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converted to an [[AN/GPS-3]], this radar left service in 1960.
converted to an [[AN/GPS-3]], this radar left service in 1960.


The years 1958 and 1959 saw the arrival of [[AN/FPS-6]] and 6A height-finder radars. During this time, North Truro was integrated into the SAGE system and the squadron was redesigated as the [[762d Radar Squadron]]. In 1960 the 762d started operating an [[AN/FPS-7]] radar. In 1963 the height-finder radars were replaced by AN/FPS-26A and AN/FPS-90 sets. Redesignated the 762nd Air Defence Group (1969). Utilized Buic III equipment (Burroughs D828 Computer system) for command and control of air defence aircraft in the event that the Sage Direction Center at Hancock Field, New York was inoperable. The unit commander and in times of Level IV operations, overall air defense commander for the Norad region, was Col. Alva D. Henehan (1969-71?).
The years 1958 and 1959 saw the arrival of [[AN/FPS-6]] and 6A height-finder radars. During this time, North Truro was integrated into the SAGE system and the squadron was redesigated as the [[762d Radar Squadron]]. North Truro also was the main support site for [[Texas Tower 2]] (TT-2) offshore in the Atlantic Ocean from 1956-1958.
In 1960 the 762d started operating an [[AN/FPS-7]] radar. In 1963 the height-finder radars were replaced by AN/FPS-26A and AN/FPS-90 sets. Redesignated the 762nd Air Defence Group (1969). Utilized Buic III equipment (Burroughs D828 Computer system) for command and control of air defence aircraft in the event that the Sage Direction Center at Hancock Field, New York was inoperable. The unit commander and in times of Level IV operations, overall air defense commander for the Norad region, was Col. Alva D. Henehan (1969-71?).


In addition to the main facility, North Truro operated three unmanned [[AN/FPS-14]] Gap Filler sites:
In addition to the main facility, North Truro operated three unmanned [[AN/FPS-14]] Gap Filler sites:
Line 53: Line 55:
Routine operations continued and in 1979 the site came under [[Tactical Air Command]] jurisdiction as a result of the inactivation of Aerospace Defense Command and the site became part of [[ADTAC]]. By 1985 AN/FPS-107 had been replaced by an [[AN/FPS-91]]A search set operated by the [[FAA]]. The AN/FPS-116 was removed circa 1988
Routine operations continued and in 1979 the site came under [[Tactical Air Command]] jurisdiction as a result of the inactivation of Aerospace Defense Command and the site became part of [[ADTAC]]. By 1985 AN/FPS-107 had been replaced by an [[AN/FPS-91]]A search set operated by the [[FAA]]. The AN/FPS-116 was removed circa 1988


⚫
=== Operation Have Horn ===
⚫
North Truro Air Force Station was the location of [[Operation Have Horn]], the launching of sounding rockets under project [[Nike Hydac]]. On completion of the operation, the used devices were returned to the [[White Sands Missile Range]].<ref>[http://www.astronautix.com/sites/nortruro.htm North Truro]</ref>

==Closure==
At the end of the [[Cold War]] in 1994, the Air Force closed down operations at North Truro and it was sold to the [[National Park Service]]. In the late 1990’s, an [[ARSR-4]] replaced the AN/FPS-91A. when it joined the [[Joint Surveillance System]] (JSS).
At the end of the [[Cold War]] in 1994, the Air Force closed down operations at North Truro and it was sold to the [[National Park Service]]. In the late 1990’s, an [[ARSR-4]] replaced the AN/FPS-91A. when it joined the [[Joint Surveillance System]] (JSS).


After the Air Force closed it's facilities, the containment site fell into a somewhat dilapidated state of repair, as it is no longer used . The Gap Filler at Westboro is intact and has what appears to be a radome and several radio broadcasting towers. The other two Gap Filler sites have been obliterated and redeveloped. The former Texas Tower No. 2 (TT-2) troposcatter communications site, just south of the housing area, is also accessible on foot. All that remain of the tropo facility are the building foundation (a concrete pad with a few floor tiles) and three-each concrete footings for the three tropo dish antennas. At the main site, the fence around the former cantonment and technical areas has a gate on the ocean-facing side. All of the original USAF radar towers are gone. The only radar tower now is the ARSR-4. The buildings appeared in pretty good shape, better than the housing units which are abandoned and somewhat vandalized. A few buildings had been torn down, including the station chapel. The former GATR site has been demolished, and all of the radio poles have been removed. The site is now home to an FAA NAVAID station; it appears to be a VORTAC or similar facility.
⚫
=== Operation Have Horn ===
⚫
It was the location of [[Operation Have Horn]], the launching of sounding rockets under project [[Nike Hydac]]. On completion of the operation, the used devices were returned to the [[White Sands Missile Range]].<ref>[http://www.astronautix.com/sites/nortruro.htm North Truro]</ref>


== Redevelopment ==
== Redevelopment ==
After the Air Force closed it's facilities, the site fell into a somewhat dilapidated state of repair, as it is no longer used. The land was given to the [[Cape Cod National Seashore]]. The site is now being redeveloped into the '''Highlands Center'''. This project includes the building of a performing arts center, and other facilities to meet the needs of the [[National Park Service]] as well as the community. It is also home to an FAA long-range radar site. In October 2008, a bus driver was indirectly struck by lightning while closing a gate at the center.
The station itself was given to the [[Cape Cod National Seashore]] and is now being redeveloped into the '''Highlands Center'''. This project includes the building of a performing arts center, and other facilities to meet the needs of the [[National Park Service]] as well as the community. It is also home to an FAA long-range radar site. In October 2008, a bus driver was indirectly struck by lightning while closing a gate at the center.


== Units ==
== Units ==

Revision as of 20:02, 6 January 2011

North Truro Air Force Station
Part of Air Defense Command (ADC)
North Truro, Massachusetts
File:NorthTruroSiteMap.jpg
A map of the station
Coordinates42°01′54″N 70°03′16″W / 42.03167°N 70.05444°W / 42.03167; -70.05444 (North Truro AFS P-10)
TypeLong Range Radar Site
Site information
OwnerNational Park Service
Controlled byNational Park Service
Open to
the public		Partially
Site history
Built1951
Built byUnited States Air Force
In use1951-1994
Garrison information
GarrisonNorth Truro, Massachusetts
Occupants762d Radar Squadron, 6th Space Warning Squadron
North Truro AFS is located in Massachusetts
North Truro AFS
North Truro AFS
class=notpageimage|
Location of North Truro AFS, Massachusetts
Map all coordinates using OpenStreetMap

Download coordinates as:

North Truro Air Force Station (ADC ID: P-10 NORAD ID: Z-10) is a closed United States Air Force General Surveillance Radar station. It is located 2.2 mi east of North Truro, Massachusetts. Most of the site was inactivated in 1994 and turned over to the National Parks Service, the remainder becoming an FAA VHF Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Aircraft Control (VORTAC) radar site designated J-53.

It is the site of a radar station and several abandoned buildings including barracks, a library, a bar, a bowling alley and a family housing area located to the south. It is being redeveloped into The Highland Science Center.[citation needed] It is the site of the Jenny Lind Tower.[1]

History

North Truro was one of the first of twenty-four stations of the permanent Air Defense Command radar network. On December 2, 1948, the Air Force directed the Army Corps of Engineers to proceed with construction of this and twenty-three other sites around the periphery of the United States.

The 762d Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron began operations with a pair of AN/CPS-3 radars at North Truro in 1951 and assumed radar coverage previously covered by a temporary Lashup radar site at Otis AFB (L-5). In 1955 these units were joined by an AN/FPS-8 model. Eventually converted to an AN/GPS-3, this radar left service in 1960.

The years 1958 and 1959 saw the arrival of AN/FPS-6 and 6A height-finder radars. During this time, North Truro was integrated into the SAGE system and the squadron was redesigated as the 762d Radar Squadron. North Truro also was the main support site for Texas Tower 2 (TT-2) offshore in the Atlantic Ocean from 1956-1958.

In 1960 the 762d started operating an AN/FPS-7 radar. In 1963 the height-finder radars were replaced by AN/FPS-26A and AN/FPS-90 sets. Redesignated the 762nd Air Defence Group (1969). Utilized Buic III equipment (Burroughs D828 Computer system) for command and control of air defence aircraft in the event that the Sage Direction Center at Hancock Field, New York was inoperable. The unit commander and in times of Level IV operations, overall air defense commander for the Norad region, was Col. Alva D. Henehan (1969-71?).

In addition to the main facility, North Truro operated three unmanned AN/FPS-14 Gap Filler sites:

Westboro closed in June 1962, the others in June 1968.

Routine operations continued and in 1979 the site came under Tactical Air Command jurisdiction as a result of the inactivation of Aerospace Defense Command and the site became part of ADTAC. By 1985 AN/FPS-107 had been replaced by an AN/FPS-91A search set operated by the FAA. The AN/FPS-116 was removed circa 1988

Operation Have Horn

North Truro Air Force Station was the location of Operation Have Horn, the launching of sounding rockets under project Nike Hydac. On completion of the operation, the used devices were returned to the White Sands Missile Range.[2]

Closure

At the end of the Cold War in 1994, the Air Force closed down operations at North Truro and it was sold to the National Park Service. In the late 1990’s, an ARSR-4 replaced the AN/FPS-91A. when it joined the Joint Surveillance System (JSS).

After the Air Force closed it's facilities, the containment site fell into a somewhat dilapidated state of repair, as it is no longer used . The Gap Filler at Westboro is intact and has what appears to be a radome and several radio broadcasting towers. The other two Gap Filler sites have been obliterated and redeveloped. The former Texas Tower No. 2 (TT-2) troposcatter communications site, just south of the housing area, is also accessible on foot. All that remain of the tropo facility are the building foundation (a concrete pad with a few floor tiles) and three-each concrete footings for the three tropo dish antennas. At the main site, the fence around the former cantonment and technical areas has a gate on the ocean-facing side. All of the original USAF radar towers are gone. The only radar tower now is the ARSR-4. The buildings appeared in pretty good shape, better than the housing units which are abandoned and somewhat vandalized. A few buildings had been torn down, including the station chapel. The former GATR site has been demolished, and all of the radio poles have been removed. The site is now home to an FAA NAVAID station; it appears to be a VORTAC or similar facility.

Redevelopment

The station itself was given to the Cape Cod National Seashore and is now being redeveloped into the Highlands Center. This project includes the building of a performing arts center, and other facilities to meet the needs of the National Park Service as well as the community. It is also home to an FAA long-range radar site. In October 2008, a bus driver was indirectly struck by lightning while closing a gate at the center.

Units

  • 762nd Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron (Later redesignated as the 762d Radar Squadron) (19??-1985)
  • 6th Space Warning Squadron (Detachment 1) (1977–1985)

See also

References

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

  1. ^ Cape Cod Travel :: Truro :: The Jenny Lind Tower
  2. ^ North Truro
  • Winkler, David F. (1997), Searching the skies: the legacy of the United States Cold War defense radar program. Prepared for United States Air Force Headquarters Air Combat Command.
  • Information for North Truro AFS, MA

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=North_Truro_Air_Force_Station&oldid=406338654"