Las Cruces Air Force Station
This article includes a improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (December 2012) ) |
Las Cruces Air Force Station Air Defense Command (ADC) | |
---|---|
Coordinates | 32°15′34″N 106°58′36″W / 32.25944°N 106.97667°W |
Type | Air Force Station |
Site information | |
Controlled by | United States Air Force |
Site history | |
Built | 1954 |
In use | 1954-1963 |
Garrison information | |
Garrison | 685th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron |
Las Cruces Air Force Station (ADC ID: M-95) is a closed United States Air Force General Surveillance Radar station. It is located 12.1 miles (19.5 km) west-southwest of Las Cruces, New Mexico. It was closed in 1963.
History
Las Cruces Air Force Station was established as part of the planned deployment by
The 685th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron was assigned to Las Cruces AFS by the 34th Air Division on 1 December 1954. The site consisted of 25 buildings, five barracks, 27 family housing units and several maintenance buildings. It was manned by eighteen officers and 208 airmen and NCOs. Facilities included a station theater, where films were shown four nights a week; an NCO club (soft drinks and beer only, no spirits were sold); a Library; a volleyball and badminton court; a swimming pool and a ping pong table and a baseball diamond. A small BX was available with limited goods and a small dispensary.
By 1955, the Squadron began operating an
In addition to the main facility, Las Cruces operated several
- El Paso, TX (M-95A): 31°49′33″N 105°59′20″W / 31.82583°N 105.98889°W
- Columbus, NM (M-95B): 31°47′56″N 107°44′03″W / 31.79889°N 107.73417°W
- Sierra Blanca, TX (M-95E): 31°41′53″N 105°22′57″W / 31.69806°N 105.38250°W
- Gage, NM (M-95G): 32°12′26″N 108°07′35″W / 32.20722°N 108.12639°W
By 1961 the 685th was operating
Today, most of the station remains intact and in relatively good condition. It is used as the Dona Ana County Fairgrounds and speedway.
See also
- List of USAF Aerospace Defense Command General Surveillance Radar Stations
References
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
- A Handbook of Aerospace Defense Organization 1946 - 1980, by Lloyd H. Cornett and Mildred W. Johnson, Office of History, Aerospace Defense Center, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado
- Winkler, David F. (1997), Searching the skies: the legacy of the United States Cold War defense radar program. Prepared for United States Air Force Headquarters Air Combat Command.
- Information for Las Cruces AFS, NM