Site near Monson sought for GWEN

The U.S. Air Force has announced that it has begun site-search activities in central Maine for a Ground Wave Emergency Network tower. The Air Force would like to locate the tower, which will be part of the “doomsday” radio network, within a nine-mile radius of Monson.

Monson’s town manager, Ruel Cross, said Friday that he had just heard about the Air Force announcement.

“I haven’t got a clue what it’ll mean,” Cross said. He expected to receive more information on Monday.

GWEN is an unmanned and automated data system that relays emergency and war-time messages among national command authorities, strategic facilities such as radars and command posts, and Strategic Air Command bases.

Located at 150-200 mile intervals across the United States, the network of radio-relay nodes includes towers similar to transmitters used by commercial radio stations to relay messages by using low-frequency radio waves.

Two GWEN towers, one in North Castine and the other in Staceyville, already have been built in Maine as part of an initial “thin line” network consisting of 56 installations.

“The Air Force will follow the siting procedures and the comprehensive public notification and consultation process described in the final environmental impact statement for this final phase of the GWEN program,” said Lt. Col. Stephen Martin, GWEN program manager.

“While the location of a relay node in this area is necessary to meet the operational needs of the system, we will weigh the welfare and interests of local communities throughout the site-selection process.”

Major environmental areas, such as wilderness areas and national parks, are excluded from consideration. The Air Force will consult with regional, state and local agencies to enlist their assistance in locating suitable sites.

The GWEN relay stations, which occupy about 11 acres, include a 299-foot tower, guy wires, fences and three small shelters, each about the size of a truck-carried camper unit.

Broadcast power for each tower is between 2,000 and 3,000 watts. Relay site transmissions do not interfere with television or radio broadcasts, pacemakers, or garage door openers.