Recent Photos of Bellefontaine AFS, OH

Radar Site 2012 image looking North

Radar-Ops 2012 image looking North

Radar-Ops 2012 image looking East

Radar-Ops 2012 image looking South

Radar-Ops 2012 image looking West

Housing Area 2012 image looking North

Housing Area 2012 image looking East

Housing Area 2012 image looking South

Housing Area 2012 image looking West

Source: http://www.txmountaineer.com/reports/CampbellHill-0501.htm

Detail from the sign (above), which acknowledges the 664th.

The date of this photo is unknown, however, the AN/FPS-27 search radar tower was still standing when this photo was shot.
Source: http://unh.edu/esci/ohio.html

October 2000 Update

Photos and notes by Gene McManus and Tom Page

I`ve heard that the radar towers had been removed from Bellefontaine AFS, so during the Ohio State-Michigan (always a rivalry) Road Trip 2000 with Tom Page, we made a stop for a look-see. Turns out that only the FPS-27 tower has been removed since my last visit.

The grassy area in the background is where the old FPS-27 tower previously stood. It`s now completely gone.

AN/FPS-26 tower (left) and AN/FPS-6 tower (right) on the summit of Campbell Hill, highest point in Ohio. Photo taken from approximately the location of the now-demolished AN/FPS-27 tower.

Behind (east of) where the -27 tower stood, is this foundation remains. It appears to be that of a low temperate tower. I didn`t see this on my 1998 visit.

Hi-Point Career Center has placed a plaque commemorating the 664th Radar Squadron. This is at the base of the flagpole which is on the north side of the old FPS-6 tower. There are a couple of park benches here as well. Thanks, Hi-Point!

Old housing area and ball field, as viewed from the radar/ops area at the top of Campbell Hill.

October 1998

Photos and notes by Gene McManus
Email: gmcmanus@radomes.org

About an hour`s drive northwest of Columbus, a mile east of the city of Bellefontaine on State Route 540, just east of the U.S. 33 - S.R. 540 exit, and located on Campbell Hill, the highest point in the state of Ohio, stood 664th RADS, Bellefontaine AFS.

P-73/Z-73 Bellefontaine AFS

A replacement site for L-22 at Lockbourne, this site became active in 1952 when the 664th AC&W Squadron turned on AN/FPS-3 and AN/CPS-4 radar sets. In 1958 the 664th was operating AN/FPS-20 search and AN/FPS-6 and 6A height finder radars. SAGE operations began in August 1959. The search radar was upgraded and redesignated as an AN/FPS-66 in 1961. By 1966 the site was using an AN/FPS-27. The 664th was deactivated in September 1969.

Source: Searching the Skies, USAF Air Combat Command

Living less than two hours away from Bellefontaine, I have been planning to go there to photograph the old radar site all summer. Finally, in mid-October, I found my time and the weather cooperating simultaneously, and made the trip.

The 664th was easy to find, only a very short distance off U.S. 33. The site is now the home of Ohio High Point Career Center, a vocational school. Unlike the old 786th which I visited in August, the grounds and buildings here were pristine, if you aren`t too critical of the peeling paint on the radar towers. I was given permission by Ms. Nancy Knight, the school superintendent, to roam the area and take photographs. I wasn`t allowed to enter any of the old towers, clearly posted "Off Limits". Nevertheless, I was able to relatively free access to the site, and the photos here are the result. Incidentally, without going into specifics, Ms. Knight told me that the towers would likely soon be torn down.

I have no historical data on the site at this time, but will be making a later trip to Bellefontaine to spend some time digging into the local newspaper archives, and perhaps the public library.

	AN/FPS-27 tower
	AN/FPS-26 tower
	AN/FPS-6 tower
	AN/FPS-26 and AN/FPS-6 towers

The 664th housing area was located just outside the main gate. The housing units are in good condition, mostly occupied with businesses or offices, with one or two private residences.

Entrance to the fallout shelter, across the street from the Operations building.

Boiler plant. Dining hall just visible on the left.

NCO Club

This image is from the website: http://www.americasroof.com/oh.html