DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY NAVAL RADIO STATION SUGAR GROVE SUGAR GROVE, WEST VIRGINIA 26815 . IN REPLY REFER TO 80/TMC/ jmw 5759. 8 March 1976 From: Commanding Officer, Naval Radio Station (R), Sugar Grove West Virginia To: Director of Naval History (OP-09B9) Washington Navy Yard, Washington D.C. 20390 Subj: Command History Ref: (a) OPNAVINST 5750.12B of 20 May 1971 (b) NAVCOMMSTA Norfolk Inst 5750.1A of 15 June 1975 Encl: (1) Arinex I - Copies of Area Data, Summary of History and Mission (2) Annex II - Copies of Newspaper Articles on Opening of Station. 1. In accordance with references (a) and (b), the following information is forwarded for inclusion in the Command History for the period of 1 January 1975 to 31 December 1975. (1) Command Organization (a) LCDR Donald Justice was Officer-in-Charge from 1 January 1975 to 1 July 1975 when he became Commanding Officer. He was Commanding Officer from 1 July 1975 until 29 August 1975, at which time he retired from active service. LCDR Thomas M. Coleman relieved LCDR Donald Justice as Commanding Officer on 29 August 1975, (b) The mission of the station underwent a change from the secondary receiver facility for NAVCOMMSTA Norfoik to the primary receiver facility beginning on 10 November 1975. (c) Command structure was changed on 1 July 1975 when Naval Radio Station (R), Sugar Grove administratively changed from a fifth echelon command to a fourth echelon command. (d) There has been no changes in location of headquarters. (2) Summary of Operations 19 February KOI-16 (Card Reader) was installed in the Ship/ shore facility at the operations site for test and evaluation. The test and evaluation was completed on 1 July 1975 with excellent results. 08 April Naval Radio Station (R), Sugar Grove received its I.G. Inspection held by COMNAVTELCOM, This inspection was completed on 9 April 1975. The overall results of the inspection were satisfactory.
27 May 02 June 18 June 01 July 01 July 08 July 18 August At 1558, during a severe electrical storm, lightning struck the commercial power lines feeding the operations site. As a result, 43 multicouplers in Wullenwebers #1 and #2 sustained major damage, the air conditioning plant main ventilation system was disabled, and damage was dene to the C02 fire fighting system. Vital communications were restored in twenty minutes. The station was fully operational at 2335. Approval was received from COMNAVTELCOM to remove the 4 RLPA antennas. They were dismantled on 24 and 25 June and shipped to project Clarinet Betty. The Auto/Hobby Shop was officially opened, but the overall project had not been completed and addi-" tional construction would extend into 1976. The RLPA site north of the operations building was designated as a helicopter landing pad and will be used for helicopters to convey supplies and personnel to both the Naval Radio Station and the Security Group Detachment. Naval Radio Station (R), Sugar Grove was changed from a fifth echelon command as a department of NAVCOMMSTA NORFOLK to a fourth echelon command. The official title of the senior officer at the station was changed from Officer-In Charge to Commanding Officer. The Naval Research Laboratory facility officially closed down its operations at Sugar Grove and turned all of its assets over to the Security Group Detachment at Sugar Grove, West Virginia. An inspection of the Bachelor Enlisted Quarters was conducted in connection with the Admiral Zumwalt Award for BEQ's. The areas covered by the inspection team included administration, habitability, management and custodial. The station received a 74.25% overall rating. Rear Admiral R.E. Rumble, Commandant of the Fifth Naval District, toured the station for orientation and familiarization with the facilities and capabilities of the station.
Copy to: 29 August 18 September 11 October 10 November 03 December 10 December 15 December NAVCOMMSTA NORVA A joint change of conmand and retirement ceremony was conducted by Captain Harry C. Rockefeller, Com- manding Officer, NAVCOMMSTA Norfolk. LCDR Thomas M. Coleman relieved LCDR Donald Justice as com- manding officer of Sugar Grove, Naval Radio Station. LCDR Donald Justice retired after twenty-seven. years of active Naval service and received a letter of appreciation. The three conical monopoles located at the operations site were removed and surveyed. Naval Radio Station Sugar Grove held a Navy Day Open House for the civilian community. Approx- imately 100 persons toured the operations and support sites. Under the coordination of the Tech-Control Facilities, NAVCOMMSTA Norfolk, Naval Radio Station Sugar Grove assumed the communications requirements formerly under the control of the receiver facility at Northwest Virginia. Twenty volunteers lead by LT (jg) Stout departed the station at 1315 in the firetruck to aid local fire authorities in controlling a forest fire in Brandywine, West Virginia. The fire was brought under control and the fire party returned to the station at 1930. ene sae ee a an AT II TOOT INET oa Fifteen AN/FRR-60 (V) receivers were excessed and removed from operations to be used as spare parts for future operations. Construction began on the bowling alley and gym- nasium for use by all station personnel. The bowling alley construction will be completed by March 1976. LE — (ie 4G USN Ce meeconeane domes ages athe nia: nha ihiectiadetat alicia
SECTION III - AREA DATA Naval Radio Station (R) Sugar Grove is situated in the South Fork Valley in Pendleton County, West Virginia. The area is sparsely populated and a mountainous farming area with no other industry in the immediate area. The population of Pendleton County is 7,031 and the communities located near the station are small. These communities are Sugar Grove (pop. 42) 5 miles south, Brandywine (pop. 188) 5 miles north and Franklin (pop. 695) 17 miles northwest. The nearest large town that provides adequate shopping and recreational facil- ities is Harrisonburg (pop. 14, 605) which is 35 miles east over the mountain. There are no zoning laws for Pendleton County but the area is designated a National Radio Quiet Zone which protects the station from harmful interference. The “Zone", Sugar Grove is approximately in the center, is some 3500 square miles which the State of West Virginia has legislated to prohibit electrical encroachment (House Bill #2, 9 August 1956; Radio Astronomy Zoning Act"). The average annual temperature of the area is 52.8 degrees. The maximum temperature, recorded in September, 1953, was 97 degrees and the minimum temperature, recorded in February 1963, was minus 22 degrees. The average yearly rainfall is 32. 14 inches and the average yearly snowfall is 71.9 inches. The prevailing wind is northwest at 6.3 miles per hours The installation is located on Pendleton County Road 21 which is a narrow two lane winding road. The nearest major highway, U.S. 33, is a distance of 5 miles to the north. There are no buses, trains, or airfields in the immediate vicinity. The nearest bus line terminal (Greyhound) is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, a distance of 35 miles to the east over the Shenandoah Mountains. Shenandoah Valley Airport is located-at Weyers Cave, Virginia, which is south- east of the station a distance of 46 miles. The Naval Radio Station is adjacent to the west side of the George Washington National Forrest and camping and fishing are available at the Brandywine Recreational Area in the Forrest 8 miles from the station. The Monongahela National Forrest, with four recreational areas, is located to the west of the station. The nearest point of the Forrest is approx- imately 25 miles from the station. The following state parks and forrests are located within 65 miles of the base; Calvin Price, Watoga, Cannon Valley, Lost River, Seneca and Kombrabow.
Installation Data Improvements Base Population Navy Allowance On Board NAVRADSTA 70 55 NAVSECGRUDET 49 49 Total 119 104 Civilian , NAVRADSTA 16 permanent NRL 13 permanent Total 29 Dependents 109 military dependents reside on station. Operating Costs NAVRADSTA FY 72 FY- 73 FY 74 wu... O&M 49,000.00 66,800.00 70,100.00 Utilities 78,860.00 84,700.00 91,000.00 Civ. Labor 179,600.00 181,500.90 184,000.00 Mil. Labor 345,600.00 348,000.00 350,000.00 < .Dotal $653,060.00 $681,000.00 $695.100..00 NAVSECGRUDET O&M 69,500.00 71,100.00 69,800.00 The work at NRL Sugar Grove is primarily under NRL Problem 79RO6-30. The budget for NRL Sugar Grove is interrelated with that of the Space Systems Division, NRL Washington, D.C. and a meaningful breakdown is not available.
- SECTION IV ~ HISTORY in 1956 the woresent site cf Naval Radio Station (R) ar Grove was selected for @ Naval Research Laboratory, ject leading t) moon relay communications as well as r research, communications ané@ tion. In 1957 a 69 ft. parabolic antenna nad been crsd for a prototype for * 600 it. parnxtolic reflector. in 1962 a review indicated that advances in science and technology, not foreseen earlier, had reached the stage where project objectives could he acnieved at less cost by other means so construction of the 600 ft. reflector was nalted. u r ow Yo fy n= - . =~ — ty Qs ~”, os - Ken oh Od tn The inadequacies of the Chaltenkam, Manyland Radio Receiving écility due to upcoming urban encroachment were recognized officially in 1950 by the Chier, Bureau of Ships wno recommended relocation of the entire facility. Insufficicnt funds pre- vented CNO action at the time. In September 1962, SECNAV proposed to SECDEE that Sugar Grove Site be utilized for a Navai Radio Receiving Station in lieu of like facilities at Cheltenham, Mavyland, in order to utilize part of the plant investment of the cancelled NRL. project and to take advantage of the unique potential of the - site; namely the National Radio Quiet Zone. In February 1963 the Naval fudio Station (R) Sugar Grove, was established in a development status. On 20 pecember 1968 the U.S. Navy officially occupied the new comaunications site and the station was tormally commissioned 19 May 1969. ‘ . . "sy
SECTION V -— MISSION \ ° Naval Radio Station (R) Sugar Grove. Ag an activity ‘of the Naval Communication System, to manage, operate and maintain those facilities, systems, equipments, and devices necessary to provide requisite communications for the Command, operational control, and administration of the Naval Establishment; to manage, operate and maintain those facilities oi the Defense Communications System as assigned; and to perform such other functions as may be directed by the Chief of Naval Operations. Naval Security Group Detachment, Sugar Grove. As an activity of the Naval Communications System, to manage, .operate and maintain those facilities, systems, equipments, and devices necessary to provide requisite communications for the Command, operational control, and administration of the Naval Establishment; to manage, operate and maintain those facilities of the Defense Communications System as assigned; and to perform such other functions as may be directed by the chief of Naval Operations and Commander Naval Security Group Command. _. Naval Research Laboratory Sugar Grove. As an activity of the Naval Research Laboratory Washington, to conduct experimental research and development concerning operational | utilization of information, systems and techniques in ‘radio physics as related to the space sciences.
| Navy’s ‘Ear’ - Is Activated in Wes Virgnia SCGAR GROVE, W. VA. {UPI) — The Navy's $11 million -Tadio receiving station was offi- cially activated yesterday in cerraocies at this remote, moun- taineus section of ezstern West Virginia. : The facility will serve as the Navy’s “ear,”’ gathering com- tunicztions from Navy planes, ships and stations around the word. Two 1,000-foot-diaineter, dish-shaped antennas are locat- éed in a 160-mile-long nztional _Tadio euiet zone. Tne facility will take over: ‘much of the work that had been fariermed at the Navy's Chel-, sennam, Md., communications: station. { The facility bere originally: wes C2veloped in the early 1960s 2 s::e for a radio telescope { would probe cuter space, Wes obsdiete beiore it could be cerapleted. In March 1965, ‘ork “vas begun at the site to convert it for use by the Navy. The receiving equipment is in en “rcergroundoperations Tre station, with 108 Navy Ta ane Sb civilians, is che tat ges ett maulary sastallaiion in West Vorcinis. WO" em ae 2 ee DD THE SUNDAY STAR Wosk.ngten, D C, moy Tt, 1969 ane SOS cae nL ee her The Navy yesterday activated its $32.5 million glabal radio communi- cations center at Sugar Grove, W.Va., with a victory celebration rivaling the commissioning of a ship. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., and other speakers recalled the tough battle they Jac with congressmen who sought to Byrd to Speak Seoator Robert C. Byrd, D. W. Va., Speaker here Saturday, May. | W. at activation ceremonies | AP Wirepnots Land sewstle the project. It is,.in fact. a kind of stepchild. It was finally ap- proved after opposition in Congress forced the abandonment in 1962 of a S200 million radiotelescone planned for Sugar Grove. In phot °° cen- ter's two 1,000-foot wide antennas are at upper right. . At Sugar Grove SUGAR GROVE — U. S. will be the maio | fur the Naval fadio Heceiv- ing Station. Byrd was instrumental in feuing the Si tnillion-deltar munary facility located here. ‘The station, referred to as the “ear” of the Navy, puthers communications from nmuval , planes. ships. and stations — waruund the world. : : 4-The Clarksburg Exponent, Sat. May 10. 1969
tne in- y.—Phots we ° a2 . oe 5 2 . sf men whois S a Suet SE be ee 3° ES So 34 d37 23 say # ™ oe ARM , ss te oes eae: i: one - o ae 2 tp 2 on EB 2 aos ee - an o= © Beg a a 3.9 a “su 8 Eon a I 2S A naiojys nye. | te bt, Wj2t . i 283 ; P at oy i : - we avo i 2 "aE ¢€ iia fsa = a 2 c4 ct —_ +s s mos é a7 e “=: Page housing units, upper right. a meintenance building and water tank, lower abown ite this aerial plute SUPPORT SITE for che Suvar Grove >. ve “4 = r = re % ~ re) 4 “2S a 27 we = ¢ f sour a oe s = 2 Roe (R) Sugar Grove is given by LCDR Lee E. Rarrett, Jr., left, officer in charge to Admiral Thomas H. Moorer, second from left, chief of naval operations, EXPLANATION OF OPFRATIONS at the Naval Radio Station
ve) 4 % enetle ic ‘ f- k oF pe. r of 3 pair of merry-co-rounds. The antenna, each 1.000 {cet fa2% communications center ut Sugur Grove, W. Va.. the in diameter, are the heurt of the statwa. At left is an tes Wullenweber antenna complexes look like the skeletons auxiliury. disb-type anteppa.
7; SY ee emer 0 nee Comme. came Deenete dee ere mw... terse comple. of ow: _Dr. Alan Rennan Officials, Dignitaries At Activation Ceremony OFFICIAL PARTY Admiral Thomas H. Moorer, USN, Chief of Naval . Operations Dr. Robert A. Frosch, Assistant Secretary of the Navy Research & Development Honorable Robert C. Byrd U. S. Senator from West Virginia Representative of Governor ' A. Moore, Jr. of West Virginia Rear Admiral J. C. Dempsey, USN, Commandant, William Loy | F ifth Naval District - Rear Admiral F. FF Fitz itzpatrick, USN, Commander. Communications Command, ACNO (Communications) Captain M. C. Hartle, USN Communading Officer, Communication Station Washington — Lieutenant J. D. Shannon, USNR, ‘Chaplain, ‘Naval Communication Station - Washington DIGNITARIES Rear Admiral R. H. Weeks, USN, Vice-Director, DCA Rear Adsniral J. E. Rice, USN, Commander, Naval Electronics Systems Command Rear Admiral R. E. Cook, USN, Commander, Naval Security Group Command Lt. General H. W. Grant, USAF (Ret) Director, Tele. Communications Policy, ASD Captain J. C. Matheson, USN, Director, Naval. Research Laboratory Director of Research, Naval . Research Laboratory Mr. Fred Korth Mr. M. C. Baird Mr. B. H. Oliver, Jr. President P&-M Systems, Inc. Vice President, ATCT Se tt auabeahenmmeine tao Somer cs fetthen acta ayaa Former Secretary of the Navy poe woe econ Rn aed ee edge ve. . i ‘ at RT OR OAS - cations System as assigned _ other functions as may be directed by the Chief of pamerceapneeyt oan s PLL OATES PTT I, Activation Order Naval Radio Station (R) Sugar Grove “In accordance with OPNAVNOTE 5450, serial - 4064 PO9B33 of 6 May 1969, the Secretary ‘of the ‘ Navy has approved the change in status of Naval Radio Station (R) Sugar Grove, West Virginia, from developmental to active (fully operational) status as of 10 May 1969. The mission of Na val Radio Station (R) Super - Grove, West Virginia, is - ‘As an activity of the Naval Communication System, to manage, operate, and maintain those facilities, systems, equipments, and devices, neces- sary to Provide, requisite communications for the comman operational control, and administration of the Naval Estabiishment; to manage, operate and maintain those facilities of the Defense Communi- ; and: to. perform such Naval Operations.’ The Chief of Naval Operations delegates autha- rity and responsibility as follows: Command and ~Support: Commander, ‘Naval Communications Command to be exercised through { Commanding ‘Officer, .Naval Communication Station | _ Washington, Cheltenham; Maryland. wk ‘area Coordination: Commandant, Fifth Nava! District or to such other commander as may be desig: nated by him. - bh, Bee aos eres Winey ee Pare 8 —— The Pendleton ‘tones , e - om May 15, 1969 .
When Senator-Robert C: Byrd said last Satur- day at Sugai Grove that he shared with others a " sense of pride in seeing the Naval Radio Receiving Station successfully completed, he surely must have - been speakirig from the heart. For if anyone ever, was justified in taking pride in the completion of : a task, Senator Byrd certainly is justified in taking ; . pride in the completion of the Sugar Grove project. | Senator Byrd has worked tirelessly for this project. His interest dates back to August, 1962, when Secretary of Defense Robert McNemara cancelled construction of the “Big Ear’ project at Sugar Grove. Byrd immediately set about trying to find some other use that could be made of the site. One of the first things he did was to write to Rresident John Kennedy and ask him to appoint a committee of government engineers and scientists to find the optimum use that could be made of the Sugar Grove site. _ It was not long after Senater Byrd wrote to President Kennedy that the. Navy hit upon the idea of moving the Naval Radio Receiving Station from Cheltenham, Md., to Sugar Grove. This ap- peared to be an ideal use for the site because. radio interference was beginning to affect the Cheltenham site, and Sugar Grove was in a “radio quiet” zone. . an But the move was not without its. problems. The first setback occured in 1963 when the House - Armed Services Committee deleted from the Mili- tary Construction Authorization Bill the Nivy’s request for $3,480,000 to relocate the station. Sena- tor Byrd immediately went to bat for the project. He happened to be a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and after preparing a con- vincing case he succeeded in getting his committee to restore the funds for the project in the bill. ’ Still later when the relocation of the station was attacked by members of Congress, Senator ; Byrd answered the critics and defended the Navy’s plans to move the station to Sugar Grove. He has worked closely with the Navy and given officers involved in the project strong support. So, when Senator Byrd told those attending the activation ceremony Saturday that he has watched over, and helped to guard, and protect this undertaking from a legislative standpoint, he: was not engaging in idle chatter and he was not’ boasting. He was stating facts. Senator Byrd, perhaps more than any other single individual, deserves the credit for bringing to West Virginia its first major military establish- ment. Certainly he is justly entitled to take pride in this sienificant achievement, a job well donc. . ode Page 10 —— The Pendicton Times —— May 15, 1969
Editor's Note—Foliowing its complete text of the eadress Gefvered Saturday by U. 8. , Senator Robert C. Byrd at the | ceremony activating the Naval , Radio Station (BR) Gugar Grove. Admiral Moorer, Admire] Dem. ey, Admiral Fitzpatrick, Cap- in Hartle, Mr, Loy, distinguish- d guests, ladies and gentlemen: I am indeed pleased to parti- ‘ipate in this gctivation cere- saony for the Naval Radio Re- civing Station Sugar Grove. , From its inception, I have washed over, and helped to guard, and protect this under- taking from a legislative stand- point. I shere with each of you a collective Pride in -gecing this ject so successfully concluded. ; As long ago as 1963, as a’. tee, I vigorously supported the establishment of this installatioz. As most of you know, the authorization for this station: was imitially denied, and the item wes stricken from the Navy’s military construction program -fo 1964. Knowing the potential. vatue of @ high-frequency: radio receiving station in the National Ratio Quiet Zone—an area en- compassing about 10 counties in West Virginia—I sought the restoration of the project in the. Armed Services Conrmittee and was successful in having it re- stored for the Navy. «.-— - Four years ago, I had the. pleasure of turning the first! stovel of earth at the ground-* . breaking ceremony there. That. tehovel is on display.in my office ‘in Washington as a memento of: Ithe occasion, ‘and along-side it ;s a model of a Wullenweber -entenna which’ Admiral Weeks, “the former Director of Naval : Communications, kindly present-| 1e€d to me. Two full-scale operational Wullenweber antennas are now installed just south of here at this station’s operations site. It is my understanding that these entennas, together with their -Supnisticated switching systems, provide a significant new ad- _ Vancemer.t—the ultimate at pre- sent—in yadio reception capa-. biiity. This capability is unmatch-, ed elsewhere in the Department of the Navy, the Department of, Defense, or indeed, in any com- utercial or industrial complex. Sen." Byrd Welcomes Navy to Early reports on the ‘operation: of these antennas ang associated devices vorify and confirm the hign expectations that were held from the beginning that such an installation would prove to be an invaluable asset to free-world communications. | | hig station—the only major military installation in West Vir- ginia—is of great importance to the people of this - state, . and particularly to the people of Pendleton ang surrounding coun- ties. At full complement, the sta- tion will have: permanently as- signed four officers and 104 enlisted personnel. Ona continuing: “basis it will { also provide civilian jobs for at least 30 persons—almost one- and-a-nalf percent of the Pend- leton County work foree.- Beyond this direct addition, the requirements for goods” and | | services | generated by the -naval ,and civilian personnel working at this station, pond: their families, will eid to the business life bar ‘the area. _As the ecope of cperationa' here: is expanded, this figure will sncrease, and it is difficult now to estimate the total benefit which this station will bring to -the economy of West Virginia. I predict it will be substantial. Amd so I chare with all of you today a deep eense of pride in welcoming to our State this valuable eddition to our Nation’s defense facilities. It hardly eeems possible that this instaila- tion, in euch a peaceful and beautiful valley, phys a vital role in the contro! of our naval forces dispersed around! the world. Because of the tremendous political consequences of nuval actions, it has become necessary for much of mhe command and control of fleet opcrutions to emanate directly fram Washing- ten. In order for our national end military leaders ¢o make correct and timely decisions, they must have accurate and detailed information on which to base these decisions good wishes for the future. * omnis” “information will fow from our ships at sea, from our aircraft, erd from our far-flung Naval Communications Stations arcund the world, through the radio receivers of this station, to the seat of government, Such “communications, , * pent ° and received through this net- work of Naval Communication Stations, provide the requisite ‘feommand and control of our naval forces, thereby essuring the successful defense of Our nation. i Bly fellow West Virgiv-ans end I extend a warm end sincere “welcome aboard” to this new Naval Radio. Recewing Station, and our State is honored to have this distinguished _ assemblage here today. . : . Among ‘the Directors of Naval Communications, I fully support. . ed Admiral Roeder in his efforts to initiate this project; I. con- — eimued my. support to Admiral Weeks aa the project progressed; and, to you, Admiral Fitzpatrick, I plodze my continuing support and reeffirm my interest in this project. ~~ Finally, I note’ with pride that not only is West, Virginia honor-. ed to have @ deen’ ‘selected for the 'Rocation, ‘of this. Naval’ Radio Re- cering . ‘Station, ‘but’ also.. that its first. officer-in-charge, Lien. ‘tonant. :Commander Barrett, -United States Navy, is 2 native West Virginian. a ' So, to Admiral Moorer, Admir- x] Roeder, Admiral Weeks, Ad- miral Fitzpatrick; to Commander ‘Barrett, his crew, and the many, @many others who have worked long hours over a long period of itime: to make this project a’ ‘reality, I say, in the language i of the Navy, “To All Hands, j Well Done!” | To all of you, I add my sincere May 15, 1969 -——— The Pendleton Times —— Pazse $s eae ee ee
Nav y's s ‘Voice of Command’ Station at Sugar Grove to by Dedicated Saturday, The newess link in the U. S. Navy’s “voice of command”, located in a remote West Vir- yrinta mountain area deep in the Allegheny ranges, will be acti- vated on May 10 with formal dedication ceremonies at Naval Radio Station (R) Sugar Grove, placing this Naval Communica- tions Command activity in a fully operational status. The program will begin at 2 p.m. It will be open to the pub- lic, and guests are requested to be seated by 1:46 p.m. West Virinia dignitaries sche- dulod to take part include U. S. Senator Robert C. Byrd and U.°S. Representative Harley O. Stag- gers of tne state's 2nd Congres- sional District. Senator Byrd will be principal speaker for the oc- ezsion. Others slated to attend ax members of the officinl party are Admiral Thomas H. Moorer, USN, Chief of Naval Operations; Rear Admiral J. C. Dempsey, USN, Commandant, Fifth Naval District; Rear Admiral Francis J, Fitzpatrick, USN, Command- et, Naval Communications Com- mand; and Captain Maurice C. Hartle, USN, Commanding 9f- ficer of the station's parent com- mand, Naval Communications Station Washinston, D. C. The Sugar Grove station is an operational component of Naval Communication Station Wash- ington. Headquarters at Chelten- nam, Maryland, the parent sta- tion functions as a vital link between Navy operating forces and the hub of military activity in the Nation’s Capital. Radio receivers presently: lo- cated at Cheltenham will be re- locateg:to Sugar Grove, which is 8 quiet and isolated site, ideal for cecaiving high frequency tidio signals. The new station is located in an officially desig- mated National Radio Quiet Zone, an area 100 miles square, relatively free from outside elec- tromagnetic interference. ' The relocation plan; also per- mitted partial use ,of: Sugar Grove facilities oriinally desig- ned for establisament of a 600- foot radio telescope. . Work’ on this Naval Rescarch Laboratory sponsored project was terminat- od in 1962 because .of gdvances and refinements in related fields of science and technology. Fol- lowing extensive engineering surveys conducted from 1962 to 1965, construction of the: radio station began in March, 1965. & %, he rural mountainous area «0 large cities that woulg av.se radio frequency interfer- ence from industrial equipment and electrics] devices. Harrison- burg, Va., with a population of about 15,000, is only 37 miles distant, but mountain ridges be- tween tho two locations provide Natural radio interference ‘‘sni- elding.” The aren has no high- powered radio or TV stations and only a few electric power transmission lines, It is not crossed by, commercial airways, thus climinating interfcrence from radar sites used in air traffie control. Heaviest traffic from trucks and buses with gaso- line engines—major offenders in a radio quiet zone—is in the Shenandoah Valley, on the oppo- site side of the mountain range. Radio quict zone conditions at Sugar Grove permit the un- preecdentcy utilization of two huge, circular -Wullenweber an- tenna arrays, each 1,000 fect in diamoter, as the station’s main receiving antennas. Receiver fa- cilities were used for the first time on: Deeember 26, 1968, when testing began. Receivers were disconnected at Cholten- ham and moved to Sugar Grave this spring. Another unique feature of the. station ‘is a two-story operations building, completcly under. ground. An existing underground structure was redesigned to house about 100 radio reecivers and numerous ancillary devices, such as multicouplers, converters and switching matrices. The structure also includes a shop, a technical library and Jounge areas, plus emergency messing and berthing facilities. It is fully equipped with environmental control de- vices and a carbon dioxide | “flood” system fire protection. The planneg personnel com- plement at’the station totals 138, including four Naval officers, 104 enlisted men and 30 civilians. © Lioutenant Commander Lee EF, Barret, Jr., USN, of Beckley, West Virginia, ts Officar in Charze of the etation. He will be relieved by Licutenant Comman- der Clyde M. Conway, USN, later in M:ty. Tne Nayal Radio Station at Sugar Grove is assigned to the | command and support responsi- bility of Commander, Naval Communications Command, es dolegated to- him by the Chief -of Naval Operations, - Franklin, Pendleton Courily, West Virginia, Thursday, May 8, 1969
- New Radio Link Opened in W/. Va. + WASHINGTON — The newest _quict and isolated site, ideal for tk ia the Navy's “voice of con: receiving hish frequency radio mand” Jueated in a remote West) signals. The new station is tacidted Virgina mountaia area deep in! in an officially designaied Natuaal “the Allegheny fanzes, was to be Radio Quict Zone, an area 100 uctwated in mid- May with formal’ miles square, relatively free from “thedication ceremonie: at Naval outside electromagnetic interter- . Rat Station Suzar Grove, placing ‘ence. Ube Naval Communications Com.{) The relocation plan also preunit- “mand activites ing a fully operated partial use of Susar Grave tenet stalus. facilities originally designed for West Virginia dignitaries sched testablihiment of a GOO foot rads bed tee lake part includes Sen. Rob-| telescope, Work on this Naval tert C. Byrd and Rep. Harley G.j] Research Laboratory  spunsered ‘Staggers of the state's 2d Conzres-; project was terminated in 1962 ‘sional District. Byrd will be prin-. because of advances and refine- cipal speaker. iments in related ficids of science : Others slated to atlend are Adm, pand technology. Following exten- Thomas H. Moorer, Chicf of Naval! sive engincering surveys caniucled (perations; Rear Adm. J.C. Demp.!from 1962 to 1965. canstruction sev. Commandant, Sth Naval. Dis-.of the radio station besun in ‘teict, Rear Adm. Francis J. Fitz. | March 1965. tpatewk, Commander, Naval Com.i Two huge, circular Wullenweber munications Command; and Cspt. {antenna arrays, each 1000 fect in ‘Maurice C. Hurtic, conmanding # | diameter, will be the station's main cafficer of the station's parent com- j Peeciving antennas. Receiver favili- ‘mand. Naval Communication Sta... ‘ties were used for the first time stion, Washington, D.C. on Dee. 26. 1968 wher testing i Headquartered at Cheltenham, began: Receivers were discounect- iMd., the parent station functions ‘ed at Cheltenham and moved to as a link between Navy operating !Sugae Grove this springs ferces and the hub of military; Another unique feature of the activity an the nation’s capital. Station is a two-story operations ° e e hulding. completely undeceraund. KADIO RECEIVERS now local. ' An existing underground structure ed at Chellenhaae wall be relocat. | was redesigned to house about 100 eg a Seer Grave. which o, aj radio receivers and other devices. . + . “(The structure also includes s shop, ‘a technical library and lounse areas, plus emergency Messing snd NAVY TIMES herthin: — facilities. “it is fully rautpped with environmental con. tial deviets and a carbon deaxide MAY 21, 1969 “fland” system for fire protection Le WW. Virginia Gets Navy Radio Site SCGAR GROVE. Woe. MM --The Navy activated a $22.5 miilien Blobal radiv communications center here dulurday with a vietory crlerraiioan rivaling the com. . Ws donde of a ship. Tie round af speeches and fanfare culminated a con- troversy involving Congress znd too Navy cchelons wher corsirnctian of a $200 mESoa radintcicscupe =o here was anan iened in 1062. The new installation -— stepchiid oof the ~ huge tclescape — serves as the cars Gf an around-the-world rudi+ Communications system. - ioomentors high frequenes - message signals tram ships at sta co Well as from. other Xavy installations in the Atlantic Qeean and the Catibdeun Sva. The Signals then are. relayed 156 niles cust to) Chenenham, Md., where tev sae processed for dehivery. It was moved here from the Nave’s large communications facilitv ut Cheltenham beee:use this region — deep i: ihe rugged Allegheny Morn. lusNs of custern West Vir — ‘is relatively free fro wab-rreade interference. feo at dida’t come without 2 strugile. . “1 fought like the dickens. poth to get it and keep it.” said Sen. Rohert C. Byrd, D- Wa. at the  ceremonics Sciurdav aiternvon. Bard was among severa Jeansares who praised the ins.allation and i: censcnlities. Adm. Thonas Meorer, Chiet of neval ape: a- tens, aso aderessed the av eeonce uf apant 200 persen.. BV RUE e. F1ar-ds ‘ arey yt 1383 SIGMDAY. ort eee
CIRCULAR ANT Dove, lvcated on th site of the Naval f (R) Sugar Grove 1,000-ru0t diameter er antennas, the m antennas for the two radio telescop diameter and 60-fo barely distinguisha! left, are being ope Naval Research Lal Gre not components Radio Receiving St
7" me ween i. wee a + (hae ren cn arma EeT 2 eemmncmemmnemmemememmmememm- aire ‘ e ° i : . ° fe 7 _ ee ee Commenting on the +ffeet the ‘ stution will have on the local urea, Byid said this station— the only major military installa- tion in West Virginia.—ix of great importance to the people of this state, and particularly > ty the people of Pendleton and _surrounding counties. “Ar ftull complement,” the - Senator stated, “the station will have permanenly cosigned four officers and 104 enlisted penon- Lief, On a continuing basis it will _alsu provide civitisn jobs for at ~ beast 30 -persons, . Benefit Difficult to Estimate “As the scope of operation~ here is expanded, this figure wil! increase, and it is difficult now te estimate the total benefit which this station will bring to the ecunomy of West Virginia. T predict it will he subetantial.”” Senator Byrd was introduced by Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Thomas H. Moorer who also spoke briefly coneerning the importance of the Sugar Grove * station. Admiral Moorer remarked that ‘while ships and airplanes have piayed the important roles in “national defense in the past, he predicted that olectronics, ia which category the new Naval station is included, would be of chief importance in the next war, ‘Tne UL S. Navy Band played a Naotber uf selections preeting the program which besan prom. oe ee - cee Cuptain Maurice C. Hartle. Commanding Officer, Naval Communications Station, Wash- ington, gave a brief address «of welcome, and Lt, J. D. Shannon, Chaplain, Naval Communications Station, Washington, pronounced the invocation and the henedic- tion. The Activation Order, which defines the function of the Suya: Grove station and sutaorizes its change to active status, was read by Rear Admiral J. C. Dempsey. Cammundant Fifth Naval Dis trict, and LCDR lave E. Barrett, Jr., officer in charge of the station, carried the order into effect by raising the American flay and the flag of the Chief of Naval Operations. Tour Station. ; Following the program refresn- ;ments were served in the enlist- :ed men’s dining hall, and tours i were conducted of the operations . site. _ The Naval Radio Receiving Station is located 19 miles east of 1 Franklin, county seat of Pendle- tun County, and five miles north of Sugar Grove. The station is located on tuu sepurate sites—a 1400-ucre operu- tions site, and a 125-acre suppert site, The two sites ure approxi- | tiately seven miles apart. Operational components of che station located on the operations site cunsixt primarily of a bat- a ACTIVATION CEREMONY | the Naval Radio Station (R) Sugue Grave was enlurful and informative. Held at the sup- pore site, the speaker's plat- form faced a large tent xii! sheltered approximately 70 dignitaries, scuests ard loca! residenta attending ¢!- cere- nieny. tery of approximately 100 radio: receivers with numerous ancill-* ary devices and 10 antennas. '. Two of the antennas are Auge,: . circular Wullenweber untennai . arrays 1,000 feet in diameter: swhich are the very latest deve-! - - i lopment? in antenna design and ; ave being used for the first time: — at Sugar Grove. Other antennas | include four conical monopoles: und four rotutahble log periodic ! antennas. | Located on -the support site. ure u 70-man barracks, messing , (ucilities, Navy exchange, movic ; ‘urea, administrative offiees and: | ¥%0 family housing units, Another , 20 housing units are now under; construction, j | LCDR Lee E. Barrett, USN,; ‘of Beckley, is officer in charge’ ‘ of the siation, and Lt. Kaymend' Dufre.2°, USN, is assistant of.) ficer in charve. Barrett will be: relieved later this month by | LCDR Clyde W. Conway, USN. . Page & —— The Wendieton Times May 15, 1969 aoe ia ee SS o..
oe. a Oe ORY Sls BLK EE Gr EL wns: NAVY'S ‘EAR’ ACTIVATED — Lieutenant Commander Lee West Virginia Sen. Robert C. Byrd (right) followings FE. Barret Jr. (left), officer-in-charge of the Navy’s $11 activation ceremonies Saturday afternoon. The facility will million radio receiving station at Sugar Grove, W. Va.,  scrve as the Navy’s “car” in gathering communications explains the station’s operations te Admiral Thomas H. from its planes, ships and stations around the world. Mouser (sccund from lefts, chief of naval operations, and ce, “ s ; Activated At Sugar Grove, W.Va. - By TOMMY THOMPSON | County residents, turned out to/ed fields of scicnce and techno- — In welcoming the staticn to- News-Record Matt Writer see the flag ruised over the| logy made it outcatcd before ‘the state, the Senator pointed SUGAR GROVE, W. Va. —, Naval Radio Station at Sugar|it was even completed. ;out that the 106 enlisted men: The site of the ‘country's “first | Grove and tour the facility that} The first faciiily was to have | and 30 officers stationed at Su- will serve as the Navy’s “ear.”| enabled Naval radio scientists | gar Grove are the “cownry’s The center will gather communi-| to tune in on radio signals emit- | first mountaineer navy.” mountaincer navy"? was formal-|