Last AN/FLR-9 array being scrapped

[Grey Havoc]

http://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/International-Relations/US-airbase-starts-dismantling-Elephant-Cage-antenna-in-north-Japan

October 15, 2014 1:20 pm JST

US airbase starts dismantling "Elephant Cage" antenna in north Japan



AOMORI, Japan (Kyodo) -- The U.S. military began Wednesday a year-long project to dismantle an aged antenna array nicknamed the "Elephant Cage" at its Misawa Airbase in northern Japan that was used to intercept radio transmissions during the Cold War era.

In 2012 the U.S. military stopped using the array of antennas, about 40 meters high and placed in a circle over 440 meters in diameter, due to their age and changes in communication technology.

The facility went into service in 1965 to intercept transmissions from countries including the former Soviet Union and China.

After the dismantlement, sports facilities for U.S. military personnel and their families are likely to be set up.

Officially called AN/FLR-9, the array was one of two such facilities set up by the U.S. Forces in Japan following the end of World War II. The other in Yomitan, Okinawa Prefecture was demolished in 2007.

AN/FLR-9 antenna array Misawa Air Base c.1980.

An aerial view of Security Hill with the "Elephant Cage" AN/FLR-9 circular disposed antenna array in the background. (Misawa AFB) (Wikipedia)

 

[sferrin]

These things are pretty interesting. There's one up in Alaska (Elmendorf AFB) and others as well.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AN/FLR-9