[MilCom] Fwd: [MilRadioComms] "Fat Albert" blimp coming down

[AllanStern at aol.com]

'Fat Albert' Military Blimp in Florida Keys to Come Down After 33  Years

http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/Fat-Albert-Military-Blimp-in-Florida-Keys-to-Co
me-Down-After-33-Years-188194361.html
 
Air Force blimp used in counter-drug trafficking to come down
 
Officials say a military blimp that's been tethered in the Florida Keys for 
 more than three decades is coming down for good.
 
An internal email by Exelis Systems Corp. - the defense contractor that  
operates the blimps nationally - says Air Force blimp known as "Fat Albert" 
that  hovers over Cudjoe Key will end its 33-year flight on March 15.
 
The Key West Citizen reports that the blimp - a Tethered Aerostat Radar  
System - is part of an Air Force program that is being cut. The Air Force told 
 Exelis employees on Jan 15 that TARS sites all along the US southern 
border will  be eliminated.
 
The 250,000 cubic-foot blimp was the first such aerostat used by the US Air 
 Force. US Customs & Border Protection and the US Coast Guard use the 
blimps  in counter-drug trafficking operations.
 
AL STERN  Satellite Beach  FL
AllanStern at aol.com
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