Information for Hanna City AFS, IL

Latitude: 40-41-55 N, Longitude: 089-49-30 W

Call Sign(s): Postcard

Perm ID

Sage ID

JSS ID

Unit

Location

Early
Equip.

Final
Equip.

Oper.
Date

Inact.
Date

Notes

P-85

Z-85

791

Hanna City AFS, IL

FPS-3; FPS-4; TPS-10D; FPS-20; FPS-6A; FPS-90

FPS-67B; FPS-90

1952

18-Jun-68

Plans for an AN/FPS-24 or -35 FD search radar were cancelled. FAA site now, still using the FPS-67B (which is now a Common Air Route Surveillance Radar, CARSR). In the 1956 time frame, this radar station was selected to host one of the Air Force land-based Talos guided-missile sites, but those plans (and the AF Talos program) were later cancelled.

P-85A

Walnut, IL **

Gap-Filler Annex. ** Planned but not built. Site appears on 1961 and 1962 SAGE System maps.

P-85B

Pleasantview, IL **

Gap-Filler Annex. ** In early 1960s ADC plans, but never was built. Also known as Rushville, IL.

P-85C

Sibley, IL **

Gap-Filler Annex. ** In early 1960s ADC plans, but never was built.

History of Hanna City AFS, IL

In 1952 the 791st AC&W Squadron began operations at this location using AN/FPS-3 and AN/FPS-4 sets. In 1958 this station replaced the AN/FPS-3 with an AN/FPS-20 search radar, and added an AN/FPS-6A height-finder radar. During 1959 the AN/FPS-4 was replaced by a second height-finder radar (AN/FPS-6B), and Hanna City AFS joined the SAGE system. An AN/FPS-24 or -35 FD search radar was planned, but was subsequently cancelled. In 1964 the AN/FPS-20A was upgraded and redesignated as an AN/FPS-67, and an AN/FPS-90 replaced the AN/FPS-6B height-finder radar. The AN/FPS-67 was upgraded to an AN/FPS-67B in 1968. The AN/FPS-6A was removed some time in this time frame. The 791st Radar Squadron was deactivated in June 1968. The site remains an active FAA radar facility using the CARSR radar.

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

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