Editing Ent Air Force Base (section)

==Air Force Base==

===Air Defense Command===
{{Main|Aerospace Defense Command}}
On 1 January 1951, the Air Defense Command was reestablished at [[Mitchel Air Force Base]], under the command of Commanding General [[Ennis Whitehead]], later lieutenant general.{{r|Commanders}}<ref name="Whitehead bio">{{cite web | url=https://www.af.mil/AboutUs/Biographies/Display/tabid/225/Article/108661/lieutenant-general-ennis-c-whitehead.aspx | title=Lieutenant General Ennis C. Whitehead | publisher=United States Air Force | access-date=11 February 2015}}</ref>{{efn|The Air Force biography for Whitehead states that his command started 8 January 1951.{{r|Whitehead bio}}}} One week later the command was moved to Colorado Springs.<ref name=Lineage>{{cite web | url=http://www.f-106deltadart.com/adc.htm | title=Air Defense of the Continental United States: Lineage | work=F-106 Delta Dart – Air Defense Command | access-date=11 February 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208110713/http://f-106deltadart.com/adc.htm | archive-date=8 February 2015 | url-status=dead }}</ref> The Ent Air Force Base, named for Major General Uzal Girard Ent, opened on 8 January 1951.{{r|Ent AF bio}} The Air Defense Command (ADC) inherited 21 fighter squadrons from [[Continental Air Command]] (CONAD) and 37 [[Air National Guard]] (ANG) fighter squadrons assigned an [[M-Day (military designation)|M-Day]] air defense mission. It was also assigned four Air Divisions (Defense).<ref name="NORAD History">{{Source-attribution|sentence=yes|{{cite web |url=http://www.norad.mil/Portals/29/Documents/History/A%20Brief%20History%20of%20NORAD.pdf |title=A Brief History of NORAD |publisher=Office of History, North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) |date=31 December 2012 |access-date=11 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150420161330/http://www.norad.mil/Portals/29/Documents/History/A%20Brief%20History%20of%20NORAD.pdf |archive-date=20 April 2015}}}}</ref>{{rp|13}}  General [[Benjamin W. Chidlaw]] was the base commander beginning 29 July 1951{{r|Permanent installation}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/107504/general-benjamin-wiley-chidlaw/ | title=General Benjamin Wiley Chidlaw | publisher=United States Air Force | access-date=11 February 2015}}</ref> and commander of the Air Defense Command from 25 August 1951 and until 31 May 1955.{{r|Commanders}}

The Senate appropriated an additional $3 million for expansion of the base in September 1951.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://more.ppld.org:8080/specialCollections/Index/ArticleOrders/192478.pdf | title=Ent expansion set at $3,023,000; bill provides $561,700 for Camp  |date=8 September 1951 | work=The Gazette| location=Colorado Springs, Colorado | page=1:3 | access-date=11 February 2015 }}</ref> The [[Peterson Air Force Base]], which became inactive in 1949 when the 15th Air Force was moved to the March Air Force Base, was activated when the Ent Air Force Base opened. At the same time, the 4600th Air Base Group was activated to provide support for Ent.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/facility/peterson.htm | title=Peterson Air Force Base | publisher=Global Security | access-date=11 February 2015 }}</ref> The funding was part of a military expansion initiative for the Ent Air Force Base, Fort Carson, and Peterson Air Force Base, all in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Much of the construction at Ent was for additional residential facilities.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://more.ppld.org:8080/specialCollections/Index/ArticleOrders/191961.pdf | title=First step started in military building program in region  |date=16 December 1951 | work=The Gazette| location=Colorado Springs, Colorado | page=1:7 | access-date=11 February 2015 }}</ref> The Air Defense Command began 24-hour Ground Observer Corps operations on 14 July 1952.{{r|Lineage}} Starting September 1953, the base was the headquarters for the [[United States Army air defense|Army Anti-Aircraft Command]].{{r|Permanent installation}}

Information about potential hostile aircraft from radar sites around the country was forwarded to a regional clearinghouse, like [[Otis Air National Guard Base]], and then to ADC headquarters at Ent Air Force Base.{{r|Searching}} It was then plotted on the world's largest Plexiglas board. Enemy bombers progress was tracked on the board using grease pencils. If there was a potential threat, interceptor aircraft were scrambled to the target. Because this process was cumbersome, it made a rapid response unattainable.<ref name=Searching>{{cite web | url=http://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a331231.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029191330/http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a331231.pdf | url-status=live | archive-date=29 October 2013 | title=Searching the Skies: The Legacy of the United States Cold War Radar Defense Program | publisher=Air Combat Command, United States Air Force | date=June 1997 | pages=29–32 | access-date=12 February 2015 }}</ref> An automated command and control system, [[Semi-Automatic Ground Environment]] (SAGE), based upon the Whirlwind II ([[AN/FSQ-7 Combat Direction Central|AN/FSQ-7]]) computer was implemented to process ground radar and other sources for an immediate view of potential threats in the 1950s.{{r|Searching}} There was an operational plan for a SAGE implementation for Ent by 7 March 1955.<ref>{{cite book|author=Redmond|title=From Whirlwind to MITRE: The R&D Story of the SAGE Air Defense Computer|date=10 October 2000 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dxZVbxcf_IoC&pg=PA503|publisher=MIT Press|isbn=978-0-262-26426-6|page=503}}</ref>

A modern {{convert|15000|sqft|sqm}} concrete block Combat Operations Center (COC) became operational at the base on 15 May 1954.{{r|NORAD History}}{{rp|15}}{{r|Schaffel}}{{rp|261}}{{efn|Although the new facility was much improved over the previous center, General Partridge was not satisfied that it would survive a nuclear bomb.{{r|Schaffel}}{{rp|261}}}} 1 September of that year, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) was activated as a joint command at Ent AFB:{{r|NORAD History}}{{rp|15}}
* Air Defense Command was the United States Air Force component command
* [[Army Antiaircraft Command]] was the Army component
* Naval Forces CONAD was the Navy component (NAVFORCONAD), established at Ent. CONAD forces were committed to the [[Contiguous Radar Coverage System]] and of augmentation forces for all services made available during emergency periods.

The Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce purchased 8.1 acres of land and donated it to the Ent Air Force Base, making it a permanent installation on 31 July 1954. In September of that year, the base became the headquarters of Continental Air Defense Command. More than $19 million was targeted in 1955 for further military expansion in the area, including the Fort Carson, the Ent Air Force Base, and the development of the [[United States Air Force Academy|Air Force Academy]].<ref name="Permanent installation">{{cite news | url=http://more.ppld.org:8080/SpecialCollections/Index/ArticleOrders/244238.pdf |title=Ent becomes a permanent installation|date=2 January 1955 | work=The Gazette| location=Colorado Springs, Colorado | page=B 3:3 | access-date=11 February 2015 }}</ref>

On 15 January 1956, General [[Earle E. Partridge]], CINCONAD, directed his staff to begin preliminary planning for a Combat Operations Center to be located underground. Partridge believed his present above ground center, located on Ent Air Force Base was too small to manage the growing air defense system and was highly vulnerable to sabotage or attack.{{r|NORAD History}}{{rp|15}} Partridge was made commander in 1955, was the driving force behind the creation of the [[Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.norad.mil/Images.aspx?igphoto=2000017965 | title=Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station (photo of Kay Partridge and caption) | publisher=North American Aerospace Defense Command | access-date=11 February 2015 }}</ref> He requested an underground facility in December 1956.{{r|Schaffel}}{{rp|261}}

Continental Air Command (CONAD) and the Air Defense Command (ADC) formally separated in 1956. Partridge was relieved of his command of CONAD and Lt. General [[Joseph H. Atkinson]] assumed control of ADC.{{r|Schaffel}}{{rp|283}}

The ''Interceptor'' magazine was produced by the Air Defense Command at the Ent Air Force Base by 1959<ref>{{cite web | url=http://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/011455805 | title=Interceptor (1959) | publisher=Hathi Trust | access-date=12 February 2015 }}</ref> and then the Aerospace Defense Command into the mid-1970s.<ref>{{cite book | url=http://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/010070121 | title=Interceptor (1968-1974) | publisher=Hathi Trust | access-date=12 February 2015 }}</ref>

===NORAD===
[[File:1958 Ent AFB - NORAD HQ.png|thumb|Ent Air Force Base, 1958]]
{{Main|North American Aerospace Defense Command}}
The North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) was established and activated at the base on 12 September 1957. This command is an international organization, taking operational control of [[1 Canadian Air Division|Canadian Air Defense Command]] air defense units and United States Air Defense Command air defense units. The first NORAD Agreement was drafted. Partridge was Commander-in-Chief, CONAD also became commander of NORAD.{{r|NORAD History}}{{rp|4,16}} [[Royal Canadian Air Force]] Air Marshal [[Roy Slemon]] became deputy commander, NORAD.{{r|NORAD History}}{{rp|4}} The official agreement between the two countries was signed 12 May 1958.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.norad.mil/Newsroom/tabid/3170/Article/1356/norad-celebrates-50th-anniversary.aspx | title=NORAD celebrates 50th anniversary | author=NORAD and USNORTHCOM Public Affairs | publisher=North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) | date=21 March 2008 | access-date=11 February 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212062344/http://www.norad.mil/Newsroom/tabid/3170/Article/1356/norad-celebrates-50th-anniversary.aspx | archive-date=12 February 2015 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 1958, the base put $36,904,558 into the Colorado Springs economy in the form of pay to 3,639 military and 1,222 civilian personnel and dependents allowances, which was more than $7 million more than the previous year. These numbers exclude individuals that work for 15 U.S. industries—such as [[Boeing]] and [[Lockheed Corporation|Lockheed Aircraft]]—on Ent.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://more.ppld.org:8080/SpecialCollections/Index/ArticleOrders/192031.pdf|title=Adds $36 million in '58 to region's economy |date=19 February 1959 | work=The Gazette| location=Colorado Springs, Colorado | page=1:6 | access-date=11 February 2015 }}</ref> Due to improvements in radar technology, the Ground Observer Corps was inactivated on 31 July 1959.{{r|Lineage}}

The NORAD commander issued instructions on 21 April 1961, concerning the 425L command and control computer system operational philosophy, including use by NORAD and component personnel, NORAD entry to sufficiently enable him to evaluate indications presented, the requirements for human judgment in determining the
validity of individual system indications, and identification of data as to source system.{{r|NORAD History}}{{rp|18}}

===Cheyenne Mountain transition===
{{Main|Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station}}
Excavation began for NORAD Command Operations Center (COC) in Cheyenne Mountain on 18 May 1961. The official ground breaking ceremony was held 16 June 1961 at the construction site of the new NORAD Combat Operations Center. Generals Lee (ADC) and [[Laurence S. Kuter]] (NORAD) simultaneously set off symbolic dynamite charges. Estimated cost of the combat operations center construction and equipment was $66 million.{{r|NORAD History}}{{rp|18}}{{efn|The Headquarters NORAD Locations were: Ent Air Force Base, CO September 1957 – March 1963; Chidlaw Building, Colorado Springs, CO March 1963 – January 1988; Building 1470, Peterson Air Force Base, CO January 1988 – March 2003; Building 2, Peterson Air Force Base, CO March 2003 – October 2012; Eberhart-Findley Building, Peterson Air Force Base, CO (ex-Building 2) Beginning October 2012.{{r|NORAD History}}{{rp|36}}}}

===Ent Annex===

The [[9th Space Division|9th Aerospace Defense Division]] was activated at Ent Air Force Base on 15 July 1961. It was the
first large military space organization in the western world. The first Aerospace Surveillance and Control Squadron were assigned to the 9 ADD.{{r|NORAD History}}{{rp|18}}

The Air Defense Command's SPACETRACK Center and NORAD's [[Space Detection and Tracking System]] (SPADATS) Center merged to form the [[Space Defense Center]]. It was moved from Ent AFB to the newly completed Cheyenne Mountain Combat Operations Center and was activated on 3 September 1965.{{r|NORAD History}}{{rp|20}}

A Major General was assigned as the first Director of the Combat Operations Center as recommended by the Cheyenne Mountain Complex Task Force Study Report on 1 October 1965. This established a separate Battle Staff organization. The Director was responsible directly to CINCNORAD for tactical matters and the Joint Chiefs of
Staff for all others.{{r|NORAD History}}{{rp|20}} CINCNORAD transferred Combat Operations Center operations from Ent Air Force Base to Cheyenne Mountain and declared the 425L command and control system fully operational 20 April 1966. On 20 May 1966, the NORAD Attack Warning System became operational.{{r|NORAD History}}{{rp|20}} The Space Defense Center and the Combat Operations Center achieved Full Operational Capability on 6 February 1967. The total cost was $142.4 million.{{r|NORAD History}}{{rp|20}}

The Fourteenth Aerospace Force was activated on 1 Jul 1968, at Ent AFB, [[Colorado]]. It inherited the staff and mission of the 9th Aerospace Defense Division, which was discontinued. The First Aerospace Control Squadron was then reassigned to the 14th Aerospace Force.{{r|NORAD History}}{{rp|20}}

The Air Defense Command was re-designated as the Aerospace Defense Command on 15 January 1968. The Continental Air Defense Command and Aerospace Defense Command headquarters began consolidation and streamlining on 1 July 1973.{{r|Lineage}}{{efn|In 1972 a proposal was made for appropriation for the construction of a 9-hole golf course and snack bar on Ent Air Force Base, which was on Peterson Field (now Peterson Air Force Base).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.whs.mil/library/Legislative%20History/93-194_V2_730529_02.htm | title=Military Construction Appropriations, House of Representatives 93rd Congress, First Session, Subcommittee on Military Construction Appropriations | year=1974 | access-date=12 February 2015 }}</ref> The Silver Spruce Golf Course on the Peterson Air Force Base (east of the Ent Air Force Base) was built in 1973.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.petersonafbgolf.com/ | title=Home | publisher=Silver Spruce Golf Course, Peterson Air Force Base | access-date=13 February 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.petersonafbgolf.com/contact-us/directions/ | title=Directions | publisher=Silver Spruce Golf Course, Peterson Air Force Base | access-date=13 February 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213004749/http://www.petersonafbgolf.com/contact-us/directions/ | archive-date=13 February 2015 | url-status=dead }}</ref>}}

The [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]] announced plans for cutbacks in air defense forces showing increasing emphasis on [[ballistic missile]] attack warning and decreasing emphasis on bomber defense on 4 February 1974. The Continental Air Defense Command de-established on 30 June 1974.{{r|Lineage}}