Aiken Air Force Station | |
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Aiken Army Air Field | |
Part of Air Defense Command (ADC) | |
![]() 1964 USAF Photo
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Coordinates | 33°38′46″N 081°40′36″W / 33.64611°N 81.67667°WCoordinates: 33°38′46″N 081°40′36″W / 33.64611°N 81.67667°W |
Type | Air Force Station |
Code | ADC ID: SM-159, NORAD ID: Z-159 |
Site information | |
Controlled by |
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Site history | |
Built | 1955 |
In use | 1955-1975 |
Garrison information | |
Garrison | 861st Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron |
Aiken Air Force Station is a closed United States Air Force General Surveillance Radar station. It is located 6.4 miles (10.3 km) north-northeast of Aiken, South Carolina. It was closed in 1975.
During World War II, the site was originally constructed by the United States Army Air Forces as Aiken Army Air Field.
The facility was originally constructed during World War II by the United States Army Air Forces and named Aiken Army Air Field. The airfield was constructed with three 5'000 foot bituminous runways in an "A" pattern. No known auxiliary airfields were constructed. The airfield and station opened on 24 December 1942 as a satellite airfield of Morris Army Airfield, North Carolina.
On 23 June 1943 the airfield was formally activated and the 66th Tactical Reconnaissance Group arrived. Two subordinate units, the 97th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron and 19th Liaison Squadron arrived the previous day. The 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron replaced the 97th on 29 August 1943. The Warner Robins Air Service Command (WRASC) established a service group training center at the field in the fall of 1943. The training was conducted under the auspices of the 387th Air Service Group, Daniel Field, Georgia.
In May 1944 the 359th Army Air Force Base Unit was assigned host unit. It was assigned to Third Air Force, III Tactical Air Command 13 September 1944 as a group training airfield for reconnaissance units. The airfield became a replacement training airfield for single-engine fighter pilots, training on P-40 Warhawk and P-51 Mustang aircraft, beginning on 19 October 1944. Active flying at the airfield ended on 28 February 1945, and jurisdiction of the base was transferred from Third Air Force to Air Technical Service Command for disposition on 31 March 1945.