A short but nice video clip of air-defense radar operations at the Tyndall AFB (FL) Sector Air Operations Center (SAOC) may be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EYrdiGYH0I/.

An 'interesting' video clip titled ''Assault on Mt. Umunhum,'' featuring a clandestine visit to the former Almaden AFS, CA (Z-96), may be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_HC1nrYPQg/. (Note that Radomes, Inc., neither endorses this video nor condones trespassing; we're simply pointing out the video which, admittedly, does have a number of interesting night-time views of the old radar station.)

Another video clip, this one titled ''Urban Explorers: Camp Hero,'' contains footage of the former Montauk AFS, NY (Z-45), and may be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cV4pO6MHBe4/. (Note that Radomes, Inc., neither endorses this video nor condones trespassing; we're simply pointing out the video.)

Hi All: This weekend pls msg me if you:
1. Have retired since your 'final' assignment [and still show
no end of assignment or retirement date]...
2. Are still showing an obsolete e-mail provider [such as
'cox.net' instead of 'suddenlink.net' or 'gte.net' in-
stead of 'verizon.net']...
3. Are showing a business [work] e-mail when you wud prefer
any msgs go to your residential e-handle?]...
4. You have spotted an errror in a roster entry or you are in
the 'wrong' roster in a 2- or 3- 'era' site and wud like
it fixed...
Tnx, Aaron.

Member of 665th RADS Calumet AFS MI. Atop Mount Horace Greeley from 1984 to 1988. 507th TAIRCW Shaw AFB SC 1988 1993. AC&W Instructor Keesler AFB MS 1993 to 1998. Whereabouts Top Secret Location 1998-2003. Retired AF MSGT 1 July 2003

Worked on F-106's for 49th, 318th FIS's, and 102nd FW. Good interesting site. Enjoyed it, Craig

Re: Gary Jacobs note below about the Mil Hdbk 162B. We have a copy on CD available in the Radomes BX as well. Gene

Name: Robert Reeves
Email: motorcarwarehouse@hotmail.com

To Gene and Tom and all the other contributors to Radomes:

This is something very special you have done,
quite the awesome website
for dependents and families
who also served, in their own way,
along side their "scope dope" fathers and husbands.

My father was John C. Reeves, radar maintenance.

Hutchinson,Ks. AFB (1960-63)
606ACW Doebraberg,(Hof)Germany(1964-67)
779th, Opheim,Montana (1967-70)
678th Panama City,Fla, Tyndall AFB.(1970)
Lowry AFB,Denver, Co. (1970-73)
Plattsburg AFB, NY, (73-76.)
Lowry AFB Denver (77-80)
Retired in 1980 as TSGT.

Would love to hear from any of Johns' friends.

"He walks through the jungle,
with his scope in his hand,
He's a mean @#?@$%*
He's a RADAR MAN!"







In memory of John Reeves, R.I.P.

Now on e-Bay, unrelated to me in any way whatsoever, item no: 260109469179, 1485-page “Military Handbook of United States Radar Equipment,” (Mil-Hdbk-162B, dated 15 Dec 1973). Provides photos, exploded views, charts, diagrams and written text for Radar Sets, Loran Receiving Sets, Antennas, Beacons, Doppler, Aircraft Radar Equipment, Altimeter Recording Set, Transponder Set, Bomb Director Set, Radar Identification Set, Aerial Target Control Set, Gun Fire Control System and more. Handbook is 3 1/2" thick and nicely preserved.

No indication if it included SAGE systems, but if that would be a query for the seller.

689 AC&W, Mt. Hebo, Oregon, 1956 and 1957--610 AC&W, Mt Seburyama, Japan, 1958. 27350 career field. Like to hear from others in this time and location.

Your acronyms were good, but a REAL former radar guy would remember PEGE flights. The forerunner of PACE. Oh, Programmed Evaluation of Ground Environment.

I was stationed at Cambria, NY from 11/62-9/65 in the IFC area. I was a computer operator. I would welcome correspondence from anyone who served at NF-16.........B-1-4.

Here's a funny acronym story. I had just arrived at Keesler from basic training and was being shown around the barracks. As I recall, everyone posted his name on a small holder above the door of each room. Two guys I became friendly with brought me to there room and I looked above their door to see their names posted. It was a three-man room, and there was another name of the third occupant. I asked my friends when they were going to introduce me to FIGMO. They both had a good laugh and then explained to me why they were laughing.

I recollect that PACE was "Performance Analysis Continuous Evaluation"
I also remember that the newest Weapons Director was the one to get stuck "controlling" the PACE Flights since it was only one aircraft and he already knew where to go. All you had to do was talk to him and provide stranger calls.

Re ''PACE,'' Bill Meskill is very close. It stood for ''Performance Analysis by Continual Evaluation.'' As Bill Leach mentioned, PACE replaced PEGE (but I don't know what ''PEGE'' stood for -- that was before my time).

A couple of years ago, MSgt Don Miles (who had been the PACE Coordinator at the 20th Air Division, Fort Lee AFS, VA, back in the late 1970s) reminded me of a PACE-flight incident involving the 701st RADS when I was the C-E-M Maintenance Supervisor there. It seems the height-finder operators would sometimes reply with height cuts whether the target was actually seen on the RHI scope or not. Apparently, this was commonplace at all the sites, as the troops were ''sure'' the equipment was working properly, and did not want to have a Job-Control ticket opened against the height-finder radar or the FYQ-47 digitizer for a PACE ''failure'' if too many returns were missed. On this one occassion, the height-finder operator was continuing to reply with height cuts where he ''knew'' the PACE aircraft was, even though the target had disappeared from the scope. A little while later, MSgt Miles called down and said, ''You guys can stop sending height replies; the flight was aborted 20 minutes ago.'' Yeah, that was embarrassing.
-- Tom

I believe PEGE stood for Programmed Evaluation of Ground Environment. An aircraft would fly a fixed route at a fixed altitude. The radar site would maintain surveillance. The evaluation was made based on where the aircraft was acquired and where it was lost.

You know you're a former radar maintenance troop when:

-- You can still operate a floor buffer with one hand;
-- When someone says "NRTS it," you know what that means;
-- When still have a 7-level screwdriver in your pocket on occasion;
-- When MDS, PPI, A-scope, E-scope, PRF, MTI, ECM, ECCM, PACE Flight, still mean something to you, though you can't always place them;

Okay, what are yours? (Maybe there should be one for scope dopes and radio troops.)

Gosh, Gary. You've given me a melancholy moment with all of those acronyms. I remember them all except PACE-----what was it?

Gary:

What do you mean one hand buffer control? That was child's play. We moved up to just holding the cord, the further from the handle the better! LOL

Gary,
How about IFF and SIF?? Also, for you GAP Filler types, SDV??

I tried applying online today (4/15/07) for membership on radomes homepage. Didn't see Memberships link. All it said was "$*(#@&!^#$_(@!!*$%&#@",must be handled by an ex maint troop.

Regarding Allen Miller's request for membership.....Go to the TRUE Radomes homepage www.Radomes.org There you will find the information you need for application/renewal.

Allen Miller's problems with the online Membership was another problem introduced by the move of the web server by our hosting company. This has caused me more hours to chase problems than I frankly have to give. Sorry, it happens sometimes. Oh, and by the way, I am an ex-maint troop :-)

Gene

Need an error corrected or missing date on site rosters? Pls msg me
and I'll fixit...1LT Don Ho [C-97 Pilot, CA-HI in 50s and Singer of
such hits as 'Tiny Bubbles' and 'Haw. Wedding Song'died Sat,14 Apr..
Aaron.

Tom,

I have an old post card from Port Moller AFS AK one of the Dew Line Sites. It was a MARS postcard withe the call sign KL7DBQ.
Had black and white photo's of the site, MARS equipment and the antenna field.

Yours for the asking.

Don

Hi there, Don Miles; long time, no hear! Anyway, please do send us the postcard of Port Moller AFS. If you can scan the photo, just e-mail the image to us. If not, please snail-mail the postcard to me, and I'll scan it. I will return the original to you afterwards. I will send you my home mailing address by separate e-mail. Thank you very much in advance.
-- Tom

For John Tianen and Gary Jacobs, and others re postcards. That's a really good question -- how many other radar sites did have their own postcards? I ask that everyone keep their eyes open for ones that come availbale on eBay and other sources. I myself have seen radar-station postcards for Bucks Harbor AFS, ME (3 postcards); for Palermo AFS, NJ (2 postcards); and now the one for Bellefontaine AFS, OH, that Gary pointed out. I also have to wonder WHY some sites were depicted on postcards in the first place, and WHY other sites were not. Anyway, if anyone comes across other postcards or other vintage photos, please bring them to our attention (or send us a copy), to help us document the history of the sites. Thanks!
-- Tom

Re: Radar Site Postcards. I too have often wondered if there were any other radar sites featured on postcards, and have done several searches in the past looking for any that might show up on the web. I made inquiries to a couple of photo collectors on for photos and postcards of sites in Montana with no luck. I suppose the best bets would be for those sites being located near larger population centers, where more cards could have been sold.

Re: Radar site Postcards. John, Gary, Tom et al: I just got to thinking; perhaps the best source of knowledge of which sites offered post cards will be from those troops who worked the on-site BX, or exchanges at air bases located close by. ANY OF YOU OUT THERE?

- - Dick - -

Now on e-Bay, unrelated to me in any way whatsoever: 664th Radar Sq., Bellefontaine, Ohio, post card, probably from the 60s or 70s, item no.: 290103262586. Perhaps your unit arrived, as they say, when you got your own postcard?

I have a Bellefountaine AFS postcard around here somewhere. I was there 2-65 to 2-66 in the Comm Center and Barracks Chief of the building next to HQ when I left for Vietnam.

The aerial photo I submitted to Radomes several years ago of the Rockville, Iceland radar site (circa 1962) was taken from a postcard. I still have the original. I wonder how many other radar sites had their own postcards?

Here's a Radar Screensaver: http://www.liveatc.net/topfeeds.php It's a free trial and you can buy it later if you want. Pretty cool.
Chuck Sunder 719 AC&W Sparrevohn, AK 1955

I was stationed at Montauk AFS back in 1973. I really started getting into the old site after hearing about the "Montauk Project." I would like to see the site again in the near future with a visit to Long Island and my old haunts.

Kevin....

I visited Montauk as a guest of the New York State Parks Dept. in 2002 for the dedication of Fort Hero/Montauk AFS State Park. Bud Egan and myself were invited (with police escort) to visit the FPS-35 tower as it is closed to the public (very dangerous). The concrete tower is in fairly good shape, but the antenna and stairways are in poor shape as is the almost non-existant antenna deck railing. There is no lighting inside the tower, so each or us needed our own lighting. The access to the park is via a road/trail a few feet after you enter Montauk Point State Park. I have visited the site once since.

HankB

Re the former Montauk AFS: While on a business trip to Long Island in August 2004, I was granted permission by NY State Parks to enter (with a park escort) and go to the top of the old AN/FPS-35 radar tower. Let me just say that the facility is not improving with age. The final flight of stairs immediately below the antenna deck was quite rusty and was sagging noticeably ... but (luckily) was still structurally sound. The radar sail itself was very, very badly rusted, and might now be beyond repair. Officials from NY State Parks have stated that they are committed to preserving and restoring the tower and its antenna assembly ... but apparently no money is being targeted for such at the present, as far as we know. Anyway, I felt truly fortunate to be allowed access to the old tower and especially the antenna deck -- I doubt the stairs will remain safe much longer, unless an overhaul is effected soon (doubtful). On the positive side, on that August day, the weather was quite pleasant with almost unlimited visibility, and the view was great. I almost hated to come down. -- Tom

Dimare CODAN is related to the AN/FRR57 it employes CODAN which cosists of sensing circuits That providesignaling for preperscribed operational levels used only in the Sage system

For: J Dimare

CODAN stands for: Carrier On Detect Anti Noise. Was a 304X4 for to many years not to know.

JimE

Ok, maybe Dale Sluss remembers this one. Sage. Radios. Weapons consoles. The red light that went on when you stepped on the pedal. CODAN light it was called. I remember nearly everything but this. What the heck did CODAN stand for?

Starting in 1952 I was stationed at Point arena afs ca, Indian Mt Alaska,Portland IAP ,or ,North Bend AFS,or, San Clemente Is,ca Mchord afb wa. norton afb ca, luke ads az, Unalakleet afs alaska, empireafs mi, Changed afsc to 1st sgt went nam then san pedro afs ,ca mt hebo afs or, thailand, norton afb ca and retired in 1977...

Enlisted Controllers

During my assignment from 1956 to 1959 at the 703rd AC&W Squadron in Texarkana, Ar, I advanced from a Scope Dope to Intercept Control Tech. However, most of my time for the last two years was spent working air-ground radio communication with military and civilian aircraft. This was both supervised and un-supervised by the Officer Controllers assigned to the squadron. I was assigned a Squadron Controller number. The military activity was mostly flight follows, some non-precision radar bomb scoring missions, as well as ECM/EECM missions. On two occasions I ran bumping-head intercept missions with F-86’s out of Perrin AFB.

We provided a lot of assistance to civilian airlines who were trying to avoid the weather fronts that are common in that part of the country. In 1959, the first commercial 707 traffic was monitored by FAA controllers assigned to various AC&W sites. I served as a liaison to the FAA guys assigned to the 703rd, and eventually performed a fair share of the ground-air communications.

That was my experience as well as that of a couple of the other ICT’s at the 703rd. Granted we were not official, or considered Weapons Controllers, but we logged a lot of controller type time. After discharge, one of the ICT’s went directly into a FAA enroute traffic control center. I was going to as well, but decided at the last minute to peruse a different career.

Was wonderfully surprised to find this site while looking for some information on the old Master of Air Defense qualifications requirements. I was one of the first enlisted controllers when the Air Force decided to give us a try back in 1975 or so and later became the first Master of Air Defense for NORAD in 1976. I didn't have a goal of becoming the first - it just happened that way. Anyway, I have been asked to be the guest speaker at Nellis AFB, Weapons Controller School Graduation in June and was looking for some history to use in a speach. Look forward to hearing from some of the great folks that I was privileged to serve with throughout the world. Callsign was Fertile 89 in the US and "Smoke" in Alaska.

Reference Dale Sluss' comments about enlisted controllers - I seem to remember there were some of them around when I first entered the 'scope dope' field back in 1955. They were phased out in the late '50s, as more officers were channelled into the 174X filed.

I've been a member of Radomes for years, but finally put my name on the site rosters for Eagle Pass AFS, Texas Tower 2, Indian Mountain AFS, Murphy Dome AFS, and Manassas AFS.