Photos: Mt. Lemmon Air Force Station watched for Soviet bombers
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Rick Wiley
Photo editor
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Sitting at 9,150 feet, the Mount Lemmon Air Force Station was said to be the world’s highest radar installation in 1957.
It was manned by the 684th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, whose motto was “Who goes there?” Along with dozens of similar stations, it watched for Soviet aircraft before the advent of satellite surveillance.
Nearly 250 officers staffed the 25-acre base, which featured a barracks with a “modern, electrically equipped kitchen.”
Mt. Lemmon Air Force Station
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The height finder antenna and artic tower at the Mt. Lemmon Air Force Station in May, 1957. Sitting at 9,150-feet, it was the said to be the highest radar installation in the world.
Mt. Lemmon Air Force Station
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Air Force staffers monitor air traffic in the Southwestern U.S. at the Mt. Lemmon Air Force Station in May, 1957, as part of an extensive array of radar stations that watched for enemy Soviet aircraft in the days before satellites. A Tucson Citizen writer said "electronic miracles of perception are performed by radar scopes and charting screens."
Mt. Lemmon Air Force Station
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It's unlikely the President of the United States was on the other end of this phone at the Mt. Lemmon Air Force Station in May, 1957, but it was almost certainly a high-ranking officer.
Mt. Lemmon Air Force Station
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The motto of the 684th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron was "Qui Va La?," or "Who goes there?" at the Mt. Lemmon Air Force Station in May, 1957.
Mt. Lemmon Air Force Station
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The entrance to the 25-acre Air Force listening post at the Mt. Lemmon Air Force Station in May, 1957. Nearly 250 airmen and officers staffed the base.
Mt. Lemmon Air Force Station
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A "modern, electrically-equipped kitchen" kitchen churned out hot food and hot coffee on those cold nights at 9,150-feet at the Mt. Lemmon Air Force Station in May, 1957.
Mt. Lemmon Air Force Station
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Rustic and unfinished (note the handmade bar stools), but still a decent place for officers to get a beer and watch the Lucy show at the Mt. Lemmon Air Force Station in May, 1957.
Rick Wiley
Photo editor
As featured on
Was said to be world's highest radar installation.
