Cartwright Air Station
Encyclopedia
Cartwright Air Station (ADC ID: N-27) is a closed General Surveillance Radar station. It is located 145.2 miles (233.7 km) east-northeast of CFB Goose Bay
, Newfoundland and Labrador. It was closed in 1968.
. It was used initially by the Northeast Air Command
, which stationed the 922d Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron on the station on 1 October 1953. The station functioned as a Ground-Control Intercept (GCI) and warning station. As a GCI station, the squadron's role was to guide interceptor aircraft toward unidentified intruders picked up on the unit's radar scopes.
It was equipped with the following radars:
The station was re-assigned to the USAF Air Defense Command on 1 April 1957, and was given designation "N-27". In 1963, the site was connected to the Manual Data Center at Goose AFB.
In addition to the main facility, Cartwright operated several AN/FPS-14 manned Gap Filler sites:
On 18 June 1968, the USAF transferred control of the site to the Canadian Forces
. It was inactivated and closed. Today, the remains of the station are abandoned,
Assignments:
CFB Goose Bay
Canadian Forces Base Goose Bay , is a Canadian Forces Base located in the town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador....
, Newfoundland and Labrador. It was closed in 1968.
History
The site was established in 1953 as a General Surveillance Radar station, funded by the United States Air ForceUnited States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
. It was used initially by the Northeast Air Command
Northeast Air Command
The Northeast Air Command was a short-lived organization in the United States Air Force tasked with the operation and defense of air bases in Greenland, Labrador and Newfoundland. It was formed in 1950 from the facilities of the United States established during World War II in Northeast Canada,...
, which stationed the 922d Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron on the station on 1 October 1953. The station functioned as a Ground-Control Intercept (GCI) and warning station. As a GCI station, the squadron's role was to guide interceptor aircraft toward unidentified intruders picked up on the unit's radar scopes.
It was equipped with the following radars:
- Search Radar: AN/FPS-3C, AN/FPS-502, AN/FPS-20A, AN/FPS-87A, AN/FPS-93A
- Height Radar: AN/TPS-502, AN/FPS-6B, AN/FPS-90
The station was re-assigned to the USAF Air Defense Command on 1 April 1957, and was given designation "N-27". In 1963, the site was connected to the Manual Data Center at Goose AFB.
In addition to the main facility, Cartwright operated several AN/FPS-14 manned Gap Filler sites:
- Cut Throat Island AS, NL (N-27A): 54°29′47"N 057°08′00"W
- Spotted Island AS, NL (N-27B): 53°30′53"N 055°48′52"W
- Fox Harbour AS, NL (N-27C): 52°22′12"N 055°39′52"W
On 18 June 1968, the USAF transferred control of the site to the Canadian Forces
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
. It was inactivated and closed. Today, the remains of the station are abandoned,
USAF units and assignments
Units:- 922d Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, Activated at Grenier AFB, New Hampshire 26 May 1953
- Moved to Cartwright Air Station, 1 October 1953
- Discontinued 18 June 1968
Assignments:
- 4707th Defense Wing (ADC), 26 May 1953
- Northeast Air CommandNortheast Air CommandThe Northeast Air Command was a short-lived organization in the United States Air Force tasked with the operation and defense of air bases in Greenland, Labrador and Newfoundland. It was formed in 1950 from the facilities of the United States established during World War II in Northeast Canada,...
, 1 October 1953 - 4732d Air Defense Group (ADC), 1 April 1957
- Goose Air Defense SectorGoose Air Defense SectorThe Goose Air Defense Sector is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the 26th Air Division, being stationed at Goose Air Force Base, Labrador, Canada. It was inactivated on 1 April 1966 and replaced by the 37th Air Division.-History:Command and control...
, 1 April 1960 - 37th Air Division, 1 April 1966-18 June 1968