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U.S. Air Force

Radar Squadrons

The operators and maintainers of the Air Force's ground-based radar network. From Cold War DEW Line stations to modern long-range surveillance, Radar squadrons are the first to see what is coming.

Radar
Explore Radar Squadrons
LRRS / ATC Radar / NORAD Sites
First Warning Est. 1940s
RADAR
FIRST TO DETECT
Radar Squadrons
Surveillance / Warning / ATC
LRRS
Long Range Radar
AN/FPS-117
Surveillance Radar
NORAD
North American AD
ATC
AIR TRAFFIC CTRL
Radar squadrons operate the ground-based radar systems that detect, track, and identify aircraft approaching North American airspace and provide air traffic control services at military airfields. Long Range Radar Sites feed data to NORAD for air sovereignty. Air surveillance radars at bases keep track of everything in the local airspace. These squadrons are the first line of detection. If something enters the air defense identification zone, radar operators see it first and sound the alarm. Read more
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DEW Line to Modern Surveillance 1950s - Present
DEW LINE
ARCTIC WARNING
DEW Line / BMEWS
Cold War Early Warning
DEW
Distant Early Warning
BMEWS
Ballistic Missile EW
Arctic
Radar Stations
Thule
GREENLAND
The Distant Early Warning Line stretched across Arctic Canada and Alaska, a chain of radar stations designed to detect Soviet bombers approaching over the North Pole. The Ballistic Missile Early Warning System added ICBM detection with massive radars at Thule, Greenland, Clear, Alaska, and Fylingdales, England. These Cold War radar networks gave the United States the warning time needed to launch a retaliatory strike. Many stations were in the most remote and harsh environments on earth. Airmen pulled year-long tours in Arctic isolation. Read more
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MODERN
CONUS AND OCONUS
Modern Radar Network
AN/FPS-117 and ARSR-4
AN/FPS-117
Long Range Radar
ARSR-4
Air Route Surveil
JLENS
Aerostat Radar
Space
FENCE RADAR
The modern radar network includes AN/FPS-117 long range surveillance radars at sites across North America, ARSR-4 air route surveillance radars shared with the FAA, and specialized systems like the Space Fence at Kwajalein Atoll that tracks orbital debris and satellites. Radar operators at sites from Alaska to Florida and deployed locations worldwide maintain the air picture that NORAD and theater commanders depend on. The mission has evolved from watching for bombers to tracking everything from drug flights to space junk. Read more
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NORAD
Air Sovereignty
DEW
Line Heritage
LRRS
Long Range Radar
24/7
Surveillance