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Camp Hero & Montauk Air Force Station
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Camp Hero Revisited:
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A brief inspection tour of Camp Hero and the Montauk Air Force Station was performed following
the October 17 meeting at Montauk Downs State Park. Three officials from the New York State
Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP)
and the Montauk State Parks Complex
were joined by an engineering consultant, Dan's Papers' Editor and Publisher, Dan Rattiner,
and Montauk Radar Preservation Group founder Don Bender at the abandoned military base.
The visit served to confirm rumors that the New York State OPRHP had indeed demolished a
number of the site's historic buildings and structures during the summer months. Montauk
Radar Preservation Group founder Don Bender first became aware of the
demolition only during this visit to the site.
The large reinforced concrete tower of the AN/FPS-35 search radar was not involved in the
demolition. A reinforced concrete radar tower of early design (probably dating from the
mid Fifties) was also left untouched as was the former Operations Building.
However, all remaining radar structures, including the AN/FPS-6 and AN/FPS-26 height
finder radar towers have been removed. Various support buildings located throughout
the sprawling former military installation were similarly demolished.
In spite of the demolition, select buildings and structures have been
retained including some historically significant structures which date from the
Second World War. At least one of the former base's barracks will be retained and
adapted to serve new purposes.
A positive although perhaps unintended by-product of the demolition process has been
the creation of impressive new ground level vistas extending as far as the historic
Montauk Point Lighthouse located a short distance to the east.
Questions remain unanswered regarding the criteria used to determine which buildings and
structures were destined for demolition versus those which were retained. The precise
methodology was not made clear during the meeting held earlier in the day.
Is the historic significance of each building being considered prior to demolition?
Are opportunities to interpret the history of the site being taken into
consideration when buildings and structures are considered for demolition?
The notion of removing the huge, 70-ton AN/FPS-35 radar from atop its tall tower was
also discussed.
The concept behind removing the radar antenna is to permit a future restoration
of the corroded antenna to be performed on the ground where it is more easily accessible
and where it would present less of a potential hazard to visitors. Concerns were raised
regarding the possibility of portions of corroded metal falling off the antenna and
posing a danger to visitors.
The proposed removal of the antenna from the tower, however, raises a number of
important issues.
Where would the antenna be located and under what conditions?
What type of foundation would
have to be created to support the 120-foot-wide, 70-ton antenna?
How would security be enhanced in order to prevent vandalism of the antenna once it
has been removed from its present lofty perch atop the five story tower?
Where will funds for a future restoration come from?
These are but a few of the serious issues which need to be addressed prior to any
action involving one of our nation's most valuable Cold War era artifacts.
The Montauk Radar Preservation Group would like to see the New York State OPRHP take the
following actions before proceeding with either additional demolition work or
the removal of the historic AN/FPS-35 radar antenna:
1. Determine the historic value of all remaining structures, taking in to consideration
their potential use in future interpretation efforts or their being adapted to serve
new purposes.
2. Implement a moratorium on demolition of remaining buildings and structures until
the above action has been accomplished.
3. Create a detailed plan and budget for the removal, storage, security,
restoration and replacement of the AN/FPS-35 radar antenna, prior to removing it.
4. Retain the second, smaller radar tower as a valuable historic structure which can
be utilized in future preservation and interpretation efforts.
It is hoped that the New York State OPRHP will demonstrate the highest levels of
excellence, foresight and professionalism in its actions at Camp Hero and the Montauk
Air Force Station.
The Montauk Radar Preservation Group has indicated its willingness to serve in an
advisory role to the OPRHP with regard to the AN/FPS-35 radar/tower and other
matters relating to the history, preservation and interpretation of the
former Montauk base.
Don Bender
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Montauk Radar Preservation Group founder Don Bender surveys the changed landscape at
the former Montauk radar site, the result of demolition work conducted during the summer.
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SITE CURATOR: DONALD E. BENDER
E-Mail: [email protected]
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