Luke-Williams Trip - Feb. 1999
Since I had heard that the Luke-Williams radar site might be close to Gila Bend, I started my search there. I inquired at a local museum and was told that here in fact had been an Air Force radar site outside of Ajo (pronounced ah-ho) which is south of Gila Bend on Arizona route 85. Proceeding south on 85, I saw the entrance to the Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Air Field. The security guard at the gate gave me more information about the site at Ajo, stating it was still there but many of the original buildings had been removed.
I drove south on 85 and the radar site came into view on top of Childs Mountain, about 3 miles north of Ajo. A joint surveillance radar tower was visible along with the remains of (2) former Air Force radar towers. One tower was the familiar "metal box on stilts" of the FPS-26 while the other was the standard "arctic" tower widely used for a variety of military radars. A road led to the mountain top. As I drove up it I encountered a chained gate and signs prohibiting entry. At that same time, a carload of people was coming down the mountain. I flagged them down and found them to be FAA technicians coming off their work shift. They confirmed that the site is the former Air Force site and that the FAA radar was not fully operational yet. I asked about access to the site by car and was told it was prohibited because there were still active Air Force communications facilities on the mountain which supported the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range which is nearby. They did suggest I check with the headquarters of the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge in Ajo which administers the land on which the site is located.
An attendant at the wildlife refuge stated that private cars were prohibited up the road but that once or twice a year guided tours by car were allowed. However, he stated that hikers were allowed up the road on foot at any time. If I were a hiker, I would only attempt the climb in late fall, winter or early spring as it gets pretty hot at other times. The attendant also showed me a report titled "Cultural Resources Inventory For The Ajo Mountain Radar Station Demolition Project at Childs Mountain, Arizona". The report was prepared by Dames & Moore, 7500 North Dreamy Draw Drive Suite 145, Phoenix, AZ 85020. The document contained many photos of the site prior to the removal of the old buildings along with lots of other info. I`m sure extra copies could be ordered from Dames & Moore.
Ed. note: I`ve requested a copy of this document from Dames & Moore.
One last thought. I believe this site should properly be called "Ajo Air Force Station" instead of Luke-Williams Range. The sign on the access road calls it that and the Dames & Moore document refers to it as the Ajo Radar Station. This also seems to be the designation that the "locals" use.
