Lufkin Air Force Station Explained

Lufkin Air Force Station
Ensign:Air Defense Command.svg
Ensign Size:60px
Partof:Air Defense Command (ADC)
Pushpin Map:Texas
Pushpin Label:Lufkin AFS
Pushpin Mapsize:300
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of Lufkin AFS, Texas
Type:Air Force Station
Built:1957
Used:1957-1961
Garrison:815th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron

Lufkin Air Force Station (ADC ID: TM-193) is a closed United States Air Force General Surveillance Radar station. It is located 7.2miles northwest of Lufkin, Texas. It was closed in 1961.

History

Lufkin Air Force Station came into existence as part of Phase III of the Air Defense Command Mobile Radar program. On 20 October 1953 ADC requested a third phase of twenty-five radar sites be constructed.

The 815th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron was moved to Lufkin AFS on 14 February 1957. It began operating an AN/FPS-3A search radar and an AN/FPS-6 height-finder radar, and 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 Air Force inactivated Lufkin on 1 June 1961 due to budgetary constraints. The site is now home to one of the Texas state supported living centers.

Air Force units and assignments

Units

Activated on 8 November 1956 at Oklahoma City AFS, OK (not equipped or manned)

Moved to Lufkin AFS on 1 November 1957

Discontinued and inactivated on 1 June 1961

Assignments

See also

References