WOW! I worked in the JSS Program Office to install that system and it sure doesn\'t seem like it should now be called antiquated and a legacy system. SAGE was the legacy system. But, if you think of how much progress has been made with computers since the mid 70\'s when the spec for JSS was written, then it is understandable that it needs to be updated.

I was at the original radar site (Basket Wool) at Aiken, SC, in 1955. Nice cozy assignment and nice city.

Seems like just yesterday, SAGE was deactivated and replaced by the JSS. Now, JSS is giving way to the BCS-F with an all new computer system at Sector Operations Control Centers (SOCCs).

For a couple of related news stories, see www.uticaod.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061117/NEWS/61117013 and www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123032691/.

Here is ane more related story about SOCC modernization and reconfiguration, this time about the former SEADS at Tyndall AFB, FL: community.emeraldcoast.com/military/news/article.showarticle.db.php?a=6298

\"TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) -- After more than 37 years of monitoring America\'s airways, the flip of a ceremonial switch Nov. 17 marked the close of operations here for the Southeast Air Defense Sector. ....\" (go to the link above for the remainder of the story)

For the mission description (and budget information) about the Battle Control System - Fixed (BCS-F), go to www.dtic.mil/descriptivesum/Y2006/AirForce/0102326F.pdf

As stated in the document:

\"Battle Control System (BCS) Family of Systems (FOS) is comprised of fixed sites for Homeland Defense [Region/Sector Air Operation Control Center, PE 0102326F (called the Battle Control System-Fixed {BCS-F})] and mobile Theater Battle Management (TBM) Command and Control (C2) nodes [Modular Control System, PE0207412F (called the Battle Control System-Mobile {BCS-M})]. Battle Control System-Fixed (BCS-F) is the replacement for the fixed sites for the Region/Sector Air Operations Center (R/SAOC) [also known as Region Air Operations Center-Air Defense Sector (RAOC-ADS)] for the Atmospheric Early Warning System (AEWS). The BCS-F program will provide a next-generation battle management command and control system with enhanced capability to integrate data from existing and future civil and military defense surveillance systems into a comprehensive recognized air picture. This multi-input integrated air control picture will enhance the
North American Aerospace Defense/Combatant Commander\'s (NORAD/CC\'s) capability to conduct peacetime air sovereignty, transition and conventional warfare in the event of aggression toward the North American continent. BCS-F systems serve as the Air Force\'s Homeland Defense battle management, command, and control hubs and integrators for data from radar sensors, data links and supporting communications architecture. They provide the tactical communications and data link
capabilities with other military and civil systems responsible for conducting the planning, directing, coordinating, and controlling of forces for air surveillance, air defense and control of sovereign US air space (including the National Capital Region). The BCS-F system is a bi-national cooperative program with Canada, ensuring air defense and surviellance capability for the entire North American continent.

The R/SAOC legacy system has reached saturation in its capability to receive, process, display, exchange, and employ air surveillance data from current sensor and communication systems, thus contributing to delays in the kill chain. The outdated technology has become increasingly difficult and costly to sustain and provides no opportunity for application enhancement. The BCS-F system is the replacement for this antiquated system.\"

As an add-on to Tom’s last comment...someday there will be some old vets on a web site lamenting the fact that \"back in the day\" when they were young, they operated the Battle Control System-Fixed. They will not know (or care) that once upon a time there were also some \"old geezers\" on a web site talking about the systems that they once operated and maintained in their youth. They will not know the names of those early systems...manual, SAGE and 412L. And so it goes...thanks Radomes for allowing our memories to survive..

Good Lord! I know I retired 20 years ago, but I worked in the JSS program office to put in that NEW air defense system. I know it was back in 77, but that just doesn\'t seem that long ago for it to be called \"legacy system\" and \"antiquated\". But, then when I consider the old 8088 IBM PC I used 10 years later when I got a civilian job in 86, it makes it more clear how far computers have come since then.

Well goodness gracious land sakes alive!! Any Yall remember ole Jim, just message ya hearts out. I been to Yosadake in Okinawa, MCAS in Yuma, AZ, Alaska a few times, some good some bad, Hancock Field in Syracuse, Charleston SC, Key West Fla, Cape Charles VA, Keesler twice, NCO Academy at Elgin or some silly place in Florida..All very nice pleasent memories, but so long ago.

Russia has begun delivery of Tor-M1 air defense missile systems to Iran, a Defense Ministry official said Friday, confirming that Moscow would proceed with arms deals with Tehran in spite of Western criticism. The Tor-M1 deal, involving conventional weapons, does not violate any international agreements. Russian officials say that the missiles are purely defensive weapons with a limited range. According to the Interfax news agency, the Tor-M1 system can identify up to 48 targets and fire at two targets simultaneously at a height of up to 20,000 feet.

Absolutely a terrific site as was Aiken AFS, SC long ago. It was a shame to see it was all demolished and only the roads remain. Ah, progress...............I put this in my favorites and can't wait to show my wife where I spent two years from "63 to "65. Thanks.

Height finder guy FPS 6 and 90, Radar Maintenance 65 - 72, year at Keesler 65 - 66, remote Alaska 626th AC&W Fire Island 66-67 could see lights in Anchorage but couldn\'t get there, 648th AC&W Benton AFS PA 67 - 72, 72 cross trained computer programming, command HQ 72 - 85, MAC, TAC, USAFE, Pentagon, big difference from radar sites to command level assignments, took a while to acclimate to regular Air Force after radar sites. Retired E-7, DOD contractor (command and control) 85 - present, 2 more years then real retirement and hope to travel space A for a few years.

ALL:

I am trying to make sure we (Radomes, Inc.) are accounting for all the Air Defense Control Centers in Japan. If we are missing any, we would like to find out what they are, and then add those to our data base for Japanese sites. ...

Now, we are familiar with the above-ground ADCC facility at Naha Air Base on Okinawa, and we figured there would have been others -- on the main island, and probably on the island of Hokkaido, too (for the 848th AC&W Squadron?). ...

I came across several references on the Internet about one underground Air Defense Control Center (ADCC) at Johnson Air Base near Tokyo. One such reference is the website at www.cruiser622000.com/index.html. ...

If anyone has information on this ADCC facility or others in Japan, please provide us some background. Was this an operation center for air-defense radar? If so, was this maybe the ADCC for the 610th AC&W Squadron, or for some another AC&W Squadron? ...

Anyway, when you get a minute, please let us know what you can about this ADCC at Johnson AB. Do you know of other ADCC facilities in Japan? Thank you very much in advance!

Sincerely,

-- Tom Page

Notice: Guestbook processing has been changed a bit. If you run into problems please contact me. Thanks, Gene

In the process of renewing my Radomes membership. If you are a reader or user of this site, or want to further its historical aims, may I suggest you become a member as well? I know of no other Web site or for that matter, historical collection of air defense radar material as preserved here. The newsletter is always interesting, as is the \"members only\" section. All that for $15 is a bargain in my book.

Let us also salute our Canadian neighbors who celebrate this 11 November as Rememberance Day, honoring all Commonwealth war veterans of WWI and subsequent conflicts. Aaron..

CONGRAT`S to all you veterns out there who did their part for the freedom of this nation.

I join with Buck adding best wishes to all Radomes Vets.In case you are asked to explain Veteran`s Day...here is some historical info: On November 11, 1918 at 11 am, hostilities ceased ending World War I. To celebrate this date, in November 1919 President Wilson declared November 11 as Armistice Day. The original concept for the celebration was to be observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11 a.m. Primarily designed to honor veterans of World War I, President Eisenhower in 1954 replaced the word Armistice with the word Veteran so that all veterans would be honored on November 11. Sometimes confused with Memorial Day which honors those who have died in service to their country, Veteran’s Day is a celebration to honor America`s living veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

I am looking for six men who served in Det. 1 20ADS 915th AEWNC stationed in Homestead, FL. from 12/77 to 10/78. If you are one of these men or know how I can get in touch w/ one or any of them please contact me at this email address.

June 25 1956, Lackland AFB Sept. 1956,Keesler AFB,Radar Ops School,night shift Nov.1956 to Aug.1958, 604th AC&W Squadron,Freising,Germany Sept 1958 to Nov 1959 602nd AC&W Squadron,Geibelstadt,Germany great duty--great friends---great Squadrons

683rd, TX and 6th air division, ADCC, P.I. I talked to one of the guys that I have stayed in touch with these many years. We agree that our Air Defense years were great times, we were just to young to know it.

Nice site......I was stationed at Baudette, Minnesota from 1963 through 1966.......great fishing and hunting!!!!

i was assigned to the 660th ac&w squadron right out of keesler in 1950 but i see nothing of such a place except in florida. my 660th was at selfridge afb in michigan. next door to us was the 661st ac&w squadron. i see you have some info on the 661st at their new location but nothing in their history about where they were in 1950. were we really that much of a secret back then???

To All: We the staff of Radomes, Inc., continue to solicit vintage photographs of your duty assignments to help in documenting the histories of the various air-defense facilities. Photos of all types of Air Force and joint-use Army / FAA / Navy air-defense radar stations and control centers are requested. We especially are seeking those rarer photos like those showing Gap-Filler radar sites in their operational days. While vintage photos are what we are most seeking, recent photos are very welcome, too. If you or someone you know have such photos (including pictures from welcome brochures, newspapers, magazines, etc.), please let us know. Also recommend checking with your local newspaper archives, libraries, museums, historical societies, and so forth, to see if photos might exist at those sources. Thank you all very much in advance. And many, many thanks to all the people who have contributed copies of their memorabilia already -- greatly appreciated!! -- Tom

stationed @ highland air force station new jersey with hq.52nd artillery brigade[air-defense]1961-1962

What a great site. I am the Planning Director for the Town of Topsham, and we are in the process of making plans for the former base. As part of the BRAC 2005, the now naval annex to the NASB is being closed. Finding this site is like a treasure trove of history. Thank you all for creating the site, and keeping the history alive. Rich Roedner Planning Director

Always hoping to hear from anyone from 666th Mill Vallet, Ca,,,, 932nd Rockville or 964th McClellan.

For those interested in radar technical history, MIT Lincoln Labs published a Journal 6 years ago with a wealth of 50 year old information. An abstract of the Journal is listed at: www.ll.mit.edu/news/journal/12_2.html Articles include DEW, SAGE, Space, etc. One article on DEW automatic signal detection was written by Dr. Robert Naka, with whom I was fortunate to have dinner two weeks ago. He had a wealth of radar `war stories`. Articles are downloadable in their entirety, in pdf.