 height-finder radars, allowing for precise tracking of airborne threats.
• Cuban Missile Crisis: During the tense days of the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, the 646th Squadron was on high alert, playing a crucial role in monitoring potential hostile aircraft approaching the U.S. from the Atlantic.
• Integration with NORAD: The squadron's operations were closely integrated with NORAD, feeding vital real-time data to command centers responsible for continental air defense.
• Participation in Exercises: The 646th frequently took part in large-scale air defense exercises such as "Sky Shield," testing the U.S. response to simulated Soviet bomber attacks.
• Community Ties: Personnel from the 646th Squadron were active in local communities, participating in outreach programs and local events around Highlands, NJ.
• Deactivation and Legacy: The squadron was inactivated in 1974 as part of a nationwide reduction in air defense units due to changes in military strategy and technology, but its legacy remains in the technological advancements it contributed to air defense.
• Unusual Nickname: Locally, the 646th was sometimes referred to as the "Highlands Watchmen" due to their vigilant role in guarding the skies from their high-elevation radar site overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
