Posted on 11/22/2015 12:12:21 PM PST by SandRat
FORT HUACHUCA — For decades, the large, helium-filled aerostat has floated silently against the horizon above Sierra Vista, time enough for both long-time residents and new arrivals to possibly lose sight of the skyborne equipment’s mission as an important link a chain of detection spanning the entire international border.
The Tethered Aerostat Radar System, or TARS, traces its origins back to the 70s and 80s, when traditional, ground fixed radar systems were being evaded by the newly airborne efforts of South American drug cartels.
Yeah, that way they can track the Border Patrol busses easier and more accurately.
Lived for several years right next to the aerostat facility just off the south edge of Fort Huachuca. If you stood on Carr Peak you could look down on the aerostat.
Did they ever figure out how that one in Maryland got loose?
Nope, I hazard a wild guess that Kerry or enviro - nuts cut it lose.
Visit my son when he graduated from Intel school at Fort Huachuca. Was impressed with the local area, seemed like a nice place to be stationed. How was it there?
Not bad really, the children really liked the mountains and mountain lakes.
I am a tree (pecan) and river kind of guy, so it was never on my short list of places to live.
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