Check Six – 1965: 169th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron Becomes Operational

Posted on Jan 13, 2022 in Check Six

Taken from the HANG 25 Booklet, the History of the Hawaii Air National Guard, November 4, 1946 to November 3, 1971

Hawaii Air National Guard photograph

This undated photograph shows the 169th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron on Mount Kaala. This photograph was taken shortly after the facility became operational.

On July 1, 1965, the 169th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron “closed shop” at Koko Crater AFS and at the same instant “opened shop” at the multi-stationed Mount Kaala Complex. Operations and radio maintenance were at Building 204, Wheeler AFB. Radar maintenance was a joint operation with the Guard and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) atop Mount Kaala. The radio-relay to/from the 150th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron on Kauai operated at Punamano AFS. The 326th Air Division Control Center moved out of Kunia tunnel and collocated with the 169th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron Direction Center located at the then-Wheeler AFB.

The day following activation of the Mount Kaala Complex the 169th hosted the dedication of the new facility. Dignitaries present included: Governor John A. Burns, Rev. Abraham K. Akaka, Major General Robert L. Stevenson, Brigadier Generals John A. Rouse and Valentine A. Siefermann, and Mr. Phillip M. Swatek, Director of the FAA Pacific Region.

Over the years, there have been upgrades to equipment, unit name and operational changes, but the air defense mission continues.