H-2, being 260 air miles away from the main base at Keflavik at the extreme opposite end of the island posed some very difficult problems, and subsequent cost overruns, in constructing the site near Langanes.  This location also subjected the site to some of the most severe storms the North Atlantic could generate.  Initial surveying for the site began in 1952.  Originally planned to be operational in late summer 1953, the site actually went operational in late 1957.