Silence marks the end of LORAN (video)
This past Tuesday, Feb 8th 2010 marked the end of one of the longest running terrestrial radio navigation systems, the U.S. LORAN-C (LOng RAnge Navigation) system. In accordance with the 2010 DHS Appropriations Act, the U.S. Coast Guard terminated the transmission of all U.S. LORAN-C signals on 08 Feb 2010 at 2000 GMT. This termination does not affect U.S. participation in the Russian American or Canadian LORAN-C chains. U.S. participation in these chains will continue temporarily in accordance with international agreements, although Canada has announced it will cease transmissions on or before 01 October 2010.
For many traditionalists and old timers, the termination of LORAN-C was not necessarily an agreeable option. Many argue that LORAN-C provides one of the best back-up navigation systems to the Department of Defense operated GPS. LORAN-C was also used by many fisherman to aid in setting gear. Will we need or wish we still had LORAN someday? That is anybody’s guess, but for now, the U.S. chains are silent after 67 years of operation.
KODIAK, Alaska - Electronics Technician 3rd Class Robert Perkins works on the Loran Station Narrow Cape signal during the termination of the Gulf of Alaska signal Feb. 8, 2010. Perkins was stationed at the Kodiak Island unit directly out of Electronics Technician "A" school and has served for a year and a half. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Sara Francis.
The following are the remarks of CDR Gary M. Thomas, Commanding Officer US Coast Guard Loran Support Unit
Wildwood, New Jersey:
Yesterday, VADM Papp presided over the termination of the Loran C signal transmission after more than 67 years of Coast Guard involvement with Loran, in accordance with the President’s intent and the 2010 Coast Guard Appropriation law. The Coast Guard’s Navigation Center (NAVCEN), who was the Operational Commander of the Loran C system, was charged with development of the Operations Order to execute the termination of the signal. At 1958Z, CAPT Ed Thiedeman, Commanding Officer of the NAVCEN, gave the order for all stations to secure transmission of the Loran C signal, bring to close era of radio navigation, one in which the United States Coast Guard established the Gold Standard for engineering, operations and system availability.
As the reports confirming signal termination rolled in, starting with the Northeast United States chain and moving from east to west, finally finishing with Alaska, there was more than one person who felt a bit saddened when they heard stations that they had served at call out that the signal had been secured. The securing of the transmitters left an eerie quiet for a system that was known worldwide for its 99.7% system availability and 99.9% system performance. The quiet poignantly marked the end of an era.
Admiral Allen, who witnessed the event while at the Loran Support Unit (LSU), had a hand in securing the last signal, when the LSU secured their test rate as the last station to broadcast a Loran C signal for the United States. Standing along side, and with the assistance of a veteran of Loran A service from the 1950s and two veterans of Loran C service dating back to the 1960s, Admiral Allen threw the switch securing the signal transmission of the 8090 Master Test rate for the final time.
Following the securing of the transmitters, celebrations were held at both NAVCEN and the LSU. However, the celebrations were not about securing the signal, but rather to honor the service of the men and women who stood the watch for more than 65 years, from remote places like Attu, Alaska so far west that they say “From Here You Can See Tomorrow”, to small islands like Johnston Island which had the Loran station and little more, to Havre, Montana where the tower was the tallest structure for miles, to Sylt, Germany and many other European, Mediterranean and Pacific countries. It was never the most glamorous duty available, but it was one of the most critical duties that help our country navigation through several wars and showed the civilian community just what could be done with precision position, navigation and timing services.
At the LSU, the event was closed with a simple toast “To those who stood the watch” to recognize all who did and all of the men and women, military and civilian, who supported them.
For an excellent read on the termination of LORAN-C, check out the article at Towmasters – “Lots of eggs, one basket: Loran-C Signal Shut Down.”
KODIAK, Alaska - Coast Guard Loran-C Station Narrow Cape's 625-foot tower stands silent after the ceremony for switching off the loran signal Feb. 8, 2010. The loran signal has been operating for 67 years, 8 months, and 24 days from May 25, 1942 to Feb. 8, 2010. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan Lally.
