[1] In April 1961, ADC initiated Operation Southern Tip, deploying six F-102 aircraft from its test and training unit at Tyndall Air Force Base Florida to Homestead Air Force Base, Florida in a two-week test of a contingency plan to augment air defense forces in Southern Florida in face of the potential threat from an unfriendly Cuba.

However, on 17 April the Bay of Pigs Invasion occurred, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff directed that Southern Tip continue indefinitely.

Due to repairs of the Homestead runway, these aircraft were based at Miami International Airport until January 1962.

The 482d was also tasked to maintain the capability to expand its Key West presence to 20 fighters in the event of another Cuban crisis.

[5] This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency