submitted by Mark Morgan

In Condon I found and stopped at the local museum/historical society, which is based in the town`s old UP passenger station/freight house. Karen, the director of the museum, immediately called TSGT and Mrs. Houston, USAF(Ret), who had been stationed at the former radar site. They proceeded to give me the grand tour.

Condon was built and later upgraded under the LASHUP Permanent/Permanent programs; the station designator was LP-32/P-2/Z-32. Radars included the AN/FPS-3, FPS-4, FPS-6, FPS-6A, FPS-20, FPS-20A, GPS-3, and FPS-66. The assigned squadron was the 636th RADS(SAGE), from June 1951 through September 1970. The 636th activated at McChord AAF on 21 May 1947.

The former radar site is located about five miles west of town, on top of a ridge (surprise!), and is in good condition, complete with above-ground steam heating lines (shades of Grand Forks!). The housing is occupied but the remainder of the facility sees little use.

According to TSGT Houston, a church group in Gresham bought the site after it closed and used it to house refuegee Vietnamese and Hmongs. Attempts to introduce them into the ranch lifestyle didn`t work out and the majority relocated to Portland; the church eventually sold the facility back to the GSA.

Medium-sized station, near an attractive small farm/ranch town. I think I would`ve enjoyed being stationed here (17 May 96/Tillamook & Back Again Tour 2/96).