Unalakleet Air Force Station
 | This article includes a improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (December 2012) ) |
Unalakleet Air Force Station | |
|---|---|
| Part of Alaskan Air Command (AAC) | |
  Unalakleet AFS Location of Unalakleet AFS, Alaska | |
| Coordinates | 63°55′04″N 160°45′04″W / 63.91778°N 160.75111°W |
| Type | Air Force Station |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by |  United States Air Force |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1953 |
| In use | 1958-1969 |
| Garrison information | |
| Garrison | 718th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron (1953-1969) |
Unalakleet Air Force Station (AAC ID: F-20) is a closed United States Air Force General Surveillance Radar station. It was located 394 miles (634 km) west of Fairbanks, Alaska.
History
Unalakleet AFS was a continental defence radar station constructed to provide the United States Air Force early warning of an attack by the Soviet Union on Alaska.
In 1957, 622 acres were acquired approximately 3 miles northeast of Unalakleet, Alaska for construction of the station. Using the existing port facilities at the settlement, Naval LST's and towed barges were able to land of construction equipment and material, which was transported along a gravel road to the construction site. The completed station consisted of about 25 buildings and miscellaneous support structures 63°55′07″N 160°46′20″W / 63.91861°N 160.77222°W. on a hilly site to the west of the radar station, which was located on top of a hill at 900' elevation. The station buildings were, except for the civil engineering building connected by heated hallways. As a result, personnel stationed there, with only very few exceptions, were able to wear "summer" uniforms year round, unless they had a need to go outside during the winter season. The coverings of the station's three radar towers were heated from within to keep the covering from becoming brittle from extreme cold, and thus subject to being damaged or destroyed by high winds. Tours at the station were limited to one year because of the psychological strain and physical hardships.
The
Communications were initially provided by a high frequency radio system which proved unreliable because of atmospheric disturbances. The Alaskan Air Command, after investigating various options, decided to build the
Unalakleet Air Force Station was very expensive to maintain, and was inactivated due to budget reductions on 30 September 1969, its mission being taken over by other AAC surveillance radar sites with upgraded and more capable equipment.
After the station's closure, the buildings, radars and communications antennas sat derelict and abandoned for decades. In 1998
Air Force units and assignments
Units:
- 718th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, 1953–1969
Assignments:
See also
References
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency