| Campion Air Force Station Campion Long Range Radar Station   | |
|---|---|
| Part of Eleventh Air Force (PACAF) | |
| Coordinates | 64°42′21″N 156°43′41″W / 64.70583°N 156.72806°W |
| Type | Air Force Station |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by |  United States Air Force |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1951 |
| In use | 1951-Present |
| Garrison information | |
| Garrison | 743d Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron (1953-1983) |
Campion Air Force Station (AAC ID: F-08, LRR ID: A-05) is a closed United States Air Force General Surveillance Radar station. It is located 6.4 miles (10.3 km) east-southeast of Galena, Alaska.
The Aircraft Control and Warning station was closed on 1 November 1983, and the site was re-designated as a Long Range Radar (LRR) Station. It remains active as part of the Alaska NORAD Region.
History
Campion AFS was a continental defence radar station constructed to provide the United States Air Force early warning of an attack by the Soviet Union on Alaska. It was one of the ten original aircraft control and warning sites constructed during the early 1950's to establish a permanent air defense system in Alaska. The station was named in honor of Lieutenant Alan J. Campion, 449th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Ladd AFB, who was killed on 26 November 1950 when the F-94 Starfire interceptor he was flying crashed while attempting to land at nearby Galena AFB, Alaska.
Construction of the station, first designated began in September 1950 and was completed in April 1952. The Army Transportation Corps undertook the project. The station site was located on the Yukon River, and equipment and construction material was floated by barge to a dock built on the river 64°41′11″N 156°44′45″W / 64.68639°N 156.74583°W. Initially, there were no roads, which had to be built as part of the construction effort. Each item had to be hauled up from dock/storage area along the river, then along the newly-constructed road to the permanent storage area.
The station site and radars were located behind some small hills on the west side of the river. The station consisted of a power/heating plant, water and fuel storage tanks, gymnasium and other support office buildings. Two other buildings contained living quarters, work areas, and recreational facilities plus opportunities for such sports as skiing, skating, horseshoes, and basketball. The station buildings were, except for the NCO club and the height finder radar towers, connected by heated hallways. As a result, personnel stationed there, with only very few exceptions, were able to wear "summer" uniforms year round, unless they had a need to go outside during the winter season. The coverings of the station's three radar towers were heated from within to keep the covering from becoming brittle from extreme cold, and thus subject to being damaged or destroyed by high winds. Tours at the station were limited to one year because of the psychological strain and physical hardships. A seven mile-long dirt road connected the station to the town of Galena.
Just west of the station itself, a 4,500' gravel/dirt airstrip saw air traffic only on very rare occasions. The runway at Galena AFB supported most transport flights.
Air Force units and assignments
Units:
Assignments:
See also
References
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency