Information for Grand Rapids AFS, MN

Latitude: 47-14-27 N, Longitude: 093-30-55 W

Call Sign(s): Arrow Poison

Perm ID	Sage ID	JSS ID	Unit	Location	Early Equip.	Final Equip.	Oper. Date	Inact. Date	Notes
SM-138	Z-138		707	Grand Rapids AFS, MN	FPS-3; FPS-6; FPS-20A; FPS-6B; FPS-67	FPS-67; FPS-6B, FPS-6	1957	01 Aug 1963	Plans for an AN/FPS-28 FD search radar were cancelled. The main site has been cleared away. New buildings now stand. The family housing area is still intact and is beneficially occupied.
SM-138A				Backus, MN **					** Gap-Filler Annex. In original ADC plans, but never was built.

Perm ID

Sage ID

JSS ID

Unit

Location

Early
Equip.

Final
Equip.

Oper.
Date

Inact.
Date

Notes

SM-138

Z-138

707

Grand Rapids AFS, MN

FPS-3; FPS-6; FPS-20A; FPS-6B; FPS-67

FPS-67; FPS-6B, FPS-6

1957

01 Aug 1963

Plans for an AN/FPS-28 FD search radar were cancelled. The main site has been cleared away. New buildings now stand. The family housing area is still intact and is beneficially occupied.

SM-138A

Backus, MN **

** Gap-Filler Annex. In original ADC plans, but never was built.

History of Grand Rapids AFS, MN

Grand Rapids AFS became operational in 1957 with an AN/FPS-3 search radar. In 1958 the 707th AC&W Squadron was operating AN/FPS-20 and AN/FPS-6 sets. A year later, Grand Rapids joined the SAGE system, and an AN/FPS-6B height-finder radar was added that year. An AN/FPS-28 FD search radar was planned, but was subsequently cancelled. In 1962, the AN/FPS-20A was upgraded and redesignated as an AN/FPS-67. In March 1963, the Air Force ordered the site to close. Operations ceased on 1 Aug 1963.

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

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