Findings of Fact and Information on Whitewater GFA Z-26A, based on information provided by US Army Corps of Engineers Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS) document B08MT0380 of 1992

Site Location

8 miles northeast of Whitewater, Phillips County, MT

Site History and Findings of Fact

In 1955, the U. S. Air Force acquired a total of 7.71 acres of land by purchase and donation for use as the Whitewater Gap Filler Annex Z-26A. The land was acquired for use in conjunction with its air defense system against hostile aircraft and as a communications satellite station in support of Opheim Air Force Station. Improvements consisted of a concrete block building, a wood form latrine, one 7,000-gallon underground diesel fuel storage tank, roads, sidewalks, and security fence. Electrical utilities were provided by the local electrical cooperative.

The gap filler annex was inactivated on 1 April 1968, declared excess to GSA on 1 May 1969. The no-area license was terminated on 11 July 1970. GSA conveyed the 7.71 acres by Quitclaim Deed on 16 January 1970 to the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare for transfer to Whitewater School District No. 20AA.

Current Use at Time of 1992 Report

Whitewater School District still owns the site. The concrete block building was observed to be in good condition and 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 were removed by the Aerospace defense Command for relocation to Havre Air Force Station in Montana and Minot Air Force Station in North Dakota. A tower with associated equipment was allocated to the University of Washington, and is in good condition

Site Map

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