665th calumet air force station

photoshoots
Written By Matthew Monte

So you probably didn't realize that there was a radar station located in remote Keweenaw Peninsula. Well there was, and kind of - still is. The 665th Calumet Air Force Station was operational 1950 - 1988. Its support base was K.I. Sawyer AFB. Some early equipment FPS-5; FPS-3/-20/-64; FPS-27; FPS-26A; FPS-6/-90 and later: FPS-27; FPS-26A. FPS-91A; FPS-116 (JSS). Cool stuff if you are into cold-war era defenses and the SAGE network for which this radar station served as a link. If you're not, check it out - its absolutely fascinating!In my continual fascination with empty, abandoned, decaying industrial structures, we rounded up the troops for an afternoon shoot at the decommissioned base. Many thanks to the Keweenaw County Sheriff's Department, and our friends at Pasty.net - both of whom have high interest in keeping the site secure and do so with an array of video cameras, motion sensors, and padlocks. While we planned a couple weeks out, we did not factor the weather. When we pulled up, we had a -27 windchill outside and our staging area in tower was perhaps 20 degrees at best. So the interns kept the models warm with blankets, hats, boots, and tomato soup (thanks, John) photoshoot & costume director Heidi, tour guide JCS and I scoped the floors out with a flashlight and settled on a half dozen locations. Thanks to everyone for helping out, and a thank you to the crazy models whose pale, frozen faces made the shoot that much more dramatic. More shots to come from this set.*** UPDATED ***Had to update this post with some more photos from the shoot as a result of an unsolicited email from a very sweet fan (thanks!) Her message is below and new images follow.Subject: Your Work-WOWMessage Body: I just ”discovered” you from the pastycam website with your photos of the dog race.You have an incredible talent of capturing the essence of a person!!! Wish we lived closer. My husband and I lived in the Copper Country in 1967 when he was stationed at Calumet Air Force Radar Station. (Which would be a great background for your work. All the buildings are just as we left them. Curtains, even still in place!)We fell in love with the area and we try to get back when we can.I will be checking in to your website often.Thanks!!!