Dauphin Island, AL
Archive of Historical Data, Books, Maps
And Other Materials

US Air Force Early Warning Radar Station, Dauphin Island, AL
693rd AC&W Squadron, Latitude: 30-15-00 N, Longitude: 088-04-40 W


History of Dauphin Island AFS, AL
This site and the attendant 693rd AC&W Squadron became operational in January 1959.
The site had an AN/FPS-20 search radar and two AN/FPS-6A height-finder radars. Dauphin Island
began operating an AN/FPS-7 radar in 1960, and joined the SAGE system. In 1961 this site was an
ADC/FAA joint-use facility. However, it was removed from joint-use status in 1962 and then put
back in joint-use status in 1963. Two years later, the site was again removed from joint-use status.
The Air Force deactivated the 693rd in September 1970. The site was re-opened in 1972 as part of
the Southern Air Defense Systems (SADS). A second radar squadron, the 635th, arrived from
Fort Lawton, Washington that year. This unit operated an AN/FPS-93 and an AN/FPS-6 radar.
The 635th was deactivated on July 1, 1974. The radar site became operating location
OLAG / 630th Radar Squadron, and later an operating location of the 678th Air Defense Group.
The site closed for good on 30 September 1980.
Source: Radomes, Inc., The Radar Defense Veterans' Association


Mobile Press-Register Story - Oct. 18, 1958
About opening of USAF Warly Warning Radar Station
On Dauphin Island


-Select thumbnail photos for enlargement and description-

Large Radar Dome Under construction Photos & news story November, 1957

Aerial Photo Radar Station-bottom right Construction Begins Photo 1957

March 9, 1958 Mobile newspaper Story, USAF Site Construction

USAF Radar Early Warning Station Operational in 1959

Aerial Photo Radar Station operational - top Around 1960

Radar

Rocker Radar On the USAF Station

Electrical Generators Bldg. System used Diesel Trucked in From Brookley AFB

Station Barracks Photo early 1960s

Two USAF Generals US Congressman Frank Boykin Meet in Mobile Mobile Press-Register

June 1963 Photo Station Entrance

View from Fort May 1964 Photo

Early 1960s Photo Looking South West

1973 Photo Of Radar Station View from water

2004 Aerial Looking North East

Old AF Radar Dome Now DI Sea Lab The Estuarium

2009 Photo Radar Dome, now The Estuarium

DI Sea Lab's Estuarium View From Water

Old AF Barracks, Now Sea Lab Dorm

Old AF Chow Hall, Now Cafeteria

Old AF Gym, Barber Shop, Bowling Alley, Now Sea Lab Admin

Old AF Basket Ball Court still there

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