Environmental Assessment for the Upgrade of a Radar Facility at Hill 3265 in the Yukon Training Area, Alaska

• Other Authors: AIR FORCE FIGHTER WING (354TH) EIELSON AFB AK
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2004
• Subjects: Civil Engineering; Active & Passive Radar Detection & Equipment; *COMMUNICATION AND RADIO SYSTEMS; *ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT; *RADAR RECEIVERS; AIR FORCE FACILITIES; AIR SPACE; AIRCRAFT; ALTITUDE; ARCTIC REGIONS; AREA COVERAGE; AVIATION SAFETY; CLOSE SUPPORT; CONCRETE; DEMOLITION; EMPLACEMENT; FACILITIES; FOUNDATIONS(STRUCTURES); FUEL TANKS; INFRASTRUCTURE; INSTALLATION; MICROWAVES; MILITARY PERSONNEL; MISSIONS; RADAR; RADAR STATIONS; REPLACEMENT; REQUIREMENTS; TACTICAL AIR SUPPORT; TRAINING; YUKON TRAINING AREA(ALASKA); Arctic; Yukon; Pacific; Eielson; alaska range; Alaska
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA609127; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA609127

Introduction The host unit at Eielson Air Force Base (Eielson), the 354th Fighter Wing (FW), operates F-16 Fighting Falcon and A/OA-10 Thunderbolt aircraft. The 354 FW s mission is to train and equip personnel for close air support of ground troops in an arctic environment. The complex combat scenario training requirements and advanced capabilities of the aircraft require large expanses of airspace to train. The Military Operating Areas (MOAs) in Alaska these aircraft use cover large areas and are jointly used by civilian and commercial aircraft as well as the military. It is imperative that adequate radar and radio coverage for these areas exist to ensure aircraft safety. Currently, areas within this airspace do not have adequate coverage. Complete radar sensor coverage of the entire Pacific Alaska Range Complex airspace at all altitudes is not economically feasible due to the mountainous terrain. However, it is the goal of the USAF to achieve 70 percent coverage at 2,000 feet aboveground level (AGL) and 90 percent coverage at 5,000 feet AGL within each Military Operating Area. The proposed Hill 3265 radar installation upgrade would aid in achieving this overall objective. Proposed Action The proposed action would result in the replacement of the existing radar system located at Hill 3265 with a new TPS-77 system that will significantly enhance the radar coverage capabilities of the facility. This proposal would utilize, to a large extent, existing infrastructure such as fuel tanks, microwave antenna, and communication shelters. Alternatives to the Proposed Action Alternative 1 would result in the removal of the TPS-63 radar and demolition and disposal of the existing concrete foundation. A new foundation would be constructed and a TPS-77 radar installed at a site located approximately 130 feet southeast of the existing radar facility. Alternative 2 would result in the placement of a similar facility on Taylor Mountain, located 85 miles southeast of Eielson.