A tape support which provides several different functions in a reel-to-reel tape drive is disclosed. The tape support provides means for sensing tension in the tape, buffers or decouples the tape at the magnetic head from any perturbations arising at the take-up reel, and reliably guides the tape along the tape path. the tape travels along an arcuate surface of the tape support (16) on an air bearing. A port (17) in the arcuate surface senses pressure between the tape and the arcuate surface. This pressure is communicated to a transducer (22) which provides an output representing the tension on the tape. Flanges (24) on the ends of the tape support provide guiding of the tape over the air bearing and also provide venting of the air bearing to prevent tape vibration. A purge line (28) expels a gaseous medium out of the sense port thereby keeping the sense port clear of contaminants.