Cross City Air Force Station

 (1958-1970) - A Cold War U.S. Air Force Radar Station established in 1958. Located near Cross City, Dixie County, Florida. Initially assigned a Permanent ID of M-114, a Sage ID of Z-114 and later a JSS ID of J-10. Closed in 1970.

History
Established in 1959 and became operational in 1959 as Cross City Air Force Station manned by the 691st Radar Squadron (SAGE).

Initial equipment included the FPS-20A search radar and two FPS-6A height-finder radars. This configuration (a SAGE qualified long range search radar and two SAGE qualified height-finders) met the requirements for transition to SAGE System operation.

SAGE System Operation


The site began operation as a SAGE site in 1960 initially feeding the Gunter SAGE Direction Center DC-09. On 1 Oct 1959 the squadron designation was changed from the 691st AC&W Squadron to 691st Radar Squadron (SAGE) indicating the new SAGE System role.

In 1962 the search radar was upgraded to an FPS-66, and finally to a FPS-66A in 1967. One FPS-6A was removed in 1969.

With the closure of Gunter SAGE Direction Center DC-09 in 1969, control of Cross City AFS was switched to the Fort Lee SAGE Direction Center DC-04 in Virginia.

Closure
Cross City AFS and the 691st were deactivated on 30 Sep 1970.

Gap Fillers
Cross City AFS was responsible for the maintenance of two remote unattended gap-filler radar sites. The Cross City AFS gap-filler radars were located at Bridgeboro GA and Perry, FL.

Current Status
Now Cross City Correctional Center, some structures remain. No public access.

See Also:
 * SAGE System
 * Permanent System Radar Sites
 * US Radar Sets
 * Gunter SAGE Direction Center DC-09
 * Fort Lee SAGE Direction Center DC-04

Sources:
 * , page 161.
 * , page 108-109.

Links:
 * Radomes - Cross City Air Force Station
 * Wikipedia - Cross City Air Force Station