NCR Cavalier Space Force Tour
Cavalier Space Force Tour Draws 52 Participants from Three States
The North Central Region’s Cavalier Space Force tour on March 22, 2025, proved to be a success, attracting 52 participants from the Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota Wings. Attendees had the opportunity to tour the Perimeter Acquisition Radar Characterization System (PARCS) at Cavalier Space Force Station, a critical installation that tracks objects in space across much of Canada. The PARCS building, which stands as the eighth tallest in North Dakota, houses a radar system that spans about 125 feet in width.
During the tour, cadets and senior members learned how PARCS detected space debris that posed a potential threat to the International Space Station (ISS). Thanks to the efforts of Guardians at the Space Force Station, the ISS was able to maneuver out of the way of the debris, ensuring the safety of the crew aboard.
The system also plays a key role in monitoring intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launches from Russia. Cadets took part in a simulated mission toward the end of the tour, where they were tasked with reporting a simulated nuclear missile launch to higher headquarters. Participants were informed that they would have only 60 seconds to report such an event in a real-life scenario.
In another part of the facility, cadets learned about the building’s significant power consumption. The radar system draws as much electricity as a small city, powering the equivalent of 4,000 homes.
The tour also covered the building’s maintenance, including parts of the radar dating back to the 1970s. Lt. Col. Michael Stobie, commander of the 10th Space Warning Squadron, and other personnel were gracious with their time, answering all questions posed by the participants, except those that could not be addressed due to classification. Cadets even had the chance to meet and speak with a Guardian who had been stationed at Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base) in Greenland.
After the facility tour, the group drove by the nearby Stanley R. Mickelsen Safeguard Complex, home to the “Pyramid of North Dakota.” Built by the U.S. Army during the Cold War, it served as part of a missile defense system, featuring a unique pyramid-shaped radar system and missile silos. The complex was constructed at a cost of six billion dollars and played a pivotal role in the U.S. military's efforts to defend against potential nuclear threats. While the complex is not open for tours at this time, cadets were able to view the site from a distance.
All in all, the event was a resounding success, and Lt. Col. Stobie expressed interest in hosting future tours for Civil Air Patrol in the future.
