In 1956 when my dad, Vincent F. McCaul, retired from USN and went to work for Philco-Ford as Tech-Rep supporting the USAF 864 AC&W Squadron at Vincent AFB, Yuma, AZ. Remember the radar sweep causing the fluorscent lamps to `flash` in the bldgs at night! Also made a few trips with him (and others) to the Stone Cabin and Tacna `gap-filler` radar sites...recall there were scorpians everywhere when the doors were opened! Some names (USAF and Philco) that I remember: John Monteforde, USAF Don `Oakie` Reed, USAF Jan Howell, USAF Ross Seeley, Philco Joe LaFata, Philco Mr. Higuerra, Philco ...ironically, I went into USN and flew the seaward extension of the DEW Line out of Argentia, Newfoundland, Canada, and Keflavik, Iceland, as an AEW/CIC aircrewman aboard Lockheed/USN EC-121 `Warning Star` airborne early warning aircraft.

648th ACWS Benton AFS, Pa. Indian Mt.,AK., Lockport AFS, NY., Malmstrom AFB, MT.,

Attn Jack McKinney. I just mailed you an important historical document for your archives. It`s the 1952 Christmas menu from 666 AC&W.Oddly enough. the RC-121D you have on display at the museum, was one that I flew on as Radar Tech, out of McClellan in 1954-55.I bet you dont have the original APS-20B, APS-45,APA-56 et cetera radar equipment nor the Poloroid MTI equipment. In the spring of `54 we flew all our brass on the Super Connie to Peterson to show to ADC Commander Gen Chidlow whom I met when he boarded the A/C. Fifty years ago! maybe i should be in your museum?

I was stationed at the 904th AC&W in Winslow Arizona from January 1958 thru December 1958. Would like to hear from people who were stationed there.

Assigned as radar operator from June 1960 to Dec 1962 with the 961st . Flew missions at McCoy AFB during the Cuban Missile Crises and also at Sanderstrom AFB in Greenland during the ground PM. Looking forward to hearing from anyone that might remember me. Thanks for the site.

Just enjoy the messages. I work at Peterson Air and Space Museum as Volunteer Director of Archives, Peterson AFB, Colorado, putting together air defense and NORAD COC exhibits and looking for any photos, site rosters, mementos, etc that may be hiding out in your attic, basement or wherever. Like all of you, my 25 years in the air defense business created lasting friendships and memories. Take a look at our website: www.petemuseum.org

Reference 754th Radar Sq/AC&W Sq, a slight correction. We left Oscoda AB, MI, in July 1951 with several truckloads of equipment from the site there, and arrived at Port Austin AFS in mid afternoon. By Midnight we were on the air and operational with our trusty AN/TPS-C, which we continued to operate until installation was completed on the FPS-3 the next year. My operations crew was on duty at Oscoda that morning when we shut down, and we were again on duty when we turned on the radar that night at Port Austin.

I see lots of mention of 528th AC&W Gp. >I was stationed at Johnson Field, Japan Jul 1948-Aug 1951. Most of that >time was spent in ADCC, 620th AC&W Sq as a plotter, then HF radio oper. >and M/I. >   In Jul 1948, the 620th AC&W Sq was assigned to 314th (Air ? )Composite >(Wing?) within 5th Air Force. Later became 314th Air Div (Defense), then >later we were in 528th AC&W Gp. >   The 620th was responsible for 5thAF Air Defense School with >instructors & maint and  manning  of the ADCC. In thinking back, we >received traffic from radar sites at Shiroi (Hot Point ) and Niagata ( >Catagory). Our call sign was Plumage . Seem to remember an ADCC (613th >AC&W Sq ) at Misawa and another ADCC at Itazuke. Maybe 610th AC&W Sq. >  I have been in contact with others that were assigned to 620th at >Johnson, but none that were there during that time period. Wonder if >there are any more still around from that time period ? >T.McCracken, MSGT (USAF Retired) >  haymac@webtv.net

For Walt Marley: We did, indeed, use the solar tables to calibrate both the search radars in azimuth and the height finders in elevation. Back then we did not have access to computers at the TCGp level capable of producing the solar data tables, so we obtained the necessary information from the squadron at Ent AFB. TAC and ADC had an agreement that provided for this level of support and coordination. The 507th TCGp was responsible for evaluating all the National Guard radars located east of the Mississippi River, and for performing siting for all contingency plans and exercises in that area and in the Middle East. It was a very interesting job and one that I felt well-qualified by my prior experience to fill.

Anyone stationed in Kirksville mo. during 1960-62,recall the last name of a girl who visited the club quite a bit,her first name was Junita. old memory dosn`t work to well...let me know..

Malmstrom - SAGE call sign 61 - 63 was Sidewalk Sparrevohn 63 - 64 was Redbud Any other sites with old Alaskan radar site photos?

I was assigned to the 601st, 728th and 606th AC&W SQDNs TAC is there a listeng for them.

I was stationed at Havre and Blaine (2) twice. I am looking for a guy by the name of Dale Hymas, if you know his whereabouts or email address please let me know thanks.

Roger Freeman: Based upon your `Guestbook` entry, I added ``528 ACW, Det 12, Sakata, JP`` to our overseas data base. Can you supply more information, such as the radar type(s) and dates of operation? Any photos or squadron emblem? Call signs? Maps? Thanks!! -- Tom

They were great times serving at the Radar sites. 615 AC&W 1956 to 1960, 752 Radar 1962 to 1969, 645th Radar 1969 to 1971, 677 AC&W 1971 to 1972, 754 Radar 1972 to 1974, and ADC HQ 1974 to 1977. A lot of war stories from those places and some great people to work with. Bob

Interesting tour of duty at the 765th AC&W Radar Sq. Charleston AFS, Charleston, Me. from the fall of `67 to the fall of `70. My wife is from nearby Garland and we will be married for 35 years come Jan. of `05. Duty was at the FPS-27 as a Maint. Rprmn. Later worked for Raytheon as an radar Eng. Rprmn.and ultimately became a Maint. Engineer and Manager for the corrugated industry,(26yrs.). Still lots of old memories in my head especially with Bob Croft, `Woody`, Tom Ballard (aka-TSB), Tom (tech rep) & Aggie Cornine, Julius Sills, and many more. Anyone out there remember? jf

758 Makah AFS from 82 - 84. `Scope dope`.

How do we go about listing 528th AC&W, site 12, Sakata, Japan on thelisting?

Fifty-one years later. My wife and I met an old member and his wife of the 127 and later the 677 AC&W Squadron of Fort Williams, Maine at the Shades of Green hotel at Lake Buena Vista, Florida last week. We were station together at Fort Williams 1952-53. The 127 was an old Michigan Air National Guard that was called to active duty for two years in 1951. In 1953 the 127 converted back to Michigan guard. The 677 AC&W Squadron was organized. Walter and I was assigned to 677 in 1953. The 677 then later that year it was reassigned to Alpene, Michigan without personnel. I went to 766 AC&W at Caswall AFS, Limestone, Maine and Walter went to 4711 Defense Wing at Presque Isle AFB, Maine. We had not seen each other since then. After 51 years later it been long time. So don`t give up hope if you looking for old AC&W buddies. If you look hard enough you will find them. Thanks to the computer age.

For Walt Martley: I don`t know if I qualify as one you`d be interested in, but my experiences were varied enough I thought I`d mention them. As a newly-commissioned 2LT, when I was assigned at Mt. Hebo AFS, OR (689th ACW) in 1960, I was an overage (Radar Maintenance Officer position already filled) so my boss, a Captain, assigned this green 2LT to be in charge of the AN/FST-2 that had just been installed and was undergoing final testing. I attended the maintenance classes being conducted on site for the USAF troops by the Burroughs techreps, which I found very interesting. About a year later, work began on the new AN/FPS-24 FD radar and I was sent to Eufaula AFS, AL for training on that new equipment (Anti-jam operator class). Then, in 1962 I was selected to attend IBM classes in Kingston, NY to become a Computer Maintenance Officer on the AN/FSQ-7 SAGE computer and subsequent reassignment to Adair AFS, OR (POADS). This was the initial training of USAF troops to perform maintenance on the AN/FSQ-7, and the original concept was that the maintenance officers and senior NCOs were an integral part of the work force, since the more junior troops were only trained on 1/3 of the computer and the supervisors were the `glue` that allowed them to work together where those parts interfaced. Of course, this process quickly became less important as the maintenance force learned more about each other`s responsibilities and technical information. In 1964 I was sent for a year to Cartwright AS, Labrador (922nd ACW) as Radar Maintenance Officer; I was promoted to Captain while there. Following that assignment, I was sent to Program 437 at Vandenberg AFB, CA (10th ADS) and spent 9 months on Johnston Island as a Payload Control Officer. There followed 2 years to get a MSIE degree at USC, and a year and a half in Iran as a Radar Advisor to the IIAF. Upon return to the US in 1971, I was sent to Shaw AFB, SC (728th TCS) as the Radar Maintenance Officer on the AN/TPS-43. A year later, I was transferred to the 507th TCG headquarters on that base as the head of the Radar Evaluation/Siting office--I job I filled for 3 years. During that period I frequently conferred with the experts in the Radar Evaluation Squadron at Ent AFB, CO--principally for advice and Solar strobe tables. I was eventually RIFed for not making Major and enlisted at Scott AFB, IL as a SGT COBOL Computer programmer. That assignment lasted 2 years, during which my T/S clearance got reactivated, and I was sent to Ramstein AB, Germany to do programming for NATO and Hq, USAFE for my last 3 years. A varied and rewarding 20 year career, including quite a few areas you indicated some interest in. If you go to the 689th (Mt. Hebo) and Adair AFS pages you will find some documents I wrote about those experiences and some pictures, too.

For David Casteel. Your note mentions Solar strobe tables, reminding me of a procedure we used at Ramstein to establish azimuth orientation of LRRs. We opened the receiver to capture solar noise as the antenna rotated, then determined center azimuth from a scatter diagram of the noise plot. The 412L setup made it simple and accurate. You did indeed have a varied career!

What a great site! Brought back loads of memories. I was in SAGE Height and DOTE at 20th for almost four years. DOTE was where the testing came from-spent many a night up all night printing tests out an the ancient `DLO`. From there to ground TACS, 104th FACP, where we had MPS-11, we thought we were really high tech when got the 43E. Spent many years, surv, wpns, on the old 35`s and yea I remember the mapper, too. I used to have to design and order the plates from DMA. There were not too many females in those days. In Claytons photo of the NCO Barracks at Ft Lee, I lived in the barrack to the left, my window is the one just to the side of the gazebo. During those days I never dreamed that I would be a `lifer`, 32 years now. Thanks for the memories! The link for Fritz Newsom was not deliverable-he was my old supervisor, if anyone knows how to contact6t him let me know. By the way I am at Keesler now-waling distance to the WAF squadron and schoolhouse.

I served on Resolution Island at the 920th AC&W Squadron from 1955 to 1956 and am interested in locating fellow airmen that I served with there. Jeff Woodcox

served at 796th acw bartlesville oklahoma 1952-57 at 642nd acw st johns nfld 1957-60,780th acw fortuna afs westby mont.1960-62,norad alcop kc mo 1962-63,619th tac cont sq siagon vietnam 1964-65 20th/33rd ad fort lee afs virginia 1965-68

Was stationed at 923d AC&W Squadron, Hopedale, Labrador 1957-1958. Remember Leon Woodward, A/1c, Irving Bork a/3c. Airmen Laziki, Alfred E. Newberry, Lt. Rice, Mail clerk Bell.

Defended American Skys and GI from 1966-1970. I was assigned to HQ 34th Air Division 1966 - Oct.1968. I moved on to 5th TAC at Clark Air Base in the PI.From there. I went tdy to Ubon twice, Green Hills,and Mukdahan in Thailand and Monkey MTN in Vietnam and a courrier run to Taiwan when I was short. Welcome Home guys Beep Beep Rich

I was stationed at Tatalina AK.from 9/55 to 12/56.717th AC&W Sq. Takotna Ak. 11th Air Div.

I was assigned as a radar operator on this site from Seo 1957 til Nov 1959.

I was assigned as a radar operator from Nov 1959 til Dec 1960.

Today a light plane dropped 3 wreaths off of Nantuket Island & Cape Cod in the memory of 3 RC121 Radar Connies and 50 men true cold war Heros GOD BLESS them

I was assigned to this site as radar maintenance from Feb 1963 til Mar 1969.

I was assigned to this site as radar maint. from Apr 1969 til Apr 1970.

Served 1951- 53. Saratoga N.Y. 1954 926 ACW, Frobisher Bay. Baffin Island. Dicharged St. Paul Minn. Central Air defense Command.

I was at 762 radar station, N. Truro, Mass. From Jan.67 to Nov.70 Worked in the heating plant. Mr.Gasper was my Boss. I hope to go back next year.The Cape was the best place I`ve ever been. Thanks, Gene Banti

Stationed at 785th AC&W, Finley, ND from May 1951 to May 1953. One of the first group stationed there. Would like to hear from any one stationed there at that time frame.

Was just looking up the history of the Bedford AFS ... 649th. Noted that the sketch of the operations area noted is that of contonement area. Is there a sketch of operations area. I`ve been retracing the old AT on the mountain (pre-radar site) and could use info on what the ruins I`ve found in the woods are. By the way, Building T-16, the water pump building across the Parkway and downhill, is still there, with sign still on building.

A salute to all veterans, especially those members of Radomes whose service contributed to the end of the Cold War. A job well done.

Why did we do it? By Jack R. Kerr MSgt USAF Retired Did we do it because of threat of the draft? Maybe some of us! Did we do it for the money? Wasn’t a whole lot of it! Did we do it because we were heroes? Some did pay the price! Did we do it for the education? We did get that ! Did we do it for the fun of it? We did seem to enjoy it! Did we do it to wear the uniform? We did look good in it! Did we do it for fame? Not many of us got it! Did we do it for Mom? Maybe! Did we do it for baseball? I never liked the game! Did we do it for apple pie? No, but we sure like it! Did we do it for Chevrolet? No and not Dodge or Ford either! Did we do it for our comrades? There were some I would have died for! Did we do it for our family? I would still die for them! Did we do it for our country? Not for the soil, maybe the ideals! Did we do it because we were patriots? We were all devoted to something! Did we do it to man the ramparts of freedom? That was done at Concord and Lexington too! Did we do it for God? After our last sortie, only eternity may tell why we did it!

WAS 720TH ACW MIDDLETON ISLAND 56/57, 663RD ACW 57/59. GOOD DUTY.GOOD FOOD, LOTS OF COFFEE

I have been gone for a while but I am back. Was at Condon OR. and Keno, OR, also at King Salmon AK and Wasserkuppe in Germany would like to hear from any one.

I want to wish a happy Veterans Day to all my fellow veterans. I would encourage all of you to consider joining one of our fine veteran`s organization. I am a member of the American Legion, Post 243 and a life member of TREA, The Retired Enlisted Association. Our prayers should go out to all the troups in harms way this day.

I was assigned to the T-2 section of the 784th RADRON from Oct, 1965 until May of 1968. I just retired from Foreign Service on July 14, 2003.

From the online “Writer’s Almanac”: Today is Veterans Day, honoring Americans who have served their country in the armed forces. November 11 was originally called Armistice Day because it was on this day in 1918 that the First World War came to an end. The armistice was signed at 11:00 AM, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of the year. After four years of brutal trench fighting, nine million soldiers had died and 21 million were wounded. It was called `The War to End All Wars,` because it was the bloodiest war in history up to that point, and it made many people so sick of war that they hoped no war would ever break out again. Many intellectuals and artists were disillusioned by the war and thought it had been meaningless. But President Woodrow Wilson believed that the United States` participation in World War I was a great victory for idealism. He said, `The Americans who went to Europe to die are a unique breed. Never before have men crossed the seas to a foreign land to fight for a cause which they did not pretend was peculiarly their own, which they knew was the cause of humanity and mankind. These Americans gave the greatest of all gifts, the gift of life and the gift of spirit.` ... I was interested in astronomy and radiating bodies in high school physics classes. I learned the constellations and watched the Echo satellites. The Vietnam war went on from when I was in elementary school through high school. There was a draft in 1971 when I graduated at age 17. I actually enlisted before I graduated under a program, “delayed enlistment,” and my parents had to sign for me. I think this may still exist. A brother told me to when taking the career tests to do bad at everything except what I wanted, electronics, so I did. I deliberately answered incorrectly the other questions. Thus I was “guaranteed” electronics and arrived at Keesler. I was informed that I was to be an AC&W technician.

My first duty assignment was the 795th AC&W Site at Cape Romanzoff, Alaska in 1960-1961. I was a clerk for the Civil Engineer a Capt Green. Anyone from the old school, that was stationed there. Please contact me......

I spent ten yrs in the Air Force,and most of them were on AC&W sites from 1954 to 1964,Klamath,calif,site 33 funagawa Japan,Amori Japan,2 in Montana ,i was in wire maint,

Just dropped in. Was 2nd Radar Operator assigned to SAGE - aqt McGuire AFB, NJ in 1956. First was CMSgt Al Froeschle, now deceased, who was a MSgt then. He was my oldest daughter`s godfather. As I recall, the original Director of Opwerations, was a Lieutenant Col Hugh D. Dow, followed by Lt Col Dolford Payne. Coommander John McIntire was navy liaison, for both the Picket Vessels, andthe Blimp (Water Rose) which operated out of Lakehurst NAS,NJ. Don Lemen was NCOIC of Ops. He was then a MSgt. I have a head full of trivia - on NYADS

Just found this site. It sure is interesting. Radar Operator 610th AC&W Det 43 Suburiyama in southern Japan 4/57 to 4/58. Grand Rapids, Mn 707th AC&W 4/58 to 11/60. Would like to hear from anyone that remembers me.

In talking with a friend, I mentioned the AN/TPS-44 had four switchable ranges. I think. My memory may be faulty. But at the 622 TCF in Germany we used it on the long-range only. I think the idea was it could be used in shortest range, which I think was 40 miles, as an airfield radar. My friend asked if ranges could be switched while radiating? I said I didn’t think so. He asked if any other radars were so gifted? I said not to my knowledge, but I didn’t think so. I think Teledyne made the 44. For some reason the 44 school I attended in 1973 was at McClellan AFB. My friend asked if Teledyne was still around and making radars? I said I don’t know. All this was a long time ago, but perhaps the Radomes community members (I hope readers will join) know more than I.

To the best of my memory the TPS-44 changed PRts when the range on the maintenance monitor in the trailer was changed. I do not believe that you had to shut the transmitter off since it was the trigger that changed. I do not know of any other radar that had this capability.

Always looking for people from 666th Mt Tam, Cal. 932nd Rockville or 964th at McClellan

New life for housing at the former Watertown AFS, NY. An additional Brigade for the 10th Mountain Division, Ft Drum, NY, may lead the Army to refurbish AF military housing formerly used by the 655th Radar Squadron. Ft Drum is about 14 miles away from the old radar site housing area. The 27 houses now belong to the NY State Department of Correctional Services and are unoccupied. The idea is to bridge the gap between a current housing shortage in the area and future home construction. How the housing will be reburbished and who will own is still being decided.

I was stationed `on` Sparrevohn 1963 - 64 during Kennedy`s assasination and the Good Friday quake. Would love to share photos and of course memories from others who were so unfortunate. But !! what memories.

I WAS STATION AT TYNDALL FROM 60 T0 62 I WAS AT SASKATOON MOUNTAIN FROM 62 TO 63 THEN SWEETWATER TEXAS FROM 63 TILL 67 THEN MONKEY MOUNTAIN VN FROM 67 TO 68 AND I WOULD LIKE TO HERE FROM ANYONE WHO REMEMBER ME

Just wanted to be first message of the month. Always looking for 7420th Radar Eval Sqdn people, 412L types aand FST-2 maintenance types for comment.

Served in 615 AC&W, Neubreuke W. Germany from June 1971 to fall 73, Computer operator with SPATS (Systems programing and testing site). We maintained and developed the software to keep it all running. Had a lot of good times there in spite of what was happening at home then. I didn`t keep much track of old freinds there so if any see this give me a hollor. It`s been a long time.

Served @ 776 th AC&W Point Arena Ca Dec 1955 to April 1957. I was on Dog crew {scope dope}. Have revisited & sad to see the big redwood trees cut down.