X-Nico

10 unusual facts about Tactical Air Command


113th Air Support Operations Squadron

In the air defense role, the squadron operated under Air Defense, Tactical Air Command (ADTAC), a named unit that operated at the numbered air force level of TAC.

113th Wing

With the F-4, the 113th returned to the air defense mission, becoming part of Air Defense, Tactical Air Command (ADTAC), a named unit at the Numbered Air Force echelon of TAC.

122d Fighter Wing

The Air National Guard was assigned a new priority, taking over the Air Defense Mission of Air Defense, Tactical Air Command (ADTAC), which had replaced Aerospace Defense Command in 1979.

134th Fighter Squadron

With the disestablishment of Aerospace Defense Command in 1979, the 158th was subsequently transferred to Tactical Air Command (TAC) as a gaining command under Air Defense, Tactical Air Command (ADTAC), which assumed the mission of the former ADC.

147th Reconnaissance Wing

In October 1979, in as part of the inactivation of Aerospace Defense Command, the USAF gained command responsibilities which shifted to Tactical Air Command (TAC) and a sub-organization equivalent to a numbered air force designated as Air Defense, Tactical Air Command (ADTAC).

157th Fighter Squadron

With the equipment change to the F-16, the 169th was assigned to the air defense mission again under Air Defense, Tactical Air Command (ADTAC), which was established when TAC assumed the Aerospace Defense Command mission in 1979.

160th Fighter Squadron

The Phantoms were primarily used for Air Defense as part of the Air Defense, Tactical Air Command (ADTAC) division of TAC.

Ground Equipment Facility J-33

After transfer to Air Defense, Tactical Air Command (ADTAC) on October 1, 1979, the 666th Radar Squadron was inactivated on September 30, 1980 (the SLBM radar deactivated c. 1980).

Norman Marous

After 14 years in aircraft maintenance he was assigned as Maintenance Training Manager, 112th Tactical Fighter Group (Tactical Air Command), and subsequently as Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of Base Education and Training, Pittsburgh Air Reserve Station.

Sankamphaeng Range

During the Vietnam War there was a US military Air Defense Radar Station of the 621 TCS Tactical Control Squadron, at the top of Khao Rom, also known as Khao Khiao, the highest summit of the range.


4477th Test and Evaluation Squadron

The 4477th Test and Evaluation Squadron (4477 TES) was a squadron in the United States Air Force under the claimancy of the Tactical Air Command (TAC).

71st Special Operations Squadron

From June to December 1968, the squadron continued airlift support of Tactical Air Command and Air Force Logistics Command, while training in operations of AC-119G gunships.

80th Troop Carrier Squadron

Postwar the squadron was activated in the Air Force Reserve in 1947, first at Godman AFB, then at Standiford Field, Louisville, Kentucky, operating C-46 Commandos for Tactical Air Command Eighteenth Air Force; activated during the Korean War in 1951, its aircraft and personnel being used as fillers for active duty units, then inactivated.

81st Troop Carrier Squadron

Postwar the squadron was activated in the air force reserve in 1947, first at Godman AFB, then at Standiford Field, Louisville, Kentucky, operating C-46 Commandos for Tactical Air Command Eighteenth Air Force; activated during the Korean War in 1951, its aircraft and personnel being used as fillers for active duty units, then inactivated.

82d Troop Carrier Squadron

Postwar the squadron was activated in the air force reserve in 1947, first at Lockbourne AFB, Ohio, then Godman AFB, finally at Standiford Field, Louisville, Kentucky, operating C-46 Commandos for Tactical Air Command Eighteenth Air Force; activated during the Korean War in 1951, its aircraft and personnel being used as fillers for active duty units, then inactivated.

Red Flag exercise

The concept of Colonel Richard "Moody" Suter became the driving force in Red Flag's implementation, persuading the then-Tactical Air Command commander, General Robert J. Dixon, to adopt the program.

Richard H. Ellis

He was recalled to active duty in October 1950 and assigned first to Headquarters Tactical Air Command, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia; then as deputy for operations, 49th Air Division, Sculthorpe, England; and later as chief, Air Plans and Operations Section, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe.

Robert G. Emmens

In June 1955 Colonel Emmens was assigned to supervise the construction efforts at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, South Carolina, assuming the role of Liaison Officer with both Ninth Air Force and HQ, Tactical Air Command.

United States Air Force Western Regional Operations Building

;Air Defense, Tactical Air Command: On 21 September 1979, the ADTAC headquarters of MGen Piotrowski was established at the Chidlaw Building.

Youngstown-Warren Air Reserve Station

The group later trained as a forward air control/tactical air support group from 1970–1971, as an air support special operations group from 1971–1973, and as a fighter group from 1973–1981, during which time it operated the A-37 Dragonfly and U-3 Blue Canoe and was operationally gained by the Tactical Air Command (TAC).