Saratoga Springs Air Force Station
 | This article includes a improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (December 2012) ) |
| Saratoga Springs Air Force Station Air Defense Command (ADC) | |
|---|---|
  Saratoga Springs AFS Location of Saratoga Springs AFS, New York | |
| Coordinates | 43°00′41″N 073°40′57″W / 43.01139°N 73.68250°W |
| Type | Air Force Station |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by |  United States Air Force |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1952 |
| In use | 1952–1977 |
| Garrison information | |
| Garrison | 656th Aircraft Control and Warning (later Radar) Squadron |
Saratoga Springs (Also known as Schuylerville) Air Force Station (ADC ID: P-50, NORAD ID: Z-50) is a closed United States Air Force General Surveillance Radar station. It is located 7.2 miles (11.6 km) southeast of Saratoga Springs, New York. It was closed by the Air Force in 1977.
History
In September 1948 the Air Force authorized
Because of difficulties with new production radar equipment, the radar station, initially known as Schuylerville, NY, did not open until 1 February 1952 when the 656th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron activated with
Saratoga Springs AFS was one of the first to receive an
The search radar subsequently was upgraded in 1961 to become an
In addition to the main facility, Saratoga Springs operated three unmanned
- New Preston, CT (P-50A) 41°43′37″N 073°21′11″W / 41.72694°N 73.35306°W
- Andes, NY (P-50B) 42°13′13″N 074°51′05″W / 42.22028°N 74.85139°W
- New Salem, MA (P-50E) 42°30′37″N 072°21′13″W / 42.51028°N 72.35361°W
All were closed in June 1968.
Over the years, the equipment at the station was upgraded or modified to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the information gathered by the radars. The site conducted routine operations until 1976 when it was announced the station would be closed as a result of the unlikelihood of an air attack on the Continental United States. The 656th Radar Squadron was inactivated on 30 June 1977. The FAA continued using the AN/FPS-27 tower to house beacon (SIF) only for several years after the USAF ceased radar operations.
Today, Saratoga Springs Air Force Station is abandoned and deteriorating. Most structures and towers still stand in various states of disrepair. The three Gap Filler sites have their support buildings still standing, also abandoned.
Air Force units and assignments
Units:
- 656th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, Activated 27 November 1950 at Schenectady, NY (L-7)
- Moved to permanent site at Schuylerville, NY 1 February 1952 (redesignated Saratoga Springs Air Force Station) 1 December 1953
- Redesignated: 656th Radar Squadron (SAGE), 15 December 1958
- Redesignated: 656th Radar Squadron, 1 February 1974
- Inactivated 30 June 1977
Assignments:
- 540th Aircraft Control and Warning Group (32d Air Division), 27 November 1950
- 32d Air Division, 6 February 1952
- 4707th Defense Wing, 16 February 1953
- 4622d Air Defense Wing, 16 October 1956
- Boston Air Defense Sector, 8 January 1957
- 35th Air Division, 1 April 1966
- 21st Air Division, 19 November 1969 – 30 June 1977
See also
References
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
- Cornett, Lloyd H. and Johnson, Mildred W., A Handbook of Aerospace Defense Organization 1946–1980, Office of History, Aerospace Defense Center, Peterson AFB, CO (1980).
- Winkler, David F. & Webster, Julie L., Searching the Skies[dead link], The Legacy of the United States Cold War Defense Radar Program, US Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratories, Champaign, IL (1997).
- Information for Saratoga Springs AFS, NY
