Marfa TARS Site, Texas

This Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS) site is part of a network of inflated static aircraft (aerostats) that are raised aloft and cabled in place (tethered), for use as radar stations along the USA/Mexico border. Jointly operated by the Air Force and the US Customs service until 2013, when U.S. Customs and Border Protection assumed full managerial responsibilities. TARS' primary mission is to detect small aircraft entering into the country from the south. The system currently employs around eight of the unmanned aerostats, at locations that span from Yuma, Arizona, to the Florida Keys.