Fortuna Air Force Station
Encyclopedia
Fortuna Air Force Station is a closed United States Air Force
General Surveillance Radar station. It is located 4.2 miles (6.8 km) west of Fortuna, North Dakota
. It was closed in 1979 as a radar station, remaining as a Long-Range Radar (LRR) facility until 1984.
Fortuna Air Force Station was part of the last batch of twenty-three radar stations constructed as part of the Air Defense Command permanent network. It was activated in April, and declared completely operational in late 1952.
(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. During 1957 an AN/GPS-3 search radar made a brief appearance. Reportedly, an AN/TPS-10D was also briefly used. In 1958 the 780th began operating an AN/FPS-20A search radar that replaced the AN/GPS-3. By 1960 a pair of AN/FPS-6, -6A handled height-finder chores.
During 1961 Fortuna AFS joined the Semi Automatic Ground Environment
(SAGE) system, initially feeding data to DC-20 at Malmstrom AFB, Montana. After joining, the squadron was re-designated as the 780th Radar Squadron (SAGE) on 1 August 1961. The radar squadron provided information 24/7 the SAGE Direction Center where it was analyzed to determine range, direction altitude speed and whether or not aircraft were friendly or hostile. Fortuna was incorporated into BUIC I, a manual back-up interceptor control system implemented in 1962. BUIC I provided limited command and control capability in the event the SAGE system was disabled.
In 1963, the AN/FPS-20A was removed, and the makeup of the radars at Fortuna consisted of an AN/FPS-35
search radar along with AN/FPS-6 and AN/FPS-90 height-finder radars. On 31 July 1963, the site was redesignated as NORAD ID Z-27.
In 1964 an AN/FPS-26A height-finder radar was installed, and the AN/FPS-6 was retired. In the winter of 1964, a fierce wind storm blew over the AN/FPS-35 sail; the sail was not replaced until the following year (by the one formerly installed at Manassas AFS, VA, reportedly). For the interim, in 1965 an AN/FPS-64 search radar was installed in the former AN/FPS-20A tower; it was removed in 1967 after the AN/FPS-35 was again fully operational. The AN/FPS-90 height-finder radar was removed in 1969. Work proceeded on the installation of BUIC II in 1966, after the installation of a Burroughs CSA-51 computer system, In 1969 it became a BUIC III site.
Over the years, the equipment at the station was upgraded or modified to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the information gathered by the radars. Normal operations continued until 1979 when Aerospace Defense Command
was inactivated in September and the radar station was inactivated. The GATR site (R-27) was retained until the Joint Surveillance System
(JSS) switchover, circa 1984. The Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) opened a new minimally-manned radar facility about half-way between Sidney, Montana
, and Watford City, North Dakota
, (just off of Highway 68) before the Fortuna radars were finally decommissioned in 1984.
over a valuation dispute, and now sits half-demolished, useless as a facility, and abandoned.
Recreational Services
Motor Pool
Headquarters Building
Dining Hall
Medical Aid Station
Base Housing
Officer's Lounge ("Hilltop Inn")
NCO Open Mess
Radar Tower
Radome
Dental Clinic
Base Exchange
Auto Hobby Shop
Base Theater
The Ground to Air Transmitter-Receiver (GATR) facility was located off-station at 48°53′05"N 103°53′03"W, roughly one mile south of the main station.
Assignments:
Commanders
United 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...
General Surveillance Radar station. It is located 4.2 miles (6.8 km) west of Fortuna, North Dakota
Fortuna, North Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 31 people, 17 households, and 8 families residing in the city. The population density was 31.0 people per square mile . There were 39 housing units at an average density of 39.0 per square mile . The racial makeup of the city was 100.00% White...
. It was closed in 1979 as a radar station, remaining as a Long-Range Radar (LRR) facility until 1984.
Fortuna Air Force Station was part of the last batch of twenty-three radar stations constructed as part of the Air Defense Command permanent network. It was activated in April, and declared completely operational in late 1952.
History
The 780th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron began operations using AN/FPS-3 search and AN/FPS-4 height-finder radars, and initially the station functioned as a Ground-control interceptGround-controlled interception
Ground-controlled interception an air defense tactic whereby one or more radar stations are linked to a command communications centre which guides interceptor aircraft to an airborne target. This tactic was pioneered during World War II by the Royal Air Force with the Luftwaffe to follow closely...
(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. During 1957 an AN/GPS-3 search radar made a brief appearance. Reportedly, an AN/TPS-10D was also briefly used. In 1958 the 780th began operating an AN/FPS-20A search radar that replaced the AN/GPS-3. By 1960 a pair of AN/FPS-6, -6A handled height-finder chores.
During 1961 Fortuna AFS joined the Semi Automatic Ground Environment
Semi Automatic Ground Environment
The Semi-Automatic Ground Environment was an automated control system for tracking and intercepting enemy bomber aircraft used by NORAD from the late 1950s into the 1980s...
(SAGE) system, initially feeding data to DC-20 at Malmstrom AFB, Montana. After joining, the squadron was re-designated as the 780th Radar Squadron (SAGE) on 1 August 1961. The radar squadron provided information 24/7 the SAGE Direction Center where it was analyzed to determine range, direction altitude speed and whether or not aircraft were friendly or hostile. Fortuna was incorporated into BUIC I, a manual back-up interceptor control system implemented in 1962. BUIC I provided limited command and control capability in the event the SAGE system was disabled.
In 1963, the AN/FPS-20A was removed, and the makeup of the radars at Fortuna consisted of an AN/FPS-35
AN/FPS-35
The AN/FPS-35 radar was a long range radar used in the early 1960s.Sperry Corporation built 12 long range radars in the 1960s to succeed existing Semi Automatic Ground Environment to provide enhanced electronic countermeasures . The systems operated at 420 to 450 MHz. The antennas weighed 70...
search radar along with AN/FPS-6 and AN/FPS-90 height-finder radars. On 31 July 1963, the site was redesignated as NORAD ID Z-27.
In 1964 an AN/FPS-26A height-finder radar was installed, and the AN/FPS-6 was retired. In the winter of 1964, a fierce wind storm blew over the AN/FPS-35 sail; the sail was not replaced until the following year (by the one formerly installed at Manassas AFS, VA, reportedly). For the interim, in 1965 an AN/FPS-64 search radar was installed in the former AN/FPS-20A tower; it was removed in 1967 after the AN/FPS-35 was again fully operational. The AN/FPS-90 height-finder radar was removed in 1969. Work proceeded on the installation of BUIC II in 1966, after the installation of a Burroughs CSA-51 computer system, In 1969 it became a BUIC III site.
Over the years, the equipment at the station was upgraded or modified to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the information gathered by the radars. Normal operations continued until 1979 when Aerospace Defense Command
Aerospace Defense Command
Aerospace Defense Command is an inactive United States Air Force Major Command. Established in 1946 under the United States Army Air Forces, its mission was to organize and administer the integrated air defense system of the Continental United States , exercise direct control of all active...
was inactivated in September and the radar station was inactivated. The GATR site (R-27) was retained until the Joint Surveillance System
Joint Surveillance System
The Joint Surveillance System is a joint United States Air Force and Federal Aviation Administration system for the atmospheric air defense of North America...
(JSS) switchover, circa 1984. The Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
(FAA) opened a new minimally-manned radar facility about half-way between Sidney, Montana
Sidney, Montana
Sidney is a city in and the county seat of Richland County, Montana, United States, less than away from the North Dakota border. The population was 5,191 at the 2010 census. The city lies along the Yellowstone River and is in proximity to the badlands of the Dakotas...
, and Watford City, North Dakota
Watford City, North Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,435 people, 619 households, and 378 families residing in the city. The population density was 964.8 people per square mile . There were 790 housing units at an average density of 531.2 per square mile...
, (just off of Highway 68) before the Fortuna radars were finally decommissioned in 1984.
Current use
The station was bought by private investors that pillaged the site and stripped the site of anything of value and sold it off. After this "salvage", the site was forfeited to Divide CountyDivide County, North Dakota
-Major highways:* U.S. Highway 85* North Dakota Highway 5* North Dakota Highway 40* North Dakota Highway 42- Places of interest :Two petroglyphs are displayed at Writing Rock State Historical Site in Writing Rock Township.-Demographics:...
over a valuation dispute, and now sits half-demolished, useless as a facility, and abandoned.
Buildings and facilities
Buildings on the station include:Recreational Services
- Gymnasium, tennis courts, 2-lane bowling alley, horseshoe pits
Motor Pool
Headquarters Building
- Library
Dining Hall
Medical Aid Station
Base Housing
- 45 houses
- 3 dormitories
- NCO dorm
- 6 BOQ (Bachelor Officer Quarters) units
- trailer court (20 units)
Officer's Lounge ("Hilltop Inn")
NCO Open Mess
Radar Tower
Radome
Dental Clinic
Base Exchange
Auto Hobby Shop
Base Theater
The Ground to Air Transmitter-Receiver (GATR) facility was located off-station at 48°53′05"N 103°53′03"W, roughly one mile south of the main station.
Air Force units and assignments
Units:- 780th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, activated 1 March 1951
- Redesignated 780th Radar Squadron (SAGE), 1 August 1961
- Elevated to 780th Air Defense Group, 1 March 1970
- Redesignated 780th Radar Squadron, 1 January 1974
- Inactivated 29 September 1979
Assignments:
- 545th Aircraft Control and Warning Group545th Aircraft Control and Warning GroupThe 545th Aircraft Control and Warning Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was assigned to the 29th Air Division, stationed at Great Falls Air Force Base, Montana...
(29th Air Division), 1 March 1951
- Transferred to 29th Air Division, 6 February 1952
- Minot Air Defense SectorMinot Air Defense SectorThe Minot Air Defense Sector is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the Air Defense Command 29th Air Division, being stationed at Minot Air Force Base , North Dakota...
(Manual), 1 January 1961 - Great Falls Air Defense SectorGreat Falls Air Defense SectorThe Great Falls Air Defense Sector is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the Air Defense Command 29th Air Division, being stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base , Montana...
, 25 June 1963 - 28th Air Division, 1 April 1966
- 24th Air Division, 19 November 1969
- 24th ADCOM Region, 8 December 1978-29 September 1979
- Minot Air Defense Sector
Commanders
- Major Phillip J. Acton
- Lt. Col. Glen A. Peebles
- Major Harold E. Daniel
- Major Larry McDonnough
See also
- List of USAF Aerospace Defense Command General Surveillance Radar Stations
- List of United States Air Force aircraft control and warning squadrons