Great Falls Air Defense Sector, Inactive air defense command at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, United States

The Great Falls Air Defense Sector was a military command headquartered at Malmstrom Air Force Base that monitored airspace over Montana using radar surveillance systems. It served as the coordination hub for multiple fighter squadrons positioned across the region to detect and respond to potential threats.

The sector was established in 1959 during the height of Cold War tensions to provide round-the-clock airspace surveillance over the central United States. Its deactivation in 1966 reflected changing defense strategies and the shift toward newer surveillance technologies.

The sector was deeply woven into Great Falls' identity as a military town, with defense operations shaping how residents understood their role in national security. Local families had members stationed there, and the base's presence influenced community life and civic pride throughout the Cold War.

The sector's headquarters was located at Malmstrom Air Force Base on the outskirts of Great Falls and was not open to the general public. Today, visitors interested in learning about this chapter of Cold War defense can visit museums and historical centers that document the base's role.

The SAGE Direction Center DC-20 at Malmstrom became operational on 15 February 1960 and ran on dual AN/FSQ-7 computers, each filling a large room. Its coordinates, 47°30′59″N 111°10′55″W, place it at the base rather than in Great Falls city. The sector's interceptors included the F-94 Starfire, F-102 Delta Dagger and F-106 Delta Dart.