Coast Guard demolishes Attu LORAN tower

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Coast Guard has demolished the 625-foot-tall Long-Range Aids to Navigation, or LORAN tower in Attu. It says the tower was deteriorating without funding for repairs and at risk of collapse.

The Coast Guard began decommissioning its LORAN infrastructure due to the rise in use of the satellite-based Global Positioning System, and in response to direction from Congress provided in the 2010 budget. Since 1961, a staff of 20 Coast Guard personnel operated the Attu station.

The tower has been in use since the LORAN-C station was moved from Casco Cove to Massacre Bay in 1960.