About this Unit
Station Fire Island, located off the southern coast of Long Island, New York, has played a significant role in American military history, particularly in coastal defense and maritime operations. Established in the late 19th century, it initially functioned as a U.S. Life-Saving Service station before becoming a vital component of the U.S. Coast Guard. Throughout World War II and the Cold War, the station was modernized to serve as a radar and navigation site, helping monitor ship traffic and detect potential threats along the eastern seaboard. Today, while its original military functions have diminished, Station Fire Island remains an important part of the region’s maritime heritage.
Historical Facts
• Strategic Cold War Role: Station Fire Island was established in 1951 as part of the United States Air Force’s early warning radar network during the Cold War, serving as a frontline defense against potential Soviet bomber attacks over the Arctic.
• Location: The station is located on Fire Island, a small island in the Cook Inlet, about 14 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska, making it a vital location for monitoring airspace over Alaska.
• Part of the DEW Line: Fire Island was a node in the Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line and later the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) system, providing critical radar coverage for North America’s northern approaches.
• AN/FPS-20 Radar: The site originally operated the AN/FPS-20 search radar, which was a state-of-the-art system at the time, capable of detecting aircraft at significant ranges and altitudes.
• Isolation and Logistics: Due to its remote and isolated location, all supplies and personnel had to be brought in by boat, helicopter, or small aircraft, often making resupply and maintenance challenging and leading to stories of ingenuity and resilience among the crew.
• 1964 Earthquake Impact: The Good Friday earthquake in 1964, the most powerful recorded in North American history, caused extensive damage to Fire Island’s structures, but the station was quickly repaired and continued operations.
• Environmental Hazards: The island’s exposure to harsh Alaskan weather, including extreme cold, high winds, and ice, created hazardous working conditions, with personnel sometimes stranded for days or weeks due to storms.
• Transition to FAA Control: In the late 1970s, as military radar needs shifted and newer technology emerged, operational control of the site was transferred to the Federal Aviation Administration, which continues to use the radar for civilian air traffic control.
• Unmanned Operations: Since its military decommissioning, the station has been operated remotely and is now unmanned, with automated equipment maintaining radar surveillance over the region.
• Enduring Legacy: Station Fire Island’s contribution to continental air defense remains recognized, with its history preserved in military records and by veterans who served there, some of whom recall ghost stories and unique camaraderie forged in the remote Alaskan outpost.
