Information for Bedford AFS, VA

Latitude: 37-31-02 N, Longitude: 079-30-40 W

Call Sign(s): Blue Texas

Perm ID	Sage ID	JSS ID	Unit	Location	Early Equip.	Final Equip.	Oper. Date	Inact. Date	Notes
M-121	Z-121		649	Bedford AFS, VA	MPS-8; MPS-11; FPS-20A / -67; FPS-6 (2)	FPS-67; FPS-6. ARSR-3 (FAA), now Common ARSR (CARSR)	1956	Jun-75	Plans for an AN/FPS-28 FD search radar were cancelled. Site located on highest point of Apple Orchard Mtn, next to Blue Ridge Parkway. Appalachian Trail crosses site at mountain top. The ARSR-3 commissioning date was 7/1/1980, according to FAA records.

Perm ID

Sage ID

JSS ID

Unit

Location

Early
Equip.

Final
Equip.

Oper.
Date

Inact.
Date

Notes

M-121

Z-121

649

Bedford AFS, VA

MPS-8; MPS-11; FPS-20A / -67; FPS-6 (2)

FPS-67; FPS-6. ARSR-3 (FAA), now Common ARSR (CARSR)

1956

Jun-75

Plans for an AN/FPS-28 FD search radar were cancelled. Site located on highest point of Apple Orchard Mtn, next to Blue Ridge Parkway. Appalachian Trail crosses site at mountain top. The ARSR-3 commissioning date was 7/1/1980, according to FAA records.

History of Bedford AFS, VA

The 649th AC&W Squadron achieved beneficial occupancy at this Phase-I Mobile Radar site in late 1954. Operational status was achieved in 1956 with the activation of the AN/MPS-8 and AN/MPS-11 radars. By 1958 the AN/MPS-8 had been superseded by a pair of AN/FPS-6 height-finder radars. In 1959 an AN/FPS-20A search radar replaced the AN/MPS-11 set, and Bedford joined the SAGE system. An AN/FPS-28 FD search radar was planned, but was subsequently cancelled. In 1960 this site also began performing air-traffic-control duties for the FAA. In 1963 the search radar was upgraded and redesignated as an AN/FPS-67. One AN/FPS-6 was retired in 1968. The 649th Radar Squadron (SAGE) was deactivated in June 1975. The FAA continues to operate this site, now with an ARSR-3 (now modified to a CARSR) search radar.

References: "Searching the Skies"; misc. ADCOM documents; eyewitness accounts; FAA records.

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