Description: Hancock Field was a military base located in Syracuse, New York, built in 1942. It was home to the 24th Air Division and closed its doors in 1983. Part of the north post was retained for housing and the NYANG 152nd Air Control Group, while part of the south post was retained for the NYANG 174th Attack Wing. The majority of the base presently hosts the Syracuse Hancock International Airport. The base was also home to an Air Defense Control Center on the north post, which had control over the BOMARC missiles located in Niagara Falls. The SAGE (Semi-Automatic Ground Environment) system was also located at Hancock Field. John F. Wierda reported that he was assigned to the SAGE center at Hancock Field from 1970 to 1974, during which time it was the 21st Air Division/NORAD Region (SAGE). The base was originally named Syracuse Army Air Base and was built as a staging area for warplanes during the Second World War. It was later home to the 305th Bombardment Group and the 138th Fighter Squadron of the New York Air National Guard. In 1952, the 32nd Air Division made Hancock Field its headquarters. The base was later the base of operations for the 26th Air Division (SAGE) and the Boston Air Defense Sector (BOADS). In 1966, the 35th Air Division was headquartered at the base, and in 1969, the 21st NORAD Region/Air Division made the facility its headquarters. The 21st NORAD Region/Air Division provided air defense for more than 50 million Americans living along the Eastern Seaboard. John F. Wierda submitted the following: When I was assigned to the SAGE center at Hancock Field NY, it was the 21st Air Division / Norad Region (SAGE) that was from 1970-1974. History Hancock Field was named for Clarence E. Hancock, a prominent local citizen, and member of the United States House of Representatives. In contrast to its air defense mission of today, Syracuse Army Air Base — as it was first known — was built and activated in 1942. during the early days of World War II, as a staging area for warplanes bound for England. Many of the "hardstands" and taxiways now overgrown by weeds were scenes of feverish activity almost 31 years ago when B-17s, B-24s, transports and many other types of aircraft were being prepared for the long hop across the North Atlantic. One of the first units to pass through Hancock Field was the 305th Bombardment Group, flying B-17s and led by Col. Curtis E. Lemay, who later became the Air Force Chief of Staff. Army Air Forces left Hancock Field in 1946 with the 138th Fighter Squadron of the New York Air National Guard remaining as the sole military occupant of the field until the Air Force returned in 1952 with the Headquarters of the 32nd Air Division. Building 3, the present Base Headquarters, was built as the blockhouse for the 32nd pre-SAGE manual division under the Eastern Air Defense Force. The 32nd was phased out and replaced by the 26th Air Division (SAGE) when the SAGE system became operational on Jan. 1, 1959. At approximately the same time, the Syracuse Air Defense Sector became operational. In September, 1963, the 26th Air Division Headquarters was moved to Stewart AFB, N.Y., and the Syracuse Sector, in a realignment of sector boundaries, became the Boston Air Defense Sector (BOADS). On April 1, 1966, a reconfiguration of the Air Defense Command renamed the Boston Air Defense Sector as the 35th Air Division, with headquarters remaining at Hancock Field. The 26th Air Division at Stewart AFB became Headquarters, First Air Force (ADC). In November, 1969, in another Aerospace Defense Command realignment, the 35th Air Division was deactivated and replaced by the 21st NORAD Region/Air Division, with headquarters again at Hancock Field. Today the 21st NORA D Region/Air Division, with its radar and fighter units scattered throughout the northeast, Iceland, Greenland and sections of eastern Canada, provides air defense for more than 50 million Americans living within 500,000 square miles of territory including many of the eastern seaward approaches to the United States and Canada.