Content: The first of a projected three-volume series tracing the history of the United States Army Air Defense Command (ARADCOM). Contain an account of the background and evolution of the organization, mission and activities of the Army in the air defense of the Continental United States (CONUS) until 22 September 1955 when the number of air defense missile batteries exceeded the number of gun batteries. Chapters: Background 1918-1949; Decision 1950; The Planning Phase 11 July 1950-10 April 1951; The Command Phase 10 April 1951-30 September 1952; Turmoil 30 September 1952-31 December 1953; Expansion Continues 1954; and Challenges 1955. Appendices: AAF-Ten Proposals, June 1946; Conclusions from AGF Study "Security For Enemy Air Action," 14 June 1946; AGF Directive #24, 4 November 1947; Joint Army and Air Force Bulletin #13, 13 May 1948; Summary of Army Comments Presented to the 9-10 December 1948 Conference; Information for ZI Army Commanders in Negotiating Air Defense Agreements, 6 January 1950; Plan to Insure Proper Utilization of AA in Air Defense of the ZI, 6 January 1950; Memorandum for General Gruenther, 9 March 1950; Memorandum of Agreement Between the Air Force and the Army as Discussed Between Major General Bolte and Major General Everest, 10 April 1950; Department of the Army General Order 20, 29 June 1950; Letter to Major General Willard W. Irvine, Command and Staff Structure for an Army force in Air Defense of the United States, 11 July 1950; Letter to Commanding Generals, Continental Armies, Subject: Command and Staff Structure for an Army force in Air Defense of the United States, 11 July 1950; Letter to Chief of Staff, United States Army, Subject: Responsibility for Planning for AA Defense of the United States, 4 November 1950; Letter to Commanding Generals, Continental Armies, Army Antiaircraft Command, Subject: Amendment to Department of the Army Operations Plan for Defense of Continental United States, DA-OP-US-1-50, 24 November 1950; Detailed Deployment of 66 AAA Battalions--Extract from Command Report-1951; Memorandum of Agreement Between General Collins and General Vandenberg, 1 August 1950, with Change Dated 20 November 1950; DA Letters AGAO-S, G3, 26 March 1951, Army Antiaircraft Command 322 TS; Mutual Agreement for the Air Defense of the United States, 15 July 1952; ARAACOM General Orders 14, 20 May 1955, Discontinuance of Eastern Army Antiaircraft Command; ARAACOM General Orders 19, 27 June 1955 Redesignation of Units; ADOAA-3 Letter from ARAACOM to Region Commanders, 10 August 1955, Increased Combat Readiness of AA Units (U) O&T 370.2; Key Figures in Air Defense 1949-1955; Memorandum, From LTG John T. Lewis to MAJ Roy S. Marnard, 1 May 1972, Answers to questionnaire of March 28, 1972; and Letter from COL Walter F. Ellis to MAJ Roy S. Barnard, 19 June 1971. Contains information on: Cold War; National Security Act of 1947; World War II; Soviet Union; Continental Air Command; antiaircraft artillery; surface to air missile (SAM); planning; rules of engagement; Army National Guard (ARNG); Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD); MG Willard W. Irvine; LTG John T. Lewis; LTG Stanley R. Mickelsen; NIKE; NIKE AJAX; Washington; Hanford; Sault Ste Marie; 40mm antiaircraft gun; 75mm SKYSWEEPER; 90mm antiaircraft gun; and 120mm antiaircraft gun. Provides identifications of all antiaircraft units (gun or missile) involved. [Formerly ARADCOM-4 and ARADCOM Historical Project 5M-I] .