Willmar Air Force Station was initially part of Phase II of the Air Defense Command Mobile Radar program. The Air Force approved this expansion of the Mobile Radar program on October 23, 1952. Radars in this network were designated “SM.” The station closed on 1 June 1961 due to budgetary constraints. Today the former Willmar Air Force Station is now Willmar Technical College. Mostly rebuilt, some USAF buildings remain.