Tyndalls History Revisted Published May 28, 2010 By Ted Roberts 325th Fighter Wing historian TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- In the mid-1950s, the Century series aircraft F-100, F-101, F-102 and F-106, had begun to enter the Air Force's inventory and the Air Defense Command (ADC) planners foresaw the need to acquire another base with adequate facilities to accommodate the new fighters. In conducting their search for a new facility, ADC officials learned of Tyndall's large firing range facilities and the base was quickly selected as the command's new Weapons Employment Center. However, because Tyndall was still attached to Air Training Command, officials from ATC and ADC had to iron out details of the change-over before the base could officially be turned over. An agreement was reached July 1, 1957 and the base became part of ADC. Concurrent with the transfer, Headquarters ADC activated the 73rd Air Division (Weapons) at Tyndall under the command of Brig. Gen. Milton Ashkins. The 73rd AD included two wings: the 4750th Air Defense Wing and the 4756th Air Defense Wing. Despite persistent rumors that the 4750th ADW mission would be transferred to Vincent AFB, Ariz. the organization remained at Tyndall and was joined by the 4750th Test Squadron. The 4750th TESTS mission was to conduct operational test and evaluations of ADC weapons and equipment and to manage the interceptor firing program at Tyndall.