Laredo Air Force Station

 military, radar station, closed / former military, United States Air Force

USAF sensor site. Was in care-taker status for ~5 years between FPS-17 and FSS-7 operations. 2nd unit was originally the 4783rd Surveillance Squadron. The FSS-7 was installed as such; was not installed earlier as FPS-26 as were the other FSS-7's. SEA-LANES SENTINEL -- Radar stations such as this one are now keeping a watch on flanks of the United States for signs of ballistic missiles launched from off-shore submarines. The Sea - Launched Ballistic Missile Detection and Warning System is one of the newest networks providing data to the North American Air Defense Command, which maintains an alert for approaching aircraft as well as missiles. The systems has eight radars along the east, west and gulf coasts. This one is near Laredo, Texas.