Pickstown Air Force Station Explained

Pickstown Air Force Station
Ensign:Air Defense Command.svg
Ensign Size:60px
Partof:Air Defense Command (ADC)
Pushpin Map:South Dakota
Pushpin Label:Pickstown AFS
Pushpin Mapsize:200
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of Pickstown AFS, South Dakota
Type:Air Force Station
Built:1961
Used:1961-1968
Garrison:695th Radar Squadron

Pickstown Air Force Station (ADC ID: SM-134, NORAD ID: Z-134) is a closed United States Air Force General Surveillance Radar station. It is located 3.1miles east-northeast of Pickstown, South Dakota. It was closed in 1968.

History

Pickstown Air Force Station was initially part of Phase II of the Air Defense Command Mobile Radar program. The Air Force approved this expansion of the Mobile Radar program on 23 October 1952. Radars in this network were designated "SM."

The station became operational with the activation of the 695th Radar Squadron (SAGE) on 18 April 1961. The squadron was equipped with AN/FPS-66 and a pair of AN/FPS-6 radars. It fed data to DC-22 at Sioux City AFS, Iowa. 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.

The radars were operated until 1968 when Air Defense Command closed the station as part of a draw down of assets and budget reductions. Today, what was Pickstown AFS has been completely redeveloped. It is now Fort Randall Casino & Hotel operated by the Yankton Sioux Tribe.

Air Force units and assignments

Units:

Inactivated on 8 September 1968

Assignments:

See also

References