Installations
Five towers were planned, in an array off the New England/mid-Atlantic coast. The most northerly two proposed were dropped from plans due to budgetary constraints.
| Tower ID | Location | Staffing unit | Mainland station | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TT-1 | Cashes Ledge off New Hampshire coast 42°53′N 68°57′W / 42.883°N 68.95°W / 42.883; -68.95 |
Not built | ||
| TT-2 | Georges Bank off Cape Cod 41°45′0.00″N 67°46′0.00″W / 41.75°N 67.76667°W / 41.75; -67.76667 |
762d Radar Squadron | North Truro Air Force Station | decommissioned 1963 |
| TT-3 | Nantucket Shoals 40°45′00.00″N 69°19′0.00″W / 40.75°N 69.31667°W / 40.75; -69.31667 |
773d Radar Squadron | Montauk AFS | decommissioned 1963 |
| TT-4 | off Long Island 39°48′N 72°40′W / 39.8°N 72.667°W / 39.8; -72.667 |
646th Radar Squadron | Highlands Air Force Station | destroyed 1961 |
| TT-5 | Browns Bank south of Nova Scotia 42°47′N 65°37′W / 42.783°N 65.617°W / 42.783; -65.617 |
Not built |
Logistical support for all three towers was provided by the 4604th Support Squadron, based out of Otis AFB and specifically constituted for this mission. They were originally equipped with H-21B helicopters, which were replaced with three Sikorsky SH-3 helicopters acquired in 1962. The USNS New Bedford was used to supply the stations, with transfer being affected with a platform called the "donut", consisting of an inflated rubber ring surmounted by a railing, which was lowered from the platform to the waiting ship's deck. These transfers could only take place at slack tide, when the ship could maintain position.
Read more about this topic: Texas Towers