Historic California Posts, Camps,
Stations and Airfields
Point Arguello Radar Site B-30
(Lompoc Radar Site B-30)
A World War II Army Air Forces aircraft
warning station located on what is today Vandenberg AFB's Space
Launch Complex 6
US Army Corps
of Engineers Los Angeles District History
The former Point Arguello Radar Site B-30 is located 10 miles
southwest of Lompoc in Santa Barbara County, California. The
radar site is a restored Army Air Forces Aircraft Warning Service
(AWS) facility. The site is now a part of Vandenberg Air Force
Base (VAFB).
War Department interest was originally obtained by lease on 28.86
acres in 1941.
The property was leased from the Sudden Estate Company, which
had some farm buildings on the site. The purpose of the site
was to establish a secret long-range radar site along the Central
California coast during World War II. The initial installation
was an SCR-270B radar facility located just east of Red Roof
Canyon and operated by the AWS. Some sources indicate that an
SCR-271 series radar set may have also also operated at this
site. The site was garrisoned by the 654th Signal Aircraft Warning
Company and later the 659th Signal Aircraft Warning Company.
Both units were under control of the Los Angeles Control Group.
The facility was used until the end of World War II and the two
leases were terminated on 24 July 1947 and 15 June 1948. The
site was reacquired by US Air Force in 1966, when the Sudden
Ranch was purchased and incorporated into VAFB.
A parking lot and part of the northwestern facilities of the
Space Shuttle complex at Space Launch Complex 6 were built over
the radar site in 1980. None of the former facilities have been
in evidence during the last 30 years. The Army reportedly conducted
a full restoration of the site following the radar station's
deactivation after World War II.
Description:
Six-vehicle mobile, long wave early warning aircraft detector.
Azimuth and range supplied. Set is equipped with "A"
scope.
Uses:
To establish a screen of warning which provides information of
approaching aircraft as early as possible but with a sacrifice
of accuracy in range, azimuth and elevation. IFF equipment RC-150
is used.
Performance and Siting: Maximum range on a single bomber flying at indicated
heights, when set is on a flat sea level site:
Altitude, feet
1000
5000
20,000
25,000
Range, miles
20
50
100
110
Set should be sited at a height between
100' and 1000' above an unobstructed reflecting surface.
Transportability:
Complete set is carried in 6 vehicles, the largest of which measures
30'4" x 9'10" x 8'. Total weight of shipment is 101,790
lbs; total volume 11,485 cu. ft.
Installation:
Operates from trucks in which mounted. Can be placed in operation
about 6 hours after arrival at site.
Personnel: Seven
men comprise operating crew. For 24 hour operation about 50 men
are required to run radar, communication radio, and camp.
Power: 15.3
KW, supplied by PE-74, 25 KVA gasoline-driven generator, having
fixed consumption of 4 gal. per hour, non-leaded gasoline.
SCR-271-D and SCR-271-E Fixed Long
Wave Aircraft Warning Set
Description: Fixed
long wave early warning aircraft detector. Azimuth and range
supplied on "A" scopes. 271-D has a 100' tower; 271-E,
a 50' tower.
Uses: To
establish a screen of warning which gives data on aircraft as
early as possible, but with a sacrifice of accuracy in range,
azimuth and elevation. IFF equipment RC-151 is used.
Performance and Siting: Maximum range on a single medium bomber flying
at indicated altitudes, when set is on a flat sea level site:
Altitude, feet
1000
5000
20,000
25,000
SCR-271-E Range, miles
20
50
100
110
SCR-271-D Range, miles
25
60
120
135
Sets should be sited so that the mean
antenna height is between 100 and 1000 ft. above an unobstructed
flat surface. The 100' tower should be used when it is desired
to get additional low coverage, or to insure clearance above
surrounding trees or other obstructions.
Transportability: Sets are packed in 106 units, weighing a total
of 42,279 lbs. Largest unit is 176" x 25" x 20".
Total volume is 4008 cu. fit.
Installation: Requires
a weatherproof building approx. 20' x 40' for housing radar components
and a building approx. 20' x 20' for housing the power units
and switchboard. A 100 foot tower on concrete footings is required
for an SCR-271-D and a 50-ft. tower for an SCR-271-3. Buildings
and tower are built by engineers in about 3 weeks. Radar can
be installed by five men in about two weeks.
Personnel: 7
men are operating crew. For 24 hour operations, about 50 men
are required for radar, communication radio, and camp.
Power: 15.3
KW supplied by PE 74, 25 KVA gasoline-driven generator. Consumption
is 4 gal. per hour, non-leaded standard commercial gas.
Site Maps
Extract, War
Department Inventory of Owned, Sponsored and Leased Facilities,
December 1945
Capacity:
Enlisted:
Permanent:
Mobilization (Quartermaster Corps 700-Series
or Corps of Engineers 800-Series):
Theater of Operations: 107
Hutments:
Tents:
Total: 107
Officers: 6
Station Hospital:
Acreage
Owned:
Leases: 27
Total:
27
Storage:
Covered:
Open:
Cost to Government Since 1 July 1940:
Land:
Construction: $43,090.00
Total: $43,090.00
Remarks:
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