Nice work there, think of the reduction in wind loading you just gave your tower. Really enjoyed this post, as a guy who climbs these every now and then, and an old radio/IFF tech : )
I had "basic" IFF training in ET-A school. But was never around it. I forget the term, the main RADAR at Miramar was FAA it was "regional?" for both military and civilian in the area. We never touched it.
On a side note, one perk to my billet at Miramar, is that back then PSA had a contract with Miramar if "downtown" was too foggy. So we were called out of bed, etc, had to go out quick and check out the RADAR before the transport came in. "It was OK" LOL for the Navy jocks to fly the RADAR all night but we had to check it!!! for the civilian plane!!! Then we'd go up to the tower snack bar and flirt with the college girls and stewardesses.
Also, back then, they were flying stuff like 727s. The next morning after one of these landings, the crew, with no passengers, would ferry the plane back to LA or wherever. I had NO idea those things could climb out like that!!! Damn things looked like an F4!!! I'm sure the pilots "used that opportunity" to have a bit of fun, too!!
