Loran Station Middletown Decommissioning Ceremony

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. - Crew members from Loran Station Middletown, Calif. fold the American flag that flew at the facility for the last time during the decommissioning ceremony, May 21, 2010. The loran station began as a radio-based navigation system during World War II under a secret program to provide the Allied forces with a reliable and accurate means of navigation at sea in any weather. The loran station crew ceased broadcasting of their domestic signal at noon, Feb. 8, 2010, as part of a nationwide cancellation of the North American Long Range Navigation-C signal. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Pamela J. Manns