791st Radar Squadron, Hanna City AFS,IL

• Formation and Activation: The 791st Radar Squadron was originally activated as the 791st Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron on 8 February 1953 as part of the Air Defense Command’s expansion during the Cold War. • Location: The squadron was stationed at Hanna City Air Force Station, located near Hanna City, Illinois, approximately 15 miles west of Peoria. • Primary Mission: The unit’s main role was to operate long-range radar systems to detect and track potential Soviet bombers approaching the central United States, providing early warning and air defense coordination. • SAGE Integration: In 1961, the 791st became part of the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) system, a revolutionary computerized air defense network that linked radar sites, command centers, and interceptor aircraft. • Squadron Redesignation: On 1 July 1962, the unit was redesignated from “Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron” to “Radar Squadron (SAGE)” to reflect its new mission and advanced capabilities. • Technological Upgrades: Over its operational years, the squadron used a variety of radar systems, including the AN/FPS-20, AN/FPS-67, and AN/FPS-6 height-finder radars, and later upgrades to AN/FPS-66A and others. • Community Relations: The station and its personnel became a significant part of the local community, participating in civic events and fostering civilian-military cooperation in the Peoria region. • Deactivation: As intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and new technology changed defense strategies, the squadron was inactivated on 30 September 1968, and Hanna City AFS was closed. • Legacy: The former radar station site was used by various federal and local agencies after closure, including serving as a NORAD backup site and later as a communications facility for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). • Cold War Significance: The 791st Radar Squadron was one of nearly 200 similar units across the United States, forming a critical shield during the height of the Cold War and contributing to the nation’s air defense readiness for 15 years.