Shortly after WWII, the Cold War immediately began and out of fear of invasion or attack, the United States Air Force (with the aid of the Royal Canadian Air Force) began constructing a number of radar stations located approximately along the 50th parallel. This system of radar stations was known as the Pine Tree Line and in 1951 an area 10 km north of St. John's was chosen for one of these stations.
The radar base became known as the Red Cliff Air/Radar Station. Construction began here in 1951 on an AN/CPS-6B radar system, an operations building, several barracks buildings, a steam-power plant, and several other essential buildings. It was completed and opened in 1953. Lower on the hill near the site of an American WWII gun battery, an AN/CPS-5 radar and operations building was constructed during this time as well.
In command of the Red Cliff Radar Station was the 108th AC&W Squadron who in 1953 became re-designated as the 642nd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron. These American servicemen operated the radar which was used to record unidentified aircraft's speed, altitude, and direction. If an unidentified aircraft was found, the information was passed on to intercept fighter jets stationed nearby at the Torbay Air Force Base. The base also served as a navigational aid for friendly aircraft in the area and ended up answering many search and rescue calls during its operation. Red cliff was under the command of the American base, Fort Pepperrell located on the north shore of Quidi Vidi Lake.
Like all Pine Tree Line radar stations, Red Cliff was built to be completely self contained and self supporting. This meant the base was able to produce its own power, provide its own water and contained living quarters for personnel working on the base. In the picture above the entrance to a large underground water tank can be seen in the foreground. Behind it are the remains of the power plant and fallen down steam plant. Some walls and water tank supports are still standing but for the most part, it is completely fallen down.
The base finally closed on October 1, 1961, when new technology made the radars obsolete. When the site closed everything except for electrical and heating equipment was taken to Harmon Air Force Base in Stephenville. Like most abandoned American military sites on the island, great amounts of trash and equipment were not properly disposed of. Old jeeps, trucks, oil drums, and other litter can be found partially buried in the ground and in the forest around the area.
Not many of the original buildings are left standing. The operations and radar buildings on top of the hill are still let partially standing, along with the concrete shell of the power plant. The old steam plant appears to have collapsed many years ago while most of the other buildings and barracks were destroyed or moved when the site was decommissioned in the 60's.
Like a previous hide here stated, this cache is located at the abondoned structure of the motor pool of the airbase.
This cache is a homemade container created in hope for it to blend in a bit. Still easy enough to find however!
Happy hunting!!