Information for Willmar AFS, MN

Latitude: 45-08-21 N, Longitude: 095-04-26 W

Perm ID	Sage ID	Unit	Location	Early Equip.	Oper. Date	Inact. Date	Notes
SM-139	Z-139	721	Willmar AFS, MN	FPS-3; FPS-6; FPS-6A; FPS-8; MPS-7	1957	01-Jun-61	Plans for an AN/FPS-24 or -35 FD search radar were cancelled.
SM-139B			Bemis, SD **	(FPS-18 planned)			Gap-Filler Annex. ** In early ADC plans, but never was built.
SM-139D			Hillhead, SD **				** 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-139

Z-139

721

Willmar AFS, MN

FPS-3; FPS-6; FPS-6A; FPS-8; MPS-7

1957

01-Jun-61

Plans for an AN/FPS-24 or -35 FD search radar were cancelled.

SM-139B

Bemis, SD **

(FPS-18 planned)

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

SM-139D

Hillhead, SD **

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

History of Willmar AFS, MN

This site became operational in 1957 and closed 1 June 1961 due to budgetary constraints. The 721st AC&W Squadron operated a variety of radars at Willmar AFS including AN/FPS-6, AN/FPS-6A, AN/FPS-8, AN/MPS-7, and AN/FPS-3 sets. An AN/FPS-24 or -35 FD search radar was planned, but was subsequently cancelled. Reportedly, the site was tied into SAGE from 1960 - 1961, and the unit was redesignated the 721st Radar Squadron (SAGE).

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

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