End of an era
June 29th
The 764th Radar Squadron
St Albans Air Force Statio
was deactivated and closed
The FAA took over the
search radar tower. They installed an FPS‑66 radar system in the building and relocated the FYQ47 Common Digitizer
to that structure.
The remaining Air Force electronic equipment was removed and
the buildings closed. SSgt Steven Rafferty was the last regular Air Force person left on the site. His function was to work
with Plattsburg Air Force Base in the disposal of all remaining equipment and general inventory.
Modern technology made the ground radar defense system obsolete
for Air Force Defense and the radar site was no longer required. The Air Force
only needed regional radar control centers and one of them is located at Griffis AFB,
Rome, New York.
Griffis AFB has been inactivated by the Air Force retaining a small
part of the base for a research facility and defense control center. The rest
of the base turned was turned over to the Rome Greater Development Authority and Department of the Army. 