Shemya and its work are in a true twilight zone. One thing that can be said is that Shemya has an advanced radar installation of the Air Force s space tracking network. It s job is to detect, identify, track and catalog all objects in earth orbit. A glance at a map of this part of the world shows the value of Shemya s strategic position astride the great circle route between America and the far east. Don t ask Browder to elaborate.
Personnel assigned here serve a one year tour.
Unlike the big naval station at Adak, some 400 mile to the east. About 1,000 men are stationed here. There is no native village on this wind lashed island. Shemya is at 174 degrees east longitude - 1400 miles from either Tokyo or Anchorage. There were 17 time last winter when the wind exceeded hurricane force.