About the Montauk Radar Preservation Group Located at the easternmost tip of Long Island, New York, the former Montauk Air Force Station is a historic Cold War era air defense site which contains the nation's sole surviving example of a large and powerful frequency diversity radar. The Montauk base, one of the first of its type constructed on the east coast of the United States, was operational from 1948 through 1981. It performed its mission during some of the most tense periods of the Cold War, including the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. In addition to its history as a Cold War radar site, the site is also associated with the Army's Camp Hero which was established some years prior to the arrival of the Air Force. Montauk Air Force station is located in close proximity to the historic Montauk Lighthouse and contains considerable unspoiled natural environments of great scenic beauty. In spite of its historical significance, and the existence of the nation's only surviving example of a large Cold War era frequency-diversity radar, the future of the Montauk Air Force Station remains uncertain at this time. Volunteer efforts have already been organized to call attention to this valuable historical resource. An effort to list the property on the National Register of Historic Places is now under way. Bender Associates Historical Consultants provided New York State with a working document to assist with a potential future nomination to the Register during the autumn of 1999. The Montauk Radar Preservation Group is an organization which is dedicated to the preservation, restoration and historical interpretation of the former Montauk Air Force Station and Camp Hero. The group is working with official agencies, organizations and interested individuals to help save this historic site from destruction and to assist with a future effort to develop a historical museum at this location. The group believes that the juxtaposition of the historic radar facility with the Montauk Lighthouse and with many acres of scenic and unspoiled land provides very unique and high quality opportunities to create a solution for the Montauk Air Force Station which will enhance its value to future generations as a historic and scenic resource. More information about this organization, a Montauk Air Force Station historical newsletter, links to other organizations and official agencies and future membership opportunities will be placed online here in the near future. Please contact Don Bender with your comments and ideas about the Montauk Air Force Station and this Web site at bender@alpha.fdu.edu Additional information can be found online at the Online Radar Museum. Thank you for visiting. Please send in your comments and be sure to visit again soon! Best wishes,
Don Bender
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