623d Air Control Squadron

623D Air Control Squadron
Active 1943-1973; 1979-1980; 1983-Present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
Type Command and Control
Part of Pacific Air Forces
5th Air Force
18th Wing
18th Operations Group
Garrison/HQ Kadena Air Base
Nickname(s)

"OKINAWA CONTROL"

  • 02 Jul 1946-07 Jul 1956

"WAYSIDE"[1]

  • 31 Jul 1956-08 Jul 1973

"LIGHTSWORD"

  • 01 April 1983-Present
Motto(s) SEMPER VIGILANTES
Mascot Battling Yagi
Commanders
Current
commander

Lt Col Daniel V. "Lucky" Biehl

  • 23 Jun 14-Present[2]
Insignia
623D Air Control Flight emblem (newly rendered 20 Dec 2007)[3]
623rd Air Control Squadron emblem (Approved 1 Apr 1992)
623rd Tactical Control Squadron emblem (Approved 1 Apr 1983)
623rd Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron emblem (Approved on 2 Dec 1963)
623rd Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron emblem, when part of the Far East Air Force (1948)

The 623d Air Control Squadron (623 ACS) is an operational unit of the United States Air Force assigned to the 18th Wing. The 623d is based out of Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan. The 623d is tasked to provide Command & Control within a sector of the Japanese Air Defense System. The 623d conducts operations out of Japanese Air Self Defense Force facilities located at Naha Air Base, Kasuga Air Base and Iruma Air Base. The 623d operates the Southwest Sector Interface Control Cell, conducting joint and combined tactical datalink operations.

Mission

Primary mission is to provide rapidly deployable Tactical Control Operations Teams (TCOT) in order to coordinate and direct US air and air defense artillery (ADA) employment within a sector of the Japan Air Defense Ground Environment (JADGE) system.[4] When activated as a TCOT the unit is directly subordinate to 613th Air Operations Center Chief of Combat Operations.

History

Headquarters 305th FCS, Camp Bishigawa, Okinawa 1945
Radar and Comm Vans line the top Yontan, looking north, Okinawa 1945
Yontan Radar "Walter Control", Camp Bishigawa, Okinawa 1946
Troop Formation, Kume Air Station 1950s
Emblem of the 529th AC&W Gp 1951
Yaetake Squad area, with radar in the distance, Okinawa 1950
Radar and main camp tents, Okino Erabu Air Station 1953
Messhall & Operations Radars, Kume Air Station 1952
Naha ADCC at Naha AB, "The Blockhouse", 623rd AC&W Sq, 1960s
Miyako AS Radomes, Det 1 623rd AC&W Sq, 1957
Kume AS Radomes atop Habu Hill, Det 2 623rd AC&W Sq, 1960s
Yozadake AS Radomes, Det 3 623rd AC&W Sq, 1964
Det 3 "Okinawa Alps" goat mascot, Yozadake AS 1964
Okino Erabu AS Radomes, Det 4 623rd AC&W Sq, 1960s
Miyako AS, "Scope Dopes", 1968
Yaetake AS Radome, Okinawa 1966
623rd AC&W Sq Unit emblem, 1969
Sign displayed by Det 2 Kume AS, known as "Habu Hill"
TCS & JASDF airmen participate in a social event, 1983
623rd TCS Members take the Top Control Team Trophy, William Tell 1986
81st TCF, Kadena AB, Japan, erect an AN-TPS-43E radar

World War II

The 623d Air Control Flight, callsign “Lightsword,” traces its origins to the 305th Fighter Control Squadron (FCS), United States Army Air Forces. The 305th FCS was originally organized on 31 March 1943, then activated 1 April 1943 at Bradley Field, Connecticut. While at Bradley Field, the 305th FCS served as the operational training unit for First Air Force's I Fighter Command. The 305th FCS provided fighter control training for single-engine P-47 Thunderbolt fighter groups, which obtained their new aircraft from the Republic Aviation production plant on Long Island prior to their deployment to overseas combat theaters. The 305th FCS then moved to Blackstone Army Airfield, Virginia, where it again served as an operational training unit, this time for Third Air Force's III Interceptor Command. The 305th FCS again provided fighter control training for newly arriving P-47 Thunderbolts and P-51 Mustangs as they became available. After a short stint at Blackstone AAF, the 305th FCS moved to Galveston Army Airfield, Texas on 20 December 1943. This time the 305th FCS controllers were training the 2nd Air Force pilots on how to work with fighter control.[5] After being moved to Fort Lawton, Washington, on 3 May 1944, the 305th FCS began preparations for embarkation to the Pacific Theater. The 305th FCS departed Fort Lawton and spent the next month in transit to the Territory of Hawaii (T.H.). The 305th FCS newly assigned to Seventh Air Force, was moved around through various subcommands as units were pressed into service within the Pacific Theater. Upon arrival in the T.H., the 305th FCS first located to Stanley Army Air Field, then Bellows Field and finally Fort Shafter, T.H., with Detachment 1 remaining at Bellows Field attached to 318th Fighter Group. Detachment 1, 305th FCS came to Japan as part of the Tactical Air Force, Tenth Army Ryuku Islands invasion force. This force served as the joint USAAF and US Marine Corps airpower arm for Tenth Army during Operation ICEBERG[6] By the end of April 1945, Detachment 1 305th FCS had moved to Ie Shima to provide fighter control for the three runways and various fighter units located on the island. After the initial invasion of Okinawa, the Headquarters 305th FCS moved from Fort Shafter, T.H., to Kadena AB, Okinawa in early September 1945 and was eventually headquartered at Camp Bishigawa, Okinawa by the end of September 1945. The 305th FCS established the Okinawa Air Control Center at Camp Bishigawa, Callsign "Okinawa Control" with a radar station at Yontan Mountain Radar, callsign "Walter Control". The 305th FCS provided invasion force protection and fighter/bomber control until the formal surrender of Japan on 02 Sept 1945. Detachment 1 305th FCS was discontinued and relocated to Camp Bishigawa, when Ie Shima was closed before the end of 1945.

Post War

Following the surrender of Japan on 01 Jan 1946 the 305th FCS was reassigned to 301st Fighter Wing, Eighth Air Force and remained at Camp Bishigawa, Okinawa. Detachment 1, 305th FCS was reformed to operate a forward early warning site at Hedo-misaki designated as Point Tare, callsign "Moonshine Radar". Re-designated the 623rd Aircraft Control and Warning (AC&W) Squadron on 2 July 1946, the squadron assumed air direction and control duties of the entire Ryuku Island chain. In October 1946 the 623rd AC&WS added Detachment 2, a Direction Finding (DF) Station on Aguni Shima. The DF station remained operational for only a short time, and was closed in June 1947. As the United States Army Air Force transitioned to become the United States Air Force on 18 September 1947, so did the 623rd AC&W, with no change in its mission. By the end of May 1948, the 623rd AC&WS had been assigned to the newly formed 529th Aircraft Control & Warning Group. On 18 August 1948 the 529th AC&W Gp, with the 623rd AC&WS and the newly created 624th AC&WS was absorbed by the 51st Fighter Wing, when the 301st Fighter Wing was inactivated. Yontan Radar was designated as a Tactical Control Center during August 1948, and luckily so, on 3–4 October 1948, Okinawa was pounded by Typhoon Libby. Typhoon Libby severely damaged Detachment 1 623rd AC&WS, Point Tare, so much so that the early warning site was never re-opened. Detachment 1, 623rd AC&W Sq was discontinued and the men and equipment were relocated to Camp Bishigawa. The same typhoon badly damaged the Okinawan Air Control Center at Camp Bishigawa and Yontan Radar remained inoperative for the remainder of October 1948. Due to this damage, the 623rd AC&W Sq initiated planning for a new Air Defense Control Center at Kadena Air Base, a second Tactical Control Center and two new early warning sites. The Yontan Tactical Control Center functioned as the Air Defense Control Center during this transition. On 1 April 1949, the 529th AC&W Gp was reassigned from the 51st Fighter Wing to Thirteenth Air Force, taking with it the 623rd and 624th AC&W Sqs. The reassignment was short lived, as 13th Air Force was returned to Clark AB, Philippines in May 1949. On 16 May 1949, the 529th AC&W Gp with the 623rd and 624th AC&W Sqs were reassigned to Twentieth Air Force, who assume the mission of the defense of the Ryukyu Islands and was reassigned to Kadena AB, Okinawa. The new Yaetake and Miyako Jima early warnings sites became operational on 15 Mar 1950 and were assigned to the 624th AC&W Sq, who reported to the 623rd AC&W Sq Air Defense Control Center at Yontan Mountain. The new Okinawa Air Defense Control Center at Stillwell Park, Kadena AB opened in June 1950, and was manned by the 623rd AC&W Sq. The 623rd AC&W Sq's Yontan Mountain site reverted to a Tactical Control Center.

Korean War

On 27 June 1950, the United Nations Security Council voted to assist the South Koreans in resisting the invasion of their nation by North Korea. At that time, the 22 B-29s of the 19th Bombardment Group stationed at Andersen Field on Guam were the only aircraft capable of hitting the Korean peninsula, and this unit was ordered to move to Kadena Air Base on Okinawa and begin attacks on North Korea. These raids began on 28 June 1950. In August 1950, the 307th Bombardment Group deployed from MacDill AFB to Kadena AB, Okinawa. The 623rd AC&W Sq supported these bomber operations as they operated from Okinawa, en route to the Korean peninsula. By April 1951, there had been two additional early warning sites added to the 624th AC&W Sq, in order to better support defensive operations of the Ryuku Islands and bomber operations flowing northward against North Korea. The new EW sites became operational at Kume Shima and Okino-Erabu Jima, Japan, and were operated by 624th AC&W Sq. These new EW sights also reported to the 623rd AC&W Sq, Stilwell Park ADCC at Kadena AB. On 26 August 1951, the 851st AC&W Sq was activated and assumed operational responsibility for the Air Defense control Center from the 623rd AC&W Sq. In September 1951, the 623rd AC&W Sq delegated operation of the Yontan Radar to it newly created Detachment 1. The 623rd AC&W Sq assumed responsibility from the 624th AC&W Sq for operation of the Yaetake EW station, delegating it as Detachment 2. By the end of 1951, the 623rd AC&W Sq was awarded the Korean Service Streamer for its support to the 19th Bombardment Wing and the 307th Bombardment Group (Medium), both of which operated from Kadena AB and were participating in daily combat in Korea. The 529th AC&W Gp with the 851st AC&W Sq, completed a relocation from Camp Bishigawa to Naha AB on 01 Aug 1952. The fighting on the Korean peninsula ended on 27 July 1953, when an armistice was signed. While the 623rd no longer provided inbound routing for bombers to flow into the Korean Theater, it still kept a watchful eye to the north.

Cold War

Detachments of the 623rd Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron 1958-1973
623rd AC&W Sq ADCC
Air Defense Control Center - Naha, 623rd AC&W Sq 
623rd AC&w Sq Det 1
Detachment 1, 623rd AC&W Sq - Miyako Air Station 
623rd AC&W Sq Det 2
Detachment 2, 623rd AC&W Sq - Kume Air Station 
623rd AC&W Sq Det 3
Detachemnt 3, 623rd AC&W Sq - Yozadake Air Station 
623rd AC&W Sq Det 4
Detachemnt 4, 623rd AC&W Sq - Okino-Erabu Air Station 
623rd AC&W Sq Det 5
Detachemnt 5, 623rd AC&W Sq - Yaetake 

Following the end of the Korean War, Detachment 1, 20th AF was created and assumed operational control of the 529th AC&W Gp on 16 Aug 1954. On 01 Mar 1955, the 313th Air Division assumed command from Twentieth Air Force. During this change the Operations Division of the 313th Air Division assumed operational control of the air defense of the Ryukus Islands, and the operations of the ADCC from 20th AF Det 1, which was inactivated. The 529th AC&W Gp, was relieved of operational control of air defenses, and was inactivated on 15 Mar 1955. The personnel from the 851st AC&W Sq, which had operated the ADCC were assigned to the newly formed Detachment 1, 313th Air Division and the 851st was deactivated. The 623rd AC&W and 624th AC&W Sqs were reassigned directly to the 313th Air Division at this time. Shortly after 313th Air Division assumed responsibilities of air defense, the 623rd AC&W Sq added the new Air Defense Direction Center (ADCC) at Yoza Dake Air Station, which became operational 24 May 1956. The Yoza Dake ADDC assumed responsibility for all of the operations in the Southern Zone of the Ryuku Islands with the 623rd AC&W Sq's Yaetake sight becoming the ADCC of the 624th AC&W Sq, with the responsibility of directing Northern Zone operations. Following the activation the 623rd AC&W Sq new site at Yoza Dake, the Yontan GCI site was closed down. With the Yontan closure, the Yaetake station, absorb some of the men and responsibilities of the Yontan site. With the new north/south realignment, the AC&W Sq's Detachments were also reorganized on 31 Jul 1956. The 623rd AC&W Sq assumed operations of the 624th AC&W Sq Detachment 1, Miyako EW Station, and it became the new Detachment 1, 623rd AC&W Sq. The 624th AC&W Sq Detachment 2, Kume EW Station, became the new Detachment 2 of the 623rd AC&W Sq. On 13 Aug 1956 the 623rd AC&W Sq Headquarters officially relocated to Yoza Dake Air Station. The north/south alignment functioned for a year before the 313th Air Division Detachment 1 decided to reorganized the defensive structure to streamline operations. The separate Northern and Southern Sectors of Air Defense operations were eliminated and combined into one Air Defense Identification Zone for the entirety of the Ryukus Islands. This merger reduced the ADCC function at Yae Take to that of an Alternate ADCC, with the Yoza Dake ADCC becoming primary for the 313th Air Division. By 8 March 1958 the 624th AC&W Sq was deactivated and the 623rd AC&W Sq was wholly reorganized. The 623rd AC&W Sq Headquarters relocated from Yozadake Air Station to Naha Air Base. 623rd AC&W Sqs Detachments 1 and 2 remained unchanged, Yozadake was reorganized as Detachment 3, Okino-Erabu and Yae Take where assumed from the deactivation of 624th AC&W Sq and became 623rd AC&W Sq's Detachment 4 and 5 respectively. By 27 Mar 1958 the 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing, at Naha AB, once again assumed operational control of the Air Defense of the Ryukus Islands, this time from the 313th Air Division. The 51st FIW Combat Operations Division assumed control from the Operations Division of the 313th Air Division. In late 1958 Detachment 5, Yae Take was virtually discontinued, its radar dismantled, the station became a communications relay site. During August 1960 the Yae Take communications site was transferred to the 30th Air Defense Artillery Brigade and renamed site 18. The USAF maintains a communications site at the station. The 623rd AC&W deployed to South Korea during January 1968 in support of Operation Combat Fox, the United States response to the USS Pueblo Incident.[7]

Japanese Reversion

In 1969, Japan's Prime Minister Eisaku Sato and President Richard Nixon agreed to the reversion of the Ryuku Islands to Japanese control. The Okinawa Reversion Agreement document was signed simultaneously in Washington D.C. and Tokyo on June 17, 1971. After the announcement of this agreement, the 623rd AC&W Sq started planning for turning over the entire defensive structure (C2 structure/radar/facilities) of the Ryuku Islands to the JASDF. On May 15, 1972 the control of the Ryuku Islands was given back to Japanese control and the United States Civil Administration of the Ryuku Islands was abolished. This is when the real work of the 623rd AC&W Sq began. The first site was to be turned over on 31 Dec 1972. On this date Okino Erabu Air Station was turned over to the JASDF and 623rd AC&W Sq Detachment 4 was discontinued. Detachment 1 623rd AC&W Sq at Miyako Jima was discontinued with the JASDF assuming control of that Air Station and defense operations on 15 Feb 1973. The JASDF took over Yoza Dake Air Station operations from Detachment 3 623rd AC&W Sq on 01 Mar 1973, assuming responsibility for detection and identification of the entire Ryuku chain. Detachment 3 was discontinued on 31 Mar 1973. Detachment 2 623rd AC&W Sq Kume Air Station was discontinued on 15 May 1973. The final piece of the defense structure, the 623rd AC&W Sq's ADCC at Naha Air Base was transferred to the JASDF on 31 Jun 1973. Eight short days later, the 623rd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron was inactivated on 8 July 1973.

Reversion of 623rdAC&W Sq sites to JASDF Control
623rd AC&w Sq Naha ADCC
623rd AC&W Sq Naha ADCC Reversion Ceremony 
623rd AC&W Sq Detachment 1
623rd AC&W Sq, Det 1 Reversion Ceremony 15 Feb 1973 
623rd AC&W Sq Detachment 2
623rd AC&W Sq, Det 2, Reversion Ceremony 15 May 1973 
623rd AC&W Sq Detachment 3
623rd AC&W Sq, Det 3 Reversion Ceremony 31 March 1973 
center|border|150x130px|alt=623rd AC&W Sq Detachment 4|623rd AC&W Sq, Det 4 Reversion Ceremony 31 Dec 1972
623rd AC&W Sq, Det 4 Reversion Ceremony 31 Dec 1972 

Reactivation

The unit was reactivated in April 1983, as the 623rd Tactical Control Squadron, with the mission of providing an operationally ready Forward Air Control Post (81st Tactical Control Flight) for worldwide employment, Ground Control Intercept (GCI) support for local training requirements, and Theater Control Operations Team (TCOT) personnel for GCI support and USAF integration within the Japanese Air Defense System (JADS). The newly formed 623rd Tactical Control Squadron was reconstituted with a main unit and three subordinate and geographically separated operating locations; OLAA, OLAB and OLAC. The main unit, located at Kadena AB, was composed of the command section, operations, orderly room and the 81st Tactical Control Flight. The Kadena location was tasked to support three F-15 squadrons assigned to the 18TFW and maintain the overall squadron training and stan/eval programs. Additionally the subordinate 81st TCF was responsible for worldwide employment of a forward radar element. OLAA was established as an Air Defense Liaison Element (ADLE) located at Fuchu Air Station near Tokyo, Japan. This ADLE provided 24 hour US Liaison between US Forces Japan and JASDF. OLAB was also an ADLE, and it was located at Naha AB in southern Okinawa. The Naha ADLE was also tasked to provide 24 hour US Liaison service to the JASDF within the Southwest Defense Sector of Japan. Each of these ADLE was composed of six to nine Control Technicians, one Officer in Charge and one NCOIC. OLAC provided a weapons control element at Misawa AB, Japan. They were tasked to provide three GCI teams for two squadrons of F-16s assigned to the 432 TFW. The unique nature of the new 623rd TCS (minus 81 TCF) was that it owned no equipment of its own, all of the C2 systems and radars were provided by the JASDF. Many of the provided systems were the very same systems that the 623rd AC&W Sq had operated prior to reversion in 1973. The 623rd controllers made a “clean sweep” of the control awards during the 1982 William Tell Competition. The 623rd deployed to northern Japan in September 1983 to assist in controlling airspace for aircraft searching for bodies from Korean Airlines Flight 007, shot down by the Soviet Union. That garnered a letter for the unit from the South Korean minister of national defense for their outstanding humanitarian effort.[8] The 623rd controllers returned again to the 1984 William Tell Competition, taking the top control prize, the Lt Col William W. "Dad" Friend Trophy for top control team.[9] The William Tell dominance by the 623rd continued at the 1986 edition of the Air-to-Air meet. The 5th TACG team won the top control prize, the Lt Col William W. "Dad" Friend Trophy, marking a third trophy for the 623rd. The 623rd members provided 4 of 6 team members, led by team chief, Captain Neal Kumasaka 623rd TCS.[10] In February 1987, the 623rd TCS reorganized and the 81st TCF became a separate organization, the 81st ACS. The unit subsequently underwent another name change in April 1992 and became the 623d Air Control Squadron with two detachments, Det 1 at Fuchu Air Base, Japan, and Det 2 at Misawa Air Base, Japan. On 1 August 1994 the two detachments became separate flights under the USAF's objective wing reorganization. Consequently, the 623d Air Control Squadron at Kadena Air Base was re-designated the 623d Air Control Flight. On March 14, 2011 members of Lightsword deployed to Honshu, Japan to assist in the command and control of relief efforts for Operation Tomodachi, the disaster relief effort following the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.[11] Awards won by unit members include PACAF’s first-ever Command and Control Warrior of the Year award in 1996, PACAF Enlisted Weapons Director of the Year in 1997, PACAF Command and Control Battle Management Operator of the Year - Airmen Category 2012,[12] Headquarters' Air Force Command & Control NCO of the Year in 2013, PACAF's Command and Control Battle Management Officer of the Year 2013 and PACAF's C2 Crew of the Year 2014. The 623d has earned two service streamers: The WWII Asia-Pacific Theater and the Korean Theater. Decorations include eleven Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.

The 623d ACS is currently assigned to the 18th Operations Group, Kadena AB and supports bilateral air operations through weapons control, battlestaff, and liaison functions between the Japan Air Defense Command and the Commander, 5th Air Force. Based out of Kadena Air Base, the 623d remains ready to integrate USAF, joint, and bilateral combat aerospace operations and defend United States and Japanese mutual interests in the Pacific region. The 623d ACF maintains system expertise on an indigenous primary command and control system at Naha Air Base, Kasuga Air Base and Iruma Air Base. The TCOT may deploy to other sites in Japan to provide host nation liaison and command and control.

Lineage

305th Fighter Control Squadron (USAAF)[13]

623rd Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron

623rd Airborne Command and Control Flight

623rd Tactical Control Squadron

623rd Air Control Squadron

623d Air Control Flight

623d Air Control Squadron

Assignments

Operational Locations

  1. Ie Shima Det 1 - Sep 1945
  2. Yontan Mountain - 01 Jan 1946-24 May 1956
  3. Point Tare - May 1946-Oct 1948
  4. Aguni Shima - Oct 1946-Jun 1947
  1. Yontan Mountain (Camp Bishagawa) - 01 Jan 1946-24 May 1956
  2. Yaetake - 03 Sep 1951-31 Jul 1956
  3. Yozadake Air Station - 24 May 1956-31 Mar 1973
  1. Det 1 Miyako Air Station - Mar 1950-15 Feb 1973
  2. Det 2 Kume Air Station - Apr 1951-15 May 1973
  1. Det 1 Miyako Air Station - 1950-15 Feb 1973
  2. Det 2 Kume Air Station - Apr 1951-15 May 1973
  3. Det 3 Yozadake Air Station - 08 Mar 1958-31 Mar 1973
  4. Det 4 Okino Erabu Air Station - 08 Mar 1958-31 Dec 1972
  5. Det 5 Yaetake - 08 Mar 1958-01 Jun 1958
  1. OLAA Fuchu AB, Japan (JASDF) - 01 Apr 1983-31 Mar 1992
  2. OLAB Misawa AB, Japan - 01 Apr 1983-31 Mar 1992
    • Ohminato Sub Base, Japan (JASDF) - 01 Apr 1983-31 Mar 1992 (Forward Operating Location)
  1. OLAC Naha AB, Japan 01 (JASDF) - Apr 1983-31 Mar 1992
  1. Det 1 Fuchu AB, Japan (JASDF) - 01 Apr 1983-31 Jul 1994
  2. Det 2 Misawa Air Base, Japan - 01 Apr 1992-31 Jul 1994
  1. Naha AB, Japan (JASDF) - 01 Apr 1994–Present (Forward Operating Location)
  2. Yozadake Sub Base, Japan (JASDF) - 01 Apr 1994-2010 (Forward Operating Location)

Past Commanders

1. Capt Dangerfield - 07 Apr 1943
2. Capt Walter H. Birch - 21 Apr 1943
3. Maj Carl L. Cook - 06 Nov 1943
4. LT Paul W. Brownfield - 20 Mar 1944
5. LT Chester Cohen - 21 Dec 1944
6. Capt Paul W. Brownfield - 23 Feb 1945
7. Capt Burton Kirby - Sep 1945
8. Maj Franklin L. Fisher - 18 Jan 1946
9. Capt Ivan L. Corzine - Oct 1947
10. Major Donald H. Higgins - 05 Nov 1947
11. Major Sewal Y. Austin - Feb 1948
12. Capt James A. Ward - Sep 1948
13. Capt Lewis R. Meek - Dec 1948
14. Capt John Welch - Aug 1949
15. Capt James Hislop - Sep 1949
16. Major Charles F Himes - Apr 1950
17. Capt Charles F. Hobert - 28 Jul 1950
18. Lt Col William Worden - Aug 1950
19. Major Harry C. Ross - 21 Aug 1951
20. Major George C. Schmidt - 21 Nov 1951
21. Major John E. Morgan - Mar 1952
22. Major Wendell A. Steele - Apr 1954
23. Capt Edward J. Jiru - 22 June 1954
24. Major Joseph F. Girius, Jr. - 07 Jul 1954

 
25. Major Jay Pryor - Sep 1954
26. Major Horace M. Jacks - 06 Oct 1954
27. Lt Col Harry O. Flathmann - 1 May 1955
28. Major Maurice M. Gouchoe - 13 Jul 1956
29. Lt Col James R. Greary, Jr. - 03 Jan 1957
30. Lt Col William A Beard - 03 Jan 1958
31. Major Maurice Morrison - 14 Mar 1958
32. Lt Col William R. Crooks - 23 Jul 1959
33. Major Frank W. Dawson - 20 Dec 1960
34. Lt Col Edward A. Sanders - 30 Jan 1961
35. Lt Col Roland L. Wolfe - Aug 1962
36. Lt Col Ronald M. Cottrill - Dec 1964
37. Lt Col James A. Gerwick - 26 Jun 1968
38. Lt Col Clarence P. Elder - 16 Dec 1968
39. Major Nathan L. Walker - 11 Jun 1970
40. Lt Col Thomas L. Fulton, Jr. - 12 May 1971
41. Lt Col David L. Oaks - 26 Jul 1971
42. Lt Col Thomas L. Fulton, Jr. - 21 Jun 1972
43. Colonel Robert W. Casey - 27 Jul 1972
44. Lt Col Ferdinand J. Kubala - 08 Jul 1973
45. Major Dennis E. Moe - 10 Apr 1986
46. Major Robert F. Williams, Jr. - 23 Aug 1986
47. Lt Col Franklin K. Reyher, Jr. - Jun 1990
48. Lt Col Kris Lamphere - 12 Apr 1992

 
49. Lt Col James M Johnson III - Jun 1994
50. Lt Col Howard Don - Jul 1995
51. Lt Col Kenneth G. "Doc" Eide - May 1996
52. Major Robert C. Clinton - May 1997
53. Capt Donna L. Denman - Jun 1997
54. Major Daniel L. Whitten - Jul 1997
55. Major Daniel Reilly - Jun 1998
56. Major James A. "Dill" Pickle - Jun 2000
57. Major John M. Askew - Jul 2001
58. Major Edward A. Meyer - Jul 2002
59. Major Thomas W. Coppersmith - Jun 2003
60. Major Jessica Baker - May 2004
61. Lt Col Michael S. "Crank" Christie - Jun 2005
62. Major Charles W. Dennison - Apr 2007
63. Major Nathaniel Dash - Dec 2007
64. Major Anthony J. Owens - Aug 2008
65. Major Jeff C. "Walleye" Watts - May 2010
66. Lt Col Paul S. "Sparky" Nichols - 14 May 2012[16]

Notable Members

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.

  1. ↑ "Radar Sites Call Signs". Air Defense Radar Museum. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  2. ↑ "623rd ACF gains new commander". Air Force News Service, 23 June 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  3. ↑ "623D ACF organizational emblem". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  4. ↑ "13-1BCCV3 OPERATING PROCEDURES-BATTLE CONTROL CENTER (BCC)" (PDF). Air Force e-Publishing. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  5. ↑ Leavitt, Howard. Tales of Valor: Rebirth of Latter-Day Heroes in the Image of Biblical Paladins. Xlibris. p. 382. ISBN 978-1413411317.
  6. ↑ Rottman, Gordon (March 25, 2002). Okinawa 1945: The last Battle. Osprey Publishing. p. 92. ISBN 978-1855326071.
  7. ↑ "Pueblo incident units". www.koreanwar.org. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  8. ↑ "Small Kadena unit has big Air Force job". Air Force News Service, 1 August 2007. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  9. ↑ William Tell 1984
  10. ↑ "5th TACG weapons team shines at William Tell'86". MIG Alley Flyer. 26 November 1986. p. 10.
  11. ↑ "TEAM KADENA & OPERATION TOMODACHI (FRIEND) 11 March - 13 April 2011" (PDF). 18th Wing History Office. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  12. ↑ "Kadena Airman earns PACAF Theater Air Control Systems award". Air Force News Service, 25 March 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
  13. ↑ Small USAF Unit in Kadena Performs Big Job
  14. ↑ 5th TAC Group Honors & Lineage
  15. ↑ Old Camp Bishigawa, Okinawa
  16. ↑ 623rd ACF welcomes new commander

See also

  1. Part 1
  2. Part 2
  3. Part 3
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