Out with the old, in with the new

  • Published
  • By Airman Samuel Anderson
  • 366 Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  After more than 25 years of use, the 366th Communications Squadron's Texas Instrument-built radar will be removed and recycled.

For decades, the radar has been the base's main way to identify incoming aircraft for both MHAFB and the Federal Aviation Administration.

Master Sgt. Shawn Frank, 366th CS operations flight superintendent, explained why this radar was so important to the base and Idaho.

"This radar served as the eyes of incoming aircraft traffic into Southern Idaho," he said. "We used it to ensure we knew everything that was going on. Without these radars, we would be blind to any aircraft traffic."

With its MHAFB mission complete, the TI-built radar will be torn down and saved.

"There are still radars like this around the Air Force," said Staff Sgt. Daniel Mumma, 366th CS ground radar systems noncommissioned officer-in-charge. "The parts for the radar will be used to repair and replace damaged parts on other bases."

The new GPN-30 Digital Airport Surveillance Radar will have upgrades from the previous system.

"The old radar allowed us to have about a 60-mile radius to see in each direction," said Sergeant Frank. "Although the new radar will serve the same airspace, it will allow us a more detailed visual and we will be able to identify the aircraft easier. It will also enhance the way we program these radars to work."

Mike Mixon, 366th CS radar technician, highlighted a few other features that the new GPN-30 radar will have.

"The new system is a modern solid-state design," he said. "It will use less power, will have greater reliability and an improved ability to detect aircraft in clutter and weather."

The overall project had a price tag of $9.8 million, and included the equipment, site activation, spare equipment and training.

The old TI-built radars will soon become a thing of the past throughout the Department of Defense as all bases will switch over to more advanced technology to help combat potential threats.