The 54th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron

During the height of the Cold War, the United States started to develop and expand its air defense capabilities to knock down Russian Air Force nuclear—armed bombers flying over the North Pole, across Canada, and into the northern United States to attack US military targets and major cities. The Air Defense Command created air command centers, radar stations, ground observer corps, and fighter—interceptor squadrons. The 54th Fighter—Interceptor Squadron (54th FIS), based at Ellsworth AFB, S...