648th Radar Squadron, Benton AFS, Benton, Pa

• Establishment: The 648th Radar Squadron was activated on May 1, 1951, as part of the expanding Air Defense Command during the early years of the Cold War. • Benton Air Force Station: The unit was stationed at Benton AFS, located near Red Rock in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, overseeing airspace along the East Coast. • Role in SAGE: The 648th became a key part of the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) system in 1959, feeding radar data to the SAGE Direction Center at Syracuse AFS, NY. • Radar Equipment: The squadron operated several radar systems over the years, including the AN/FPS-20, AN/FPS-24 (notably a massive search radar), and AN/FPS-26 height-finder radar. • Air Defense Mission: Its primary mission was to detect, track, and identify all aircraft entering its sector, providing critical early warning and target information during the Cold War. • Cuban Missile Crisis: During the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962, the 648th was on high alert, monitoring for possible Soviet bomber incursions along the East Coast. • Gap Filler Sites: The squadron operated several unmanned “gap filler” radar sites in Pennsylvania and New York to cover low-altitude blind spots. • Community Connections: Benton AFS personnel were active in the local community, hosting open houses and events for nearby residents, fostering strong civilian-military relations. • Deactivation: The 648th Radar Squadron was inactivated on June 30, 1975, as part of the nationwide drawdown of the Air Defense Command and the closure of many radar sites. • Legacy: Today, portions of the former Benton AFS site are used by the Federal Aviation Administration, and the location is remembered by veterans and military historians for its important Cold War role.