Air Force Space Command:
Cavalier Air Force Station, N.D. — Once a major piece of U.S. nuclear defenses during the Cold War, Cavalier Air Force Station continues to be a significant link in the nation’s missile warning and space defense scheme.
The 10th Space Warning Squadron is a geographically separated unit of the 21st Space Wing at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo. Cavalier Air Force Station, N.D. is about 15 miles south of the Canadian border. The installation initially provided the first and only ballistic missile defense of ICBM fields in the northern U.S. Following the Strategic Arms Limitations Treaty II that mission was terminated. Soon after, new dual missions of providing missile warning and supporting space surveillance began. The Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System at Cavalier AFS is the only Safeguard component that was not deactivated.
The most prominent structure at Cavalier AFS is the Perimeter Acquisition Radar building, a ground-based Integrated Tactical Warning/Attack Assessment sensor key to the National Military Command System. The building housing the PARCS radar system, often referred to as the second tallest building in North Dakota after the state capitol, is an electro-magnetic pulse hardened structure built as part of the Army’s anti-ballistic missile Safeguard program.
“PARCS’ primary mission is Missile Warning; its secondary mission is Space Situational Awareness,” said Lt. Col. John Koehler, 10th SWS commander. “PARCS is uniquely positioned to view objects approaching the United States and Southern Canada from the north. It has a visibility range of 3,300 kilometers, which is approximately 2,000 miles.” This allows the world’s most capable radar to provide observations on thousands of earth-orbiting satellites.”
The PARCS provides around the clock missile warning data to North American Aerospace Defense Command and space surveillance data to United States Strategic Command. The system monitors and tracks more than half of all earth-orbiting objects to enable space situational awareness. The 10th SWS team provides real-time missile warning data to the secretary of defense and the president to assist in decision making.
“Cavalier AFS is a unique installation with unparalleled personnel,” said Koehler. “The opportunities here rival and exceed what I’ve experienced at previous bases over my 17 years of service. The missions have direct impact on capabilities provided globally, from the farmers in the local area to operations overseas. This is truly the nation’s most capable radar operated and maintained by the most capable team of Airmen.”
