Findings of Fact and Information on Whitetail GFA Z-26D, based on information provided by US Army Corps of Engineers Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS) document B08MT0379 of 1992

Site Location

Near Square Butte, 6 miles northwest of Whitetail, Daniels County, MT

Site History and Findings of Fact

The U. S. Air Force acquired a total of 7.92 acres of land by purchase and donation, no-area license by donation, and four easements by purchase, for use as Whitetail Gap Filler Annex Z-26D. The land was acquired for use as a communications satellite station in support of Opheim Air Force Station, and improvements consisted of a concrete block building, a radar tower, a wood form latrine, one 5,000-gallon underground diesel fuel storage tank, roads, sidewalks, and security fence. The site was activated on 1 June 1957.

The gap filler annex was declared excess to GSA on 6 May 1969. The no-area license was terminated on 27 January 1970. A tower with associated equipment was allocated to the University of Washington, and was to be removed as weather permitted. GSA conveyed the entire 7.92 acres by Quitclaim Deed on 13 April 1970 to David H. Whitney.

Current Use at Time of 1992 Report

The concrete block building was observed to be in good condition but has not been utilized by the current owner. A portion of the building was inaccessible due to the window and door being sealed, and the interior portion of the accessible portion was in poor condition from apparent lack of maintenance. Two 60KW diesel generators and associated switchgear were removed by the Department of the Navy for relocation to the Navy Weapons center, Corona, California. The communications tower, previously allocated to the University of Washington, was still present on the site in a state of disrepair, with several riveted joints having separated.

Site Map

A site vicinity map and access road sketch are included in the report.