Makah Air Force Station: Difference between revisions
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==History== |
==History== |
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Makah Air Force Station was one of twenty-eight stations built as part of the second segment of the [[Air Defense Command]] permanent radar network. Prompted by the start of the [[Korean War]], on July 11, 1950, the Secretary of the Air Force asked the Secretary of Defense for approval to expedite construction of the permanent network. Receiving the Defense Secretary’s approval on July 21, the Air Force directed the Corps of Engineers to proceed with construction. The land for this site was leased from the Makah Indian Reservation. |
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The 758th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron was activated at Bahokus Peak AFS on 1 January 1951, which assumed coverage from the temporary "lashup" site L-34 at Neah Bay. The 758th AC&W Squadron started operating an [[AN/FPS-3]] long-range search radar and an [[AN/CPS-4]] height-finder radar. The station was re-designated Neah Bay AFS on 1 December 1953. |
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During 1960 Makah AFS joined the [[Semi Automatic Ground Environment]] (SAGE) system, feeding data to DC-12 at [[McChord AFB]], Washington. After joining, the squadron was re-designated as the [[758th Radar Squadron]] (SAGE) on 1 April 1960. During the 1960s this site saw a variety of radars. By 1963 the squadron operated an [[AN/FPS-7]]A search radar and [[AN/FPS-90]] and [[AN/FPS-26]]A height-finder radars. |
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In the 1970’s, the AN/FPS-7A was modified to an [[AN/FPS-107]]V1. Circa 1977 the AN/FPS-90 height-finder radar was modified to an [[AN/FPS-116]]. In October 1979 Makah came under [[Tactical Air Command]] (TAC) jurisdiction with the inactivation of Aerospace Defense Command and the creation of [[ADTAC]]. Circa 1980 the AN/FPS-107V1 was replaced with an [[AN/FPS-91]]A search set, with an [[AN/TPS-43]]E search radar temporarily operating atop the old AN/FPS-26A tower during the radar change-over. |
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On 30 June 1982 the 758th Radar Squadron was inactivated by the 25th Air Divsion and the Air Force reduced its presence at Makah Air Force Station, closing most facilities. The radar site was turned over to the FAA, however a small detachment from [[McChord AFB]] was assigned to maintain the radars. The AN/FPS-116 was retired circa 1988. In the latter 1990’s the AN/FPS-91A was replaced by an FAA-operated ARSR-4 radar. The FAA now operates an [[ARSR-4]] radar at the site as part of the [[Joint Surveillance System]] (JSS). |
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The station and housing was returned to the Makah tribe, and the former Air Force station now is the Makah Tribal Council Center. It is well maintained and in use by the tribe. |
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==Air Force units and assignments == |
==Air Force units and assignments == |
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Revision as of 14:21, 28 January 2011
Makah Air Force Station
 | |
|---|---|
| Part of Air Defense Command (ADC) | |
| Coordinates | 48°22′18″N 124°40′30″W / 48.37167°N 124.67500°W |
| Type | Air Force Station |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by |  United States Air Force |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1951 |
| In use | 1951-1979 |
| Garrison information | |
| Garrison | 758th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron |
Makah Air Force Station (ADC ID: P-44, NORAD ID: Z-44) is a closed United States Air Force General Surveillance Radar station. It is located 2.4 miles (3.9 km) south of Neah Bay, Washington. It was closed by the Air Force in 1982 and turned over to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The station is now a Joint Surveillance System (JSS) FAA site, designated "J-80".
History
Makah Air Force Station was one of twenty-eight stations built as part of the second segment of the Air Defense Command permanent radar network. Prompted by the start of the Korean War, on July 11, 1950, the Secretary of the Air Force asked the Secretary of Defense for approval to expedite construction of the permanent network. Receiving the Defense Secretary’s approval on July 21, the Air Force directed the Corps of Engineers to proceed with construction. The land for this site was leased from the Makah Indian Reservation.
The 758th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron was activated at Bahokus Peak AFS on 1 January 1951, which assumed coverage from the temporary "lashup" site L-34 at Neah Bay. The 758th AC&W Squadron started operating an AN/FPS-3 long-range search radar and an AN/CPS-4 height-finder radar. The station was re-designated Neah Bay AFS on 1 December 1953.
During 1960 Makah AFS joined the Semi Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) system, feeding data to DC-12 at McChord AFB, Washington. After joining, the squadron was re-designated as the 758th Radar Squadron (SAGE) on 1 April 1960. During the 1960s this site saw a variety of radars. By 1963 the squadron operated an AN/FPS-7A search radar and AN/FPS-90 and AN/FPS-26A height-finder radars.
In the 1970’s, the AN/FPS-7A was modified to an AN/FPS-107V1. Circa 1977 the AN/FPS-90 height-finder radar was modified to an AN/FPS-116. In October 1979 Makah came under Tactical Air Command (TAC) jurisdiction with the inactivation of Aerospace Defense Command and the creation of ADTAC. Circa 1980 the AN/FPS-107V1 was replaced with an AN/FPS-91A search set, with an AN/TPS-43E search radar temporarily operating atop the old AN/FPS-26A tower during the radar change-over.
On 30 June 1982 the 758th Radar Squadron was inactivated by the 25th Air Divsion and the Air Force reduced its presence at Makah Air Force Station, closing most facilities. The radar site was turned over to the FAA, however a small detachment from McChord AFB was assigned to maintain the radars. The AN/FPS-116 was retired circa 1988. In the latter 1990’s the AN/FPS-91A was replaced by an FAA-operated ARSR-4 radar. The FAA now operates an ARSR-4 radar at the site as part of the Joint Surveillance System (JSS).
The station and housing was returned to the Makah tribe, and the former Air Force station now is the Makah Tribal Council Center. It is well maintained and in use by the tribe.
Air Force units and assignments
Units:
Assignments:
See also
References
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
- A Handbook of Aerospace Defense Organization 1946 - 1980, by Lloyd H. Cornett and Mildred W. Johnson, Office of History, Aerospace Defense Center, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado
- 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 Makah AFS, WA
