Highlands Air Force Station: Difference between revisions
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==History== |
==History== |
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Highlands AFS was initially established in 1938 by the [[United States Army]]. '''Navesink (Twin Lights) Radar Station''' was established as a test platform for early radar prototypes. An [[SCR-271]] early warning radar was located here during the war (1942 - 1945). |
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In 1948 the [[United States Air Force]] [[Air Defense Command]] activated the 646th Aircraft Control and Warning (AC&W) Squadron with [[AN/CPS-6]] radar at this coastal site to feed into a manual control center established at Roslyn, New York. The site was designated as (L-12). These radars were incorporated into the "Lashup" system as (LP-9) and the follow-on permanent network in 1949 as site (P-9). |
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In 1950, the Navesink site was redesignated as '''Highlands Air Force Station'''. In 1955 the site received an [[AN/FPS-8]] search radar. This radar was converted into an [[AN/GPS-3]] that would remain until 1960. In 1958 an [[AN/FPS-6]] height-finder radar became operational. Also that year Highlands AFS began providing a feed into the [[SAGE]] (DC-01) blockhouse located at [[McGuire AFB]], NJ. In September 1959 this site became the first to deploy an [[AN/FPS-7]] radar. |
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The 646th Radar Squadron (SAGE) had control from 1956 to 1961, it operated the subordinate [[Gibbsboro Air Force Station]]. It was a very powerful radar site manned by the Air Force. Later, the NYADC commanded the various missile sites that surrounded the Metropolitan NY area during the Cold War. |
The 646th Radar Squadron (SAGE) had control from 1956 to 1961, it operated the subordinate [[Gibbsboro Air Force Station]]. It was a very powerful radar site manned by the Air Force. Later, the NYADC commanded the various missile sites that surrounded the Metropolitan NY area during the Cold War. |
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The blast and fallout resistant Missile Master facility which became operational at the Highlands base in that year contained a complex and costly, semi-automated system capable of tracking hostile aircraft and assigning Nike missile batteries in New York and New Jersey to engage them. In 1955 the site received an AN/FPS-8 search radar. This radar was converted into an AN/GPS-3 that would remain until 1960.<ref>http://www.northamericanforts.com/East/nj.html</ref> On January 15, 1961 a SAGE unit tower collapsed in storm; 28 people died. <ref>http://mysite.verizon.net/rehuber/NJ%20Military%20Web%20Page/Air%20Defense%20Radars.htm</ref> |
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Later, the Highlands site also assumed control of the Nike missile batteries located in the Philadelphia Defense Area. Although the Air Force closed its Long Range Radar site during 1966, the Army's facility remained operational through 1974 when the last Nike missile batteries in the region were inactivated.<ref>http://alpha.fdu.edu/~bender/NY55.html</ref> Army radar operations ceased for good in 1974 when the NIKE system was phased out. All structures later demolished.<ref>http://www.northamericanforts.com/East/nj.html</ref> |
Later, the Highlands site also assumed control of the Nike missile batteries located in the Philadelphia Defense Area. Although the Air Force closed its Long Range Radar site during 1966, the Army's facility remained operational through 1974 when the last Nike missile batteries in the region were inactivated.<ref>http://alpha.fdu.edu/~bender/NY55.html</ref> Army radar operations ceased for good in 1974 when the NIKE system was phased out. All structures later demolished.<ref>http://www.northamericanforts.com/East/nj.html</ref> |
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Revision as of 18:42, 7 January 2011
Highlands Air Force Station
 | |
|---|---|
| Part of Air Defense Command (ADC) | |
| Coordinates | {40°23′29″N 073°59′38″W / 40.39139°N 73.99389°W |
| Type | Air Force Station |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | United States Air Force |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1948 |
| In use | 1948-1966 |
| Garrison information | |
| Garrison | 646th Aircraft Control and Warning (later Radar) Squadron |
Highlands (also known at Twin Lights and Navesink) Air Force Station (ADC ID: L-12/LP-9/P-9, NORAD ID: Z-9 is a closed United States Air Force General Surveillance Radar station. It is located 1 mile south of Highlands, New Jersey. It was closed in 1966.
History
Highlands AFS was initially established in 1938 by the United States Army. Navesink (Twin Lights) Radar Station was established as a test platform for early radar prototypes. An SCR-271 early warning radar was located here during the war (1942 - 1945).
In 1948 the United States Air Force Air Defense Command activated the 646th Aircraft Control and Warning (AC&W) Squadron with AN/CPS-6 radar at this coastal site to feed into a manual control center established at Roslyn, New York. The site was designated as (L-12). These radars were incorporated into the "Lashup" system as (LP-9) and the follow-on permanent network in 1949 as site (P-9).
In 1950, the Navesink site was redesignated as Highlands Air Force Station. In 1955 the site received an AN/FPS-8 search radar. This radar was converted into an AN/GPS-3 that would remain until 1960. In 1958 an AN/FPS-6 height-finder radar became operational. Also that year Highlands AFS began providing a feed into the SAGE (DC-01) blockhouse located at McGuire AFB, NJ. In September 1959 this site became the first to deploy an AN/FPS-7 radar.
The 646th Radar Squadron (SAGE) had control from 1956 to 1961, it operated the subordinate Gibbsboro Air Force Station. It was a very powerful radar site manned by the Air Force. Later, the NYADC commanded the various missile sites that surrounded the Metropolitan NY area during the Cold War.
The blast and fallout resistant Missile Master facility which became operational at the Highlands base in that year contained a complex and costly, semi-automated system capable of tracking hostile aircraft and assigning Nike missile batteries in New York and New Jersey to engage them. In 1955 the site received an AN/FPS-8 search radar. This radar was converted into an AN/GPS-3 that would remain until 1960.[1] On January 15, 1961 a SAGE unit tower collapsed in storm; 28 people died. [2]
Later, the Highlands site also assumed control of the Nike missile batteries located in the Philadelphia Defense Area. Although the Air Force closed its Long Range Radar site during 1966, the Army's facility remained operational through 1974 when the last Nike missile batteries in the region were inactivated.[3] Army radar operations ceased for good in 1974 when the NIKE system was phased out. All structures later demolished.[4]
See also
References
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
- 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 Highlands AFS, NJ
- Information for Twin Lights, NJ
