Othello Air Force Station
Encyclopedia
Othello Air Force Station (ADC ID: P-40, NORAD ID: Z-40) is a closed United States Air Force
General Surveillance Radar station. It is located 7.2 miles (11.6 km) south of Othello, Washington
. It was closed in 1975.
, on July 11, 1950, the Secretary of the Air Force asked the Secretary of Defense for approval to expedite construction of the permanent network. Receiving the Defense Secretary’s approval on July 21, the Air Force directed the Corps of Engineers to proceed with construction. This site took over coverage once provided by the temporary "Lashup" site L-28, Spokane, Washington, which operated between 1950-1952.
The 637th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron moved to Saddle Mountain AFS, Washington on 1 January 1951. The squadron began operating an AN/FPS-3 long-range search radar and an AN/FPS-5 height-finder radar in January 1952, assuming coverage from the temporary "lashup" sites L-29 at Larson AFB and L-30 at Richland, Washington
. Initially 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. The site was re-designated as Othello Air Force Station on 1 December 1953.
In 1956 ADC replaced the height-finder radar with an AN/FPS-6. In 1958 the 637th operated an AN/FPS-20 search radar and added an AN/FPS-6A height-finder radar. In July 1960 the joined the regional SAGE center, the squadron being re-designated as the 637th Radar Squadron
(SAGE) on 1 September. 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. On 31 July 1963, the site was redesignated as NORAD ID Z-40.
In 1963 the AN/FPS-20 radar was replaced by an AN/FPS-7C set featuring an ECCM capability (the AN/FPS-7C was later modified to the AN/FPS-107 version). Also in 1963 the AN/FPS-6 was retired as an AN/FPS-26A height-finder radar was being installed, completed in 1964.
In addition to the main facility, Othello operated several AN/FPS-14 Gap Filler sites:
The 637th was inactivated and replaced by the 637th Air Defense Group
(ADG) in March 1970. It was reactivated in January 1974, replacing the 637th ADG as ADC reduced itd defenses against manned aircraft. It was inactivated on March 31, 1975 due to a draw-down of ADC and budget constraints. Today, the site is abandoned and deteriorating, and has the look of a ghost town. The site and housing area are deteriorating, with tall weeds, grasses, and shrubs growing everywhere.
This Air Force Station has a web site maintained by veterans at http://637acw.com/637th_AC&W_Squadron
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 7.2 miles (11.6 km) south of Othello, Washington
Othello, Washington
Othello is a city in Adams County, Washington, United States. The population was 5,847 at the 2000 census and grew 25.9% over the next decade to 7,364 at the 2010 census. Othello refers to the city as being in the "Heart" of the Columbia Basin Project...
. It was closed in 1975.
History
Othello Air Force Station was one of twenty-eight stations built as part of the second segment of the Air Defense Command permanent radar network. Prompted by the start of the Korean WarKorean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, on July 11, 1950, the Secretary of the Air Force asked the Secretary of Defense for approval to expedite construction of the permanent network. Receiving the Defense Secretary’s approval on July 21, the Air Force directed the Corps of Engineers to proceed with construction. This site took over coverage once provided by the temporary "Lashup" site L-28, Spokane, Washington, which operated between 1950-1952.
The 637th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron moved to Saddle Mountain AFS, Washington on 1 January 1951. The squadron began operating an AN/FPS-3 long-range search radar and an AN/FPS-5 height-finder radar in January 1952, assuming coverage from the temporary "lashup" sites L-29 at Larson AFB and L-30 at Richland, Washington
Richland, Washington
Richland is a city in Benton County in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Washington, at the confluence of the Yakima and the Columbia Rivers. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 48,058. April 1, 2011 estimates from the Washington State Office of Financial Management put the...
. Initially 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. The site was re-designated as Othello Air Force Station on 1 December 1953.
In 1956 ADC replaced the height-finder radar with an AN/FPS-6. In 1958 the 637th operated an AN/FPS-20 search radar and added an AN/FPS-6A height-finder radar. In July 1960 the joined the regional SAGE center, the squadron being re-designated as the 637th Radar Squadron
637th Radar Squadron
The 637th Radar Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 25th Air Division, Aerospace Defense Command, stationed at Othello Air Force Station, Washington. Because it was at a Backup Interceptor Control site, it was inactivated in 1970 and replaced by the...
(SAGE) on 1 September. 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. On 31 July 1963, the site was redesignated as NORAD ID Z-40.
In 1963 the AN/FPS-20 radar was replaced by an AN/FPS-7C set featuring an ECCM capability (the AN/FPS-7C was later modified to the AN/FPS-107 version). Also in 1963 the AN/FPS-6 was retired as an AN/FPS-26A height-finder radar was being installed, completed in 1964.
In addition to the main facility, Othello operated several AN/FPS-14 Gap Filler sites:
- Wenatchee, WA (P-40B) 47°30′32"N 120°14′25"W
- Okanogan, WA (P-40C) 48°31′41"N 119°56′38"W
The 637th was inactivated and replaced by the 637th Air Defense Group
637th Air Defense Group
The 637th Air Defense Group was a United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with 25th Air Division, being stationed at Othello AFS, Washington...
(ADG) in March 1970. It was reactivated in January 1974, replacing the 637th ADG as ADC reduced itd defenses against manned aircraft. It was inactivated on March 31, 1975 due to a draw-down of ADC and budget constraints. Today, the site is abandoned and deteriorating, and has the look of a ghost town. The site and housing area are deteriorating, with tall weeds, grasses, and shrubs growing everywhere.
See also
This Air Force Station has a web site maintained by veterans at http://637acw.com/637th_AC&W_Squadron