MEDITERRANEAN SEA CHAIN
The Mediterranean Sea Chain was the first operational LORAN-C chain. It was decalred operational on 25 MAR 1959. The target date was set for January 1, 1959 however because delay by the production manufacturer the equipment was delivered late 1958. The stations (Sellia Marina, Matratin, Kargabarun) were on air testing in February 1959. The fourth station, Estartit, was to be completed in 1960 however because of construction delays the station was ready for operations in 1961 however there was objections to the radio spectrum. This issue was resolved and the station operational on-air in October 1962. Pending approval for on-air operation, August 1961 to October 1962 the station was used for testion skywave reception. LMS Rhodes was operational with the original three transmitting stations. U.S. involvement ceased December 1994.
Project Code name: TACK
TACK I - Sellia Marina (Simeri Crichi); TACK II - Kargabarun (Targabarun); TACK III - Matratin TACK IV-B - Estartit (Estartit was the second selected site location - the first was on the southern French coast)
1959 - 1962
SELLIA MARINA - KARGABARUN - MATRATIN - LMS RHODES
SELLIA MARINA - KARGABARUN - MATRATIN - ESTARTIT - LMS RHODES - LMS SARDINA
MAY/JUN 1969 - Mediterranean Sea Loran-C Calibration - pdf
1970 - 1972
SELLIA MARINA - KARGABARUN - ESTARTIT - LMS RHODES - LMS SARDINA
1972 - 1977
SELLIA MARINA - KARGABARUN - ESTARTIT - LAMPEDUSA - LMS RHODES - LMS SARDINA
1977 - 1993
SELLIA MARINA - KARGABARUN - ESTARTIT - LAMPEDUSA
1993 - 1994
SELLIA MARINA - LAMPEDUSA - ESTARTIT