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Bigfoot legend at McChord

Guard dedicates F-15 at WADS

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Like the legendary Bigfoot, the Western Air Defense Sector is rarely seen or heard.

But WADS is, however, legendary.

"You are at the tip of the spear; you are an awesome force," said Col. Robert Hehemann, the Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) to the North American Aerospace Defense Command Director of Operations.

On this past Tuesday morning under clear blue skies, about 125 members of the Washington Air National Guard joined Hehemann and Col. William Krueger, Western Air Defense Sector vice commander, at an F-15 dedication ceremony at McChord Field.

"You are a superbly professional organization," continued Hehemann, "and this aircraft behind us is a tribute to that work."

McDonnell-Douglas built the F-15A.

Krueger pointed out that the aircraft now in front of the WADS headquarters was resurrected from "the Bone yard" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona.

"It took fourteen months to get here, but through the great coordination we have with McChord, it arrived."

The WADS' mission is simple - it guards this country's skies.  

Since 1960, the sector has provided 24/7, 365 days per year protection through the use of radar and communications system to monitor air traffic from the Mississippi River west to the Pacific Ocean, and from the Canadian border south to the Mexican border.

"You airmen protect seventy-three percent of America and Canada from one room in this building," continued Hehemann.

He stopped for a moment as two F-15s then flew overhead as a sign of honor.

As part of the Washington Air National Guards, WADS reports to the Governor through the Washington National Guard offices at Camp Murray.

Brig. Gen. John Tuohy commands the WADS.

The sector also works closely with other federal agencies, to include the Federal Aviation Administration, the Secret Service, and the U.S. Customs Service - as well as with its sister military services.

"It is good to recall this past weekend when we remembered 9/11," said Krueger.

"We accomplish the Homeland Defense Mission, and we work hand-in-hand with our Canadian friends in doing this."

WADS also works with state agencies to provide rapid response in the event of natural or manmade disasters, and to that end it participates in disaster preparedness exercises.

Just like Bigfoot, the WADS without fail observes and - if need be - serves as a messenger of warning.

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