17th Defense Systems Evaluation Squadron
| 17th Defense System Evaluation System | |
|---|---|
 Squadron Patch | |
| Active | 1 July 1974 - 13 July 1979 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Air Defense Command |
| Part of | 24th Air Division |
| Garrison/HQ | Malmstrom Air Force Base |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Col Thomas W. Liner, 28 June 1974 Maj Gen Louis G. Leiser, 30 July 1974 Col David B. Ballou, 29 March 1977 (interim) Maj Gen Don D. Pittman, 29 April 1977 Maj Gen Walter H. Baxter III, 29 September 1978 |
The 17th Defense Systems Evaluation Squadron (DSES), equipped with EB-57 Canberras, was activate from 1974 to 1979, to train NORAD air defense personnel in electronic countermeasures at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Great Falls, Montana. The 17th DSES used the EB-57 and its electronics to simulate enemy aircraft so flight and ground technicians can evaluate the effectiveness of air defense aircraft and their equipment to find and attack the EB-57s. Since there was no USAF wings with this type of mission, an air division was chosen to administrate is function. Another unit for this function was formed, the 4677th Defense Systems Evaluation Squadron was formed at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.
History
The 17th DSES was assigned a group of 24 EB-57 Canberra jet bombers. These specially equipped B-57s were assigned to the 24th Air Division and it participated in numerous training exercises such as Feudal Indian, Vigilant Overview, and Feudal Keynote. The 24th was first assigned to Air Defense Command then assigned to Tactical Air Command.
The Squadron performed jamming against ground radar sites and fighter interceptor radars. USAF had test aircraft for the unit to train against. The unit worked in conjunction with the Semi Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) System. The SAGE building was built for $6 million on Malmstrom base where the world's first USAF digital computer for the SAGE System.[1]
See also
References
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency