About this Unit
The 701st Radar Squadron was activated at Fort Fisher Air Force Station, North Carolina, in 1955 as part of the United States Air Force's Air Defense Command. Its primary mission was to operate long-range radar systems to detect and track potential airborne threats along the southeastern U.S. coastline during the Cold War. The squadron played a key role in the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) air defense system by providing critical radar data to regional command centers. The 701st Radar Squadron was inactivated in 1984 as advances in technology and shifting defense priorities led to the closure of Fort Fisher AFS.
Historical Facts
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Cold War Sentinel: The 701st Radar Squadron at Fort Fisher Air Force Station (AFS), North Carolina, played a critical role in the United States’ air defense network during the Cold War, providing early warning against potential Soviet bomber attacks along the Atlantic coast.
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Activation and Mission: The unit was activated on June 1, 1957, as part of the Air Defense Command's (ADC) radar defense network, operating Ground-Control Intercept (GCI) radars to detect and track unidentified aircraft.
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Strategic Location: Fort Fisher AFS was strategically positioned near Wilmington, NC, at the site of a former Army coastal artillery installation, providing an ideal vantage point for monitoring airspace over the southeastern United States.
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Radar Equipment: Over its operational years, the 701st operated several types of radar, including the AN/FPS-20 search radar, AN/FPS-6 height-finder radars, and later the AN/FPS-67B, reflecting technological upgrades in air defense.
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SAGE Integration: In 1962, Fort Fisher AFS became part of the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) system, feeding real-time radar data to direction centers for rapid response interception by fighter aircraft.
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Vietnam War Era: During the Vietnam War, Fort Fisher AFS and the 701st supported increased air defense readiness, as tensions and the threat of long-range bombers from adversaries remained high.
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Community Connections: The base was an integral part of the local community, with airmen and their families living nearby and participating in local events; reunions of 701st veterans still occur to this day.
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Deactivation: As the threat of manned bomber attacks waned and technology advanced, the 701st Radar Squadron was inactivated on June 30, 1988, and Fort Fisher AFS was subsequently closed.
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Environmental and Historical Legacy: The radar site’s former grounds are now part of the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, with some buildings repurposed for state use, and local historical markers commemorate both its military and Civil War past.
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Preserved Artifacts: Remnants of the radar towers and other military infrastructure can still be seen today, attracting military historians and Cold War enthusiasts interested in the legacy of the 701st at Fort Fisher.
